Myth and Sword traces its origins to the Nu Deuteron chapter of Phi Gamma Delta fraternity, established in 1875 as a third-year society at Yale University.

When Yale implemented its residential college system in 1933, Vernon Hall began to have financial difficulties.

[5][6] Phi Gamma Delta maintained a residential house and a "tomb" which was its meeting space.

[8] Above its entrance was a carving of the fraternity's coat of arms with its Greek motto, "Friendship, the sweetest influence".

[2] The fraternity sold its chapter house to Yale in 1934, following the start of the university's residential program.