Oathswearer

Nakum-Uonrii ("Oathswearers") are Dwarven Longbeards who hold great respect among their peers. Oathswearers wield the power to bind a Dwarf to an oath, being rewarded with honor if they keep it. Conversely, Oathswearers also have the ability to brand Dwarves Oathbreakers if they fail to keep an oath, or Cowards if they refuse to swear an oath. The power to bind to a title or release them from it is considered immense in Dwarven culture, and consequentially the title of Oathswearer comes with much honor.

Etymology
The Dwarven phrase for Oathswearer is Nakum-Uonrii ("One who holds the Truth"). Nakum is a cognate of the Old Dwarven Nyrzym ("truth", "saga"), while Uonrii ("holder", "bearer") stems from Yronyy ("carrier").

In the Imperial, "Oathswearer" comes from the Dwarven Oad ("oath") and the Mountain-Men's word Swar ("to promise").

The Elven word for Oathswearers is Gwestna ("oath-maker").

Functions
The ultimate role of an Oathswearer is to bind Dwarves to their words in a meaningful, significant manner. Oathswearers also serve as judges in legal disputes, thus affirming the laws, codes, and traditions of the Dwarves. An Oathswearer may invoke their right to bind a Dwarf to an oath at any time, in any place. Likewise, an Oathswearer may proclaim a Dwarf an Oathbreaker or Coward regardless of circumstance, so long as there is precedent for doing so and the Oathswearer officially invokes their authority.

The Power of Truth
The Nakum-Midor ("Right of Truth") is the authority wielded by an Oathswearer, and what they must call upon to make their judgement legally binding. Any Dwarf may call upon others to swear oaths, and may use words like "coward" and "oathbreaker" as insults, but only an Oathswearer calling upon Nakum-Midor may bring legal gravity to these terms.

Requirements and Appointment
To become an Oathswearer, a Dwarven Longbeard must apprentice for some time with another Oathswearer. A Dwarf who is not a Longbeard cannot become an Oathswearer. Furthermore, significant professional experience is often required, and many Oathswearers have proven themselves exceptional at a craft or have otherwise proven their greatness. Apprenticeships generally last decades, and involve shadowing the mentor, studying Dwarven law, and arbitrating minor disputes. The authority Oathswearers wield is universally respected by Dwarves, and consequentially the apprenticing process is long, even by Dwarven standards.

Only Oathswearers may appoint other Oathswearers. Upon appointment, the new Oathswearer forsakes their family name and clan as a gesture of impartiality, and takes up either the honorific Nakum-Uonrii or the name of the community they will serve. An Oathswearer serves their role for life, unless they themselves are branded an Oathbreaker or Coward, which strips them of their status.