C'thonia/C'thonian Ritual Combat

The customs and rituals of dueling in C'thonia are taken from new innovations and old traditions. They are meant to show reverence to the Elders.

Preparation

Prayer

The parties partaking in the duel shall offer prayers and sacrifice to Hildr, Mistress of Battle, asking that she look kindly upon them in the battle to come. They will sacrifice a small amount of blood, taken from the forearm, and bled into a bowl of ivory. If the duel is to the death, they shall also pray to Hel, Odin and Thor as well. Rumor is that the wicked also pray to Loki to call his favor, causing their opponent to stumble, or otherwise fall prey to Loki Lietongue. The participant shall ask forgiveness for any wicked deeds he has done, and ask that his death, should it come, be considered honorable and allow him to gain passage into Valhalla. The participant shall burn incense while all of this occurs, to ward off the influence of evil spirits and the agents of Loki.

The Weapon

Recent engineering in C'thonia has developed a locking mechanism which allows a sword of certain specifications to be fastened to a pole, turning it into a halberd of sorts. This same device is used to lock two blades together, end to end, creating a double-sword. It is with the double sword that the participants shall fight. The blades are locked together after their prayers, while a priest or acolyte supervises, blessing the weapon, and anointing it with oil, while saying the following prayer "Pater Odin, qui es in Asgard, sanctificetur nomen tuum. Adveniat regnum tuum. Fiat voluntas tua, sicut in Asgard et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie, et dimitte nobis debita nostra sicut et nos dimittimus debitoribus nostris. Et ne nos inducas in tentationem, sed libera nos a malo."