The Vow of Secrecy

Overview

The Vow is actually the verbal consent required to lay a high-level magic spell on the speaker.  Each Vow is witnessed by Mara, the Silver Dragon of Oaths, and through it a powerful geas is placed that will alert Mara to any willful, coerced or accidental breaking of the vow.  The vow itself is simple, with the oath-taker made fully aware of the nature of the spell behind the vow, as well as attendant consequences.  

 

The Vow is as follows: 

"I do solemnly swear that I will not, without due authority, disclose or make known any personal identity, divine or magical nature, physical, technical, social or religious matter that comes from beyond the Waypoint to the People or Beasts of the planet Pern. I do affirm that this Oath binds me to absolute secrecy, upon pain of Truth Seeking as administered by Mara - keeper of this Oath."

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WHY?

In short, the price all refugees must pay in return for their sanctuary is that their nature and knowledge of Magic and worlds Beyond must remain hidden from the People of Pern.  It is the belief of the Senior Queen of Fort Weyr, as well as leadership from among the refugees, that Pernese Society is not yet ready to accept such fantastic realities.   

Known Lapses

As of current year 4357, there are no known lapses of the Oath.