by the Gift of the Gods and Faithful to the Grand Temple and its High Priest Verco.
We decree that the following norms are henceforth recognized as having been established from all antiquity and attested to by the unanimous record of all civilized peoples everywhere.
In every grievance between two individuals a proper form ought be followed to avoid the unnecessary shedding of blood and to identify the participants should judicial notice be taken.
When a man finds himself insulted by another man on a matter concerning murder, treason, heresy, desertion of one's lord, abduction, perjury, fraud or rape it is customary to announce the insult and to give the speaker the opportunity to ransom his words with an apology taking careful note of the station of the aggrieved.
"Good man (or sir or lord), no offense was intended."
or
"Good man (or sir or lord), I see that I have offended you and withdraw my words."
If the aggrieved should accept the apology it is a matter ended, but if he accept it not, or if no apology is forthcoming, then the man insulted may demand that the offender ransom his words with iron. If the offender does not attempt to ransom his words either by an apology or by iron, he will be considered a Neivarin and such a man will lose the right to swear oaths and to bear witness on any matter concerning man or woman, rich or poor, contract or property.
The matter will then be settled wherever a cloak is thrown, or a spear is buried to the haft, or a line is drawn or where three roads meet. The matter shall be settled no sooner than within an hour, but in no case longer than 7 days and this shall be at the option of he who agrees to ransom his words with iron. Or else he may decide to leave the date and time to the aggrieved and instead opt to exercise the right to appoint a champion or else to exercise the right to set first terms.
If a champion is insisted upon it shall thereafter fall to such a one to set the terms, unless the aggrieved shall counter by also appointing a champion of his own. If the ransomer has a champion and the aggrieved has one not, the aggrieved may exercise the right to set first terms.
Among men of unequal station, it shall be the right of the higher station to have a champion presumed without losing the right to set first terms.
If either the aggrieved or the offender should fail to meet at the appointed time they shall be considered a Neivarin and such a man will lose the right to swear oaths and to bear witness on any matter concerning man or woman, rich or poor, contract or property.
As to the terms, which may be insisted first by the ransomer (should he not have chosen the time and place), but then by the aggrieved and alternating back and forth. Each side is given the right to insist terms once the other side has named his. A first term may be countered by a second or accepted outright. If accepted, no other terms may be insisted, but if a term is demanded in reply, then another term may be set in response and so on. If no further terms are insisted the matter will be resolved with whatever has been determined.
Choice of Weapon or fists
Choice of personal weapons or weapons procured
Choice of Armor or None
Choice of personal armor or armor procured
To consider the matter ended at first blood, at three falls, at unconsciousness or death.
To allow magic or not
If the aggrieved shall lose, he will bear the weight of judgment of he who has spoken and all may take note as to the truth of the matter. But if he who was to ransom his words is unable to do so, it shall be accorded to the aggrieved an apology and all men will take note of the falsehood.
The least trophy that might be demanded at combat's end is dependent on the station of the defeated. A platinum coin may be demanded of a King, a gold coin of a nobleman, a silver coin of a gentleman, or a copper of a commoner. If such a ransom is not able to be collected, then the combatant's arms, armor, horse, spurs, glove, or the scarf of his lady may be demanded, instead.
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