Alconian Honor, Morals, and Duels

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Introduction

If you are reading this text, then I salute you for your bravery. Since my path crossed a group of Dyellian Pirates in the Southern Klatchian Ocean, I have found living within the Klatch an existance filled with danger. I have also found, since my rescue by His Grace's Navy, that the Grand Duchy of Alcona is likely the safest place to live within this part of the world. Since my time arriving in Copper Harbor some fourty years ago, the number of foreign traders appears to have increased. Or perhaps the number who come to my mill has increased over the years. Many of them have simply come to buy flour or meal; many have come to ask advice in dealing with the Alconians themselves. It is for this second group, that I have decided to write this book. For although Alconians are decended from Anglo, Dutch, and German stock, they have peculiar notions which are not European.

R.M. Dupree -Copper Harbor, 1865

Code of Honor

The Alconians are a warrior race. Since my arrival on their shores, they have only known two years of peace with the world. Futhermore, they live on islands off the coast of the most dangerous portion of the world man has ever explored. Some say that the Devil himself created the flora and fauna of this part of the planet. A preable to his later creation of Hell itself. An Alconian, both man and woman, must be prepared to defend themselves from those that would destroy them at a moments notice. Such people do not suffer foolishness, rashness, or disrespect.

Elizabeth the first, the Warrior Duchess herself, realized that the act of dueling could quickly be used to manipulate others, murder political rivals, and coerce social inferiors. It was this Monarch who issued the first rules governing the Code of Honor to the College of Peers. Since then, the College of Peers has both maintained and updated the Code as they see fit. Adherence to the Code is enforced by the Sheriffs and the College Dean since 1769.

Theoretically one indiviudal may demand the honor of another for any action or statement that is considered injurious to their reputation, their property, their family, or the general welfare of the island. In general, the following offences are typically seen as valid reasons for issuing a demand of honor. I have complied these from several texts by well remembered and respected Sheriff's letters upon honor.

Offenses of Person

  • Libel of either improper or criminal behavior.
  • Discussing a confidential relationships with others
  • Taunting of an individual about some defect in their creation
  • Claiming that you had a sexual relationship with another individual falsely
  • Instigating a false rumor or report of another's conduct
  • Urinating upon another's rose bush
  • Attempting to make unwanted physical advances upon another
  • Sodomizing another man's sheep,
  • Attempting to create nude images of another without their consent
  • Saluting another's sworn enemy in their presence

Offenses of Property

  • Damaging another individuals property
  • Being disrespectful of another's God or religion
  • Cutting down another man's tree
  • Puking in the punch bowl
  • Smoking Hemp in another man's house.
  • Throwing Stones at another man's cat, or kitten.

Offenses of Right

  • Ruining another's party or Ball by mischevious actions
  • Abandonment of one's spouse and children
  • Improperly attempting to engage in sexual activity with another's servant
  • Being an indescrete lover of the injured parties son or daughter
  • Libel of either improper or criminal behavior against a leige or vassel
  • Fraudlent behavior towards a vassal
  • Starting rumors, as a man's vassal, to his enemy
  • Selling secrets by a vassal or servant to enemies of the Manor
  • Threating a vassal or leige with a naked blade
  • Hunting upon another's property without permission or right
  • Stealing another's tea recipie.
  • Stepping upon another man's golf ball
  • Striking another mans golf ball into a water hazard, or Hassen den
  • Wearing a sword ribbon falsely

Offences Against the Relm

  • Urinating within twenty feet of a well, unless it was a privy or water closet
  • Sticking coins of the relm into one's bowels
  • Taking a bath in water below a red stone marker
  • Urinating in a public pool
  • The use of a weapon above one's station
  • Cowardice in the face of the enemy
  • The wearing of cross gartering on Sundays and the Twelth of May
  • Hunting of deer or manx upon Royal Corpses without permission
  • Selling of the products of the Poppy to a man's children.
  • Cutting another man's cinnimon bark
  • Releasing Vapir Hassen into another man's garden
  • Ejaculating in a stream
  • Inappropriate behavior to children
  • Stating willful falsehoods about oneself
  • The willful misuse or overuse of common land
  • Sodomy of a milk cow

The Grave Offences

(These are almost impossible to forgive, and it is likely that first blood will also be a death blow)

  • Kicking another man's wolfhound
  • Attacking a Knight's companion
  • Dropping another man's sword into water, soup, or unmentionable foulness
  • Throwing carrots into a man's home
  • Deficating within sixty feet of a well, unless it was a privy or water closet
  • Refusal to do one's duty
  • Tauting of a warrior for his wounds either of the mind or body
  • Engaging in the breeding of Hassen without licence
  • Sodomy of a Hassen
  • The stealing of another man's ginger

The Foolish Offences

The offences that do not rise to the need to duel as has been usually supported by generations of Sheriffs and the College of Peers from specific examples. However some are grounds for a beating if one persists as it is considered taunting then.

  • Finding another in willing sexual congress with your spouse
  • Releasing one's bowels at inapporpate times
  • Telling a raunchy joke about another, although several may be grounds for libel
  • Eating a peach before a girl
  • Singing out of tune, though you may cuff a vassal soundly for doing so
  • Spitting on the sidewalk
  • Tying a horse to a tree
  • Juggling before noon
  • Playing Hide and Go Seek
  • Tap dancing upon a sidewalk
  • Your horse deficating in the street
  • Your carriage wheels squeeking
  • Buying the last stamp
  • Forgetting to turn out a lamp
  • Telling a polish joke to a Pole
  • Returning a library book less than two days late
  • Saying that eating a watermellon seed will cause you to die
  • Short selling of stock
  • Jumping on a bed
  • Sending flowers to a young woman of noble birth
  • Stealing the affections of anothers sweetheart
  • Refusing to buy stock
  • Not owning a dog
  • Walking along the shore before a man's house
  • Singing show tunes
  • Being known for having affections for the same sex
  • Reading Oscar Wilde
  • Reading Dupree


The Following is a generalized list of what is expected of each social group in terms of the Honor Code.

The Vaux

  • A Vaux's opinion is not considered to be of much consequence.
  • A Vaux may not be challenged to a duel of honor unless they have committed libel against you such that you are accused of a criminal wrong or they have commited a Grave Offence, an Offence of the Relm, or an Offence of Right
  • You may not call upon a duel of any Vaux who is in government employ, unless the Sheriff of your parish allows it.
  • A Vaux may call a duel of knives upon both Noble and Freeman, but neither need rise to his bait. Only a Vaux who claims wrong before a Sheriff may declare a superior to be dishonorable.
  • A Vaux may only carry a knife no greater than ten inches and a quarterstaff.
  • If a Vaux is called a Higaloo, he should become quiet and leave. If he does not, he may be pummled by those he has taunted.

Freeman

  • A Freeman shall not demand a Duel if taunted by a Vaux.
  • A Freeman shall, upon being taunted by a Vaux, may call upon a neighbor. If they neighbor calls Higaloo, and the Vaux does not stop his actions, the Vaux may be pummled.
  • A Freeman may call upon a Duel any private individual for any offence given.
  • A Freeman who has been called upon to uphold his honor, who has applogized for the offence but who's appology has been refused, may call upon the Sheriff to hear his appology.
  • A Freeman who is an armsman or a master armsman must fight his duel with one of his own skill level.
  • A Freeman who demands honor of a Noble, must fight the Noble and not his armsman, unless the Freeman is an armsman.
  • A Freeman may not fight a Duel upon a rival if they are both in employ of His Grace's Government, he must hire an armsman to fight the Duel in his name.
  • A Freeman may demand a duel of a member of the government or civil service. The Duel shall be postponed if the person is to take service abroad.
  • A Freeman may not fight a Duel if in the Service of the Crown, if he calls a duel it shall be postponed until both are not in active service.
  • A Freeman may carry a pole arm, or a sword that can be weilded by one hand and is less that thirty-eight inches in length

Noble

  • No Noble may fight another in a duel, they shall send their armsmen to represent them upon the feild.
  • No Noble may send an armsman to duel with a Vaux or a Freeman, unless they be an armsman.
  • A Noble should ignore the taunting of a Vaux
  • A Noble who is Sheriff is forbidden from Dueling,
  • A Noble may demand a duel of a member of the government or civil service. The Duel shall be postponed if the person is to take service abroad.
  • A Noble may not fight a Duel if in the Service of the Crown, if he calls a duel it shall be postponed until both are not in active service.
  • A Noble must practice to fight with sword and dagger regularly

Foriegn

Someone who is not an Alconian, a foreigner, is usually considered a Vaux for all matters of Honor. However there are circumstances in which a foreigner is raised up to another leve1.

First, having lived long enough within the Duchies to make good accquaintance of various good families. This is usually marked by the phrase, "You know ... do you not?" which effectively is a demonstration that you are considered an equal of the family just mentioned. In such situations you will be expected to act upon the social standing you have just been granted.

Second, by wearing a sword. The rank which you will be proscribed to is dependent on the type of blade you wear. A short sword will allow most Alconians to view you as a Freeman, with all the privilages, and responsiblites that that level entails. If you wear a longer sword, you begin to equate first with the gentry, then the noblity.

I have meet many men from abroad who have purchased swords to elevate their rank within the Alconian Social structure. This has usually proven disasterous, especially those young men who fancy the japaneese 'Katana' that have been profuse upon these shores the past few years. Many of these weapons have been produced by fools who know little of metalworking and less of honor. These weapons, are advertised as having 100 folds or more and sold throughout the world. Considering so many folds are only needed for the cheapest, foulest steel such items are usually weaker than a stout quarterstaff. In most cases those that have reached the islands of the Dark Sea are considered worthless trinkets no better than glass beads. To signify that you have a proper Katana and know how to use it, one must wear the entire daisho.

Manners of the Sword

I refer those who desire to wear swords to the list of weapons in Duels but some important points:

  • Never buy a weapon for show, if you can not use it learn, if you do not wish to learn, save your money and your life. A fool with a blade with soon find that the first blow is a death blow.
  • A weapon that has much gilt with be seen to have little value, if it is too precious to use, it is too dear to own.
  • Take care of a sword, and it shall take care of you. If you neglect your sword, the respect others will show you will diminish also.
  • You are to oil your sword, not your servants. To have a servant oil your sword shall cost you their respect.
  • To practice with your sword is considered fine sport and art, to threaten others with a naked blade is considered thuggery.
  • Never carry and unsheethed sword lest you be in battle, for to carry it such shows you are a brawler and a murderer.
  • Always take your sword in your right hand as you enter a home. To have it upon your left, or hanging upon your belt means you plan to strike.
  • Never wear a sword in the presence of the Grand Chamber or the College of Peers unless you are a peer or Knight.
  • If showing your sword to another, always offer it with the hand upon the hilt and the tip of the scabbard, let the other man remove it from its place.
  • A sword should always have a good scabbard, strong enough to be used to fence off attackers. To have a weak scabbard is to have a weak will.
  • Always place your sword where you may seize upon it at night, never leave your sword where you can not reach it immediatly.
  • If you have the sword of an ancestor, keep it clean and safe, you may need it.
  • Alconians attach ribbons to their swords and scabbards, these are not decoration, but indication of rank
    • A ribbon of blue attached to the sword hilt signifies the bearer is an armsman
    • A ribbon of green attached to the sword hilt signifies the bearer is a Peer
    • A ribbon of orange attached to the sword hilt signifies the bearer is a baronet or adel.
    • A ribbon of red attached to the sword hilt signifies the bearer is a Master of the Sword
    • A ribbon of white attached to the sword indicates the the bearer is a knight, the crest of the order shall be found on the metal disk attached to the end of the ribbon
    • A ribbon of yellow attached to the sword hilt signifies the bearer is a Wormal
    • A ribbon of black attached to the sword hilt signifies an Officer of the Hull Fortress
    • A ribbon of purple attached to the sword hilt signifies a member of the Royal Family
    • A ribbon wrapped around the scabbard, or a enamel band around the hilt, indicates the rank of the former bearers of the sword.
  • When sitting to dine, place your sword upon the wall behind you, or in the sword rungs of the chair.
  • Never carry a sword and a walking stick. If you must, carry the sword or the stick in a package.
  • A sword cane is equivliant to a rapier but can not wear ribbons
  • If a sword carries a crest, or an animal, it was a gift of the Crown upon some great event.
  • A sword with a ruby in the pummel may only be carried by a Master of the Sword
  • Do not pull a sword from the ground, unless you are there to place a headstone.
  • A sword bayonet is a tool and a weapon, so the following rules do not apply to sword bayonets.
    • Never attempt to open a can with your sword
    • Do not stick your sword in the ground, unless you desire to be buried before it.
    • Do not dig with your unsheethed sword, use your scabbard if you need a tool
    • Do not throw your sword, it is not a spear and will likely not fly true
  • To offer your service to a peer, or the crown, hold your sword before you in open palms.
    • If they take it, then you must serve them until they discharge you or your death.
    • If they take hold but leave it in your hands,they desire your help but only in this matter.
    • If they touch it, they are honored by your offer, but feel it will be no use in the matter.
    • If they ignore it, they question if your offer is sincere, but do not challenge you upon it.
    • If they strike it from your hands, they consider you a leige of their enemy or too dishonrable to be trusted.
    • If they spit upon the sword, you shall not leave the room alive.

Morals

Many from abroad would consider the morals of the Alconians to be loose. However, this is a poor description of a system which values independence far more than prudish behavior.

For the average visitor to this land the First guiding principle is: 'Let Duty Find Your Place' This is more than a mere slogan but the actual belief of most Alconians. From this principle come the following ideas that are the basis for much in Alconian Society

  • Power and Responsiblity are two sides of the same coin, to have one you must have the other
  • If anyone wishes to rise in society, let them first rise in Duty
  • Privilages should only be granted to those who carry the burdens of Duty

The second guiding principle of most Alconians comes from Militant Quakerism, a fairly odd religion that is particular to this land

'Morals are the Laws of Self' Again from this belief the following ideas are also generally accepted

  • A man answers to the Creator for the wrongs of his heart
  • A man answers to the Relm for his wrongs against society
  • A man asnwers to his fellow man for his wrongs against them
  • Let no man judge another's religion, unless it be destructive to society
  • Never trust a man who declares his own sainthood, usually it is false
  • What happens between a man and woman is their buisness, lest one party force themselves upon another
  • A child born to a natural act is not guilty of any wrong, only unable to inherit title or honors


Manners

Alconian manners are much like that of all civilized nations. However, they do have some traits which the average traveller and guest should be aware of.

Greetings

  • When meeting an Alconian, do not offer your hand. Instead give a headbow if dressed in a uniform, pants or kilt, or a short curstey if dressed in a skirt or gown. A handshake only occurs between close freinds and after buisness arangements have been made.
  • When a leader of a large group, introduce yourself first to the senior of the Alconian group. After the senior Alconian has introduced himself, present each of the senior members of your party. The Alconian will then follow suit.
  • When entering the study, den, or private room of another, do not let any guards you may have with you enter. To do so shall indicate your intent to war with them soon.
  • To negotiate peace with an enemy, place your sword upon a table near the door.
  • A Baronet shall be refered to Sir <Family Name>, A Knight Sir <First Name or Middle Name>
  • Titles follow the English style,

Partings

  • When parting company, again give a headbow or curtsey as you did when you leave
  • Always part with a complement if one can, or a comment upon the weather if one can not
  • If you have made a new accquaintance, send a note to their address within two days thanking them for their accquaintance
  • If you have parted enemies, remember that you are likely as wrong as any other man has ever been
  • If a negotation fails, be polite but firm about the matter. Diatribes due more harm then good

Strolling the Common

The primary morning activity of most notable Alconians during the season, (from fall to spring) is to stroll the Common before going to work, or returning to the buisness of home. Each city usually has its own Common, so one should inquire to one's hotel staff or boarding house keeper where the Common of the city is. Strolling the Common is usually the easiest way to make social accquaitances that may lead to buisness acquaintances.

Becoming a Buisness Acquaintance

This is what most of my readers are likely seeking. There are several ways to gain a Buisness Acquaintance with an Alconian firm, or leader.

  • Be introduced by a mutual acquaintance
  • Introduce oneself via letter, but realize you may be ignored.
  • Introduce oneself at the Market, or the Bank

The following methods care should be taken not to become involved in buisness talk instantly but rather mention it and ask if you can discuss it in more detail at a later meeting.

  • Introduce oneself at your Club when both are relaxing over brandy.
  • Introduce oneself while Strolling the Common

Becoming a Social Acquaintance

  • Be introduced by a mutual acquaintance
  • Be Introduced by a freind via letter, but realize you may be ignored.
  • Introduce oneself at Church, or in the Park, or at the races
  • Introduce oneself at your Club when both are relaxing over brandy, or to play a game of cards
  • Introduce oneself while Strolling the Common

=Making Social Calls

Social Calls are made on the following schedule, although not set in stone, one should avoid violating these times, and if so, none too agregiously.

  • Buisness acquaintances from 8 to 10, if on buisness
  • Freinds and close acquaintances from 1 pm to 4 pm
  • General acquaintances on a social call from 2 pm to 4 pm

Food and Wine

  • When offered food or drink, you will be offered a glass and the food; take it, but do not drink or eat yet. The host or hostess shall be served last, they shall first take a drink or bite of their food and then make a toast. You may then indulge in the food or drink, knowing that it is not poisoned by your host.
  • Never feed the host's pets, for you may cause the creatures to soil something later.
  • Never bring an uninvited guest, you may cause great pain
  • Never discuss buisness over a meal taken with the family, they loose too much of their time to it already
  • Never bring wine as a gift to a meal, you insult the hosts wine cellar.
Breakfast
  • In the homes of the well to do, breakfast is always served buffet style, you are to get the food for yourself. It is recommended that you eat heartily for lunch shall likely be light. The traditional menu includes
    • A cold meat usually: Ham, cold roast beef, or smoked fish
    • A hot meat usually, bacon, beef sausages, or cream of clams
    • Eggs, scrambled or hardboiled
    • Usually a mixture of dried berries, nuts and cereal
    • Fresh Fruit
    • Bagels
    • Tea, Hot, Milk, Fruit Juice
    • A pastry
Lunch
  • Lunch is served near noon, and is usually served with sweet tea. This is tea, sweetened with sugar and served over ice.
  • Lunch is only a hearty meal in the country, when the workers need more energy for the hard work ahead.
Tea
  • Tea is served near four or five.
  • If you are having tea in a notable household, the tea shall be a special blend of that house. The senior individual at the table shall serve the tea to the other guests and then sip it first. If the party is large, the tea shall be served by stewards. It is considered polite to drink a full cup of tea before eating.
  • Tea is usually served with one or more of the following:
    • Sandwiches, usually one of fish, one of meat, and one of vegitable
    • Cheese, bread or crackers and pickels
    • A pastry or a cake
Dinner
  • Dinner is served from eight to nine.
  • It is either 'French' or 'English' style.
    • French style: shall have courses and the plates shall be removed between each course.
    • English style: the food is placed upon the sideboard, and each diner asks a footmen to bring one of the courses to them. The food served English style is usually far less expensive, and more plentiful than in the French style.
  • A Dinner invitation is always made two days in advance, unless they are your neighbors. Then they may invite you that day.
    • Always arrive within fifteen minutes of the invite, the closer to the time the better.
    • Never overindluge upon another's wines, it is rude and likely to cause you great mischeif
    • Bring children under 12 only if the invitation is for your family, you may bring any polite child of sixteen or greater unless it is a political acquaintance
Manoral Dinners

A Manoral Dinner is a special event within the Manors and large households of Alcona. If one should be a guest at these events, one should consider themselves lucky.

  • The meals are pot-luck with each tenant/manger bringing a dish to the table
  • As a guest your hosts cook will be expected to cook for you, but you must tell them what to prepare and pay for the ingrediants. Offering to help, if you have any skill, shall go a long way in keeping the cook happy with you.
  • Never speak unless spoken to during these meals, you are not of the Manor so do not pretend to be. Even the lowest member of the Manor shall likely have polite conversation with you.
  • Buisness acquaintances should know to travel elsewhere to their meal that day, and not impede their accquaintances important meal.
  • A guest, unless requested to be present, should retire at the end of the meal. You have no place in the Manoral Court.

Visiting a Country House

The Manor, or Country House, within Alconian Society is much in the same place that it is in English Society. It is designed as both the center of the family's agricultural intrests, it is a place to relax and take in sport, a base of operations for their duty to their parish, and as a structure to allow the family to engage in helping to influence both local and national politics. Guests are typically invited to, particpate in a Hunt Ball, particpate in a Season Ball, enjoy a Hunt, or for a weekend. Each of these particular events at a country house have particular goals in mind. As such they have diffrent rules of ettiquite for both host and guest.

There are several important rules that apply to all of these events:

  • Unless a close freind of the family, never arrive before two in the afternoon of the day you are expected
  • Always bring a servant to assist the household in your needs, but never more than two unless you are a high Peer.
  • Always bring a gift, the more thoughtful the better, great expense is unneeded
  • Upon arrival you shall be meet by the senior or cheif steward, the host may be near the refreshments waiting.
  • If the first to arrive, you should not drink or eat until your host has. But if the guests and hosts already have partaken of the traveling refreshments, you may also.
  • Never pack items which may be seen as disgusting by your hosts staff. It is poor manners to treat them such.
  • If needing special consideration, always send a note of such with your response to the invitation
  • Never invite yourself to such occasions
Hunt Ball

The Hunt Ball is the less formal of the formal gatherings held at a country house. Usually these are marked by both shooting sports as well as meetings between key poltical figures, lobbying for votes, and discussion of key poltical issues. When to discuss such items is far less rigoriously held than in the more formal Season Ball, it is recommended that you not begin these conversations, but steer them to subjects that you have intrest in.

  • The Hunt shall consist of the day of arrival, three days of sport, and the day of departure.
  • It is acceptable to arrive a day or so late (if expected) but not to leave early
  • It is recommended that if the Hunt is to be upon Horseback, and you can not ride, decline the invitation unless your spouse shall do the hunting.
  • If it is grouse hunting, go out into the feilds as though to hunt, if you are a poor shot, do not fire but be at hand.
  • Never discuss politics upon the first day, buisness is acceptable after dinner.
  • The hunt days shall be divided into three parts, the morning hunt, the late hunt, and the repast. It is either during the hunting or the repast that politics will be discussed.
  • Upon the first Day of the Hunt, there shall be a Dance after dinner. This Dance shall be for the Manor, Staff and Guests, it shall be informal in nature.
  • The final day of the Hunt there shall be the Ball. It shall be a formal affair, one must always wear a white tie, or an appropriate gown, and dance at least one dance unless serious wounds prevent such.
    • Only women who are female Officers, or members of the Order of Athena may dress in uniform rather than a gown.
    • All final arangements of poltical and buisness agreements are made during the Ball.
The Season Ball

The Season Ball originally began to celibrate the season, such as a Fall Ball, Winter Ball, Summer Ball, etc. However most Season Balls occur in the middle of Fall, at the beginning of the political season in Thunderbay. The Season Ball is the most formal event, and one must always be on good behavior and impeciable manners for these events

  • The Ball shall consist of four days, The day of Arrival, the Day of the Ball, the Day After the Ball, and the day of departure.

Duels

Typical Weapons

  • Long dirks -Vaux, Freeman
  • Quarterstaff - Vaux, Freeman,
  • Rapier -Freeman
  • Sabre -Freeman
  • Sword-Bayonet-Freeman/Military
  • Pole-arm -Freeman
  • Side Sword -Freeman (Usually Gentry/knights), Officers
  • LongSwords-Nobility/Knights
  • Battleax-Adel/Swordmasters
  • Katana -Due to the sudden influx of these weapons since the opening of Nippon, they are seen as likely just ornamental flim flam and gain the wearer no respect. Only the proper wearing of a Katana with a Tanto will gain the bearer respect -Nobility
  • Hand-Half sword, -must be worn with the long fighting dirk -Peers/Peer Heirs/armsmen/Electors
  • Zweihänder-limited to Electors and Knights of the Order of the Griffen
  • Two Handed Claymore -Electors

Special Weapons

  • Blood Blades

A blade is considered a blood blade if it has cuts into the side of the blade that shall hold the blood of the victim after you have killed them. Such weapons are considered only the property of a Berserker and the following rules apply

    • You have the right to strike first with a death blow in self defense if a Berserker becomes angry with you
    • Berserker are considered irrational, and it is best if you avoid them
    • A Berserker may only be challenged to a duel by a Sword Master
  • Rune Blades

A Rune Blade is any bladed weapon in which the carbon has been formed into runes or ancient writing.

    • A Rune Blade may only be held by those families which are considered worthy by the Orders of Athena
    • A Rune Blade may only be held by a member of the Orders of Athena
    • A Rune Blade is considered a dangerous weapon and is not allowed to be used in a Duel.
  • Dual Weapons

A Dual weapon is one in which it is two weapons in one, such as a battleax/gun or a sword gun. Sword Canes are not considred Dual weapons.

    • A Dual weapon may not be used in a duel
    • A Dual weapon should not be brought to formal occassions

Duels of Honor

Initial Steps

The injuried party must first demand an apology for the offense;to demand a duel immediatly is seen as only a step of an assassin or a brawler. For an offense given in error or negligence is not a black mark against your honor, but a mistake that should be immediatly corrected. If the injuring party refuses to offer amends, or who's appology is insencere, the injured party may demand that they defend their actions upon the Feild of Honor. If the injuring party refuses, they are without honor and should be shunned by all proper citizens of this fair land. If the injuring party accepts the challenge, they have the right to choose the weapons. Upon the choice of weapons, the injured party has the right to chose closed or open feild. Both parties shall then select their seconds to orginize the Duel.

The Seconds of the Parties shall go to the Sheriff of the place of offence and ask that a Feild Master be assigned to the Duel. The Sheriff shall ask any questions of the seconds in the matter, and may refuse the Duel upon the grounds that the reason is insufficent. If the Sheriff can not be found upon the matter, a Master of the Sword may be asked to act as Feild Master.

The Feild Master shall ensure that the fight is proper and all rules are obeyed. They shall insure that the seconds in the matter follow all forms, and speak tuthfully upon the matter, and upon any late appologies either party may make.

The Feild Master shall select the place of the Duel. If it is a closed feild, he shall mark out a space of fourty-five feet by thirty five feet with four white poles. The Feild Master shall raise in each square of each village and city of the Parish an annoucement of the Duel. If any party bring forth a reason for dismissing the Duel, the Feild Master shall bring this forth to the Sheriff of the Parish.

The Feild Master shall inspect the weapons upon the day of the Duel, before both seconds. They shall insure that the weapons have no defects, and that both parties are well enough to fight. If either party be unstable in mind or body, such that they are unable to fight, the Duel shall be postponed.

  • All Duels are to first blood or forfit.
  • To continue to fight after first blood or forfit, your life shall be forfit, and claimed by the Feild Master.
  • Any man who hath fought and lost a duel by first blood shall be considered honorable but wrong.
  • No Duel may involve firearms, or projectiles, only bladed weapons and the quarterstaff.
  • A Duel between individuals of two differing ranks shall be to the highest weapon allowed for the person of lowest rank.
Closed Feild Rules
  • Each Party of the Duel shall start in the middle, with their weapons drawn, upon the 1/3 and 2/3 marks of the Feild. Upon the dropping of the Feild Master's sword, the Duel shall begin.
  • If either party steps outside of the bounds, they have forfitted and the Duel is over.
  • If either party has both knees upon the ground, or both shoulders, they have forfit.
  • If a party should place one knee upon the ground and raise their weapon above their head, they have declared forfit by acknowlegement
  • If a man doth not fight, but steps out of the Duel, he shall be considered a coward by all If a party doth fight, but then forfit by acknowlegement, or by being forced off the feild, he shall be considered wrong but honorable.
Open Feild Rules
  • Each Party of the Duel shall start ten paced from each other, with their weapons sheethed or at parade. They shall stand with their backs at each other until the Feild Master has dropped his sword.
  • Neither Party shall come within five yards of the Feild Master and the Seconds
  • If a party should place one knee upon the ground and raise their weapon above their head, they have declared forfit by acknowlegement
  • If a party doth fight, but then forfit by acknowlegement, he shall be considered honorable but wrong.
  • If a party doth have fallen uninjured in the fight. The standing party may only cut their arm or leg to end the duel. If the standing party shall take a killing blow, he shall be cut down by the Feild Master and the seconds.

Battle Duels

This is a rare occurance, that with the dawn of modern warfare will likely become extinct. However there are some times that this may be of use, so I shall endevor to breifly explain this event. If someone spits upon your naked blade in Battle, then they have challenged to fight one on one combat with you. It is a fight to the death, and neither side may retreat without fear of being called a coward and cut down like a dog. To refuse such a battle, spit upon the ground before your challenger. If you accept their challenge nod and raise your weapon.

  • In general it is not recommended to interfere in a Battle Duel
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