Zellbrigen
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Contents
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.