> Duelling: Tell me about it? by Jeff Zeitlin (09 Apr 2018 23:20 UTC)

>     I'm working up the outline of a Jotting on duelling. However, I haven't
>     really found a lot on-line about it yet, and I'm a bit fuzzy on applying
>     what I have found to the Far Future. So... anyone have any thoughts, ideas,
>     references, et multae ceterae?

I'd also agree that John Barnes' "Thousand Cultures" novels contain many excellent
pointers and background information on one approach to this. Besides, they are well
written, contain many other intriguing ideas, and are a great read.

The concerns about over-stimulation are misplaced, at least in the context of the novels.
Barnes has thought this (and many other things) through.

IMTU, and everyone's will be different, I have some restrictions on who can duel whom.

First, only a Noble can issue a challenge, and only to another Noble.

Second, they can only challenge at the same level, or one level up or down, and only over
matters of honour. Local senior Noble gets to decide in dubious cases.

Third, a Noble may not refuse a challenge unless a more senior Noble rules that the
challenge is dis-honourable.

Fourth, the challenger fights *personally*, against someone chosen by the challenged,
usually one of their bodyguards who specializes in some type of fighting, which may not
be limited to Blade or Pistol.

The idea (which may not be well baked) is to stop newly-minted Junior Baronet 3rd Class Fred,
who has no abilities other than being well trained with a Blade, from gradually fighting his
way up the chain until he becomes a Duke, leaving a trail of bodies in his wake. Also to
stop matters of policy being settled by fights.

Anyway, hope these thoughts are useful to someone.

Jonathan