A Fight to the Death (Death Spars)

These duels are serious, and though Fights to the death are not encouraged, they are accepted
as being a part of Gor. The combatants are risking their lives (the loser of a death duel dies
either from Mortal injury in the fight or a death blow (considered delivered) after the judgment
is rendered. In fact it is entirely possible both may die if the duel is ruled a draw) or suffer
permanent injury. The combatants risk everything they own in addition to their lives, including
but not limited to gold, FC's and slaves. These duels are fought with weapons, although
hand-to-hand combat may be used. These duels shall be a minimum of five posts though
normally eight posts is the accepted length. The loser of a fight to the death is expected to
honor his name by letting it be buried with him along with the titles and position he held.
Returning with a new name he is expected to start over and build a new persona, new
possessions, and a new reputation.
These spars are judged by a panel of not less than three Judges, agreed upon by the combatants

A fight of Honor (Honor Spars or Canjellne )

These duels are for settling disputes and matters of honor that do not require someone's death. The
stakes of such a spar, be it bragging rights, ownership of a slave ,or something of a more serious nature
shall be set in advance and agreed upon but both combatants and the winner is awarded all. These fights
are serious and serious wounds may be inflicted but death blows and permanent injury are not
encouraged though due to the inherently dangerous nature od sword fighting, strikes of a serious nature
such as maiming, crippling and blows that would kill are allowed. These duels shall be five posts in length.
These spars are judged by a panel of three Judges, agreed upon by the combatants

A Fight Just for the Hell of It (Practice/Sport Spars)

These spars are for practice and tournament competition. These spars are light contact. No serious
wounding and no death blows are allowed. These spars may even hand-to-hand weaponless combat if
both combatants agree. These spars shall be three to five posts in length.
These spars can be judged by a single Judge or not at all, as agreed upon by the combatants
 

Assassin Attack or Spontaneous fights (Open Combat)

Given the volatile nature of Goreans, sometimes combat will spontaneously begin between warriors
(possibly more than 2) or possibly due to an assassin's attack. In any case it is important to quickly
inform Your opponent of Your actual intent, death, honor, boredom etc...these fights fall under the
jurisdiction of the room that is being fought in unless other rules are agreed to by both combatants. If the
fight takes place in the Circle then Circle rules shall apply
These spars are judged by the Room Leader or whom ever he appoints, unless otherwise agreed upon
by the combatants

1.
Posts will be alternating . . . the first post of the spar to be given to the challenger unless agreed upon
otherwise.
A *Stance/Weapons/Description Post* shall be made at the start by each fighter declaring all weapons
and their positions as well as the fighters basic stance.

2.
Each combatant may use up to Five Gorean weapons including quiva (this also includes shields, bucklers
or helmet). A pair of fighting slaves gauntlets count as two weapons. A bow or crossbow with a single
arrow/bolt is a weapon and each additional arrow/bolt is considered an additional weapon. Non-Gorean
weapons will not be permitted and, of course, no armor, chain mail, or similar protection.(this includes
the hardened leather or steel nard guard worn by some people. the exception to this rule is the cultural
specific items mentioned in the Gor novels..IE: the facial chains of the Tuchuk helm, the heavy leather
boots of the thalarion rider, etc.

3.
Fighters will be judged on their skill and realism. All strikes must be accepted, accepted and minimized,
evaded or blocked in a realistic manner. Each fighter may choose how he handles an attack, but
whatever is chosen, the fight/spar must flow reasonably from one move to the next. Explaining the
logistics of the fight is up to the fighters, do not make the Judges have to try to decipher how or what is
happening

4.
An individual post will consist of NO MORE than 5 actions. Actions include any combinations of
movement, attacks, and defense. Accepting a strike, blow or wound does not count against the five
allowed actions unless it incorporates a movement that would not have happened otherwise.

Movement actions include but are not limited to:

[A]
Closing to engage a combatant. Even on the opening post.
......Examples
( stepping in)=1movement
(Stepping hard and fast)=1movenment
(Stepping in then left)= 2movements
(Closing the distance between us in a circular movement to bring Me toe to toe with You)=1 movement
(Turning to face you and closing fast)=2 movements
(Moving forward at a diagonal to bring me to your right side)=1 movement

[B]
Moving back out of combat and getting reading to defend.
......Examples
(Backs away quickly 3 paces)=1movement
(Leaps back out of Your sword range and pulls my weapons back to guard)=2movements
(Steps away and to my right sword recocking over My shoulder and shield back in front=4movements
(Stands up and backs away)=2 movements
(Rolls to the side and springs to my feet ready for Your attack)=2movements
(Backs up and hunkers behind my shield hiding as much of my body as possible)=2movements
(Steps back and resumes my original stance)=2movements
(Stays close and does not move back but pulls my weapons back to thier original spots)=1movement

[C]
Changing Your weapons.
......Examples
(Draws my dagger with my left hand [hand previously was empty])=1 movement
(Stabs my sword into the sand and whips out a quiva)=2 movements
(Tosses My axe into the air sending it twirling end over end straight up and grabs the xbow off my back
and shoots you then drops the xbow and catches the axe)=5 movements and should only be attempted
by professionals
(Picks up the fallen weapon[hand was previously empty])=1movement

[D]
Repositioning Your weapons
......Examples
(Brings my sword to a high guard[was previously beside your knee])=1 movement
(Moves My shield over my head to forestall any high attacks)=1movement
(Whips my sword around behind My back and brings it out the other side in the other hand in a fancy
Conan/ninja move)=1movement
(Tosses my quiva back and forth between My right and left hands)=1movement for each toss

[E]
Changing Your position during or after attacking.
......Examples
(Spins off to your right with the momentum of my blow)=1movement
(Steps quickly back after My knee to your groin getting room to wield My longsword)=1movement
(Steps sharply to the left as I swing my sword)=2movements

[F]
Getting out of the way of an attack (ducking, rolling out of the way, etc.).
......Examples
(Drops to my knees as your sword whistles over my head)=1movement
(Drops, twists and rolls away from Your Blow)=3 movements
(Dives to the side then leaps back to My feet)=2 movements

[G]
Feints.
......Examples
(Makes a half step right then leaps to the left)=2movement
(Feints a move to your left then spins to your right)=2movement

[H]
Movement caused by accepting yet blocking or minimizing a blow
......Examples
(Drops to My knees from the force of the blow I just barely blocked with My shield)=2movements
(Staggers back from the strike_.)=1movement
(Is knocked back from the shield punch)=1movement
 

Attacking actions include but are not limited to:

[A]
Hitting or attempting to hit with a weapon.
......Examples
(Swings my sword at your head)=1movement
(Snaps the blade in at your shoulder then down to your thigh)=2movement
(Slams my sword into yours trying to drive it wide in an offensive parry)=1movement
(Rips the right hand blade in a flashing arc between us to carve it into a backhand strike at Your right
leg)=1movement
(Carves both my swords across your chest from left to right)=2movement
*Note* a double attack is two movements, one for each sword

[B]
Hitting or attempting to hit with a shield.
......Examples
(Drives the shield in at your chest attempting to pin Your weapons there)=1movement
(Lays the shield on Your sword as I ride it wide)=1movement
(Slams the steel wrapped edge of the shield down at Your knee)=1movement

[C]
Hand-to-hand attacks such as kicks, punches, leg sweeps, head butts, throws, etc.
......Examples
(Punches you in the mouth)=1movement
(Reaches between your legs and grabs at Your nards trying to squeeze them into a twisted pain filled
sack of skin)=1movement
drops low to the ground and sweeps my leg around bashing Your ankle in a particular nasty
fashion)=2movement

[D]
Using blood, sand, or another foreign substance to blind.
......Examples
(Flicks my buried foot up and sends a spay of sand up at Your eyes to blind you)=1movement
(Spits a mouth full of broken teeth and blood at your face)=1movement
(Hooks a loose Tapestry with My sword tip and drags it from the wall flinging it over Your
head)=1movement

Defensive actions includes but is not limited to:
 

[A]
Parries with a weapon.
......Examples
(Swings my sword out to catch your in rushing weapon)=1movement
(Flicks My sword left and rides your stab wide)=1movement
(Locks My blades In an X and holds them firm as Your sword comes crashing down)=2movement
*Note* a double weapon block is two movements, one for each weapon

[B]
Blocks with a shield.
......Examples
(Twitches My shield to the side to catch Your sword on the steel wrapped edge)=1movement
(Drives My shield low to stop Your thrust from skewering Me)=1movement
(Lifts My shield Over My head in preparation for the blows You are going rain down on
me)=1movement

[C]
Ducking, dodging or otherwise evading an attack.
......Examples
(Leans back out of the range of Your quiva)=1movement
(Steps to the side and grins as the trust stabs the air where I just was)=1movement
(Steps into the blow lessening the force and power of the blow)=1movement
(Tucks my head behind the shield and lets You punch it instead)=1movement

5.
Combatants will have a 10 minute period from the previous post to post their responce. After this time a
single penalty point shall be imposed.
*Note* This rule can be waived or adjusted if both combatants agree

6.
To assist the judges, combatants may use some method of separating actions (by use of a numbered
sequence (1, 2, 3...), series of periods (......) or stars (****) or some other method).
......Examples
(Parrying your sword with My shield..1...stabbing You in the stomach with My sword***2***stepping
back and the right three paces, knees bent and crouching in defense..~~*3*~~..)
*Note* this is a convention and Not a deductible rule

7.
A combination moves that require two or more actions is NOT counted as a single movement, it is still
two or more actions and is counted as such.

8.
Combatants may NOT post the actions of their opponents (force posting) or the damage that their attack
does.
......Examples
(Stabbing you in the chest with my quiva)= an acceptable attack.
(Stabbing you in the chest with my quiva....puncturing your lung)=an unacceptable attack because it
declares the damage received by the opponent.
(Circling to your right)=an acceptable move
(Circling to your left forcing you to turn)=an unacceptable move because it declares a movement by the
opponent
*Note 1* Posts that include striking the intended target (i.e. "Stabbing you in the chest with my quiva")
do not describe the actions of their opponents or the damage that their attack does. Instead it is
considered a "guide" to the intent and thinking of the combatant.

*Note 2* A parry is basically a forced post as for it to be successful It implies that You were able to
control Your opponents weapon in such a way to render it harmless for the moment. This being
understood a Parry [offensive or defensive] is NOT judged as a forced post unless You get too carried
away with it [describing the location or angle of Your opponents Blade]. Suffice it to say that You
knocked his blade wide and let him decide on just how and where it went

9.
Fighters are urged to be as descriptive and accurate as possible. Use of "right and left" with regard to the
opponent (be sure to post if its YOUR right or your opponents right) is highly encouraged and could save
you a point deduction for an unclear post.

10.
Fighters must make sure their attacks start from the end of their opponents post...to make an attack that
happens during Your Opponents post is called Back Posting this confuses and disrupts the flow of the
spar and if Your opponent defends against it it usually changes what has already been posted further
disrupting the spar. Back posts and defenses to them will earn you a deduction.
......Examples
(Slashing at Your wrist as You make the first of three blows to My stomach) (Hacking My sword down
into Your knee as You raise it up at My nards) (Ducking under your blow and opening your belly with a
twisting backhand slash,then driving My knee up into Your nards before you back away)

*Note* For further explanation of Back post click here_.{back}
11.
An "Ending Post" may be posted after the final strikes have been posted. The Ending Post will abide By
all the rules yet WILL NOT contain any offensive actions.

12.
The judgement of the panel of judges is final and binding if You feel You can not accept it then do not
step in to the pit. Each of the judges does their best to score the match fairly and unbiased.
Sometimes a mistake is made unintentionally or they see something different that others have missed, this
is why there are multiple judges and the combatants are allowed choice in their selection Arguing about
the decision is neither honorable not Gorean.