DUELS Duels are one way that Torvaldsland men settle disputes, both personal and legal. There are two basic types of duels, the formal duel and the free duel. Both types of duels are permitted at the Thing-fair. The free duel has few rules. All types of weapons are allowed and there are no restrictions on tactics. They are commonly held on skerries that jut into Thassa. Two men will be left alone on the skerry and then that night a boat will return for the winner, who is the survivor. The formal duel is much more complex. Two men will battle but they are each entitled to a shield bearer. The shield bearer carries a shield and tries to block the strikes from the opposing duelist. The bearer is allowed three shields but when they are no longer usable the bearer must leave the battle. You are not supposed to kill the shield bearer. The size of the swords is regulated. The blade cannot be too long. The duel will occur on a square cloak, ten feet on each side, that is pegged down into the ground. Outside the cloak there are two squares, each a foot away from the cloak. The outer corners of the second of these squares is marked by hazel wands. This gives the combatants a twelve foot square fighting area. When the first blood touches the cloak, the match can end at the agreement of the duelists or by a decision of one of the two referees. This is not commonly a fight to the death. The loser of the duel must then pay the winner three silver tarn disks. (This probably should actually be silver tarsk disks) The winner will also perform a sacrifice to the gods after that match. The size of the sacrifice will vary as to the wealth of the winner and the importance of the duel. Some unscrupulous men will use these duels to acquire wealth, property and more. You can challenge someone for their farm, daughter or companion. The stakes can be quite high. The worst is that if you refuse the duel, you must forfeit the stake. Luckily, a champion can stand in for a challenged person. |