Sith Rite of Blood Brotherhood

The Sith Rite of Blood Brotherhood was an ancient ritual of the Sith race in which two Sith males swore loyalty to one another, in a way treated as if it was a real familial connection.

Traditions and Ramifications
During the age of the Sith Empire, the Rite was an enforceable legal ritual, not a merely symbolic exchange. The two parties' families were considered legally bonded for such matters as inheritance and lawful pursuit of revenge. However, the Rite was only celebrated between two Force-sensitive individuals; though it was often privately copied by the lower classes (and occasionally even by Massassi), it had no legal bearing in these groups.

Between two Sith who had sworn blood brotherhood, there was a lifelong connection. They took one another's families as their own not merely in name, but in all practical ways; Sith legends tell of blood brothers who inflicted horrific vengeance on those who had harmed their brothers' families. On a day-to-day level, bonded brothers were expected to intercede for their blood siblings, protect their interests, and advance their careers if possible. In particular, the wives, sisters, and children of one brother were to be sacrosanct to the other, and if one brother died, his family automatically came under the protection (legal and physical) of the other brother.

Given the extremely close nature and indebtedness common to blood brotherhood, it was a ritual most often undergone by Sith marauders and other Force adept warriors, who would come to owe and trust one another through partnership in battle. Sith Lords, by contrast, who were usually more powerful and had more substantial roles in government, were generally hesitant to bind themselves to anyone when it was not absolutely mandatory. However, cases of blood brotherhood between Sith Lords (and once even a Sith warrior and the Dark Lord) did exist.

Somewhat akin to political intermarriage, blood brotherhood was occasionally used as a tool of social mobility or to increase one's power. However, due to the absolute stigma against betraying the oath of brotherhood, many Sith considered having someone so very close to them to be a risk that did not merit the potential gains.

The Rite
In the Rite, both Sith would enter a Sith Temple, under the guidance and instruction of a Sith priest, or kissai. After an introductory speech, each Sith would recite a list of his relatives and his lineage, usually at least five generations back (sometimes more for more powerful or prestigious Sith; the Dark Lord who took a blood brother listed one hundred and seven generations). After the brothers-to-be had listed all their various relations, both recited in unison a pledge to accept them all.

Following the list of relations, each Sith would cut his palm with a ceremonial knife. When both were bleeding freely, they knelt and clasped hands, mingling their blood together. In this position, they recited the Oath of Brotherhood:

{quote|By my honor as a Sith, descendant of the race of gods, I am your brother. Your family is mine, and I will love them. Your allies are mine, and I will honor them. Your enemies are mine, and I will destroy them. Your injuries are mine, and I will avenge them.|The Sith Oath of Blood Brotherhood}

Following recitation of the Oath, the Sith were officially blood brothers. The Rite was often followed by a feast attended by both sides of the family, at which each brother in turn would ritually embrace his new family members.

Modern Practice
Following the demise of the Sith Empire, much of Sith culture fell into decay as the race was driven to near-extinction. Though blood oaths continued, the absence of any Sith priests took away much of the formal and legalistic air. Oaths of Blood Brotherhood tended to be more personal, enforceable only by mutual consent.

The only Sith in modern times known to have undergone the traditional ritual are Khrado Ragnos and Tak Sakaros. At the time, the pledge of familial protection was only a formality, as neither had any family of which they were aware. However, following Sithmaster's death at the hands of Darth Vader, Sakaros tried very hard to avenge him, and took to protecting his late brother's sisters and daughter with a fanatic devotion. He also experienced a great deal of unease over his attraction to Razielle Ragnos, Khrado's sister, due to their ritual relationship. The matter was complicated even further when Khrado's other sister, Valadyn, used their genes to produce a son, Hayden.