Njor-Odond-Voki: The Binding Oath of Ertha
In the complex tapestry of Ertha’s history, the Eowüril Njor-Odond-Voki—or the Blood Oath—stands as one of the most solemn and unbreakable covenants binding guilds, houses, and individuals to their sworn word. Rooted in the doctrines of the Drukduua, this oath transcends language and culture, serving as a sacred bond that ensures accountability across the moral spectrum of good and evil. It is the highest form of commitment, often employed to forge alliances, preserve sacred knowledge, or impose severe consequences on oathbreakers. In the eyes of the House of the Holy Rollers, this is one of the most sacred documents since the 2nd age.
The Origins of the Blood Oath
The concept of the Blood Oath emerged as a pivotal lesson from the Great War of the First Age, where deception and chaos reigned. The Voidborn, agents of destruction unleashed from the Shadow Gate, demonstrated that evil could hide behind facades of trust and righteousness. This war showed the need for a binding mechanism that even the most malevolent forces could not undermine.
The Drukduua established the Blood Oath to counter this deception. Its sacred rules dictate that once sworn, an oath cannot be broken without severe consequences, regardless of the swearer’s nature. Even demons, bound by their own infernal laws, will not engage in a Blood Oath unless it aligns with their broader agendas. The penalty for breaking such an oath is immediate and catastrophic, often calling for the intervention of an Arbiter to deliver judgment.
Names of the Oath Across Cultures
Though universally recognized as Eowüril in the Common Tongue, each race and region has its own name for this sacred pact:
High Elves: Denodë
Dwarves: Loiforin
Fey: Rin’ovurden
Orcs: Arcolgot
Western Regions: Vhadkada
Southern Expanses: Serfernor
The Dead Tongue: Svillerch
These variations highlight the oath’s universality while reflecting the unique cultural nuances of Ertha’s many inhabitants.
The Role of Guilds in Upholding the Eowüril
The Great Guilds of Ertha play a central role in upholding and enforcing the Eowüril. Each guild brings its own interpretation and methodology for ensuring the sanctity of oaths. Here’s some examples:
The Artisans Guild under House Gravan-Myrwinia is renowned for their mastery of craft and enchantments. This guild often employs the Eowüril to secure commissions and protect proprietary techniques. Breaking a Blood Oath here risks the wrath of master crafters and the loss of reputation among Ertha’s nobility.
The Stonemasons Guild House Brandlekliener invokes the Eowüril to ensure the secrecy of their craft. A Blood Oath among Stonemasons is a covenant of silence, guarding the clandestine entrances and traps embedded within their structures.
The Shapers Guild of House Zend-Wynn uses the Eowüril to guard their rediscovered art of Shapermancy. A broken oath here could lead to catastrophic misuse of elemental forces, threatening the balance of Ertha.
The Healer’s Guild represented by House Chla-Drothrow incorporates the Eowüril to guarantee the ethical application of their remedies, particularly when dealing with controversial methods like the mercy cure.
The Leather-Craft Guild under House Harrowrunnah binds leatherworkers to supply adventurers with gear of the highest quality. Failure to fulfill such oaths tarnishes both the guild’s name and its members’ livelihoods.
Consequences of Breaking the Eowüril
When an Eowüril is broken, the guilds collectively defer to the Arbiters, divine agents tasked with investigating and administering justice. The penalties vary but are always severe. For instance, oathbreakers may face expulsion from their guilds, with their names struck from guild rolls, and their skills deemed cursed. Magical repercussions such as binding curses often follow, tying the offender’s soul to their crime. In extreme cases, the offender may be handed over to the Arbiters for execution or banishment, with justice often delivered during the golden hour when cosmic energies are at their peak.
GM Tips
The Eowüril is a versatile narrative tool that can add depth and tension to any campaign. Here are a few ways to incorporate it:
Introduce the Eowüril as a prerequisite for peace between rival factions, forcing players to navigate the moral and strategic implications of binding themselves to such an oath. Use it as a quest hook where a party member is summoned as a witness or enforcer when an NPC breaks their Eowüril, leading to an investigative adventure to uncover the truth. Challenge your players with moral dilemmas by presenting an NPC who broke their Eowüril for noble reasons, such as saving a village. Should the party support them or uphold the law?
Allow players to swear their own Blood Oaths, offering mechanical benefits such as bonuses to persuasion or contracts in exchange for severe penalties if the oath is broken. Highlight inter-guild politics by making a broken Eowüril the catalyst for tension between guilds, drawing players into a web of intrigue and alliances.
By weaving the Eowüril into your narrative, you can create a rich tapestry of loyalty, betrayal, and consequence, enhancing the stakes for both players and NPCs.
