Dueling has long been a part of MTU, in practice as well as background. The only problem with this is that there is not a set of cannon rules for governing the practice.
SO, I set about composing a set of rules. What follows is a work in progress. It has probably still has lots of holes. Let me know what ya think.
--Darth.
Coda Duello
The Imperium maintains the practice of dueling as a means of preventing more serious crimes, relieving the burden of the court system, and providing a means of legal vengeance when other recourses have been exhausted. It should be noted that the principle purpose of the duel is to seek redress for offense, usually in the form of an apology. Imperial Edict 58 provides the legal impetus for this practice, and is often referred to as The Coda Duello. In theory, any Imperial citizen may challenge another to a duel at any time. There are, however, certain restrictions on how this is done.
Firstly, the challenge must be issued in public and in front of witnesses or cameras. Should the challenged refuse the duel, no recourse exists for the challenger to try again. The challenged, upon refusing, is considered to have publicly admitted guilt or wrongdoing and is required to public remit a formal apology within one week’s time, unless physical evidence can be provided to prove innocence. In most cases, this is little more than a public speech, which may or may not be delivered on the spot. There is no social stigma attached to the issuance of an apology, nor is there any loss of honor. It is where an apology is refused, or when the issuance of an apology could lead to self incrimination or admission of guilt that problems arise.
Refusal of a duel without making an apology is considered to be an act of cowardice. In the case of nobles, such a failure may be grounds for dismissal from court… depending on the offense and the outcome of the resulting investigation. The only exception to this is the Emperor himself, whom may only be challenged by a member of the moot (and then only under extreme circumstances) in the rite of assassination.
Secondly, the offense must be grave enough to warrant the duel. Implications in the death of a friend or family member, unmitigated libel or slander, and publicly besmirching of one’s honor are considered to be acceptable causes… as are any offenses for which a lawsuit may be filed. In such cases, the combatants are advised that the duel and its results are final and carry the legal force of the court.
The process of challenging is, in and of itself, a simple one. The challenger simply confronts the challenged in a public place, identifies him or herself, states the offense, and issues the challenge. The process is quite formal and very abrupt. Traditionalists will also carry a black leather glove that is used to slap the face of the challenged person. In any event, witnesses must be present and personal lawyers are often retained for this purpose. The duel is then registered with the local authorities and a date is set. In all cases, the challenged may choose the location and time, where the challenger chooses the protocol.
The dueling parties are forbidden by law from contacting each for the duration of the waiting period. For the express purpose of making the necessary arrangements, each party will name a “Second” to act on their behalf. The second is responsible for registering the offense and arranging the duel itself. It is also the principal duty of the Second to make concerted efforts to get the two parties to reconcile and avoid the duel. The challenger’s second is also required to retain a physician and a lawyer to act as witnesses of the event and to certify the results of the duel. In practice, the combatants will pay all fees or at least reimburse their seconds.
The duels are conducted publicly, and in full view of the local police force. All worlds with class B or better starports have dueling-grounds on base for this purpose. Some worlds have prohibitions against dueling, and the practice will be banned outside the starport proper. Nonetheless, the challenge may be issued anywhere on any Imperial world and the local authorities are required to register the complaint before referring it to the Starport Authority. Duels conducted on Starport facilities are given over to the purview of either the Imperial Marines (if any are based there) or the Starport security detail.
There are two protocols that are used for dueling, and either may be selected based on the preferences and capabilities of the persons involved. One protocol exists for swords and one for revolvers. In general the revolver protocol is shunned as being “less civilized”, but is retained to allow persons whom lack the training or physical ability to properly defend themselves with a sword. While the challenger has the right to select the protocol, the challenged does have the right to protest that decision with the governing authorities. If the authorities view the complaint as genuine, they have the right to change the protocol in favor of the defender. This seldom happens, and is almost always to favor the revolver in stead of the sword (in the case of disabled persons, or persons with no skill at the sword). This change often reflects badly on the courage of the challenger, and all but the most uncouth challengers take steps to avoid it.
The preferred method, or Hoffmann protocol, uses swords in single combat. The participants may use any single handed bladed weapon, although the foil is generally preferred. As of 870 Imp, the Katana has also been allowed, despite its technically being a two handed weapon. Since each combatant brings his own weapon, mismatches in weaponry are common. Instructors and master swordsmen have written entire treatises on how to best engage an opponent with any of the myriad of combinations. Most nobles will select the foil exclusively as a matter of tradition and pride. If an individual cannot provide his or her own weapon, then the challenger is required to provide a weapon identical in quality to his own.
Under this protocol, the duel is constrained to a circular area 40m in diameter. Neither combatant may leave the ring without conceding defeat. Opponents begin on opposite sides of the ring and proceed to enter only upon command from the supervising authority. The combatants will engage in sword combat until one party is injured, at which point, the injured party has the option to concede defeat (and honor is considered to have been satisfied). Should the injured party refuse to concede, then combat continues with no consideration given to his injuries.
The less common form, or the Kerensikov protocol, uses revolvers. Regulation revolvers are 10mm conventional caliber, having a six shot cylinder, and use hollow point slugs. These revolvers are inspected prior to the duel itself, and are often masterwork weapons. Additionally, the revolvers are equipped with a radio safety interlock which allows the authorities to safe the weapon at a distance. Under this protocol, the challenger must provide both weapons, and the challenged may select which one they wish to use on the dueling grounds.
The Seconds will load each revolver with government provided ammunition, and provide the weapons to the duelists only when ready. The two combatants then proceed to walk to the designated stopping points, some fifty meters apart. They turn, and await the command to fire. Weapons at this point are off safe, and pointed at the ground. Upon the command to fire, both combatants raise their weapons and begin firing at their opponents. The combatants each fire one round, and return to the guard position. If either party is injured in the exchange, the duel is ended and honor is satisfied. As with the Hoffmann protocol, the wounded party has the option to continue the duel, but is not required to do so. If neither party has been hit, or if the duel continues, then the combatants are again given the command to fire and again exchange rounds. This process continues until one party concedes, one party is dead, or the ammunition is expended.
SO, I set about composing a set of rules. What follows is a work in progress. It has probably still has lots of holes. Let me know what ya think.
--Darth.
Coda Duello
The Imperium maintains the practice of dueling as a means of preventing more serious crimes, relieving the burden of the court system, and providing a means of legal vengeance when other recourses have been exhausted. It should be noted that the principle purpose of the duel is to seek redress for offense, usually in the form of an apology. Imperial Edict 58 provides the legal impetus for this practice, and is often referred to as The Coda Duello. In theory, any Imperial citizen may challenge another to a duel at any time. There are, however, certain restrictions on how this is done.
Firstly, the challenge must be issued in public and in front of witnesses or cameras. Should the challenged refuse the duel, no recourse exists for the challenger to try again. The challenged, upon refusing, is considered to have publicly admitted guilt or wrongdoing and is required to public remit a formal apology within one week’s time, unless physical evidence can be provided to prove innocence. In most cases, this is little more than a public speech, which may or may not be delivered on the spot. There is no social stigma attached to the issuance of an apology, nor is there any loss of honor. It is where an apology is refused, or when the issuance of an apology could lead to self incrimination or admission of guilt that problems arise.
Refusal of a duel without making an apology is considered to be an act of cowardice. In the case of nobles, such a failure may be grounds for dismissal from court… depending on the offense and the outcome of the resulting investigation. The only exception to this is the Emperor himself, whom may only be challenged by a member of the moot (and then only under extreme circumstances) in the rite of assassination.
Secondly, the offense must be grave enough to warrant the duel. Implications in the death of a friend or family member, unmitigated libel or slander, and publicly besmirching of one’s honor are considered to be acceptable causes… as are any offenses for which a lawsuit may be filed. In such cases, the combatants are advised that the duel and its results are final and carry the legal force of the court.
The process of challenging is, in and of itself, a simple one. The challenger simply confronts the challenged in a public place, identifies him or herself, states the offense, and issues the challenge. The process is quite formal and very abrupt. Traditionalists will also carry a black leather glove that is used to slap the face of the challenged person. In any event, witnesses must be present and personal lawyers are often retained for this purpose. The duel is then registered with the local authorities and a date is set. In all cases, the challenged may choose the location and time, where the challenger chooses the protocol.
The dueling parties are forbidden by law from contacting each for the duration of the waiting period. For the express purpose of making the necessary arrangements, each party will name a “Second” to act on their behalf. The second is responsible for registering the offense and arranging the duel itself. It is also the principal duty of the Second to make concerted efforts to get the two parties to reconcile and avoid the duel. The challenger’s second is also required to retain a physician and a lawyer to act as witnesses of the event and to certify the results of the duel. In practice, the combatants will pay all fees or at least reimburse their seconds.
The duels are conducted publicly, and in full view of the local police force. All worlds with class B or better starports have dueling-grounds on base for this purpose. Some worlds have prohibitions against dueling, and the practice will be banned outside the starport proper. Nonetheless, the challenge may be issued anywhere on any Imperial world and the local authorities are required to register the complaint before referring it to the Starport Authority. Duels conducted on Starport facilities are given over to the purview of either the Imperial Marines (if any are based there) or the Starport security detail.
There are two protocols that are used for dueling, and either may be selected based on the preferences and capabilities of the persons involved. One protocol exists for swords and one for revolvers. In general the revolver protocol is shunned as being “less civilized”, but is retained to allow persons whom lack the training or physical ability to properly defend themselves with a sword. While the challenger has the right to select the protocol, the challenged does have the right to protest that decision with the governing authorities. If the authorities view the complaint as genuine, they have the right to change the protocol in favor of the defender. This seldom happens, and is almost always to favor the revolver in stead of the sword (in the case of disabled persons, or persons with no skill at the sword). This change often reflects badly on the courage of the challenger, and all but the most uncouth challengers take steps to avoid it.
The preferred method, or Hoffmann protocol, uses swords in single combat. The participants may use any single handed bladed weapon, although the foil is generally preferred. As of 870 Imp, the Katana has also been allowed, despite its technically being a two handed weapon. Since each combatant brings his own weapon, mismatches in weaponry are common. Instructors and master swordsmen have written entire treatises on how to best engage an opponent with any of the myriad of combinations. Most nobles will select the foil exclusively as a matter of tradition and pride. If an individual cannot provide his or her own weapon, then the challenger is required to provide a weapon identical in quality to his own.
Under this protocol, the duel is constrained to a circular area 40m in diameter. Neither combatant may leave the ring without conceding defeat. Opponents begin on opposite sides of the ring and proceed to enter only upon command from the supervising authority. The combatants will engage in sword combat until one party is injured, at which point, the injured party has the option to concede defeat (and honor is considered to have been satisfied). Should the injured party refuse to concede, then combat continues with no consideration given to his injuries.
The less common form, or the Kerensikov protocol, uses revolvers. Regulation revolvers are 10mm conventional caliber, having a six shot cylinder, and use hollow point slugs. These revolvers are inspected prior to the duel itself, and are often masterwork weapons. Additionally, the revolvers are equipped with a radio safety interlock which allows the authorities to safe the weapon at a distance. Under this protocol, the challenger must provide both weapons, and the challenged may select which one they wish to use on the dueling grounds.
The Seconds will load each revolver with government provided ammunition, and provide the weapons to the duelists only when ready. The two combatants then proceed to walk to the designated stopping points, some fifty meters apart. They turn, and await the command to fire. Weapons at this point are off safe, and pointed at the ground. Upon the command to fire, both combatants raise their weapons and begin firing at their opponents. The combatants each fire one round, and return to the guard position. If either party is injured in the exchange, the duel is ended and honor is satisfied. As with the Hoffmann protocol, the wounded party has the option to continue the duel, but is not required to do so. If neither party has been hit, or if the duel continues, then the combatants are again given the command to fire and again exchange rounds. This process continues until one party concedes, one party is dead, or the ammunition is expended.
