In my home of Kirishai, and in some places here on the surface, dueling is a common answer in matters of Honor. Needless to say, courtesy is much more common in these places, yet periodically insult is delivered. Rules for dueling have been formulated so that both parties will no what to expect, and so accusations of "cheating" be kept at a minimum. In the following piece, I will attempt to list as many variants of dueling rules as I am aware, and the region where they hold sway. If any are aware of other regions, variants or rules, please notify me that I might add them to this work.

Evandarrian Rules: From the work Chivalry for Commoners by Dame Anastasia of Dragonshire:
Honor Combat may occur when a noble feels themselves to be the victim of a significant insult. This noble will issue a challenge to the offending party. Honor Combat includes that challenge, the naming of terms, the contest itself, and the consequences.

The challenge is made by the noble who has been insulted. The challenge may be made directly, or by the challenger's squire or other representative to a noble of equal or of lesser rank. If a noble wishes to challenge a higher ranking noble, he or she must have a sponsor of equal or of higher rank to the person challenged, to issue the challenge on their behalf. The sponsor need not believe that the challenger is correct, only that the issue has merit.

Nobles should not challenge commoners, but rather should bring them up on charges of contempt or treason. If a commoner were to challenge a noble, the combat may be refused with no loss of honor to the noble. The terms are named by the person who is challenged. Terms include method of combat, and the terms of that combat ending. Combat maybe with blades, other physical weapons, spells, poisons, or even nonviolent means such as a road race, or a game of chess. Ending the battle may be by first blood, loss of consciousness, death, checkmate or other acceptable terms dependant upon the type of combat chosen. Some may disagree and state that nonviolent means are inapropriate. I ask you to consider the following situation. You are insulted by someone who claims that you are of low intelligence. Does combat or chess best prove that their claim is false?

The consequences are claimed by the victor after the battle and may include apology, loss of title, fine, or death. It is the challenged or the challenger who pays the consequences. A champion if involved does not pay. If a fight is to the death, the champion must be lifed, and their representee killed instead.

Champions may be named for two reasons. 1) Inability to meet the terms chosen, or, 2) Infirmity. A champion must be a noble of equal or lesser rank to the noble for whom they will fight. Commoners and squires are not allowed to be champions. A champion will fight to defend the honor of the noble who has named them. If you ever must name a champion, remember that they are fighting on yur behalf. It is unchivalrous to precede their name with phrases such as, "For lack of a better choice, I choose..." If the parties can not agree on terms, the terms may be decided by a noble of higher rank, who holds both parties in their chain of command, may decide the terms This settlement may include choice of terms, allowance of champions, or indeed a decision to disallow the combat altogether, and issue a rebuke to either or both parties. Either combatant may ask to have the dispute overseen by a third party voluntarily without the need for an intervention.

The parties must agree on a mediator of noble rank who will oversee the combat... The noble chosen must be sure that both parties will live up to the terms, and behave honorabily. The mediator is also the referee of the combat itself.

Kirishai Rules: by Whisper Everhate
In Dark Elven society Honor is a very serious matter and our dueling system reflects this. Insult is rarely given, even under provocation, for House politics will sometimes set someone up to challenge another, only to have this challenge met by the Weaponsmaster of their House. Since few Dark Elves are true civilians, everyone is expected to defend their House, including its Honor, either upon the field or in a circle but House or Clan members that are ranked higher may offer to champion lower ranked members, and this request is never refused.

In Kirishai, a duel is announced by one of two methods. Usually, a time and place will be arranged and the individuals return to their Houses to gather witnesses and seconds. Occassionally, a Dark Elf that is extremely angry might simply begin drawing the circle. At this point, the other party may request that the duel be delayed, or has the option of picking up the duel on the spot.

Terms are always the same. Any weapon, any style, spells and alchemy included, to resurection. Apologies are neither asked for nor given, but assumed at the end of the duel. Politeness is maintained throughout the entire process, lest another duel be sparked immediately following the resurection of the loser.

Once both parties have met for a duel, one of the participants draws a circle on the ground that is twenty steps in diameter bisected by a simple line drawn through the middle. Each opponent begins anywhere within their half of the circle. The opponents bow to each other, and the duel is under way. From this point further, no one may enter the circle, and no one may leave lest they be slain by both seconds. Judges are not necessary.

Duels in Kirishai are always fatal. Because of this, courtesy is paramount and duels are actually fairly rare.

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