behöll

Behöll is a term used in a fictional world to denote a ceremonial seal used to bind agreements, and the ritual surrounding its use. In the source material, a behöll consists of a flat disc carved from obsidian-like stone, etched with sigils, and kept as a pledge. The word also functions as a verb describing the act of performing the oath-binding ritual.

Etymology within the fiction traces the term to the Zephuran language, combining the roots meaning “bind” and “seal.” It is described as having arisen during the late Iron Age in Valora and later spreading to neighboring cultures through treaties and marriage alliances.

Usage and cultural context in the narrative frame behöll as a central element of political and legal life. Beholds are used in treaties, royal successions, and high-level oaths. The ritual typically involves presenting the behöll to witnesses, reciting an oath, and passing the disc along to formalize the agreement’s continuity across generations. The act of performing a behöll is viewed as a public affirmation of trust and obligation.

Historical reception in the in-universe literature portrays behöll as a symbol of stability and legitimacy, while abuses—such as forging sigils or violating oaths—are depicted as grave offenses. The concept appears in several in-universe texts, including chronicles and regional law codes, and is referenced in epic poetry about treaties and dynastic unions.

See also: oath, seal, ritual object.