Honor combats between individuals of equal social class/station are legal and occur in many countries on Jarro. These are formal public events, similar to the way that duels were held on old Earth, but with some odd twists. Among other things duels in New Lutetia and the Belgravian Republic, as well as some nations, occur between either or both genders. Professional duelists can also be hired to act as defenders of the person accused of dishonoring the challenger (or kin of the challenger).