DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 11/06/2003    Duedate: 12/03/2003

ARKERS ARENA

DM-8    TURN-237

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

MELTDOWN
X-FORCE (484)
(8-4353) [17-4-0,104]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

LUMBERING WAIF                 TOBACCO ROSE
HAPLESS WAIF (515)             PHOENIX FIRE (532)
(8-4346) [11-8-0,106]          (8-4529) [3-4-1,30]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

MISS STEP                      EMM
LADIES IN WAITING (115)        BONDAGE (469)
(8-3978) [17-15-0,74]          (8-4588) [2-2-0,26]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

BONDAGE (469)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. TYCRON'S GUARD (535)        39
2. X-FORCE (484)               32      Z GLADIATORZ (519)
3. Z GLADIATORZ (519)          27      Unchartered Team
4. LA PENTARCHIE (481)         27
5. PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)      21      TYCRON'S GUARD (535)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*TYCRON'S GUARD (535)       4   1  0 80.0   1/ 3 BONDAGE (469)             9  5 0
 2/ 1 Z GLADIATORZ (519)        36  15  0 70.6   2/10 Z GLADIATORZ (519)        8  2 0
 3/ 2 BONDAGE (469)             85  50  7 63.0   3/ 2 HAPLESS WAIF (515)        8  4 0
 4/ 3 BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)    233 146 22 61.5   4/ 1 TREE PEOPLE (511)         8  6 0
 5/ 4 SMITHSONIAN (245)        471 317 13 59.8   5/ 4 BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)     8  7 0
 6- 5 NORTHERN BADLANDS (397)   92  69  7 57.1   6/ 5 WIMPS OF PERIL (504)      8  7 0
 7/ 6 LADIES IN WAITING (115)  295 244 12 54.7   7/ 6 X-FORCE (484)             7  8 1
 8/ 8 LA PENTARCHIE (481)      124 105  3 54.1   8/ 7 LADIES IN WAITING (115)   6  8 0
 9/ 7 HAPLESS WAIF (515)        43  37  1 53.8   9/ 9 LA PENTARCHIE (481)       5  8 0
10- 9 DOGPOUND (477)            46  41  2 52.9  10/ 0*TYCRON'S GUARD (535)      4  1 0
11/10 WIMPS OF PERIL (504)      70  68  4 50.7  11/15*PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)     4  6 1
12/12*PHOENIX FIRE (532)        14  15  1 48.3  12/14 PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)    4  6 0
13/11 TREE PEOPLE (511)         46  50  1 47.9  13/ 8*PHOENIX FIRE (532)        4  8 0
14-13*CHAOS REAVERS (520)       11  12  1 47.8  14/16 SMITHSONIAN (245)         3  5 0
15/15 PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)    66  80  7 45.2  15-12*CHAOS REAVERS (520)       2  1 1
16/16 X-FORCE (484)             79 108  7 42.2  16-13 NORTHERN BADLANDS (397)   2  1 0
17-17 DYSERAY (456)             97 151  2 39.1  17-11 DOGPOUND (477)            1  0 0
18/19*PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)      9  21  4 30.0  18-17 DYSERAY (456)             1  3 0

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
19/ 0*ENTENTER (534)             1   4  0 20.0  19/ 0*ENTENTER (534)            1  4 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

     Greetings, all!  The name is Tycron, manager of the brand new team to come to
Arkers, TYCRON'S GUARD.  After my success with TYCRON'S MERCS (a Free Blades group
still active in DM 16), I've decided to take my flying ship, Crysiste, to expand my
operations to the Andorian region as well.
     I know that the Andorians practice honorable combat, so I will follow that lead
by keeping low KD's and to avoid downchallenging.  Of course, all bets are off for
THE BONNEBREAKER, a former executioner turned away from the profession but still
bearing the name.  Also journeying with me is RINSAD SEBINSKI, an excellent fighter
who came to me in search of a purpose.  He may get it yet.  From the far north I
recruited GULEERAMOON (pronounced Goo-leer-uh-moon) along with his partner in
mischief, HUMANDO.  Topping off the list is ALIZA, a cousin of KATRINA THE RED from
my other team and one I also have high hopes for.  So I will conclude now and hope
for a tough fight!

        + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Aruaki Clanhold #120 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

The Isle of Kordos:

     Belana blinked.  A priestess healer named Adelora?  Yes, she wanted very much to
meet that woman!  As they passed into the blessed shadow of the trees, she noted that
Gelleran drew his sword.  Her hand went to her waist automatically, even though she
knew her sword had vanished along with Alastari.  "Is there danger?"
     "There may be," he answered, looking alertly from side to side.  "We found a
boat drawn up on the beach around the point," a half-gesture indicated the rocky
point to the west of where Belana awakened.  "It might have been fishermen seeking
shelter from last night's storm...except that there is no one to be found around
there, and fishermen wouldn't go far from their boat.  I fear it is more likely
minions of the Gray Witch have landed on Kordos, and I will take no risks where you
are concerned!"
     "The Gray Witch?"  This was getting more confusing by the moment, like Alastari
in some ways and very unlike in others.  She had heard of a parallel dimension where
there was a Sheila Blackwand, but this seemed a different place than either Alastari
as she knew it or the one she'd heard of.  Okay, three parallel dimensions, then.  At
least, she hoped there were only three.  If she had to hunt through a dozen
dimensions to find the world she belonged in, she'd...she didn't know what she would
do.
     Belana glanced at Gelleran out of the corner of her eye.  In her home dimension,
he had shown definite interest in her, the kind a man shows to a woman he wants, but
this man and the Belana of his world seemed to have gone beyond that point.  She
wouldn't be surprised to find that they were engaged.  And where WAS the Belana of
this world?  In Alastari?  Or around here somewhere?  She shook her head in a vain
effort to clear it.  Better not to borrow trouble.  "I take it this Gray Witch is an
enemy?"
     "The worst," Gelleran confirmed.  He glanced at Belana in his turn.  "The healer
must examine your head wound," he waved down her half-started protest.  "A blow to
the head may be more dangerous than it seems at the time, and you should KNOW how
terrible an enemy the Gray Witch is, Bel.  You shouldn't have to ask."
     Belana sighed.  How was she going to explain this, when she didn't fully
understand it herself?  But it had to be done.  She opened her mouth to begin.
     A voice in her own mind spoke first.  *Say nothing!  I forbid you to upset him
about this, on top of everything else!*
     Belana blinked.  At first she was surprised that the voice hadn't spoken out
loud, so distinct had it been.  *Who are you?  And where?*
     *I'm Bellana, of course, and this is MY body.  My world, and MY Gelleran!*

           + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Andorians Abroad #17 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Istoreth, Skaithvarn:

     The guards hustled them away from the waterfront and up a steep street to the
next level of buildings.  They weren't hostile or aggressive toward their charges,
but it was plain that they meant to be obeyed.
     Raoul cocked an eye at Berdan, who was walking next to him and breathing a
little heavily.  "You know who this Lord Dankilvan is?  What his position is here in
Istoreth?"
     The ex-assassin shook his head.  "Not to be sure of it.  Istoreth is ruled by a
council of lords, and I suppose he's one of them, but...I don't know which one."
     "Looks like we'll find out soon," Jeri remarked as the leading guards turned
through a gateway.
     They passed through a courtyard lined with small evergreen trees that had been
pruned into the shapes of fantastic creatures.  The building beyond was large and
foreign-looking.  Windows and doors had pointed tops and elaborate fretwork filled
with sly faces around them, the columns of the portico were shaped like tree-trunks
and done with such care and detail that it was possible to identify the type of tree
used as a model.  They were hurried through halls so filled with rich-colored carpets
and rich-colored tapestry wall hangings and richly inlaid furniture made of rich and
exotic woods that everything became a blur, a sort of visual indigestion.  Only the
occasional detail penetrated the dazzle:  an exquisitely curved vase the color of the
sky in a dream that stood quietly in a niche, a single white rose lying on a table, a
statue of a slim dog like a miniature greyhound that suddenly stood up and stepped
toward them, ears cocked curiously.
     They came out on a terrace that looked over the harbor and the Trier Sea beyond.
There were trellises of roses, and overhead screens to make shade, a fountain
rippling and flinging rainbows into the air, and benches, a table, a decanter of wine
and several glasses, and Lord Dankilvan.
     It was impossible to guess his age.  For one thing, he looked like having a lot
of elven blood.  High elven blood, the kind that was tall, thin, and blond, Araoi.
After the extreme richness of the furnishings in the house, he was dressed with
surprising plainness.  Silk, of course, but subdued in color, maybe gray or some
grayed shade, it was hard to tell because it kept changing subtly in the changing
light, but plain.
     Raoul noticed that the guards didn't follow them onto the terrace.  Either this
man was very trusting, or he figured he could handle any trouble they made.  It would
make a difference which.
     "You declared yourselves Andorian when you docked," he said.  "Very well.  Tell
me about this man Peranis and what he is up to."
     "You met him?" Berdan asked.
     "He...approached me.  With a book he wanted to sell.  I have books of my own and
did not desire his.  He became angry.  Desperate, too, I think.  What is he doing,
what is he likely to do if pushed to it?"
     "He's making trouble," Raoul said flatly.  "He's a renegade assassin--"
     Dankilvan's expression chilled.  "Any trouble Andoria gets into because of its
foul Assassins' Guild is well deserved.  But I will not have you drawing Istoreth
into it."
     "We're trying to prevent that," Raoul said quietly.  Was there any point in
telling this man that King Mickeal had outlawed the Assassins' Guild?  Probably not.
After all, it had been outlawed once before and had come back.  "We want to catch
Peranis and destroy his book."
     "Not keep it for your own use?"
     "No."
     Dankilvan was silent for a long moment, one hand resting lightly on the stopper
of the decanter.  Raoul noted that the stopper was formed from some kind of crystal
as full of rainbows as the falling water and wondered if it had magical properties.
Finally the Istorthene said, "I turned this Peranis from my presence once he had said
his piece.  The other Lords of Istoreth, advised by me, gave him no hearing at all.
Eventually he was ordered to leave the city as a pernicious nuisance.  He did leave.
There was no boat departing for Alastari at that time, and a man answering his
description passed out through the south gate and took the road to Leemith."  An
expression of distaste passed across the Istorthene's face.  "They may have met his
demands in Leemith.  The Leemin are capable of anything."  With emphasis, he
repeated, "Anything."
     Raoul sighed.  "Then I guess we follow him to this Leemith place.  Can you tell
us anything about it?"
     "I can provide you with an escort who has some knowledge of the place,"
Dankilvan said.  "We employ Alastarians here--gladiators--for special jobs.  I offer
you a Delarquan woman, Hallie O'Dene.  You will find her knowledgeable, and reliable.
If you can bring yourself to work with a Delarquan."
     Before Berdan could utter the protest Raoul saw developing, the gladiator said,
"I'll work with anyone who can help me get the job done."

           + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Andorians Abroad #18 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Zuwayza:

     They were all assembled in the throne room of the Satrap's palace:  he,
Khannarth, Kasarya, the Satrap's First Wife Jasryala, and the Satrap himself and his 
guards.  It was not crowded, even with those numbers present, and Tankesh looked
around curiously.  The style was foreign to what he was used to, of course, but he
was surprised to find it less ostentatious than he had expected.  Apparently the
Satrap didn't feel the need of external aids to boost his prestige and authority.  A
good sign, in one way, a bad one in another.  This was probably a man who would act
intelligently to deal with his problems, and in Tankesh's experience, intelligent
foes were worse, in the long run, than impulsive ones.
     One of the guards in front of him shifted, allowing Tankesh to see the Satrap of
the Glorious Empire for the first time.  Younger than the Andorian had expected, in
his thirties, maybe.  Regular features, but foreign, of course.  The swarthy skin and
slightly hooked nose characteristic of the Karnhorn people, but blue eyes.  Odd,
that, but he'd heard that previous satraps, and the sultans of Serevada, for that
matter, sometimes took "foreign" women, what they called "white barbarians" to wife.
Not that it mattered.  What mattered was that this man, this Satrap Kharanjal, looked
intelligent, decisive, and royally pissed.  Bad combination.
     The Satrap was in consultation with a plainly dressed man, possibly a minor
official, more like a spy.  Finally he nodded and waved the man off, then turned to
the people standing before him.  "I see four people before me who have had positions
of trust and who have wronged the Satrap," Kharanjal said.  "You have been brought
here together because your various treacheries are perhaps linked."  He looked them
over coldly as the guards shifted again and moved Tankesh into a line beside Kasarya,
Jasryala, and Khannarth.  "I will start with the foreigner."  His gaze settled on
Tankesh.  "What have you to say for yourself, barbarian who claims to be a King's
Envoy?"
     "First, that I am an envoy of King Mickeal of Andoria," Tankesh answered just as
crisply.  "I was sent to find out what had become of Princess Samara's children, when
she came here to Zuwayza with her second husband--"
     "Whose name is not to be mentioned in this place," Kharanjal cut in.  "His
treasons have found him out, and his end was less unpleasant than he deserved.  The
woman and her children returned to the west."
     "So I discovered.  Eventually.  So I might have discovered sooner and without
having to sneak into your palace, if ANYONE here had been helpful."  The elf
shrugged.  "I got in, and encountered Kasarya, who was concerned about--"
     "She will tell me her concerns, at the proper time.  That you acted as seemed
best to you with regard to the children I will grant.  But what prompted you to think
it any part of an envoy's privilege to enter into a liaison with the Satrap's
concubine?  The licentiousness of elves is of course well known, but I would have
thought someone chosen for an important task would have more self control."
     Tankesh's expression hardened.  "If anyone has accused your concubine Kasarya of
improper behavior, that person lies, and I can guess why.  The lady requested my aid
in ferreting out a conspiracy, and we have been partners in that effort, but nothing
more."
     One of Kharanjal's eyebrows rose slightly, but he made no other comment.
Turning to the younger of the two women, he said, "What conspiracy do you claim to
have 'ferreted out'?"
     Kasarya's chin came up proudly.  "I have been always loyal to you, Most Exalted.
But it came to me gradually, like the creeping of dawn, that Khannarth who was
honored to be your Vizier was not so loyal.  There were meetings with emissaries of
the Invader.  There were...gifts exchanged.  I hastened to your First Wife to report
these suspicions, as was proper, and found her intimately engaged with the very
object of my concern, Khannarth.  Seeing this, I began to doubt that any in the
Kashka could be trusted.  Came then this foreigner, and since I needs must trust
someone, I chose him who had no ties here.  If I have done wrongly, I abase myself,
but I have had only the best interests of the Glorious Empire, so far as I understood
them, of the Exalted Satrap, and of yourself, in my heart."
     Again the raised eyebrow as the Satrap looked toward his First Wife, Jasryala.
     She met his gaze with one equally cold.  "Why should I answer ridiculous charges
from that little commoner?"
     "You make no defense?"
     "I need none."
     "Then you shall meet Mighty Kjarran across His altar and answer to Him."
     It was a shock to realize that, so simply, the Satrap was proposing to sacrifice
his wife to Kjarran.  Tankesh didn't like the woman, much less trust her, but he
wondered if he should intervene here.
     Before he could say anything, Jasryala said, "I fear nothing from the Mighty
One, for He will see that it was I, not you, who was working for the good of the
Glorious Empire.  And my brother will deliver Kjarran's judgment upon you."
     "You think I fear Jhuizkhal of Kurukar?  He has forsaken Kjarran, and if any
judgment is made involving him, it will compass his destruction."  The Satrap turned
at last to Khannarth, but the Vizier remained silent.  Kharijal made a sign to the
guards, who took Khannarth and Jasryala away.
     To Tankesh, the Satrap said, "I see that whether you have made Kasarya your
leman or not, you have a regard for the wench.  Therefore I will permit you to redeem
her from the altar of Kjarran by performing a small task for the Glorious Empire.
Which task shall be yours to choose or refuse as you wish, and if you refuse, no harm
will come to you, King's Envoy, save that you will be expelled from all the lands of
the Glorious Empire forever on pain of death.  But Kasarya shall then be given to
Kjarran."
     "What 'small task'?" Tankesh asked.
     "Remove from this plane of existence the offense which is Jhuizkhal of Kurukar."

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

                          ---===ANDORIAN REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   8 ARKERS (turn 236): ABYSS of PHANTOM FORCES 2 (The Catalyst, mgr.)
 DM  11 ARUAK CITY (turn 474): B.S. of BULLDOGS (Kennelworth, mgr.)
 DM  14 TOBIR (turn 474): BERWICK of OTAGO HIGHLANDERS (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM  22 SOLVEN (turn 467): HOMELESS PRINCE of KELLUMBO'S KIDS (Detective Kellubmo)
 DM  24 ZORPUNT (turn 463): CURTIS JOSEPH of THE MC5 (Street Legal, mgr.)
 DM  25 LYRATILAN (turn 463): APE WILD of PRIMATES-R-US (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  26 CALEAM (turn 464): WOOLLY LOCO of POISONOUS PUGILISTS (Poison Ivy, mgr.)
 DM  30 IAYE (turn 460): SONIC TACO of TRIP OUT (Angus, mgr.)
 DM  40 ZENSU (turn 425): SUSAN STO HELIT of THE DISC (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  41 KATI-TEI (turn 418): POSITION IS EMPTY
 DM  46 ARDIVENT (turn 411): COURIER of HARDTIMESINBABYLON (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  52 FRATSFA (turn 184): VIOLENT VIOLET of FLOWER GIRLS (Lady Fern, mgr.)
 DM  60 ARADI (turn 323): ACHONDROPLASIA of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
 DM  63 AMEN-TEI (turn 313): MALICHAI of WAY OF THE BLADE 2 (Vhagar, mgr.)
 DM  71 KYR'TERR (turn 138): BATTLEMAGE of SHADOW MAGIC (Shadowgate, mgr.)
ADM 105 ANDORAK (turn 359): DEMONFANG of DARK PANTHEON from TRANSEL (Doc Steele)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   8 ARKERS (turn 236): TREE PEOPLE (Elderberry, mgr.)
 DM  11 ARUAK CITY (turn 474): 'CROSSED UP (Dr. Mabuse, mgr.)
 DM  14 TOBIR (turn 474): OTAGO HIGHLANDERS (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM  22 SOLVEN (turn 467): none
 DM  24 ZORPUNT (turn 463): BATTLEMANIA (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM  25 LYRATILAN (turn 463): PRIMATES-R-US (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  26 CALEAM (turn 464): MENAGERIE (Ichabod Frothingslosh, mgr.)
 DM  30 IAYE (turn 460): GAMEHENDGE (Malaquar, mgr.)
 DM  40 ZENSU (turn 425): TACO GODS (The Oracle, mgr.)
 DM  41 KATI-TEI (turn 418): THE FLINTSTONES (Lord Genesis, mgr.)
 DM  46 ARDIVENT (turn 411): HARDTIMESINBABYLON (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  52 FRATSFA (turn 184): MIDDLE WAY 8 (Leeta, mgr.)
 DM  60 ARADI (turn 323): POWER BROKERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  63 AMEN-TEI (turn 313): WAYFARERS (Leeta, mgr.)
 DM  71 KYR'TERR (turn 138): SHADOW GOLD (Shadowgate, mgr.)
ADM 105 ANDORAK (turn 359): BOXES, etc. (Doc Steele, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                   ----------------
 DM   8 ARKERS (turn 235): ODDJOB of BONDAGE (Spawn, mgr.)
 DM  11 ARUAK CITY (turn 474): SECRET of YOUNG JUSTICE (Rillion, mgr.)
                               NEVILLE of GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (Rillion, mgr.)
                   (turn 473): RED HOT of COLORIFIC (Purple People Eater, mgr.)
                               SUMTHING PAINFUL of U.B.O.S.M. (Dreihdenflahg, mgr.)
 DM  14 TOBIR (turn 474): BERWICK of OTAGO HIGHLANDERS (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM  22 SOLVEN (turn 467): JUDITH of WOMEN OF REALITY (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  41 KATI-TEI (turn 417): FOOTSORE of WANDERERS (Leeta, mgr.)
 DM  46 ARDIVENT (turn 411): COURIER of HARDTIMESINBABYLON (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  60 ARADI (turn 322): VERISIMILITUDE of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
                          PUTZ'N ALONG of JOKA MASHER! (Sultan, mgr.)
                          BIGGLES of BUMS 'R' US (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  63 AMEN-TEI (turn 312): RAZORTOOTHROTEY of TOMATO ENFORCER (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  71 KYR'TERR (turn 137): SHADOW HAWK of 2ND ARCTIC GUARDS (Yukon Cornelius, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Busy, busy, busy, lots of things happening in ARKERS this turn, and let's start 
with a look at some of the teams.  It seems the training can make the difference, as 
TREE PEOPLE is pushed out of top team by BONDAGE, who came from 3rd with a 2-2-0 this 
turn.  Now keep the taverns open late tonight, for there are sorrows to drown for 
DOGPOUND, whose 0-0-0 this turn dropped them by 6 into 17th.  Z GLADIATORZ stable has 
parlayed this turn's 4-1-0 into a 8 space move up the rankings.  This brings them up 
to 2nd place.  Good work, guys!  The LA PENTARCHIE guild has had a 3-1-0 turn and 
deserves to be watched in the future.  You never know where this kind of thing can 
lead.  On their very first turn, TYCRON'S GUARD had a 4-1-0, and with this kind of 
luck or skill, should do well.  Welcome to ARKERS.  And let's see, DREAM STEALER 
fought CHIKEN HEARTED and gained 19 points and contributed to PHANTOM FORCES 2's 
2-3-0.  MISS CONSTRUED has lost to L'ORC BLEU, falling 9 points, while helping make 
LADIES IN WAITING a 1-3-0 turn.  We should ask MELTDOWN about the thrill of victory, 
and what being the new Duelmaster does for a warrior, she's now the one to ask.  Tell 
me, is nothing sacred?  I have heard from unimpeachable sources that The Welcome 
Wench uses trolls in their stew.  Talk about gristle!   
     I tell you, a green quarterstaff lasts longer than a seasoned sapling.  A basher 
friend of mine assures me this is true.  I also notice that the WIMPS OF PERIL stable 
was the most avoided team this turn.  Come on ARKERS, what are you afraid of?  And 
avoiding WIMPS OF PERIL more than any other team we find LADIES IN WAITING.  ARKERS, 
are we going to accept, or respect this sort of thing?  Well, sports fans, take 
notice that HUNGRY WAIF from HAPLESS WAIF was ARKERS' most challenged warrior this 
turn.  ZIT of Z GLADIATORZ had better have a good reason for challenging down 8 
points in a challenge which she won.  I thought ZIT showed great skill and promise 
when she overcame PUSSY GALORE.  All right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     The Dark Arena is for those who cannot win, not who cannot lose with grace.  
Dignity in life or death is the warrior's creed.  You gotta do what you gotta do.  
TREE PEOPLE has sent ASH to the Dark Arena.  The deed is done.  Lift the ale, and 
toast the memory.  Is it really true that ARKERS has more dishwashers per capita that 
fighters?  Just thought I'd ask...   
     Remember, blood on the purple robe does not change it from a purple robe.  Dare 
to fight bravely.  Always good to rest in ARKERS, but never good to wear out my 
welcome.  Look for me in future turns.  Until the sun next rises and my pen sets to 
paper-- Alarond the Scribe  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MELTDOWN 4353                17   4  0   104       X-FORCE (484)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LUMBERING WAIF 4346          11   8  0   106       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
 CLOSED MIND 4429             13   5  0   102       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
 ZIG ZAG 4384                 11   2  0   100       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-GOLDENEYE 4479                8   2  0    96       BONDAGE (469)
 ABYSS 3178                   17  13  0    95       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
 HUNGRY WAIF 4349              9  10  1    92       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
 RANCID WAIF 4413             11   7  0    91       HAPLESS WAIF (515)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MISS TOOK 4091               13   9  1    85       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 NIGHT BLACK 3174             12  17  0    81       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
 SQUIFFY 4490                 11   2  0    81       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
 SIR FRANCIS DRAKE 3865       19  16  0    79       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 MISS STEP 3978               17  15  0    74       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 MISS TREE MEAT 4418          10   3  0    71       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 FRENZIED WAIF 4345           11   8  0    69       HAPLESS WAIF (515)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-WOLFHOUND 4158               10   4  0    66       DOGPOUND (477)
-MISS COMMUNE KATE 4118        9   8  0    65       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
 L'ORC BLEU 4352              10  11  0    64       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
 HOOF HEARTED 4503             8   4  0    61       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
-BORZOI 3983                  10   6  0    59       DOGPOUND (477)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CASTOR BEAN 4442             11   5  0    56       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 ZZZZ'S 4381                  11   3  0    55       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-SASHA BAL TOR 4034           15   7  0    52       NORTHERN BADLANDS (397)
 ZIT 4385                      8   1  0    51       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-JENDAR ILLKEN 4112           12  14  0    50       DYSERAY (456)
 ZIP 4383                      5   4  0    50       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
 REDWOOD 4304                 12   7  0    47       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 TOM SAWYER 4281               4   4  0    46       SMITHSONIAN (245)
-BLACK LAB 4265                7   2  0    45       DOGPOUND (477)
 QUEUE 4549                    6   3  1    41       BONDAGE (469)
 MISS CONSTRUED 4419           4   9  0    41       LADIES IN WAITING (115)
-RICHARDTHELIONHEART 4023      8  10  1    40       SMITHSONIAN (245)
-KAMEN THE HUNTER 4259         6   4  2    40       NORTHERN BADLANDS (397)
 PUSSY GALORE 4467             4   3  0    39       BONDAGE (469)
-YMIR BLOODRAVEN 4369          4   2  0    36       NORTHERN BADLANDS (397)
 PSYLOCKE 4470                 3   6  1    36       X-FORCE (484)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MATARA WENTTRO 4266           6  10  0    32       DYSERAY (456)
 POLARIS 4547                  6   3  0    30       X-FORCE (484)
 TOBACCO ROSE 4529             3   4  1    30       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
 SPRITE 4600                   2   0  0    30       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
 ESTUPIDO 4572                 5   2  0    29       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DREAM STEALER 3576            3   4  0    29       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
-FIRE FLY 4533                 4   0  0    28       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
 CHIKEN HEARTED 4502           5   7  0    26       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
 DART 4586                     4   0  0    26       X-FORCE (484)
 EMM 4588                      2   2  0    26       BONDAGE (469)
-SIDESWIPE 4585                1   0  1    25       CHAOS REAVERS (520)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-WEEDS II 4577                 4   0  0    22       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 MOTEL DU LAC 4580             3   2  0    20       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
 MORRIGAN 4557                 2   4  1    20       PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)
-LADY GHOST 4391               3   1  0    19       CHAOS REAVERS (520)
 JAGUARMAN 4532                3   4  0    19       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
 HAMMURABI 4219                4   4  0    18       SMITHSONIAN (245)
-MARKS CLOAKER 4481            3   2  0    18       DYSERAY (456)
 BAD 2 THE BONE 4583           3   2  0    17       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
-MIST DANCER 4387              4   2  0    16       CHAOS REAVERS (520)
 CALLIECH 4558                 1   5  1    16       PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)
 LUGH 4559                     3   3  1    14       PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)
 CERNUNNOS 4556                3   3  1    14       PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)
 ZYGLOT 4382                   1   4  0    14       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-WITLESS WAIF 4347             1   3  0    14       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
 GULEERAMOON 4608              1   0  0    14       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
 HAZY DAISY 3577               3   4  0    13       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
 HELEN OF TROY 4603            1   0  0    11       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 THE BONEBREAKER 4605          1   0  0    10       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
 HERBERT LE VERT 4604          1   0  0    10       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
-IRON FIST 4390                2   3  0     9       CHAOS REAVERS (520)
 HUMANDO 4607                  1   0  0     8       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
 THORN BE GONE 4601            1   1  0     8       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
 KNAVE OF NAUGHT 4602          1   1  0     7       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
 G. WHIZ 4594                  1   2  0     7       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
 BRIGID 4555                   0   6  0     7       PAGAN MYSTERIES (533)
 KOOL GREEN 4568               1   0  0     6       ENTENTER (534)
 ALIZA 4609                    1   0  0     6       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
-CHOW 4552                     0   2  0     6       DOGPOUND (477)
 MAPLE-WOOD 4587               1   2  0     5       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 NIGHT THORN 4596              1   2  0     5       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
-GRYPHOS 4582                  1   2  0     5       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
 AURIC GF 4610                 1   0  0     5       BONDAGE (469)
 V.BALTIMORE-'W.BALT 4598      0   3  0     3       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
-DUSTY 4579                    0   2  0     2       DYSERAY (456)
 WEAPON 3 4611                 0   1  0     1       X-FORCE (484)
 BUGLER 4567                   0   1  0     1       ENTENTER (534)
 DAN 4569                      0   1  0     1       ENTENTER (534)
 LUKE 4566                     0   1  0     1       ENTENTER (534)
 RINSAD SEBINSKI 4606          0   1  0     1       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
 BEAM 4565                     0   1  0     1       ENTENTER (534)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
SHIFTYEYED VOLUNT 385  0  1 0   1                   CALLIECH 4558         237 NONE    
LAZY BONES 4584        2  1 0 BLACKTHORN ORCS 425   PSYLOCKE 4470         235 REVENGED
THORNWOOD 4589         0  1 0 BLACKTHORN ORCS 425   CERNUNNOS 4556        234 REVENGED
BILL BALOUD 4581       2  1 0 LA PENTARCHIE 481     SIDESWIPE 4585        235         
ASH 4307              10 11 1 TREE PEOPLE 511       SHEWISH GIANT 405     237 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Miss C Kate -- I was surprised to see that at one point you had the lead.  Oh well,
nice try. -- Squiffy

Fire Fly -- I feel like I have a fly in my whiz. -- G. Whiz

Sasha Bal Tor -- I feel really dumb and stupid having lost to you.  Maybe rather than
stupid I should feel estupido? -- Estupido

Miss Construed -- You ladies are really after us wimps.  I don't understand what you
see in us, other than easy wins, that is. -- Chiken Hearted

Miss Tree Meat -- You like those easy win too? -- Hoof Hearted

Night Black -- Perhaps you zagged when you should have zigged?  Or vice versa? -- Zig
Zag, Z Winner

Mr Tom Sawyer -- Perhaps next time you will not fall asleep while I am painting the
fence? -- ZZZZ's, Z Winner

Ymir Bloodraven -- If you would quit picking at your face, you might be a better
warrior. -- Zit, Z Winner

Slick -- Now you weren't so slick, were you?  How did you like my slick moves? --
Zip, Z Winner

Thorn Be Gone -- I claim input error!  I could never rightfully lose to a slugbait.
-- Zyglot, Z Gladiatorz

Z Gladiatorz always rise to the top! -- Mr. Zee

Congratulations to Abyss, mighty Duelmaster of Arkers. -- Curator, Smithsonians

Phantom Forces 2 -- A salute to you.  Welcome back to Arkers.  And a tip of the hat
to the new manager, Catalyst.  Luck at you. -- Curator, Smithsonians

Pussy Galore -- They's a lotta thangs, I'd like tuh do with you...paint fences, visit
a graveyard, walk in a cave, visit old Huck, etc, etc. -- Tom Sawyer

Bobby Bigfoot -- Perhaps The Smithsonians will be accepting your honorable
invitation.  Cider sounds invigorating! -- Curator

Abyss -- I salute your superior talent and bow to your sword. -- Sir Francis Drake

ZZZZ's -- I can't believe you pulled that sly trick on me!  I'm gonna tell Huck! --
Tom Sawyer

Hazy Daisy -- Now I suppose you'll be wanting an "eye for an eye" and all that? --
Hammurabi

Castor Bean -- I gave it my inadequate all. -- Richard The Lionhearted

Squiffy -- I feel so bad after that loss that I am going to sit out a turn. -- Miss
Commune Kate

Hoof Hearted -- One of the best named foes out there, I must say. -- Miss Tree Meat

Chiken Hearted -- Never noticed until now that you can't 'C'. -- Miss Construed

Lumbering Waif -- Many thanks for the skills at least, congrats on the win. -- Miss
Step

Hungry Waif -- Ditto, though more impressed with Lumber's win. -- Miss Took

Oddjob -- A good combination in conjunction with my luck on damage. -- Miss Step

Jaguarman -- I can only hope. -- Miss Construed

Chicken Hearted -- I think it is lost. -- Polaris

Gryphos -- Do you want to go for best 3 out of 5. -- Dart

Zig Zag -- Great fight, though if there's a next time, I think it will go quite
differently.  Thanks for the parry! -- Night Black

Sir Frances Drake -- Let me buy you an ale for that match; you certainly earned it
and it will help speed your recovery. -- Abyss

Morrigan -- I hope you will forgive me for not asking for a rematch...that hurt! --
Dream Stealer

Hammurabi -- Hey watch where you stick that thing, it's sharp! -- Hazy Daisy a.k.a. Pin Cushion.

Lugh -- I blinked and missed the fight, what happened? -- Sprite

Curator -- Welcome back, I was first surprised to see you weren't playing, and then
even more surprised to see you return the same time as I did.  It will be good to
test my metal against yours once again.  Salute on two good fights! -- The Catalyst

G. Whiz -- Were you perchance looking for a different style when you challenged me?
-- Fire Fly

Kamen the Hunter -- I will have to continue to learn well from each match before I'll
be ready to try to best you. -- Tobasco Rose

Dart -- I feel like I've seen enough of you for a while; however, with my last trade
the outcome may well be different next time. -- Gryphos

31 October 2003
     Come one, come all, to the greatest contest in Alastari!  The Third Annual Turf
War will be in North Fork (DM 47) starting in about 6-7 turns....  C'mon and get your
team some experience, and get declared!
     More info available in North Fork's newsletter.
     Bloody Sands. -- Asmo Dius, TCB

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

ASH was butchered by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
SQUIFFY bested MISS STEP in a action packed 3 minute veteran's Challenge duel.
SIR FRANCIS DRAKE was demolished by LUMBERING WAIF in a 3 minute Challenge fight.
ZIG ZAG bested HUNGRY WAIF in a 2 minute veteran's Challenge fight.
MISS CONSTRUED was demolished by L'ORC BLEU in a 2 minute Challenge competition.
REDWOOD was outlasted by ZZZZ'S in a unpopular 18 minute veteran's Challenge struggle.
ZIT unbelievably bested PUSSY GALORE in a 10 minute gruesome Challenge fight.
QUEUE vanquished PSYLOCKE in a 1 minute uneven Challenge duel.
EMM was outwaited by TOM SAWYER in a 10 minute beginner vs. expert Challenge fight.
DART outlasted MORRIGAN in a popular 7 minute Challenge melee.
HAZY DAISY was defeated by BAD 2 THE BONE in a tiresome 4 minute Challenge match.
TOBACCO ROSE bested HAMMURABI in a 2 minute Challenge conflict.
SPRITE devastated JAGUARMAN in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge battle.
G. WHIZ bested MAPLE-WOOD in a crowd pleasing 6 minute amateur's Challenge bout.
ABYSS was luckily beaten by MELTDOWN in a 2 minute veteran's Title duel.
CLOSED MIND devastated MISS TREE MEAT in a exciting 1 minute uneven duel.
FRENZIED WAIF was devastated by MISS TOOK in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
NIGHT BLACK was defeated by RANCID WAIF in a 3 minute veteran's bout.
ZIP was beaten by CASTOR BEAN in a exciting 6 minute bout.
HOOF HEARTED overpowered HONEST MERCHANT in a 1 minute mismatched conflict.
ESTUPIDO slimly won victory over BRIGID in a 6 minute bout.
CHIKEN HEARTED was overpowered by DREAM STEALER in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
POLARIS overpowered KNAVE OF NAUGHT in a 2 minute uneven fray.
CERNUNNOS unbelievably bested ARDIVENTI NOBLE in a 5 minute gory contest.
CALLIECH murdered SHIFTYEYED VOLUNTEER in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
LUGH won victory over STRAY CATMAN in a 1 minute match.
THORN BE GONE was defeated by MOTEL DU LAC in a popular 1 minute novice's duel.
ZYGLOT demolished LUKE in a action packed 1 minute one-sided melee.
V.BALTIMORE-'W.BALT was handily defeated by HELEN OF TROY in a 1 minute uneven bout.
NIGHT THORN was savagely defeated by THE BONEBREAKER in a 1 minute competition.
DAN was savagely defeated by HUMANDO in a action packed 2 minute beginner's fight.
KOOL GREEN beat WEAPON 3 in a popular 4 minute brutal novice's match.
BUGLER was beaten by ALIZA in a 3 minute beginner's bout.
BEAM was outlasted by AURIC GF in a slow 8 minute beginner's contest.
HERBERT LE VERT devastated RINSAD SEBINSKI in a 1 minute one-sided battle.
GULEERAMOON bested VIRTUOUS SCRIBE in a 6 minute beginner's bout.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY                     15         TOTAL PARRY       62 -  40 -  2      61  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                  10         WALL OF STEEL     20 -  14 -  0      59  |
|AIMED BLOW                       8         AIMED BLOW        34 -  34 -  0      50  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   7         BASHING ATTACK    25 -  25 -  1      50  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  6         LUNGING ATTACK    36 -  37 -  1      49  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     4         SLASHING ATTACK   21 -  25 -  1      46  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      4         PARRY-STRIKE      14 -  18 -  2      44  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  4         STRIKING ATTACK   38 -  50 -  7      43  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         PARRY-LUNGE       14 -  22 -  2      39  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    4         PARRY-RIPOSTE      8 -  17 -  1      32  |

Turn 237 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-STRIKE       3 -  1     BASHING ATTACK     3 -  4         3  TOTAL PARRY    
TOTAL PARRY       11 -  4     LUNGING ATTACK     4 -  6         2  BASHING ATTACK 
AIMED BLOW         5 -  3     STRIKING ATTACK    2 -  4         2  WALL OF STEEL  
PARRY-LUNGE        2 -  2     PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  3         1  SLASHING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  2                                       1  STRIKING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL      2 -  2                                       1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                                                                1  AIMED BLOW     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      MELTDOWN 4353              17   4  0  104 X-FORCE (484)
BASHING ATTACK   LUMBERING WAIF 4346        11   8  0  106 HAPLESS WAIF (515)
SLASHING ATTACK  CLOSED MIND 4429           13   5  0  102 BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
WALL OF STEEL    ZIG ZAG 4384               11   2  0  100 Z GLADIATORZ (519)
AIMED BLOW       RANCID WAIF 4413           11   7  0   91 HAPLESS WAIF (515)
LUNGING ATTACK   MISS STEP 3978             17  15  0   74 LADIES IN WAITING (115)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is MISS STEP 3978.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was EMM 4588.  The ten other most popular fighters were WEAPON 3 4611, ZIP 4383, MISS 
STEP 3978, MORRIGAN 4557, MAPLE-WOOD 4587, HUMANDO 4607, LUMBERING WAIF 4346, L'ORC 
BLEU 4352, TOBACCO ROSE 4529, and KOOL GREEN 4568.

The least popular fighter this week was ZZZZ'S 4381.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were REDWOOD 4304, BEAM 4565, ZIT 4385, ESTUPIDO 4572, BAD 2 THE BONE 4583, 
HAZY DAISY 3577, TOM SAWYER 4281, GULEERAMOON 4608, CERNUNNOS 4556, and G. WHIZ 4594.

                       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