DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 01/29/2004    Duedate: 02/11/2004

OSKSI ARENA

DM-3    TURN-493

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

THOR
AESIR (164)
(3-5672) [16-9-3,125]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

THOR                           SAPPHIRE STAR
AESIR (164)                    SUICIDAL DREAMS (583)
(3-5672) [16-9-3,125]          (3-6352) [2-0-0,26]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

GRAPH                          DEWEY
GAMES LIBRARY (340)            GAMES LIBRARY (340)
(3-6073) [14-35-0,85]          (3-6363) [2-1-0,19]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

THE NUKES (580)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. GAMES LIBRARY (340)         41
2. THE NUKES (580)             27      THE NUKES (580)
3. THE CONFUSED (584)          26      Unchartered Team
4. AESIR (164)                 25
5. SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)       21      SUICIDAL DREAMS (583)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 3*EVIL DUDES (554)           5   3  0 62.5   1/ 2 THE NUKES (580)           9  4 0
 2/ 2 THE NUKES (580)           29  19  2 60.4   2/ 1 SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)     9  6 1
 3/ 1*SUICIDAL DREAMS (583)      4   3  0 57.1   3/ 3 AESIR (164)               6  9 0
 4/ 6 SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)    129 101  8 56.1   4/ 7 GAMES LIBRARY (340)       6  9 0
 5/ 5*THE CONFUSED (584)         5   5  2 50.0   5/ 6*THE CONFUSED (584)        5  5 2
 6/ 7 AESIR (164)              536 544 39 49.6   6/ 5*SUICIDAL DREAMS (583)     4  3 0
 7/ 8 GAMES LIBRARY (340)      325 503  8 39.3   7/ 4 AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)  4  9 0
 8/ 9 AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)  70 111  3 38.7   8- 8*EVIL DUDES (554)          1  0 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

            + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Out of the Past #1 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Off the coast of Andoria:

     Towers rising out of the misty dawn.  They had sailed due east from Skaithvarn,
so that had to be the coast of Andoria, but Raoul couldn't remember any coastal city
with such slender, pearl-colored spires.  Those looked more like the skyline of a
dream than practical stonework.  They caught the growing light and glowed.  They were
beautiful, but unearthly.  Unreal.  Not residences for practical folk.  Raoul thought
it a fitting destination for the boat Khaldren had made with his magic, though.  The
boat was, in its way, as dreamlike as the city ahead;  The hull was mother of pearl,
the sails were webs of cloud.  Magic, of course.  Powerful magic.  Raoul wondered
uneasily what Khaldren had done to assemble that power.
     The exiled Kraelian had already demonstrated that he was ruthless in pursuit of
his goals.  Raoul shifted slightly, uneasily aware of the waves of magic that seethed
throughout the uncanny vessel.  Khaldren had not hesitated to cast a spell on the
three gladiators when they entered his tower in Skaithvarn.  A binding of loyalty and
obedience, the Lord Protector guessed.  He had not resisted at the time.  In truth,
he had been taken completely by surprise.  But he sensed that the spell had not
gripped him so thoroughly as the wizard intended.  He was fairly sure he could break
it, and very sure that he wanted to be further away from Khaldren when he did that--
THIS spell, he could break, but what if the wizard immediately countered with
something stronger?  And the fate of the two women with him was unknown; they might
be as lightly held as he was, or belong to Khaldren body and soul.
     "That is Zorpunt," Jeri Northwind said.  Her voice was calm, emotionless.  Very
certain.
     Zorpunt?  Raoul blinked and controlled his impulse to question that statement.
True, there were towers in the coastal city, but nothing like those slender spires of
glass!  Without turning his head, Raoul looked sideways at the wizard.
     Khaldren's face was set in lines of effort, sheened with sweat.  Using his magic
to turn the work-a-day port city into this dream?  Wasteful of energy...unless he had
some inexhaustible source at hand.  And why?  "Krael shall be reborn," he muttered
through clenched teeth, "and Celestinvael, and Orgillat in the south.  But this shall
be my seat of power in the new world that will be...."
     The ship of pearl glided to a stop beside a dock that had been transformed
into...agate, Raoul decided.  Or something like that.  It was the kind of thing the 
Chaos contamination might have done in the recent past.  Maybe that was part of
Khaldren's power, that he could harness the residual Chaos energy?  Not a comfortable
thought, although the gladiator supposed it was better than using lives to fuel
magic.  So long as it didn't get loose.
     There was no one on the dock, no one moving anywhere in sight.  Khaldren stepped
ashore as an emperor might step ashore in conquered province.  The gladiators
followed, and the ship dissolved into mist behind them.
     The Assassins' Guild's Black Book appeared in the wizard's hands, and he smiled
at it coldly.  "I note that 'Arenamaster Kai' has a secret he would not like
advertised," Khaldren murmured.  "For a price, I will keep his secret between these
covers.  Bring him to me."  He didn't look at the gladiators at any point while he
spoke.
     Raoul felt the magic sliding around him, urging him forward, and he was willing
to go.  Once out of the wizard's sight, he would test the binding, but not here.  He
and the two women walked quietly into the city.  Jeri, a native of Zorpunt, was
slightly ahead of the older gladiators.
     The streets were filled with mist even though the sun must now be up.  The
buildings, even the street underfoot, showed the effects of transforming magic.  They
were ethereal, idealized.  Unreal.  Nothing and no one moved that Raoul could see.
     Jeri turned a corner.  Looking up the cross street, Raoul saw what he guessed
was the arena, although no arena of his experience had ever had those delicate arches
of gold-veined marble.
     Raoul stopped, setting his feet firmly when the magic tried to force him onward.
It scrabbled at his mind, feeling like a handful of energetic bugs.  But he wasn't a
puppet.  He would not BE a puppet, especially not for a man who should have been dead
centuries ago!  He served his manager Generalissimo Puerco, King Mickeal of Andoria,
and Sheila Greywand.  The oath he had taken when he first reached the Isle shimmered
in his mind.  Khaldren's magic shrieked against it, fingernails on a slate, then fell
away.  The wizard would--must--know that he'd broken free.  Raoul turned set off at a
run down the first street he saw.  A real street, this one, with cracked paving
stones, and rubbish piled against the curbs.
     Someone was running and panting beside him.  He risked a glance.  Hallie O'Dene,
the Delarquan Lady Protector.  But not Jeri.
     They ran for several minutes, but at the first sign of people ahead, living
people, they dropped to a walk without needing to discuss it.  Running people are
conspicuous.  Neither of them spoke of their problem, either.  Time enough for that
when they were out of the city.  Zorpunt was a narrow city, stretched along its
river; and they were crossing its axis.  There was a bridge ahead, which would put
them on the south bank and that much farther from the arena and the dock where they
had left Khaldren..  That much closer to the countryside.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Hallie O'Dene leaned back against one of the trees at the edge of the road.  She
was breathing hard.  "Do you think we're far enough away?"
     Raoul dropped onto the grass beside her and glanced back toward Zorpunt.  The
city's skyline, barely visible in the distance, shimmered slightly but otherwise
looked normal.  "I think so, doll," he answered.  "I hope so!"
     After a minute, Hallie sat up straighter.  "I wish we could have brought Jeri
away, too!  I didn't realize until it was too late that she wasn't with us."
     "I don't think we could've done it, doll," Raoul said quietly.  He took off his
hat and stared at the dusty crown for a moment, then put it back on.  "I think it's
Lady Greywand's magic that saved us--the oath we took when we got to the Isle.  Jeri
might be a Lady Protector, but she never went to the Isle.  She had no defense
against...his spell."  He found himself reluctant to speak the wizard's name here, as
though it might draw the man's attention.
     "People have to be warned--"
     "And there's only us to do it," Raoul agreed.  "I'm heading for Andor by the
fastest road."
     "And I for Delarq Tor.  We are menaced, too.  Celestinvael and Orgillat!  Gods 
protect us.  If they're anything like the histories say...."  She shook her head.
     "I've heard of Celestinvael," Raoul said slowly.  "It was between Ardivent and
the Federation, and it existed at about the same time as Krael.  But Orgillat?"
     "Near the mouth of the Selwin river," Hallie said.  "It was of the same time.
We remember it--when we must--as a place of power and fear.  If...that man would
recreate the Empire of Skorlos, he must be stopped!  By any means that we can."
     Raoul nodded.  "The legends of Krael are dark legends, too.  I should be able to
reach King Mickael with the warning.  Who would be equivalent in the Delarquan
Federation?"
     "No one has complete power," Hallie said, frowning.  "Princess Chrysanth, maybe,
but...."  She sighed and shrugged.  "It's a place to start."  She got to her feet and
held out her hand as Raoul rose also.  "Good luck."
     "To both of us, we'll need it," Raoul agreed, standing.  He grasped her hand
warmly for a moment.  "May all your gods go with you."
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Arenamaster Kai of Zorpunt glared at the stranger, hands twitching with the urge
to reach for his sword.  But the damned wizard had already demonstrated that he could
get a spell off faster than even an arenamaster could attack.  At least, Kai supposed
it was a spell, even if it was like nothing he'd ever seen before.  And nothing he
ever wanted to experience again.  "What do you want?" he croaked.
     "Your obedience.  This 'arena'--it will now be run for me, instead of Sheila of
the Grey Wand.  The blood will be spilled in my name, not hers, the power from that
blood will come to me, not to her.  This will be the beginning of a new Alastari, and
I will rule it!"

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 487): MURGEN of THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 373): TOOFLESS of GLORY BOUND TROLLS (DeGotti, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 492): THOR of AESIR (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 488): G.A. CUSTER of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 487): FREDERICK DOUGLASS of I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 491): SPONGEBOB of BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 489): ADAM of MORGAN'S BOYS (A-Sop, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 483): SHYLAYLA MINOR of PRAETORIAN GUARD (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 475): NEOSPHINCTER of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 474): TAISHO of YAKUZA (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 448): TARGEN of IRON TIGERS (Jinx, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 439): NUTCRACKER of ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 190): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 425): SNAPPY GEORGE of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 374): TSOMEGH of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 177): RUBBER BULLET of USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 165): MACAULIFFE of THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 323): BETTER NOT DIE of SRETSAMLEUD (Phat Phat, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 142): MISSY MAYHAM of ANGELS OF CHAOS (Lord Chaos, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 367): LARGE SPINNY GUY of DIABLO TOO from TI (The Muffin Man)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 487): THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 373): THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 492): SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 488): DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 487): THE TAKEN (Silver Stroke, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 491): BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 489): SUGAR AND SPICE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 483): PRAETORIAN GUARD (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 475): BIG MEAN FISH (Big Wave Dave, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 474): YAKUZA (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 448): BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 439): ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 190): CHEAP SHOTS (?, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 425): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 374): ALL-UGLY TEAM (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 177): USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 165): THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 323): SRETSAMLEUD (Phat Phat, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 142): EPOCHOLYPSE (Brewmaster, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 367): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 372): BIG RED of BIG COUNTRY (Wally The Wacko, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 491): MARY RETZLAFF of AMERICAN APPRAISAL (?, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 491): SPONGEBOB of BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 488): JAKUCHU ITO of NINJAS (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
                           RAISON D'ETRE of BATHTUB ARMADA (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 482): CASIMIR of MEGAWARRIORS (?, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 475): NEOSPHINCTER of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
                (turn 474): IRON HANDS LEE of THE GUARDIANS II (Guardian, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 474): VEG-O-MATIC of TRANSGRESSORS (?, mgr.)
               (turn 475): TSUNAMI of STORM WARNING (Abarsis, the Slaughter Priest)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 438): HEBEE of ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 425): SNAPPY GEORGE of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
               (turn 424): RUBBER BUMPER of DELVERS (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 373): DROGOI of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 142): MISSY MAYHAM of ANGELS OF CHAOS (Lord Chaos, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of OSKSI!  Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp Eyes, 
Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  Former top team SIMPLY DESSERTS was 
unseated this week as THE NUKES moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot with a 
2-3-0 record for the round.  Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the 
corner!  Witness how this week GAMES LIBRARY went 4-1-0 to move up 3 in the rankings. 
TWITCH caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested 
FANDRAL and was awarded 21 points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable 
duels, TWITCH put down FANDRAL, causing him to lose 15 points of recognition in the 
process.  This time out WHIP SCORPION made hers bid for the throne as she Bloodfeuded 
THOR in an all out contest of skill for possession of the title!  Not for nothing has 
THOR in the past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week he's proven his 
combat skill yet again.  No confirmation, but my sources claim that the top team has 
gained their position using magical aids.  Charmed weapons perhaps?   
     I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently 
transpired.  Indeed there is much I would report.  I saw one fighter that warriors 
avoided when this week's challenge seeking began.  THE CONFUSED is feared.  This much 
I can say.  Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was that spent the 
better part of last week avoiding THE CONFUSED.  Indeed it was SUICIDAL DREAMS.  
Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those below.  THE GOALIE take 
warning!  You have more than a few enemies in OSKSI.  A match that raised a few 
eyebrows at the games this week, it seems that SAPPHIRE STAR posted a challenge 
against the more highly recognized THE GOALIE.  The results, you ask?  Well, the 
firebrand SAPPHIRE STAR won victory over THE GOALIE.  Remember warriors, this is the 
discipline of steel.  I can not but mention with disdain the name of RAINING PAYNE 
who this week posted a challenge to a warrior a full 9 points below in the rankings.  
I thought RAINING PAYNE showed great skill and promise when he was dispatched by 
LEFTISTS BLOW.  All right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     Vendettas.  Bloodied blades and broken spears.  Indeed the city has seen more 
than its fair share of red in recent times.  Must the anguished spirit of SUNSCORCH 
toss forever in the grave unrevenged?  Against the code, THOR has escaped his deed 
unpunished by SIMPLY DESSERTS!  Fate is a fickle mistress.  She showers the miserable 
with fortune but sets enemies against the victorious.  Remember this!   
     If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times 
already in OSKSI.  Nice atmosphere you have here!  Sadly warriors, now longer can I 
keep thy company nor savor the ale of thy fine city.  Depart I must and soon!  Till 
next we meet remember:  a fool flies into a rage quickly and often.  The wise are 
angered by the same thing only once.  Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 THOR 5672                    16   9  3   125       AESIR (164)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WHIP SCORPION 6275           13   5  0    96       SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SIMEARTH 6155                21  17  0    90       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 TWITCH 6316                   7   3  0    90       THE NUKES (580)
 GRAPH 6073                   14  35  0    85       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 FANDRAL 5701                 13   7  0    76       AESIR (164)
-THE CHIROPRACTOR 6088         5   0  0    68       EVIL DUDES (554)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 HARALDUR 6325                 7   2  0    66       AESIR (164)
 DAT NGUYEN 6216              12  14  0    64       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
 WOLF SPIDER 6324              6   3  0    64       SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)
 JOHN MAHER 6218              11  14  2    59       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FROSTY 6314                   7   3  0    55       THE NUKES (580)
 DEEANN RAKOVICH 6254          9  11  0    50       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
 SAND CRABS 6308               8   4  1    46       SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)
 NOT HOYLE 6208                7  19  0    46       GAMES LIBRARY (340)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FREDDY FUNGUS 6318            6   4  1    37       THE NUKES (580)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SUNBURN 6345                  3   1  1    33       SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)
 THE GOALIE 6229               3  21  0    30       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 SAPPHIRE STAR 6352            2   0  0    26       SUICIDAL DREAMS (583)
 WHIPSNAKE 6344                3   1  0    25       SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GOMER 6326                    6   3  0    21       THE NUKES (580)
 DEWEY 6363                    2   1  0    19       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 M. MOORE 6354                 2   0  0    19       THE CONFUSED (584)
 LEFTISTS BLOW 6356            1   1  1    19       THE CONFUSED (584)
 A. COLMES 6357                1   1  0     8       THE CONFUSED (584)
 THE FRENCH 6358               0   2  0     6       THE CONFUSED (584)
 BAHAMA MAMMA 6350             1   1  0     4       SUICIDAL DREAMS (583)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
YMIR 6371              0  2 0 AESIR 164             SHEWISH GIANT 625     493 NONE    
BAGGER 6380            0  1 0 AESIR 164             HIGH ELF 623          493 NONE    
MARIA FU 6360          0  2 0 AMERICAN APPRAISA 559 SUNBURN 6345          492         
H. CLINTON 6355        1  1 1 THE CONFUSED 584      SPYMASTER 626         493 NONE    
DAFFY 6379             0  1 0 THE NUKES 580         SPYMASTER 626         493 NONE    
SUNSCORCH 6279         8  4 0 SIMPLY DESSERTS 555   THOR 5672             489 NOT REVE
RAINING PAYNE 6349     1  1 0 SUICIDAL DREAMS 583   LEFTISTS BLOW 6356    493         
BLACKJACK 6353         0  1 0 SUICIDAL DREAMS 583   H. CLINTON 6355       492         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

M. Chardinee?  That's insulting.  It's evolutionarily unsound, as well.  What does
fighting Chardinee teach anyone, after all?  Pah. -- SimEarth

(sullen silence) -- Graph, who lost to M. Chardinee

Haraldur -- I can't believe I missed that one! -- The Goalie
P.S.  Okay, I can believe it, but I don't want to.

Frosty -- I'm shivering!  My teeth are shattering.  Er, chattering.  I'm so numb I
can barely move.  This is all... Not Hoyle

M. Moore -- (severely)  You wouldn't be confused if you followed a decent cataloging
system! -- Dewey

I'd be a hypocrite (after complaining about people not writing ads in my home arena)
if I didn't say hello as I passed through Osksi for a few turns.  Good dueling and
may the sands turn red! -- Bookie, mgr. Suicidal Dreams of the KLK Alliance

Hillary Clinton -- Don't take your anger at Bill out on my (+4) AT Basher would ya?
Geesh.... -- Bookie

Ymir -- My but you're big.... (giggle) -- Sapphire Star

Goalie -- I'll swap a loss for five learns. (grin) -- Sapphire

Leftists Blow -- Bet that hurt. (evil grin) -- Raining Payne
P.S.  Awesome ain't it?  LOL

The French -- You smell funny and you need to shave your armpits.  Yuck! -- Bahama
Mamma

The Confused -- You're confused. -- the Commission is to elect ANYONE but W in 2K4
P.S.  Republicans are idiots.

Polarius -- Not you. (grin) -- Bookie

Fare thee well, Mary, 'til we meet once more in Darkholm!  Every time we sparred, I
had thee desperate.  I am glad I had one last chance to pummel thee soundly.
Methinks I shall meet a scorpion on the sands this week.  We shall see if he has the
skill to overcome Mjollnir's wrath! -- Thor

Zit -- A lucky match for me.  Now I hope that I am ready for the Initiates in the
spring mailer. -- Fire Fly

Mongoose -- For several moments there, I thought that you had mistaken me for a
cobra!  Really though, I'm not quite sure how I pulled that one off. -- Tobacco Rose

Chow -- You fought well, especially considering our relative experience. -- Jaguarman

10 January 2004
ZalCon2 Updates (1/9/04)

     The contest will be starting on the turn due February 23rd, 2004 and run for 20
turns.
     Only one team will be allowed for each manager in the contest, regardless of
whether additional teams are announced as contest entries.  No exceptions for any
reason.
     The Style Master points should read that there is +1 point for beating a member
of your own style even if the warrior is not registered for the contest.
     Rolling points for consecutive turns as Style Master means that your warrior
gets the extra point every turn after the first 3 that he continues to hold the
title.
     The points for Quality Wins should be clarified to read the winning warrior is
ranked below by the number of recognition points needed for each bonus point at the
start of the fight.  For example, Warrior A (3-2-0, 17) beats Warrior B (4-1-0, 35)
and receives 2 bonus points under Quality Win for the 18 point difference in the
ranking.
     I believe that is all the clarifications for the moment, please feel free to
email, diplo, call or write me with any other questions or concerns about the
contest.
          Robert Occhipinti aka Zalgor Prigg

10 January 2004
                *     *     *  Third Annual Turf War  *     *      *

     Come one and all to DM 47 (North Fork) for the Third Annual Turf War!  Rules of
the contest will be posted in Turn #208's newsletter (due date Feb. 23).  The contest
will begin on Turn #209 (due date March 22).
     So, get a team there and register!  To register, you must send me a donation of
one (1) rollup CERTIFICATE.  Then, declare your alliance and team in the North Fork
personals.  You may also declare a warrior as champion, and that warrior will earn
(or lose!) double points in the contest!
     Roll-up certs will be *ALL* awarded as prizes, in addition to:

*** Highest Scoring Alliance -- Gets to Rename DM 47 for 6 months!
*** Most returns from DA (Alliance) -- Rename DA monsters for 6 months!
*** Most listings as "Style Masters" (Alliance) -- Pick arena to host the April "05
    Grand Tournament!
*** Warrior with the most awards -- Arenamaster named after him for 6 months!
*** Alliance with the most awards -- Pick the slow arena for TW 4!
*** Team with most "Style Master" listings -- Discover favorites of one warrior on
    team!
*** Warrior with most "Style Master" listings -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns!
    (I'll transfer $7.50 to the manager's account)
*** Alliance with the most kills -- Rename the stand-ins for 6 months!
*** Highest scoring Warrior -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns.  (I'll transfer
    $7.50 to their manager's account.)

     The contest will run for 10 turns, with the winners announced on turn #220.  See
the Turn #208 North Fork newsletter for complete rules and scoring system!  Direct
"declarations" to:  A.D. in the personals, and prize pot entry donations to:
                      Jason Mazuch HSP H-2
                      P.O. Box 339 #924385
                      Sparta, GA  31087-0339
     By snail mail or diplo through RSI.
               Bloody Sands!
                    Asmo Dius, TCB

16 January 2004
                                    CHAOTIC WINDS
     Once, long ago, the four Winds of Time descended upon Alastari like a TEMPEST of
epic proportions, they slew everything within their all-encompassing reach.  They
left nothing.  In their wake lay smoldering ruins.
     In their haste they sped towards the center of this great land like a colossal
giant would step across an ocean.  The four storms picked up momentum on their way
towards each other.  A collision was eminent.
     The first storm wind, the oldest and wisest of the four was named APEXALUS.  The
second, FLAGGSTAFF, was the quickest and loudest entity ever created.  The third Wind
of Time was MATRIATIN, neither old or young, quick or slow, but fierce and feisty all
the same.  The forth wind, ASSAMITHIUS, the youngest yet most creative in its means
of destruction.
     When finally they merged at the center of ALASTARI, an incredible destructive
explosion occurred.  And when the smoke and debris cleared they were one.  CHAOS was
born.
     And Chaos spread across the diminished lands reeking havoc and doom with its
passing, and destroying allover again that which already lay in ruin.

F E A R    C H A O S    I N C.
M A T R I X

28 January 2004
All -- I send out this invitation to all teams and managers.  A new Alliance has been
formed.  The Living Essences Alliance is being formed to join forces in an effort to
eliminate common foes and to help the joined warriors grow and learn to the best of
their abilities by offering suggestions and advice.  It doesn't matter what arena
you're in, or if you're in another alliance already, as of today.  This Alliance is
open to one and all!  If you are interested in joining, please DIPLO me, or send a
personal ad to DM 93's newsletter.  If you wish to join beyond March 2004, send a PA
to DM 82.  Come join the fun! -- Dagan LifeGiver, mgr. Shadow Warriors (DM 93)

28 January 2004
This notice is to formally introduce our young alliance, CHAOS INC.  We consist of
APEX, FLAGG, MATRIX, ASSAMITE, and now RUDE BUDDHA.  If we aren't already there, we
WILL be coming to an arena near you soon!  Hope to see you all at the ZALCON II.

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

YMIR was butchered by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
H. CLINTON was butchered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena duel.
DAFFY was easily killed by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena match.
BAGGER was savagely slain by HIGH ELF in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena duel.
WHIP SCORPION was bested by THOR in a 2 minute veteran's Bloodfeud Title fight.
DAT NGUYEN was demolished by SUNBURN in a 1 minute mismatched Bloodfeud competition.
HARALDUR vanquished SAND CRABS in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
RAINING PAYNE was executed by LEFTISTS BLOW in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
SAPPHIRE STAR viciously subdued THE GOALIE in a 2 minute uneven Challenge duel.
FANDRAL was defeated by TWITCH in a action packed 1 minute duel.
GRAPH overpowered M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
SIMEARTH overcame VETERAN MERCENARY in a exciting 1 minute brutal one-sided bout.
JOHN MAHER was devastated by WOLF SPIDER in a 1 minute mismatched conflict.
NOT HOYLE demolished GOMER in a 2 minute mismatched match.
DEEANN RAKOVICH beat FREDDY FUNGUS in a crowd pleasing 1 minute conflict.
FROSTY overpowered THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 1 minute bloody one-sided duel.
BAHAMA MAMMA was viciously subdued by M. MOORE in a 2 minute bloody novice's fray.
WHIPSNAKE devastated THE FRENCH in a exciting 1 minute one-sided brawl.
A. COLMES was savagely defeated by DEWEY in a exciting 3 minute gory novice's bout.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  7         PARRY-RIPOSTE     17 -   9 -  1      65  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   6         AIMED BLOW        12 -   8 -  0      60  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   5         TOTAL PARRY       11 -   8 -  2      58  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      3         STRIKING ATTACK   33 -  30 -  3      52  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         WALL OF STEEL     11 -  12 -  0      48  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         BASHING ATTACK    20 -  22 -  2      48  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         PARRY-LUNGE       11 -  13 -  1      46  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         LUNGING ATTACK    30 -  37 -  1      45  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         SLASHING ATTACK    3 -   4 -  1      43  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      0         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -  10 -  0      29  |

Turn 493 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:

AIMED BLOW         2 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     2 -  3         3  STRIKING ATTACK
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        1 -  2         2  BASHING ATTACK 
STRIKING ATTACK    4 -  3     SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  2         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  3     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  2         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
WALL OF STEEL      1 -  1     TOTAL PARRY        0 -  0         1  WALL OF STEEL  
                                                                1  PARRY-LUNGE    
                                                                1  TOTAL PARRY    

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
BASHING ATTACK   THOR 5672                  16   9  3  125 AESIR (164)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    WHIP SCORPION 6275         13   5  0   96 SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)
WALL OF STEEL    SIMEARTH 6155              21  17  0   90 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
STRIKING ATTACK  TWITCH 6316                 7   3  0   90 THE NUKES (580)
LUNGING ATTACK   WOLF SPIDER 6324            6   3  0   64 SIMPLY DESSERTS (555)
AIMED BLOW       FROSTY 6314                 7   3  0   55 THE NUKES (580)
PARRY-LUNGE      FREDDY FUNGUS 6318          6   4  1   37 THE NUKES (580)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is GRAPH 6073.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
DEWEY 6363.  The ten other most popular fighters were THOR 5672, M. MOORE 6354, 
LEFTISTS BLOW 6356, SAPPHIRE STAR 6352, TWITCH 6316, SIMEARTH 6155, DEEANN RAKOVICH 
6254, FROSTY 6314, WHIPSNAKE 6344, and A. COLMES 6357.

The least popular fighter this week was JOHN MAHER 6218.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were THE GOALIE 6229, DAT NGUYEN 6216, DAFFY 6379, H. CLINTON 6355, YMIR 
6371, BAHAMA MAMMA 6350, FREDDY FUNGUS 6318, GOMER 6326, NOT HOYLE 6208, and GRAPH 
6073.

The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn:

THOR (3-5672) AESIR (164)