The Rite of Fair Battle and the Rite of Razing the Wyrm

Soldiers of Paladius! Today, we bear witness to the unspeakable horror brought upon our land by the vile armies of Hordain, the Wizard-Warlord of Necromancy! His legions of undead monsters have ravaged our villages, preying on the innocent and defenseless, snatching them from their homes under the cover of darkness, like rabbits taken by a mastiff from their warrens! Some have been fortunate to find solace in the embrace of the gods, but alas, we have seen the unfortunate few, their faces contorted in the grip of undeath, turned against their own families, loved ones, and fellow countrymen!
As your king, I stand before you, declaring that i vow to Raze the Wyrm upon Hordain and his wretched horde! Let this self titled king of undeath and all who stand beside him, be they living or undead, face the full wrath of our fury! Spare none of those who serve this dark master, let them meet their end by the consuming embrace of fire and the swift blade of steel!
Today, we make a solemn vow to our people and to our fallen brethren that we shall not rest until this scourge of undeath and black magic is purged from our lands! We shall strike with righteous vengeance, for the honor of Paladius and the memory of those we have lost. Let the world tremble as we rise as one, united in purpose and resolve, to crush the blight that threatens our realm!
Go forth, brave warriors of Paladius, and may the gods grant us victory in this righteous endeavor! Let the name of Hordain the Wizard-Warlord of Necromancy be remembered only as a tale of defeat, a warning to those who dare tread the path of darkness against the light of our noble kingdom! Onward, to victory!
-King Dracos of Paladius, 472 Mage Wars Era, speach given in responce to the Armies of Hordain sacking the farming village of Larcaster and sparking the War of the corpse Pyres.

"I see you've been disarmed sir, you may give up now, though if you wish to continue I am obliged to allow you to retrive your sword"
-Sir Aedyn Bertium Issiah Silverhand, noted swashbuckler

History

The Rite to fair battle, as upheld by the Paladiuns, is a tradition deeply rooted in their historical tales of noble knights and their code of honor. It centers around the story of an ancient Sidhean Prince Rowan Glencagh, who engaged in a battle with invading ogres and challenged their chief to single combat. During the fight, Prince Rowan managed to break the ogre's wrist with a powerful strike of his hammer. In response to the ogre dropping its shield, Rowan showed an extraordinary display of honor by voluntarily dropping his shield and putting his arm behind his back, essentially leveling the playing field.
The tradition is often interpreted by outsiders as a display of youthful foolishness, as it seemingly put Rowan at a disadvantage and almost cost him his life. However, the Paladiuns view it as a testament to the ideals of honor and fairness they hold dear. This act of chivalry and fair play has resonated deeply within their culture, leading them to maintain and uphold the Rite to fair battle throughout the ages, even as warfare and tactics evolve.
This sense of romanticism and the preservation of ancient traditions, regardless of their practicality in modern warfare, is part of what makes the Paladiuns unique and sometimes considered antiquated by their neighboring nations with their own knightly traditions. It reflects their deep connection to their history and their commitment to the virtuous ideals of their ancestors, particularly the Sidhean, who have left a lasting impact on their culture.
As a result, Paladiun knights and soldiers continue to embrace the Rite to fair battle, seeing it as a way to honor the past, maintain their code of honor, and display their moral superiority on the battlefield. However, this commitment to fairness, even to the detriment of their own side, can also present challenges in the face of more ruthless and pragmatic adversaries. Despite that, the Paladiuns remain steadfast in their traditions, viewing them as an integral part of their identity and a source of inspiration for generations to come.
The coexistence of the Rite of Fair Battle and the Rite of Razing the Wyrm within Paladiun culture represents a fascinating duality that can be perplexing to outsiders. On one hand, the Paladiuns deeply uphold the virtues of holy knights, honor, and fairness in combat, exemplified by the Rite of Fair Battle. On the other hand, they possess a contrasting aspect that is marked by a ferocious and ruthless response to those who defy the principles of honor and civility, embodied in the Rite of Razing the Wyrm.
The legend of Valrexiss the Crimson Wyrm and the tragic fate of King Aelfweld provide a poignant origin for the Rite of Razing the Wyrm. The dragon's malicious actions, including breaking the laws of diplomacy and hospitality and committing atrocities against innocent villages, sparked a fiery fury in Princess Aelfwyna. Her proclamation to "Raze the Wyrm" and her subsequent relentless and brutal campaign against Valrexiss and his forces became a defining moment in Paladiun history.
The Rite of Razing the Wyrm serves as a stark warning to those who would disregard the ideals of honor and noble conduct. It symbolizes that if an enemy refuses to engage in fair battle and instead resorts to underhanded tactics, merciless raids, and wanton violence, the Paladiuns will respond in kind. It is an expression of their belief that such foes have forfeited their right to be treated with civility and mercy.
This aspect of Paladiun culture may indeed confuse other nations that associate the concept of the holy knight and virtue with a strict adherence to chivalrous principles in all circumstances. However, the Paladiuns see the Rite of Razing the Wyrm as a necessary countermeasure against those who would exploit their sense of honor and fairness.
The coexistence of these seemingly contradictory traditions demonstrates the complexity of Paladiun culture, shaped by a profound commitment to both noble virtues and a relentless determination to defend their lands and people from those who would show them no quarter. The Rite of Razing the Wyrm serves as a reminder that even a culture steeped in honor can possess a fiercely formidable and uncompromising side when confronted with dishonor and aggression.
Both rites that go back to when Paladius was called Wydrach before the Ziberian empire occupied them thrive to this and more often then not the refusal to relinquish these ancient traditions has left both the pragmatic and honor bound perplexed. Many claiming they are barbaric and antiquated hold overs from a time when the Paladiuns were called the Wydrach and counted among the Sidhean peoples.

Execution

The tradition of fair play, while often informal, is highly valued among Paladiun foes who hold respect for one another. This virtue extends beyond the battlefield and permeates into various aspects of their lives, including gentlemen's games, tournaments, and even casual wagers. For instance, if a Paladiun engages in a friendly game of darts at a tavern, they are likely to match the drinking pace of the drunkest player to ensure that sobriety doesn't grant an unfair advantage. Even in the realms of trade and diplomacy, Paladiuns may strive to level the playing field as an expression of fair play and respect.
In the context of warfare, Paladiuns exhibit an exceptional commitment to ensuring a fair fight, especially when facing worthy foes. They may go out of their way to provide their enemies with a chance to fight honorably, even when reciprocity may not be expected or likely. Treating adversaries with respect and adhering to noble principles remains paramount, despite the harsh realities of battle.
On the other hand, the Rite of Razing the Wyrm is a more formal and solemn affair. It must be officially declared by a lord or higher authority and is only deemed justifiable under certain conditions. To call for the Razing of the Wyrm, an enemy must demonstrate an utter lack of honor, civility, and defiance of the Noble Rules of War. Should a noble declare such an action without proper cause, it can result in severe consequences, including loss of prestige, potential excommunication, or even legal repercussions. Historical evidence showcases instances where nobles, even as high-ranking as dukes, have faced execution for declaring to Raze the Wyrm without valid justification.

"I scoffed at her talk of weakling ideals, avoiding violence and cowardly garbage. We laughed and continued raiding, reaping good loot, and enslaving livestock and weakling humans. The knights' will to fight made for some fun, and after razing that halfling village and playing spear toss with their whelps, their queen seemed to change. I never expected much from a female, even one with a fancy sword, I bet she stole from a male. But then she declared they were Razing the Wyrm on me and my army! Those weedy knights turned into the fiercest enemies I've ever faced, relentlessly pursuing us, crushing our footmen under their heavy war horses, when just a few weeks before they would dismount for a scrap on equal terms and letting loose their big armored war dogs on orc, goblin and worg alike tearing apart anyone caught under their snarling fangs! Now they cornered us in a box canyon, and they meant to do it. But if they want a last stand, we shall give it to them! Let blood and iron be our legacy!"
-Last words of the Orc Gnargrak "Skull-Eater," Son of Goremakh, to his troops before a rain of oil and fire descended upon their war camp from the canyon above.

"Let none remember their names, rain hell upon them and turn this canyon into an ashen pyre!"
Queen Regant Artoria Silvershield, command given to her spell casters and troops who had indeed forced the orcs into a box canyon but had no intention of giving them a warriors death.