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    Orc in the Playground
     
    nefele's Avatar

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    May 2009
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    Default Re: 3.5 Campaign Setting : Kerynia [P.E.A.C.H., co-DM wanted]


    6. Custom Law : the Blood Feud


    • “Blood calls”, Kerynians say. If a kinsman is killed, his blood calls for revenge, and the revenge is blood. (No fireballs and spells and poisons please, just blades.)
    • The burden falls on the victim’s closest male adult (14 or more) relative (Brother>son>godson>cousin>nephew>2nd cousin>etc. In order, elders first.)
    • If the offender is already dead or if it’s proved that he’s fled the island, the hunt goes on for his closest relative.
    • Omertà: A blood feud killing is an honour killing, and the authorities – if there are any - never find any witnesses, not even from the victim’s family.
    • Honour killing doesn’t mean fair fight, though. Most such killings are backstabs (but not ambushes, it has to be one on one.) Some dirty tricks, like poisons or spells to weaken the opponent, are dishonourable, while others, like getting him stone drunk or tricking him to appear unarmed somewhere, are acceptable.
    • If you happen to be the next in line to be killed, the most sensible thing you can do is hide. Some men are known to hide for decades in the caves of the mountains. Omertà applies: the locals aren’t going to give you in, your enemies have to find you themselves. But if a local is their relative, no matter how distant, he’ll spread the word.
    • Blood feuds within the family are rare but not unheard of. Families may be split in two and it’s usually a nightmare until someone stops it: this is the only case where one may refuse to kill the offender.
    • Women are not expected to participate in the family’s blood feud, and as long they don’t, it’s considered dishonourable to hurt them. But if they go ahead and do it anyway (which happens), their life is forfeit just like any man’s.
    Last edited by nefele; 2009-09-03 at 07:52 PM.
    The ghost of freedom ever comes
    with a knife between her teeth


    Gestalt Warrior Arena Tournament (Tactics Galore) is now recruiting.
    Kerynia is a homebrew 3.5 Campaign Setting, currently on hold. But who knows...