So, things are shaping up weirdly in my version of the GPC. One of the player Knights, and a favorite of Roderick, has gotten on the bad side of Prince Madoc and now all manners of scheming and such are going on behind the scenes to basically prevent the two of them from meeting up again. But there has been a lot of talk about duels and such, but the information in the books I have on such things is pretty slim.

So, here are some questions:

What happens if a Knight refuses a duel? I know you can refuse a challenge from someone below your station without any repercussions. What about from an equal? Or someone of higher standing? Would it just be Honor hits, or would there be actual ramifications (loss of status/Knighthood)?
What if a Prince challenged a lesser Knight to a fight? Could the lesser Knight request the duel only be "for Love" to prevent possible regicide? Would the Prince be required to send a champion to prevent the possible loss of an heir to the King?
Can someone of higher station flat out deny the opportunity to duel? Could a Duke tell two Knights to knock it off and get back to work? Could the King?

I think that's all I have for now. Thanks!

Just my opinion...



What happens if a Knight refuses a duel? I know you can refuse a challenge from someone below your station without any repercussions. What about from an equal? Or someone of higher standing? Would it just be Honor hits, or would there be actual ramifications (loss of status/Knighthood)?


Honor hits to start with, Cowardly checkmark possibly too. If the Honor drops too low, then loss of knighthood, but it would have to drop very low. The Honor hit would depend on the insult delivered and left unanswered.



What if a Prince challenged a lesser Knight to a fight? Could the lesser Knight request the duel only be "for Love" to prevent possible regicide? Would the Prince be required to send a champion to prevent the possible loss of an heir to the King?


The Knight can propose what he will, but if the Prince feels that only blood will suffice, then blood it shall be. My Prince Madog would take it quite poorly if this mere knight were to imply that toy swords are better, lest the Prince's lifeblood drains from his body... Whether the Prince would use a champion would depend mainly on the Prince and King Uther. Given that Uther himself eschews the use of a champion, it could go either way: the desire to see his son shine in a duel vs. the risk of losing his only heir and beloved son.

There is really no way for the PK to win this one, IMHO. If he wins and Madog survives, the Prince might be even more pissed (given his high Proud and Vengeful 15, he sounds the type to carry a grudge). Even worse, if he kills Madog. Exile would be the best possible outcome for him at that point, and I am not sure how long of a headstart Uther would be willing to give him, before sending his Trio of Thugs after him with orders to bring back just the hand that killed his son, the rest can be left to rot... (Uther is deeply grieved when Madog actually dies in the GPC, so I don't see him forgiving his son's killer easily, even if it was a fair duel.)



Can someone of higher station flat out deny the opportunity to duel? Could a Duke tell two Knights to knock it off and get back to work? Could the King?


Yes, they can. Example: Richard II ordering Henry Bollingbroke (future Henry IV) and Duke Thomas Mowbray of Norfolk to stop their duel (which he had even previously given permission to and being in attendance), exiling both men.

Refusing a duel is probably something no knight will consider. So even Madoc probably would not even consider refusing a duel. Only a direct command from his father would probably make him refuse. A challenge is a matter of honor and as such should be hard to refuse. There should be a consequence to the refusal. I did not know that you could refuse a challenge from someone below your station, and would probably not accept it. Of course you can accept and then appoint a champion to fight on your behalf.

Then there is the effect of a refusal. It will be a slap in the face of the knight who challenged you. Even if it is someone below your station. So a hatred or other passion would be appropriate. Also some way to exact their revenge will probably be one of the effects.

As for the results. I agree with Morien. There is no way the knight will win this, although I do not see Uther send out killers after someone if a fair duel was fought. But he will seek a way to get back what he had lost and would probably accept any vow of a knight to take revenge. So the PK will have to fight a lot of challenges himself.

Also if he manages to keep the Prince alive he probably will have to deal with a vengeful Prince in the future. And this may also end up in more challenges to be fought.

The other option would be to lose, and hope for the mercy of Prince Madoc, but if the Prince really hates the PK he is screwed. He could try to deliberately lose, but that may just anger the Prince even more.

Oh, the PK knows he's in a Kobayashi Maru situation. It's quite fun watching everyone scramble to figure a way to hack the machine. I was just trying to get an idea of what, both mechanically and socially, would be appropriate for refusing a challenge.

I've codified them as such for my PKs:



First off, a challenge from someone of a lower social standing can be dismissed without question. In fact, it's considered bad form to dignify such things, unless you feel rightfully slighted by the person. In that case, just make sure you don't lose. Appointing a champion in these cases is 100% acceptable.

Second, if a challenge is issued from a peer or social better, accepting it is a matter of Honor. Refusing a challenge from someone of equal status is a -1 to your Honor. Refusing a better is a -2 to your Honor. Cowardly checks *may* apply given the situation.

Third, duels can be stopped by someone of a higher status than the participants. So if a King tells you to stop with the petty squabbling, then you best do it. Continuing with a duel after being told not to is a 1 point Honor hit and may also include other ramifications (like exile).

Fourth, winning a duel may be the start of your problems (especially if it's to the death). There may be narrative fallout (weregeld or even banishment/exile if you kill a social superior) based on who you killed and for what reason.

Do note that refusing a challenge is a good way to engender a nice Hate Passion in the person so snubbed.

Just my opinion...
if he kills Madog. Exile would be the best possible outcome for him at that point,

Ha, I thought "flight, rapid as possible, woudl be the best outcome"