Basic Definition
Dueling, in the world of Circlaria, is defined as a contest of arms between two individuals in order to settle a certain dispute. It is a broad definition because dueling deals with a broad spectrum of situations.
There are two types of dueling: lethal and non-lethal. Lethal dueling is dueling that involves the use of either firearms, lethal weapons, or spellfire discharges above a Level IV on the CSSC Magnitude Scale.
To note, the Circlarian School of Spellfire-Crafting devised such a Magnitude Scale based on categorical observations of property damage and bodily injury. Level I spellfire discharges cause minimal property damage or bodily injury while Level VI discharges cause maximum damage and injury. According to CSSC Standards, anything above Level IV, labeled to cause "significant damage or injury," is considered dangerous, with Level V considered "potentially lethal" and Level VI considered "definitely lethal."
In contrast to lethal dueling stands the other type: non-lethal dueling, defined as dueling carried out solely with spellfire discharges at a magnitude of Level IV or lower.
The Conventions of a Typical Duel
Consideration for a duel begins when one person in dispute with another challenges said rival to a duel, usually in the form of slapping said person in the face with a glove; though other forms of duel challenges exist depending on the culture and region. If the person being challenged accepts the call for the duel, then under Congress of Circlaria law, both parties will file some sort of written "intent to duel" statement to a government "party of arbitration," who will then arrange a time and place for the duel to take place. At the said time and place, a representative of the said "party of arbitration" will run both dueling persons through certain formalities as applicable under relevant laws before having them step off ten steps away from each other. At the end of the ten steps, the two dueling persons will turn toward each other and fire their shots against one another as quickly as possible. Winners and losers are determined by the "party of arbitration" representative in accordance to applicable laws; and the outcomes vary depending on what is at stake, be it matters such as money or family honor, etc. Such outcomes are obvious with lethal duels. However, with non-lethal duels, the "party of arbitration" representative determines injuries sustained, and usually facilitates non-lethal duels in the form of multiple rounds of step-offs and shots fired.
It is important to note that winners of lethal duels are not prosecuted, owing to the fact that both parties ultimately, with their written "intent to duel" statements, signed waivers stating that they knowingly risked their lives, thus fulfilling an important international principle under the Congress of Circlaria known informally as the "consent to death." It is also important to note that most duels, both lethal and non-lethal, are usually attended by large throngs of spectators, as duels make for hearty gossip.
Part of what led Edward Jackson, the second Prime Minister of the Retunian Republic, to gain enough popularity to win him the election of 1260 was his decision to take part in a lethal duel against an unpopular property owner named Marvin Kromston. The duel took place in 1257, during which both Jackson and Kromston used pistols. Ultimately, Jackson was the better shot, and killed Kromston.
In 1281 occurred a well-known non-lethal duel at Cabotton University between Dyla Cormick and Kara Martins.
Legality
Some nations and maritime states consider all forms of dueling fully legal while some consider only non-lethal dueling legal. Meanwhile, some political entities have all forms of dueling completely banned.
As of the year 1480 in the Circlarian Calendar, both lethal and non-lethal dueling are fully legal in Locin, Tandeiyah, and the Sayleron Maritime State. In the Kingdom of the Great North, dueling is fully legal in some regions, while some places have only non-lethal dueling legal and others have all forms of dueling banned. For example, the Edoran Regiondom has all forms of dueling completely banned. However, they have given exemptions of full legality to the Nebayan Principality in the Duchy of Ecnedivelc on the basis of religious rights. In the Linbraean Regiondom, lethal dueling is illegal while non-lethal dueling is legal.
In Krylandia to the Far North, all forms of dueling are banned. However, all forms of dueling are completely legal in its constituent nations of Agridbea, Notulfa, and the Acrean Republic. This, of course, has been an ongoing political controversy, as every member nation of Krylandia is obligated to enforce the laws voted in by the nationally elected legislative body of the nation of Krylandia seated in the capital city of Boken. However, the said three nations of Agridbea, Notulfa, and Acrea refuse to enforce such a ban on moral and political grounds, carrying what they believe to be a political resistance in that regard. As per legal protocol, these governments are consistently made to pay fines to the upper Krylandian government, but do so while continuing to keep dueling legal in their territories.
Gyrosak and the Canticulan nations making up the former Chokian Republic have all forms of dueling, both lethal and non-lethal, completely legal. Every other nation in Canticula, however, considers only non-lethal dueling legal.
It is important to note, at this point, the history of Middle Remikra in terms of the legality of dueling. The Chartered State of Combria legalized non-lethal dueling but banned lethal dueling. The early Retunian Republic, also known as the Federal Estates of Retun, legalized all forms of dueling. During the years of economic depression, between 1301 and 1309, particularly severe dueling incidents were recorded as many in the growing Darkfire Community and Holz Finzi Coalition accused wealthy business figures of helping to incite them in order to facilitate division within the lower social classes. Such severe dueling practices were inflamed by the ultra-nationalist, Walter Scott Mason, during his bloody and violent Prime Minister election campaign in 1308. After the 1309 Revolution, the Retunian Commonwealth government, under Holz Finzi's leadership, passed a measure instituting a full ban on all forms of dueling in order to promote unity and solidarity. Dueling, both lethal and non-lethal, has been illegal in the Independent Commonwealth State of Retun ever since.
Controversy arose in 1479 when a Sayleronian ship, while traveling up the St. Eschel River between the Retunian provinces of Combria and Ereautea, facilitated a lethal duel on its decks between two Commonwealth citizens. The resulting lawsuit claimed the obvious notion that this broke Retunian law concerning the full ban. However, the Commonwealth Superior Court ruled that Commonwealth law in that regard did not apply to what happened on foreign ships so long as said ships were not docked to Retunian piers or ports.