DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 09/04/2008 Duedate: 09/17/2008
OSKSI ARENA
DM-3 TURN-613
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
LAMERIDHOR SKO
GAMES LIBRARY (340)
(3-6803) [14-9-0,114]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
OTIS 3 POSITION IS EMPTY
FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
(3-6695) [36-13-1,133]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
OTIS 3 KOVARAMANN VOTH
FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253) GAMES LIBRARY (340)
(3-6695) [36-13-1,133] (3-6845) [8-4-0,65]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
GAMES LIBRARY (340)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. GAMES LIBRARY (340) 31
2. GREEN WITH ENVY (467) 20 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
3. FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253) 6 Unchartered Team
4. PASTA (616) 0
5. OF WOLF AND MAN 3 (481) -9 BLANK (134)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 1 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253) 344 173 18 66.5 1/ 1 GAMES LIBRARY (340) 9 6 0
2/ 2 OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563) 225 137 10 62.2 2- 3 PASTA (616) 5 2 0
3/ 3 OF WOLF AND MAN 3 (481) 20 17 1 54.1 3/ 4 GREEN WITH ENVY (467) 5 9 1
4- 4 PASTA (616) 44 42 5 51.2 4/ 2 OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563) 4 2 0
5/ 5 GREEN WITH ENVY (467) 47 52 4 47.5 5/ 5 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253) 3 0 0
6/ 6 GAMES LIBRARY (340) 576 837 16 40.8 6/ 6 OF WOLF AND MAN 3 (481) 1 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 604): WAIF of SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 487): DOLOVOR of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 612): SOLDIER 2 of OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 608): PETE MASTIFF of DOGS OF WAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 607): GERDIG IBBINS of THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 611): OL SMOKEY of THE VOLS (Wali Kharif, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 609): LONG BEACH LILA of BEACH BABES (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 603): OZZY of SABBATH (Abraxis, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 595): JB BLAH of CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 594): KNOTHANDLER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 36 JHANS (turn 568): SALLI VOSS of MIDDLE WAY 13 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 558): DIONYSUS of OLD SCHOOL (Abraxis, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 250): DUCK A L'ORANGE of DUCKS UNLIMITED (Crip, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 542): CHEESY SQUEEZER of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 493): BILGE RAT of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 237): BLACKHAWKZ of RAPTORZ (Owlin the Wise, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 225): KONA QUAIL of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 442): FREON NECROPHILIA of DEE CEE (Soultaker, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 201): PORKY PIG of MEAT YOUR MAKER (Crip, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 486): NEOSPHINCTER of WASTELAND (TMM, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 604): SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 487): THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 612): GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 608): DOGS OF WAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 607): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 611): THE VOLS (Wali Kharif, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 609): SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 603): THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 595): POSITION IS EMPTY
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 594): POSITION IS EMPTY
DM 36 JHANS (turn 568): BABES (Papa Bear, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 558): OLD SCHOOL (Abraxis, mgr,(
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 250): WACKY (The Zoo Keeper, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 542): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 493): DARK HORSEMENT (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 237): RAPTORZ (Owlin the Wise, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 225): KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 442): GRIM OBITUARY (Jekyll, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 201): MEAT YOUR MAKER (Crip, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 486) POWER PLAY et al (Doc Steele, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 612): SOLDIER 2 of OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.)
GRUNT of OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 607): LEONIDAS of DOGS OF WAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 611): OL SMOKEY of THE VOLS (Wali Kharif, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 609): N'ORLEANS NORA of BEACH BABES (Jorja, mgr.)
(turn 608): ERASMUS of SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 595): JB BLAH of CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.)
(turn 594): SHEWISH WHALER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 594): KNOTHANDLER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 249): HOT AIR DUCK of DUCKS UNLIMITED (Crip, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 542): CHEESY SQUEEZER of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
(turn 541): CHRISTELLINA of DELVERS (Harby, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 492): FEAR OF THE DARK of RAISING R'LYEH (Reaper, mgr.)
VOICES IN MY HEAD of RAISING R'LYEH (Reaper, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 236): MOUSETRAP of USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 441): JAGGED SHIV of GRIM OBITUARY (Jekyll, mgr.)
SPY REPORT
Ready for some action-packed adventure, some thrills, chills and spills? Well
fergit it, cause this is the Spyreport for OSKSI. MVP award for KRONIC BLAZE? GREEN
WITH ENVY's proud of him after beating BENEICO and getting 15 points. Talk about yer
major upsets! BENEICO's match with KRONIC BLAZE cost him a loss of 9 points! Was
that a tear I saw in LAMERIDHOR SKO's eye, as he took over Duelmastership? And
wasn't SOLDIER 2 fit to be tied! I hear the top team insists all their warriors get
nine hours sleep. They want photogenic fighters for PR photos.
AAARRGH!!! I HATE SPYREPORTING!!! Sorry. I just had to say it.
Man, all these warriors dying and killing each other! Don't you guys ever give
it a break? What a bunch of heartless! I couldn't believe how many people were
snickering when MARY JANE killed LORINS PELN. So he had a 16-32-0, that's no excuse!
That was so totally rude when MARY JANE wasted LORINS PELN. I think all you warriors
in OSKSI should gang up on GREEN WITH ENVY! What if they had a fight and nobody
showed up? I'd be out of a job, that's what!!!
Remember, blood on a purple robe may stain. Soak it in cold water, and hand
wash. I gotta leave. OSKSI is like such a dump, and you guys smell too much! I had
a fun time, see you later-- Debby Tonte
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
LAMERIDHOR SKO 6803 14 9 0 114 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MIKE COLALILLO 6762 13 1 1 135 OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563)
OTIS 3 6695 36 13 1 133 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
MARY JANE 5332 16 5 2 122 GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
-FREAK SHOW 6688 18 3 0 117 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
KRONIC BLAZE 6423 13 4 1 111 GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
-DAT NGUYEN 6216 19 22 0 97 AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BENEICO 5457 11 7 0 88 OF WOLF AND MAN 3 (481)
BUD GREEN 5434 9 11 0 75 GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845 8 4 0 65 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
-RIGATONI 6860 4 0 1 60 PASTA (616)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
TAROBINZ MAUR 6844 11 2 0 52 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
-GWENNOLAS 5592 8 7 1 46 OF WOLF AND MAN 3 (481)
-DIANE MACK 6435 5 5 0 42 AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
-LASAGNA 6828 4 0 0 41 PASTA (616)
ELVORN MARSLAN 6817 9 8 1 37 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
-JEFF DUNKLE 6391 6 9 0 34 AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-GRUNT 10 6818 3 0 0 26 OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SATIVA 6854 3 3 1 21 GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
-THE BELL 6807 2 0 0 20 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
-OTIS 12 6820 1 0 0 15 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
-RAY MORAN 6436 1 9 0 13 AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
-GRUNT 10 6821 1 0 0 9 OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563)
-FARFALE 6871 1 1 0 8 PASTA (616)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
LORINS PELN 6712 16 32 0 GAMES LIBRARY 340 MARY JANE 5332 613
PERSONAL ADS
Lasagna -- (recoiling in horror) You used cottage cheese instead of ricotta? No
wonder it was watery. Euwh, how could you? -- Elvorn Marslan
Kornic Blaze -- Oh, right, you're probably associated with the guy next door, who
garages UFOS and then lets them out late at night, all lights blazing. How do you
expect anyone to sleep with all that light, anyway? -- Lorins Peln the Underslept
Actually, the Venomous Concubine isn't bad, so long as she keeps her mouth shut.
Pleasing to look on and all that. -- Lameridhor Sko
P.S. And only "keeps her mouth shut" in the sense of "doesn't bite." She has a good
singing voice.
Rigatoni -- Nothing personal, but-- No, let's be honest here, it is entirely
personal. I'm swearing OFF pasta for the rest of the year. Not so much as a noodle.
-- Tarobinz Maur
P.S. For the next three or four hours, anyway.
The Userous Merchant wouldn't ask for mercy, so I was going to osterize him. But
that darned arenamaster stepped in and stopped me. Drat. -- Kovaramann Voth
Our congratulations to Soldier 2 and Grunt. -- Jorja and the Games Library staff (all
except the upstairs west wing monitor, who says Grunt has been too noisy, but you'd
think she would be glad to see him gone, wouldn't you?)
Mid Grade -- Passable, but no more. I want the Super Grade next time. -- #1 Deepest
Ebony Orc
Lameridhor Sko -- (mumbling) aiy i oo ufv aiy ous i a'ee? -- The Third Concubine
P.S. (sound of excavation and cleaning) Bleh. Artificial flavors. Euwh. Listen,
why did you stuff my mouth with taffy during that fight?
Kovaramann Voth -- I demand that your coconuts be opened and examined for distorting
insertions. NO ONE should be able to hit the mark that many times. -- Midway Manager
#2
9 August 2008
All -- We are currently looking for capable manager that will give the Desolate
Empire Alliance a full roster for the Turf War. We currently have four (4) roster
slots that are open to capable managers without questionable morals. If interested
for the Turf War, contact: Lamar Treas-Wilson, Dok Sik, Dok Sik Killas DM 47
8 July 2008
*****************************************************
**********************ATTENTION**********************
*****************************************************
ALLIANCES
OF
ALASTARI
*****************************************************
**********************ATTENTION**********************
*****************************************************
*TURF WAR VI RULES*
Starting Nov 2008 (10 turns)
Anyone may participate; known alliances, new alliances, or temporary alliances created solely to compete in the Turf War! To participate, each alliance must:
1. Announce the alliance and the Captain of the alliance in the North Fork
(DM 47) newsletter.
2. Announcements made on the D2 Forums will not be accepted.
Captains are responsible for:
1. Verifying those who wish to participate under the banner of their
alliance;
2. Distribution of prizes should their alliance win the Turf War.
3. Submit one (1) RSI Roll-Up Certificate to participate
Participating managers who are not Captains must:
1. Submit one (1) RSI Roll-Up Certificate to participate
2. Announce their intent to compete with manager name, team name, and
alliance they will represent in the North Fork (DM 47) newsletter.
Announcement made on the D2 Forums will not be accepted.
a. No scores will be tabulated until a Gift Certificate is received.
No EXCEPTIONS.
b. Before a manager can compete, he/she must declare themselves in
the North Fork (DM 47) newsletter as stated above AND be verified
by the alliance Captain they will represent.
c. Only one (1) team per player may compete. No multiple teams or
aliases will be allowed. Violations will result in immediate
disqualification from the Turf War (so be sure to take any
multiple teams OFF of Team Maintenance).
d. Scoring will NOT be retroactive for teams that do not properly
declare or fail to send a Gift Certificate by Turn 1. In other
words, if your Gift Certificate is not received until Turn 3 of
the Turf War, and you have fought on Turns 1 and 2, your scoring
will not begin until Turn 3. All conditions must be met before
scoring will begin--declaration, verification, and Gift
Certificate received.
e. No declarations or verifications will be accepted after Turn 5 of
the Turf War.
f. For purposes of scoring, the moderators will score the Turf War
and settle any and all disputes as they arise. Their decisions
will be final.
Scoring will be as follows for Fights:
Win Loss Kill Die
Challenge +2 -2 +5 -5
Match Up +1 -1 +1 -5
Bloodfeud +2 -5 +5 -10
Champion x2 x2 x2 x2
Dark Arena* +10 -5 xx xx
*After 2nd win, warrior scores no points for wins
Special Scoring Considerations for the Turf War are as follows:
Spy Report mention (team name only) +2
Style Master +2
Duelmaster +2
Champions:
1. A Champion may be declared, but one is not mandatory.
2. Only one Champion allowed per manager at any given time.
3. Champions that graduate or are killed by another warrior in the arena, but
not the Dark Arena, may be replaced.
4. Champions must be in the Adepts bracket or lower on the turn they are
declared, and may NOT have gone above Adepts level at any time; this
includes teams transferred into North Fork for the Turf War.
Bloodfeuds:
1. Bloodfeuds will score points on all four (4) turns.
2. There is no limit to which warrior may bloodfeud or how often.
Tournament Considerations:
1. Tournament participation is ALLOWED and encouraged.
2. Tournament Victors won during the course of the contest will gain a one
(1) time bonus of 25 points. This bonus will apply EACH time a
warrior(s) wins such status.
3. Tournament Champions won during the course of the contest will gain a one
(1) time bonus of 50 points. This bonus will apply EACH time a
warrior(s) win such status.
4. Points for TVs and TCs will be applied the Turn after RSI posts
tournament results in the North Fork (DM 47) newsletter (i.e., if the
results post on North Fork turn 275, points will be credited on North
Fork turn 276 to the applicable teams).
Special Considerations:
1. Each alliance begins the Turf War with zero (0) points.
2. There will be NO alliance or team changes once the contest has begun. If
you begin the Turf War with Alliance A, you must end the Turf War with
Alliance A. If you begin the Turf War with Team A, you must end the Turf
War with Team A.
3. There will be a maximum of seven (7) teams allowed per alliance for the
Turf War.
4. The Dark Arena may be used on the first turn only, of every warrior,
without penalty.
Prizes:
The Turf War is a "winner take all" contest. All prizes and 100% of the Gift
Certificates will be awarded to the Captain of the winning alliance. It is the
responsibility of the Captain to distribute Gift Certificates. Moderators will
submit a list of each manager on the winning alliance to RSI at the completion of the
contest for the non-Certificate prizes.
The following prizes have been secured from RSI:
1. Renaming of the North Fork (DM 47) arena;
2. Renaming of Dark Arena Monsters (one for each manager in the winning
alliance);
3. Known Favorites for one warrior on each team of the winning alliance
(warrior must be ranked Initiate or above, must be alive, and must have
at least one arena fight to receive this award).
4. +1 Skill bonus potion for each manager on the winning alliance. Bonus
potion must be applied to a living warrior from (DM 47)
5. +1 Skill bonus potion (one) for each manager who fights in all 10 rounds
AND 45 fights of the Turf War. Bonus potion must be applied to a living
warrior from (DM 47)
These awards will be listed by the Moderator for claiming from RSI (Lee) within 4
turns of the end of TW VI.
Moderators:
The Moderators for this event will be Oz and Master Darque. They will arbitrate all
dealings during the course of the contest. Their decisions will be final. All
questions, comments, and scoring disputes may be directed to Land of Oz or Darque
Forces via diplo in DM 47. Managers with internet access may send a private message
to [The Consortium] or [Darque] on the Duel2 Forums. Lastly, you may also email
questions, comments, and scoring disputes to rebelnerfherder at yahoo dot com.
Please note there have been rule changes from the last Turf War. Please read them
carefully!
Contest will begin in November following the Fall Mail In Tournament.
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
SOLDIER 2 was viciously subdued by LAMERIDHOR SKO in a 2 minute master's Title fight.
GRUNT demolished BUD GREEN in a 1 minute one-sided melee.
OTIS 3 overpowered VENOMOUS CONCUBINE in a 1 minute mismatched duel.
KRONIC BLAZE devastated BENEICO in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
MARY JANE murdered LORINS PELN in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
KOVARAMANN VOTH viciously subdued CAPTURED ORC in a 1 minute master vs. novice fight.
TAROBINZ MAUR overpowered CAPTURED ORC in a 1 minute uneven melee.
ELVORN MARSLAN slimly won victory over SATIVA in a 7 minute gruesome duel.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|WALL OF STEEL 3 AIMED BLOW 17 - 10 - 0 63 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 3 LUNGING ATTACK 21 - 13 - 2 62 |
|AIMED BLOW 2 BASHING ATTACK 17 - 13 - 0 57 |
|TOTAL PARRY 2 TOTAL PARRY 9 - 9 - 2 50 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 6 - 6 - 1 50 |
|BASHING ATTACK 1 WALL OF STEEL 15 - 16 - 0 48 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 1 STRIKING ATTACK 4 - 8 - 0 33 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 0 PARRY-LUNGE 3 - 8 - 1 27 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 - 0 0 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 0 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 5 - 0 0 |
Turn 613 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 LUNGING ATTACK 1 - 2 4 LUNGING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 1 2 BASHING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 1 WALL OF STEEL
WALL OF STEEL 2 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 0 1 STRIKING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 1 - 1 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 0 1 AIMED BLOW
1 TOTAL PARRY
1 PARRY-LUNGE
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
WALL OF STEEL LAMERIDHOR SKO 6803 14 9 0 114 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
AIMED BLOW OTIS 3 6695 36 13 1 133 FRAT PARTY BLOWOUT (253)
TOTAL PARRY MARY JANE 5332 16 5 2 122 GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
LUNGING ATTACK KRONIC BLAZE 6423 13 4 1 111 GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
BASHING ATTACK KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845 8 4 0 65 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
PARRY-RIPOSTE ELVORN MARSLAN 6817 9 8 1 37 GAMES LIBRARY (340)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is OTIS 3 6695. The most popular warrior this turn was
KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845. The ten other most popular fighters were ELVORN MARSLAN 6817,
LAMERIDHOR SKO 6803, OTIS 3 6695, KRONIC BLAZE 6423, TAROBINZ MAUR 6844, SATIVA 6854,
MARY JANE 5332, BUD GREEN 5434, BENEICO 5457, and LORINS PELN 6712.
The least popular fighter this week was LORINS PELN 6712. The other ten least
popular fighters were BENEICO 5457, BUD GREEN 5434, MARY JANE 5332, SATIVA 6854,
TAROBINZ MAUR 6844, KRONIC BLAZE 6423, OTIS 3 6695, LAMERIDHOR SKO 6803, ELVORN
MARSLAN 6817, and KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845.
The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:
MARY JANE (3-5332) GREEN WITH ENVY (467)
The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:
SOLDIER 2 (3-6675) OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563)
GRUNT (3-6713) OUR HIGHEST HONOR (563)
Name-Change-O-Rama
The summer tourney brought a lot of people to the Isle who didn't appear there
normally. This included Commission employees. Half a dozen arenamasters regarded
each other warily in the mirror behind the bar at the Pig in a Haystack. The Pig was
obscure and mediocre, drawing few gladiators, which is what they had all been looking
for. They saw gladiators every day. Most arenamaster were convinced that this was
some kind of punishment.
You could always pick out the arenamasters in a crowd. There were superficial
differences: One of these had clearly Adantri features, one wore an eye-patch, two
were female. But there were, in significant ways, alike. The same size, the same
hair-trigger alertness, the same deadliness.
The one-eyed man broke the ice, raising his beer mug in salute. "I'm Zrof One-
Eye from Zukal. Sugar of Arvat--" One of the women bowed slightly. "I know Sugar.
The rest of you...?"
The Adantri matched his salute. "Dernal of Dayla Kiv."
"Daiyla Kiv? Ah...."
"No, without the 'I' in it. These damned bureaucrats can't spell, and they
thought adding an unnecessary vowel was exotic." Disgust dripped from his voice.
"Tell me about it!" another man growled in agreement. "Khagal of Niatoli, and
what they do to the spelling of THAT simple word--!"
"I thought Daiyla, I mean Dayla Kiv had a different name right now,"
Arenamistress Sugar said. "The arena, at least, because of a contest?"
"Chavez Ravine." Dernal's tone was the one that substituted in polite company
for spitting on the floor.
Zrof blinked, taken aback by the bitterness. He wouldn't have minded a contest
in Zukal, and damn what they called the place. "It's only temporary, though."
"Temporary, shmiperary," another man muttered. He seemed well into his drinking,
although, like all arenamasters, he carried his liquor well. "They do it all the time
in Aradi. No reshpect. Go around changing thish, changing that. I wish I could
change shome thingsh." He signalled the bartender for a refill.
The second woman put her hand over his mug. "You've had enough, Harkon. Try the
coffee, instead."
"You should be mad, too, Ripplesh," Harkon said. "They're going to do shtuff
like that in Jahnsh, aren't they?"
Ripples Dorrigan shrugged. All the men paused, some with glasses half raised, to
watch. "It's the way things are," she said. "Not much we can do about it."
"You know," Khagal of Niatoli said, "maybe we could make a few changes. Fix the
spelling of Arena 33, for one, change a few standby titles--"
"The Commission hates changes." Dernal of Dayla Kiv topped up his glass and
drained it gloomily.
"Yes, but if we disguise it," Sugar of Arvat said, excited, "make it... maybe a
general Name-Change-O-Rama! Then we could slip OUR changes through and no one would
notice or mind."
*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*
By popular demand, we are holding a Name-Change-o-Rama during the month of
September, 2008. If you wish to change the name of your warriors or teams, please
contact RSI Customer Service. The charge for a name change is $1.