Feb 28, 2017 5:19 am
FINISHED
Cool stuff. I like that the Codes basically give everyone a starting point for the general behavior of certain types of people, although clearly, as you've said, they are not hard and fast rules.
With these Codes, watch out for references to Hyborea, etc.
Right. Definitely going to sweep through these and get the Hyborean highlights out. I want to plagiarize Howard and Mongoose, but not pull their whole setting into ours. Ha.
A character with a barbaric code of honor will:
Respect alliances with other honorable characters.
Ignore an alliance with a dishonorable character, even pre-emptively, if it suits him.
Abide loyally by a contract of employment, even with a dishonorable employer, so long as the character is well-treated and shown loyalty in return.
Slay a dishonorable foe, even if that foe is helpless.
Slay an honorable foe who is not helpless.
Protect those weaker than himself, at least from physical dangers, if such protection is requested. This includes ordinary folk such as peasants captured for interrogation who will be set free once it is safe to do so and rewarded if they were of assistance, as well as children and most women. A woman who has demonstrated herself to be more capable in war than the average man need not be protected, though the typical male with a barbaric code of honor will probably attempt to protect her anyway.
Offer his allegiance only to an honorable leader who is clearly stronger and better suited for power than himself, or to a greater cause of some kind; once allegiance is granted, the character must be utterly loyal so long as his leader remains honorable and loyal to him in return. Note that a character with a barbaric code of honor need not necessarily retain an allegiance that was always intended to be temporary, such as a mercenary contract, after its conditions are fulfilled.
Plunder and rob anyone other than honorable allies.
Lie, cheat and con anyone other than honorable allies.
Have no in-principle objection to slavery, being willing to keep or free slaves as suits his purposes.
Grudgingly respect genuine piety but despise venal priests and the typical trappings of civilized ?religion.?
Like or dislike others based on their honor and their actions, not their religion or race.
Be hospitable and generous to those in need, even to strangers. It is said that no man starves in Cimmeria unless there is a famine and all starve, because every family will give of their own food to anyone without. Watch out for Hyperborea references.
Respect the hospitality shown him.
Avenge any seriously intended insult with immediate and lethal force, if at all possible. Note that barbarians new to civilization are likely to avenge even a jesting insult in the same way, not having yet learnt the subtleties of civilized behavior, which can allow a man to insult another without the imminent danger of having his skull split.
Avenge any physical harm done him at his earliest opportunity in a manner fitting his sense of balance and justice.
A character with a barbaric code of honor will not:
Slay a wild animal or any other creature for sport alone. He may slay in self-defense, for revenge or to get food or other resources and he may slay a sworn enemy.
Slay an honorable foe who offers a ransom or throws himself on the character?s mercy.
Slay or steal from someone who has shown him hospitality in his own house, even if he turns out to be an enemy, unless the other breaks hospitality first.
Harm anyone currently under his protection or receiving his hospitality, even if he turns out to be an enemy, unless the other breaks faith first.
Assist the authorities with any information about his friends or allies, even if refusing to do so puts him at risk.
Desert his henchmen or retainers, even if they appear to desert him. If he ever achieves the position of chieftain or a similar authority, he feels he must set an example to his followers. Even if they doubt him, he must prove himself to them, particularly if they need him.
Cool stuff. I like that the Codes basically give everyone a starting point for the general behavior of certain types of people, although clearly, as you've said, they are not hard and fast rules.
With these Codes, watch out for references to Hyborea, etc.
Right. Definitely going to sweep through these and get the Hyborean highlights out. I want to plagiarize Howard and Mongoose, but not pull their whole setting into ours. Ha.
A character with a barbaric code of honor will:
Respect alliances with other honorable characters.
Ignore an alliance with a dishonorable character, even pre-emptively, if it suits him.
Abide loyally by a contract of employment, even with a dishonorable employer, so long as the character is well-treated and shown loyalty in return.
Slay a dishonorable foe, even if that foe is helpless.
Slay an honorable foe who is not helpless.
Protect those weaker than himself, at least from physical dangers, if such protection is requested. This includes ordinary folk such as peasants captured for interrogation who will be set free once it is safe to do so and rewarded if they were of assistance, as well as children and most women. A woman who has demonstrated herself to be more capable in war than the average man need not be protected, though the typical male with a barbaric code of honor will probably attempt to protect her anyway.
Offer his allegiance only to an honorable leader who is clearly stronger and better suited for power than himself, or to a greater cause of some kind; once allegiance is granted, the character must be utterly loyal so long as his leader remains honorable and loyal to him in return. Note that a character with a barbaric code of honor need not necessarily retain an allegiance that was always intended to be temporary, such as a mercenary contract, after its conditions are fulfilled.
Plunder and rob anyone other than honorable allies.
Lie, cheat and con anyone other than honorable allies.
Have no in-principle objection to slavery, being willing to keep or free slaves as suits his purposes.
Grudgingly respect genuine piety but despise venal priests and the typical trappings of civilized ?religion.?
Like or dislike others based on their honor and their actions, not their religion or race.
Be hospitable and generous to those in need, even to strangers. It is said that no man starves in Cimmeria unless there is a famine and all starve, because every family will give of their own food to anyone without. Watch out for Hyperborea references.
Respect the hospitality shown him.
Avenge any seriously intended insult with immediate and lethal force, if at all possible. Note that barbarians new to civilization are likely to avenge even a jesting insult in the same way, not having yet learnt the subtleties of civilized behavior, which can allow a man to insult another without the imminent danger of having his skull split.
Avenge any physical harm done him at his earliest opportunity in a manner fitting his sense of balance and justice.
A character with a barbaric code of honor will not:
Slay a wild animal or any other creature for sport alone. He may slay in self-defense, for revenge or to get food or other resources and he may slay a sworn enemy.
Slay an honorable foe who offers a ransom or throws himself on the character?s mercy.
Slay or steal from someone who has shown him hospitality in his own house, even if he turns out to be an enemy, unless the other breaks hospitality first.
Harm anyone currently under his protection or receiving his hospitality, even if he turns out to be an enemy, unless the other breaks faith first.
Assist the authorities with any information about his friends or allies, even if refusing to do so puts him at risk.
Desert his henchmen or retainers, even if they appear to desert him. If he ever achieves the position of chieftain or a similar authority, he feels he must set an example to his followers. Even if they doubt him, he must prove himself to them, particularly if they need him.