Darkness Closes
On the Nature of Honor
"To be seen as an honorable man is admirable. To possess honor is
desirable. To actually be honorable is the apex of achievement. This,
above all other things, grants a man eternity."
Honor, as represented and made manifest in the Code of Blood, is best illustrated from two perspectives: that of individual actions and that of social survival. Individual actions, performed with courage and adherence to the tenants of the Code, have found their fame in facing that which cannot be faced except by individuals. While on the grander scale, the need for the nobility - with all of the power over life, death, welfare and success of those over whom they rule - for honorable handling of their duty prevents in most cases the excesses that would quickly bring ruin to our world.
In each age, the people and nobility of Komaru have faced dangers and obstacles that have threatened to destroy the nation. Yet, even in the face of this we have persevered. While many such threats have been overcome by the application of military force, and others by judicious political compromise, there arises from time to time the need for individuals to declare by word and deed that a wrong must be righted. In the case of Sokar's War, the heroism of those individuals who faced in single combat the Children of Aten and, in the final conflict, the Pharaoh Sokar himself, ensured the safety of the realm and provided the example of the Hero for those to come after them.
There are those who wonder why it is that such an antiquated system of nobility has survived the dawn of so many new ages, and how the peasantry - both the serfs and the freemen - have managed to prosper under such a system as we possess. Why is it that the nobility does not destroy themselves by misusing the authority they have been granted. Afterall, the peasantry far outnumbers the nobility on a scale that could leave no doubt as to the outcome should there ever be a popular uprising. The answer lies, once again, in the Code of Blood.
In order to properly understand the power that Honor possesses to preserve the social order, one must examine the Code of Blood itself.
Its tenants are fairly simple, if demanding. They are simply to defend those unable to defend themselves; to treat the duty to serve your vassals with the same reverence as you treat their duty to you; to make good on your promises whatever the obstacles that stand in your way; treat with those who depend on you with honest service, regardless of their station; to defend your own honor and ideals with all means at your disposal; to permit another's choices to be their own, only providing consequences for those decisions, and never coercion against them; to always accept an honorable challenge; and to comport yourself in all things and by example as though you live by your Oath, and not simply obey it.
From this we see the important distinction between those who live by honor and those who only act the part. We also see that the tenants of the Code of Blood - or the Bibelot Code, as it has disparagingly been called in recent years - preclude the abuse of power and the misuse of the peasantry. The truly astute might even go so far as to say...
So, there is no denying the value of the Code in maintaining the nation and protecting it from threats from within and without. But there is another side to the demands of honor that has recently caused discontented rumblings among certain of the nobility of Komaru. There is the need for satisfaction in the form of the Honorable Duel.
It has been declared that this form is outdated., That it is sadistic. That it encourages needless bloodshed and wastes resources. This is a ridiculous argument!
Consider: Not all of the Nobility are sworn to the Code of Blood. Not all of the nobility - and I challenge any who would deny this as a liar! - are honorable individuals. How then does an honorable man face the need to uphold his Code when another man denies it? More importantly, how does such an honorable man face his own reflection, knowing that his Oath is forsworn by his own inaction?
He cannot.
And thus his only recourse is directed action. Specifically, directed at the person or persons who have acted dishonorably. But such action must also be carried out in an honorable fashion, one that exemplifies the same fair play that marks the rest of the Code. This is done by the expedient - the imperative! - of the Duel of Honor. For what man who would be honorable could stand by and allow dishonorable acts go unchallenged?
While the introduction of the duelling pistol has to some extent changed the rules by which these duels are comported, it has also acted to de-personalize the ritual. There is by far a great difference in the effect upon a man's soul facing his opponent and wearing upon his clothing that man's blood, straining and struggling with skill, strength and speed, and standing apart by several paces and squeezing a trigger. Fortunately, in recent years the fashion of carrying such weapons has fallen out of...
And so the need for a response to that which is dishonorable in a manner considered to be honorable balances the metaphysical scales. Further, by expressing one's moral distaste for another's actions in such an extreme manner as personal combat, it can safely lay to rest any need for further retribution. By the spilling of noble blood, whether by the drop or by the bucket, honor is satisfied. What's more, it cleanses any stain of inappropriate action from both parties, for as blood is let, so flows the taint of dishonor.
Obviously, persons challenging in matters of honor are expected to limit the degree of such a challenge to that which will suffice to right the scales. One does not demand the irretrievable death of Baron X who's only dishonor was being unable to send an RSVP for the Count's party, though it may be sufficient to duel to first touch if said Baron expressed an interest in attending, thus inspiring the sending of said invitation. Likewise, if Count Y has sworn to protect the Baron's daughter while in the Count's home, and harm befalls the child because the Count was busy sleeping with the Baron's wife, a duel by arm-wrestling is wholly inadequate. Further, it may serve to insult the sense of honor of several other nobles who will shortly be lining up to correct the mistake on both nobles' parts.
There is also the responsibility of the challenged to accept the challenge as given, whether by facing it himself or by acquiring a stand-in willing to champion the challenged honor for him. In so doing, such a champion accepts the full weight of the challenged lord's honor for the purposes of the duel, and further accepts the satisfaction of honor with the risk of his own blood. By this method, further balance is attained by allowing the possibility of more nearly equal skills to face off for the sake of resolution of the debt. This kindness within the Code removes any and all need to refuse such a challenge, which would only deepen the stain of dishonor in any case.
Also, honor extends to other ephemerae, such as duty to one's nation or liege, to one's family and to one's comrades. Failure to defend any of these, even given the application of honest effort, could be repaid in blood.
Without honor - without the Code of Blood - we are nothing but small men and women with the power to destroy ourselves and all that we love. With it we are reminded not only to stay our hand against our sacred protectorate, but also why we should choose to do so. It is our guide, our Law and our most precious gift.
- Tanaka Seiichi, Veiled Guard Brother