We still have some time before the White Meeting starts, so let's talk about Duels, shall we?
Rules on Duels
I. Introduction
Duel is a new mechanic for the interactive part of the AAR allowing characters to fight each other for honor (or other ulterior motives). This opens a new field for interaction and richer experience for all participants of the AAR.
Story-wise, according to laws of the Imperium as a general rule „judicial duel” (trial by combat) is forbidden. However, it is a privilege of all nobleborn to settle their disputes outside of the court in a duel, a tradition which emerged during Middle Ages and was based on customs of the Latins. This is not only much faster and cheaper method but often is the only way in which poor nobles could try to seek justice. It is also much riskier and most of the
dynatoi – in these rare cases in which they are challenged and they themselves do not have authority over challenger – prefer to appeal to imperial courts.
II. Starting a Duel
To start a Duel your character must be in possession of the following:
- Honor (in-character)– to challange or be challenged to a Duel one must have be honorable himself; Dishonorable characters or characters from Dishonorable Houses are incapable of giving Satisfaction
- Just Cause (in-character) – a valid reason to challange someone to a Duel; validity is judged by me in regard to laws and customs of the Imperium and gravity of the Offense
- Permission (out-of-character) – given by me; without Permission you may not challenge anyone to a Duel
To be challenged for a Duel your character may give another character
an Offense. Offense may become a Just Cause if approved by me.
If all of the conditions are fulfilled, your character may challenge other character to a Duel.
The Challenger has right to choose one of the following types of Duel:
- First Blood – Duel lasts until the first wound
- Second Blood – Duel lasts until the second wound
- Third Blood – Duel lasts until the third wound
- Last Man Standing – Duel lasts until one of the parties is physically incapable to continue fighting due to the wounds
- To the Death – Duel lasts ntil one party is mortally wounded or killed
If the challenge is accepted, the Duel may begin.
Refusal to accept the Duel causes refusing character to lose Honor.
III. Conditions of the Duel
Once the challenge is accepted, the challenging party („Challenger”) and the offended part („Offended”) must agree on the conditions of the Duel.
The following conditions always apply:
- President of the Senate serves as a judge in every duel
- Imperial Guardsmen assist the President in fulfilling his duties
- Each party must name 1 trusted representative („Second”) among other characters; if party is member of the Demes, the Second also must be a member of such Demes
- Each Second is responsible for the weapon of nominating party and condition of thereof
- Both Seconds must agree on the place and time in which the Duel will take place („field of honor”)
The Offended has a right to choose weapons with which the Duel will be fought. Only melee weapons are allowed.
IV. The Duel
Four characters participate in the Duel (Challenger and his second, Offended and his second) as well as NPCs played by me. Faction Speakers may observe the Duel but may not participate.
Duel lasts until Satisfaction is given (1st blood, 2nd blood, death etc.) or until one of the party decides to Yield.
Once the Duel starts, each party may try to attack the other one; the party which starts is determined by a coin flip by me.
The Duel is divided into Rounds. Each Round consists of a single attac.
During each Round both parties roll d6 dice. The attacking party must have score at least 3 points higher than the other party to succesfully inflict a wound.
The difference of score needed to inflict a wound becomes 2 after 5 Rounds and 1 after 10 Rounds.
In the same post in which an attack is described you (the participant) must declare whether it is a Normal Attack or Attack to Kill.
V. Death and experience
Duel is dangerous. Each hit may potentially cause death:
Normal Attack
- 1st wound – 5% chance of death
- 2nd wound – 10% chance of death
- 3rd wound – 15% chance of death
Attack to Kill
- 1st wound – 25% chance of death
- 2nd wound – 50% chance of death
- 3rd wound – 75% chance of death
You may also automatically kill an enemy who decided to Yield. This will bring great dishonor for your House, making your House Dishonorable.
Attack to Kill is only allowed during Duel To the Death. If used succesfully in any other Duel it makes your character Dishonorabke.
Killing the other party accidentaly doesn't make your character Dishonorable.
Every character which won the Duel (gained Satisfaction) gains +1 to attack and defense rolls.