The hGemeh'ra Ano Ata Neh'riadu

Author unknown



We are all creatures of honor.

We are all bound by formality. It is the glue that holds us together and propels us forward into the future. Even after the Great Rebellion, we maintained that honor so long as the call was made.

A'ta'ek o'ka'seh.

It is the initiation, and the proclamation of intent to engage in single combat with an opponent. Roughly translated, it means 'The call is made'. The one called may not deny, and should that happen, he or she lose their standing and respect; they lose all of what makes them proud. Lupine and Leh'beni both may claim the ritual, but no one truly knows when or where it began, least of all who exactly started it. But it is a cornerstone of our interactions, and has settled all into an existence that is much more muted.

When the call is made, the answer must be given.

hGaneh.

Simply put, 'I accept'.

Terms of the duel would be given, agreed to, and as formal requirements dictated, each combatant moved to the place chosen for battle.

In the Divine Tongue, hGemeh'ra Ano Ata Neh'ria du is the duel itself. The most basic translation is 'the two who come together as one in honor and combat, to decide each of their fates'. Though, one could argue that in Basic, the translation suffers from a lack of equivalent wording. Which is true. The Divine Tongue has a word for everything, including entire sentences meant to convey a deep concept. Why say multiple words when you need only say one or two?

This duel is usually to the death, though there have been recorded instances when the bested duelist was spared, and allowed to return from where he or she came. This was not a common occurrence, but it is something that has happened.