Board Thread:Midian Ideas/@comment-4701109-20170211223731/@comment-4701109-20170507174341

Thank you! Most of this came all in one big push of inspiration. I had recently finished reading a couple of different books that involved characters dueling. Between the books and some basic searching on actual dueling I came up with this. Let me address some of your questions.

'How often do duels occur between different social classes? What if some poor dirt farmer insults a baronson, or vice-versa?'

Duels rarely occur between people of drastically different classes. I clearly need to add a little more detail. Culturally duels are reserved for equal, or at least nearly equal, members of society. In making a formal challenge an individual is stating publicly that the offender is the challenger’s social equal, or near enough. For a Baronson to challenge a "dirt farmer", that Baronson would have to acknowledge that he is equal to the farmer and that would be social suicide. Duels can become very expensive and are rarely an outlet for the poor. For the farmer to challenge the Baronson would likely be financially devastating.

Did I read correctly that someone can issue a written apology, and have that be used as criminal evidence leading to their imprisonment?

Yes, if laws were broken, a letter admitting fault could lead to fines or imprisonment. Keep in mind that these letters are legal documents, signed & sealed, being transported by representatives from each party. The court case would be overseen by a Judge of the Association. The letters by themselves would be unlikely enough for a conviction but they would serve as evidence in a court case.

Are there legal limits to what constitutes a valid offence?

Loaded question….the short answer is no. Here we start to slip between laws and cultural norms. Perceived slights against one’s honor is difficult to nail down.