DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/30/2003    Duedate: 01/12/2004

KALTOS ARENA

DM-5    TURN-486

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SUX0R
MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)
(5-4560) [11-3-0,98]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SUX0R                          SOUL CATCHER
MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)         THE TAKEN (370)
(5-4560) [11-3-0,98]           (5-3593) [6-3-0,67]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

FREDERICK DOUGLASS             FREDERICK DOUGLASS
I'M HISTORY (459)              I'M HISTORY (459)
(5-4424) [8-4-1,86]            (5-4424) [8-4-1,86]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

THE TAKEN (370)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. THE TAKEN (370)             47
2. THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)      40      I'M HISTORY (459)
3. JOHNS (379)                  1      Unchartered Team
4. WAY OF ALL FLESH (470)       0
5. TECHNOLOGY (283)             0      THE TAKEN (370)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 I'M HISTORY (459)         24   9  1 72.7   1/ 2*THE TAKEN (370)           9  6 1
 2/ 2 MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)    21   8  1 72.4   2/ 3 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)    6  9 0
 3/ 3 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)   142 106  7 57.3   3/ 1 I'M HISTORY (459)         4  4 0
 4- 4 TECHNOLOGY (283)         456 385 29 54.2   4- 5 TECHNOLOGY (283)          2  0 0
 5/ 5*THE TAKEN (370)           19  21  1 47.5   5/ 4 MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)    2  3 0
 6/ 6 JOHNS (379)              176 286  5 38.1   6- 6*WAY OF ALL FLESH (470)    1  0 0
 7- 7*WAY OF ALL FLESH (470)     1  18  0  5.3   7/ 7 JOHNS (379)               0  3 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

          + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Dark Federation #3 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Rodeki:

     "Princess?  I didn't know she was a princess," Tolugat muttered.  "Princess
Tirisha?  This changes everything!"
     "Yeah."  Adabemis & Balmador nodded with satisfaction.  "This gives us, you
know, whatchit.  Not just a back-street cult.  We've got a princess."
     "She'll be picky," the priest objected.  "She'll want velvet cushions to kneel
on.  Good wine.  All that fancy stuff we can't afford--"
     "Hey, it makes a good show!" the gladiator protested.  "People like a good show.
Velvet cushions, okay, maybe not, but we have to have good wine.  And blood
sacrifices.  Lots of them."  His eyes glittered.  "Lots of blood...."
     Tolugat began to look uneasy.  "That could attract unfavorable attention.
Rulers don't like that, they shut down cults that do a lot of sacrificing, they--"
     "But Princess Tirisha's going to be the ruler," the gladiator pointed out.
"She's one of us.  She's on OUR side.  She LIKES a good bloody cult, I can tell."  He
grinned, the glitter in his eye becoming more pronounced.
     "Oh.  Oh, of course," the priest said faintly.  "Why didn't I think of that...."
     "And we'll have lots of gladiators," Adabemis & Balmador went on.  "Gladiators
like blood, too.  Gladiators are INTO dark cults, after all.  It'll be great!"
     "Right...great.  Of course," Tolugat muttered.  "Lots of...," he swallowed hard,
"lots of blood."

Mordant, the royal palace:

     Talissen, Queen of Mordant, threw down the spy's report and glared across the
breakfast table at her husband, King Samir of Trocar.  "You see!  I told you that if
we didn't deal with Sibikhas and Rodeki, there would be trouble."
     Samir shrugged and cut himself another slice of ham.  "If it gets out of hand,
you can crack down on things, but I like the idea of letting the contenders for
Overlord of Sibikhas fight it out among themselves.  Fewer discontented challengers
left around to make trouble later."
     "And I told you I thought it was a bad idea, on several counts," she snapped
back.  "That kind of chaos is not good for the nation, in the first place.  Second,
the winner could end up being TOO strong, and everyone knowing it.  Third, it ignores
the legal solution, that Morra of Jhans, as Gryzash's wife, should be regent until
his son is old enough to take the rule--"
     "She's got experience at being a regent," Samir remarked, frowning thoughtfully.
"Rather convenient, isn't it, that just when her job ends in Jhans, here comes
another one in Sibikhas...."
     "Coincidences DO happen sometimes.  That's why we have a name for them," the
Queen replied.  "And the fourth reason is that if there is to be some new rulers
among my vassals, *I* should be the one to choose them."
     "That's the best reason," Samir agreed.  He shrugged again.  "So choose one.
But if it isn't someone with the strength to defend the position, you'll have to
commit YOUR army to supporting him.  And if your army's not at home, then you could
be vulnerable."
     After a moment's thoughtful silence, Talissen said, "I need more information.
And I need some warriors to be bodyguards for whoever I do choose.  Gladiators, I
think.  Very useful people, gladiators."

This is a call for volunteers.  A personal, or an email to Livia@reality.com will do
it.

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 485): WISPER of SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 371): BIG RED of BIG COUNTRY (Wally The Wacko, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 490): MARY RETZLAFF of AMERICAN APPRAISAL (?, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 486): LYSISTRATA of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 485): SUX0R of MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 489): SPONGEBOB of BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 487): RAISON D'ETRE of BATHTUB ARMADA (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 481): AERYN SUN of FARSCAPE (Keldon Blackfang, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 473): CADEX CFM of THE BIKE SHOP (Malaquar, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 472): TSUNAMI of STORM WARNING (Abarsis, the Slaughter Priest)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 446): MAC of BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 437): NUTCRACKER of ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 189): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 423): SNAPPY GEORGE of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 372): DROGOI of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 176): RUBBER BULLET of USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 164): MACAULIFFE of THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 321): BLACK WIDOW of SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5 (Soultaker, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 141): 2 PHAT of VERMIN (Sultan, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 365): MAUI WAUI of TACO GODS from ZENSU (The Sentinel, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 485): SOUL HAREM (Saucy Jack, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 371): BIG COUNTRY (Wally The Wacko, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 490): SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 486): DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 485): I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 489): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 487): NINJAS (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 481): THE MENTORS (Dr. Feelgood, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 473): BIG MEAN FISH (Big Wave Dave, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 472): RAGE (Myrrdin, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 446): BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 437): EAGLES CLAW (Talon Volksie, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 189): CHEAP SHOTS (?, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 423): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 372): ALL-UGLY TEAM (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 176): DREIHDENWALD (Dreihdenflahg, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 164): THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 321): SAMURAI KIDS II (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 141): EPOCHOLYPSE (Brewmaster, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 365): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 370): MORADOR of RESURRECTION (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 489): GO FISH of GAMES LIBRARY (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 486): LYSISTRATA of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 485): AUTOMATON of TECHNOLOGY (Otto X. Frothingslosh, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 488): IVANMOE of SOUL STRIPPERS II (Saucy Jack, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 487): ALOHA ALICE of BEACH BABES (Nick, mgr.)
                           BUBBA of MORGAN'S BOYS (A-Sop, mgr.)
               (turn 486): POPCORN MACHINE of WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
                           SATOSHI KUNO of NINJAS (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 481): KEPLER of THE MOONDOGS (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 473): VIGO of ALCHEMY (Otto X. Frothingslosh, mgr.)
                (turn 472): PROVIDENCE of SUPERIOR FORCES 6N (Manager, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 437): 2 + 2 = 4 of JUST BECAUSE (A-Sop, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 175): BIRAN of THE WHITE COMPANY (Silverstroke, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 163): LUCIA of ISLANDERS (Nick, mgr.)
                          GHASTLY MIGRAINE of HANGOVERS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 321): BLACK WIDOW of SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5 (Soultaker, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings, warriors of KALTOS!  Once again I've been called out of retirement 
for my abilities and insights into Spyreporting.  Biff!  Pow!  KALTOS watched with 
glee as I'M HISTORY got knocked off top spot by THE TAKEN!  What's with BELISS DON?  
She actually beat MORE NEW TEAMS 2's FRIED TWINKIE, and walked away with 25 more 
points from the fight.  Laughs were big at THE MIDDLE WAY 5 while they watched BELISS 
DON clobber FRIED TWINKIE.  She lost 12 points and got bruised from objects thrown 
from the stands.  FREDERICK DOUGLASS was reminded on the sands why SUX0R is 
Duelmaster.  I suppose you want to hear some rumors and dirty gossip about your 
fellow fighters?  Tough!   
     No matter the time or place, men will always duel.  How well I know the feeling 
of being in the most avoided team!  Don't fall out of practive, THE MIDDLE WAY 5!  
Management must be dealin', as the boys at THE TAKEN ain't reelin'!  THE MIDDLE WAY 
5's mad!  What do people see in JAD LADRUE?  His 9-10-0?  THE MIDDLE WAY 5 ain't 
talkin', but he's got 37 points.  I hate going to the effort of writing about the 
kind of fights that ROSE gets in.  She fights people like GORAN INSIT, 10 points 
below.  I thought ROSE showed great skill and promise when she subdued GORAN INSIT.  
All right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     A fighter's lot is filled with strife, revenge, and killing.  Some fighters 
don't accept this.  The best do.  Is it my imagination, or are fighters getting 
younger every day?  To die so young, so gloriously!   
     Many other cities have retirement homes for aged warriors.  Any plans here?  
KALTOS is a nice place to live, but I don't like to live in nice places.  Time for my 
medication, so I'll leave now.  Practice, practice, practice!-- Olaf Modeen  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SUX0R 4560                   11   3  0    98       MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-CAPTAIN CRUNCH 4330          11   5  1   116       TECHNOLOGY (283)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DERBIE FOYLE 4556            15   6  1    90       THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
 FREDERICK DOUGLASS 4424       8   4  1    86       I'M HISTORY (459)
 JOHN TYLER 4420               7   2  0    77       I'M HISTORY (459)
 SOUL CATCHER 3593             6   3  0    67       THE TAKEN (370)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BELISS DON 4558              10   9  0    66       THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
 HOFFA 4348                    7  41  0    62       JOHNS (379)
-FAST FORWARD 4484             7   5  0    57       TECHNOLOGY (283)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FRIED TWINKIE 4562            7   3  0    46       MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)
 HOWLER 3591                   5   4  0    44       THE TAKEN (370)
 SILENT 4600                   3   0  1    38       THE TAKEN (370)
 JAD LADRUE 4559               9  10  0    37       THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
-JOHN BROWN 4414               3   0  0    35       I'M HISTORY (459)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-HARRIET TUBMAN 4415           4   2  0    27       I'M HISTORY (459)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ROSE 4603                     2   0  0    19       THE TAKEN (370)
-ASHEWINTER 4504               1   0  0    10       WAY OF ALL FLESH (470)
 GOBLIN 4605                   1   0  0    10       THE TAKEN (370)
-ABRAHAM LINCOLN 4410          2   1  0     9       I'M HISTORY (459)
 GORAN INSIT 4598              0   3  0     3       THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
-MESMERIZED 4533               0   2  0     2       WAY OF ALL FLESH (470)
 HANS JOILICE 4606             0   1  0     1       THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
FARON HARN 4368       17 28 2 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 453  FREDERICK DOUGLA 4424 482 NOT REVE
GEO IBSENT 4597        1  2 0 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 453  SILENT 4600           485         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Soul Catcher -- If you MUST do that, at least warm up your hands! - Derbie Foyle

Silent -- Drat. -- Ghost of Geo Ibsent

Fast Forward -- Good gods, man, that is SERIOUSLY fast! -- Jad Ladrue
P.S.  You were practically ambling there!

Howler -- I dislike loud noises, and it is my goal to prevent them before they occur.
-- Beliss Don

Rose -- You are so sweet! -- Goran Insit
P.S.  Any chance of not getting hit by you again?

2 December 2003
ZalCon2, ZalCon Reloaded
Where:  Jhelum, DM 4
When:  February 9th or 23rd, 2003 (TBA when Mail In date set)
How Long:  20 Turns

Restrictions:  Zero FE at start of contest.  Must announce warrior styles by second
arena fight to receive points.  No prize modified warriors.  No entry to July Face,
No TV Challenges.  All prizes to be used exclusively on warriors from the contest
team only.

Awards:
     First Initiate Duelmaster (FID):  First warrior announced in the contest to
          reach the throne.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, increasing damage for 1 warrior by one rating to
          max for ST/SZ.
     Warrior MVP:  Top warrior based on MVP points accrued in the contest.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge for any warrior on team, +1
          to bonus in any skill area up to max for style for 1 warrior on team, 2
          nights stay at Winter FTF Hotel.
     Team MVP:  Top Team based on MVP points accrued in contest by all the teams
          warriors.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge, +1 to Bonus, 6 Months Free
          Play, 20 Rollups.
     Warrior MVP Top 11:  Next 10 warriors on MVP list at the end of the contest.
     Prize:  +1 to Bonus
     Style Master:  Top warrior in each style based on Style Master points accrued in
          the contest.
     Prize:  Favorites Knowledge of any warrior on team.
     Iron Manager Award:  Minimum 95 fights in contest by any team.
     Prize:  Choice of free entry for team to 2005 Winter Face or +1 to Bonus for one
          warrior.

MVP Point System:  +1 for Win, Fight, Kill, Recognition Leader (after Round 3), -1
Death, +2 Duelmaster, +2 each 3 Consecutive turns as DM, +1 Quality Win (any win over
opponent with 5 or more Rec), +1 for each 10 Rec points over 5 in win (+1 for 5-14
above, +2 for 15-24 above, +3 for 25-34 above).
Style Master Point System:  +2 Style Master, +1 Win vs. Same Style Opponent, +1 Win
vs. Same Style Master, +1 for 3 Consecutive Turns as Style Master (rolling).

     Please direct any question about rules or clarifications to me, Robert
Occhipinti, via Diplo to DM74, 1988 Dodgers or email to zalgor@hotmail.com.  All
rules decisions made by me are final and binding within the confines of this contest.

8 December 2003
Greetings!  I would like to invite everyone to Jhans (DM 36) for the first annual kLk
St. Valentine's Day Massacre (kill contest).  We will start the contest off with the
ceremonial burning of the Andorian flag on turn 450.  (Six turns away.  Roughly mid-
February.)  The contest will run for 10 turns.  On turn 461, 3 separate victors will
be announced.  Team with the most kills, warrior with the most kills, and alliance
with the most kills.  Prizes will be awarded to the manager of the team with the most
kills and to the manager of the warrior with the most kills.  The prizes will
probably be team roll-ups.  The number of roll-ups has yet to be determined.  The
contest is sponsored by Jhans' newest, (but by the time the contest starts) largest
alliance, the kLk (pronounced "klick"). -- Polarius, mgr. of Blitzkrieg DM 36

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SOUL CATCHER bested HOFFA in a 2 minute bloody Challenge fight.
HOWLER vanquished JAD LADRUE in a exciting 1 minute uneven Challenge battle.
ROSE overpowered GORAN INSIT in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge duel.
SUX0R unbelievably bested FREDERICK DOUGLASS in a popular 3 minute brutal Title fight.
JOHN TYLER was viciously subdued by DERBIE FOYLE in a 2 minute gory expert's brawl.
FRIED TWINKIE was devastated by BELISS DON in a 4 minute mismatched match.
SILENT handily defeated CULT MEMBER in a 1 minute gruesome uneven melee.
GOBLIN vanquished HANS JOILICE in a 1 minute uneven fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  5         LUNGING ATTACK     5 -   2 -  0      71  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         TOTAL PARRY       18 -  11 -  0      62  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         SLASHING ATTACK    8 -   5 -  0      62  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         AIMED BLOW         4 -   3 -  0      57  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         STRIKING ATTACK   17 -  17 -  2      50  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      8 -   8 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         WALL OF STEEL      8 -  15 -  1      35  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   0         BASHING ATTACK     4 -   8 -  0      33  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   0         PARRY-STRIKE       1 -   8 -  0      11  |

Turn 486 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-RIPOSTE      1 -  0     TOTAL PARRY        1 -  2         3  TOTAL PARRY    
SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  1         2  SLASHING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    3 -  2     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  WALL OF STEEL  
WALL OF STEEL      1 -  1     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         2  STRIKING ATTACK
                              LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  0         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                              BASHING ATTACK     0 -  0         1  LUNGING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      SUX0R 4560                 11   3  0   98 MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (476)
WALL OF STEEL    DERBIE FOYLE 4556          15   6  1   90 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
STRIKING ATTACK  FREDERICK DOUGLASS 4424     8   4  1   86 I'M HISTORY (459)
SLASHING ATTACK  SOUL CATCHER 3593           6   3  0   67 THE TAKEN (370)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    BELISS DON 4558            10   9  0   66 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is FREDERICK DOUGLASS 4424.  The most popular warrior 
this turn was FREDERICK DOUGLASS 4424.  The ten other most popular fighters were 
BELISS DON 4558, HOWLER 3591, DERBIE FOYLE 4556, SOUL CATCHER 3593, SILENT 4600, JAD 
LADRUE 4559, ROSE 4603, SUX0R 4560, GOBLIN 4605, and JOHN TYLER 4420.

The least popular fighter this week was HANS JOILICE 4606.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were GORAN INSIT 4598, HOFFA 4348, FRIED TWINKIE 4562, JOHN TYLER 
4420, GOBLIN 4605, SUX0R 4560, ROSE 4603, JAD LADRUE 4559, SILENT 4600, and SOUL 
CATCHER 3593.

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

AUTOMATON (5-4327) TECHNOLOGY (283)

                       TOURNEY FREEZE CHANGE -- ADVANCE NOTICE

     Beginning at the Winter Face-to-Face in Tempe (January 2004), we will implement 
several changes affecting tournaments.  The tournament announcement for the upcoming 
FTF and future tourneys will reflect these changes.
     First, we will eliminate the tourney freeze for all regular DM warrior classes.  
Regular DM warriors will not be classed ahead of the tournament, but instead will 
fight according to their FE on the date of the tourney.  There will still be a freeze 
for the ADM classes, occurring on the same timeline as before, approximately 6 weeks 
before the tournament.
     In addition to the above change, the warrior classes will be slightly altered.  
The new tourney classes will be as follows:

                DM Tourney Classes                 ADM Tourney Classes
              ======================              ======================
                  0 FE:  Rookies                        Freshmen
                1-4 FE:  Apprentices                    ADM
               5-10 FE:  Initiates                      Eligibles
              11-20 FE:  Adepts                      ---induction---
              21-30 FE:  Champions                      Contenders
                31+ FE:  Challengers                    Primus

     All regular DM tourney classes will remain solely FE based.  All ADM classes will 
now be based on warrior characteristics (i.e., the ADM split algorithm), including the 
Freshmen class.
     The Gateway and Primus arenas will be merging before the FTF to form one top 
arena.  These warriors will be split into two tournament classes, the Contenders and 
the Primus classes, again based upon their characteristics.  More information on this 
will be published in the newsletters for those arenas.
     If you have any questions about the above changes, please contact Customer 
Service.  Good luck in your games.

                                          -- Green Eyes and the RSI staff