I. Purpose and Authority
1. The Challenge Law exists to resolve disputes when peace cannot be reached through Royal Law, Ancestral Law, or ordinary mediation.
2. All challenges and trials must be recognized, sanctioned, and witnessed by a Forseti, henceforth defined as an approved arbiter of Goliath society.
II. The Right of Challenge
1. A challenge may be issued when two parties cannot agree upon a matter of honor, law, faith, property, or custom, or when the interpretation of Royal or Ancestral Law is in dispute.
2. A challenge must be declared in public, or in the presence of at least one worthy witness and a Forseti.
3. The challenger must be recognized as worthy of challenge; that is, possessing a deed name, an honorable reputation, and a history of meritorious action acknowledged by peers or by the Forseti.
4. The challenged may not refuse a lawful challenge unless:
- The challenge is deemed unworthy or frivolous by the Forseti.
- The challenger lacks honor, standing, or approval.
- The matter is already settled under higher law.
III. The Forseti
1. The Forseti may be:
- The High King of Soria,
- A Jarl,
- A shaman of standing, or
- Any influential and worthy member of goliath society appointed to arbitrate a matter of challenge.
- A Lawyer or Judge with expertise in Goliath Laws, Traditions and Customs
2. The Forseti’s duties are to:
- Approve or deny the legitimacy of a challenge.
- Ensure the chosen form of trial is fair, lawful, and fitting to the dispute.
- Witness or appoint witnesses to the trial.
- Uphold the results of the trial and record its outcome.
3. During a Trial for the Jarldom, the Forseti shall also:
- Safeguard the belongings, estate and symbols of the Jarl’s office,
- Guard against outside interference,
- And ensure succession proceeds according to law.
IV. Eligibility and Limitation
1. Those without a deed name (such as children) or those who have been declared honourless (such as criminals, exiles or oathbreakers) may not issue challenges unless granted explicit permission by a Forseti or a higher authority.
2. No individual may be challenged more than once per day, and the outcome of a trial may not be contested or retried except by decree of a Jarl or the High King.
3. A challenge deemed unjust or unworthy by the Forseti or the community brings dishonor upon both parties and may constitute a violation of Royal or Ancestral Law.
V. The Conduct of Trials
1. When faced by an equal, the challenged party shall choose the form of trial, though they must seek counsel from their betters and ensure the choice is both fair and just.
2. All trials must occur before witnesses and under the supervision of a Forseti or their appointed second.
3. Trials are binding and final, unless overturned by higher decree or by the will of the High King.
VI. Trials for the Jarldom
1. To challenge a Jarl, one must be deemed worthy by the Jarl, the public, and a Forseti.
2. The Trial for the Jarldom is always to the death.
3. The Jarl shall choose the form of the trial.
4. During the trial, the Jarldom is considered without ruler, and governance passes temporarily to the Forseti overseeing the trial.
5. Should both contestants perish, the title of Jarl passes to:
- A designated regent, or
- An adult hereditary successor, until such time as a new challenge restores rightful leadership.
6. A newly appointed Jarl cannot be challenged until one fortnight has passed since the conclusion or commencement of their Trial for the Jarldom.
7. The Jarl is considered ruler of the Jarldom on the same day they gain the title, and enjoys all rights and responsibilities from that hour forth.
VII. Hierarchy of Law
1. The Challenge Law may not overrule Royal Law or Ancestral Law, but may be invoked to contest or nullify alterations to these higher laws.
2. Should conflict arise between laws, the High King or a council of Forseti from every Jarldom shall determine precedence.
3. The Challenge Law can be used to meditate disagreements regarding the interpretation of Royal Law or Ancestral Law locally within a Jarldom, but the result of the trial shall not be recognised outside of that Jarldoms borders.
VIII. Closing Articles
1. A challenge improperly issued or conducted is a stain upon honor and may be punished under both Royal and Ancestral Law.
2. Every Trial for the Jarldom must be recorded, and be etched in stone or preserved within the Jarldom in which it occurred.
3. The Challenge Law do not affected people or races that is not of Giant heritage, unless they take on the responsibilities of a Personal Champion, and or has agreed to the terms of the Challenge Law witnessed by a Forseti or higher authority.
IX. On Personal Champions:
1. Either party in a lawful challenge may choose to be represented by a Personal Champion, an individual who undertakes the trial in their stead and in their name.
2. A Personal Champion must be deemed worthy by the Forseti, and once accepted, they are required to undertake the trial for the one they represent.
3. All deeds, victories, and failures of the Champion are legally and honorably attributed to the one who appointed them and do not effect themselves.
4. A Personal Champion cannot be compelled or forced to accept representation; their agreement must be freely given and witnessed.
5. No individual may serve as Champion in more than one trial per day, and a Champion may not represent both parties in the same dispute.
6. A Champion who flee, betray or intentionally sabotage their appointed duty commits an offense against both Royal and Ancestral Law.