DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 01/09/2012    Duedate: 01/21/2012

NIANIA ARENA

DM-2    TURN-575

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

GNU I KNEW
GNU TEAM (670)
(2-5722) [17-13-1,97]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

GNU I KNEW                     BLINK
GNU TEAM (670)                 POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (655)
(2-5722) [17-13-1,97]          (2-5548) [3-2-1,42]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

KINTHIRA                       BLINK
THE GOLDEN FISH (147)          POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (655)
(2-5705) [15-10-0,64]          (2-5548) [3-2-1,42]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

HAMOI TONG (469)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. GNU TEAM (670)              42
2. THE GOLDEN FISH (147)       10      THE FUNNY FARM (409)
3. THE FUNNY FARM (409)         8      Unchartered Team
4. THE RUNAROUND (381)          6
5. HAMOI TONG (469)             5POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (655)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1 042909A (659)             86  24  2 78.2   1/ 1 HAMOI TONG (469)          9  6 1
 2/ 2 THE FUNNY FARM (409)     140 102  6 57.9   2/ 3 GNU TEAM (670)            8  6 0
 3/ 4 THE GOLDEN FISH (147)    875 919 24 48.8   3/ 5 THE GOLDEN FISH (147)     7  8 0
 4/ 5 GNU TEAM (670)            67  71  6 48.6   4/ 2 THE RUNAROUND (381)       6  5 1
 5/ 6 THE RUNAROUND (381)       25  28  2 47.2   5/ 4 THE FUNNY FARM (409)      4  6 0
 6/ 8 HAMOI TONG (469)          50  58  4 46.3   6- 6 042909A (659)             2  0 0
 7/ 7 SERPENTS HOLD (664)       49  59  1 45.4   7/ 7 SERPENTS HOLD (664)       2  1 0
 8/ 9*POSITIVE ALTERNATI (655)   4   8  1 33.3   8/ 9*POSITIVE ALTERNATI (655)  1  3 1
 9-10*BLADES OF STEEL (668)      0   2  0  0.0   9-10*BLADES OF STEEL (668)     0  2 0

    '*'   Unchartered team                       '-'  Team did not fight this turn
   (###)  Avoid teams by their Team Id          ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

      * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *

                         ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 692): TAI of CLUELESS (Sherlock, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 574): SKIDMARK BUG of 042909A (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 697): HERMOD of AESIR (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 669): BRAVE 2 of TRIBAL COUNCIL (Chief Illiniwek, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 693): 8 BALL of POOL PARTY (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 688): FLASHER of TACKLE BOX (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 296): NIKKI NAILS of TOOL SHED (Leprechaun, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 681): SCARFACE of THE CLUB (Buri, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 682): LIGHTHOUSE KEEPER of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 681): LEVEL OF MALEVOLENCE of DEVIATION (Marma Duke, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 647): RHAKARAS of TEMPLE OF STEEL (Frenzy, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 636): WHAT'S A VOLKSIE? Of TEAM FLOYD (Floyd, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 294): THE FALLEN ONE of DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 629): SRV of SHREDDERS (Buri, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 580): HANK of VENTURE BROS. (Buri, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 276): WERE BEAR of FERAL LEGION (Seraphim, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 269): HARVEY of IMPROVED ILLUSION (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 526): KOLBERT MOON of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 245): NAEFAN ORDH of MIDDLE WAY 9 (Jorja, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 574): THUNDER BUG of TACKLE BOX (Buri, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 692): CLUELESS (Sherlock, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 574): HAMOI TONG (Froot E. Bowl, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 697): AESIR (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 669): TRIBAL COUNCIL (Chief Illiniwek, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 693): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 688): SOUL STRIPPERS II (Savory Jack, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 296): TOOL SHED (Leprechaun, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 681): THE CLUB (Buri, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 682): RYAN'S HENCHMEN (Leprechaun, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 681): DEVIATION (Marma Duke, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 647): MIDDLE WAY 17 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 636): HOLMES ON THE RANGE (Sherlock, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 294): DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 629): SHREDDERS (Buri, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 580): VENTURE BROS. (Buri, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 276): FERAL LEGION (Seraphim, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 269): IMPROVED ILLUSION (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 526): MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 245): MIDDLE WAY 9 (Jorja, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 574) PUNCHILINES et al (The Upright Man, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 692): JOSH of CLUELESS (Sherlock, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 696): LOABAL DOMINATION OF STATE OF MIND (Marma Duke, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 669): RUNNING DEER of TRIBAL COUNCIL (Chief Illiniwek, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 687): KAIARI of SOUL STRIPPERS II (Savory Jack, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 681): BEDDER of CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 681): BLAKSKUL of GRIM FANDANGO (Stik, mgr.)
               (turn 680): FATHOM JUMPER of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 646): IRINA JINZ of MIDDLE WAY 17 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 294): THE FALLEN ONE of DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 580): WHAT of QUESTIONS (Sherlock, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 269): HARVEY of IMPROVED ILLUSION (Master Darque, mgr.)
                          FAIRYFIRE of IMPROVED ILLUSION (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 525): GILFMET IVERS of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Busy, busy, busy, lots of things happening in NIANIA this turn, and let's start 
with a look at some of the teams.  The GNU TEAM guild has had a 3-1-0 turn and 
deserves to be watched in the future.  You never know where this kind of thing can 
lead.  And let's see, GNU I KNEW fought TASAIO and gained 23 points and contributed 
to GNU TEAM's 3-1-0.  TASAIO has lost to GNU I KNEW, falling 20 points, while helping 
make HAMOI TONG a 3-2-0 turn.  Due to his absence and inability to defend the throne, 
SKIDMARK BUG has lost the title of Duelmaster.  And not without some honor, GNU I 
KNEW now claims the title and throne of Duelmaster of NIANIA.  Tell me, is nothing 
sacred?  I have heard from unimpeachable sources that Jim's Tap Room uses trolls in 
their stew.  Talk about gristle!   
     Oriental wise man once say, 'Hiding behind shields prevents proper sun tanning.' 
Inscrutable, but true.  THE GOLDEN FISH has cause to stand tall, as they were 
NIANIA's most avoided team.  A smart manager knows this is a team to beat.  And guess 
who avoided THE GOLDEN FISH stable the most?  Believe it or not, it was HAMOI TONG.  
Anyone surprised?   
     A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only once.  Wise men know this to 
be true.  Jim's Tap Room declares a free round for STUPID GNUS and all of GNU TEAM, 
for having revenged POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE's BLINK for killing one of their comrades.  
We'd like to remind certain teams not to rob the graves of their enemies.  You know 
who you are; and it's considered rude.   
     Thought for the day, a new sword shines bright, but the notched sword sings the 
sweetest.  It's been nice chatting with you, until we meet again, keep your swords 
sharp and your hammers heavy.  Until you see my quill in NIANIA again, farewell-- 
Alarond the Scribe  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GNU I KNEW 5722              17  13  1    97       GNU TEAM (670)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-SKIDMARK BUG 5711            10   3  0   120       042909A (659)
-SERPENT2 5684                14   5  1   105       SERPENTS HOLD (664)
 CHAKTIRI 4118                 9   4  1    93       HAMOI TONG (469)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TASAIO 4055                  10   7  1    75       HAMOI TONG (469)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 KINTHIRA 5705                15  10  0    64       THE GOLDEN FISH (147)
 STUPID GNUS 5723             15  15  0    64       GNU TEAM (670)
 ROBOT CHICKEN 5728            9   7  0    63       THE FUNNY FARM (409)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MAUL ON WHEELS 2938           6   4  0    50       THE RUNAROUND (381)
 BLINK 5548                    3   2  1    42       POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (655)
 GNU RECRUIT 5721              6  15  0    37       GNU TEAM (670)
 GHUDA III 5786                4   1  0    37       HAMOI TONG (469)
 PAPEWAIO 4124                 9   3  0    36       HAMOI TONG (469)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GNUTON 5770                   6   4  0    33       GNU TEAM (670)
 RED LIZARD 5769               5   6  0    30       THE GOLDEN FISH (147)
 KORBRIZT HORON 5742           6  11  0    29       THE GOLDEN FISH (147)
 KESTRALINE 5783               6   2  0    29       THE GOLDEN FISH (147)
 RATTLER 5766                  3   2  0    27       SERPENTS HOLD (664)
 JIRO 5785                     3   2  0    27       HAMOI TONG (469)
-ARCHED EYELID 5775            4   0  0    25       THE RUNAROUND (381)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 STARVING FACE 5751            2   3  0    20       THE RUNAROUND (381)
 BRANDON HEATH 5588            1   2  0    19       POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (655)
 GRAPE APE 5790                2   2  0    18       THE FUNNY FARM (409)
-EAU DE PERE 5789              1   3  0     6       THE RUNAROUND (381)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ELINTERRI 5794                0   2  0     2       THE GOLDEN FISH (147)

'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
GNUMA GNUMA 5771        1  8 1 GNU TEAM 670         BLINK 5548            574  JUST REVENGED
SCRAPPLE 5795           0  1 0 THE FUNNY FARM 409   STONE GOLEM           575  NONE
UETHINRIA 5718         11  8 0 THE GOLDEN FISH 147  TOOTH PICK 2939       573  NONE
TOOTH PICK 2939         6  6 2 THE RUNAROUND 381    CHAKTIRI 4118         574   

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Runaround -- My condolences on the death of Tooth Pick.  We await the blood feud. --
Froot E. Bowl and Chaktiri

Gnu I Knew -- Froot E. Bowl thought I might match up a little better with you than
Chaktiri.  Looks like he was right this time at least.  Thanks for all the learns! --
Tasaio

Gnuton -- I love it when I get to say, "some advice for the future, avoid me."
Actually I think I like this style matchup, so please ignore my previous advice.
Thanks for the skill learns. -- Progeny of Ghuda's Son

Robot Chicken -- You are not what I thought you were.  I thought, "both a chicken and
a robot?  He'll run away from a big guy with a Maul."  Umm... no, I guess that the
chicken part is about being pecked until I couldn't take it anymore.  Maybe next time
I'll figure out the robot part. -- Papewaio

Eau de Pere -- Fighting you is quite tiring.  I think I need to get a little
stronger! -- Jiro

Tasaio -- Well, I *might* have "turned the fight," in fact, I *would* have done so,
except that my fight-turner was borrowed by a teammate (I think it was a teammate)
and not returned.  So I couldn't.  It had to be "sunny side up."  Bummer, but there
it is. -- Kinthira

Ghuda Jr Jr. -- Surely not!  I only counted seven hundred ninety-one, myself. --
Korbrizt Horon

A Captured Orc.  Excellent.  I like beating up Captured Orcs. -- Kinthira
P.S.  Although they tend not to teach well.

Gnu Recruit -- I find it unbelievable indeed, and offensive as well. -- Korbrizt
Horon
P.S.  You'd better return Kinthira's fight-flipper right away.  She's annoyed about
it.

An Osksi Noble.  Or possibly two Osksi nobles.  We don't mind.  An easy win is still
a win. -- Kestraline and Red Lizard

Arched Eyelid -- That looks incredibly weird.  How do you do it?  WHY do you do it?
-- Elinterri

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SCRAPPLE was dealt death by STONE GOLEM in a 2 minute Dark Arena fight.
GHUDA III was devastated by ROBOT CHICKEN in a 2 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
PAPEWAIO unbelievably bested RATTLER in a 2 minute gory Challenge match.
JIRO vanquished BRANDON HEATH in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
TASAIO was overpowered by GNU I KNEW in a 1 minute one-sided Title fight.
CHAKTIRI devastated INSURANCE SALESMAN in a 1 minute uneven brawl.
STUPID GNUS luckily beat BLINK in a exciting 4 minute bloody struggle.
KINTHIRA overcame GNU RECRUIT in a action packed 3 minute expert's fight.
RED LIZARD was unbelievably bested by THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 2 minute duel.
GRAPE APE lost to KESTRALINE in a 2 minute fight.
KORBRIZT HORON was vanquished by GNUTON in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
STARVING FACE savagely defeated ELINTERRI in a popular 3 minute gory beginner's match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   5         PARRY-LUNGE        7 -   0 -  0     100  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   5         WALL OF STEEL      8 -   5 -  1      62  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      4         PARRY-RIPOSTE      6 -   5 -  0      55  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         TOTAL PARRY       21 -  20 -  0      51  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         BASHING ATTACK    21 -  20 -  2      51  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         LUNGING ATTACK    26 -  26 -  2      50  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         AIMED BLOW         9 -  11 -  0      45  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-STRIKE       3 -   4 -  0      43  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         SLASHING ATTACK    3 -   4 -  1      43  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    0         STRIKING ATTACK   10 -  15 -  1      40  |

Turn 575 was great if you     Not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     2 -  3         3  LUNGING ATTACK 
TOTAL PARRY        3 -  1     AIMED BLOW         0 -  1         3  TOTAL PARRY    
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  2     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  BASHING ATTACK 
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  1     SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  0         1  PARRY-LUNGE    
                              STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  3         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                              WALL OF STEEL      0 -  0         1  WALL OF STEEL  

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   GNU I KNEW 5722            17  13  1   97 GNU TEAM (670)
BASHING ATTACK   TASAIO 4055                10   7  1   75 HAMOI TONG (469)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    KINTHIRA 5705              15  10  0   64 THE GOLDEN FISH (147)
TOTAL PARRY      ROBOT CHICKEN 5728          9   7  0   63 THE FUNNY FARM (409)
STRIKING ATTACK  GHUDA III 5786              4   1  0   37 HAMOI TONG (469)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is KINTHIRA 5705.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was BLINK 5548.  The ten other most popular fighters were KINTHIRA 5705, STARVING 
FACE 5751, RED LIZARD 5769, GRAPE APE 5790, SCRAPPLE 5795, RATTLER 5766, GHUDA III 
5786, CHAKTIRI 4118, KESTRALINE 5783, and ROBOT CHICKEN 5728.

The least popular fighter this week was KORBRIZT HORON 5742.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were TASAIO 4055, BRANDON HEATH 5588, ELINTERRI 5794, GNUTON 5770, 
GNU RECRUIT 5721, STUPID GNUS 5723, GNU I KNEW 5722, JIRO 5785, PAPEWAIO 4124, and 
ROBOT CHICKEN 5728.

                              "DARK ARENA" -- The Novel

    For centuries, the Shagornan Elves have been forced to live underground. 
    Human invaders, the Delarquans, burned their forests, sparking a war of elven 
    annihilation. The elders told tales that when the Delarquans marched to war 
    against the elves, the land itself bled as they passed. Since the war, the 
    elves have dwindled with every passing year, while the humans multiply like 
    rodents across the land of Alastari. 

    Now, the Delarquans have disappeared. Some say they departed, others indicate 
    it.s a ruse, but there have been whispered rumors of another greater threat 
    looming in the region. Khyron of the Shagornan Elves has been tasked to 
    determine the cause, realizing that failure is probable and at the end of the 
    road death could be the only reward. 

    Khyron has known only the safety of the caves, but now he must journey to the 
    world above...the World with No Ceiling.

Throughout the years, many fine writers have played Duelmasters/Duel II and have 
contributed greatly to the history and background of the world of Alastari.  One very 
intense period, during the early '90's, was during the Rocanis War, when authors from 
both the Delarquan and Free Blades arenas collaborated on writing the history of the 
invasion of the arena-city of Rocanis.  Mark Manley (aka Grimwood) is a long-time 
manager in Rocanis, and was one of the writers who contributed so much to this 
history.  Over the subsequent years, he has worked to bring his novelization to life 
and make the story of the War and the preceding events which led to it available to 
the greater public.  Many Rocanis legends appear in the book: Itoz Trollbane, 
Sandstorm, and others.  The novel is a treat to read--even more so if you are familiar 
with the game!

If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the book, here are links: 
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Arena-Mark-G-
Manley/dp/1936127598/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319631863&sr=1-2
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-arena-mark-
manley/1105609584?ean=2940011494659&itm=2&usri=dark%2barena
Treble Heart Books: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/WDManley.html 

Mark Manley is planning to attend the upcoming Winter Face-to-Face in Tempe, and has 
offered a special prize to the winner of the Rookies and Primus tournaments:  An 
autographed copy of Dark Arena, autographed by the author, the artist, and the RSI 
staff!  In addition, as a special prize, the top up-and-coming tournament manager will 
also receive an autographed copy!  Mark will have copies of Dark Arena available at 
the tournament, and as a special bonus, each copy of Dark Arena sold at the FTF will 
include one new team rollup!  We hope that many of you can venture to Tempe to 
participate in the Face-to-Face, compete in the tournament, and congratulate Mark in 
person on his achievement!