How people that complain about ranged matchups expect toplane to be played
Before steel sings, the soul must be silent. A duel is not a brawl born of temper; it is a prayer offered to justice.
The night before, each knight must sit alone with his sword across his knees. Ask not, “Can I win?” but “Is my cause true?” If the quarrel is born of pride or wine, offer a public apology at dawn. There is no dishonor in this. The greatest victory is a battle unlived.
On the field, choose close-cropped grass with no mud or stones. Align your field north-to-south so the rising sun blinds neither party. Each knight brings one unarmed squire to watch in silence. Their only duty is to memorize every blow and tell the dead man’s tale truly.
Approach to ten paces. First, salute the rising sun. Second, salute your opponent’s sword. Third, stamp your boot once upon the earth. Then you may begin.
Attack only the front of the body. No strikes to the spine or the back of the knee. If your opponent drops his weapon, step back three paces and wait. To strike a disarmed knight is butchery. If he stumbles, lower your point. Do not punish a man for a misfortune you would pray to be spared.
When blood is drawn enough to paint a hand wet, you may call “Halt of Grace.” Your opponent may yield by laying his sword on the earth, hilt toward you. Once yielded, you are forbidden to touch him. If he does not yield, fight to the point of a disabling wound. Death is a tragic error, not a goal. To kill a worthy foe is to carry a ghost upon your back for all your years.
If the loser lives, bind his wound with your own cloak. If he dies, close his eyes, remove your spurs, and walk to the nearest chapel. The duel does not prove who was right. It proves only who was willing to risk everything for what they believed to be right. That is honor. The rest is butchery dressed in plumes.