DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER Date : 02/10/2004 Duedate: 02/23/2004 KOLACT ARENA DM-10 TURN-485 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS AERYN SUN FARSCAPE (425) (10-4268) [15-7-0,106] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader AERYN SUN JACK-O FARSCAPE (425) DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) (10-4268) [15-7-0,106] (10-5273) [4-1-0,44] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite CLEO KAMI THE MOONDOGS (97) WAR HAWKS (11) (10-4996) [12-27-2,65] (10-5243) [3-2-0,23] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM SIR AGLIO (296) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) 53 2. THOROUGHBREDS (469) 48 ALASTARIAN IDOL (489) 3. SPRINGBORN (358) 37 Unchartered Team 4. WAR HAWKS (11) 31 5. SCOUT (504) 29 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1 ALASTARIAN IDOL (489) 13 7 2 65.0 1/ 3 SIR AGLIO (296) 10 3 0 2/ 3 FARSCAPE (425) 31 19 1 62.0 2/ 1 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) 10 5 1 3/ 2*DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) 16 10 2 61.5 3/ 4 THOROUGHBREDS (469) 10 5 0 4/ 0*SCOUT (504) 3 2 0 60.0 4/ 2 PRAETORIAN GUARD (6) 9 6 0 5- 4 TERRAPIN STATION (189) 466 346 21 57.4 5/ 5 QUBIT (464) 7 4 0 6/ 5 SIR AGLIO (296) 617 466 27 57.0 6/ 6*DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) 7 7 0 7- 6 THE MENTORS (242) 171 137 15 55.5 7/11 WAR HAWKS (11) 6 7 0 8/ 7 QUBIT (464) 389 357 12 52.1 8/ 7 THE MOONDOGS (97) 6 9 0 9/ 8 THOROUGHBREDS (469) 30 28 1 51.7 9/ 8 MEGAWARRIORS (47) 5 10 0 10/ 0*THE JERKS (508) 2 2 0 50.0 10/13 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) 5 10 0 11/ 9 WAR HAWKS (11) 270 280 16 49.1 11/14 SPRINGBORN (358) 5 10 0 12-10 INFECTIOUS (372) 22 25 2 46.8 12/ 9*BLOODSHED (502) 4 11 0 13/11 PRAETORIAN GUARD (6) 272 326 19 45.5 13/ 0*SCOUT (504) 3 2 0 14/16 FEAR LESS (460) 5 6 0 45.5 14/17 FARSCAPE (425) 2 1 0 15/12 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) 118 149 7 44.2 15/12 ALASTARIAN IDOL (489) 2 1 0 16/13 SPRINGBORN (358) 300 388 20 43.6 16/ 0*THE JERKS (508) 2 2 0 17/15 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) 58 77 7 43.0 17/ 0*PROJECT MAYHEM (507) 2 3 0 18/14 MEGAWARRIORS (47) 103 138 7 42.7 18/18 FEAR LESS (460) 1 1 0 Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 19/ 0*PROJECT MAYHEM (507) 2 3 0 40.0 19-10 THE MENTORS (242) 1 1 0 20-17 THE MENTORS' TOY B (497) 22 36 0 37.9 20-15 THE MENTORS' TOY B (497) 1 1 0 21/18 THE MOONDOGS (97) 195 344 9 36.2 21-16 TERRAPIN STATION (189) 1 2 0 22/19*BLOODSHED (502) 9 21 0 30.0 22-19 INFECTIOUS (372) 0 3 0 '*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn (###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank TEAM SPOTLIGHT + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Dark Federation #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ + Rodeki: Tirisha Dulake looked around the suite--the one hotel's best suite--and sighed. It wasn't what she was used to, but until she and her husband could move into the governor's mansion, it would have to do. She glanced at her husband and her lush mouth flattened in annoyance. He had been the governor of Rodeki before--before Gryzash--so why couldn't he accept that she would make him governor again? She would make him PRINCE of Rodeki, if he would just stop worrying! She sighed faintly and moved toward him, to explain--again--why this was a good thing to do. In the anteroom of the suite, Sue E Syde, Lady Protector from Xochithlan and escort of Princess Tirisha, sighed also. Not that she knew what was going on in the room behind her. Or cared. Her job was to guard King Feyen's cousin. Or maybe she was his sister. Arenamaster Xoron hadn't been clear about that. Or maybe Tirisha was both his sister and his cousin. Elves were like that; everyone said so. Not that it mattered. What mattered was the job. And the people she had to work with. Her teammate, Lord Protector Rob A Ree, for instance. Not the person she would have chosen to work with. Too full of himself, Rob was. But at that, he was better than the Rodekian Lord Protector Adabemis & Balmador. The man was a fruitcake, and no two ways about it. "The whole shape of the Federation is changing, Devon," Tirisha said urgently. "It's as though Gryzash was the keystone of an arch, and now that he's gone, the lines of power are shifting. Everything is changing. Rodeki could be the center of the shift, the point around which the new structure forms--and you could be--" Dulake shook his head. "Rodeki? Not a chance, it's a backwater. Important as a mining center, but it would never be the heart of the Federation, or even of the Mordanti Alliance. Besides, Queen Talissen wouldn't like it. She'd be angry, really angry. And she's got a man here already, Gryzash's deputy, uh, Milvares, I think his name is...." Tirisha could have shrieked and stamped her rage at her husband's over-caution, but she held it in. He never responded properly to such displays. "A flunky." The elven woman dismissed Milvares with a contemptuous gesture. "He will be dealt with." Sue E Syde looked up as the captain of Princess Tirisha's personal guards emerged from deeper in the suite. Captain Shirivien was an elf, of course, just like the princess herself. Well, Sue could live with that, as long as the man was competent. As he seemed to be. But right now, he also looked annoyed. "Get the rest of the gladiators," Captain Shirivien snapped. "We have a mission." Sue raised an eyebrow in question. Until she knew what had the man wound up, she wouldn't know how to deal with it, and with him. Shirivien grimaced sourly. "We're going to arrest the governor of Rodeki." The gladiatrix's other eyebrow joined the first. "On what grounds and with what authority?" she asked. She had nothing against arresting a governor, generally speaking, but if it was going to cause trouble, she wanted to know which direction to watch to see that trouble coming. The captain's frown deepened. "On the grounds that Princess Tirisha wants him arrested, and by her authority." Definitely trouble coming. "Does this governor have any guards of his own?" Sue asked. "Of course he does." Shirivien released his scowl suddenly and sighed. "This is going to make a lot of trouble." Mordant: Faceless, a gladiator of The Black Company of Mordant, settled onto the small ledge and leaned back against sun-warmed stone. There was room here for her to sit comfortably, and for a small satchel beside her (today it contained a bottle of beer and a few slabs of bread and cheese), and a small but powerful crossbow on her other side. That was enough. Her stint on watch here was only a few hours, after all. And nothing was likely to happen. Oh, sure, there were RUMORS, but you couldn't count on a rumor to produce a good fight. Her position had been formed by the ornamental stonework on an old mansion overlooking the Feyranse River where it flowed through Mordant. Just across the river was the Queen's palace. That was what she was watching--the palace. There were rumors of an intention to assassinate the Queen, and Her Majesty's Herald, Allech Rabo, had taken the rumors seriously and enrolled gladiators along with his regular men to cover the possible approaches. The Queen's official guards hadn't been pleased! Faceless grinned, remembering. Especially, it hadn't pleased that part of the Royal Guard which was composed of the younger sons of Mordanti noble families. Very insulted, they'd been. Young snots. It served them right, they'd had things too easy all their lives. THEY didn't have to enter the arena to make a place for themselves in the world. There'd been one especially, Ferris Kor, younger son of the Duke of Sharm. Not bad looking, if he'd ever had a pleasant expression on his face. Which he probably never did. One of the other gladiators on guard, the Homicidal Maniac Babyface, had told her that Ferris's older brother had wanted to marry Queen Talissen himself. And Ferris acted like that had actually happened, like he was royal himself. What a brat! But while her thoughts had wandered, Faceless's attention had stayed strictly on the job, and she now heard someone making a quiet approach to her position over the mansion's roof. Faceless levered the crossbow to full cock and braced one foot under herself in case she had to move quickly. "A friend coming." The voice was low but familiar. Marian of Ravenskeep, who had graduated from Mordant arena and gone on to Lirith Kai. Faceless glanced quickly toward the voice. It was Marian, all right. She lowered the crossbow as the woman settled into the angle beside a dormer window, the nearest place to Faceless's little ledge that a person could sit. "Something may be happening," Marian said quietly. "Word's come along that there's someone on the river who isn't acting normally." Faceless quickly scanned all the river she could see. There was a lot of activity; there was always a lot of activity. Barges hauling grain or coal or who- knew-what. Yachts belonging to noblemen. Smaller boats, all the way down to canoes, coming in from the swamp, or up or down the river from one of the outlying villages, or just darting around on mysterious business of their own. How could you tell who was "acting normally"? "We're all supposed to watch for a green houseboat with a patched tarp over the roof," Marian went on. "If it goes on by, that's fine, but if it tries to land anywhere along here," she hesitated, "well, we're to treat it like a proven enemy. That's the order, anyway." "There it is!" Faceless watched for a moment. "Yes, that must be it, just coming into sight around the coal barge." The boat was barely moving, drifting with the current; although one man stood at the stern sweep, he was steering rather than driving the boat ahead. He was keeping it well out into the center of the river, too. She tracked its slow progress down the river, sometimes losing sight of it for a moment as it passed one of the larger barges. At no point did it swerve closer to the shore--either shore--or change its speed. A false alarm.... A faint movement, barely glimpsed from the corner of her eye. Her gaze raced back to the palace. HAD something moved, something that should be there? Something along the waterline...something near the lower end where there was a low watergate into the palace grounds. Into the dungeons, more likely, but it must connect eventually.... THERE! Her crossbow moved without her conscious thought. The string slapped against the arms and a bolt sped across and downward. Faceless dropped another bolt into the slot and searched the shore again while she levered back the heavy bowstring. "What was it?" Marian asked, peering across the river as intently. "I don't see...." "I'm not sure, but something moved near the watergate. Could've been a muskrat, but what if it wasn't?" "You're thinking someone might have dropped over the side of the boat where we couldn't see?" The older woman was already signaling to one of the other gladiators on watch. The signal was relayed with mirrors, and presently a shape moved in the shadow behind the watergate. Opened it. Two men in the uniform of Royal Guards stepped through and looked around. One knelt and reached into the water, dragging a body to the surface. Faceless could see her bolt sticking out of the man's back. "Good work," Marian muttered. + ]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+-----]|%{ * ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 488): MURGEN of THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 374): TOOFLESS of GLORY BOUND TROLLS (DeGotti, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 493): THOR of AESIR (Buri, mgr.) DM 4 JHELUM (turn 489): G.A. CUSTER of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 488): SUX0R of MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (The Muffin Man, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 492): DARK THUNDER of DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 489): ADAM of MORGAN'S BOYS (A-Sop, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 484): SHYLAYLA MINOR of PRAETORIAN GUARD (Shocking Toad, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 476): CADEX CFM of THE BIKE SHOP (Malaquar, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 474): TAISHO of YAKUZA (Sensei Jan, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 448): TARGEN of IRON TIGERS (Jinx, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 439): NUTCRACKER of ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 191): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 426): PROBLEMATIC of FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 374): TSOMEGH of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 177): RUBBER BULLET of USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 165): MACAULIFFE of THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 324): DOZER of THE DEN OF SWORDS (TMoney, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 142): MISSY MAYHAM of ANGELS OF CHAOS (Lord Chaos, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 367): LARGE SPINNY GUY of DIABLO TOO from TI (The Muffin Man) Top Teams --------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 488): THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 374): THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 493): THE NUKES (Fusion, mgr.) DM 4 JHELUM (turn 489): DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 488): THE TAKEN (Silver Stroke, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 492): BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 489): SUGAR AND SPICE (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 484): TOWNSVILLAINS (The Narrator, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 476): none DM 21 SUNSET (turn 474): YAKUZA (Sensei Jan, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 448): BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 439): ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 191): CHEAP SHOTS (?, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 426): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 374): ALL-UGLY TEAM (The Sentinel, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 177): USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 165): THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 324): SRETSAMLEUD (Phat Phat, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 142): EPOCHOLYPSE (Brewmaster, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 367): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.) Recent Graduates ----------------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 488): MURGEN of THE BLACK COMPANY (Darkfist, mgr.) MUMPHY CHICK of LEGENDS OF STEELE (Doc Steele, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 493): THOR of AESIR (Buri, mgr.) DM 4 JHELUM (turn 489): G.A. CUSTER of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 492): DARK THUNDER of DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.) (turn 491): SPONGEBOB of BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 488): JAKUCHU ITO of NINJAS (Shocking Toad, mgr.) RAISON D'ETRE of BATHTUB ARMADA (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 484): SHYLAYLA MINOR of PRAETORIAN GUARD (Shocking Toad, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 476): HE HATE ME of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.) PEON NECROMANCER of SRETSAMLEUD (Phat Phat, mgr.) (turn 475): NEOSPHINCTER of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 474): VEG-O-MATIC of TRANSGRESSORS (?, mgr.) (turn 475): TSUNAMI of STORM WARNING (Abarsis, the Slaughter Priest) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 438): HEBEE of ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 191): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 425): SNAPPY GEORGE of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 373): DROGOI of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 142): MISSY MAYHAM of ANGELS OF CHAOS (Lord Chaos, mgr.) SPY REPORT Much has changed in KOLACT since last I was here. Never fear, Olaf Modeen adapts to many situations, as do all successful fighters. Biff! Pow! KOLACT watched with glee as TOWNSVILLAINS got knocked off top spot by SIR AGLIO! Hmmmph! I always thought THE MENTORS was an over-rated team and they proved it with a 0-0-0! Ya gotta be quick on yer feet! Keep your elbow off the table! Thrust! Block out the pain! WAR HAWKS is now ranked 7th with a 3-1-0 turn. What's with REPENT? He actually beat TOWNSVILLAINS' GOGO PATROL, and walked away with 22 more points from the fight. Laughs were big at THOROUGHBREDS while they watched REPENT clobber GOGO PATROL. He lost 17 points and got bruised from objects thrown from the stands. Another fighter (NEVENGAR 11-12-0) challenged another Duelmaster (SHYLAYLA MINOR 18-9-0). Life goes on. NEVENGAR was reminded on the sands why SHYLAYLA MINOR is Duelmaster. I suppose you want to hear some rumors and dirty gossip about your fellow fighters? Tough! Speaking of cowardly avoiders and unfair challenges... KOLACT thinks BLOODSHED and their 9-21-0 is too much! If at first you don't succeed, give up... The bums at MEGAWARRIORS couldn't face the challenges from BLOODSHED! No excuse for that! How well I know the feeling of being the most challenged warrior, AERYN SUN! Don't make idle boasts, they may come back to haunt you. Keep challenging up 29 points, HOLY BULL, and I won't have to write about you much longer. CLEO always accepts those kind of challenges... CLEO must not been fighting well, cause she lost to HOLY BULL of THOROUGHBREDS. Sometimes you just have a bad day where things get, um, mixed up. Taunt your opponent CHOBOJA SAMURAI! That was my lucky charm when I was unfairly challenged. (and by 17 points!) CORVINA should have an easy win. Just who can CORVINA beat? I mean, the last matchup with lesser-ranked CHOBOJA SAMURAI shoulda been a piece of cake! There have been some calls to lengthen the time limit. Do you want the fighters to walk away, or not? OJO TANGO was plum wore out after STORMBLADE pounded 'im silly in a Bloodfeud. TOWNSVILLAINS'll have to get a little better before going after STORMBLADE again! Here's some advice: study your opponent, master many skills, fight dirty. Who knows what the future holds for a warrior. More fights, there's no doubt. KOLACT is a nice place to live, but I don't like to live in nice places. Time for my medication, so I'll leave now. Practice, practice, practice!-- Olaf Modeen DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME AERYN SUN 4268 15 7 0 106 FARSCAPE (425) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -CRAVER 5193 11 1 0 111 THE MENTORS (242) LENNY BAXTER 5064 14 12 0 102 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) -BLING BLING 5084 14 6 0 101 TERRAPIN STATION (189) -STRAP ON 5254 8 5 0 98 THE MENTORS' TOY BOX (497) NEVENGAR 491 11 12 0 94 MEGAWARRIORS (47) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME REPENT 4992 8 1 0 88 THOROUGHBREDS (469) SIR PRISE 3573 16 14 2 85 SIR AGLIO (296) SIR PENT 5089 8 8 1 85 SIR AGLIO (296) SIR INGOMYELIC 5119 12 5 1 81 SIR AGLIO (296) -VENUS 4103 11 7 1 78 THE MENTORS (242) -SULTAN OF SWING 5076 15 10 1 77 TERRAPIN STATION (189) VAPID VANNA 5147 9 8 0 76 SPRINGBORN (358) QUIETUS 5165 8 5 1 68 QUBIT (464) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME OJO TANGO 5046 14 12 2 66 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) GOGO PATROL 5228 7 3 0 66 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) CLEO 4996 12 27 2 65 THE MOONDOGS (97) PAPPY WHAPPY 5045 13 12 1 62 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) SIR OCCO 5079 13 7 0 62 SIR AGLIO (296) HOLY BULL 4974 7 3 1 61 THOROUGHBREDS (469) TYCHO 4997 10 29 0 59 THE MOONDOGS (97) GRACIE 5125 10 9 1 57 SPRINGBORN (358) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME STORMBLADE 2210 7 11 1 56 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) POINT GIVEN 4964 6 4 0 51 THOROUGHBREDS (469) -NIKKITA 5261 5 8 0 49 THE MENTORS' TOY BOX (497) JACK-O 5273 4 1 0 44 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) CYCLONE 2057 9 6 0 43 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) DANTAVIUS 5270 4 2 1 43 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) -JIMMY PLAGUE 3496 4 6 0 40 INFECTIOUS (372) THE UNKNOWN LU 4709 5 4 1 39 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) LUNELLE 5252 7 4 0 36 THE MOONDOGS (97) SAFFIRE 5274 4 2 1 36 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) OCTAVIAN 5210 7 5 1 35 PRAETORIAN GUARD (6) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME CUTTHROAT 2019 7 10 2 33 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) VULGAR 5251 5 6 1 33 MEGAWARRIORS (47) ALEKTOROPHOBIA 4696 4 3 0 33 FEAR LESS (460) THE UPRIGHT MAN 5185 9 4 0 32 ALASTARIAN IDOL (489) -GUIDO 5316 3 1 0 30 THE MENTORS (242) SILENT KNIGHT 5322 3 3 0 29 BLOODSHED (502) BAILEY O'BEAD 5253 5 6 0 28 THE MOONDOGS (97) DEEMONICA 5343 3 2 0 26 MEGAWARRIORS (47) GRAND SLAM 5382 2 0 0 25 THOROUGHBREDS (469) XTRA HEAT 4975 4 6 0 24 THOROUGHBREDS (469) SIR PLUTZ 5207 4 8 0 24 SIR AGLIO (296) CHOBOJA SAMURAI 5365 2 1 0 24 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME KAMI 5243 3 2 0 23 WAR HAWKS (11) BLOODY MARY 5321 2 4 0 23 BLOODSHED (502) DIE NASTY 5319 3 4 1 22 MEGAWARRIORS (47) -JOHN CRICHTON 4269 2 2 0 21 FARSCAPE (425) -QUANTUM 5246 5 4 0 19 QUBIT (464) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME RUBICON 5271 4 2 0 18 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) -CHINA DOLL 5287 4 1 0 17 TERRAPIN STATION (189) QAEDA, AL 5302 3 2 0 17 QUBIT (464) AZIK 5348 2 1 0 17 WAR HAWKS (11) -SUAVE 5183 2 0 2 16 ALASTARIAN IDOL (489) TROJAN ROC 5364 2 1 0 14 THE MOONDOGS (97) QUADRICEPS 5326 2 3 0 13 QUBIT (464) SPECIAL PURPOSE 5394 1 0 0 13 THE JERKS (508) RIVERWIND 2714 1 7 0 12 THUNDERSTRIKERS (220) CHIEF 5368 1 0 0 12 SCOUT (504) -PA'U ZOTOH ZHAAN 4297 1 1 0 11 FARSCAPE (425) QUIRKY QUICK 5399 1 0 0 10 SPRINGBORN (358) TENDER 5369 1 0 0 10 SCOUT (504) DRIP 5359 2 2 0 8 BLOODSHED (502) DOGMA 5323 1 5 0 8 BLOODSHED (502) ART ERY 5324 1 5 0 8 BLOODSHED (502) -BOGYPHOBIA 4697 1 1 0 8 FEAR LESS (460) CORVINA 5355 2 1 0 7 PRAETORIAN GUARD (6) BUM RUCKUS 5392 1 0 0 6 PROJECT MAYHEM (507) MAXIMUS MINOR 5357 1 2 0 5 PRAETORIAN GUARD (6) EL SCORCHO 5391 1 0 0 5 PROJECT MAYHEM (507) LUCINCH 5380 1 0 0 5 WAR HAWKS (11) LIGHTNING 5367 1 0 0 5 SCOUT (504) OPTI-GRAB 5396 1 0 0 3 THE JERKS (508) JAEILL 5347 0 3 0 3 WAR HAWKS (11) FLAGG 5381 0 2 0 2 MEGAWARRIORS (47) LONG SHOT HERO 5388 0 1 0 1 PROJECT MAYHEM (507) MINERVA 5403 0 1 0 1 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) SLAPSTICK 5389 0 1 0 1 PROJECT MAYHEM (507) BRAVE 5371 0 1 0 1 SCOUT (504) OIL CAN 5393 0 1 0 1 THE JERKS (508) LITTLE CHIEF 5370 0 1 0 1 SCOUT (504) SLOGETTE 5398 0 1 0 1 SPRINGBORN (358) -CHIANA 4271 0 1 0 1 FARSCAPE (425) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? STREPTO 3497 5 5 0 INFECTIOUS 372 PAPPY WHAPPY 5045 484 MELVIN MEASLE 3583 4 2 0 INFECTIOUS 372 DANTAVIUS 5270 481 NOT REVE THERMOS 5395 0 1 0 THE JERKS 508 STONE GOLEM 528 485 NONE FLAVIUS 5356 1 2 0 PRAETORIAN GUARD 6 HIGH ELF 521 485 NONE DA1 5390 0 1 0 PROJECT MAYHEM 507 WURM KIN 529 485 NONE QUAINT 5328 0 2 0 QUBIT 464 SAFFIRE 5274 481 REVENGED SNOWDRIFT 5344 2 3 0 SPRINGBORN 358 ARENAMASTER FILIA 525 485 NONE DUST DEVIL 1896 7 13 1 THUNDERSTRIKERS 220 OJO TANGO 5046 482 JUST REV KAZE 5244 0 1 0 WAR HAWKS 11 DIE NASTY 5319 481 REVENGED PERSONAL ADS So, everyone now knows that I am the one quietly running the Alastarian Idol contest. The Upright Man is the only finalist, unfortunately. So as long as the cat's out of the bag and I am going to speak up, I may as well start making some challenges, too! -- Assurnasirbanipal Quadriceps -- Ha! Looks like I broke your perfect record.... Just don't tell everyone that your record wasn't in wins. -- Jaeill List Keeper -- Guess I won't be able to fade in and out anonymously. -- Ghoti Just tell me when you go into an arena that you want to be anonymous in that arena and viola, you're anonymous. Or you can just say I've made a mistake and no one will be the wiser (since I do make my fair share of genuine mistakes). -- The Saint, keeper of lists Sultan -- I was making reference to the fact that I don't run graduated fighters. Until last mail-in...and had practically the whole team of hot-shots get the bums rush outta town. They flushed-out. (That's washed-out x 2.) -- Still Rubicon -- Yer'a hang'r in-there. I get's bonus' for 3+ minutes. -- Gracie Ojo Tango -- We thank you for showing up in the arena to meet our challenges. You are a very honorable and formidable opponent. Good luck on your way up to the throne! -- Zeus Matrix -- Thanks for the welcome back! -- Thunderstrikers All -- I believe I forgot how to send my gladiators off into combat, seeing we went 3-12 in the last 3 turns. The strategies we have used in the past don't seem to work these days. If anyone has any positive suggestions, information or tips, please fire away. Thanks -- Zeus All -- What is all this I have been hearing about a Lunger not being able to effectively use a Scimitar anymore? Haven't they always been able to use it in a marginally effective way? Any other changes I need to know about? -- Zeus GC -- You missed these...Devil's Advocate is Assamite, and Bloodshed is Cheeto. That should do it! -- Matrix Righty-ho. I've added those two to my list. -- The Saint, keeper of lists Sir Pent -- Damn! Congratulations! You deserve it. The first warrior I have ever failed to bloodfeud (other than those who don't fight again after killing my warriors!). -- Matrix Sultan -- The way it has been explained to me is that Casimir is so old that when he was generated 15+ years ago, you could actually get marginally effective weapons as a fave. No longer can a lunger recieve a scimitar as a fave. I have a FREAK! -- Matrix Quada Al -- If you think I will be the only manager sending warriors after you due to your name...well, I have it on good authority that you are wrong! -- Matrix Rude Buddha -- Welcome! Glad to have a little more CHAOS in the arena! -- Matrix Sir Prise -- Nice learn there. -- Nevengar Sultan -- You going to the ZALCON II? -- Matrix Repent -- Never! -- Tycho Point Given -- (sigh) I didn't need that. -- Cleo P.S. What I need, actually, is a strat change, but fat chance of that! Cyclone -- Blow me down! Great skills, my thanks. -- Lunelle Jack-O -- Remind me never to share your bathtub, then! -- Bailey O'Bead Snowdrift -- I'm hot, chick. That's what your problem was. I just melted you down. (smug look) I have that effect on women. -- Trojan Roc Mgr. of Devil's Advocate -- Attempting to go incognito? Personally, I'd fess up if I had your stable's record, particularly since your identity is hardly a secret. Nothing wrong with a little pride. -- Sultan Soultaker -- I just know requesting a current manager's list would flush out some scum, too. -- Insultin' Dr. Feelgood -- Can we assume you also play with toys? -- Sultan Mgr. of Bloodshed -- Need help? Not sure I'm the right one, but several managers here ought to be able to provide you some. Or perhaps you're an experienced manager with lousy warriors here. That's the excuse I use a lot in other arenas. -- Sultan, mgr. of Sir Aglio, Qubit and a host of others Shocking Toad -- Congrats on graduating Shylayla Minor. Best of luck in ADM. -- Sultan Matrix -- My garage, eh? Good observations! Made me laugh. -- Sultan Bloody Mary -- A bit ambitious there, weren't you, even with the style advantage? -- Sir Occo Vapid Vanna -- Just lookin' for a pretty opponent. Thanks. -- Sir Ingo Deemonica -- My stables owed you that loss. -- Sultan 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. 4 February 2004 Greeting from Jhans, DM 36 -- In 2 turns the kLk will host our first annual "St. Valentines Day Massacre" in Jhans, arena 36. (Kill Contest) The contest will begin on turn 450. It will run for 10 turns. On turn 461 the winners will be announced. There will be 3 separate categories, the team with the most kills, the alliance with the most kills, and the warrior with the most kills. For the manager of the team with the most kills a PRIZE of 10 ROLL-UPS will be rewarded (or $50 deposited into his account). No need to declare yourself in the personals. If you are in DM 36, you will be part of the contest whether you like it or not. We encourage as much trash talk as you'd like. All teams, managers, and alliances invited. Please contact Polarius (mgr. of Blitzkrieg) in DM 36 with questions. Or you can email me at jamieptmo@hotmail.com. Good luck and see you in the sands. -- Polarius LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS FLAVIUS was butchered by HIGH ELF in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight. SNOWDRIFT was butchered by ARENAMASTER FILIARIL in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel. DA1 was murdered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena melee. THERMOS was narrowly killed by STONE GOLEM in a 3 minute Dark Arena duel. STORMBLADE devastated OJO TANGO in a 1 minute one-sided Bloodfeud contest. NEVENGAR was defeated by SHYLAYLA MINOR in a 1 minute master's Challenge match. PAPPY WHAPPY was overpowered by SIR PENT in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge struggle. REPENT devastated GOGO PATROL in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge competition. POINT GIVEN was handily defeated by VAPID VANNA in a 1 minute uneven Challenge melee. HOLY BULL vanquished CLEO in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel. SAFFIRE was vanquished by SIR OCCO in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel. JACK-O defeated THE UPRIGHT MAN in a 1 minute Challenge match. OCTAVIAN unbelievably bested XTRA HEAT in a 2 minute gory Challenge bout. DANTAVIUS demolished CUTTHROAT in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge match. KAMI handily defeated DRIP in a exciting 2 minute bloody one-sided Challenge contest. ALEKTOROPHOBIA overpowered SIR PLUTZ in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge conflict. BLOODY MARY was luckily beaten by LUNELLE in a popular 3 minute bloody Challenge duel. AZIK vanquished ART ERY in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided Challenge fray. GRAND SLAM bested TROJAN ROC in a 1 minute novice's Challenge brawl. CORVINA was overpowered by CHOBOJA SAMURAI in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge match. MAXIMUS MINOR was beaten by QUADRICEPS in a 2 minute novice's Challenge match. LENNY BAXTER handily defeated QUIETUS in a 1 minute mismatched competition. AERYN SUN overpowered SIR INGOMYELIC in a 1 minute uneven Title fight. SIR PRISE demolished TYCHO in a action packed 1 minute gruesome uneven bout. GRACIE devastated DIE NASTY in a 2 minute one-sided bout. VULGAR was defeated by CYCLONE in a 3 minute fight. RUBICON lost to SILENT KNIGHT in a 5 minute match. THE UNKNOWN LU overpowered RIVERWIND in a 1 minute one-sided duel. DOGMA was overpowered by BAILEY O'BEAD in a 1 minute uneven match. DEEMONICA overpowered CULT MEMBER in a 2 minute uneven duel. FLAGG was overpowered by CHIEF in a 1 minute one-sided fray. QAEDA, AL overcame JAEILL in a popular 1 minute novice's duel. SPECIAL PURPOSE overpowered CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute uneven duel. LUCINCH defeated SLAPSTICK in a 1 minute novice's match. BRAVE was overpowered by QUIRKY QUICK in a 1 minute one-sided fight. LITTLE CHIEF was beaten by BUM RUCKUS in a 1 minute beginner's bout. LONG SHOT HERO was luckily beaten by OPTI-GRAB in a slow 9 minute beginner's contest. TENDER demolished OIL CAN in a 1 minute mismatched match. EL SCORCHO beat MINERVA in a 2 minute novice's fray. LIGHTNING subdued SLOGETTE in a 1 minute amateur's match. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |LUNGING ATTACK 21 WALL OF STEEL 30 - 25 - 1 55 | |BASHING ATTACK 9 LUNGING ATTACK 104 - 89 - 7 54 | |TOTAL PARRY 8 TOTAL PARRY 30 - 28 - 0 52 | |SLASHING ATTACK 8 STRIKING ATTACK 25 - 25 - 1 50 | |WALL OF STEEL 6 PARRY-RIPOSTE 16 - 18 - 0 47 | |AIMED BLOW 6 PARRY-LUNGE 17 - 21 - 0 45 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 5 SLASHING ATTACK 33 - 49 - 1 40 | |PARRY-LUNGE 5 PARRY-STRIKE 10 - 15 - 1 40 | |STRIKING ATTACK 4 AIMED BLOW 22 - 36 - 0 38 | |PARRY-STRIKE 2 BASHING ATTACK 23 - 45 - 4 34 | Turn 485 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: WALL OF STEEL 5 - 1 LUNGING ATTACK 10 - 11 4 LUNGING ATTACK PARRY-RIPOSTE 4 - 1 TOTAL PARRY 3 - 5 3 SLASHING ATTACK STRIKING ATTACK 3 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 6 1 PARRY-LUNGE AIMED BLOW 4 - 2 BASHING ATTACK 2 - 7 1 AIMED BLOW PARRY-LUNGE 3 - 2 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 2 1 BASHING ATTACK 1 PARRY-STRIKE TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME PARRY-LUNGE AERYN SUN 4268 15 7 0 106 FARSCAPE (425) AIMED BLOW LENNY BAXTER 5064 14 12 0 102 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) BASHING ATTACK REPENT 4992 8 1 0 88 THOROUGHBREDS (469) LUNGING ATTACK SIR PRISE 3573 16 14 2 85 SIR AGLIO (296) WALL OF STEEL OJO TANGO 5046 14 12 2 66 TOWNSVILLAINS (457) PARRY-RIPOSTE JACK-O 5273 4 1 0 44 DEVIL'S ADVOCATE (498) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is CLEO 4996. The most popular warrior this turn was KAMI 5243. The ten other most popular fighters were BLOODY MARY 5321, THERMOS 5395, XTRA HEAT 4975, AZIK 5348, QUADRICEPS 5326, RUBICON 5271, SIR PRISE 3573, CYCLONE 2057, QAEDA, AL 5302, and SIR PENT 5089. The least popular fighter this week was OPTI-GRAB 5396. The other ten least popular fighters were SLOGETTE 5398, LIGHTNING 5367, OIL CAN 5393, LITTLE CHIEF 5370, BRAVE 5371, FLAGG 5381, DOGMA 5323, RIVERWIND 2714, SIR INGOMYELIC 5119, and CORVINA 5355. The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn: AERYN SUN (10-4268) FARSCAPE (425) The following warriors have traveled to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after fighting this turn: SHYLAYLA MINOR (10-5066) PRAETORIAN GUARD (6)