DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 01/29/2004    Duedate: 02/25/2004

ARKERS ARENA

DM-8    TURN-240

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

LUMBERING WAIF
HAPLESS WAIF (515)
(8-4346) [14-8-0,146]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

LUMBERING WAIF                 KOOL GREEN
HAPLESS WAIF (515)             ENTENTER (534)
(8-4346) [14-8-0,146]          (8-4568) [3-1-0,21]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

MONGOOSE                       WEAPON 3
A.K.A. (346)                   X-FORCE (484)
(8-2663) [13-15-0,61]          (8-4611) [2-1-0,21]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

PHOENIX FIRE (532)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)      30
2. X-FORCE (484)               24      Z GLADIATORZ (519)
3. BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)       22      Unchartered Team
4. ENTENTER (534)              18
5. PHOENIX FIRE (532)          12      ENTENTER (534)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 Z GLADIATORZ (519)        44  20  0 68.8   1/ 4 PHOENIX FIRE (532)        9  2 0
 2/ 3 BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)    235 154 22 60.4   2/ 6 X-FORCE (484)             8  1 0
 3- 4*TYCRON'S GUARD (535)       9   6  1 60.0   3/ 1 Z GLADIATORZ (519)        8  5 0
 4/ 5 SMITHSONIAN (245)        478 319 13 60.0   4/ 5 SMITHSONIAN (245)         7  2 0
 5/ 6 PHOENIX FIRE (532)        23  17  1 57.5   5/ 2 LA PENTARCHIE (481)       7  6 0
 6/ 8 LA PENTARCHIE (481)      131 111  3 54.1   6/ 8 PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)    7  8 0
 7/ 9 HAPLESS WAIF (515)        48  44  1 52.2   7- 3*TYCRON'S GUARD (535)      5  5 1
 8-10 DOGPOUND (477)            48  45  2 51.6   8/ 7 HAPLESS WAIF (515)        5  7 0
 9-11 WIMPS OF PERIL (504)      71  72  4 49.7   9/10 A.K.A. (346)              5 10 1
10/12 TREE PEOPLE (511)         49  56  1 46.7  10/16*ENTENTER (534)            4  6 0
11/14 PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)    73  88  7 45.3  11/12 TREE PEOPLE (511)         3  6 0
12/13 A.K.A. (346)              63  76  6 45.3  12-15 DOGPOUND (477)            2  4 0
13/15 X-FORCE (484)             87 109  7 44.4  13/13 BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)     2  8 0
14/17*ENTENTER (534)             5  10  0 33.3  14- 9 WIMPS OF PERIL (504)      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

           + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Andorians Abroad #22 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Skaithvarn:

     Raoul didn't much like this Kaldrehn, or trust him at all, but there was nothing
he could do right then.  And many people, especially wizards, were arrogant and self-
centered without necessarily being bad citizens.  Well, amend that to "most wizards
were arrogant and self-centered, and SOME of them were not bad citizens...."
     "So having escaped the destruction of Krael, you're going to settle down to a
meditative life in Skaithvarn?" Hallie O'Dene asked.
     The Kraelian laughed with genuine amusement.  "Do I look like a man for the
meditative life?"  His gaze went around the inside of the tower, and his lip curled
in scorn.  "This is a way station, nothing more.  As I was the adviser and kingmaker
in Krael, so shall I be in the world that now is."
     "Krael is drowned--" Jeri began.
     The wizard shrugged.  "There are other kingdoms.  The current one in that area
is now called Andoria, is it not?"  He looked toward a shadowy stretch of wall where
a crude table stood; there was a thick black book on it.  "I shall rule Andoria in
all but name...."
     Raoul looked at the book, too, and groaned inwardly.  That would be the one
Peranis had stolen, the infamous Black Book in which the never-to-be-sufficiently-
damned Assassins' Guild had recorded all the secrets it could find that would allow
powerful Andorians, nobles and rich merchants and military figures, to be blackmailed
or coerced.  With that book, a clever man COULD rule Andoria...at least for a while.
They would have to get it away from Kaldrehn and destroy it.
     But on the positive side, it would no longer be necessary to visit the vampire
city of Leemith.  And there was only one of Kaldrehn, whereas Hallie had told them
there were thousands of vampires in Leemith.
     "Not every powerful man in Andoria is corrupt!" Jeri burst out.  "That's just a
small fraction of--"
     "There will be enough," Kaldrehn said calmly.  "You would be surprised how few
points of pressure it takes to control a kingdom!  And I am well skilled in that
art."  The wizard crossed to the doorway and looked out.
     Raoul's hand twitched toward his sword, then was still.  He didn't like to stab
a man in the back, even one who deserved it as much as the Kaldrehn seemed to.  But
he wasn't fool enough even to try against a wizard powerful enough to have moved
through time.  The man probably had eyes in the back of his head, and short way with
would-be assassins.  At least it seemed likely that Peranis had got all that was
coming to him.
     "As soon as this storm ends," Kaldrehn said, "I will cross to Andoria.  You
three will be my guides and servants.  For now.  But soon I must form my own coterie
of agents....  That should not be difficult, there are always, in EVERY land, those
who desire a measure of power and wealth, or revenge on the mighty, or simply someone
to lead them."
     Raoul's face tightened.  That was true, he knew.  Not all greedy men were
Delarquan, just as there were honorable men who were not Andorian.  He would get word
to King Mickeal as quickly as he could.  And then he would form his own coterie to
contend against the Kraelians.

Call for volunteers, good guys and bad.  A personal to Scribe or an email to
Livia@reality.com will do the trick.

           + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Andorians Abroad #23 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
                                         or
            + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Out of the Past #1 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Off the coast of Andoria:

     Towers rising out of the misty dawn.  They had sailed due east from Skaithvarn,
so that had to be the coast of Andoria, but Raoul couldn't remember any coastal city
with such slender, pearl-colored spires.  Those looked more like the skyline of a
dream than practical stonework.  They caught the growing light and glowed.  They were
beautiful, but unearthly.  Unreal.  Not residences for practical folk.  Raoul thought
it a fitting destination for the boat Khaldren had made with his magic, though.  The
boat was, in its way, as dreamlike as the city ahead;  The hull was mother of pearl,
the sails were webs of cloud.  Magic, of course.  Powerful magic.  Raoul wondered
uneasily what Khaldren had done to assemble that power.
     The exiled Kraelian had already demonstrated that he was ruthless in pursuit of
his goals.  Raoul shifted slightly, uneasily aware of the waves of magic that seethed
throughout the uncanny vessel.  Khaldren had not hesitated to cast a spell on the
three gladiators when they entered his tower in Skaithvarn.  A binding of loyalty and
obedience, the Lord Protector guessed.  He had not resisted at the time.  In truth,
he had been taken completely by surprise.  But he sensed that the spell had not
gripped him so thoroughly as the wizard intended.  He was fairly sure he could break
it, and very sure that he wanted to be further away from Khaldren when he did that--
THIS spell, he could break, but what if the wizard immediately countered with
something stronger?  And the fate of the two women with him was unknown; they might
be as lightly held as he was, or belong to Khaldren body and soul.
     "That is Zorpunt," Jeri Northwind said.  Her voice was calm, emotionless.  Very
certain.
     Zorpunt?  Raoul blinked and controlled his impulse to question that statement.
True, there were towers in the coastal city, but nothing like those slender spires of
glass!  Without turning his head, Raoul looked sideways at the wizard.
     Khaldren's face was set in lines of effort, sheened with sweat.  Using his magic
to turn the work-a-day port city into this dream?  Wasteful of energy...unless he had
some inexhaustible source at hand.  And why?  "Krael shall be reborn," he muttered
through clenched teeth, "and Celestinvael, and Orgillat in the south.  But this shall
be my seat of power in the new world that will be...."
     The ship of pearl glided to a stop beside a dock that had been transformed
into...agate, Raoul decided.  Or something like that.  It was the kind of thing the 
Chaos contamination might have done in the recent past.  Maybe that was part of
Khaldren's power, that he could harness the residual Chaos energy?  Not a comfortable
thought, although the gladiator supposed it was better than using lives to fuel
magic.  So long as it didn't get loose.
     There was no one on the dock, no one moving anywhere in sight.  Khaldren stepped
ashore as an emperor might step ashore in conquered province.  The gladiators
followed, and the ship dissolved into mist behind them.
     The Assassins' Guild's Black Book appeared in the wizard's hands, and he smiled
at it coldly.  "I note that 'Arenamaster Kai' has a secret he would not like
advertised," Khaldren murmured.  "For a price, I will keep his secret between these
covers.  Bring him to me."  He didn't look at the gladiators at any point while he
spoke.
     Raoul felt the magic sliding around him, urging him forward, and he was willing
to go.  Once out of the wizard's sight, he would test the binding, but not here.  He
and the two women walked quietly into the city.  Jeri, a native of Zorpunt, was
slightly ahead of the older gladiators.
     The streets were filled with mist even though the sun must now be up.  The
buildings, even the street underfoot, showed the effects of transforming magic.  They
were ethereal, idealized.  Unreal.  Nothing and no one moved that Raoul could see.
     Jeri turned a corner.  Looking up the cross street, Raoul saw what he guessed
was the arena, although no arena of his experience had ever had those delicate arches
of gold-veined marble.
     Raoul stopped, setting his feet firmly when the magic tried to force him onward.
It scrabbled at his mind, feeling like a handful of energetic bugs.  But he wasn't a
puppet.  He would not BE a puppet, especially not for a man who should have been dead
centuries ago!  He served his manager Generalissimo Puerco, King Mickeal of Andoria,
and Sheila Greywand.  The oath he had taken when he first reached the Isle shimmered
in his mind.  Khaldren's magic shrieked against it, fingernails on a slate, then fell
away.  The wizard would--must--know that he'd broken free.  Raoul turned set off at a
run down the first street he saw.  A real street, this one, with cracked paving
stones, and rubbish piled against the curbs.
     Someone was running and panting beside him.  He risked a glance.  Hallie O'Dene,
the Delarquan Lady Protector.  But not Jeri.
     They ran for several minutes, but at the first sign of people ahead, living
people, they dropped to a walk without needing to discuss it.  Running people are
conspicuous.  Neither of them spoke of their problem, either.  Time enough for that
when they were out of the city.  Zorpunt was a narrow city, stretched along its
river; and they were crossing its axis.  There was a bridge ahead, which would put
them on the south bank and that much farther from the arena and the dock where they
had left Khaldren..  That much closer to the countryside.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Hallie O'Dene leaned back against one of the trees at the edge of the road.  She
was breathing hard.  "Do you think we're far enough away?"
     Raoul dropped onto the grass beside her and glanced back toward Zorpunt.  The
city's skyline, barely visible in the distance, shimmered slightly but otherwise
looked normal.  "I think so, doll," he answered.  "I hope so!"
     After a minute, Hallie sat up straighter.  "I wish we could have brought Jeri
away, too!  I didn't realize until it was too late that she wasn't with us."
     "I don't think we could've done it, doll," Raoul said quietly.  He took off his
hat and stared at the dusty crown for a moment, then put it back on.  "I think it's
Lady Greywand's magic that saved us--the oath we took when we got to the Isle.  Jeri
might be a Lady Protector, but she never went to the Isle.  She had no defense
against...his spell."  He found himself reluctant to speak the wizard's name here, as
though it might draw the man's attention.
     "People have to be warned--"
     "And there's only us to do it," Raoul agreed.  "I'm heading for Andor by the
fastest road."
     "And I for Delarq Tor.  We are menaced, too.  Celestinvael and Orgillat!  Gods 
protect us.  If they're anything like the histories say...."  She shook her head.
     "I've heard of Celestinvael," Raoul said slowly.  "It was between Ardivent and
the Federation, and it existed at about the same time as Krael.  But Orgillat?"
     "Near the mouth of the Selwin river," Hallie said.  "It was of the same time.
We remember it--when we must--as a place of power and fear.  If...that man would
recreate the Empire of Skorlos, he must be stopped!  By any means that we can."
     Raoul nodded.  "The legends of Krael are dark legends, too.  I should be able to
reach King Mickael with the warning.  Who would be equivalent in the Delarquan
Federation?"
     "No one has complete power," Hallie said, frowning.  "Princess Chrysanth, maybe,
but...."  She sighed and shrugged.  "It's a place to start."  She got to her feet and
held out her hand as Raoul rose also.  "Good luck."
     "To both of us, we'll need it," Raoul agreed, standing.  He grasped her hand
warmly for a moment.  "May all your gods go with you."
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Arenamaster Kai of Zorpunt glared at the stranger, hands twitching with the urge
to reach for his sword.  But the damned wizard had already demonstrated that he could
get a spell off faster than even an arenamaster could attack.  At least, Kai supposed
it was a spell, even if it was like nothing he'd ever seen before.  And nothing he
ever wanted to experience again.  "What do you want?" he croaked.
     "Your obedience.  This 'arena'--it will now be run for me, instead of Sheila of
the Grey Wand.  The blood will be spilled in my name, not hers, the power from that
blood will come to me, not to her.  This will be the beginning of a new Alastari, and
I will rule it!"

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   8 ARKERS (turn 239): LUMBERING WAIF of HAPLESS WAIF (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  11 ARUAK CITY (turn 481): B.S. of BULLDOGS (Kennelworth, mgr.)
 DM  14 TOBIR (turn 480): 10% VIGORISH of THE DEATH SQUAD (Street Legal, mgr.)
 DM  22 SOLVEN (turn 473): ROBERT BYRD of THE DEMOCRATS (Al Gore, mgr.)
 DM  24 ZORPUNT (turn 470): TAZZY TIGER of AUSSIE KILLERS (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  25 LYRATILAN (turn 469): SIAMESE SPY of KITTY KONSPIRACY (Poison Ivy, mgr.)
 DM  26 CALEAM (turn 470): SARINA of GOLDEN CANYON (Klondike Kate, mgr.)
 DM  30 IAYE (turn 466): MAD MAX of I TRAINED THEM (Soultaker, mgr.)
 DM  40 ZENSU (turn 432): CMOT DIBBLER of THE DISC (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  41 KATI-TEI (turn 425): PELICAN of BIRDS (JE, mgr.)
 DM  46 ARDIVENT (turn 418): BANANA JR of DEATHTONGUE (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  52 FRATSFA (turn 187): RED EYE of ASSASSIN NATION (Ghab, mgr.)
 DM  60 ARADI (turn 329): LIGHTNING IX of DEATH STUDS VII (Death Stud, mgr.)
 DM  63 AMEN-TEI (turn 319): ELENA of SITTIN' ON ACES (Generalissimo Puerco, mgr.)
 DM  71 KYR'TERR (turn 142): TOMB of SHADOW GOLD (Shadowgate, mgr.)
ADM 105 ANDORAK (turn 366): JE SUIS BIEN of HEADBANGERS from CALEAM (Sablon-O-Vlad)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   8 ARKERS (turn 239): Z GLADIATORZ (Mr. Zee, mgr.)
 DM  11 ARUAK CITY (turn 481): THE BLUES (Keldon Blackfang, mgr.)
 DM  14 TOBIR (turn 480): TOTEM (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  22 SOLVEN (turn 473): KELLUMBO'S KIDS (Detective Kellubmo, mgr.)
 DM  24 ZORPUNT (turn 470): AUSSIE KILLERS (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  25 LYRATILAN (turn 469): THE MIDDLE WAY 4 (Leeta, mgr.)
 DM  26 CALEAM (turn 470): HEADBANGERS (Sablon-O-Vlad, mgr.)
 DM  30 IAYE (turn 466): I TRAINED THEM (Soultaker, mgr.)
 DM  40 ZENSU (turn 432): BEYOND THE PALE (Leeta, mgr.)
 DM  41 KATI-TEI (turn 425): WANDERERS (Leeta, mgr.)
 DM  46 ARDIVENT (turn 418): HARDTIMESINBABYLON (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  52 FRATSFA (turn 187): ASSASSIN NATION (Ghab, mgr.)
 DM  60 ARADI (turn 329): 4000 BLOWS (Nuln, mgr.)
 DM  63 AMEN-TEI (turn 319): SAFE HAVEN (Keldon Blackfang, mgr.)
 DM  71 KYR'TERR (turn 142): SHADOW GOLD (Shadowgate, mgr.)
ADM 105 ANDORAK (turn 366): SERPENTINE INC. (Floyd, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                   ----------------
 DM   8 ARKERS (turn 239): ABYSS of PHANTOM FORCES 2 (The Catalyst, mgr.)
 DM  11 ARUAK CITY (turn 481): B.S. of BULLDOGS (Kennelworth, mgr.)
                   (turn 480): RICK DERRIS of VIEW ASKEW (Angus, mgr.)
 DM  22 SOLVEN (turn 472): MONTY PYTHON of SERPENTINE INC. (Floyd, mgr.)
 DM  24 ZORPUNT (turn 470): CURTIS JOSEPH of THE MC5 (Street Legal, mgr.)
 DM  26 CALEAM (turn 469): MR. GRINCH of HEADBANGERS (Sablon-O-Vlad, mgr.)
 DM  41 KATI-TEI (turn 425): SKOWIE of SPRINGFIELD XIII (Snotman, mgr.)
 DM  46 ARDIVENT (turn 418): BANANA JR of DEATHTONGUE (Technogeek, mgr.)
 DM  60 ARADI (turn 329): ACHONDROPLASIA of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
                          LLLENGEANCE of LUROCIANS VI (The Greek Guy, mgr.)
              (turn 328): LLOSMIC LLAMMER of LUROCIANS VI (The Greek Guy, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Well, what are you looking at, ARKERS?  Ain't you never seen Snide Clemens 
before?  Ah, shaddup and listen to my news.  Later days, Z GLADIATORZ, since PHOENIX 
FIRE took top team from you this turn, you guys are old news.  Now keep the taverns 
open late tonight, for there are sorrows to drown for WIMPS OF PERIL, whose 0-0-0 
this turn dropped them by 5 into 14th.  Ha!  ENTENTER turned their 3-0-0 turn into a 
10th place rank in the listings this turn.  Any better than this, and you get put on 
hit lists.  Gee, I'm impressed, a 5-0-0 is nice, but don't get cocky, X-FORCE, the 
Fates teach humility, and the Fates are proud.  Of course, we're all terribly 
impressed to see CLOSED MIND win a fight and gain 18 points, terribly.  Tsk, tsk, 
CLOSED MIND beat RANCID WAIF and RANCID WAIF lost 19 points.  You're breakin' my 
heart.  Looks like ARKERS has some guts at least, LUMBERING WAIF the Duelmaster was 
this turn's most-challenged warrior.  ZIG ZAG challenged ARKERS' Duelmaster for a 
shot at the throne.  And if variety is the spice of life, ARKERS may be getting 
bland, as LUMBERING WAIF stays top dog in the city.  Kickbacks and bribes, kickbacks 
and bribes, how else do you think some of these guys win their fights?  Skill?  Ha!   
     He who fights and runs away will live to fight another day, the coward.  ARKERS, 
I am losing what little hope I had in you.  LA PENTARCHIE the most avoided team?  
What insult will suffice, I cannot say.  And it looks like BLACKTHORN ORCS avoided 
them the most this turn.  What a pack of would be losers, if you ask me.  Hmph.   
     Ah, now we come to my favorite part, where we see all the guys who are dead and 
gone, and get to see if their team cared.  We're all going to die in the end, so why 
worry if the fate catches up with you sooner that later?   
     There's got to be a better place in ARKERS to get a drink than The Warty Toad!  
Any suggestions?  Just wait 'till next time I show up here, I won't be so nice!  So 
nyaaah!  Glad to see the back of this place-- Snide Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LUMBERING WAIF 4346          14   8  0   146       HAPLESS WAIF (515)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CLOSED MIND 4429             14   6  0   109       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
 MELTDOWN 4353                19   4  0   108       X-FORCE (484)
 NIGHT BLACK 3174             14  18  0    99       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
 L'ORC BLEU 4352              13  11  0    97       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
 ZIG ZAG 4384                 13   3  0    92       Z GLADIATORZ (519)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RANCID WAIF 4413             13   8  0    87       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
 ZZZZ'S 4381                  14   3  0    86       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
 GREY FOX 2880                13   9  1    84       A.K.A. (346)
 FRENZIED WAIF 4345           11  11  0    80       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
 HUNGRY WAIF 4349              9  13  1    80       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
-SQUIFFY 4490                 11   3  0    71       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DREAM STEALER 3576            6   4  0    66       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)
 TOM SAWYER 4281               7   4  0    65       SMITHSONIAN (245)
-WOLFHOUND 4158               10   5  0    64       DOGPOUND (477)
 MONGOOSE 2663                13  15  0    61       A.K.A. (346)
-BORZOI 3983                  11   6  0    61       DOGPOUND (477)
-HOOF HEARTED 4503             8   5  0    58       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
-FIRE FLY 4533                 6   0  0    57       PHOENIX FIRE (532)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ZIT 4385                      9   2  0    55       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
 ZIP 4383                      7   5  0    55       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-BLACK LAB 4265                7   3  0    52       DOGPOUND (477)
 REDWOOD 4304                 13   8  0    51       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 TOBACCO ROSE 4529             5   5  1    51       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
 PSYLOCKE 4470                 4   6  1    45       X-FORCE (484)
 CASTOR BEAN 4442             11   7  0    43       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 HAMMURABI 4219                6   4  0    41       SMITHSONIAN (245)
-RICHARDTHELIONHEART 4023      8  11  1    36       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 SPRITE 4600                   3   2  0    34       PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DART 4586                     6   0  0    31       X-FORCE (484)
 POLARIS 4547                  7   4  0    30       X-FORCE (484)
-HELEN OF TROY 4603            3   0  0    30       SMITHSONIAN (245)
 JAGUARMAN 4532                6   4  0    29       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
-CHIKEN HEARTED 4502           5   8  0    27       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
 POLE CAT 3111                 6   7  1    26       A.K.A. (346)
 FALCON 3422                   4   4  0    25       A.K.A. (346)
 MAPLE-WOOD 4587               3   2  0    24       TREE PEOPLE (511)
-GRYPHOS 4582                  2   2  0    24       PHOENIX FIRE (532)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ALIZA 4609                    3   0  0    23       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WEEDS II 4577                 4   2  0    22       TREE PEOPLE (511)
 KOOL GREEN 4568               3   1  0    21       ENTENTER (534)
 WEAPON 3 4611                 2   1  0    21       X-FORCE (484)
-ESTUPIDO 4572                 5   3  0    18       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
 MOTEL DU LAC 4580             4   4  0    16       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
 ZYGLOT 4382                   1   6  0    14       Z GLADIATORZ (519)
-WITLESS WAIF 4347             1   3  0    14       HAPLESS WAIF (515)
 BAD 2 THE BONE 4583           3   4  0    13       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
 NIGHT THORN 4596              2   3  0    13       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
-RINSAD SEBINSKI 4606          1   2  1    13       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
-CHOW 4552                     0   3  0    13       DOGPOUND (477)
-GULEERAMOON 4608              2   1  0    12       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
-G. WHIZ 4594                  2   2  0    12       WIMPS OF PERIL (504)
 ZABABA 4633                   1   0  0    10       PHOENIX FIRE (532)
-THE BONEBREAKER 4605          2   1  0     8       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
 V.BALTIMORE-'W.BALT 4598      1   5  0     8       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
 LUKE 4566                     1   2  0     7       ENTENTER (534)
 DAN 4569                      1   2  0     7       ENTENTER (534)
-HUMANDO 4607                  1   2  0     5       TYCRON'S GUARD (535)
 L'AUBERGISTE 4614             1   1  0     4       LA PENTARCHIE (481)
-BEAGLE 4593                   1   1  0     4       DOGPOUND (477)
-BEAM 4565                     0   2  0     2       ENTENTER (534)
 FAILED FOOL 4636              0   1  0     1       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
 ROSE GROWN 4638               0   1  0     1       BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
JACK RABBIT 3489       1  5 0 A.K.A. 346            HIGH ELF 403          240 NONE    
BUGLER 4567            0  3 0 ENTENTER 534          RINSAD SEBINSKI 4606  239         
HERBERT LE VERT 4604   2  1 0 LA PENTARCHIE 481     POLE CAT 3111         239         
WISPER 4634            0  2 0 PHANTOM FORCES 2 400  ARENAMASTER SHERO 407 240 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Frenzied Waif -- Sorry, Babe.  I almost put myself to sleep! -- ZZZZ's

Beagle -- You made my day.  Thanks. -- Helen of Troy

Polaris -- I could have told you that you didn't really want to make that challenge.
-- Zip

Dart -- Well, now, that doesn't say much for me, does it?  Well fought.  I am not
certain I even finished in second place. -- Zyglot

Grey Fox -- Wow!  A win and four great skills.  You are one fine professor! -- Zig
Zag

Fire Fly -- To the victors go the spoils, and I now have no spoils.  Salute. -- Zit

Lumbering Waif -- You still have the one thing we want. -- Mr. Zee

Wimpy -- Gee, guy.  All The Smithsonians enjoy having you around.  Salute!  Come back
soon. -- Curator

Lady Macbeth will be joining us after The Face.  I'd suggest you ignore what you read
about her in that Shakespeare magazine. -- Curator

Congratulations to Lord Protector Abyss.  Well deserved. -- Curator

Here, Doggy, Doggy.  Here, Doggy, Doggy. -- Tom Sawyer

Zit -- We work hard and long to lose or win. -- Castor Bean

Zip -- I am a T.P., slow, dumb and strong.  It's my first time with a weapon. --
Redwood Tree

10 January 2004
ZalCon2 Updates (1/9/04)

     The contest will be starting on the turn due February 23rd, 2004 and run for 20
turns.
     Only one team will be allowed for each manager in the contest, regardless of
whether additional teams are announced as contest entries.  No exceptions for any
reason.
     The Style Master points should read that there is +1 point for beating a member
of your own style even if the warrior is not registered for the contest.
     Rolling points for consecutive turns as Style Master means that your warrior
gets the extra point every turn after the first 3 that he continues to hold the
title.
     The points for Quality Wins should be clarified to read the winning warrior is
ranked below by the number of recognition points needed for each bonus point at the
start of the fight.  For example, Warrior A (3-2-0, 17) beats Warrior B (4-1-0, 35)
and receives 2 bonus points under Quality Win for the 18 point difference in the
ranking.
     I believe that is all the clarifications for the moment, please feel free to
email, diplo, call or write me with any other questions or concerns about the
contest.
          Robert Occhipinti aka Zalgor Prigg

10 January 2004
                *     *     *  Third Annual Turf War  *     *      *

     Come one and all to DM 47 (North Fork) for the Third Annual Turf War!  Rules of
the contest will be posted in Turn #208's newsletter (due date Feb. 23).  The contest
will begin on Turn #209 (due date March 22).
     So, get a team there and register!  To register, you must send me a donation of
one (1) rollup CERTIFICATE.  Then, declare your alliance and team in the North Fork
personals.  You may also declare a warrior as champion, and that warrior will earn
(or lose!) double points in the contest!
     Roll-up certs will be *ALL* awarded as prizes, in addition to:

*** Highest Scoring Alliance -- Gets to Rename DM 47 for 6 months!
*** Most returns from DA (Alliance) -- Rename DA monsters for 6 months!
*** Most listings as "Style Masters" (Alliance) -- Pick arena to host the April "05
    Grand Tournament!
*** Warrior with the most awards -- Arenamaster named after him for 6 months!
*** Alliance with the most awards -- Pick the slow arena for TW 4!
*** Team with most "Style Master" listings -- Discover favorites of one warrior on
    team!
*** Warrior with most "Style Master" listings -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns!
    (I'll transfer $7.50 to the manager's account)
*** Alliance with the most kills -- Rename the stand-ins for 6 months!
*** Highest scoring Warrior -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns.  (I'll transfer
    $7.50 to their manager's account.)

     The contest will run for 10 turns, with the winners announced on turn #220.  See
the Turn #208 North Fork newsletter for complete rules and scoring system!  Direct
"declarations" to:  A.D. in the personals, and prize pot entry donations to:
                      Jason Mazuch HSP H-2
                      P.O. Box 339 #924385
                      Sparta, GA  31087-0339
     By snail mail or diplo through RSI.
               Bloody Sands!
                    Asmo Dius, TCB

16 January 2004
                                    CHAOTIC WINDS
     Once, long ago, the four Winds of Time descended upon Alastari like a TEMPEST of
epic proportions, they slew everything within their all-encompassing reach.  They
left nothing.  In their wake lay smoldering ruins.
     In their haste they sped towards the center of this great land like a colossal
giant would step across an ocean.  The four storms picked up momentum on their way
towards each other.  A collision was eminent.
     The first storm wind, the oldest and wisest of the four was named APEXALUS.  The
second, FLAGGSTAFF, was the quickest and loudest entity ever created.  The third Wind
of Time was MATRIATIN, neither old or young, quick or slow, but fierce and feisty all
the same.  The forth wind, ASSAMITHIUS, the youngest yet most creative in its means
of destruction.
     When finally they merged at the center of ALASTARI, an incredible destructive
explosion occurred.  And when the smoke and debris cleared they were one.  CHAOS was
born.
     And Chaos spread across the diminished lands reeking havoc and doom with its
passing, and destroying allover again that which already lay in ruin.

F E A R    C H A O S    I N C.
M A T R I X

28 January 2004
All -- I send out this invitation to all teams and managers.  A new Alliance has been
formed.  The Living Essences Alliance is being formed to join forces in an effort to
eliminate common foes and to help the joined warriors grow and learn to the best of
their abilities by offering suggestions and advice.  It doesn't matter what arena
you're in, or if you're in another alliance already, as of today.  This Alliance is
open to one and all!  If you are interested in joining, please DIPLO me, or send a
personal ad to DM 93's newsletter.  If you wish to join beyond March 2004, send a PA
to DM 82.  Come join the fun! -- Dagan LifeGiver, mgr. Shadow Warriors (DM 93)

28 January 2004
This notice is to formally introduce our young alliance, CHAOS INC.  We consist of
APEX, FLAGG, MATRIX, ASSAMITE, and now RUDE BUDDHA.  If we aren't already there, we
WILL be coming to an arena near you soon!  Hope to see you all at the ZALCON II.

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

JACK RABBIT was butchered by HIGH ELF in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
WISPER was butchered by ARENAMASTER SHEROVAN in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
ZIG ZAG was demolished by LUMBERING WAIF in a 2 minute Challenge Title melee.
CLOSED MIND devastated RANCID WAIF in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge contest.
ZZZZ'S luckily beat HUNGRY WAIF in a 2 minute bloody master's Challenge match.
TOBACCO ROSE was outwaited by TOM SAWYER in a unpopular 15 minute Challenge fight.
CASTOR BEAN was savagely defeated by MONGOOSE in a 3 minute Challenge brawl.
FALCON was handily defeated by ZIP in a action packed 1 minute uneven Challenge melee.
POLE CAT was overpowered by HAMMURABI in a 1 minute uneven Challenge duel.
NIGHT THORN was savagely defeated by KOOL GREEN in a 4 minute Challenge fight.
BAD 2 THE BONE was savagely defeated by WEAPON 3 in a 6 minute Challenge fight.
ZYGLOT was bested by POLARIS in a 5 minute Challenge conflict.
GREY FOX was bested by L'ORC BLEU in a 1 minute veteran's battle.
MELTDOWN outwaited FRENZIED WAIF in a crowd pleasing 7 minute gory master's bout.
NIGHT BLACK viciously subdued KUNG-FU MASTER in a 3 minute mismatched bout.
ABYSS overpowered M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
REDWOOD was devastated by DREAM STEALER in a 3 minute one-sided fight.
SPRITE was subdued by PSYLOCKE in a 2 minute novice vs. veteran bout.
DART outlasted WEEDS II in a 7 minute conflict.
JAGUARMAN bested MOTEL DU LAC in a popular 1 minute contest.
MAPLE-WOOD overpowered V.BALTIMORE-'W.BALT in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
DAN beat ROSE GROWN in a action packed 1 minute beginner's fray.
LUKE unbelievably bested FAILED FOOL in a popular 2 minute gory novice's bout.
L'AUBERGISTE lost to ZABABA in a 2 minute novice's match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY                      8         TOTAL PARRY       66 -  45 -  2      59  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  7         AIMED BLOW        39 -  27 -  0      59  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   7         WALL OF STEEL     19 -  17 -  0      53  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      5         BASHING ATTACK    25 -  26 -  1      49  |
|AIMED BLOW                       5         SLASHING ATTACK   20 -  23 -  1      47  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         PARRY-LUNGE       19 -  22 -  2      46  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    3         LUNGING ATTACK    37 -  44 -  1      46  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         STRIKING ATTACK   28 -  40 -  4      41  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         PARRY-STRIKE      11 -  16 -  2      41  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-RIPOSTE     10 -  20 -  2      33  |

Turn 240 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:

SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  0     STRIKING ATTACK    3 -  4         3  TOTAL PARRY    
BASHING ATTACK     2 -  0     PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  2         2  WALL OF STEEL  
TOTAL PARRY        6 -  2     LUNGING ATTACK     2 -  5         1  BASHING ATTACK 
PARRY-LUNGE        3 -  2     AIMED BLOW         1 -  4         1  SLASHING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL      2 -  2     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         1  PARRY-LUNGE    
                                                                1  AIMED BLOW     
                                                                1  STRIKING ATTACK
                                                                1  LUNGING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
BASHING ATTACK   LUMBERING WAIF 4346        14   8  0  146 HAPLESS WAIF (515)
SLASHING ATTACK  CLOSED MIND 4429           14   6  0  109 BLACKTHORN ORCS (425)
TOTAL PARRY      MELTDOWN 4353              19   4  0  108 X-FORCE (484)
PARRY-LUNGE      L'ORC BLEU 4352            13  11  0   97 LA PENTARCHIE (481)
WALL OF STEEL    ZIG ZAG 4384               13   3  0   92 Z GLADIATORZ (519)
AIMED BLOW       RANCID WAIF 4413           13   8  0   87 HAPLESS WAIF (515)
STRIKING ATTACK  GREY FOX 2880              13   9  1   84 A.K.A. (346)
LUNGING ATTACK   HAMMURABI 4219              6   4  0   41 SMITHSONIAN (245)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is MONGOOSE 2663.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was WEAPON 3 4611.  The ten other most popular fighters were MONGOOSE 2663, NIGHT 
BLACK 3174, FAILED FOOL 4636, KOOL GREEN 4568, FRENZIED WAIF 4345, LUMBERING WAIF 
4346, HUNGRY WAIF 4349, NIGHT THORN 4596, SPRITE 4600, and L'AUBERGISTE 4614.

The least popular fighter this week was TOM SAWYER 4281.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were TOBACCO ROSE 4529, POLARIS 4547, DART 4586, REDWOOD 4304, 
V.BALTIMORE-'W.BALT 4598, POLE CAT 3111, CASTOR BEAN 4442, RANCID WAIF 4413, WISPER 
4634, and JACK RABBIT 3489.

The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn:

LUMBERING WAIF (8-4346) HAPLESS WAIF (515)

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

ABYSS (8-3178) PHANTOM FORCES 2 (400)