Implement surrender mechanic. Maybe some kind of honor/karma system too to discourage killing.
Surrendering would temporarily halt combat and character would kneel. If the surrender is accepted by any attacker, you instantly drop all your possessions and hearth home. If the surrender is denied by any attacker, combat continues. Killing a surrendered enemy would leave a murder scent regardless of if they committed a crime against you. A karma system could possibly remove the ability to surrender if you have already killed too many people, or the consequences of killing a surrendered enemy could be based on the enemy's "karma".