To invoke a duel was not a casual act.
It was a formal declaration. Once issued, the challenge could not be ignored, especially among dragons.
Draconic laws placed immense weight on honor.
Reputation was not merely social standing, it was identity. To refuse a properly invoked duel without just cause was to stain one's name and diminish one's standing within the clan. For beings who lived for millennia, such a mark could linger for a long time.
When a duel was declared under recognized custom, the recipient was bound by honor to respond. Acceptance was expected. Conditions of the duel could be negotiated, but outright refusal was extremely rare and carried consequences.
Among dragons, strength commanded respect. But honor sustained it.
Thus, when a duel was invoked, it was more than just a challenge. It was a test of pride, standing, and legitimacy. And once spoken… it could not simply be dismissed.
