The Oath of The Core

The Core, a powerful and well-organised elite within the Guild, claims a heritage stretching back to the medieval Guilds and secret societies of old Sol. There follows a translation of the oath sworn at Core initiation ceremonies:

Quote:After having entered the Core I must treat my sworn brothers as my own kin.

I shall assist my sworn brothers by offering financial or physical assistance. When my brothers visit my house, I shall provide them with board and lodging. I shall be damned to the unknown if I treat them as strangers.

I will always acknowledge my brothers when they identify themselves. If I do not, I will be damned to the unknown.

I shall not disclose the secrets of the Core, not even to my parents, brothers, or wife. I shall never disclose the secrets for money. If I break this oath, I will be starved of life.

I shall never betray my sworn brothers. If, through a misunderstanding, I have caused the harm of one of my brothers I must make recompense immediately. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

I will offer financial assistance to sworn brothers who are in trouble in order that they may pay their passage fee, etc. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

I must never cause harm or bring trouble to my sworn brothers or masters. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

I must never commit any indecent assaults on the wives, sisters, or daughters, of my sworn brothers. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

I shall never embezzle cash or property from my sworn brothers. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

I will take good care of the wives or children of sworn brothers entrusted to my keeping. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

If I have supplied false particulars about myself for the purpose of joining the Core I shall be killed by fire.

If I should change my mind and deny my membership of the Core I will be killed by fire.

If I rob a sworn brother or assist an outsider to do so I will be killed by fire.

If I should take advantage of a sworn brother I will be damned to the unknown.

If I knowingly convert my sworn brother's cash or property to my own use I shall be damned to the unknown.

If I am disciplined for a wrong I must accept my punishment and not try to place blame on my sworn brothers. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

If any of my sworn brothers are killed or have departed to some other place, I will assist their wives and children who may be in need. If I pretend to have no knowledge of their difficulties I will be starved of life.

When any of my sworn brothers have been assaulted or blamed by others, I must come forward and help him if he is in the right or advise him to desist if he is wrong. If he has been repeatedly insulted by others I shall inform our other brothers and arrange to help him physically or financially. If I do not keep this oath I will be starved of life.

I shall not cause discord amongst my sworn brothers by spreading false reports about any of them. If I break this oath, may I be starved of life.

I shall not appoint myself as a master without authority. After entering the Core the loyal and faithful ones may be promoted by the masters with the support of his sworn brothers. I shall be damned to the unknown if I make any unauthorized promotions myself.

If my natural brothers are involved in a dispute with my sworn brothers I must not help either party against the other but must attempt to have the matter settled amicably. If I break this oath I will be killed by fire.

After entering the Core I must forget any previous grudges I may have borne against my sworn brothers. If I do not do so I will be killed by fire.

I must not give support to outsiders if so doing is against the interests of any of my sworn brothers. If I do not keep this oath I will be killed by fire.

I must not take advantage of the Core brotherhood in order to oppress or take violent or unreasonable advantage of others. I must be content and honest. If I break this oath I will be killed by fire.

I shall be killed by fire if I behave indecently towards small children of my sworn brothers' families.

I must not take to myself the wives and concubines of my sworn brothers nor commit adultery with them. If I do so I will be starved of life.

I must never reveal Core secrets or signs when speaking to outsiders. If I do so I will be killed by fire.

After entering the Core I shall be loyal and faithful and shall endeavour to fulfill the Core's destiny by coordinating my efforts with those of my sworn brethren even though my brethren and I may not be in the same professions. Our common aim is to rule the new worlds.