WickedThought

First, a duel is fought in a series of beats. Each beat, one of the duelists is the aggressor and the other is the defender. The duelists trade back and forth… unless a switch in momentum occurs. A maneuver striking the opponent off guard. We’ll get to that later. First, let’s go through the duel step-by-step.

Step 1: Gather Dice
Each duelist (and there are only two of them) gathers together whatever dice they can. The relevant Traits are Prowess and The Sword, plus any aspects they can invoke and tag. Players should double check with the GM, as usual, for rulings on invoking aspects that may or not be appropriate to the circumstance.

Example
Shara has stumbled into a duel. This is something she does not want to do. Not yet, anyway. She faces off against her opponent and I have to figure out how many dice she has.

Her Prowess is 3 and her skill at The Sword is also 3. That’s six dice. Not a lot to play with. If I want to play it safe, I’ll use at least 4 for the risk, leaving me only 2 to bid in the strike auction (not to mention use as wagers later on).

Fortunately, Shara’s sword has some Style banked. I pull two Style from the sword, giving me a total of 8 dice. That’s a bit better. She also has an aspect I want to invoke: “I know exactly how to hurt you.” The GM tells me that’s fair. Someone is going to get hurt after all. I get three dice from my aspect, giving me a total of 11 dice. Let’s look at the total:

Prowess    3
The Sword    3
Style (from sword)    2
Aspect    3
Total    11
 
So, for this part of the duel, Shara and I have eleven dice to play with. Okay, let’s see what happens next.

Step 2: Strike Bid
Time to determine which duelist makes the first move. Not necessarily the most successful hit, but the first one. And sometimes, that’s all you need.

With all those dice in hand, each player secretly sets aside a number of them, depending on how important it is for him to get the first strike. This is called the strike bid. Both players reveal their strike bid at the same time. The player who sets aside the most dice for the strike bid has the option to go first or second.

Example
With those eleven dice, it’s time to figure out how important it is for me to get the first strike. I know I want to use at least four dice for the risk (to beat the 10). That leaves me six. The more dice I have, the more wagers I can make, the more Style I can get. Of course, if I lose the bid, I lose the dice. I waste the dice, in fact. Bidding dice to go second. I’d better make sure I don’t do that.

So, I decide I’ll put four dice into the strike bid. My opponent reveals two dice. I get lucky. I get to pick whether I go first or second. I pick first. I have eight dice left for the duel.

Step 3: Declaration
Each duelist declares what he will do, starting with the duelist who won the strike bid. The duelists trade strikes, back and forth, eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

This step starts with the first duelist declaring a risk. He states his intention clearly. “I want to stab your wrist,” “I want to cut your thumb,” or even “I want to cut out your eye.” Say it loud and say it proud. No room for the timid here.

The first duelist declares his intent and then the second duelist responds, declaring his own intentions with clarity and pride. His intention could be “I parry your worthless excuse of a lunge,” or “I bend sideways, leaving you open for a counterattack,” or even “I spin out of the range of your blade.”

The declarations are important. They set the standard for what happens next. Setting the bar.

Example
Shara won the strike bid, so she has the option to go first. She takes it. I announce, “I slice your leg, just above the knee.”
My opponent, looking to counter that, says, “I parry, putting your blade out of my way.”

We’ve both announced our intentions. Now, it’s time to see who is right and who is bleeding.

Step 4: Risk
Both duelists make their wagers secretly. Then, each rolls their remaining dice.

Both duelists check to see if they roll at least 10. If either of them fails to roll at least a 10, they completely fail at their declaration. Complete Failure. More on that in a moment.

If both duelists succeed in rolling at least 10, see which rolled higher.

The duelist who rolled higher succeeds in his intent. He is the victor. He has complete success.

The one who rolled lower gets only a partial success. He is the defeated. He has partial success.

Complete success means you get to use all your wagers.

Complete failure means you don’t get to use any of them.

Partial success means you can only use half your wagers, round up.

Step 5: Consequences
This is when the bleeding happens.

A successful attack means the victor may apply all his wagers against the defeated. The defeated may, if he wishes, subtract one wager from the victor’s pool, trading wager for wager. In other words, he can sacrifice his own wagers to cancel the victor’s wagers, one for one.
As soon as all the sacrifice is done, the victor applies his wagers.

If the attacker is the victor, he may Injure his opponent.

If the defender is the victor, he may Parry his opponent’s attack.

Injure and Parry are the two basic maneuvers (yes, that’s a game term). Advanced maneuvers may only be taught by fencing masters and each takes an entire Season to learn. I’ll put the advanced maneuvers here so all maneuvers are in the same place. If you want to learn those maneuvers, try looking up the Seasons chapter.

Injure (basic; aggressor; causes Injury)
If you put the hurt on your opponent, you deliver an Injury. Successfully hitting your opponent causes a rank one Injury, listed as “Injury 1.” Each wager you add to that increases the Injury’s rank. So, if you add two wagers to a successful hit, you’ve given your opponent an Injury 3. (One free rank for successfully hitting your opponent and two additional ranks for your two wagers. That’s a total of 3.)

The bigger an Injury, the better it is for you, the worse it is for your opponent.

Parry (basic; defender; free Style)
If the defender rolls higher than the attacker, the defender is the victor and the attacker is the defeated. The defender can then successfully parry the attacker’s attempt at harm. This means the attacker can now deduct wagers from the defender’s wager pool. That’s a good thing for the attacker.

Parrying is a good rest action. It gets you out of getting hit, but more importantly, it allows you to transfer all your extra wagers into Style points. Remember: you can turn any excess wagers into Style.

Advanced Maneuvers
All of the maneuvers below cost 2 wagers to execute. Each also costs one Season action to learn. Get studying.
Bash (defender/attacker; 2 wagers)

Throwing your weight behind your sword, you hope to throw your opponent off balance. Both you and your opponent roll Strength + Athletics (sorry: no wagers). If either of you do not make the risk (roll 10 or higher), you fall to the ground. The higher roll steals the momentum and may make an immediate attack against his fallen foe.

Bind (defender/attacker; 2 wagers)
You may wish to lock your opponent’s blade with your own. This ends any further maneuvers for the beat and both duelists transfer any remaining wagers into Style.

Blind (attacker; 2 wagers)
You slash at your opponent’s eyes, momentarily stunning him, blinding his vision. Your opponent loses a number of wagers from his pool equal to your skill with The Sword.

Feint (attacker/defender; 2 wagers)
A feint to the wrong direction can throw your opponent’s guard off, giving you an opportunity during the next beat. Declaring a feint by throwing away two wagers gives you a number of Style points equal to your skill with The Sword. These Style points can only be used in the next beat.

Lunge (attacker; 2 wagers; add Str to Injury)
A lunge is a dangerous maneuver, but if effective, can be devastating. A ven without Strength cannot make a lunge. Making a lunge requires two wagers. The duelist adds his Strength to the Injury rank. So, that’s one automatic rank for success plus the duelist’s Strength, plus any additional wagers he wishes to add.

The drawback of the lunge maneuver: you may not spend any further wagers that beat. Not to attack, not to defend yourself. All remaining wagers transfer to Style.

Riposte (defender; costs 2 wagers)
For the cost of three wagers, the defender can try a riposte. A riposte is a quick counterattack made by the defender. Like I said, this costs three wagers. The defender now becomes the attacker and may make an attack against his opponent with his remaining wagers. The attacker may only defend with his own remaining wagers.

If the attack is successful or if it fails, a riposte does not count as an attack. The duelist making a riposte does so at the end of the attacker’s beat, giving him first attack in the following beat.

Injury
The ven get hurt, just like us. They feel pain, just like us. They die from injury, just like us. The ven are just a little more butch, that’s all. But they can still be killed. It just takes a little more effort.

When your character takes an Injury, it has a rank. The rank is an indictor telling you how severe the Injury is. You can have multiple Injuries. A cut above the eyes, a sprained ankle, even a missing hand.

Injury 1 and Injury 2 are flesh wounds. A sliver of pain. Just a distraction. Any Injury 1 or 2 heals in an equal number of days. Injury 1 heals in one day. Injury 2 heals in two days.

Injury 3 and Injury 4 are crippling wounds. A deep, piercing wound through the chest. A missing digit. An ear torn from the side of the head. A blinded eye. A rank 3 Injury heals in one Season. An Injury 4 heals in two Seasons.

Injury 5 is a mortal wound. Any ven who takes an Injury 5 is automatically knocked to the ground, helpless. He cannot protect himself. A single action by a ruthless enemy will kill him. He is helpless for one week minus his Fortitude. For the rest of the Season, the character can take no action without spending a Style point. His Injury 5 heals at the end of the Year, losing one rank per Season.

Unfortunately, the last rank from an Injury 5 never fully heals. It remains as a scar on the character sheet.

Any Injury can be tagged, just like an aspect. Your opponent, by tagging your Injury, gains a number of bonus dice equal to the Injury.

This is important now.

The ven are just that tough.

The ven are civilized creatures. They agree upon a set of laws, and abide by those laws, surrendering certain civil liberties in exchange for safety. Without this mutual agreement, the ven would be reduced to chaos. Nobles are the keepers of civilization, the watershed against that chaos. Even still, there comes a time when words and rhetoric fail, and when they do, the only recourse is action.

The noble caste recognizes this, and recognizes a citizen’s right to defend his honor, and defend it with blood, if necessary. Violence is a part of ven culture, but if arms must be taken up, they will be taken up with a mind toward justice and fair play. Two opponents, each with the same weapon, facing off to prove or disprove a claim of honor. This is the purpose of ritual violence: to address the necessity of violence in a civilized culture.

A formal duel is a serious affair for all involved. Even if a duel is set for first blood, accidents happen. It is more than just a test of skill, but a test of honor for both parties. A most serious matter, indeed. One might even say, “deadly serious.”

This chapter looks at the the role violence plays society. First, we’ll look at duels. Why they happen, how they happen. Then, we’ll talk about Revenge. Why it happens, how it happens. Finally, we’ll deal with the very rare circumstances of the traditional “fight scene.”

The Duel
The Duel is a small book—only a few pages—outlining and making clear the Senate’s overly complicated and convoluted system rules for duels. Over the last two hundred years, the ven have continued to manipulate the system, creating a labyrinth of laws. As the author of the work himself writes:

Authorship of The Duel is one of the most disputed in all of Shanri. The book was written under pseudonym, but many assumed it was the hand of Uthali Rondo, House of the Wolf, Baron Taven who penned the document. It was only recently that some have come forward making the claim that his brother, Uthali Pennin, House of the Fox, Baron Grendir was the true author. Evidence stands for both claims, but too much time has gone by for any truth to be discovered.

The Duel makes clear the procedures for a duel, starting with causes—both just and otherwise—and moving on to ritual. Finally, the author makes a passing reference to revenge… but only for a moment. The true intent of his final cryptic statement remains a mystery.

Three Offenses

I have translated this word as “disonor,” which frankly is a tad bit weak. The original ven word is seventeen syllables long and literally translates as:

The moment my integrity has been so stained that it may only be cleaned with blood.

You’ll pardon me if I use “dishonor.”

The anonymous Author goes on to discuss what exactly constitutes an offense to one’s honor. He defines three “offenses” as valid arguments for grievance. The first is insult, the second injury, and the third serious injury. Each calls for a specific duel with its own rules and outcome.

Insult
“Insulting a man’s honor – chiefly by questioning it – is the least serious of offenses. Calling him a liar is the highest of these low offenses. Intimation is one thing; exclamation another.”
–    The Duel

“Insult” is publicly questioning another noble’s honor. Calling him a liar, an adulterer, a welcher or a thief is cause for the claim of insult. According to the Duel, insult cannot be claimed without a witness willing to testify to the insult before a jury. This is why so many nobles couch their insults in word plays and innuendo, thus avoiding a duel.

“Injury” is a more serious crime, one that results in physical, spiritual, or financial scar. The wording of the Duel is ambiguous, a fact many nobles have used to make claim to injury. Like a claim of insult, it must be brought before a jury to decide the validity of the claim. The discovery of an affair is the most common cause for a claim of injury, as well as theft, a loss of honor or Reputation.

Finally, “serious injury” is reserved for offenses that cannot be undone. In other words, injuries that cause permanent and irreparable damage. This is the rarest of all three duels as most juries try to avoid declaring them. But in the most extreme cases, such injuries can only be settled with a duel to the death.

Making the Claim
Once the insult or injury has been made, the offended party must make a claim within two days of the incident. (From The Duel: “to prevent any meddlesome voices from fanning dying fires.”) If no claim is made, no insult or injury has taken place; the offending party is assumed to have spoken the truth. If the offended party does make a claim, all further details are handled by “seconds.”

A second is a trusted friend or relative who speaks for and supports a noble engaged in a duel. The Duel forbids both parties any further contact until the duel, giving them space and time apart, allowing time for their tempers to cool.

The Jury
“A jury must be made op of men and women who are neutral in the affair, who have no vested interest in either the success or failure of the duel. An odd number is preferable, in the event of a tie. The jury is selected by the most distinguished peer at the site of the alleged grievance.”
–    The Duel

When a claim of injury or insult is made, a jury must be formed to judge the validity of the claim. A jury is made up of an odd number of nobles (The Duel calls them “peers”). These peers are chosen randomly or by the seconds. Typically, the noble with the highest Social Rank chooses the jury. He picks an odd number of nobles, in the case of a tie.

It is understood that if the noble intentionally picks an even number of nobles, he wishes the jury to come back with a split decision, indicating that a decision cannot be made.

The jury hears pleas from both seconds and decides who is the offended party in the claim. This can be a tricky situation, as both duelists want that title. The situation becomes complicated by the rules presented by the Duel. If Lord S______ claims Lord B______ has cheated him, Lord S______ has a rightful claim of insult. Thus, it becomes the duty of Lord S______’s second to prove the claim, for if he doesn’t, Lord S______ becomes guilty of a claim insult, which can quickly escalate to a claim of injury (of character).

The jury votes on the validity of all claims and set them in order of injury. This becomes important later, when letters of apology are sent or a duel commences. The most serious injury is set at top, followed by less serious injuries, followed by the most serious insult and all subsequent insults.

Apologies
Once the jury agrees on the crimes, the seconds draft letters of apology for the opposing party to sign. Typically, three copies of the letter are drafted: one for the offended party, one for the offending party, and one for public notice.

A noble can refuse to sign a letter of apology, thus ensuring a duel. He may also refuse to send a letter of apology, although this results in a loss of Reputation. Letters are typically drafted with one signature addressing all the claims.

Arranging the Duel
If apology won’t settle the matter, all that’s left is bloodshed. The seconds meet to arrange the details of the duel. There are many factors to discuss, including time and place, weapons used, distance of stance, and the seriousness of the duel itself.

The Duel demands the offending party be given the right to choose the weapons while the offended party chooses the time and place. The seconds carry the demands and details of the duelists, sometimes making multiple meetings to finalize the details. All of these details are used as leverage points to either arrange for an apology (thus, dodging the duel) or to further enrage the other duelist (thus, ensuring bloodshed).

Choice of weapons is important and the primary concern of the seconds. They must make certain the weapons are identical to ensure a fair contest between the duelists. The offended party may waive his rights to “fair weapons,” allowing the offender to bring whatever weapon he likes to the duel.

Time and place are also important. Just as the offender has choice of weapons, the offended has choice of time and place. Duels usually occur just before dawn as the sun is rising, but not blinding. Noon is also a prime time for duels. Midnight is reserved for duels not approved by a jury, usually fought under a full moon to provide ample light for the duelists.

Finally, the seconds discuss distance of stance. This is how many steps lay between the duelists when the duel begins. This can also be an important factor, depending on the weapons employed in the duel.

The Duel
When the duelists finally meet on the field (having not seen each other since the whole affair began), weapons are chosen and the distance is taken. This is the first opportunity for apology.

In matters of insult, an apology may be made before the duel begins. The offender may make an apology, offering the offended party the opportunity to end the affair before bloodshed occurs. If the offended party accepts, letters are signed and the matter is settled.
In matters of injury, no apology can be offered until blood is spilled. Whether that’s first blood or a duel to injury is up to the duelists.

Duel to the Touch
In the case of minor insults, a duel to the touch may be appropriate. Both duelists stand a few steps apart and at the drop of a handkerchief, they draw swords quickly, trying to gain the first hit against his opponent. The duelist striking first is declared the winner and the affair is ended.

A duel to the touch is rare, usually insisted upon by the elders of a family who don’t wish to see their young killed in a senseless affair of honor. One duelist called this a “lady’s duel.” He was subsequently blooded and beaten by a woman duelist who overheard him and decided it was a matter of honor to defend her insulted gender.

Duel to Blood
Also known as a “blood duel,” duels to blood are used to settle serious matters of insult. Claims of insult are resolved when one of the duelist is wounded to bleeding. This is the most common form of dueling, the others reserved for more serious affairs of honor.

Duel to Injury
More serious matters of honor call for a duel to injury. The duel proceeds until one opponent is blooded (as above). He is then allowed the opportunity to apologize (the offending party) or claim satisfaction (the offended party). An apology or concession ends the matter. If no apology or concession is given, the duel continues, breaking with each blooding. The offer of concession or apology is made again, and if none is made, the duel continues. If a duelist cannot continue for his wounds, the duel is over and the matter is finished.

Duel to the Death
For the most serious matters, a duel to the death is the only way to gain satisfaction. The duel ends when one duelist is mortally wounded. No offers of apology or concession are given, no breaks between blooding. The fight continues until one duelist falls, injured unto death.

After the Duel
Once the duel is over, the matter is settled. No further claims from the duel or its outcome may be made. The seconds are present to ensure a fair fight and prevent dishonorable actions. If they are honorable men, it is assumed the duel ended fairly.

Revenge for a fallen friend killed or wounded in a duel is forbidden. Both men agreed to enter into honorable violence and accept the consequences as honorable men. Plans of unjust revenge are dishonorable, left for men of lesser stature and spirit.