Part 3 of 4

From: Argrath_at_aol.com
Date: Thu, 5 Jan 1995 20:18:25 -0500


[part 3]

Weapon Duels

     Humakti set the pattern for these. Non-humakti often have less formal duels than the Humakti norm, however. A man may simply draw his weapon and challenge his antagonist. The other man has a choice: draw his weapon or appease the challenger. If he chooses to fight, the crowd forms a circle to gives them room to fight. Some fighters will stand on formality, and give each other time to don armor and find a clear space for combat. Fighters can agree on the amount of the loser's forfeit. If they cannot agree, the duel does not take place. However, the fighter who proposes a higher forfeit can often pressure the other into accepting the higher amount.

     Any weapons and armor are allowed in a duel. It is poor form for a challenger to be more heavily armed and armored than his opponent, but this often occurs anyway. Heavy weapon users do not always win, but that's the way to bet.

     Unless the fighters agree otherwise, the fight is "to a winner": that is, till one fighter is incapacitated or surrenders. Humakti often fight to first blood, and most temples have rules requiring that. Few men ever fight to the death. Even a fight "to the death" does not usually end in death. Unless someone is aiming for vital locations, the fight usually ends in incapacitation or surrender. It would be extremely dirty fighting to kill an incapacitated foe or one who surrenders. There is a word for that: murder.

     There are two differences between a fight to a winner and a fight to the death. First, if a fight is to the death, the winner need not pay weregild. In a fight to a winner, the winner must pay weregild if the loser dies. Some people reject this rule, making all killers pay weregild. Courts and allthings often make exceptions. Second, a fight to the death is much more serious, and gains the winner a reputation for deadliness. Many fighters who value their reputations will not surrender in a fight to the death. The same fighter might be willing to concede defeat in a fight to a winner. On the other hand, any fighter can turn down a challenge to fight to the death, without losing face. He simply says that the cause is not significant enough.

     It is not exactly dirty, but considered poor form, to challenge someone of the opposite sex or someone who is much younger, or less skilled, or too old. The person challenged can always decline, but if he or she accepts, the fight is fair.

     Dirty fighting in a duel includes only deadly offensive magic (Sever Spirit, Seal Wound, Fear, elementals, blessed flints, etc.) and things that would be cheating in any contest. A fighter cannot get outside help or fight on past the agreed stopping point. Nor can a fighter pretend to surrender, then attack. However, taking advantage of terrain, attacking from behind, disarming the foe, or throwing dust in one's opponent's face are all fair tactics. Spirit magic is quite fair.

     To surrender, the loser usually throws down his weapon (if he can) and shouts "I surrender" while throwing himself on his face. However, a fighter can use any method that clearly shows that he gives up.

     The winner gains whatever the basis of the conflict was. In addition, he can demand a forfeit by the loser. This is usually a small amount agreed on by the fighters before the fight. If they did not agree on it, then the winner may demand what he wants, and it is up to the loser's friends and family to pressure him into accepting less. The loser is the winner's prisoner until he or his friends raise the forfeiture. If the loser cannot raise the money within a season, the winner can sell the loser into slavery.

Raid

     Raiders are lightly armed and armored men, usually cavalry. The purpose of a raid is either to cause property damage or to steal livestock. Raiders tend to avoid meeting foes. They never carry bows. Bows are not dirty fighting, but mean that the fight is really an invasion or offer of battle. Likewise, heavy armor and lances show an intent to invade or give battle.

     Raids are usually made with fifteen to fifty men, with a typical number being thirty. Women, boys, shamans, priests, and old men rarely take part. The group usually comes from one clan, with allies perhaps. Defenders, if any, may seek help from allies, but this is rare.

     Raiders hope for easy success, and often retreat before opposition. If they are herding stolen livestock, they may trade a few blows. However, numbers and tactics, not brute force, usually decide the fight. Few raiders die, but some or all could be captured. It is not shameful for raiders to seek terms when confronted with overwhelming force.

[end part 3]


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