Board Thread:Custom Lore Development/@comment-26535281-20170417025538

"In the West they call it simply a Honor Duel or Honor killings, but here in Xin it is known as Lóngwǔ, Dance of Dragons. A spectacle it is."

-Liaozhu, Xinese Merchant

Duels are rather common place in Xin and are considered a way of life for most. The tradition of Lóngwǔ stretches back far before the Empire during the warring clans period. When the first Emperor rose to power we himself a fan of duels kept them around but placed strict laws upon conduct and on how a duel can be called and fought.

First the duel itself. A duel can be either fists or with some weapons (Sword and mace being the only weapons allowed). Both duelist enter the arena (A small plaza 20ft across and 20ft wide with a large circle in the center) and stand at the edge of the circle with their backs to each other. Both take 3 steps and then turn around, bow to the opponent, and the duel begins. The duel only finishes until one of the duelists is knocked unconscious, surrenders, or if blood is drawn (Unless of course that at the start of the duel they agreed to it being to the death)

A duel may be called for all types of feuds both large and small (Although matters considered important to the state will not be solved with a duel but by a Imperial court). A duel can be called at any time but the duel itself will take place in three days (In that time they must prepare, train, and have one meal together). Now a duel can be called for stupid reasons and you can always decline a duel (If the feud in question is rather stupid and you decline their will be no social stigma but if it is important the social stigma is immense).

Once a Duel is called and accepted it cannot be called off backing out of the duel would mean immediately losing the feud and also immense social stigma. Now the feuds themselves are reviewed by a Imperial Official to see if it is over an issue of importance of state if it is then the state settles the feud if it isn't then duel away.

Once a duel is won the Feud is settled forever. At every duel is a official which records the feud and the outcome of the duel for evidence if it should ever be brought up again. To some Lóngwǔ is seen as the only way to settle scores in Xin. In some occasions a Lóngwǔ will determine who the next Emperor will be with the heirs fighting in a tournament of sorts until only one remains. This has only happened three times in Xin (Emperors/Empresses, Wudi, Huadi, and Yindi)

Now for rules:

1. Each duelist may wear no armor and must fight bare chested. The only clothing allowed is leggings.

2. Each duelist must follow the laws in place by Imperial decree and special laws agreed upon both duelist.

3. Each duelist must use the same weapon of equal strength and value provided by a third party

4. The duel must take place within the Arena and may not leave it's confines.

5. Whoever wins the duel wins the feud in question, that is final. Another duel may not be fought over the same feud.

For all you would be foreigners trying to duel in Xin be warned a Lóngwǔ is a serious affair in Xin and can lead to the death or serious injury of the duelists. May a merchant feeling he has been cheated has challenged a Xinese counterpart to a duel only to end up dead. 