In late mediaeval Venice, private warfare was legal.
Firstly, a set of preconditions had to apply. A clear grudge hat to be involved, and it had to be serious enough that breaking the peace was an option. Then a submission was made to the Doge (Venice's elected Duke), which was probably submitted to the Council and and actually acted on by the secretive 'Ten', for permission to engage in private warfare. If successful, several restrictions would be placed on the conduct of the war, and the hiring of mercenaries was forbidden. This was because Venice had a mercenary army, and it would have been devisive to have the defence forces fighting each other. Normally, the fighting took place on the estates of the families involved, as combat within Venice proper was also forbidden.
At the time, the Italian troops were perhaps the most civilised soldiers in Europe in their behaviour, and massacre wasn't even thought of. Still, this was war and people suffered.
In Traveller, private war might get a big return. Traveller explicitly states that a feudal relationship is in place, which generally means that nobles raise and maintain troops. If we use late 15th century England as an example, troops would be hired and given 'livery and maintenance'. Ie; uniforms (and probably equipment) and a salary. In itself, this is nothing much really. Where it gets dangerous is that nobles can give other nobles and thier retinues livery and maintenance. This radically weakens the bonds of feudalism, and stress is good in RPing! Private war involves all your retainers, and as these wars weren't fought half-heartedly the nobles called up all their retainers and they brought their retainers.
I assume that the Imperium would have to declare a red zone in the area, and perhaps send observers to ensure that violations of the no doubt stringent codes are not made. Obviously, WMDs are probably restricted and civilian life and property is attempted to be protected to some degree. it is probably a bad time to live on a low law level world.
Firstly, a set of preconditions had to apply. A clear grudge hat to be involved, and it had to be serious enough that breaking the peace was an option. Then a submission was made to the Doge (Venice's elected Duke), which was probably submitted to the Council and and actually acted on by the secretive 'Ten', for permission to engage in private warfare. If successful, several restrictions would be placed on the conduct of the war, and the hiring of mercenaries was forbidden. This was because Venice had a mercenary army, and it would have been devisive to have the defence forces fighting each other. Normally, the fighting took place on the estates of the families involved, as combat within Venice proper was also forbidden.
At the time, the Italian troops were perhaps the most civilised soldiers in Europe in their behaviour, and massacre wasn't even thought of. Still, this was war and people suffered.
In Traveller, private war might get a big return. Traveller explicitly states that a feudal relationship is in place, which generally means that nobles raise and maintain troops. If we use late 15th century England as an example, troops would be hired and given 'livery and maintenance'. Ie; uniforms (and probably equipment) and a salary. In itself, this is nothing much really. Where it gets dangerous is that nobles can give other nobles and thier retinues livery and maintenance. This radically weakens the bonds of feudalism, and stress is good in RPing! Private war involves all your retainers, and as these wars weren't fought half-heartedly the nobles called up all their retainers and they brought their retainers.
I assume that the Imperium would have to declare a red zone in the area, and perhaps send observers to ensure that violations of the no doubt stringent codes are not made. Obviously, WMDs are probably restricted and civilian life and property is attempted to be protected to some degree. it is probably a bad time to live on a low law level world.
