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Code Duello is a set of rules for a one-on-one combat, or duel. Code duello regulates dueling and thus helps prevent vendettas between families and other social factions. The code ensures a non-violent means of reaching an agreement and that harm be reduced, both by limiting the terms of engagement and by providing medical care. Finally, Code Duello ensures that the proceedings have several witnesses and a judge. The witnesses are there to assure grieving members of factions of the fairness of the duel and provide testimony if legal authorities become involved.
A morally acceptable duel would start with the challenger issuing a traditional, public, personal grievance, based on an insult, directly to the single person who offended the challenger.
The challenged person had the choice of a public apology, other restitution or choosing the weapons for the duel. The challenger would then propose a place for the "field of honor". In the Capital city of Barsoom a field has been designated specifically for dueling. For a duel to be legal, participants must use this location which provides a judge to decide if the duel has been fair. The Dueling field also has rotating doctors on call to attend each duel.
Each side would have at least one second; two was the traditional number.
If one party failed to appear, he was considered a coward, and the appearing party would win by default. The seconds (and sometimes the doctor) would bear witness to the cowardice. The resulting reputation for cowardice would often considerably affect the individual’s standing in society, perhaps even extending to their family also.
The opponents agreed to duel to an agreed condition, either First Blood, Death or until either party was no longer able to fight, or the physician called a halt.
When the condition was achieved, the matter was considered settled with the winner proving his point and the loser keeping his reputation for courage.
