DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 02/22/2005 Duedate: 03/07/2005
KALTOS ARENA
DM-5 TURN-516
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
JOHN TYLER
I'M HISTORY (459)
(5-4420) [15-4-0,109]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
JOHN TYLER THE IMPECCABLE PIG
I'M HISTORY (459) JUST DON'T CARE (396)
(5-4420) [15-4-0,109] (5-3818) [5-2-0,64]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
ZAKAU BURNING MAN
JOHNS (379) TECHNOLOGY (283)
(5-4623) [15-9-0,57] (5-4614) [3-3-0,45]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
I'M HISTORY (459)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. DENMARK (489) 74
2. TECHNOLOGY (283) 49 I'M HISTORY (459)
3. JOHNS (379) 16 Unchartered Team
4. OF WOLF AND MEN 4 (403) 14
5. I'M HISTORY (459) 10 DENMARK (489)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 0*DENMARK (489) 5 0 0 100 1/ 1 I'M HISTORY (459) 9 5 0
2/ 2 I'M HISTORY (459) 54 20 1 73.0 2/ 0*DENMARK (489) 5 0 0
3/ 3 OF WOLF AND MEN 4 (403) 8 3 0 72.7 3/ 8 TECHNOLOGY (283) 5 2 0
4/ 1*JUST DON'T CARE (396) 5 2 0 71.4 4- 3*MASSAGE PARLORS (487) 4 4 0
5- 4 LARGE LOSERS (440) 18 12 0 60.0 5/ 4 JOHNS (379) 4 8 0
6/ 5 TECHNOLOGY (283) 476 399 30 54.4 6/ 2 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453) 4 11 0
7- 7*MASSAGE PARLORS (487) 4 4 0 50.0 7/ 9 OF WOLF AND MEN 4 (403) 2 0 0
8- 6*LORD OF THE BLING (488) 4 4 0 50.0 8- 6 LARGE LOSERS (440) 2 0 0
9/ 8 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453) 194 202 9 49.0 9/ 5*JUST DON'T CARE (396) 2 1 0
10/ 9 JOHNS (379) 220 347 8 38.8 10- 7*LORD OF THE BLING (488) 2 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
* }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *
---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---
Duelmasters
-----------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 515): DARK HELM of BLOOD OF THE SPIDER (DeGotti, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 401): NELLISTHA of THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 520): SUNBURN of SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 516): ARCANE RAIDER of THE MOTHERSHIP 5 (Floyd, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 515): JOHN TYLER of I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 519): SATAN CLAUS of HOLIDAY HORRORS (The Dark One, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 517): GOKU of WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 511): QUIFF of QUBIT (Sultan, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 503): BULMA of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 502): RONALD REAGAN of SONS OF SATAN (Damion, mgr.)
DM 36 COSMOWORLD (turn 476): SANDPAPER CONDOM of MEMPHIS MAFIA II (Talon Darkhart)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 467): DARK TYPHLOSION of FIRE DECK (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 204): HOMEY CIDE of CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 453): RONALD MCDONALD of CLOWNING AROUND (Assurnasirbanipal)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 402): HANNAH of AMAZON ELITE (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 191): DAROSHTAN of TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jinda, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 179): DUFF of ISLANDERS (Nick, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 351): ALTA CHESS of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Nick, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 156): ORPHAN of X-POSSE (Savant, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 395): WHIRLING WORD of 4-LETTER WORDS from CAER (TUM, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 515): SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 401): THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 520): OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 516): LOTHLORIEN (Mithrandir, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 515): I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 519): HOLIDAY HORRORS (The Dark One, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 517): UNDER JOLLY ROGER (Huckle Cat, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 511): TERRAPIN STATION (Floyd, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 503): WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 502): GRIM FANDANGO (Stik, mgr.)
DM 36 COSMOWORLD (turn 476): HELTER SKELTER (Cosmo, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 467): JINDA-BAN (Nick, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 204): CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 453): FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 402): AMAZON ELITE (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 191): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jinda, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 179): SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 351): MIDDLE WAY 10 (Nick, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 156): X-POSSE (Savant, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 395): ODD SQUAD, etc. (Doc Steele, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 514): AEGLOS of SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 519): GREEN BEAN of VEGGIES (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 516): DREAMER of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 514): FREDERICK DOUGLASS of I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
MANUTE BOL of LARGE LOSERS (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 510): CYCLONE of THUNDERSTRIKERS (Zeus, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 503): LE PAIN DLG of PENTARCHIE-18 (The Pentalque, mgr.)
(turn 502): BRICKTOP of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 502): RONALD REAGAN of SONS OF SATAN (Damion, mgr.)
(turn 501): POISON BEAK (21-5827) CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
DM 36 COSMOWORLD (turn 475): KERRY BEAR of BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
KILL'EM KREPP of ANARKYSTS (Iver, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 204): HOMEY CIDE of CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 453): RONALD MCDONALD of CLOWNING AROUND (Assurnasirbanipal)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 402): HANNAH of AMAZON ELITE (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 350): TRAIN of PUBLIC TRANSIT (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 155): CANNONBALL of X-POSSE (Savant, mgr.)
SPY REPORT
Greetings warriors! It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the
clash and bustle of the weekly KALTOS games. There were bitter words at THE MIDDLE
WAY 5's guildhouse after a 1-4-0 showing this week which dropped the stable into 6th.
Dark Arena anyone? Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the corner!
Witness how this week TECHNOLOGY went 3-0-0 to move up 5 in the rankings. I could
not but notice the fine record for DENMARK (5-0-0) after their first round of combat.
May the gods of war favor you in KALTOS! SKULI caught the eye of many in the
gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested EMBEZZLING SCRIBE and was awarded 20
points in recognition. In one of the week's more notable duels, ICE FOX put down
JOHN BROWN, causing him to lose 12 points of recognition in the process. Not for
nothing has JOHN TYLER in the past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this
week he's proven his combat skill yet again. Would you believe that over half of the
old women in KALTOS seem to feel that they could fight better than you gladiators?
But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades
that is city KALTOS. Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those below.
HOFFA take warning! You have more than a few enemies in KALTOS. Give SONNY credit
for his courage. Did you note how he challenged FERGHAN HOHL despite the 30 point
difference in their rankings? The TECHNOLOGY stable will be up late tonight, for
indeed it was SONNY who claimed victory in the contest, ascending 25 in recognition!
I can not but mention with disdain the name of NEO who this week posted a challenge
to a warrior a full 9 points below in the rankings. I thought NEO showed great skill
and promise when he won victory over THE IMPECCABLE PIG. All right, so I slept
through it! Big deal!
Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser? Warriors, may this counselor stand
ready at your right hand forever! Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins.
In the arena there is only the brightness of steel. Keep vigil always!
If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times
already in KALTOS. Nice atmosphere you have here! 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
JOHN TYLER 4420 15 4 0 109 I'M HISTORY (459)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
HOFFA 4348 8 70 0 94 JOHNS (379)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
NEO 4602 7 4 1 90 TECHNOLOGY (283)
FLYNN 4624 16 8 1 88 JOHNS (379)
-FAST FORWARD 4484 13 9 0 86 TECHNOLOGY (283)
HARRIET TUBMAN 4415 10 4 0 67 I'M HISTORY (459)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ICE FOX 3877 8 3 0 66 OF WOLF AND MEN 4 (403)
THE IMPECCABLE PIG 3818 5 2 0 64 JUST DON'T CARE (396)
ZAKAU 4623 15 9 0 57 JOHNS (379)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-SAM BOWIE 4256 3 4 0 54 LARGE LOSERS (440)
-BUCK NAKED 4654 2 0 0 47 MASSAGE PARLORS (487)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
JOHN BROWN 4414 6 4 0 46 I'M HISTORY (459)
BURNING MAN 4614 3 3 0 45 TECHNOLOGY (283)
HOFFA 4622 10 14 0 44 JOHNS (379)
ABRAHAM LINCOLN 4410 7 3 0 42 I'M HISTORY (459)
ERLOI GILL 4620 8 17 0 41 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
INGOLD KERR 4652 6 11 1 33 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
-TYRONE BAGGINS 4663 3 1 0 33 LORD OF THE BLING (488)
CHESTER EGG 4662 6 5 0 32 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
FERGHAN HOHL 4633 5 17 0 32 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
-ELECTRIC SHEEP 4595 3 0 0 30 TECHNOLOGY (283)
NORLE PARTH 4658 6 10 1 29 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
SONNY 4671 1 1 0 26 TECHNOLOGY (283)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-RUB DOWN 4653 2 0 0 20 MASSAGE PARLORS (487)
SKULI 4674 1 0 0 20 DENMARK (489)
DAGFINN 4675 1 0 0 15 DENMARK (489)
TORVOLD 4677 1 0 0 13 DENMARK (489)
ARI THE WISE 4678 1 0 0 13 DENMARK (489)
SNORRE 4676 1 0 0 13 DENMARK (489)
-SILKY SAM 4670 1 0 0 11 LORD OF THE BLING (488)
-MIGHT AS WELL 4261 0 2 0 10 LARGE LOSERS (440)
-HAPPY ENDING 4657 0 2 0 2 MASSAGE PARLORS (487)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
PERSONAL ADS
Tyrone Baggins -- It just doesn't seem FAIR that someone wearing bagging pants, and
of a revolting color, too, should win a fight. I may never eat celery again. --
Norle Parth
Zakau -- I wish somebody'd mug you an alley and drop you in the harbor. It seems
like we're always fighting you. -- Ingold Kerr
Buck Naked -- Did you know that there was once a gladiator called Buck Naked He?
Because his manager, who was nutty as a fruitcake, thought it made the fight reports
funny. -- Erloi Gill
Burning Man -- Well go stand in the showers or something! Don't just stand around
complaining because you're on fire. -- Ferghan Hohl
Damned Dangerous Criminal. -- Chester Egg
31 January 2005
My fellow duelists I come before you bearing a sad and unfortunate message.
Several months ago our group, the Vendetta Cartel, had lost contact with one of our
friends. Since he was in contact or correspondence on an almost daily basis there
was concern amongst us. With some research two of our members discovered why contact
was lost with him.
On November 10, 2004, Richard Hammes was taken from us in a senseless act of
violence during a robbery attempt at a friend's store where he sometimes worked. He
was watching the store so his friend could go home to tend to his son who had taken
ill. You may have known Rich as Abarsis, The Slaughter Priest ; richh10 on the RT;
or gameogre on the Duel2 messageboard. You may not have known that he spent 13 years
serving the United States in the Navy.
Rich dearly loved this game and all it encompassed. He may not have been the
best or most experienced manager but he loved to interact with others and was quick
to offer advice whenever anyone asked for help. He was always kind and gracious and
tried to strengthen our game, often by helping new players feel welcome or give them
a chance to compete. With his prolific posting I know that I am simply speaking the
obvious about what he did for our game. Many, like me, were drawn to him, perhaps
for his kind nature or his sense of humor, and it appears he lived his life as he
played this game. Always willing to help or do right by others.
I realize that he had many friends outside the VC so I will include the link to
the news story in case any of his other friends would like to know more of what
happened. We're all dealt a hand in life but it's not the strength of the hand
you're dealt but rather how you play it that really matters. Rich played his hand to
the very best of his human ability and for this I admire him greatly. I know we all
choose to like or dislike managers but I believe deep down we are all good and
decent, in this game, and will drop party (alliance) lines and will show the proper
respect.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041112/news_7m12clerk.html
Rich was taken from us all to soon and with so much left to offer the community
around him. He spoke of a desire to run a contest on the Duel2 site which I hope to
uphold in his name. Some of the people I have spoken with think it would be a nice
gesture to do one final good act in Rich's name, though it could never match what he
would've done within his community, for his community of San Diego. I hope that with
this contest we might raise a little money to donate to an appropriate charity within
San Diego in his name.
In conclusion I send a message to Rich:
"Rich, though I'm sure you gathered this I never really told you how much I
admired you and what a friend I considered you. I thank you for being my voice of
reason and always reminding me of why we both loved this game so much! You have
taught me one final valuable lesson in learning more of you. There are things far
more valuable in life than material possessions such as character and kindness. That
nothing going on in your life means that you cannot find a way to be kind and giving
to others. We always spoke of meeting someday and until we finally do know that you
will live on in with me and the rest of your brothers and sisters in the Cartel:
Master Darque, Kat, Bum, Sensei Jan, Maximillian, Hammer, Fizban, Firehawk, Phat
Phat. You increased all of our enjoyment of this game, you were a true ambassador of
Duelmasters, and the game will not be quite the same without you. A farewell battle
cry from the ZalCon: 'Confusion to our enemies'. May your soul rest in peace, my
friend."
Should anyone wish to correspond about Rich feel free to contact myself, or
anyone else within the Vendetta Cartel.
Street Legal
Jeff Bura
The Death Squad(63) in Tobir or triumph1971@hotmail.com
31 January 2005
Be it known throughout Alastari that Hammer is no longer a member of the
Vendetta Cartel alliance.
A difference of opinion with another highly respected member of the VC due to my
recent vocal actions in DM 47 can only be resolved by my resignation from the VC as
of January 29, 2005.
I leave of my own accord, in good standing with all members and with no hard
feelings towards anyone in the Vendetta Cartel.
There was a time when I felt that my membership in the VC made the alliance
stronger. I know that my resignation today makes the Vendetta Cartel a stronger
alliance with my absence. -- Hammer
1 February 2005
St. Valentine's Massacre update
My apologies, the Kill Contest starting on turn 476 in Jhans will run for 10 (ten)
turns ending on turn number 486.
Azrael
5 February 2005
On behalf of the ILLUMINATI Confederation of Alliances (The kLk, CHAOS, Inc. and The
Company of Brothers) I would like to express our sympathies concerning the tragic
loss of Rich Hammes to both the DM community and to the real life world. Surely our
loss has been Heaven's gain. -- Talon Darkhart, deeply sorrowful
kLk God of War, Illuminati Alliance, Puppetmaster
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
NEO devastated THE IMPECCABLE PIG in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
SONNY vanquished FERGHAN HOHL in a 1 minute uneven Challenge battle.
JOHN TYLER demolished HOFFA in a 2 minute bloody uneven Title fight.
FLYNN devastated M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
JOHN BROWN was demolished by ICE FOX in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
HARRIET TUBMAN vanquished ERLOI GILL in a 1 minute brutal mismatched fight.
INGOLD KERR was bested by ABRAHAM LINCOLN in a 3 minute competition.
HOFFA was savagely defeated by BURNING MAN in a action packed 6 minute gruesome melee.
ZAKAU vanquished NORLE PARTH in a action packed 1 minute one-sided duel.
CHESTER EGG won victory over OSKSI NOBLE in a 2 minute fight.
SKULI overpowered EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute uneven match.
DAGFINN overpowered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
SNORRE demolished MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
TORVOLD devastated MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute one-sided battle.
ARI THE WISE devastated MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 5 STRIKING ATTACK 22 - 9 - 0 71 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 3 SLASHING ATTACK 14 - 7 - 0 67 |
|WALL OF STEEL 3 LUNGING ATTACK 14 - 7 - 0 67 |
|AIMED BLOW 3 TOTAL PARRY 11 - 8 - 0 58 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 2 AIMED BLOW 17 - 17 - 0 50 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 2 PARRY-LUNGE 8 - 10 - 0 44 |
|BASHING ATTACK 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 - 3 - 0 40 |
|TOTAL PARRY 2 BASHING ATTACK 4 - 7 - 0 36 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 WALL OF STEEL 8 - 19 - 0 30 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 - 0 0 |
Turn 516 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 WALL OF STEEL 1 - 2 4 LUNGING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 5 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 3 3 SLASHING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK 3 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 1 TOTAL PARRY
STRIKING ATTACK 2 - 0 1 WALL OF STEEL
PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 1 PARRY-LUNGE
BASHING ATTACK 1 - 1 1 AIMED BLOW
TOTAL PARRY 1 - 1
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
TOTAL PARRY JOHN TYLER 4420 15 4 0 109 I'M HISTORY (459)
SLASHING ATTACK NEO 4602 7 4 1 90 TECHNOLOGY (283)
PARRY-LUNGE HARRIET TUBMAN 4415 10 4 0 67 I'M HISTORY (459)
LUNGING ATTACK ICE FOX 3877 8 3 0 66 OF WOLF AND MEN 4 (403)
AIMED BLOW THE IMPECCABLE PIG 3818 5 2 0 64 JUST DON'T CARE (396)
WALL OF STEEL ABRAHAM LINCOLN 4410 7 3 0 42 I'M HISTORY (459)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is ZAKAU 4623. The most popular warrior this turn was
BURNING MAN 4614. The ten other most popular fighters were CHESTER EGG 4662, INGOLD
KERR 4652, ABRAHAM LINCOLN 4410, JOHN TYLER 4420, ICE FOX 3877, ZAKAU 4623, SONNY
4671, HOFFA 4348, FLYNN 4624, and HARRIET TUBMAN 4415.
The least popular fighter this week was HOFFA 4622. The other ten least popular
fighters were ERLOI GILL 4620, JOHN BROWN 4414, FERGHAN HOHL 4633, THE IMPECCABLE PIG
3818, DAGFINN 4675, SKULI 4674, NORLE PARTH 4658, NEO 4602, ARI THE WISE 4678, and
TORVOLD 4677.
Name-Change-O-Rama
The winter tourney brought a lot of people to the Isle who didn't appear there
normally. This included Commission employees. Half a dozen arenamasters regarded
each other warily in the mirror behind the bar at the Pig in a Haystack. The Pig was
obscure and mediocre, drawing few gladiators, which is what they had all been looking
for. They saw gladiators every day. Most arenamaster were convinced that this was
some kind of punishment.
You could always pick out the arenamasters in a crowd. There were superficial
differences: One of these had clearly Adantri features, one wore an eye-patch, two
were female. But there were, in significant ways, alike. The same size, the same
hair-trigger alertness, the same deadliness.
The one-eyed man broke the ice, raising his beer mug in salute. "I'm Zrof One-
Eye from Zukal. Sugar of Arvat--" One of the women bowed slightly. "I know Sugar.
The rest of you...?"
The Adantri matched his salute. "Dernal of Dayla Kiv."
"Daiyla Kiv? Ah...."
"No, without the 'I' in it. These damned bureaucrats can't spell, and they
thought adding an unnecessary vowel was exotic." Disgust dripped from his voice.
"Tell me about it!" another man growled in agreement. "Khagal of Niatoli, and
what they do to the spelling of THAT simple word--!"
"I thought Daiyla, I mean Dayla Kiv had a different name right now,"
Arenamistress Sugar said. "The arena, at least, because of a contest?"
"Chavez Ravine." Dernal's tone was the one that substituted in polite company
for spitting on the floor.
Zrof blinked, taken aback by the bitterness. He wouldn't have minded a contest
in Zukal, and damn what they called the place. "It's only temporary, though."
"Temporary, shmiperary," another man muttered. He seemed well into his drinking,
although, like all arenamasters, he carried his liquor well. "They do it all the time
in Aradi. No reshpect. Go around changing thish, changing that. I wish I could
change shome thingsh." He signalled the bartender for a refill.
The second woman put her hand over his mug. "You've had enough, Harkon. Try the
coffee, instead."
"You should be mad, too, Ripplesh," Harkon said. "They're going to do shtuff
like that in Jahnsh, aren't they?"
Ripples Dorrigan shrugged. All the men paused, some with glasses half raised, to
watch. "It's the way things are," she said. "Not much we can do about it."
"You know," Khagal of Niatoli said, "maybe we could make a few changes. Fix the
spelling of Arena 33, for one, change a few standby titles--"
"The Commission hates changes." Dernal of Dayla Kiv topped up his glass and
drained it gloomily.
"Yes, but if we disguise it," Sugar of Arvat said, excited, "make it... maybe a
general Name-Change-O-Rama! Then we could slip OUR changes through and no one would
notice or mind."
*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*
By popular demand, we are holding a Name-Change-o-Rama during the month of March.
If you wish to change the name of your warriors or teams, please contact RSI Customer
Service. The charge for a name change is $1, unless you're in DOOMCorps, in which
case you take your chances. (Just kidding, guys! *snicker*)