Rings of Honor

Fighters rise in rank according to their success in their duels. Ranks are assigned according to the number of Wins over Losses (WoL) a fighter maintains.

Rank	Requirement
Commoner	less than 2 wins than losses
Swordsman	2-4 more wins than losses
Master at Arms	5-9 more wins than losses
Grand Master	10-14 more wins than losses
Warlord	15+ wins than losses
Baron	By challenge
Overlord	By challenge

Since this a system for Warlords, only Warlords will qualify for rank. Obviously that leaves out anyone that is Grandmaster and down, but it also leaves out Baron's and the Overlord. There are some exceptions in the rules for Barons and the Overlord if they happen to be dethroned right before a tournament.. but that comes later.

Percentage Based

Warlords will be ranked according to how they fair against their peers. Any duel that could count as a "peer win" will also count towards the warlord ranking system. It is a percentage system, so the Warlord that wins a larger percent of his/her duels against peers, will be ranked higher.

Ties

Ties will not count either for or against duelists. A Warlord that is 4/2/0 will share the same percentage ranking as a Warlord that is 4/2/1. Basically, these duels will be thrown out.

Qualified Duels and Eligibility

A qualified duel is a duel against another Warlord, a Baron or the Overlord. Only these duels will be reflected in the Warlord's ranking.

Only Warlords who duel a certain number of "qualified" duels will be eligible for the ranking system. This number will be equal to the total number of duels the "average" Warlord fights in a given week. In other words: If, in week 1 there are a total of 60 qualifying duels fought. Double that number since there have to be 2 people in each duel, for a total of 120 qualifying duels that week. If there are 60 current warlords, then the average qualifying duels per Warlord would be 2. If, in week 2, the average is 1 duel, then warlords will have to have fought 3 qualifying duels in order to make the rankings. The minimum number for each week will be one.

Qualifying Brackets and Tournaments

In addition to the above system for "qualified" duels, this will be split up as follows:

1. Top bracket - All the Warlords who qualify as having fought the "total number of duels the average Warlord fights in a given week" or more, will fall into this bracket.
2. Mid-Bracket - This bracket will have two groups:
1. Warlords who have fought half (or more) as many duels as would be needed to qualify or the top bracket.
2. Dethroned Overlords that would otherwise not qualify for the top bracket, shall be placed at the top of this bracket for tournament placement.
3. Bottom Bracket - This bracket also has two groups.
1. Any Warlords that do not qualify for either of the top 2.. placed randomly or by WoL.
2. Dethroned Barons that not otherwise qualify for either of the top 2 brackets shall be placed at the top of this bracket.

Barons and the Overlord

Theses duelists *do not* qualify for ranks while holding their titles, nor do any duels fought by them carry over to a future time when they are dethroned. A Baron/Overlord may fight them and increase his/her own status, but it will not effect them. To counter balance this, the above provisions for tournaments have been added.

A Warlord's Tournament will be held once every three months near the end of each cycle. There will be a grace period of fourteen (14) days prior to each Warlord's Tournament during which no challenge may be issued to the Overlord.

The first place finisher will have the first choice of any prize available. Each subsequent finisher shall then choose their prize until there are no more available. The list of prizes will include an intercession free challenge to the Overlord and any vacant Baron’s rings. Should a finisher refuse to select a prize, his prize shall default to the next place finisher.

The challenge to the Overlord shall supersede all other outstanding challenges and must be made within one week of the Tournament's conclusion. This challenge is not subject to the "Right of Challenge" and cannot be denied for any reason. This challenge shall follow the "Universal Terms of Challenge" with regard to response and dueling date. Challenger will not lose the right to challenge as a result of the Overlord challenge match.

1. Participants will be seated in the Tournament based upon their placement in the Warlord Rankings at the close of registration. If no Rankings are available, seeding will be placed via decision of the Official running that Tournament.
2. The results of duels fought in the tournament are not counted in the regular standings or Warlord Rankings.
3. There is no standard format by which tournaments shall be conducted. The tournament coordinator shall determine whether the tournament will be single elimination, double elimination, Swiss-style, or any other format seen fit. The format to be used will be announced before the start of the tournament.
4. There can be no tied results in a Tournament duel. The duel will go into overtime until it reaches a conclusion. A minimum of five points must be scored by the winner.
5. Reinstated Warlord’s must duel at least one (1) duel during regular dueling hours after reinstatement and prior to Tournament start AND the Standings Keeper must provide verification of reinstatement to be eligible for entry. This duel can include a Challenge match as long as it is included on the standings prior to the Tourney start date.

The title of Baron can only be achieved by challenge from a Warlord, a recipient of the Overlord Grant, or more rarely by a successful champion. On occassion there may be a tournament where the prize is a grant to issue challenge to a Baron or Overlord, such as the Madness Tournament. Barons make up the majority of the Duel of Swords Council, a political body whose votes determine the outcome of policy and conflict within the DoS Community.

A challenge is considered issued when a Warlord or Grant Recipient posts their challenge upon the Public Notice Board. This is the only way a challenge will be considered "Officially Issued." Once the challenge has been verified by the Standings Keeper, the challenger must contact the Baron to arrange a suitable meeting time. It is the repsonsibility of the challenger to secure an official for the agreed-upon date. The challenge can be fought in a single or best-of-three format at the Baron's discretion. See the Baronial Challenge Terms for further details.

The Overlord is considered the Supreme Duelist, higher in stature and fighting skill than any other. The mantle is coveted by many, few last long in the position, a rare handful have done so with the people's approval. The title has a long and vaunted history, which can be viewed at the DoS Historical Center.

A Renegade Baron may challenge the Overlord at any time, Warlords may only challenge the Overlord if they win that prize in a Warlord Tournament. A challenge is considered issued when a WLT Prize Winner or Renegade Baron posts their challenge upon the Public Notice Board. This is the only way a challenge will be considered "Officially Issued." Once the challenge has been verified by the Standings Keeper, the challenger must contact the Overlord to arrange a suitable meeting time. It is the repsonsibility of the challenger to secure an official for the agreed-upon date. For more information on the rights and possibilities of an Overlord challenge, read the Universal Terms of Challenge below.

The Overlord's Grant

As the Supreme Duelist, the Overlord's opinion is the most highly regarded as to which duelists are showing the most promise within the Arena. For this reason, the Duel of Swords officials honor a challenge to a Baron by an individual of any rank, as decided by the Overlord, once per cycle. See the Overlord Terms for details on how the Overlord grants this right to challenge.

The endowed duelist has one week following the Overlord's public declaration upon the Public Notice Board to challenge a Baron. This challenge will not supersede any outstanding challenges, cannot be denied for any reason, and will follow the "Universal Terms of Challenge" with regard to response and dueling date.

If a challenge is not made within the allotted time, the duelist forfeits his or her right to challenge. The same Overlord may not grant a challenge right to another duelist for the remainder of the cycle, but if he or she is dethroned prior to the cycle's grace period, the new Overlord may grant a challenge right before said grace period begins.

"I have no words,
My voice is in my sword ... "
- MacDuff (Shakespear's MacBeth - Act V, Scene VIII)

Where not specifically addressed all challenges are first come - first served. With the exception of challenges to Renegade Barons (see below), only the first challenge is considered vital and all others are void based on the order in which letters of challenge are posted on the Public Notice Board/received by the Standings Keeper and the dueler challenged. This means there are no queues of challenges.

All challenges and answer to challenge must be posted on the Public Notice Board for purposes of notification and validation.

A challenge is not considered complete until the results are posted in the Standings. And where not specifically addressed all challenges must be answered within one week of validation (by the date and time the validation notice is sent out) and dueled within two weeks of the response. Any challenge not responded to within one week, setting a time and place, shall be considered an abdication.

Challenges, if not properly served, will be voided by the Standings Keeper. In the case of a voided challenge, the Challenger will have his or her right to challenge stripped for the remainder of the cycle as a penalty. This penalty will *not* take effect if the challenge is withdrawn before voided.

There can be no tied results in a Challenge duel. The duel will go into overtime until it reaches a conclusion. A minimum of five points must be scored by the winner.

Show of Activity for Warlords

Challenges to the Overlord by Warlord.

Limits on Challenges

Alignment of Higher Ranks

1. The Overlord shall be set as the Supreme Dueler of the Duel of Swords.
2. There shall be 7 Barons.
3. There will be any number of Warlords who maintain a record of 15 wins over loses.
4. Overlord and Barons are NOT subject to maintaining a 15 wins over loses record.

Overlord

1. Challenges to the Overlord are subject to the "Universal Terms of Challenge" (see above) and may only be made once per cycle per Duelist where not specifically addressed within these rules.
2. Has the right to select any duelist, with the exception of a Renegade Baron, as champion to test any Challenger the Overlord deems unfit to a "Test of Worthiness". This may be done only once per challenge. The selected champion may refuse.
3. Except in specific circumstances, as outlined in the rules to follow, the selected champion is at no risk of losing their title or rank.
4. If the Challenger is successful in the test then the challenge to the Overlord seat will proceed within two weeks.
5. If the Champion is successful in the test AND
1. the Champion is not a Loyal Baron and
2. the Challenger is a Renegade Baron, the Champion shall have the immediate right to challenge the Renegade Baron for their title, regardless of the Champion's rank.
6. The Overlord may offer the Challenger a Best of Three series. This is an alternative to the "Test of Worthiness" and may not be used in conjunction with it. All three duels must take place within the time specified by the "Universal Terms of Challenge" and the first to win two duels shall be victorious.
7. Overlord may intercede on behalf of challenged Loyal Barons without risk of any kind. If successful the Challenger must accede defeat.
8. Can, at anytime, switch the alignment of a Loyal Baron with reason given in writing to all Barons and to the Standings Keeper provided a WoL record of 15 is maintained. If the Overlord should banish a Loyal to a Renegade alignment, then the Overlord must accept an immediate challenge of title if issued by that Baron. This challenge will supersede any other challenges, including that of a WLT winner.
9. When an Overlord is unseated by a Baron, they switch titles with that Baron, with the exception listed below under Rule 9 of Renegade Barons.
10. When an Overlord is unseated by a Warlord they are placed in the ranks, commoner to Warlord, based on their wins to losses record.
11. Should the Overlord retire a tournament of all Barons will be held to determine the new Overlord. The impending Baron vacancy is filled by the winner of the next scheduled Warlord's Tournament.
12. Once per cycle, the Overlord may grant to a duelist of any rank Commoner through Warlord the right to challenge any Baron of the duelist's choosing. The Overlord must declare his or her choice of duelist on the Public Notice Board. The Overlord may not grant the challenge right during the period starting 14 days prior to the Warlord tournament and ending with the challenge match between the Overlord and the tournament winner.

Barons

1. Each Baron shall receive a ring as a symbol of their station and are considered equal in title.
2. Barons can either be aligned with the Overlord or not and respectively titled Loyal or Renegade.
3. New Barons must proclaim their alignment upon accepting the ring. If not it is at the discretion of the Overlord.
4. When an Overlord is dethroned all Barons must declare alignment within one week, to the Standings Keeper, or their alignment is set by the new Overlord.
5. When a Baron is unseated they are placed in the ranks, from commoner to Warlord, based on their current record.
6. Should a Baron retire, the vacancy is placed as a prize in the next scheduled Warlord's Tournament. If the Baron is under challenge, then the matter is sent to the Baronial Council, who will decide the fate of the title.
7. May choose to fight a challenge in a Best of Three format. The Challenger may NOT refuse the Best of Three format offered by a Baron. However, if the Overlord interceeds on behalf of a Loyal Baron, the Best of Three format may not be used.

Loyal Barons

1. Loyal Barons may intercede on challenges to the Overlord, provided the Overlord accepts the intercession.
2. Loyals who intercede may lose their title if:
1. Defeated by a Renegade Baron's champion in a "Right of Challenge." (see below)
2. The Renegade Baron goes on to defeat the Overlord
3. There are no currently empty baronies and
4. The Renegade Baron chooses to award his/her champion the Loyal's ring as a reward for services.
All four conditions must be met for the Loyal Baron to lose their title as a result of interceding.
3. Loyal Barons may change their alignment at anytime, in writing on the Public Notice Board.
4. Any Loyal may challenge an Overlord whose standings record falls below 15 wins over loses. Loyals cannot otherwise challenge the Overlord.
5. Loyals need only defend their title once per calendar month. The Loyal Baron can waive this option.
6. Loyal Barons may not refuse an intercession from the Overlord.

Renegade Barons

1. Renegades cannot intercede on challenges to the Overlord.
2. Renegades may intervene on intercessions made by Loyal Barons OR a Challenger in a "Test of Worthiness". By doing so the Renegade must duel the appointed champion at the designated time of the challenge. If the Renegade wins then the original challenge must go forward. If the Renegade is defeated then a "Test of Worthiness" will proceed immediately. Renegades may intercede at anytime up to but not after the first round of a "Test of Worthiness" has been called.
3. Renegade intercession takes priority over a Renegade Baron's champion. The first Renegade Baron to state intention to intercede shall have precedence. Though not a requirement, the time and date of the sending of a letter delivered to the Standings Keeper declaring the Baron's intention to intercede shall be the only proof accepted on this issue.
4. Renegades may petition for Loyal alignment pending approval of the Overlord. The Overlord may refuse the realignment for any given reason.
5. Renegades can challenge the Overlord at any time, but only once per cycle and MUST follow the "Universal Terms of Challenge".
6. "Right of Challenge": Renegades may appoint only a warlord champion IF the Overlord elects to use the "Test of Worthiness" against them. The appointed champion may decline.
7. If a Renegade Baron's champion fights the Overlord's champion in a "Right of Challenge" and:
1. Is successful, the Renegade shall go on to fight the Overlord.
2. Is defeated, the Renegade must then fight the "Test of Worthiness" as if no "Right of Challenge" had been declared.
8. If the Renegade's champion wins the "Right of Challenge" AND the Renegade goes on to defeat the Overlord, then the Renegade Baron MAY or MAY NOT grant the champion a barony as reward for services rendered.
1. The awarded barony shall be any barony not currently occupied.
2. If all baron seats are filled, the Renegade Baron may grant the champion either:
1. The barony of the ex-Overlord's champion or
2. The barony that the ex-Overlord would otherwise inherit from the Renegade Baron. This decision is at the Renegade Baron(New Overlord's) discretion.
9. Renegade Barons are open to immediate challenge by the Overlord's champion, regardless of queue's, if they are defeated in a "Test of Worthiness." The Champion Must declare their intent to challenge within One Week of their victory over the challenging Baron. This challenge will supersede any other challenges upon that Baron.
10. Renegades are open to any and all challenges from Warlords or Overlord Grant recipients. In the event of a Challenge Queue, the first challenge must follow the "Universal Terms of Challenge" with regard to response and dueling date, and any pending challenges MUST be fought at a rate no less than one per week until the pending challenges are depleted.

Test of Worthiness duels:

The wins and losses occurred in all Challenge Matches do not apply to the regular standings.

Baron's Council

1. A Baron's Council shall be convened in the occurrence of a Baron or the Overlord retiring while a challenge is pending or in the case of a forfeit.
2. The Baron's Council shall consist of all current Barons and the Overlord, with exception to the titleholder in question.
3. The Baron's Council shall consist of 6 voting members and 1 Foreman. The Foreman shall vote only in the case of a tie among the other 6 members. The number of voting members may be less than 6 but there shall always be 1 overseer.
4. The Foreman of the Council shall be the Overlord, unless it is the title of Overlord that is at issue, in which case the senior most Baron shall fill the position. The Foreman should help direct the council and push it towards a conclusion.
5. When necessary, the Duel of Swords Supervisor may step in to further guide the council and lie out their choices. Choices will include, but not be limited to;
1. Granting the Challenger the victory by default
2. Appointing another to fight against the Challenger in place of the person challenged
3. Voiding the challenge and returning the Challenger's right to challenge
6. Decisions of the Council must pass by majority vote and shall be final and may be overturned only by the Supervisor, with approval of the Dueling Coordinator.

Baron's Council Champion

In some instances, a champion will be named by the Baron's Council to duel in the case of a forfiet.

1. During a duel between a challenger and a Baron’s Council Champion, there will be no intercession allowed from a Baron or the Overlord.
2. All Baron’s Council Champion will duel with their rank from the latest standings.
3. The match will not affect the Champion’s record.
4. The Baron’s council will decide the format of the match.

Retirements and Inactivity

Warlords who retire will be removed from the Standings with record archived by the Standings Keeper. A letter or Private Message(PM) to the Standings Keeper stating intent to retire is mandatory. To return, with record intact, a Warlord must write to the Standings Keeper stating their intent to return.

Any Warlord who is inactive for more than one complete cycle is subject to removal from the Standings with record archived by the Standings Keeper. This is not considered a retirement. Any other dueler who is inactive over the duration of a complete cycle is subject to removal from the Standings. To be reinstated, a letter to the Standings Keeper is required.

Saving Clause

Any dispute that is not clearly covered under the preceeding rules shall fall under the jurisdiction of the Duel of Swords Supervisor. This Judgment shall be considered final and may only be overturned by the Dueling Coordinator.