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The Bannerman Sworn Oath
The current bannerman sworn oath has been used in some form or another for thousands of years as part of most campaign records of the Steel Realms to show the level of duty between a liege and their closest allies. Most formal bannermen are required to swear loyalty in a more abbreviated, localized manner and it is neither a blood oath or sworn worn. If is a true sworn oath, which is held both in highest regard and held in strictest observance. The dedication of the bannerman’s life is no small thing – and it usually is for life. The promise that their liege will care for their every mundane and/or material need (food, shelter, care, basic equipment, replacement equipment, transport, dress, etc.), and they will be rewarded with title, land, marriage (sometimes), and gifts creates a strong loyalty as part of the formal Bannerman Trials. Characters may also get mundane Prestige Items as part of a reward from a Time of Service to their liege. All benefits assume they are a bannerman in Good Standing. The oath of loyalty for the bannerman is a Sworn Code of Conduct. It must not explicitly conflict with any other Codes of Conduct the oath-taker has; or they will be immediately foresworn. The ideals within the code must be adopted and followed with the speed and to the degree which is appropriate of the agreement between the oath-takers and their lord.
The Oath Itself
- I hereby espouse my love of home and hearth – that {Place} is my home, the home now of my immediate and chosen family
- I acknowledge that [Ruler] is the lord and master of my home, and that their law is my law and through it so am I protected and so shall I protect their people; together we are stronger, my fortune and that of my liege is one and the same
- I shall do all in my power to flourish here, to bring a sense of safety and stability upon my friends and family that are here
- I will do all in my power to ensure the future security and prosperity of the land and its inhabitants
- As my home and lord are one, as one prospers, so does the other; My [Ruler] is the will of the land and its peoples, their interest are my own
- I shall obey the commands of my lord and liege; my loyalty is my honor
- I shall contribute to the welfare of community through tithing to my liege, his family, and/or parties they designate in their stead when necessary
Bannerman’s Basic Duties
Personal Duty: Bannerman agrees to place themselves at the beck and call of the lord at all times – there is no time off unless the lord grants it.
Aid the Law: The Bannerman agrees to abide by, enforce, and come to the aid of all law enforcement officials within the liege’s realm should they need aid; it is for the asking wherever they may be. They must place their liege’s reputation above all others and cannot engage in any duel or feud without the express permission of their liege.
The “Title AND Knee Bends to Justice” clause. This ‘clause’ is assumed to effect anyone with title, holdings, governance, or preferential treatment; They must still willingly submit to and be enlisted by legal authorities and reasonable costs. Otherwise, many more standing forces would be maintained at odds with authorities and would be employed resulting in conflicts and disagreements precipitating great violence.
Support the Realm: The Bannerman agrees to tithe 50% of all property, loot, coin, art, material goods of any kind for the good of the lord’s lands and peoples. The Lord always receives the first pick of any treasure. Normal replacement or backup equipment taken as ‘spoils of war’ is usually exempt from a tithe – these are the tools of the bannerman. Bannermen get to leverage some of their lord’s reputation in all dealings with their lord’s servants in selling/resale gear from their spoils of war.
Aid in Defense: Whenever there is a call to arms, the Bannermen must rally all they can to the cause immediately, spending what coin they have (to be recompensed) in the immediate defense of the realm and always bearing their lord’s colors and symbols.
Bannerman’s Basic Benefits
The lord raises the investment in the bannermen he has in order to further his own reach of power and prestige. With each mission and rise in popularity or fame, the lord’s rises with it. And so, the lords provide greater protections, benefits, and provisions. The Bannerman will get a certain level of sponsorship, each of which enjoys specific, ever improving aspects. As a sign of respect though, each level is also accompanied by certain signs – such as the characters wearing improved garb or rainments (tabard, pennon, etc.); to better represent their lord’s power and prestige. The benefits of the bannerman apply wherever they are at; if outside their lord’s lands on their business consider all costs reimbursed so as to not require an accounting of payment at the time.
Verifying Status
Heralds and some general World Watchers have the ability to do this, where they have access to some basic mystical powers. The Sworn Word will be part of the aura they give off as well.
What Happens When the Bannermen do Wrong or Break their Oath?
As a representative of their lord, their actions reflect on the lord. The results of those actions will directly firm or loosen ties to peers and vassals of their lord, as well as the support of the people which depend on their lord. Those who inadvertently or indirectly cause harm to the lord, their vassals or people will receive a reprimand – many times publicly. This can be confiscation of property or wealth, increased tithing, a failure to provide for the bannerman according to the merits they deserve, and even a decrease in Merit Points. For those purposefully violating oaths, repeatedly walking a line between spirit and letter, and permanently despoiling relations with the lord and their people it could result in deep lose of Merit Points, public flogging, confiscation of wealth and property, and even the lord holding their oaths forsworn and/or releasing them from service. Regardless, it should be a clear message that the actions of the group has affected the lord in some displeasing way. A group would have to openly rebel against their lord, or fail so profoundly or repeatedly that the lord would proclaim not just their “ties of service complete and settled”, but outlaw.