Law of the Askondar

The Law of the Askondar, or the Right to Challenge, is one of the oldest and most fundamental practices of the Drakkari people.

It is an honour duel and a trial by combat, invoked by the men of the Drakkari to resolve all manner of disputes, great or trivial. To this day, it remains proudly enshrined within the laws of the ice trolls.

An Askondar can be demanded at any time, towards any man and for nearly any motive. Customarily, an accusation is placed by the challenger upon the challenged for a perceived crime, a slight, or a sin against Jathukhan. Once the declaration is made, the challenged is thus bound to face the challenger in a fight to first blood or to the death in the presence of an alding (or judge), who will arbitrate the terms of the duel, ensuring its fairness, dictating where and when it will take place and what weapons and armour will be permitted. It is customary for trivial Askondars (such as those for lesser insults) to be fought with simple clubs, typically until one fighter surrenders or is unable to carry on the battle, or alternatively until one fighter breaks all of his opponent's shields (each is given a maximum of three or more, to be replaced when broken). For uncertain claims of petty thievery, dull blades may be used instead. More serious altercations, such as the theft of one's woman, a suspected killing or the questioning of one Drakkari's faith or honour, will commonly permit the use of sharpened blades. The most dire of Askondar, those concerning capital sins against God, or crimes against the Drakkari people, are the most violent and bloody, as few restrictions are placed upon the fighters. These duels are carried out in designated arenas and are generally done in the presence of a Zerjarlai, a priest of Jathukhan and thousands of Drakkari. The God-King himself may bear witness at his pleasure, assuming the role of the alding.

In the Askondar, while the challenger may withdraw his challenge at any point, at the cost of his honour and a hefty sum of coin, if the challenged refuses to fight, loses his duel, or is in absence on the day of the Askondar, he is immediately declared guilty of all accusations made in his name and the challenger may name any punishment he sees fit to the alding, who will then ensure it is carried out.

If the challenged instead triumphs over the accuser, he is cleared of all his charges and given the authority to demand anything he wishes from the challenger as his compensation.

In the event of either's death, the victor will become the owner of all possessions left behind by the defeated.

It is also possible for a man to grant his protection to another, taking his place in the Askondar. Powerful chieftains typically do this for their favoured warriors to discourage ambitious challengers. However, this protection tends not to extend to more trivial affairs.

Types of Askondar

    ●Virád, Challenge of Worth: In this Askondar, the challenger may wish to prove his superiority against the challenged. He may wish to prove his ability, his strength, his virility, or his greater faith in God. Clubs or dull blades are common and death is rare.

    ●Arafsir, Challenge of Command: This Askondar is invoked for one Drakkari to assume the rank and titles of another. The challenger can normally only challenge the man directly above him in rank, or one of equal rank, such as a chieftain claiming another's tribe. It may be forbidden in certain circumstances, particularly in war when cohesion of the Host is paramount. Until and unless a war leader's abilities come under doubt.

    ●Ésta, The Heart's Duel: When a woman is the item of two men's conflict, this Askondar is arranged to settle the dispute. These are considered a serious matter and therefore sharpened blades are used in the duel, often resulting in the death of the defeated. An ésta might be called on behalf of any woman, even one who is simply desired by the challenger.