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)