Difference between revisions of "Zellbrigen"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | The practice of engaging opponents in single combat, the genesis of what would later become | + | The practice of engaging opponents in single combat, the genesis of what would later become ''zellbrigen'', was first started by [[Clan Coyote]] during the [[Operation Klondike]].<ref>''Field Manual: Warden Clans'', p. 40</ref> Despite the losses incurred by this fighting method, Coyote's [[Khan]] [[Dana Kufahl]] would continue to encourage her Clan and others to practice this "honorable" form of warfare. Eventually the practice would be taken up by all of the Clans, to a greater or lesser degree, in part as a way to minimize losses in both lives and resources.<ref name=WC17/><ref name=CC15/> This is especially true when opposing commanders agreed to a duel to determine a battle's outcome. |
| − | During the [[Clan Invasion]] the rules of | + | During the [[Clan Invasion]] the rules of ''zellbrigen'' lapsed, primarily because the [[Inner Sphere]] had no concept of Clan cultural norms and, in some cases, exploited them for "underhanded" victories. By the end of the campaign ''zellbrigen'' had all but died out in several Clans, while most still reserve it for inter-Clan confrontations or against worthy Inner Sphere warriors.<ref name=WC17/><ref name=CC15/> |
==Rules== | ==Rules== | ||
| − | The proscriptions of | + | The proscriptions of ''zellbrigen'' consist of the following rules: |
* Each warrior will issue a challenge to a different enemy. If one side outnumbers the other, then the extra warriors on that side will stand aside until one of their comrades falls in battle. A warrior can challenge more than one unit at a time.<ref name="zellbrigen">''Total Warfare'', p. 275</ref> | * Each warrior will issue a challenge to a different enemy. If one side outnumbers the other, then the extra warriors on that side will stand aside until one of their comrades falls in battle. A warrior can challenge more than one unit at a time.<ref name="zellbrigen">''Total Warfare'', p. 275</ref> | ||
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* Failure to fire a weapon when possible is prohibited.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> | * Failure to fire a weapon when possible is prohibited.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> | ||
| − | A warrior is also expected to not retreat from inferior foes, or to engage his opponent in melee combat, though these are not part of the formal rules of | + | A warrior is also expected to not retreat from inferior foes, or to engage his opponent in melee combat, though these are not part of the formal rules of ''zellbrigen''.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> Also, though it plays a central role in Clans' combat challenges, the ritual of [[batchall]] remains a separate tradition. |
| + | |||
| + | ==Interpretation== | ||
| + | How ''zellbrigen'' is interpreted depends not only on the individual, but their parent Clan as a whole. At one end of the spectrum, the rules are strictly followed, the only exception being when fighting bandits, pirates or the most hated of enemies. At the opposite end, ''zellbrigen'' is figuratively "thrown out the airlock" and used only against other Clan warriors, and even then only when there is an advantage over them. In between are varying levels of adherence; for example, ''zellbrigen'' is followed unless circumstances dictated otherwise, such as being outnumbered or thinking one could get away with breaking it.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Prior to the [[Clan Invasion]], [[Clan Blood Spirit]], [[Clan Coyote]], [[Clan Ghost Bear]], [[Clan Goliath Scorpion]], [[Clan Jade Falcon]], [[Clan Star Adder]] and [[Clan Steel Viper]] adhered strictly to the tenants of ''zellbrigen''. Meanwhile [[Clan Cloud Cobra]], [[Clan Hell's Horses]], [[Clan Ice Hellion]], [[Clan Nova Cat]] and [[Clan Snow Raven]] were more opportunistic in their interpretation. Only [[Clan Diamond Shark]] and [[Clan Wolf]] used a liberal interpretation of ''zellbrigen'' in their conflicts with the other Clans.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | After their defeat at the [[Battle of Tukayyid]], many of the Clans began to rethink their use of these honor rules, and a number of political, military and cultural changes took place. The Blood Spirits, Jade Falcons and Star Adders became more opportunistic, while the Ghost Bears became more liberal, in the use of ''zellbrigen''. The schism within Clan Wolf resulted in its new [[Crusader]]-minded leadership to become slightly more conservative, while [[Clan Wolf-in-Exile]] maintain a flexible definition of ''zellbrigen''.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Clan Fire Mandrill]], by their fractious nature, defy any sort of labeling, with each [[Kindraa]] having their own individual understandings of ''zellbrigen''.<ref name="zellbrigen"/> | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 15:58, 22 October 2011
 | This article needs to be updated with material from Historical: Operation Klondike, Era Digest: Golden Century, Era Digest: Age of War, Wolf Clan Sourcebook. Once these titles clear the Moratorium period, or if they already have, please consider revisiting this article and updating it with the new material. |
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Overview
Zellbrigen is ritualistic form of honor dueling practiced by the Warrior Caste of the Clans.[1][2]
History
The practice of engaging opponents in single combat, the genesis of what would later become zellbrigen, was first started by Clan Coyote during the Operation Klondike.[3] Despite the losses incurred by this fighting method, Coyote's Khan Dana Kufahl would continue to encourage her Clan and others to practice this "honorable" form of warfare. Eventually the practice would be taken up by all of the Clans, to a greater or lesser degree, in part as a way to minimize losses in both lives and resources.[1][2] This is especially true when opposing commanders agreed to a duel to determine a battle's outcome.
During the Clan Invasion the rules of zellbrigen lapsed, primarily because the Inner Sphere had no concept of Clan cultural norms and, in some cases, exploited them for "underhanded" victories. By the end of the campaign zellbrigen had all but died out in several Clans, while most still reserve it for inter-Clan confrontations or against worthy Inner Sphere warriors.[1][2]
Rules
The proscriptions of zellbrigen consist of the following rules:
- Each warrior will issue a challenge to a different enemy. If one side outnumbers the other, then the extra warriors on that side will stand aside until one of their comrades falls in battle. A warrior can challenge more than one unit at a time.[4]
- A warrior has right to refuse challenges from Inner Sphere units, especially if underhanded ploys are suspected.[4]
- A warrior has the right to refuse a challenge from an unit of differing weight class if other unengaged units are available.[4]
- No artillery or other Area-Effect Weapons shall be employed by either side.[4]
- Intentionally moving out of the line of sight of the opponent is prohibited.[4]
- Systems that requires multiple units to operate, like C3 and TAG, are forbidden.[4]
- Moving out of weapon range is prohibited.[4]
- Failure to fire a weapon when possible is prohibited.[4]
A warrior is also expected to not retreat from inferior foes, or to engage his opponent in melee combat, though these are not part of the formal rules of zellbrigen.[4] Also, though it plays a central role in Clans' combat challenges, the ritual of batchall remains a separate tradition.
Interpretation
How zellbrigen is interpreted depends not only on the individual, but their parent Clan as a whole. At one end of the spectrum, the rules are strictly followed, the only exception being when fighting bandits, pirates or the most hated of enemies. At the opposite end, zellbrigen is figuratively "thrown out the airlock" and used only against other Clan warriors, and even then only when there is an advantage over them. In between are varying levels of adherence; for example, zellbrigen is followed unless circumstances dictated otherwise, such as being outnumbered or thinking one could get away with breaking it.[4]
Prior to the Clan Invasion, Clan Blood Spirit, Clan Coyote, Clan Ghost Bear, Clan Goliath Scorpion, Clan Jade Falcon, Clan Star Adder and Clan Steel Viper adhered strictly to the tenants of zellbrigen. Meanwhile Clan Cloud Cobra, Clan Hell's Horses, Clan Ice Hellion, Clan Nova Cat and Clan Snow Raven were more opportunistic in their interpretation. Only Clan Diamond Shark and Clan Wolf used a liberal interpretation of zellbrigen in their conflicts with the other Clans.[4]
After their defeat at the Battle of Tukayyid, many of the Clans began to rethink their use of these honor rules, and a number of political, military and cultural changes took place. The Blood Spirits, Jade Falcons and Star Adders became more opportunistic, while the Ghost Bears became more liberal, in the use of zellbrigen. The schism within Clan Wolf resulted in its new Crusader-minded leadership to become slightly more conservative, while Clan Wolf-in-Exile maintain a flexible definition of zellbrigen.[4]
Clan Fire Mandrill, by their fractious nature, defy any sort of labeling, with each Kindraa having their own individual understandings of zellbrigen.[4]