General Directory
Customs
Dueling
Though
officially outlawed and prohibited by both the Church and the
Government dueling is still a socially acceptable and widespread
practice. It is most common with the nobility though all classes of
society use it to some degree. A noble will never duel with a
commoner
or any non-noble.
The Rules:
The rules are fairly straightforward.
No magic of any
kind may be employed by either of the principals. This means no magic
items, magic weapons, magic armor, spell enhancements or spells. The
only magic acceptable at the scene of a duel is healing magic.
All weapons and
armor, if any, must be equal. This means that the same types, lengths
and weights of weapons; the same shield sizes and armor types.
The challenger (the offended party
usually) has choice of weapons and armor.
Seconds will
meet to arrange a time and place for the fight, and if possible
negotiate an acceptable apology or whatever is needed to avoid the duel
entirely.
At least one second and up to three
friends may accompany the duelist to the fight.
Duels are fought to one of the following
conclusions.
First Blood. Who ever draws blood
first is the victor.
Serious Wound. This is a wound, or
series of wounds equal
to 1/2 of HT.
Death. This is a very serious
affair. Dueling is illegal
and killing your opponent is murder.
The victor generally
must go into exile to avoid a
hanging. Further, all other
involved parties, seconds and
friends on both sides are
also guilty.
Funeral Rites and Customs
Mitraen
churches maintain cemetaries with consecrated ground, which is
re-consecrated annually. the purpose of this ritual is to help
ensure
that the dead rest in peace without being disturbed by the depredations
of Ghouls and the spells of Necromancers. Consecration alone is
not
enough to protect fully. Cemetaries attached to important temples
are
guarded by the Sacarium Guard and/or by various magical protections....
Less important village temples make do with caretakers.
Since only the
faithful may be buried in consecrated earth, most communities maintain
a public graveyard for foriegners, Druidic followers, convicted
murderers, witches, slaves and unidentified dead. These
graveyards are
guarded by caretakers and/or the local Watch. Often times the two
cemetaries are side by side to facilitate protection.
Because fresh
corpses are considered most desireable, to Necromancers as well as
Ghouls, it is the custom to post a guard on a fresh grave for three
days and three nights following internment. Generally the day
watch is
accomplished by friends and family of the deceased as a combined
mourning/wake/guard. No Necromancer would try to steal a corpse
in
daylight and Ghouls are of course afraid of sunlight. The night
shift,
the higher risk duty, is generally done by guards hired by the
decedant�s family or supplied by the undertaker. In cemetaries
with
Sacarium Guards they will handle this, though the family must make a
donation for the service.
It is customary
for the family to supply the Guards with food and drink (no alcohol) as
well as light and a brazier and fuel for warmth. (As well as paying for
their service.) According to tradition there can be no meat eaten
in a
cemetary, food is limited to bread, cheese, fresh fruits and vegetables
etc.. Typically guards are paid about $10.00 per night.
There are never less than two guards on
duty, three is typical.
