That depends a little. See the oath is to uphold the laws and traditions of the Seelie - the law and traditions don't change depending on how you've sworn to follow them. The "loop holes" in oaths usually involve "as far as I am able." or "as far as my honour allows." Or "so long as it brings no harm to me or my house." Etc.
Now, if a Seelie swears and oath with too big a get-out clause or if he interprets a law extremely narrowly or dodgily then he is on dubious honourable ground and the rest of the fae are going to put him very far down their social hierarchy. It also makes it more likely that the king will intervene - because the very nature of the oath shows the Seelie to be dishonourable. If he commits a crime and gets away with it because of big loop holes or narrow interpretation the rest of the fae are going to look down on him and a Sidhe would probably set themself a lesser penance (or more likely provide a service to society/a high ranking house {who will then publically confirm your honour} than a penance so he doesn't have to accept blame - kind of like settling out of court without admitting liability) as an honourable gesture. Kind of "look, I don't think what I did was wrong, but I accept it was questionable and I accept that you are not happy and respect your feelings on the matter. Please accept this gesture of honour, respect and homage to you all and to the Seelie court to affirm my honour and commitment." Ilatheril has had this described to him and says "oh, so the Sidhe lord just buys you off?" Sitharensor was not amused
If he hurts someone then even if he is technically within his loopholes, or even very safely within (for example, he breaks Seelie laws to save his child in accordance with his oath) then he would still be expected to make a large VOLUNTARY gesture to the wronged one (though the wronged one doesn't get to set a penalty - UNLESS a voluntary gesture is made) because this is partially Seelie tradition (covered by the oath) and generally polite and good and honourable conduct (sure, you may have been FORCED to hurt them, but that doesn't mean you don't have to make amends).
IF the first Seelie feels wronged and the second refuses to acknowledge it then the first may challenge for a duel, or declare a feud between their houses, or deamnd that a higher authority examine and give an OPINION. This opinion is NOT BINDING. BUUUUUUUUUUUUT if said authority says "yes you did a bad thing" and the wrong doer does not make MASSIVE amends then his name is worse than mud. The advantage to this is the wrong doer can choose their amends and there is NO element of imposed penance as there normally would be unless he chooses to accept one - BUT he is expected to make even more amends to make up for the delay and denial.
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Date: 2006-11-25 01:03 am (UTC)Now, if a Seelie swears and oath with too big a get-out clause or if he interprets a law extremely narrowly or dodgily then he is on dubious honourable ground and the rest of the fae are going to put him very far down their social hierarchy. It also makes it more likely that the king will intervene - because the very nature of the oath shows the Seelie to be dishonourable. If he commits a crime and gets away with it because of big loop holes or narrow interpretation the rest of the fae are going to look down on him and a Sidhe would probably set themself a lesser penance (or more likely provide a service to society/a high ranking house {who will then publically confirm your honour} than a penance so he doesn't have to accept blame - kind of like settling out of court without admitting liability) as an honourable gesture. Kind of "look, I don't think what I did was wrong, but I accept it was questionable and I accept that you are not happy and respect your feelings on the matter. Please accept this gesture of honour, respect and homage to you all and to the Seelie court to affirm my honour and commitment." Ilatheril has had this described to him and says "oh, so the Sidhe lord just buys you off?" Sitharensor was not amused
If he hurts someone then even if he is technically within his loopholes, or even very safely within (for example, he breaks Seelie laws to save his child in accordance with his oath) then he would still be expected to make a large VOLUNTARY gesture to the wronged one (though the wronged one doesn't get to set a penalty - UNLESS a voluntary gesture is made) because this is partially Seelie tradition (covered by the oath) and generally polite and good and honourable conduct (sure, you may have been FORCED to hurt them, but that doesn't mean you don't have to make amends).
IF the first Seelie feels wronged and the second refuses to acknowledge it then the first may challenge for a duel, or declare a feud between their houses, or deamnd that a higher authority examine and give an OPINION. This opinion is NOT BINDING. BUUUUUUUUUUUUT if said authority says "yes you did a bad thing" and the wrong doer does not make MASSIVE amends then his name is worse than mud. The advantage to this is the wrong doer can choose their amends and there is NO element of imposed penance as there normally would be unless he chooses to accept one - BUT he is expected to make even more amends to make up for the delay and denial.