Dart Competitions

From: White, Adrian <awhite_at_intera.co.uk>
Date: Tue, 13 Dec 94 15:19:41 GMT


Thanks for the response to my "dart competition" question. It seems to me that there is some uncertainty as to the whys and whats of this issue. The way i think i will handle it in my game is as follows :

The lunar nobility are prevented from settling their differences or furthering their own careers by any activity which interferes with the smooth and proper collection of imperial taxes (IMO this would include the overnight slaughter of ruling bloodlines and all their closest advisors). By extension this includes anything which disrupts the tranquil existence of the common people, after all you cant expect the peasants to work if people are getting hacked down left, right and centre around them. Therefore the nobility are limited to covert activity (sorcery, assassination, bribery etc.) to reach their ends.

IMO such activity will rarely involve mass murder, after all, if the object of removing a rival bloodline is to have yours installed as the local puppet of the Lunar Empire, this could leave far to meny skeletons in the closet (literally). No, far more effective to use selected bribery and the odd low key assassination to gather (or fabricate) evidence of civil or political wrong doing on the part of the current rulers and then let the Imperial authorities carry out the killing.

Mind you it is not necessary to have your rivals killed, if the ex-duke or whatever is stripped of all legal powers, his wealth and all influence with the Imperial Court he quickly becomes just another landowner. While you now have the law on your side so to speak. If someone still creates trouble you can always get them sent to Prax (aka Duke Raus).

One particular method of settling disputes between Lunar nobility is to hire the use of a professional gladiator (Dart Warriors, registered with the state etc.) to duel with a representative of the opposing faction. The faction whose gladiator loses is honour bound to concede the disputed issue. Of course such gladiators are still bound by those laws which govern keeping the peace etc. and so must be discrete and cunning (apart from in Carmania ??). Incidentally, this makes the whole process much more interesting for those bored and jaded nobles spectating from afar. However where circumstances allow a more formal duel may occur (knowing that Harrek the Berserk has been involved i find it hard to believe that all dart wars involve subtlety).

The use of third parties in would also have the benefit of preventing long lasting blood feuds from developing.

Adrian


End of Glorantha Digest V1 #54


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