DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 03/04/2010    Duedate: 03/17/2010

OSKSI ARENA

DM-3    TURN-650

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

VIRTUAL REALITY
STATE OF MIND (245)
(3-6958) [9-3-3,122]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

VIRTUAL REALITY                POSITION IS EMPTY
STATE OF MIND (245)            
(3-6958) [9-3-3,122]           

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

KOVARAMANN VOTH                SHUB NIGGUARTH
GAMES LIBRARY (340)            DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
(3-6845) [26-23-1,102]         (3-6952) [7-2-1,53]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

GENERATION X (416)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. STATE OF MIND (245)         29
2. IRATE FORMATIONS (633)      24      IRATE FORMATIONS (633)
3. PASTA (616)                 17      Unchartered Team
4. GENERATION X (416)          10
5. GAMES LIBRARY (340)          8      BODY'S BEST PARTS (213)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 IRATE FORMATIONS (633)    49  10  2 83.1   1/ 2 GENERATION X (416)       10  5 1
 2/ 2 DREAMS OF KADATH (635)    25  19  2 56.8   2/ 1 IRATE FORMATIONS (633)    7  2 0
 3/ 3 PASTA (616)               81  68  7 54.4   3/ 3 STATE OF MIND (245)       7  8 0
 4/ 4 ASTRAL KIN (230)         295 280 24 51.3   4/ 5 GAMES LIBRARY (340)       6  9 0
 5/ 5 GENERATION X (416)       124 125 15 49.8   5/ 6 DREAMS OF KADATH (635)    5  5 0
 6/ 6 STATE OF MIND (245)       86 100  8 46.2   6/ 4 ASTRAL KIN (230)          5 10 0
 7/ 7 GAMES LIBRARY (340)      663 933 19 41.5   7/ 7 PASTA (616)               4  5 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                                Crossing the Rubicon

     A brawny man sat on a low bench with his back to the fire pit.  The lingering
aromas of seared meat and spiced wine mixed with the slightly smoky air and pressed
warmly against his back.  He faced the open doorway and stared into the waning
sunlight.  Occasionally the curtain of warm air at his back was pushed aside by the
damp, cold breezes of the evening, momentarily fluttering away before flowing into
place around him again.
     A short sword lay across his lap.  His left hand draped possessively across the
hilt while the thick, calloused fingers of his right hand rubbed a small, oiled
sharpening stone absently.  A brief, shrill keening tore through the high-beamed hall
and caused the flames to flicker rapidly.  Afterward, soft footsteps approached the
bench from behind.
     An explosive sigh forced its way suddenly through the man's thick frame.  He did
not turn to look behind him.  The sunset seemed to magnify his bristled face and give
it a hard, chiseled appearance.  Lines of muscles along his forearms rolled
inexorably as he suddenly grasped the short sword's hilt and began expertly sliding
the sharpening stone along its blade edge in short, even strokes.
     "Havoc.  We need to talk about this."
     The man did not reply.
     A heavy bench scraped awkwardly against the rough tiles.  The Arcane Kid wrapped
his cloak around himself and sat down facing the man's left profile.  The Kid watched
the sun's crimson rays drop a couple of centimeters while the man sawed away at the
short sword, from time to time changing the angle or turning the blade to suit him.
     Satisfied at last, the man stooped and laid the short sword on a large, soft
chamois that lay between his feet.  He straightened but continued staring into the
dwindling red light.  He resumed rubbing the smooth, rounded edges of the stone.
     "Come now, Havoc," Arcane said in a silky voice.  "This is pointless."
     "I don't want to leave," replied Havoc softly, still staring out the darkening
doorway.  "We just got back."
     "I know," sighed the Kid.  "Believe me, I know.  But really, it's for the best.
These Delarguan intrigues are pointless and frustrating.  The men are tired of eating
mostly mutton, anyway.  And let's face it, the variety of competition leaves much to
be desired."
     "Yeah," sighed Havoc.  Dropping his hands into his lap, Havoc swung his left leg
over the bench, straddling it and facing the Kid at last.
     "Finally ready to talk, I see," said the Kid with a flash of a grin.
     Havoc glowered and gestured; his index finger carved quick circles in the air.
     "Right, well..." Arcane paused and cocked his head slightly.  "I honestly don't
know much about Shadowspire.  I believe it's a Free Blades city, but I'm unsure what
that entails."
     "Great!!" barked Havoc with a frown.  "So you want to ship us off to another
city without any idea what it's like??!!"
     "I know there's over twenty ACTIVE teams in Shadowspire," replied the Kid
evenly.  "I know that over NINETY warriors stepped into the sands at the last
gladiatorial games."
     Havoc flinched at the word 'ninety'.
     "You sure about that?" rasped Havoc, his eyes widened in surprise.  "Over
NINETY??"
     Arcane nodded solemnly.
     "Well, so what?" Havoc growled.  "We could always go back to Jhelum, or
Dragonhead, or even Xochithlan..."
     Arcane shook his head slowly and pulled his cloak more tightly around himself.
"No, there's no sense resurrecting those teams.  Those arenas are all the same.
Practically deserted--just shells of their former glory.  They're all just farm clubs
looking for big talent."  The Kid leaned forward and thrust his narrow face at Havoc.
     "If we want to grow warriors, Shadowspire is the place for us.  If we stay here
in Osksi we're just banging our head against a wall.  Our fighters won't be much more
than practice dummies for the 'hidden' tournament fighters."
     "It's not that bad," murmured Havoc as he looked down in surprise.  His hand had
clenched the sharpening stone suddenly; it was broken into two pieces.  He looked up
and was caught in the bright blue glow of the Arcane Kid's eyes.  The room had
darkened enough that the Kid's eyes took on a life of their own.  Havoc shivered and
rose suddenly to close and bar the door.  Avoiding the Kid, whose eyes never left
him, Havoc went to the fire pit and laid several large pieces of wood across the top
of the fire, momentarily smothering its light and warmth.
     "You know it IS that bad," said Arcane as he rose and stood next to Havoc.  They
both held their hands out to the fire as it quickly gnawed away at the new wood and
began to grow into a scintillating blaze.
     "What happened while we were gone, Kid?" muttered Havoc.  "What HAPPENED?"
     The Kid's voice was low and faint, as if he were murmuring to himself.  "I don't
really understand all of it; I've just a handful of rumors and reports from minor
sources here and there... but it seems as if, for whatever reason, the games have
changed to become something other than a brawl of skill and might."
     "Something less, if you ask me," grumbled Havoc as he turned and went to drag
his bench closer to the fire pit.
     "Something DIFFERENT," replied Arcane.  "Supremacy in one's arena was once a
noble and hard-won goal.  That is no longer the case.  Now, it seems that winning
tournaments is everything."
     "Why?  Just so a warrior can challenge more effectively?  That's stupid!"
     "No, you ignorant lout!"  The Kid sat down suddenly on Havoc's bench and sighed.
"It's the prizes.  The magic elixirs that add wisdom or strength or deftness or
courage to a man.  The confounded concoctions that turn great warriors into inhuman
combatants that become nigh invulnerable."
     Havoc stared down at the Kid, who stared into the red roaring flames.
     "But winning tournaments is good, right?"
     Arcane shrugged and gave an abrupt, hollow chuckle.  "It's well enough when one
is allowed access to the instruments and incantations necessary to resurrect a fallen
comrade, yes.  I think so.  But I'm suspicious of these other prizes, these potions
of power.  I doubt if their ramifications were well thought out."
     "What?  Everyone wants to be stronger, Kid.  Have better warriors.  A stronger
team."
     "Ahhh."  Arcane sat up and leaned forward, his arms across his knees.  "One
would think so."
     "So what's the big deal?" frowned Havoc.
     "It's simple.  Potion prizes became cherished treasures.  Their artificial
enhancements became addictive."
     "Hhhmmmph!" Havoc shook his head.  "Why bother?  Graduate one fighter, get
another!"
     The Kid snickered weakly but kept staring into the heart of the fire.  "Yes,
it's quite ironic.  Apparently, managers who wished to protect and further their
favorite fighters' careers ended up becoming a significant factor in making the games
odious."
     "Kid, that doesn't make any sense!  There's always another recruit willing to
sign up.  Why change the game just for someone who's already immortal?!"
     Arcane made a twisted smirk.  "We all get attached to a fighter now and then,
Havoc.  It can be hard to let go.  Especially if one follows them and their career to
the Isle."
     Havoc shook his head.  "I don't get it."
     "Well, just imagine:  One of the Kin goes to the Isle, hoping to fight better
fighters and win.  But how?  One may only advance to a point, and then no more.
UNLESS..."
     "Those tonics, right?"
     "Yes.  Now a talented, but limited, fighter can compete successfully, even
dominate--or pass the potion on to a teammate who can benefit enormously, or...
whatever the circumstances dictate.  This sort of situation is beguiling and
seductive."
     "Yeah, I guess so," Havoc muttered, his brow furrowed in thought.  "But we're
talking about just a handful of co-dependent managers, right?  Not every bloody fool
is trying to glom a little 'pick-me-up', right?"
     "No, not every one, but enough of them.  Havoc, you don't seem to comprehend the
enormity of the situation.  It changes the way managers run teams.  It changes their
priorities, their warrior and style preferences, and the basic structure of the
games."
     Havoc tilted his head skeptically, but Arcane ignored him.  "I think you're
making too much of it," Havoc muttered.
     "You think so?  These changes might not seem too significant superficially, and
indeed, if there were more teams in Osksi they might not be of any consequence at
all.  But eventually, managers get tired of competing with rigged dice.  Fighters
disappearing when you want to challenge them; fighters appearing suddenly with four
or five times the skills and experience you're expecting, given their rank and
record."
     "Makes challenges a little harder, that's all."
     "Uh huh.  Makes it harder to win awards and free play too, doesn't it?"
     "Money isn't everything, Kid."
     "Tell that to the merchants next time we buy our mutton for the men!"
     Havoc grimaced and gave a hoarse laugh.  "Yeah, well, to tell you the truth, I
AM getting pretty sick of that stuff myself!"
     The men laughed softly, and this time the Kid's eyes didn't cause Havoc to turn
away.  Finally, Arcane raised his palm in a short gesture.  "Also, why send your best
arena fighters to the tournaments to compete when you KNOW there are fighters there
who have been preparing for who knows HOW long just for that event??  Fighters who
ONLY participate in tournaments..." The Arcane Kid shook his head.
     "Yeah," Havoc nodded, "that sucks rocks.  I guess.  But it still doesn't seem
like that big a deal."
     "Well, where ARE the other teams?  Where is the GAPPDA?  Where is Buri of the
Aesir?  Where is Poppa Balrog?  Fusion?"
     "What about the Lunatic?" grinned Havoc.  "Man, I loved it when we iced one of
his warriors!  He took it personal," Havoc chuckled.  "I loved that guy."
     "Yyeess.  Well."  Arcane turned to face Havoc, who straddled his bench again.
"Time and chance affect us all.  Who knows where they are or why they left?  Here's
what we DO know:  we don't have the desire nor the resources to flood the arenas with
teams and then coddle a handful of warriors for months (or years) just so that they
can win a tournament prize."
     "Hell, we've NEVER done that!" exclaimed Havoc angrily.  "That's not what the
Kin are about!!"
     "Well, that's the crux of it, isn't it?  That's the way the fighters are being
managed in most arenas.  The way I see it, we have a choice to make."
     "Which manager to assassinate first?"
     "NO, Havoc!  Listen:  We can leave this planet and return later.  We can suck it
up and take our losses, or... we could start a new team in Shadowspire."
     "And this will help us, right?" snorted Havoc derisively.
     "Yes!" replied the Kid emphatically.  "This will give us a chance to fight
against a wider variety of different styles and warriors, and some other well-known
managers.  In fact, we'll probably run into one or two familiar faces from Osksi!
But in Shadowspire, so the rumors say, the Duelmaster's throne is the only goal that
matters.  Everyone is training their fighters to win, not solely to rack up skills."
     "Kid, you know I like it when Death has a front row seat at the games, but if we
start a new team at this other place, whats-is-name--?"
     "Shadowspire."
     "Whatever!  If we start a new team there, eventually it's going to be the same
thing, don't you think?"
     "Actually," smiled Arcane, "the rumors claim that there are rules against
tournament fighting within Shadowspire's codes and gladiator guidelines.  Every
fighter's record is an open book.  No real surprises."
     Havoc's eyes widened briefly.  He swung his leg over the bench, turning his back
to the fire and peered absently into the darkening corners of the room.  The men sat
quietly for a few minutes as the fire roared and chomped on the wood.  "I still don't
like it," Havoc growled.  "Yeah, it looks like Osksi ain't what she used to be, but
Kid, that doesn't mean we have to scurry out of here with our tail between our legs!"
     "We're not!" Arcane declared, straightening upright with a jolt.  "Nobody is
pushing us, and we're NOT scurrying anywhere!"
     Havoc gave a grunt of agreement.
     "The fact that this Shadowspire arena is growing in the current climate is proof
that we're not alone in this.  Many other managers must feel the same way."
     "Hah!" Havoc slapped his bench for emphasis.  "How do we know these rumors are
square?"
     "The rumors are many and consistent."
     "Yeah?"  Havoc stared into the flames while his fingers danced and the broken
sharpening stone pieces rolled and clicked in his meaty palm.  "I dunno," frowned
Havoc.  "We get there; there's lots of fighters itchin' to take our heads off, and
what exactly are we supposed to get out of this, Kid?"
     "A chance," replied Arcane, rising with a smirk.  "That's all we need or want,
isn't it?  A chance to show we're good enough, on a level playing field, to beat the
best of the best."
     Havoc snorted and then spit into the fire, which hissed back.  "And what if we
get clobbered, Kid?  What if we get our asses handed to us on a silver platter?  What
then?"
     Arcane's laugh tinkled musically against a backdrop of shrieking banshees as a
bright emerald light encased him.
     "Why, that should be obvious!  I'll blame you, of course!"

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 643): BLACK of FULL SPECTRUM (Jester?, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 526): GROND of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 649): VIRTUAL REALITY of STATE OF MIND (Marma Duke, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 620): PETE MASTIFF of DOGS OF WAR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 644): CREDIT CARD of BLOOD SUCKERS (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 639): ACOLYTE 1 of GOLDEN DAWN (Chief Illiniwek, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 648): LITTLE VENUS of BEACH BABES (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 632): CHAGAN of VIKINGS (Nomad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 634): PLANKTON of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 633): FLY FISHER of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 605): EDDIE INCHER of MIDDLE WAY 17 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 596): ZAG of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 270): MANN SLAUGHTER of CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 581): BIG DISAPPOINTMENT of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 532): SHOGGOTH of RAISING R'LYEH (Reaper, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 253): MATEEN of SAI'FULLAH (?, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 244): I'M A BASHER of BASHAHOLICS ANON (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 478): SAND STORM of DISASTERS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 221): TORANS ULRIK of MIDDLE WAY 9 (Jorja, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 525): GATEWAY of ATTACK OF THE CLONES (The Upright Man, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 643): LAB EXPERIMENTS (?, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 526): 042909A (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 649): IRATE FORMATIONS (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 620): DOGS OF WAR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 644): BLOOD SUCKERS (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 639): GOLDEN DAWN (Chief Illiniwek, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 648): BEACH BABES (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 632): VIKINGS (Nomad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 634): GHOST RIDERS TOO (Bladerunner, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 633): FIZBANS FOLLIES (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 605): BABES (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 597): U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 270): IDLE ITEMS (Tonezy, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 581): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 532): QUESTIONS (?, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 253): STREET-SOLDIERS (Darkface, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 244): WHAT'S IN A NAME (Storm Lord, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 478): MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 221): MIDDLE WAY 9 (Jorja, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 525) 0729205R et al (The Muffin Man, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 642): BALL PEIN of MANNEQUIN'S BEST (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 526): GULBY of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
               (turn 525): BUBBA BENDER of PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE (Gavin Rule, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 633): GRUMPY GHOUL of THE GRATEFUL UNDEAD (Street Legal, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 633): FLY FISHER of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 596): ZIG of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
                              BERTHA of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 581): STONECRUSHER II of DELVERS (Harby, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     It sure is a small world after all!!!  It appears that Kovaramann Voth and I
have both claimed victory on the arena sands once, alas we have also lost once to
each other.  This turn I am affording the senior Basher of the arena an opportunity
to break this tie.... for I am challening you again.  I'm assuming Farfale will be
bloodfueding this turn, as TV Dinner's Ziti was a bit overcooked.
     In any event, I am honored to yet again be Osksi's Duelmaster.  Hopefully I can
hold on to the throne a bit longer this time around, however Farfale has decided to
wake up and join us... and his presence surely makes this challenge even greater.
Assuming his bloodfued is settled this coming turn, I plan on paying you a visit on
the arena sands my friend.  My hammer hath no hypocrisy... as combat between you and
I will be inevitable.

My fair city Osksi... I bid you good tidings until next turn.
Your Duelmaster,
Virtual Reality

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings warriors!  It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the 
clash and bustle of the weekly OSKSI games.  Former top team IRATE FORMATIONS was 
unseated this week as GENERATION X moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot 
with a 3-2-0 record for the round.  MENOLDRIN SKO caught the eye of many in the 
gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested STONED IMMACULATE and was awarded 13 
points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, INSTANT ACCESS put 
down SKAEVOLOVIAN KOR, causing him to lose 11 points of recognition in the process.  
Most watched of the fights this week, the spotlight was on KOVARAMANN VOTH as he bore 
arms against the challenge of reigning Duelmaster VIRTUAL REALITY.  Not for nothing 
has VIRTUAL REALITY in the past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week 
he's proven his combat skill yet again.  Heed this!  A seer has warned that if 
exactly 6 die in duels this week, the whole city shall perish!  Just remember...5 or 
7!   
     But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades 
that is city OSKSI.  OSKSI, city of gladiators!  Mighty among the names of thy guilds 
is STATE OF MIND, a guild shunned and avoided by many in the weekly duels.  Methinks 
more than a few here could name the guild it was that spent the better part of last 
week avoiding STATE OF MIND.  Indeed it was DREAMS OF KADATH.  Loose talk at the 
arena has reached my ears and it but confirms the knowledge that many fighters are 
after KOVARAMANN VOTH.  Watch your back!  A match that raised a few eyebrows at the 
games this week, it seems that SUNSPOT posted a challenge against the more highly 
recognized KAREOKE KILLER.  The results, you ask?  Well, the firebrand SUNSPOT lost 
to KAREOKE KILLER.  Remember warriors, this is the discipline of steel.   
     Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser?   Warriors, may this counselor stand 
ready at your right hand forever!  Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins.  
In the arena there is only the brightness of steel.  Keep vigil always!   
     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                  
 VIRTUAL REALITY 6958          9   3  3   122       STATE OF MIND (245)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-FARFALE 6871                 16   1  0   191       PASTA (616)
 KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845         26  23  1   102       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
-DAT NGUYEN 6216              19  22  0    97       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
 FURIOUS GORGE 6923           11   4  0    93       IRATE FORMATIONS (633)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-PERFECT DRUG 6943             8   0  0    88       IRATE FORMATIONS (633)
-WHIRLING INSELBERG 6924       6   0  0    86       IRATE FORMATIONS (633)
 TV DINNER 4910               17  21  6    84       GENERATION X (416)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CADILLAC DUNDEE 6956         11   1  1    66       IRATE FORMATIONS (633)
 BOB THE INHALER 6928         13   2  1    64       IRATE FORMATIONS (633)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 THE VOICE INSIDE 6974         5   3  0    55       STATE OF MIND (245)
 SHUB NIGGUARTH 6952           7   2  1    53       DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
 VECTOR UNSTABLE 6231         10   6  1    51       ASTRAL KIN (230)
-DIANE MACK 6435               5   5  0    42       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
 INSTANT ACCESS 6971           6   2  0    38       GENERATION X (416)
 FUNNY FARM FIEND 6985         3   3  1    38       STATE OF MIND (245)
 ZOMBIE BAIT 6964              5   1  0    35       DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
-JEFF DUNKLE 6391              6   9  0    34       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GEMELLI 6926                  4   2  0    30       PASTA (616)
 KAREOKE KILLER 6972           5   3  1    29       GENERATION X (416)
 FALRONDIAL VOTH 6989          4   1  0    27       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 PLASMA GIRL 6996              2   2  0    27       ASTRAL KIN (230)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CTHYLLA 6953                  4   5  0    22       DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
 MEGA PIXEL 6995               4   0  0    22       GENERATION X (416)
 STONED IMMACULATE 6975        4   4  0    20       STATE OF MIND (245)
 MENOLDRIN SKO 7009            2   1  0    20       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 ELBOWS 6979                   2   1  0    20       PASTA (616)
 TAINT OF THE SEA 6950         4   5  0    19       DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
 SKAEVOLOVIAN KOR 6970         3   6  0    19       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
 ION FUSION 7008               2   1  0    15       ASTRAL KIN (230)
 COFFEE HOUSE POET 6987        2   4  0    14       GENERATION X (416)
-RAY MORAN 6436                1   9  0    13       AMERICAN APPRAISAL (559)
 SALDORINIVAN KIRO 6977        2   5  0    11       GAMES LIBRARY (340)
-RIGATONI 6976                 1   3  1     7       PASTA (616)
 IZ'CH 7010                    1   1  0     5       DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
 HELTER SKELTER 7012           0   2  0     3       STATE OF MIND (245)
 SUNSPOT 7011                  0   2  0     2       ASTRAL KIN (230)
 COSMIC JOKE 7014              0   1  0     1       ASTRAL KIN (230)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
TAROBINZ MAUR 6844     26 21 0 GAMES LIBRARY 340    VIRTUAL REALITY 6958  647  REVENGED
SHELLS 7013             0  1 0 PASTA 616            MOUNTAIN TROLL        650  NONE

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
ZITI 6907               6  2 0 PASTA 616            TV DINNER 4910        649   

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Stoned Immaculate -- Wow!  Getting a challenge through to someone as popular as you
was difficult, but well worth it! -- Plasma Girl

Mega Pixel -- Not bad.  I think I can pry open that shell, if I come better prepared
next time. -- Ion Fusion 

Skaevolovian Kor -- I think by now I know how you lace your sandals.  Left to right,
then that fancy loopy thing, right? -- Vector Unstable

Falrondial Voth -- Definitely lots to learn yet.  I'll try to be more ready next
time. -- Sunspot

Skaevolovian Kor -- That 'dwarf' comment I attribute to three factors:  (1) I hunch
over when I'm in all that heavy armor; (2) The announcer is a little near-sighted;
(3) Our fights always seems to take place in the afternoon; at this time of the year
it's just when the sun hits the announcer\'s booth head on! -- Vector Unstable

Saldorinivan Kiro -- Beware!  I carry protection, and I know how to use it! -- Plasma
Girl

Kovaramann Voth -- Thank you for rightfully returning what is mine!!!  I'm sure we'll
be seeing each other on the sands again soon. -- Virtual Reality

Bob the Inhaler -- Hopefully that was the last time we get randomly matched up.  Two
turns in a row is a bit much for my taste... it's driving me crazy! -- Funny Farm
Fiend

Gemelli -- Be careful what you ask for... you just might hear it! -- The Voice Inside

Plasma Girl -- Impressive performance... what were you on during that fight? --
Stoned Immaculate

Menoldrin Sko -- I'm not sure if I should congratulate you on the win, or console
both of our managers for that poor performance on both our parts. -- Helter Skelter

Virtual Reality -- Ah, a student who comes back for more training.  It speaks well of
your will to make good. -- Kovaramann Voth

Vector Unstable -- That seems likely to result in spinning out of control.  Makes me
dizzy, I think I'm going to... augh! -- Skaevolovian Kor

Kareoke Killer -- Bleh, even your kareoke golem can't carry a tune. -- Saldorinivan
Kiro

Sunspot -- It'll probably mean more global warming, won't it? -- Falrondial Voth

Helter Skelter -- If that's the state of your mind, it's no wonder you got confused,
tripped over a lost initiative, and had to surrender.  There's just so much and no
more you can do without focus. -- Menoldrin Sko

Kid Arcane -- I "inherited" the team and theme from a friend of a friend and rapidly
got bored with the whole "name of the game" bit.  I don't much care for games, and it
was getting to be a strain thinking of new names.  So I decided to name them for
characters from a distant and otherwise unused culture, which I eventually worked out
was that of the Karian Sea to the far northwest of Lirith Kai.  It passes the time,
and I find it amusing.  I worked out a few naming conventions, designed a few
families to draw from, and there they are.  I suppose if I wanted to be a real
stickler about it, I'd have their races all changed to Ondarik, but it hasn't seemed
worth the effort so far.  In that illusory future "when I have more time" I might
write something about them, but as it is, well, don't hold your breath.  It's just
been one thing after another this year. -- Jorja
P.S.  They're mostly younger sons of the lesser nobility, unlikely ever to inherit
anything of worth.  Some have made their homeland too hot to hold them, also.

Ion Fusion -- Silly!  You have to give me a chance to accumulate skills before I can
teach them.  Kovaramann, for instance, now gives them away with both hands, but he
had to work up to that point. -- Menoldrin Sko
P.S.  Bear in mind, with us, what you see is what you get.  If my record shows that I
have two fights, two is all I've got.  No tourney fights.

Coffee House Poet -- How about green tea? -- Falrondial Voth

9 February 10
All -- I know you all thought the old Wiz that is Fiz went off to die somewhere.
Well, I didn't.  Now I'm back to befuddle and frustrate you with my senseless
ramblings.  I look forward to reconnecting with all my old friends and enemies alike.
-- Fizban the Famous

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SHELLS was barely slain by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 2 minute bloody Dark Arena fight.
VIRTUAL REALITY vanquished KOVARAMANN VOTH in a 1 minute Challenge Title battle.
INSTANT ACCESS overpowered SKAEVOLOVIAN KOR in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge duel.
ZOMBIE BAIT bested PLASMA GIRL in a popular 6 minute Challenge fight.
TAINT OF THE SEA subdued COFFEE HOUSE POET in a 1 minute Challenge competition.
ELBOWS devastated SALDORINIVAN KIRO in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
HELTER SKELTER was bested by MEGA PIXEL in a 4 minute amateur's Challenge match.
SUNSPOT was handily defeated by KAREOKE KILLER in a 1 minute uneven Challenge fight.
TV DINNER lost to FURIOUS GORGE in a 2 minute expert's duel.
CADILLAC DUNDEE won victory over VECTOR UNSTABLE in a 4 minute fight.
THE VOICE INSIDE won victory over THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a popular 3 minute duel.
BOB THE INHALER luckily beat SHUB NIGGUARTH in a action packed 5 minute gory match.
FUNNY FARM FIEND defeated CTHYLLA in a exciting 2 minute match.
STONED IMMACULATE was viciously subdued by MENOLDRIN SKO in a 5 minute conflict.
FALRONDIAL VOTH demolished COSMIC JOKE in a 1 minute mismatched match.
ION FUSION beat IZ'CH in a 2 minute amateur's conflict.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK                   5         TOTAL PARRY        6 -   0 -  0     100  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   5         AIMED BLOW        22 -  12 -  0      65  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  5         WALL OF STEEL     26 -  15 -  1      63  |
|AIMED BLOW                       4         PARRY-LUNGE        6 -   4 -  1      60  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         PARRY-STRIKE       7 -   6 -  0      54  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    3         STRIKING ATTACK   12 -  12 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      2         BASHING ATTACK    23 -  24 -  4      49  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-RIPOSTE     10 -  16 -  0      38  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         LUNGING ATTACK    17 -  32 -  2      35  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         SLASHING ATTACK    5 -  13 -  0      28  |

Turn 650 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-STRIKE       1 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK     2 -  3         3  BASHING ATTACK 
SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  0     STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  4         3  WALL OF STEEL  
TOTAL PARRY        1 -  0     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  3         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
AIMED BLOW         3 -  1                                       2  AIMED BLOW     
WALL OF STEEL      2 -  1                                       1  STRIKING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK     3 -  2     
PARRY-LUNGE        1 -  1     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
BASHING ATTACK   VIRTUAL REALITY 6958        9   3  3  122 STATE OF MIND (245)
WALL OF STEEL    FURIOUS GORGE 6923         11   4  0   93 IRATE FORMATIONS (633)
AIMED BLOW       CADILLAC DUNDEE 6956       11   1  1   66 IRATE FORMATIONS (633)
STRIKING ATTACK  THE VOICE INSIDE 6974       5   3  0   55 STATE OF MIND (245)
LUNGING ATTACK   INSTANT ACCESS 6971         6   2  0   38 GENERATION X (416)
PARRY-STRIKE     ZOMBIE BAIT 6964            5   1  0   35 DREAMS OF KADATH (635)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was SHUB NIGGUARTH 6952.  The ten other most popular fighters were PLASMA GIRL 
6996, THE VOICE INSIDE 6974, FUNNY FARM FIEND 6985, HELTER SKELTER 7012, MENOLDRIN 
SKO 7009, BOB THE INHALER 6928, SHELLS 7013, IZ'CH 7010, VIRTUAL REALITY 6958, and 
INSTANT ACCESS 6971.

The least popular fighter this week was STONED IMMACULATE 6975.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were COSMIC JOKE 7014, VECTOR UNSTABLE 6231, CADILLAC DUNDEE 6956, 
SUNSPOT 7011, SALDORINIVAN KIRO 6977, COFFEE HOUSE POET 6987, SKAEVOLOVIAN KOR 6970, 
CTHYLLA 6953, KOVARAMANN VOTH 6845, and ION FUSION 7008.