Oath Rod
From A Wheel of Time Wiki
—Siuan Sanche
The Oath Rod is a ter'angreal used by the White Tower when raising Accepted to Aes Sedai, upon which they are required to swear the Three Oaths. It makes oaths binding; that is, it is not possible to knowingly break an oath sworn on the Oath Rod unless the rod is used again to release the person from it. It is ivory-white and about a foot long.
The Oath Rod only works on channelers. Spirit is channeled into its end, and the channeler makes his or her oaths. The Oath Rod can also be used to remove oaths, though this is very painful and few are aware of this ability. If it happens that two oaths conflict, so that it is not possible to fulfill both, the channeler is rendered unable to breathe and will soon die if the conflict is not removed. Swearing oaths causes a tightening of the skin, which is responsible for the "ageless" look of Aes Sedai. Though Aes Sedai live extended lives, the Oath Rod severely shortens that life extension.
In the Age of Legends, there were many ter'angreal like the Oath Rod, all called binders. These were used on criminals.
[edit] Notes
It should be noted that sisters do somehow manage to forsake their Oath Rod vows when they become Black Ajah, though how this is accomplished, whether by oath renunciation or some other method, is unknown.
