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drabin pheonix
Acolyte
Ireland
9 Posts |
 Posted - 28 Mar 2014 : 10:49:52
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Hi all I know ed spoke about this at some stage but for the life of me I can't find it! So am hoping someone could shed some light onthe topic.
I have a few questions on the subject,
What are rules governing duels in the military especially the purple dragons.
Does everyone in a civilized society hold personal honour as something that must be defended. I know historically you had to defend your honour because if you didn't you you could be shunned especially for nobles.
With the fantasy setting pc 's and npc's are very specialized in their combat styles so how would an archer feel about been challenged by a swordsman? Is the bow seen as a cowards weapon in a duel, historically pistols were used for ranged duels but it would be paused after every shot to see if satisfaction was reached. Would that be the same as bows or are bows even a option?
Can you chose a champion if it is a personal slight and would that be seen as a cowardly act
Am running a purple dragon kensai with 3.5 in a 4th edition timeline.
Have been in a scenario were an npc insults my character but when I challenge him he just ignores it! The npc is a warrior so I expect him to except the challenge, should he not be concerned with losing face?
Thanks for your help
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
Posted - 28 Mar 2014 : 19:39:38
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Honor surely plays a role in certain areas and individuals, but there are no widespread common causes for a challenge for a duel in the realms. Honor is usually a more personal thing in the (quite freethinking and advanced) morals of the Realms, and kept high by holding true to oneself (and your favorite patron deity).
I can only find rules for a mageduel in the tome Magic of Faerun (pg 14), but their inclusion gives a clear indication duels amongst arcane classes have a widely understood ruleset, and a caster from Halruua can engage in a duel with a wizard of Thay and both know almost exaclt what they are in for. The weave of Faerun is even adjustable to 'a duel setting': a cube of considerable size can be made in which all magic becomes nonlethal and does half damage... I think large parts of Faerun is cosmopolitan enough to have formed a "codified" set of rules for duelling with mundane weapons.
You could use two simple variants of a military (usually non-lethal) duels: First Blood or Body Blows
With first blood, both combatent usually get to wield same sized weapons and the first one to draw blood (hit the others ac for normal damage) wins. Magic tricks or excessive damage are frowned upon or expected depending on the culture and civilisation your in. (compare dwarf duels to drow duels to see the ends of this spectrum of violence and magic in duels)
With body blows both combatents fight with all arms available to them but they must aim to attack the armored torso of the enemy with winding blows (attack the others AC while ignoring any armor bonus, while still counting shield AC: hits are subdual if they hit this lower AC and fight on untill unconsciousness or yielding). Again magic tricks, excessive violence and poison are highly frowned upon or considered part of the deal of a duel depending on region, race and sponsors.
Interesting you bring up bows. I definately see some regions and cultures in the realms considering the bow a weapon unfit for duelling (Cormyr I consider among them). But in elven cultures or regions (such as Aglarond) I can see a body blow type of duel could arise with bows and blunt arrows and ceremonial armor and helmets protecting vitals but enabling clear marks of impact to determine a 'first hit'-type winner. But even then I think archery favoring races deem close quarter weapons such as knives, spears, swrords and quarterstaves deemed more appropriate for a duel.
As to the topic of championing, I have little to base this on but I think it is generally seen as a cowardly but common and practical practise. |
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drabin pheonix
Acolyte
Ireland
9 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2014 : 09:39:10
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Thanks for your input bladewind :-). I have read about first blood and the body shots, they both fit in with my vision of dueling in a non lethal fight.
I don't read the novels from forgotten realms ( should though) so I guess what I'm looking for is the attitude people have in the realms towards insulting people? In a civilized society like cormyr or the dales? Dueling is the reason ( some say) that ettique was so formal because people didn't want to offend someone and leave themself open to a challenge. I know this is more directed to nobles and people with social standing but is that how the authors portray the their characters in the books and if it is then is it because dueling has a role to play in their created societies? |
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Bladewind
Master of Realmslore
Netherlands
1280 Posts |
Posted - 29 Mar 2014 : 14:07:01
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You might want to ask Ed about challenging in duelling cultures in the Realms. *nudge, nudge* *wink, wink*
I have learned from a previous answer from Ed that championing during judicial combat is quite common in the Chessenta area. A professional duelist named Skoalam Marlgrask made huge sums of money by being (one of) the best swordsmen in Faerun and hiring himself to the highest bidder in challenges across the Akanul bay area and in Cimbar. So at least people in Chessenta are conscious of having their honor guarded by force of arms (of others).
From the novels I've read none of them take place in Cormyr so I cant make an accurate estimation for how important duelling culture is amongst nobility in Cormyr.
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dueling rules
