Oathstones

In the kingdom of Teugoras, it is not sufficient to give one's word when swearing an oath. Dating back to traditions beyond any other form of written records, it is customary for one to seal an oath with the exchange of an oathstone.

Your word? Bah! Seal it with stone, or swallow it and be away with you!

An oathstone is generally a palm-sized piece of limestone or granite carved on one side with the personal seal of an individual. This seal ranges depending on the station, ability, and resources of the owner. Even simple peasants will have a cache of oathstones available with which to seal a bargain, often with a simple etching representing their trade or craft. Those with knowledge of letters may carve their initials into the stone as well. Among the nobility, the quality of one's oathstone is a mark of stature in society. The wealthy will commission artists to carve a set of oathstones with elaborate designs or- in the case of landed nobility - their coat of arms.

The exchange of an oathstone can be used for many purposes. Essentially, any time one makes a promise of some sort to another, an oathstone is given. In its most mundane application, and oathstone can cement a long-term business arrangement. In loftier circles, and oathstone can represent the oath of fealty from a landed noble to his liege. In Verandas, the capital of the kingdom, the king keeps a special chamber in the royal vaults dedicated to the storage, display, and documentation of oathstones from every landed noble in the kingdom. It is said shelves line the walls of the chamber bearing hundreds of stones, and upon a central dais lies the king's own oathstone surrounded by those of his subjects.