Dueling

By Daquira

Dueling is a practice not found in Redwall, though it might have been interesting. However, this practice would most probably have been too violent (not to mention unnecessary) for the peace-loving woodland creatures, and too tame for most vermin hordes. Still, it might be an interesting variation to think about.

Dueling was once the main way of settling a dispute. It was first done with swords, and then later moved on to pistols. A Redwallian type scenario would obviously use swords, or other weapons of that kind. (Knives, spears, etc.) Dueling was looked upon by society as acceptable, and often a good way of increasing status. A duel was frequently finished by the death of one the combatants, though sometimes the rule of ‘first blood drawn’ was used to keep good duelers alive. This second option was considerably better, though sometime ‘first blood’ and death were one and the same. Then whatever argument the combatants had dueled over would be considered resolved, with the victor obviously being right. And because, more often than not, the loser wasn’t around to complain about it, this seemed to work just fine.

Sometimes a person could be forced into a duel, often on an imagined slight. The favorite means of challenging a person for a duel was to go up and slap them. Sometimes with gloves, which was probably quite fun. Let us consider this part of dueling: the slapping.

There are approximately three kinds of gloves that you can slap with, each more hurtful than the last. If you (or hopefully one of your characters) ever decide to challenge anybody to a duel, then you might want to consider these aspects of each of them.

Firstly, the cotton glove. This, when properly slapped across a person’s face, is nothing but an annoyance, but considered very insulting. It will no more than slightly sting, and is the standard glove for opponent-slapping.

Secondly, the leather glove. Now, leather is quite a bit heavier than cotton, and can pack quite a healthy wallop, leaving red marks and other such painful reminders. This is good if you wish to infuriate your adversary—not to mention that black leather gloves look quite spiffy.

Lastly, and the worst by far, the chain mail glove. This is extremely heavy-duty, and you must question how mad you want your opponent to get before slapping them with this weighty implement. Chain mail is, of course, metal rings overlapping each other. Slapping someone with a chain mail glove—throwing works as well, if you want to make sure the distance between you and your opponent is enough that they will be held back from throttling you until time of the duel—is highly insulting, and often harmful. (Note: you might want to have a doctor around to bandage up his head afterward. It’s not good going into a duel with a half-blind opponent. Well, at least not good for your reputation as a fair sportsman, though it sure helps your health.)

One small tip to remember: the accused had the right to choose weapon, time, and place, so in a way they have the advantage (if they have recovered sufficiently from the three day headache accompanying being slapped by a chain mail glove, that is). And there you have it, the art of dueling. Or at least, starting a duel, which I’m sure you will all treasure. Thank you for your time; office hours are ten to one, and no admittance to persons bearing chain mail gloves. Now, go off and play nice. *evil laugh* Ahem. Thank you.

~ Daquira

Questions, comments? Looking for my addres so you can pelt me with rotten fruit? Email me at mountaincrazy_7@hotmail.com.