These are the first ideas you vomit out. Maybe you'll throw them away. Maybe you'll inspire someone else.
Maybe your first idea is genius that goes the distance.
Vomit here.
Step 1
Choose a historical period
I'm feeling Renaissance Judicial Dueling.
Step 2
Accuser - Every player get's a turn at being the accuser, turning to the player to the left of them and accusing them of some heinous crime. Are they guilty? God will let you know by giving you grace in combat.
Companion - You must then choose a second, someone at the table. The second players a vital roll during negotiating combat.
Since everyone has to choose a second, this will make this a kind of strategy game too. Who will you choose as your second? Hm.
Entymology - The words you use to describe the crime will be vital. I am going to have to pick a friend's brain about words used to describe criminals: rapist, thief, liar, oath-breaker...all words to look up. When I see the Oxford English Dictionary description of said words, I'll know more about my mechanics and how this will play in.
For now, I'm vomiting and its nice and vague.
Step 3
*Use a dice based system where at least 3 distinct pieces of information can be derived from a single roll.
Each swing, parry and riposte in combat will also tell about the crime. So, as the combatants fight, they will also gain currency in telling the story until one person wins the combat and get's to finish the tale.
So the character who wins the combat's player get's to more fully narrate the facts of the crime.
So, the dice will ascertain the combat and the tale of the crime and something else.
Also, the second will play a part in this too, the companion, that is.
Well, its a start.
Please, vomit with me.