I should perhaps have been clearer that I’m talking about debts that can’t be paid off, not ones that merely take a very, very long time to. I mean, all considerations of weregeld aside, you can’t unmurder the permadead.
(Actually, given the willingess of their judges to seek unconventional solutions, someone in that situation might well be sentenced to artistry:
“Until you have produced a work of art as esteemed, art shall be your calling.”
Appeals both to mélith and to the theme of restoring harmony.)