Ok well let me unfold it.
Basically Putnam there are 10 laws (Covenants, so divine law) and while I cannot remember them exactly they basically amount to... (I relooked to get it right)
1) Murder, Theft, and War are forbidden
2) All conflict is to be resolved in victory by games
3) Both sides must offer something up and agree with it.
4) As soon as both sides agree to the conditions, it becomes absolute
5) The challenged sets the rules (essentially chose the game)
6) "Bets sworn upon the covenants shall be honored"
7) disagreements between groups will be solved by representatives (Honestly this one bugs me... since it is just blatantly set up for our hero)
Being caught cheating during a game shall result in a loss
9) The previous rules cannot be overturned
10) Have Fun
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So... when making the Wagers basically this happened
If we tie you could do us a small favor
and house us in the palaceWith the underlines being where his tongue was out.
Ohh and "We will win using only paper" doesn't count as a rule, in spite him being the challenged, because... uhhhh... main character.
Likewise accepting a object that was bet on back was apperantly considered cheating on the 6th law (in spite... that not being what "honored" means). Likewise the third law means you can offer up anything... including nothing (Which... is kind of contrary to the point of the law but whatever)... and I am not even getting started, the series is just a endless parade of "Are we sure there are actual covenants?".