[The following would be posted up on the noticeboard in the main square of the Spire. The handwriting is plain, but readable, and there are translations into all major languages provided.]
After multiple instances of violence and injury, I write this proposal as an amendment to the Spire's laws in an attempt to avoid further harm done.
To begin, a few definitions:
Sparring: A practice fight that takes place for the sake of training or entertainment. A spar takes place with non-lethal force and weapons, and no intent to truly harm the other party. When sparring, participants should not be using live weapons, instead either using various methods that cover or dull their blades and strikes, or using the training weapons provided at the sparring pit. If you are using actual weapons, or actually intend to harm someone, that is not a spar.
Dueling: A fight that takes place either to prove strength or settle a dispute. Whether between friendly or hostile participants, a duel may use actual weapons, and there is the risk of serious injury. The terms of a duel must be decided upon beforehand by all parties involved, otherwise it is just assault.
Death-Duel: A duel in which the end goal is the opponent's death.
Proposal:
To begin, I propose that we, as the residents of the Spire, adopt these definitions to avoid confusion. We all come from different cultures with different ideas and rules regarding conflict, and it is up to us to decide together which of those ideas and rules we want to have for our town.
The rules I believe we should have are as follows
- Spars and non-fatal duels must take place either within designated training areas, such as the sparring pit, or outside the walls of the town, such as the surrounding beaches and fields. This is to avoid clogging up the street and risking collateral damage to spectators
- Duels to yield, knockout, or some other non-fatal ending must have witnesses to the agreement to duel, and a medic on hand to deal with the aftermath of the fight. The witnesses are to prevent either parties from being charged with assult if it is a true duel, and to provide testimony in case of foul play.
- Death-Duels are to be banned from the Spire. I understand that in some places they are seen as a mark of honor and courage, but the fact of the matter remains that they are legally sanctioned murder. It is an abhorrent and unnecessarily violent way of trying to settle disputes, and as we saw quite recently, it often causes greater chaos and strife.
I ask the people of the Spire to take my words into consideration, and I am available and open for further civil discussion on this matter.
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[Signature: Meridy Illuma]



