DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/10/2004    Duedate: 02/23/2004

JHELUM ARENA

DM-4    TURN-490

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

MARCH MADNESS
SPORTZ! (518)
(4-5435) [7-0-0,66]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

PERICLES                       MARCH MADNESS
DOGS OF WAR (115)              SPORTZ! (518)
(4-5531) [6-4-0,26]            (4-5435) [7-0-0,66]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

MARCH MADNESS                  MARCH MADNESS
SPORTZ! (518)                  SPORTZ! (518)
(4-5435) [7-0-0,66]            (4-5435) [7-0-0,66]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

DOGS OF WAR (115)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. DIFFERENT HATS (532)        52
2. SOME BODIES (523)           26      CHAMPIONS (417)
3. SPORTZ! (518)               23      Unchartered Team
4. CHAMPIONS (417)             19
5. BLITZKRIEG (531)            16      SOME BODIES (523)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 2*THE MOTHERSHIP 5 (401)     2   1  0 66.7   1/ 1 DOGS OF WAR (115)         6  3 0
 2/ 3*SOME BODIES (523)         16  10  1 61.5   2/ 2*BLITZKRIEG (531)          5  3 0
 3/ 4*BLITZKRIEG (531)           7   5  0 58.3   3/ 3*DIFFERENT HATS (532)      5  4 3
 4/ 5 CHAMPIONS (417)          229 192 10 54.4   4/ 4*SOME BODIES (523)         4  2 0
 5/ 0*SPORTZ! (518)             12  11  1 52.2   5/ 0*SPORTZ! (518)             2  2 0
 6/ 1*LUROCIANS Z2 (555)         2   2  0 50.0   6/ 5*LUROCIANS Z2 (555)        2  2 0
 7/ 6 CRUSADE (505)             79  91  4 46.5   7/ 6*HITMEN FOR HIRE (560)     1  4 0
 8- 7 THE FORCE II (537)        85 114  9 42.7   8/ 9 CHAMPIONS (417)           0  6 0
 9/ 8 DOGS OF WAR (115)        308 468 18 39.7   9- 7 THE FORCE II (537)        0  6 0
10/11*DIFFERENT HATS (532)       7  12  5 36.8  10/ 8 CRUSADE (505)             0  5 0
11-10 SIGN OF CHAOS (185)        7  16  0 30.4  11/10*DARK TOADS (534)          0  4 0
12/ 9*HITMEN FOR HIRE (560)      1   4  0 20.0  12/11*BLACK HAND BRIGADE (533)  0  3 0
13/12*DARK TOADS (534)           0   8  0  0.0  13-12*FORCE OF FIVE (535)       0  2 0
14/13*BLACK HAND BRIGADE (533)   0   6  0  0.0  14-13*ROCKING CREW (540)        0  2 0
15-14*FORCE OF FIVE (535)        0   3  0  0.0  15-14*INSANE REIGN (550)        0  2 0
16-15*ROCKING CREW (540)         0   2  0  0.0  16/ 0*THOROUGHBREDS (564)       0  2 0
17/21*SUPERIOR FORCES ZC (546)   0   2  0  0.0  17/21*DRACONOMICON (557)        0  2 0
18-16*INSANE REIGN (550)         0   2  0  0.0  18/ 0*FLAGG XVI-CHAOS (565)     0  2 0

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
19/ 0*FLAGG XVI-CHAOS (565)      0   2  0  0.0  19-17*THE MOTHERSHIP 5 (401)    0  1 0
20/17*DRACONOMICON (557)         0   2  0  0.0  20/19*SUPERIOR FORCES ZC (546)  0  1 0
21/ 0*THOROUGHBREDS (564)        0   2  0  0.0  21-20*CLASSIC BLUES (549)       0  1 0
22-18*MILLENIUM METAL (558)      0   1  0  0.0  22-22*MILLENIUM METAL (558)     0  1 0
23-22*CLASSIC BLUES (549)        0   1  0  0.0  23-16 SIGN OF CHAOS (185)       0  1 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                                It's Time to Reload!

The newest and best contest to ever hit a Delarquan arena (outside Talcama, of
course) is here!  Starting next turn (T361) and lasting through November (T380)
Zalcon2 is ready to go.  To start it off in the right direction I have 9 warriors to
announce for the contest, everyone feel free to add to the list next turn!  See you
all on the sands.

Purple and Gold -- managed by Zalgor Prigg
Magic Johnson -- Aimed Blow
George Mikan -- Basher
Michael Cooper -- Parry Lunge
Shaq Daddy -- Slasher
Kurt Rambis -- Total Parry

Superior Forces ZC2 -- managed by Manager
Clyde(5686) -- Parry Strike
Andromeda(5684) -- Bashing
Marina (5685) -- Aimed Blow
Justgiveitup(5688) -- Total Parry

          + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Dark Federation #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Rodeki:

     Tirisha Dulake looked around the suite--the one hotel's best suite--and sighed.
It wasn't what she was used to, but until she and her husband could move into the
governor's mansion, it would have to do.  She glanced at her husband and her lush
mouth flattened in annoyance.  He had been the governor of Rodeki before--before
Gryzash--so why couldn't he accept that she would make him governor again?  She would
make him PRINCE of Rodeki, if he would just stop worrying!
     She sighed faintly and moved toward him, to explain--again--why this was a good
thing to do.

     In the anteroom of the suite, Sue E Syde, Lady Protector from Xochithlan and
escort of Princess Tirisha, sighed also.  Not that she knew what was going on in the
room behind her.  Or cared.  Her job was to guard King Feyen's cousin.  Or maybe she
was his sister.  Arenamaster Xoron hadn't been clear about that.  Or maybe Tirisha
was both his sister and his cousin.  Elves were like that; everyone said so.  Not
that it mattered.
     What mattered was the job.  And the people she had to work with.  Her teammate,
Lord Protector Rob A Ree, for instance.  Not the person she would have chosen to work
with.  Too full of himself, Rob was.  But at that, he was better than the Rodekian
Lord Protector Adabemis & Balmador.  The man was a fruitcake, and no two ways about
it.

     "The whole shape of the Federation is changing, Devon," Tirisha said urgently.
"It's as though Gryzash was the keystone of an arch, and now that he's gone, the
lines of power are shifting.  Everything is changing.  Rodeki could be the center of
the shift, the point around which the new structure forms--and you could be--"
     Dulake shook his head.  "Rodeki?  Not a chance, it's a backwater.  Important as
a mining center, but it would never be the heart of the Federation, or even of the
Mordanti Alliance.  Besides, Queen Talissen wouldn't like it.  She'd be angry, really
angry.  And she's got a man here already, Gryzash's deputy, uh, Milvares, I think his
name is...."
     Tirisha could have shrieked and stamped her rage at her husband's over-caution,
but she held it in.  He never responded properly to such displays.  "A flunky."  The
elven woman dismissed Milvares with a contemptuous gesture.  "He will be dealt with."

     Sue E Syde looked up as the captain of Princess Tirisha's personal guards
emerged from deeper in the suite.  Captain Shirivien was an elf, of course, just like
the princess herself.  Well, Sue could live with that, as long as the man was
competent.  As he seemed to be.  But right now, he also looked annoyed.
     "Get the rest of the gladiators," Captain Shirivien snapped.  "We have a
mission."
     Sue raised an eyebrow in question.  Until she knew what had the man wound up,
she wouldn't know how to deal with it, and with him.
     Shirivien grimaced sourly.  "We're going to arrest the governor of Rodeki."
     The gladiatrix's other eyebrow joined the first.  "On what grounds and with what
authority?" she asked.  She had nothing against arresting a governor, generally
speaking, but if it was going to cause trouble, she wanted to know which direction to
watch to see that trouble coming.
     The captain's frown deepened.  "On the grounds that Princess Tirisha wants him
arrested, and by her authority."
     Definitely trouble coming.  "Does this governor have any guards of his own?" Sue
asked.
     "Of course he does."  Shirivien released his scowl suddenly and sighed.  "This
is going to make a lot of trouble."

Mordant:

     Faceless, a gladiator of The Black Company of Mordant, settled onto the small
ledge and leaned back against sun-warmed stone.  There was room here for her to sit
comfortably, and for a small satchel beside her (today it contained a bottle of beer
and a few slabs of bread and cheese), and a small but powerful crossbow on her other
side.  That was enough.  Her stint on watch here was only a few hours, after all.
And nothing was likely to happen.  Oh, sure, there were RUMORS, but you couldn't
count on a rumor to produce a good fight.  Her position had been formed by the
ornamental stonework on an old mansion overlooking the Feyranse River where it flowed
through Mordant.  Just across the river was the Queen's palace.  That was what she
was watching--the palace.  There were rumors of an intention to assassinate the
Queen, and Her Majesty's Herald, Allech Rabo, had taken the rumors seriously and
enrolled gladiators along with his regular men to cover the possible approaches.
     The Queen's official guards hadn't been pleased!  Faceless grinned, remembering.
Especially, it hadn't pleased that part of the Royal Guard which was composed of the
younger sons of Mordanti noble families.  Very insulted, they'd been.  Young snots.
It served them right, they'd had things too easy all their lives.  THEY didn't have
to enter the arena to make a place for themselves in the world.
     There'd been one especially, Ferris Kor, younger son of the Duke of Sharm.  Not
bad looking, if he'd ever had a pleasant expression on his face.  Which he probably
never did.  One of the other gladiators on guard, the Homicidal Maniac Babyface, had
told her that Ferris's older brother had wanted to marry Queen Talissen himself.  And
Ferris acted like that had actually happened, like he was royal himself.  What a
brat!
     But while her thoughts had wandered, Faceless's attention had stayed strictly on
the job, and she now heard someone making a quiet approach to her position over the
mansion's roof.  Faceless levered the crossbow to full cock and braced one foot under
herself in case she had to move quickly.
     "A friend coming."  The voice was low but familiar.  Marian of Ravenskeep, who
had graduated from Mordant arena and gone on to Lirith Kai.
     Faceless glanced quickly toward the voice.  It was Marian, all right.  She
lowered the crossbow as the woman settled into the angle beside a dormer window, the
nearest place to Faceless's little ledge that a person could sit.
     "Something may be happening," Marian said quietly.  "Word's come along that
there's someone on the river who isn't acting normally."
     Faceless quickly scanned all the river she could see.  There was a lot of
activity; there was always a lot of activity.  Barges hauling grain or coal or who-
knew-what.  Yachts belonging to noblemen.  Smaller boats, all the way down to canoes,
coming in from the swamp, or up or down the river from one of the outlying villages,
or just darting around on mysterious business of their own.  How could you tell who
was "acting normally"?
     "We're all supposed to watch for a green houseboat with a patched tarp over the
roof," Marian went on.  "If it goes on by, that's fine, but if it tries to land
anywhere along here," she hesitated, "well, we're to treat it like a proven enemy.
That's the order, anyway."
     "There it is!"  Faceless watched for a moment.  "Yes, that must be it, just
coming into sight around the coal barge."  The boat was barely moving, drifting with
the current; although one man stood at the stern sweep, he was steering rather than
driving the boat ahead.  He was keeping it well out into the center of the river,
too.  She tracked its slow progress down the river, sometimes losing sight of it for
a moment as it passed one of the larger barges.  At no point did it swerve closer to
the shore--either shore--or change its speed.  A false alarm....
     A faint movement, barely glimpsed from the corner of her eye.  Her gaze raced
back to the palace.  HAD something moved, something that should be there?  Something
along the waterline...something near the lower end where there was a low watergate
into the palace grounds.  Into the dungeons, more likely, but it must connect
eventually....
     THERE!
     Her crossbow moved without her conscious thought.  The string slapped against
the arms and a bolt sped across and downward.  Faceless dropped another bolt into the
slot and searched the shore again while she levered back the heavy bowstring.
     "What was it?" Marian asked, peering across the river as intently.  "I don't
see...."
     "I'm not sure, but something moved near the watergate.  Could've been a muskrat,
but what if it wasn't?"
     "You're thinking someone might have dropped over the side of the boat where we
couldn't see?"  The older woman was already signaling to one of the other gladiators
on watch.
     The signal was relayed with mirrors, and presently a shape moved in the shadow
behind the watergate.  Opened it.  Two men in the uniform of Royal Guards stepped
through and looked around.  One knelt and reached into the water, dragging a body to
the surface.  Faceless could see her bolt sticking out of the man's back.
     "Good work," Marian muttered.

            + ]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 488): MURGEN of THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 374): TOOFLESS of GLORY BOUND TROLLS (DeGotti, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 493): THOR of AESIR (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 489): G.A. CUSTER of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 488): SUX0R of MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 492): DARK THUNDER of DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 489): ADAM of MORGAN'S BOYS (A-Sop, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 484): SHYLAYLA MINOR of PRAETORIAN GUARD (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 476): CADEX CFM of THE BIKE SHOP (Malaquar, 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 191): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 426): PROBLEMATIC of FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, 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 324): DOZER of THE DEN OF SWORDS (TMoney, 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 488): THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 374): THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 493): THE NUKES (Fusion, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 489): DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 488): THE TAKEN (Silver Stroke, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 492): BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 489): SUGAR AND SPICE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 484): TOWNSVILLAINS (The Narrator, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 476): none
 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 191): CHEAP SHOTS (?, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 426): 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 324): 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   1 MORDANT (turn 488): MURGEN of THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.)
                            MUMPHY CHICK of LEGENDS OF STEELE (Doc Steele, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 493): THOR of AESIR (Buri, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 489): G.A. CUSTER of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 492): DARK THUNDER of DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)
                (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 484): SHYLAYLA MINOR of PRAETORIAN GUARD (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 476): HE HATE ME of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
                            PEON NECROMANCER of SRETSAMLEUD (Phat Phat, mgr.)
                (turn 475): NEOSPHINCTER of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, 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  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 191): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 425): SNAPPY GEORGE of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, 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.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     The Veteran Mercenary is, as advertised, a stupid idiot.  I don't think anyone
will dispute that!

                                        Lord Protector G.A. Custer

Custer is quite an ordinary piece of work: 13-9-16-11-13-7-15 SL, favorites EP,
moderate/low, adex in init and attack.  He's retiring.

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings warriors!  It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the 
clash and bustle of the weekly JHELUM games.  Fortune did not smile upon SIGN OF 
CHAOS this time out who this turn suffered a fall into 23rd position in the wake of a 
0-0-0 round.  Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the corner!  Witness 
how this week DRACONOMICON went 0-1-0 to move up 4 in the rankings.  Did only my eyes 
note the 3-0-2 record which DIFFERENT HATS managed to post this round?  I don't doubt 
that such a record will draw challengers!  STANLEY'S CUP caught the eye of many in 
the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested HEAVENLY and was awarded 35 
points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, MANDIBLE put down 
THE CORSICAN, causing him to lose 16 points of recognition in the process.  Not for 
nothing has G.A. CUSTER 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.  JHELUM, city of gladiators!  
Mighty among the names of thy guilds is DOGS OF WAR, 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 DOGS OF WAR.  Indeed it was 
BLITZKRIEG.  Loose talk at the arena has reached my ears and it but confirms the 
knowledge that many fighters are after PERICLES.  Watch your back!   
     Vendettas.  Bloodied blades and broken spears.  Indeed the city has seen more 
than its fair share of red in recent times.  BED WETTER has sworn to take up religion 
upon living to tell of his recent bout with the Dark Arena horrors.  A rare thing 
indeed!  Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins.  In the arena there is only 
the brightness of steel.  Keep vigil always!   
     A thought before I go.  Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise 
manager learn the secrets of them all?  More than a sharp eye must I keep, indeed a 
stout pair of legs must I keep as well!  The endless paths of Alastari await me!  
Till we meet again, remember:  a turtle walks slow, hides head in a shell, and harms 
no one; a lion runs to slay its prey.-- Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MARCH MADNESS 5435            7   0  0    66       SPORTZ! (518)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ZOLA 5520                     4   0  0    43       SOME BODIES (523)
 FIRE BALL 5486                6   1  0    42       SOME BODIES (523)
 STANLEY'S CUP 5443            1   0  0    35       SPORTZ! (518)
 HUSBAND 5561                  4   1  3    34       DIFFERENT HATS (532)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MANDIBLE 5503                 3   1  0    33       SOME BODIES (523)
 BED WETTER 5830               1   0  1    33       DIFFERENT HATS (532)
-DALT 1811                     4   4  0    32       SIGN OF CHAOS (185)
 DEACON 5557                   1   4  0    27       DIFFERENT HATS (532)
 PERICLES 5531                 6   4  0    26       DOGS OF WAR (115)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BUTTERBEAN 5555               3   1  0    23       BLITZKRIEG (531)
-ARCANE RAIDER 4347            2   1  0    21       THE MOTHERSHIP 5 (401)
 SUPER BOWL 5436               3   2  1    17       SPORTZ! (518)
 ALPHA 5552                    2   0  0    15       BLITZKRIEG (531)
 THE CORSICAN 5618             3   2  0    13       DOGS OF WAR (115)
 OMEGA 5553                    1   1  0    11       BLITZKRIEG (531)
 I.D. BEST 5542                1   0  0     9       SOME BODIES (523)
-MANDOR 1810                   2   2  0     8       SIGN OF CHAOS (185)
 WET N WILD 5446               1   2  0     5       SPORTZ! (518)
-FIRE ANGEL 1812               1   2  0     5       SIGN OF CHAOS (185)
 HEAVENLY 5562                 0   1  0     5       SOME BODIES (523)
-MARTIN 4268                   0   3  0     3       SIGN OF CHAOS (185)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SUN TZU 5827                  0   1  0     1       BLITZKRIEG (531)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
OSKSI NOBLE 583        0  1 0   1                   HUSBAND 5561          490 NONE    
FODDER V 5846          0  1 0 BLACK HAND BRIGAD 533 BLACK ORC 600         490 NONE    
WEAK 5843              0  1 0 CHAMPIONS 417         ARENAMASTER NARHM 603 490 NONE    
WIMP 5842              0  1 0 CHAMPIONS 417         SHEWISH GIANT 601     490 NONE    
FODDER 5844            0  1 0 CRUSADE 505           DARK CHAMPION 604     490 NONE    
CANNON 5845            0  1 0 CRUSADE 505           SHEWISH GIANT 601     490 NONE    
HIGH ELF 599           0  1 0 DARK ARENA 0          BED WETTER 5830       490 NONE    
VILE 5839              0  1 0 DARK TOADS 534        SPYMASTER 602         490 NONE    
CHOPPED LIVER 5556     0  2 0 DOGS OF WAR 115       HUSBAND 5561          486 REVENGED
SQUIK JR. 5847         0  1 0 DRACONOMICON 557      MOUNTAIN TROLL 598    490 NONE    
BADA 5857              0  1 0 FLAGG XVI-CHAOS 565   BLACK ORC 600         490 NONE    
NOTCHAOTICENUF 5858    0  1 0 FLAGG XVI-CHAOS 565   SPYMASTER 602         490 NONE    
GONER 5574             0  1 0 FORCE OF FIVE 535     HUSBAND 5561          487         
DA33 5816              1  1 0 HITMEN FOR HIRE 560   BANDIT PRINCE 605     490 NONE    
DAOU812 5859           0  1 0 HITMEN FOR HIRE 560   MOUNTAIN TROLL 598    490 NONE    
ULTIMATE RAGE 5776     1  1 0 LUROCIANS Z2 555      WURM KIN 607          490 NONE    
ULTIMATE HURT 5773     1  1 0 LUROCIANS Z2 555      MOUNTAIN TROLL 598    490 NONE    
CLOSE, BUT... 5831     0  1 0 SUPERIOR FORCES Z 546 WURM KIN 607          490 NONE    
DA 5850                0  1 0 THOROUGHBREDS 564     WURM KIN 607          490 NONE    
DA1 5849               0  1 0 THOROUGHBREDS 564     HIGH ELF 599          490 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Husband -- What do you want to go around wearing a hat for?  Hats are, you will
pardon the phrase, old hat. -- Pericles

Fire Ball -- Scorching! -- The Corsican

Zalcon Reloaded People -- Here are my style declarations for the team Superior Forces
ZC2(546):
     Clyde(5686) -- Parry Strike
     Andromeda(5684) -- Bashing
     Marina (5685) -- Aimed Blow
     Justgiveitup(5688) -- Total Parry
And a warrior to be determined.  Just wanted to get these in before I forget.
Thanks! -- Manager

Zalconites -- Here's my squad for the contest:  Arne Kornegoor: Basher; Thijs
Zonneveld: Parry-Lunge; Matte' Pronk: Striker; Ruud Aerts: Aimed Blow; Bram de Waard:
Striker. -- Dr. Mabuse, Ronde Van Noord-Hol.

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.

4 February 2004
Greeting from Jhans, DM 36 -- In 2 turns the kLk will host our first annual "St.
Valentines Day Massacre" in Jhans, arena 36.  (Kill Contest)  The contest will begin
on turn 450.  It will run for 10 turns.  On turn 461 the winners will be announced.
There will be 3 separate categories, the team with the most kills, the alliance with
the most kills, and the warrior with the most kills.  For the manager of the team
with the most kills a PRIZE of 10 ROLL-UPS will be rewarded (or $50 deposited into
his account).  No need to declare yourself in the personals.  If you are in DM 36,
you will be part of the contest whether you like it or not.  We encourage as much
trash talk as you'd like.  All teams, managers, and alliances invited.  Please
contact Polarius (mgr. of Blitzkrieg) in DM 36 with questions.  Or you can email me
at jamieptmo@hotmail.com.  Good luck and see you in the sands. -- Polarius

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

DA33 was butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena fight.
ULTIMATE RAGE was slaughtered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute gruesome Dark Arena battle.
ULTIMATE HURT was murdered by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DAOU812 was slaughtered by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena brawl.
DA was assassinated by WURM KIN in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena fight.
BADA was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena brawl.
NOTCHAOTICENUF was slaughtered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena fight.
CLOSE, BUT... was executed by WURM KIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena brawl.
WEAK was easily killed by ARENAMASTER NARHMIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
FODDER was easily killed by DARK CHAMPION in a 1 minute Dark Arena melee.
CANNON was slaughtered by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
WIMP was slaughtered by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DA1 was slaughtered by HIGH ELF in a popular 1 minute gory Dark Arena duel.
SQUIK JR. was savagely slain by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 2 minute gory Dark Arena melee.
BED WETTER slew HIGH ELF in a exciting 7 minute bloody Dark Arena match.
VILE was easily killed by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena contest.
FODDER V was killed by BLACK ORC in a popular 1 minute Dark Arena brawl.
G.A. CUSTER slimly won victory over VETERAN MERCENARY in a 2 minute conflict.
MARCH MADNESS overpowered FIRE BALL in a action packed 1 minute uneven Title struggle.
HUSBAND savagely slew OSKSI NOBLE in a 1 minute bloody brawl.
THE CORSICAN was devastated by MANDIBLE in a exciting 1 minute brutal one-sided fight.
SUPER BOWL was luckily beaten by DEACON in a 3 minute gory match.
PERICLES viciously subdued OMEGA in a 3 minute bloody competition.
BUTTERBEAN overpowered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a monotonous 3 minute uneven fight.
ALPHA beat WET N WILD in a 1 minute beginner's fray.
STANLEY'S CUP handily defeated HEAVENLY in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
I.D. BEST subdued SUN TZU in a 2 minute novice's fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   9         PARRY-LUNGE        3 -   0 -  0     100  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   6         AIMED BLOW        13 -  12 -  2      52  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  5         WALL OF STEEL     11 -  12 -  0      48  |
|AIMED BLOW                       3         SLASHING ATTACK   11 -  13 -  0      46  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         TOTAL PARRY       11 -  18 -  1      38  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         STRIKING ATTACK    6 -  22 -  1      21  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -   8 -  0      20  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         LUNGING ATTACK     5 -  21 -  0      19  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-STRIKE       1 -   5 -  0      17  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         BASHING ATTACK     5 -  26 -  3      16  |

Turn 490 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-LUNGE        1 -  0     SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  3         3  TOTAL PARRY    
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     2 -  4         3  BASHING ATTACK 
AIMED BLOW         2 -  1     LUNGING ATTACK     1 -  8         2  AIMED BLOW     
TOTAL PARRY        2 -  1     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  2         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                              STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  3         1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                              WALL OF STEEL      0 -  1         1  SLASHING ATTACK

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
PARRY-STRIKE     MARCH MADNESS 5435          7   0  0   66 SPORTZ! (518)
LUNGING ATTACK   FIRE BALL 5486              6   1  0   42 SOME BODIES (523)
AIMED BLOW       STANLEY'S CUP 5443          1   0  0   35 SPORTZ! (518)
BASHING ATTACK   HUSBAND 5561                4   1  3   34 DIFFERENT HATS (532)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is MARCH MADNESS 5435.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was MARCH MADNESS 5435.  The ten other most popular fighters were MANDIBLE 5503, 
PERICLES 5531, FODDER V 5846, HUSBAND 5561, SUPER BOWL 5436, ALPHA 5552, STANLEY'S 
CUP 5443, SQUIK JR. 5847, DEACON 5557, and I.D. BEST 5542.

The least popular fighter this week was BED WETTER 5830.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were BUTTERBEAN 5555, HEAVENLY 5562, WET N WILD 5446, VILE 5839, WIMP 5842, 
CANNON 5845, FODDER 5844, WEAK 5843, CLOSE, BUT... 5831, and NOTCHAOTICENUF 5858.

The following warriors have traveled to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after fighting this turn:

G.A. CUSTER (4-5376) DOGS OF WAR (115)