DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 05/12/2009 Duedate: 05/25/2009
KALTOS ARENA
DM-5 TURN-624
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
FELISSA HURM
THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
(5-4955) [21-6-0,100]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
FELISSA HURM POSITION IS EMPTY
THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
(5-4955) [21-6-0,100]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
KATIRONA MURH FELISSA HURM
THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453) THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
(5-4929) [20-12-2,92] (5-4955) [21-6-0,100]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453) 9
2. CASSEY'S CREW (112) 6 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
Unchartered Team
ATTACKED BY SOUP (361)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 2 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453) 460 467 16 49.6 1/ 1 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453) 8 6 0
2/ 3 CASSEY'S CREW (112) 120 139 9 46.3 2/ 2 CASSEY'S CREW (112) 6 0 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 622): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 505): GALLORDIN of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 628): KOVARARMANN VOTH of GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 623): FELISSA HURM of THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 623): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 627): HIERONYMUS ZIGG of SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 616): JOLEEN KRUZ of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 613): DOT DOT DOT of CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): LEAD INSTRUCTOR of LIGHT BRIGADE (Woody, mgr.)
DM 36 JHANS (turn 584): BAM BAM THE IMP of HOUSE OF RATS (?, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 576): TORCHILIGHT KID of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 259): D'URVILLE of KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 560): CHATTY CABALIST of DUNGEON CELL (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 511): CARGO of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): KORASIM of TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 460): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 210): UM-PAH of ONE MAN BAND (Allegro, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 504): SUPER BUM of FLAT BROKE (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 622): SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 505): PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE (Gavin, Rule, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 628): GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 623): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 623): PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 627): SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 616): THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 613): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): MONADIC TRIBE (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 36 JHANS (turn 584): GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (Non?, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 576): U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 259): KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 560): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 511): DARK HORSEMEN (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 460): DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 210): ONE MAN BAND (Allegro, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 504) FLOPS et al (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 622): JAMMY LARKE of THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 616): JOLEEN KRUZ of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
(turn 615): REESE SILEEN of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 612): BLUE MOON of RUN AND HYDE (Jekyll, mgr.)
HEXALUS of VINCERE AUT MORI (Toker, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): LAGERKVIST of LITERATE LOONS (?, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 575): RUNNA DAMILL of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 460): EVANDER GILL of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.)
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
This Convicted Assassin is rather a pathetic fellow. Mind you, I wouldn't want
him trying to assassinate me, I'm sure he's good enough at his own job to be
dangerous, but fighting in the arena? Not what he trained for, is it?
Felissa Hurm
SPY REPORT
Greetings warriors! It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the
clash and bustle of the weekly KALTOS games. KATIRONA MURH caught the eye of many in
the gladiatorial commission as she skillfully bested VETERAN MERCENARY and was
awarded 4 points in recognition. Not for nothing has FELISSA HURM in the past laid
claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week she's proven hers combat skill yet
again. Heed this! A seer has warned that if exactly 6 die in duels this week, the
whole city shall perish! Just remember...5 or 7!
I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently
transpired. Indeed there is much I would report.
Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser? Warriors, may this counselor stand
ready at your right hand forever! Fate is a fickle mistress. She showers the
miserable with fortune but sets enemies against the victorious. Remember this!
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! Sadly warriors, now longer can I
keep thy company nor savor the ale of thy fine city. Depart I must and soon! Till
next we meet remember - the pen is mightier than the sword, but a maul is a different
story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
FELISSA HURM 4955 21 6 0 100 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KATIRONA MURH 4929 20 12 2 92 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KELLY 4011 17 14 0 65 CASSEY'S CREW (112)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
PENDRU ROST 4956 9 16 0 45 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ASHLEY 4981 5 0 0 25 CASSEY'S CREW (112)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
IRVINA KORL 4978 3 7 0 17 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?
PERSONAL ADS
Hmm. That Venomous Concubine, uh, "Devrie Scatha, Concubine Out of Favor," she isn't
a bad sort when you get talking to her. She's just misunderstood, you know? Some
guy didn't listen when he should have. Okay, she's a little hot-tempered, but who
isn't if provoked? -- Jammy Larke
Huh, well, all *I* can say is, we should NOT reopen the arena in Khalhums. These
dwarves are bad enough when you meet one on the sands, but if we had a whole lot of
'em on their home ground, they'd be insufferable. Of course, *I* wouldn't have to
suffer 'em, so that's probably okay. -- Katirona Murh
Kelly -- My momma done tole me, "Pen, don't you go hitting women." Amazing how your
mother's instructions stick, even in the face of reality. -- Pendru Rost
P.S. Are you one of those Kelly Girls that come in and do whatever needs doing?
Ashley -- Hnf! You may be all cock-a-hoop over winning, but men don't like women who
are tall and long-winded. -- Irvina Korl
Arenamaster Troktai -- I'll take that drink, and thanks, but how about if I don't
leave? -- Jammy Larke
You'd better leave! This island is too small for a bunch of immortals to hang
around using up our space and resources. -- Arenamaster Troktai
29 April 09
Greetings All -- This is Vincent Michaels, "the Rake", mgr. of the Stormbringers out
of DM 33 Niatoli Island, back after a relatively long layoff. I come back to my
arena to find only two other teams there. Terrible! I'm calling on all you managers
out there who have inactive teams in Niatoli to put them back in the game. Also,
anyone else who wants to come check out our little island are welcome. Good food and
a lot of good gambling, and you will have a chance to smack around Gen. GirlPants and
his band of Ravaged Queens. Great fun. Come one, come all!
4 May 09
Players of Duel 2:
RSI wants to try, in a few arenas, a system that rewards role-play and general arena
involvement. Our thoughts at this time are as follows, and feedback is earnestly
solicited:
1. What to reward.
a. Spotlights--they don't have to be involved and lengthy storylines, and in fact,
my own inclination is to say: anything game related and original (i,e,, not a
reprint), maybe set a minimum length. I use TOGS here as my model--half a column as
formatted for the newsletter, and we don't judge the quality of the writing (so long
as the editor isn't grossed out), just the intent to make a positive contribution.
b. A dm column where one is "due." Again, no judgment on quality of writing, should
be dm-related, and I would say (this is just me) a minimum length of maybe five
lines.
c. Personals. More than just "you suck," or "good fight." How much more doesn't
really concern me, and quality, other than "not offensive to the editor," should not
be an issue. We don't want to encourage participation and then muzzle it.
d. It has been suggested that a reward point or two be offered for running a full
team. We could include this, but my own inclination would be to say that there would
be no points for this, but that those who don't make a clear effort on this
(accidents happen, so maybe something like "when the three-turn total of fights is
below twelve"?) aren't eligible for points on any turn until they get it back up to a
full team.
2. How to reward it.
a. We've been thinking nebulously about some kind of point system, obviously, as an
example, say 3 points for a spotlight, 2 for a column, 1 for personals, more points
here for what takes more effort, but some points for any effort. This is in no way
final! But some way to keep track of who is contributing and how much, and as non-
subjective as possible; this would be noted as each newsletter would be proofed. A
way to clearly identify who's sending in what would help, but I can work it out by
referring to the warrior listings if I have to.
b. But, assuming a point system, do the rewards, whatever they end up being, go to
the player who achieves a certain point total? Is this calculated per turn, or as a
running total over as many turns as it takes to reach that point? Or to the player
with the highest total on any given turn? What about ties?
c. What do the points get the player? The current thought is X points gets a free
fight, probably replacing the "Popularity Leader's" free fight in the relevant arena.
That suggests only one player getting a role-play free fight on any given turn. Is
this enough to encourage the newsletter participation we're hoping for? Should we
convert "This Week's Favorite" to a role-play free fight also? Or handle rewards in
some other way entirely?
3. Where it happens.
The current thought is, try it in four arenas: one in each region, and one slow
arena. Who picks the arenas in question? I'd be inclined to rule out those that are
doing fairly well already (Ardivent, Sunset, Lapur; Arkers, Morya, North Fork), but
is that wise? Or even fair? Darned if I know. Places where it is NOT currently
intended to happen: Transfer arenas. Maybe rule out the no-tourney arenas as
current candidates, too?
If this seems to work well enough to be worth the effort, should we consider
extending it to more, eventually to all non-transfer, arenas?
This is not a "someday down the line we might" concept. We want to do this, and
SOON. Your feedback would be appreciated, for, against, changes, anything. You can
email me directly at jputney zianet com (make sure it says DM in the subject line) or
send a diplo to scribe, any arena.
the Scribe
P.S. Staff members not to be eligible for role-playing free fights.
5 May 09
The Battle Royal V is upon us! Come join one of the original contests that has had
some of the games best managers involved in the past. DM 18, Talcama, some consider
it to be the crown jewel of the Delarq cities is where this contest will take place.
The Battle Royal is intended to be a play as you want, play what you want Delarquan
style contest with very few rules. While I'd love to say, "NO AVOIDING" is the only
rule (and that wouldn't be too far off), I must spell out situations that can and
have occurred and require additional clarification.
The advantages of this format:
1) Simple.
2) No penalty for DAs.
3) No restrictions on warriors entered into the contest (baggers, TC mods, etc all
welcome)
4) No penalty for not fighting.
5) It isn't a race where 21 wit and favorite learn determine the victor.
6) Losing a warrior (or even your whole team) doesn't eliminate you from contention.
7) It is possible to overcome almost any deficit. And this has been proven, with
managers making huge point swings in short periods of time!
8) It is a contest designed to show manager skill rather than warrior ability.
There are a few disadvantages:
1) There is no set end. It is possible for this contest to go on indefinitely. In
practice, this format has worked very nicely in the past and I expect it will
continue to work well.
2) You cannot avoid (But that is part of the fun and the head to head nature of this
contest requires this rule.)
3) It encourages bloodshed.
4) Baggers and experienced warriors have an advantage over new warriors.
Battle Royal Rules:
- Any team in Talcama is eligible to participate. There are no restrictions on
warriors (baggers, TC prize modified, etc). However, any warrior that fights for
your team is considered in the BR.
- Teams may not avoid any other team within the contest. (Note that you may avoid
teams outside the contest but you do so at your own risk.) Avoiding a team on the
turn they enter the Battle Royal is not considered against the rules (since you
couldn't know the team wasn't part of the BR). The suggestion is not to avoid at
all. Assur (the contest moderator) gets an avoid report every turn and will catch
people avoiding!
- Managers may only enter a single team in the contest.
- Any manager with more than one team in Talcama may not challenge any other contest
warrior with their non contest team(s). The intention is that no advantage can be
gained by having multiple teams in the arena.
****Failure to comply with the above rules***
1st offense: Disqualification from the prize, but you may still participate.
2nd offense: Warning.
3rd offense: Removal from Battle Royal.
- If a manager decides to switch teams, his score will start back at 0. This is to
prevent a manager from sweeping the contest with several teams of sandbaggers. Can a
manager use this clause to go from a negative score to zero? Yes. I realize this is
sort of cheating, but I'd rather have a manager start over with a new team than drop
out of the contest. Even so, they have to start at 0 and must gain 25 points.
- If your warrior loses a contest fight because of an input error and this error is
verified by RSI, you will have a point added to your score. The head to head records
will remain the same and any points gained by another manager will remain on that
manager's record.
- As soon as you are announced in the newsletter, you are officially entered into the
Battle Royal. Scoring begins on that turn! You are expected to follow the rules
that turn and every turn following. Your team may enter any time they wish during
the course of the Battle Royal.
- If you are exiting the Battle Royal, you are not removed until the turn after your
intention is published. You are asked to follow the rules for that turn (either
through not avoiding or not running your warriors).
Scoring:
- Scoring begins the turn your team declares participation.
- Scoring continues through the turn your team withdraws.
- Score is calculated by: Wins+Kills-Lossses.
- Only fights with other B.R. participannts count towards your score, but they count
whether they are challenges or random match-ups.
- First Manager to 25 points wins!
- In event of tie, B.R. continues until one team that has reached 25 points is ahead
of all other participants.
Disputes:
- The attempt has been made to make these rules as complete and bulletproof as
possible, but Tripwire will resolve any disputes as fairly as he is capable.
Prizes:
For the Winner:
6 Months Free Play in Talcama for the winning team (doesn't include tourneys)!
One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18)!
One Limited Damage Bump Potion (one time use, up to max for stats, used on DM 18
warrior)!
One Minor Stat Switch Prize (up to 2 points can be moved from one stat to another
stat on a new rollup in DM 18, before adding 14 points. This prize can be used up to
3 months from the contest end. Both points must be used in the same place (can't
take one from a speed and one from deftness and add one to wit and will)).
One Favorites Knowledge Potion (to be used on a 5+ FE warrior in DM 18).
Rename One Dark Arena Creature in DM 18, which will be renamed for 6 Months or until
the Ladies decide to return it to the previous name.
All potions renaming prizes must be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest.
Endurance Award (available to all participants):
One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18).
To qualify for the Endurance Award you must participate in 90% of the total fights
possible over the course of the BR. If you don't have time to make it into the BR by
the first turn, there will be a two turn window before the counter will start for new
teams. The fights do not have to be BR point scoring fights, just 90% of the total
possible participation over the course of the contest! So, if the contest runs 26
turns, there are 130 fights possible. Your team must have 117 fights during those 26
turns to be eligible.
All prizes/potions subject to RSI's interpretation of how they are used/implemented.
RSI said the faves knowledge must be used on an Inits warrior or higher and set at
5FE or more.
Tripwire
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
FELISSA HURM bested M. CHARDINEE in a crowd pleasing 5 minute Title fight.
KATIRONA MURH won victory over VETERAN MERCENARY in a 2 minute gruesome battle.
KELLY subdued PENDRU ROST in a 2 minute expert's fight.
IRVINA KORL was unbelievably bested by ASHLEY in a popular 4 minute gory contest.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY 2 TOTAL PARRY 14 - 1 - 0 93 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 7 - 2 - 0 78 |
|WALL OF STEEL 2 SLASHING ATTACK 4 - 2 - 0 67 |
|AIMED BLOW 0 BASHING ATTACK 8 - 5 - 0 62 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 0 LUNGING ATTACK 4 - 3 - 0 57 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 WALL OF STEEL 10 - 10 - 0 50 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 0 AIMED BLOW 6 - 7 - 0 46 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 0 PARRY-LUNGE 7 - 11 - 0 39 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 - 0 0 |
|BASHING ATTACK 0 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 3 - 0 0 |
Turn 624 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:
TOTAL PARRY 2 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 0 2 TOTAL PARRY
PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 2 WALL OF STEEL
WALL OF STEEL 1 - 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 2 PARRY-LUNGE
LUNGING ATTACK 0 - 0
SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 0
STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 0
BASHING ATTACK 0 - 0
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
TOTAL PARRY FELISSA HURM 4955 21 6 0 100 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
WALL OF STEEL KATIRONA MURH 4929 20 12 2 92 THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (453)
PARRY-LUNGE KELLY 4011 17 14 0 65 CASSEY'S CREW (112)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is KATIRONA MURH 4929. The most popular warrior this
turn was FELISSA HURM 4955. The ten other most popular fighters were IRVINA KORL
4978, KELLY 4011, KATIRONA MURH 4929, PENDRU ROST 4956, ASHLEY 4981, 0, 0, 0, 0,
and 0.
The least popular fighter this week was ASHLEY 4981. The other ten least popular
fighters were PENDRU ROST 4956, KATIRONA MURH 4929, KELLY 4011, IRVINA KORL 4978,
FELISSA HURM 4955, 0, 0, 0, 0, and 0.
MAIL-IN TOURNEY XLVII
ELIGIBLES TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
ICE FOX 3877 (48-20-0) 2 3 0 OF WOLF AND MEN 4
FRESHMEN TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
FREDERICK DOUGLASS 4424 (18-6-1) 1 3 0 I'M HISTORY
INITIATES TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
KADASYA 4965 (2-4-0) 3 3 0 WIZARD'S WRATH
APPRENTICES TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
QUILYAN 4964 (1-0-0) 4 3 0 WIZARD'S WRATH
ROOKIES TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
DOE JACOBS 4996 (0-0-0) 4 3 0 FRIENDS, NO FAMILY
DYLLIN 4983 (0-0-0) 3 3 0 WIZARD'S WRATH
ADM FOOLS TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
MANUTE BOL 4233 (69-60-0) 0 3 0 LARGE LOSERS