> Indeed. The chief of the wronged clan has tried to prevent things
> becoming a feud. The chief, Great-hearted Haran, is a kind and
> thoughtful man, but many in the clan think the death of the killer
> isn't enough payment for the dead mother.
And thus we see the lovely Heortling problem of "No one can make you do anything" come to light. Haran can order the clan to accept the result, but if even the daughter winning the duel isn't considered enough by some...
> Now her kits have come of age, and her daughter wants to settle the
> blood-debt. She has her mothers sword (Cat's claw, made from a claw
> Gavreninkin once lost in a fight), and says it thirst for the blood of
> her killer.
As swords do.
> > (You did specify a duel to the death in this case - presumably with
> > no wereguild paid to the loser.)
>
> Yes. The chief of the offending clan did offer wergeld (which would
> have been huge for a recognized hero and clan ring member), but the
> daughter (and much of her clan) thinks that only blood can pay for blood.
And from what you say, some even think that it will take more blood than just the killer's.
I was really thinking that the agreement probably included no weregeld paid to the clan whose champion falls. Mind you, I'm not sure heortlings ever agree to that.
> I wonder if chief Haran's work has been for nothing. Will either clan
> accept the result of the duel if their clansman/woman falls?
It certainly sounds like Theyrun's clan might not, even if her daughter wins, let alone if she falls. You haven't given us much reason why Grymbjorn's clan wouldn't accept his defeat.
> I can
> sort of see the duel are being a clearing, with both clan's warbands
> looking on from the opposite sides. The problem here is that it's
> pretty much exactly the Champion's Battle, and can easily escalate
> from there.
It could. Which is one of the reasons I think they might send the two away. To an island, to a hilltop, etc. Not allow the two fyrds to line up and just tempt it into a Champion's Battle.
(Of course, having that as a threat looming over the duel may be just what you want for your game. *grin*)
> If it's a fair duel, I'd expect the gods or war to favour the clan
> whose member won the duel, if it comes to general battle.
That strikes me as appropriate.
LC
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