DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 05/26/2009 Duedate: 06/08/2009 KOLACT ARENA DM-10 TURN-618 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS DEIMOS THE MOONDOGS (97) (10-5876) [18-7-0,100] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader DEIMOS POSITION IS EMPTY THE MOONDOGS (97) (10-5876) [18-7-0,100] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite DEIMOS MOON-EYE THE MOONDOGS (97) THE MOONDOGS (97) (10-5876) [18-7-0,100] (10-5884) [5-3-0,29] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM THE MOONDOGS (97) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. VIKINGS (34) 23 2. THE MOONDOGS (97) 3 VIKINGS (34) 3. WRETCHED HORDE (549) 0 Unchartered Team 4. SPRINGBORN (358) -7 BARHPPERS (463) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1 VIKINGS (34) 172 147 12 53.9 1/ 1 THE MOONDOGS (97) 10 3 1 2/ 0 SPRINGBORN (358) 545 651 33 45.6 2/ 2 VIKINGS (34) 8 2 1 3- 2 WRETCHED HORDE (549) 7 9 0 43.8 3- 3 WRETCHED HORDE (549) 0 2 0 4/ 3 THE MOONDOGS (97) 497 683 12 42.1 4/ 0 SPRINGBORN (358) 0 1 0 '*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn (###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank TEAM SPOTLIGHT * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 506): GALLORDIN of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 629): KOVARAMANN VOTH of GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 624): FELISSA HURM of THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 628): CANDY CANE of CHURCH LADIES (Papa Bear, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 617): DEIMOS of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 614): SPARE ANCHOR of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 613): WHITMAN of LITERATE LOONS (?, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 585): THE AZURE NYMPH of HOUSE OF RATS (?, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 577): TORCHILIGHT KID of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 260): D'URVILLE of KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 561): CHATTY CABALIST of DUNGEON CELL (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 512): PHAEDRA of AMAZON ELITE (?, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): KORASIM of TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 211): THE TRUNK MONKEY of BARBARIAN HORDE (?, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 505): SUPER BUM of FLAT BROKE (The Muffin Man, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 506): THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 629): GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 624): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 628): SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 617): THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 614): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 613): POSITION IS EMPTY DM 36 JHANS (turn 585): GIRLS X3 (Non?, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 577): U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 260): KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 561): DUNGEON CELL (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 512): AMAZON ELITE (?, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 211): FEARSOME LEGENDS (?, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 505) 0729205R et al (The Muffin Man, mgr.) Recent Graduates ----------------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) WAYWARD SON of MANNEQUIN'S BEST (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 616): JOLEEN KRUZ of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): LAGERKVIST of LITERATE LOONS (?, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 260): D'URVILLE of KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.) (turn 460): EVANDER GILL of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.) DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. I have nothing against the Kung-Fu Master, provided he reacts properly to me-- shakes with terror and loses, basically. Which he did, so it's all good. Deimos SPY REPORT I can't believe the violence in KOLACT! I still haven't told Mom I'm writing Spyreports. She'd have a cow! Well, here we go... MVP award for TITANIA ULMER? THE MOONDOGS' proud of her after beating PERSISTENT BEGGAR and getting 16 points. Talk about yer major upsets! ORBIN PAES' match with VETERAN MERCENARY cost him a loss of 16 points! This Duelmaster is like something else! DEIMOS stopped VETERAN MERCENARY dead in his tracks! Who was the wiseguy that said KOLACT's Duelmaster was paying for drinks at Don Corleone's? Don't look at me! AAARRGH!!! I HATE SPYREPORTING!!! Sorry. I just had to say it. THE MOONDOGS was the most avoided team. Is a 497-683-12 record really that scary? Is there some deep dark secret why VIKINGS' been avoiding THE MOONDOGS so much? Or is it just that they're too scared? Can THE MOONDOGS' MOON-EYE be more popular than me? He was challenged the most, but is that really the same? What does a fighter fight for? I mean, the crowds don't give a hoot if someone gets killed. Not after four more fights. What a bummer! BORO got wasted by AMBITIOUS GUARD! But with a 12-12-3, I guess VIKINGS aren't too bummed. Fight, fight, fight. Is that all you guys can do? I really didn't, you know, study when I was a kid. Who would've guessed I'd be a famous Spyreporter? I gotta leave. KOLACT is like such a dump, and you guys smell too much! Remember you guys, ease up sometimes! Chill out! Later, Debby Tonte DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME DEIMOS 5876 18 7 0 100 THE MOONDOGS (97) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -BUFFALO BOB 5816 15 6 0 105 SPRINGBORN (358) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -DEVIL GIRL 5839 8 3 0 85 SPRINGBORN (358) ORBIN PAES 5877 13 10 0 75 THE MOONDOGS (97) CIRIC 970 10 5 2 72 VIKINGS (34) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME CHAGAN 1126 12 2 0 66 VIKINGS (34) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME SKYHAWK 1228 6 1 0 39 VIKINGS (34) HAGAR BLUETOOTH 5850 4 0 0 39 VIKINGS (34) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME MOON-EYE 5884 5 3 0 29 THE MOONDOGS (97) -CRAZY OLD COOT 5843 4 6 0 27 SPRINGBORN (358) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -GUIDO 5854 2 0 0 23 SPRINGBORN (358) -BINJU 5880 2 3 0 21 WRETCHED HORDE (549) SHRILL 5851 2 2 0 17 SPRINGBORN (358) TITANIA ULMER 5885 1 0 1 16 THE MOONDOGS (97) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? PERSISTENT BEGGA 0 0 0 TITANIA ULMER 5885 618 NONE BORO 888 12 12 3 VIKINGS 34 AMBITIOUS GUARD 618 NONE DAHLII 5879 5 6 0 WRETCHED HORDE 549 BORO 888 617 PERSONAL ADS Well, the Venomous Concubine gave me a fine send-off. Not the kind the Flower Girls up in Fratsfa do, mind you, but she lost to me in fine style, which is really all I ask. I'm not one of those "modern" types. -- Joleen Kruz P.S. I note that with my graduation, this becomes another team from which Jorja has graduated all ten styles. Glad it makes her happy, well, happier, she's been in a temper lately. Ciric -- It feels like there should be some sort of fanfare to herald the return of your team. Voice of the past and all that, and return of the ancients to the sands. Impressive in the way of a resurrection. How about if I buy you a beer? -- Orbin Paes Chagan -- But... I don't LIKE long fights, and three minutes, or two and a half, was too long. I wasn't set. I haven't been doing my wind sprints. Etc. -- Moon-Eye P.S. Good fight, I guess. Arenamistress Filiaril -- How about if me and Reese get a loan from the arena--just a small one, mind!--and start a water-taxi service to take people over to the opera on Sunset and bring em' back? -- Joleen Kruz We salute the local participants in the tourney, all both of them. -- Jorja and the Moondogs Kolact! Hopefully this gets in the turn 618 newsletter. The Vikings are back in Kolact for a little while. How long? Only time will tell. For now, the guildhouse has been reopened. Hopefully there will be more turns like last turns 4-1. -- Nomad, who fondly remembers the very old days on this island Wretch -- Sorry about Dahlii. Such things happen in the arena, quite frequently with me actually, although I don't try do so. I'd hate to see you leave the arena because of this. Kolact is small enough as it is. 4 May 09 Players of Duel 2: RSI wants to try, in a few arenas, a system that rewards role-play and general arena involvement. Our thoughts at this time are as follows, and feedback is earnestly solicited: 1. What to reward. a. Spotlights--they don't have to be involved and lengthy storylines, and in fact, my own inclination is to say: anything game related and original (i,e,, not a reprint), maybe set a minimum length. I use TOGS here as my model--half a column as formatted for the newsletter, and we don't judge the quality of the writing (so long as the editor isn't grossed out), just the intent to make a positive contribution. b. A dm column where one is "due." Again, no judgment on quality of writing, should be dm-related, and I would say (this is just me) a minimum length of maybe five lines. c. Personals. More than just "you suck," or "good fight." How much more doesn't really concern me, and quality, other than "not offensive to the editor," should not be an issue. We don't want to encourage participation and then muzzle it. d. It has been suggested that a reward point or two be offered for running a full team. We could include this, but my own inclination would be to say that there would be no points for this, but that those who don't make a clear effort on this (accidents happen, so maybe something like "when the three-turn total of fights is below twelve"?) aren't eligible for points on any turn until they get it back up to a full team. 2. How to reward it. a. We've been thinking nebulously about some kind of point system, obviously, as an example, say 3 points for a spotlight, 2 for a column, 1 for personals, more points here for what takes more effort, but some points for any effort. This is in no way final! But some way to keep track of who is contributing and how much, and as non- subjective as possible; this would be noted as each newsletter would be proofed. A way to clearly identify who's sending in what would help, but I can work it out by referring to the warrior listings if I have to. b. But, assuming a point system, do the rewards, whatever they end up being, go to the player who achieves a certain point total? Is this calculated per turn, or as a running total over as many turns as it takes to reach that point? Or to the player with the highest total on any given turn? What about ties? c. What do the points get the player? The current thought is X points gets a free fight, probably replacing the "Popularity Leader's" free fight in the relevant arena. That suggests only one player getting a role-play free fight on any given turn. Is this enough to encourage the newsletter participation we're hoping for? Should we convert "This Week's Favorite" to a role-play free fight also? Or handle rewards in some other way entirely? 3. Where it happens. The current thought is, try it in four arenas: one in each region, and one slow arena. Who picks the arenas in question? I'd be inclined to rule out those that are doing fairly well already (Ardivent, Sunset, Lapur; Arkers, Morya, North Fork), but is that wise? Or even fair? Darned if I know. Places where it is NOT currently intended to happen: Transfer arenas. Maybe rule out the no-tourney arenas as current candidates, too? If this seems to work well enough to be worth the effort, should we consider extending it to more, eventually to all non-transfer, arenas? This is not a "someday down the line we might" concept. We want to do this, and SOON. Your feedback would be appreciated, for, against, changes, anything. You can email me directly at jputney zianet com (make sure it says DM in the subject line) or send a diplo to scribe, any arena. the Scribe P.S. Staff members not to be eligible for role-playing free fights. 5 May 09 The Battle Royal V is upon us! Come join one of the original contests that has had some of the games best managers involved in the past. DM 18, Talcama, some consider it to be the crown jewel of the Delarq cities is where this contest will take place. The Battle Royal is intended to be a play as you want, play what you want Delarquan style contest with very few rules. While I'd love to say, "NO AVOIDING" is the only rule (and that wouldn't be too far off), I must spell out situations that can and have occurred and require additional clarification. The advantages of this format: 1) Simple. 2) No penalty for DAs. 3) No restrictions on warriors entered into the contest (baggers, TC mods, etc all welcome) 4) No penalty for not fighting. 5) It isn't a race where 21 wit and favorite learn determine the victor. 6) Losing a warrior (or even your whole team) doesn't eliminate you from contention. 7) It is possible to overcome almost any deficit. And this has been proven, with managers making huge point swings in short periods of time! 8) It is a contest designed to show manager skill rather than warrior ability. There are a few disadvantages: 1) There is no set end. It is possible for this contest to go on indefinitely. In practice, this format has worked very nicely in the past and I expect it will continue to work well. 2) You cannot avoid (But that is part of the fun and the head to head nature of this contest requires this rule.) 3) It encourages bloodshed. 4) Baggers and experienced warriors have an advantage over new warriors. Battle Royal Rules: - Any team in Talcama is eligible to participate. There are no restrictions on warriors (baggers, TC prize modified, etc). However, any warrior that fights for your team is considered in the BR. - Teams may not avoid any other team within the contest. (Note that you may avoid teams outside the contest but you do so at your own risk.) Avoiding a team on the turn they enter the Battle Royal is not considered against the rules (since you couldn't know the team wasn't part of the BR). The suggestion is not to avoid at all. Assur (the contest moderator) gets an avoid report every turn and will catch people avoiding! - Managers may only enter a single team in the contest. - Any manager with more than one team in Talcama may not challenge any other contest warrior with their non contest team(s). The intention is that no advantage can be gained by having multiple teams in the arena. ****Failure to comply with the above rules*** 1st offense: Disqualification from the prize, but you may still participate. 2nd offense: Warning. 3rd offense: Removal from Battle Royal. - If a manager decides to switch teams, his score will start back at 0. This is to prevent a manager from sweeping the contest with several teams of sandbaggers. Can a manager use this clause to go from a negative score to zero? Yes. I realize this is sort of cheating, but I'd rather have a manager start over with a new team than drop out of the contest. Even so, they have to start at 0 and must gain 25 points. - If your warrior loses a contest fight because of an input error and this error is verified by RSI, you will have a point added to your score. The head to head records will remain the same and any points gained by another manager will remain on that manager's record. - As soon as you are announced in the newsletter, you are officially entered into the Battle Royal. Scoring begins on that turn! You are expected to follow the rules that turn and every turn following. Your team may enter any time they wish during the course of the Battle Royal. - If you are exiting the Battle Royal, you are not removed until the turn after your intention is published. You are asked to follow the rules for that turn (either through not avoiding or not running your warriors). Scoring: - Scoring begins the turn your team declares participation. - Scoring continues through the turn your team withdraws. - Score is calculated by: Wins+Kills-Lossses. - Only fights with other B.R. participannts count towards your score, but they count whether they are challenges or random match-ups. - First Manager to 25 points wins! - In event of tie, B.R. continues until one team that has reached 25 points is ahead of all other participants. Disputes: - The attempt has been made to make these rules as complete and bulletproof as possible, but Tripwire will resolve any disputes as fairly as he is capable. Prizes: For the Winner: 6 Months Free Play in Talcama for the winning team (doesn't include tourneys)! One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18)! One Limited Damage Bump Potion (one time use, up to max for stats, used on DM 18 warrior)! One Minor Stat Switch Prize (up to 2 points can be moved from one stat to another stat on a new rollup in DM 18, before adding 14 points. This prize can be used up to 3 months from the contest end. Both points must be used in the same place (can't take one from a speed and one from deftness and add one to wit and will)). One Favorites Knowledge Potion (to be used on a 5+ FE warrior in DM 18). Rename One Dark Arena Creature in DM 18, which will be renamed for 6 Months or until the Ladies decide to return it to the previous name. All potions renaming prizes must be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest. Endurance Award (available to all participants): One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18). To qualify for the Endurance Award you must participate in 90% of the total fights possible over the course of the BR. If you don't have time to make it into the BR by the first turn, there will be a two turn window before the counter will start for new teams. The fights do not have to be BR point scoring fights, just 90% of the total possible participation over the course of the contest! So, if the contest runs 26 turns, there are 130 fights possible. Your team must have 117 fights during those 26 turns to be eligible. All prizes/potions subject to RSI's interpretation of how they are used/implemented. RSI said the faves knowledge must be used on an Inits warrior or higher and set at 5FE or more. Tripwire LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS HAGAR BLUETOOTH bested MOON-EYE in a 2 minute Challenge fight. DEIMOS devastated VETERAN MERCENARY in a 1 minute one-sided Title duel. ORBIN PAES was handily defeated by VETERAN MERCENARY in a 1 minute one-sided match. BORO was slaughtered by AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute mismatched brawl. CIRIC overpowered DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a 1 minute one-sided fight. CHAGAN devastated DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a 2 minute uneven brawl. SHRILL was overpowered by SKYHAWK in a 1 minute one-sided struggle. TITANIA ULMER butchered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided competition. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |BASHING ATTACK 2 TOTAL PARRY 2 - 0 - 0 100 | |AIMED BLOW 1 BASHING ATTACK 17 - 3 - 1 85 | |PARRY-LUNGE 1 WALL OF STEEL 8 - 2 - 0 80 | |SLASHING ATTACK 1 LUNGING ATTACK 7 - 3 - 0 70 | |TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-LUNGE 3 - 3 - 0 50 | |WALL OF STEEL 1 STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 1 - 1 50 | |PARRY-STRIKE 1 SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 1 - 0 50 | |LUNGING ATTACK 1 AIMED BLOW 9 - 10 - 0 47 | |STRIKING ATTACK 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 - 0 0 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 - 0 0 | Turn 618 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: AIMED BLOW 1 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 2 WALL OF STEEL PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 2 SLASHING ATTACK SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 LUNGING ATTACK 0 - 1 1 AIMED BLOW TOTAL PARRY 1 - 0 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 1 1 STRIKING ATTACK WALL OF STEEL 1 - 0 1 BASHING ATTACK BASHING ATTACK 1 - 1 1 TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-LUNGE 1 LUNGING ATTACK 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME AIMED BLOW DEIMOS 5876 18 7 0 100 THE MOONDOGS (97) BASHING ATTACK ORBIN PAES 5877 13 10 0 75 THE MOONDOGS (97) SLASHING ATTACK CIRIC 970 10 5 2 72 VIKINGS (34) TOTAL PARRY CHAGAN 1126 12 2 0 66 VIKINGS (34) PARRY-LUNGE SKYHAWK 1228 6 1 0 39 VIKINGS (34) WALL OF STEEL HAGAR BLUETOOTH 5850 4 0 0 39 VIKINGS (34) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is DEIMOS 5876. The most popular warrior this turn was MOON-EYE 5884. The ten other most popular fighters were CHAGAN 1126, HAGAR BLUETOOTH 5850, DEIMOS 5876, CIRIC 970, SKYHAWK 1228, SHRILL 5851, TITANIA ULMER 5885, ORBIN PAES 5877, BORO 888, and 0. The least popular fighter this week was BORO 888. The other ten least popular fighters were ORBIN PAES 5877, TITANIA ULMER 5885, SHRILL 5851, SKYHAWK 1228, CIRIC 970, DEIMOS 5876, HAGAR BLUETOOTH 5850, CHAGAN 1126, MOON-EYE 5884, and 0.