Duels, while theoretically an acceptable solution to any matter, typically occur over one of two things - women or land. Suitors for a woman's hand, if they are of the Ozyain class, will often duel to decide who gets her, if her father does not simply pick one of them. These duels are not always to the death.  

Duels, while theoretically an acceptable solution to any matter, typically occur over one of two things - women or land. Suitors for a woman's hand, if they are of the Ozyain class, will often duel to decide who gets her, if her father does not simply pick one of them. These duels are not always to the death.  

The second type of duel is for an estate. Any young man with a sword over the age of 14 may challenge an Ozyain for control of his estate. The Ozyain typically sends out a couple of challengers first - typically a servant or two and then one of his sons. The challenger is supposed to defeat them without killing them, to prove control and skill, but this does not always happen. If the challenger is not driven off or killed by these battles, the Ozyain himself comes out and they face off. This always ends in Death. A new Ozyain cannot afford to have the old one still alive, so that his servants might think on his possible return, and the current Ozyain must strike down the challenger, to ward off future attackers and prevent this one from returning once more. Should the challenger win, he becomes the new Ozyain, and inherits the land and servant families. The family of the old Ozyain swears fealty to him and they become a new servant family, though he is expected to treat them kindly and may marry one of the daughters to secure ties. These types of events typically happen in the spring, when young men of age wander out to seek their fortune. Challenges usually occur no more frequently than once a year. In more remote manors, challenges may be few and far between.

The second type of duel is for an estate. Any young man with a sword over the age of 14 may challenge an Ozyain for control of his estate. The Ozyain normally sends out a couple of challengers first - typically a servant or two and then one of his sons. The challenger is supposed to defeat them without killing them, to prove control and skill, but this does not always happen. If the challenger is not driven off or killed by these battles, the Ozyain himself comes out and they face off. This always ends in Death. A new Ozyain cannot afford to have the old one still alive, so that his servants might think on his possible return, and the current Ozyain must strike down the challenger, to ward off future attackers and prevent this one from returning once more. Should the challenger win, he becomes the new Ozyain, and inherits the land and servant families. The family of the old Ozyain swears fealty to him and they become a new servant family, though he is expected to treat them kindly and may marry one of the daughters to secure ties. These types of events typically happen in the spring, when young men of age wander out to seek their fortune. Challenges usually occur no more frequently than once a year. In more remote manors, challenges may be few and far between.

An Ozyain who rules more than 20 or so families traditionally declares himself a Baron. The title does not come from anywhere - he simply lays claim to the title and from thenceforth he is. Baronies tend to develop into small towns or even cities, and are the closest to actual civilization found in Srzahedy society. Barons are traditionally not subject to being challenged, and most of them employ small armies to deal with any upstarts. Baronies are also trade hubs, where Ozyain can trade for anything their lands do not produce on their own. Barons tend to host festivals, balls, and feasts, and so baronies are the center of social life, where engagments, duels, and other formalities are settled. The New Year, the most important festival, is celebrated by all.

An Ozyain who rules more than 20 or so families traditionally declares himself a Baron. The title does not come from anywhere - he simply lays claim to the title and from thenceforth he is. Baronies tend to develop into small towns or even cities, and are the closest to actual civilization found in Srzahedy society. Barons are traditionally not subject to being challenged, and most of them employ small armies to deal with any upstarts. Baronies are also trade hubs, where Ozyain can trade for anything their lands do not produce on their own. Barons tend to host festivals, balls, and feasts, and so baronies are the center of social life, where engagments, duels, and other formalities are settled. The New Year, the most important festival, is celebrated by all.

Barons with large baronies occasionally have neighboring Ozyain swear fealty to him. They pay a low level of tax and he provides them with a certain extra level of protection, as well as special services such as magic (if he can hire a mage) or rare goods.

Barons with large baronies occasionally have neighboring Ozyain swear fealty to him. They pay a low level of tax and he provides them with a certain extra level of protection, as well as special services such as magic (if he can hire a mage) or rare goods.

Aside from Ozyain, Barons, and the people who work for them, there are a number of other types of people. While Ozyain normally hunt for themselves there are full time hunters and trappers. There are also merchants, who travel between baronies and occasionally to farms to trade agricultural products for rarer commodities such as salt and cloth. Young men wandering and looking for land, either to start a new manor or to challenge the older of an old one, are a common sight as well.

Aside from Ozyain, Barons, and the people who work for them, there are a number of other types of people. While Ozyain normally hunt for themselves there are full time hunters and trappers. There are also merchants, who travel between baronies and occasionally to farms to trade agricultural products for rarer commodities such as salt and cloth. Young men wandering and looking for land, either to start a new manor or to challenge the owner of an old one, are a common sight as well.