Archetype I: The Vowkeeper

“I do not forget. I do not forsake.”

Guardian of Honor • Protector of Codes • Shield of the Sovereign Flame

I. Core Essence

The Vowkeeper is the immovable heart of the circle. When others break, bend, or flee, the Vowkeeper remembers the sacred. Not a general, not a preacher — a living covenant. They hold lineages, oaths, and the integrity of empires. Where law falters, their word prevails.

II. Function in the Circle

• Role: Commander of Moral Structure + Ritual Consistency
• Power: Instills trust, coherence, and psychological endurance
• Weapon: The Binding Oathblade (a sword that glows when vows are near breaking)
• Placement: Always to the right of the Sovereign, where the shield is held

III. Sacred Qualities

• Loyalty above convenience
• Stillness in chaos
• Remembrance of lineage and consequence
• Flame of unshaken will

IV. Mantra + Ritual Phrase

“I do not break. I bend for none. My word is older than war.”

V. Symbol & Sigil

A black-and-gold shield with a single vertical crack — not a wound, but a scar sealed by fire. The sigil is a circle crossed by a sword and flame. Their arrival is always preceded by silence.

“When the king sleeps, the Vowkeeper watches.”

© 2025 The Circle of Fire | Archetype Codex I