Honor Trials & Challenges (Bat'loschek)

(Bat'loschek, literally "honor judgment")

Occasionally, two Khanshael come into conflict. The argument usually arises when one Khanshael accuses another of telling a falsehood. On some occasions, Khanshael are forced to undergo an Honor Trial because they somehow disgraced themselves in the presence of a Dhe'nar elder.

In the case of an Honor Trial, a Khanshael is given a task by the elders of his clan. Often, this task is decided after days of deliberation. During this time, the Khanshael awaiting judgment is almost completely ignored by the other Khanshael of his clan. This is not a sign of disrespect to the Khanshael in question, or a doubt of their honor, but simply deference to the pending judgment by the Khanshael elders.

The Trial chosen is often difficult and generally life threatening, in one way or another. The killing of a horrible monster, a dangerous spy mission, and even a month long exile to an area with an environment hostile to the Khanshael - all these are common judgments in honor trials.

The dwarf is then sent to undertake his honor task, or "batlh'opong." This task is almost invariably related to, or symbolic of, the event about which the Khanshael is being judged. His success or failure determines his guilt or innocence in the matter at hand. To return from an honor trial unsuccessful bears two punishments. The offender's head and face are shaved and magically treated so that the hair can never be regrown. Then, the offender is exiled from the Khanshael homelands for a period no less than 10 years, with a possibility of permanent banishment, dependent on the severity of the incident. To return within this timeframe only ever brings one judgment, which applies regardless of the circumstances surrounding the offender's return. The transgressor faces the Judgment Stone.

It is also important to note that the stigma associated with one who fails their honor trial does not carry on to his direct family. The Khanshael firmly believe that an individual is solely responsible for his own actions.

An honor challenge results when one Khanshael challenges the words or actions of another Khanshael, by accusing him of lying, stealing, or any number of other situations. When the elders cannot discover the truth of the matter through their investigations, an Honor Challenge is called.

The elders then choose a task for both of the participants, the accuser and the accused, to face. Often, this is a race, or trial of endurance. Skill at arms is often also tested, although rarely in battle against another Khanshael. Duels are only decided in very personal challenges, and are never to the death. If in one of these rare duels, one participant kills another, the murderer is considered instantly guilty, with no chance of redemption and is instantly sentenced to face the Judgment Stone.

The Challenge is meted out. The Khanshael who proves victorious is absolved of any accusations. His accuser is then investigated thoroughly, using magic and horrible forms of interrogation. If the accuser is proven to be the guilty party, his punishment is harsh, and often decided upon by the dwarf who was wrongfully accused.

The Khanshael do not brook any form of slander or blackmail. If a Khanshael accuses another wrongfully and maliciously, the punishment is harsh, swift, and irreversible. Banishment is the most common, as it is the ultimate sign, for the Khanshael, that the banished cannot be trusted. Magical branding and permanent baldness induction are also not uncommon.