Post by Rook on Nov 10, 2007 4:36:38 GMT -5
Any citizen my challenge any other citizen to a duel, regardless of rank. The only exception being, due to the potential for assassination, the King and Queen must select a champion to fight their duels for them unless the duel is on non-lethal terms.
Presiding
A duel must be officiated by an Aristocrat of equal or greater title than the highest ranking member of the duel.
Procedure
The challenge must be issued in a clear and consice manner so that none can be confused as to the intent. It may be done so verbally or in writing. "I challenge you to a duel." Is the easiest method. The slapping in the face with a glove is unnecessary, though showy.
The challenge is then accepted. If it is declined than the challenger is considered to have won the duel. The challenged sets the terms.
Once the terms are set the duelists must find the marshal to preside and once it is chosen who will preside over the duel the duelists assign themselves seconds.
The duelists arrive and compete.
Duel is resolved.
The Terms
The challenged sets the terms as to how the duel will be fought. Unless approved by the Monarchy no duel is to be lethal. The terms consist of:
The Time - the challenged chooses the date and time of the duel. Careful consideration and deliberation over time must be taken to assure that the correct Noble to preside over the duel and the seconds can be available. If a noble is unavailable at the desired time than the duel will be held illegally. It is considered dishonourable and a loss of the duel if the date the duel is set with knowledge that the challenger will not be able to arrive and compete.
The Place: the challenged chooses the site of the duel.
Weapons: the challenged chooses which weapons will be dueled with.
Conditions: after learning of the weapons the challenger may specify one condition (such as offhand behind the back, the number of hits required to win, or specific boundaries to the field.)
Weapons
A duel may be fought with any number of weapons, as long as they are sufficiently non-lethal or armor sufficient to defend against any major injuries are worn. Some popular examples include:
Pistols: Paint ball pistol or air soft pistols accompanied by the proper face and eye, possibly throat, protection are the most common way of resolving a duel by pistols. Toy nerf guns are a popular armor free alternative that is popular among the young. Like weapons must be used; the duel could not be fought paint ball on air soft for example. If either party does not have a pistol of the proper category to meet the terms than one will be provided by the opponent, a second, the marshal, or anyone really. If a brace of pistols of the requisite category cannot be found than the terms must be change or the duel considered a draw.
Swords: Foam swords may be used, but fencing sabers, rapiers and epees are by far the most popular when used with the proper protection. Wooden swords be they rattan or shanai or wasters or dowels are also used. When fighting with wooden weapons the armor requirements are greater including a rigid helmet that covers the face, collar bone protection, elbow and knee protection, kidney protection, rigid material gloves and (for men) cups. If either party does not have a sword or safety equipment than one will be provided be provided by the opponent, a second, the marshal, etc. If a set of swords cannot be found that than the terms must be changed or the duel considered a draw. The sword type must be similar, cut and thrusts (like scottish broadswords and rapiers) cannot be dueled against larger cutting weapons (longswords, greatswords) or smaller thrusting weapons (like the epee and smallsword).
Conditions
The conditions of the duel state the criteria that must be met for one duelist to have defeated the other. They can be as simple as 'first strike' or more complicated such as 'one hit of the sword' or 'one shot of the pistol' and as elaborate as 'three strikes to the head with the false edge of the sword' or 'one shot to the abdomen, one shot to the left arm and one shot to the head with the pistol.' If both duelists reach the criteria at the same time the duel is considered a draw.
The Fight
For Pistol - The duelists will stand back to back and the marshal shall call ten paces. At each pace the duelists will take one step forward pistol at the ready. On the command 'fire!' the duelists will turn and fire at the opponent. If both shots land their mark and the the criteria state 'first strike' it is the marshal's word as to whose shot was fired first. Cameras may be helpful in this event. If the criteria is as vague as 'one shot of the pistol' then the duel is considered a draw. If the conditions are more elaborate the duel will continue again back to back until the conditions are met. A note, if the duel is with air soft pistols and the criteria state connection with specific body parts than the calling of the placement of the shot is on the honour of the duelist.
For Swords - the duelists stand apart so that their swords cannot cross and begin the bout when the marshal calls for it to commence. It is on the honour of the duelist to admit to a strike, as well as the marshal's duty to watch for strikes that might be going dishonourably ignored.
Draw
If the duel cannot commence due to any number of reasons that do not dishonour either party the duel is considered a draw.
If the criteria is met by both duelists at the same time the duel is considered a draw.
A draw has no 'winner.'
Argument - the argument is to be considered to have never happened.
Insult - if the duel ends in a draw it is in favour of the insulted and the insult is not considered to exist, though the insulter gains no dishonour as he does if he loses the duel.
Ladies Honour - if a duel ends in a draw over the honour of a lady it is in favour of the lady, she retains her honour and the offender is still gains the dishonour as if he had lost the duel.
Contract - if the duel over a contract results in the duel the duel must be re-fought until there is a clear victor.
Seconds
Second exist to attend to the duelist and take his place if the duelist is unable to continue the duel but the circumstances have yet to be complete. Example:
The duel is set to three strikes of the sword. The duel is fought and each duelist has landed one strike. On landing the second strike the wounded duelist sprains a wrist or the strike is to the thigh causing a Charlie horse that prohibits further equal combat. At this point the criteria for the duel have yet to be achieved and the second will take the wounded duelist's place to try and make the two strikes necessary for victory.
Women and Dueling
Women are not required, by law, as men are to duel. They may name their champion to fight in their stead if they so choose. Woman may fight duels if they are so inclined. The champion chooses the terms (if the challenged) for the woman and chooses his own seconds. Simply, the champion takes the woman's place for the duel and continues on following the rules as if the challenged was issued to/from him. Women may be chosen to be champions for other women.
Presiding
A duel must be officiated by an Aristocrat of equal or greater title than the highest ranking member of the duel.
Procedure
The challenge must be issued in a clear and consice manner so that none can be confused as to the intent. It may be done so verbally or in writing. "I challenge you to a duel." Is the easiest method. The slapping in the face with a glove is unnecessary, though showy.
The challenge is then accepted. If it is declined than the challenger is considered to have won the duel. The challenged sets the terms.
Once the terms are set the duelists must find the marshal to preside and once it is chosen who will preside over the duel the duelists assign themselves seconds.
The duelists arrive and compete.
Duel is resolved.
The Terms
The challenged sets the terms as to how the duel will be fought. Unless approved by the Monarchy no duel is to be lethal. The terms consist of:
The Time - the challenged chooses the date and time of the duel. Careful consideration and deliberation over time must be taken to assure that the correct Noble to preside over the duel and the seconds can be available. If a noble is unavailable at the desired time than the duel will be held illegally. It is considered dishonourable and a loss of the duel if the date the duel is set with knowledge that the challenger will not be able to arrive and compete.
The Place: the challenged chooses the site of the duel.
Weapons: the challenged chooses which weapons will be dueled with.
Conditions: after learning of the weapons the challenger may specify one condition (such as offhand behind the back, the number of hits required to win, or specific boundaries to the field.)
Weapons
A duel may be fought with any number of weapons, as long as they are sufficiently non-lethal or armor sufficient to defend against any major injuries are worn. Some popular examples include:
Pistols: Paint ball pistol or air soft pistols accompanied by the proper face and eye, possibly throat, protection are the most common way of resolving a duel by pistols. Toy nerf guns are a popular armor free alternative that is popular among the young. Like weapons must be used; the duel could not be fought paint ball on air soft for example. If either party does not have a pistol of the proper category to meet the terms than one will be provided by the opponent, a second, the marshal, or anyone really. If a brace of pistols of the requisite category cannot be found than the terms must be change or the duel considered a draw.
Swords: Foam swords may be used, but fencing sabers, rapiers and epees are by far the most popular when used with the proper protection. Wooden swords be they rattan or shanai or wasters or dowels are also used. When fighting with wooden weapons the armor requirements are greater including a rigid helmet that covers the face, collar bone protection, elbow and knee protection, kidney protection, rigid material gloves and (for men) cups. If either party does not have a sword or safety equipment than one will be provided be provided by the opponent, a second, the marshal, etc. If a set of swords cannot be found that than the terms must be changed or the duel considered a draw. The sword type must be similar, cut and thrusts (like scottish broadswords and rapiers) cannot be dueled against larger cutting weapons (longswords, greatswords) or smaller thrusting weapons (like the epee and smallsword).
Conditions
The conditions of the duel state the criteria that must be met for one duelist to have defeated the other. They can be as simple as 'first strike' or more complicated such as 'one hit of the sword' or 'one shot of the pistol' and as elaborate as 'three strikes to the head with the false edge of the sword' or 'one shot to the abdomen, one shot to the left arm and one shot to the head with the pistol.' If both duelists reach the criteria at the same time the duel is considered a draw.
The Fight
For Pistol - The duelists will stand back to back and the marshal shall call ten paces. At each pace the duelists will take one step forward pistol at the ready. On the command 'fire!' the duelists will turn and fire at the opponent. If both shots land their mark and the the criteria state 'first strike' it is the marshal's word as to whose shot was fired first. Cameras may be helpful in this event. If the criteria is as vague as 'one shot of the pistol' then the duel is considered a draw. If the conditions are more elaborate the duel will continue again back to back until the conditions are met. A note, if the duel is with air soft pistols and the criteria state connection with specific body parts than the calling of the placement of the shot is on the honour of the duelist.
For Swords - the duelists stand apart so that their swords cannot cross and begin the bout when the marshal calls for it to commence. It is on the honour of the duelist to admit to a strike, as well as the marshal's duty to watch for strikes that might be going dishonourably ignored.
Draw
If the duel cannot commence due to any number of reasons that do not dishonour either party the duel is considered a draw.
If the criteria is met by both duelists at the same time the duel is considered a draw.
A draw has no 'winner.'
Argument - the argument is to be considered to have never happened.
Insult - if the duel ends in a draw it is in favour of the insulted and the insult is not considered to exist, though the insulter gains no dishonour as he does if he loses the duel.
Ladies Honour - if a duel ends in a draw over the honour of a lady it is in favour of the lady, she retains her honour and the offender is still gains the dishonour as if he had lost the duel.
Contract - if the duel over a contract results in the duel the duel must be re-fought until there is a clear victor.
Seconds
Second exist to attend to the duelist and take his place if the duelist is unable to continue the duel but the circumstances have yet to be complete. Example:
The duel is set to three strikes of the sword. The duel is fought and each duelist has landed one strike. On landing the second strike the wounded duelist sprains a wrist or the strike is to the thigh causing a Charlie horse that prohibits further equal combat. At this point the criteria for the duel have yet to be achieved and the second will take the wounded duelist's place to try and make the two strikes necessary for victory.
Women and Dueling
Women are not required, by law, as men are to duel. They may name their champion to fight in their stead if they so choose. Woman may fight duels if they are so inclined. The champion chooses the terms (if the challenged) for the woman and chooses his own seconds. Simply, the champion takes the woman's place for the duel and continues on following the rules as if the challenged was issued to/from him. Women may be chosen to be champions for other women.