Honor Battle

An old custom of two fighters pairing off to fight each other durring any battle.

Ancient "Traditional" Avalon

When I first visited Avalon, in 1998, I was introduced to honor battles by Sir Karnac one of the Knights of Avalon. An Honor Battle began when a fighter extended their sword, or weapon, out in the air at a distance that another fighter could just barely tap it with their weapon, and say "Honor" or make a statement offering an Honor Battle to the other combatant like "Sir Winfang, would you fight me in Honor Combat?". If the other fighter wished to engage in the honor battle they would tap the offering fighter's blade and say "Honor" or another salutation that they agree to an Honor Battle. This was a verbal agreement between the fighters that they were going to fight each other alone. If one of their teammates were to interfere, they would warn their opponent and teammate not to interfere with their personal battle. The two fighters would then engage until one of the two were defeated or conceded. If for some reason one of the fighters teammates were to backstab or attack and defeat one of the honor battle fighters it was understood that the fighter left standing would have been shamed by his own teammate and actually turncoat and engage his teammate that had robbed him the chance of a clean victory against his opponent he had engaged in honor with.

- Madog

Traditional Numenor

Sir Khanda, I call you out. Sir Khanda replies, "I accept." The fighters tap weapons and duel. Thus begins a Numenorean honor battle. If a knight is called out by one not a knight, their challenge is often declined for being an unworthy challenge. All who interfere shall be slain. The battle continues to the death. A challenge may be extended at any time. This is a tactic often used early in the battle in order to kill opposing knights. It is also a tactic to use when you are the last knight standing, and wish to whittle down the opposing knights before slaying the rest of your opponents.

Growth and Development

Since the initial concepts of Honor battles started, some misunderstandings and traditional gripes have been made over them.

Honor Battles do not mean you can't attack them

Just because two fighters are in an honor battle does not mean that you can not attack the fighter on the other side. Some marshals have accidentally, or purposely, called fighters dead because they attacked and killed someone who was engaged in an honor battle. This is wrong. Marshals are not on the battlefield to make sure honor battles are maintained and not interfered with.

For the beginning not the end

See also: Mook Chivalry

Some fighters consider Honor battles to be something that takes place at beginning or possibly the middle of the battle. Imagine 2 leaders pairing off, their armies behind them, fighting it out to see which one of the leaders is strongest. Unfortunately sometimes the last person left fighting a group of people will be offered Honor. Some view this situation as dishonorable, specifically when done during large field battles. The opinion is that when 100 people are laying on the ground dead, (sometimes in snow or rain) they want to see one side victorious quickly instead of watching 1 fighter fight one on one against 5 other fighters dragging out the battle and the time they are stuck lying on the ground. Some fighters believe this practice of whittling the outnumbered team down by "Honoring" the last 5 guys as plain out dumb and a point of dishonor.

Other fighters accept Honor battles occurring at the end of a battle. It was a practice used by the skilled knights to kill the skilled knights from the other team individually, before moving on to kill the mass of unskilled fighters. It was a fairly popular tactic among the older Knights of Numenor. Those with superior skill such as Sir Khanda, Sir Brutus, or Sir Spikes would often call out their opposing knights. If they were able to slay their opponents, they would sometimes go on to win the entire battle. The challenge was viewed as a sign of respect to the lone knight standing. There is no honor to encircle a lone knight, only to shoot him in the back with an arrow. It also often provides a show. Sir Treethump once took out a rapid succession of knights, squires, retainers to win a battle.

Points of Honor during

Sometimes during honor battles fighters will take Points of Honor against each other. This is not neccessary, but most observers will make the comment "Good Honor" audible to everyone present when this occurs during Tournament play or while watching an Honor battle.