DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 09/10/2003    Duedate: 09/23/2003

RIZTAB ARENA

DM-12    TURN-472

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

CAT FANCY
ARENA FELINES (177)
(12-5739) [11-6-1,117]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

WISHFUL THINKER                ALEX SCHIMMELFENNIG
DREAMERS (142)                 THE NORTH (554)
(12-5556) [21-16-0,154]        (12-5748) [3-4-0,23]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

EQUALIZER                      EQUALIZER
THE LAWMEN (148)               THE LAWMEN (148)
(12-3391) [13-10-0,105]        (12-3391) [13-10-0,105]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

DREAMERS (142)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. DREAMERS (142)              64
2. ARENA FELINES II (565)      52      ARENA FELINES II (565)
3. ARENA FELINES (177)         37      Unchartered Team
4. BARJIN'S BEST (579)         24
5. THE LAWMEN (148)            22      THE NORTH (554)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1*HITLIST XII (563)          1   0  0  100   1/ 1 DREAMERS (142)           13  2 0
 2/ 3 ARENA FELINES II (565)   209 108 20 65.9   2/ 2 ARENA FELINES II (565)   12  3 1
 3/ 4 SPIRITUAL GIFT (402)     107  63  4 62.9   3/ 3 ARENA FELINES (177)       9  6 0
 4/ 5 HELL-MART (531)          107  69  2 60.8   4/ 8 SWEET MAGIC (267)         7  8 1
 5- 6 THE CITY (570)            44  31  5 58.7   5- 4 THE CITY (570)            6  4 1
 6/ 7 THE LAWMEN (148)         441 319 29 58.0   6/ 5 POWERPUFF GIRLS (522)     5  8 0
 7/ 8 ARENA FELINES (177)      583 452 55 56.3   7/ 6 THE LAWMEN (148)          5 10 0
 8/10 DREAMERS (142)           881 925 76 48.8   8/ 9 HELL-MART (531)           4  4 0
 9-11 BLOODSUCKERS (416)       279 308 27 47.5   9- 7 BLOODSUCKERS (416)        3  7 0
10/ 0 TEAM GNASTY (460)         40  53  6 43.0  10/ 0*BARJIN'S BEST (579)       2  1 0
11/12 SWEET MAGIC (267)        299 455  8 39.7  11-11*HITLIST XII (563)         1  0 0
12/ 9*THE NORTH (554)            3   5  0 37.5  12/ 0 TEAM GNASTY (460)         1  2 0
13/13 POWERPUFF GIRLS (522)    104 189  4 35.5  13/14 SPIRITUAL GIFT (402)      0  4 0
14/ 0*BARJIN'S BEST (579)        3  10  1 23.1  14/12*THE NORTH (554)           0  4 0
15/14*THE SHADOW TIDES (578)     0   4  0  0.0  15/13*THE SHADOW TIDES (578)    0  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[(< + -----:----- + >)] The Free Cities #68 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Riztab:

     "It's moved into the old office building on the waterfront," Spymaster Torric
said.  "The one with the old arena records in it, you know?"
     "They, not it," Jorja corrected absently.  "More than one monster or whatever.
But I wonder why the office building?  It seems so unlikely: the Office Building of
Doom or something."
     Torric laughed but said, "It wasn't always an office building.  Forty or fifty
years ago, it was a merchant prince's palace.  Then the merchant went broke--don't
ask me how, because I do NOT want to know--and Tokken Makrok got the building as part
of the, um, settlement of debts, I guess.  And when the arena opened, he sold the
building to the Gladiatorial Commission, and then the lake rose and drowned the lower
floor...."  He shrugged.  "But it was built on a much older foundation.  Hundreds of
years older."
     "What was it then, hundreds of years ago?" Jorja asked.
     "I've got no clue, I wasn't around then," the Spymaster said.  "Heck, I wasn't
even around when the merchant prince was going broke; I heard about that from my
grandfather."  He topped up his stein from the pitcher on the table.  "What are you
going to do about it?  And where's Garfield--isn't that the guy that with you?"
     "Garfield's got interests all over Alastari, you can't expect him to hang around
Riztab just to investigate a haunted office building.  And besides, why should I, he,
or we do anything at all about it?"
     "It worries people," Torric said.  "There are, well, there are...noises.  At
night.  And sometimes people vanish from the lakefront...."
     "They do that anyway--vanish.  The lakefront isn't the safest place in Riztab
after dark," Jorja pointed out tartly.
     "But--"
     "And if the building belongs to the Commission now, THEY should be responsible
for whatever is going on," she went on relentlessly.
     "But they won't DO anything!"  Torric slammed his tankard down onto the table.
     Jorja shrugged.  "I have my own matters to attend to."
     "At best," the Spymaster went on, "they'll assign some Lord Protectors to
investigate and if possible rid the place of its monsters.  Why wait?  Why not send
some of yours, or call for volunteers, if more are needed and you don't want to go
yourself?"
     "If the Commission sends someone, they'll have to pay expenses," Jorja said.
"If we start on our own, they won't.  And I'm just breaking even as it is."

Between Ibizond and Korga:

     Aghtamar, Zilla, and Cadal sat or knelt, as each preferred, in a shadowy cavern
formed by the drooping branches of a pine.  Cadal had vetoed a fire, but they had
food--thick slabs of bread topped with ham and cheese, and water to drink.  They'd
taken position well before sunset, in case the killer was out early looking for HIS
position of ambush.
     "He doesn't use the same one each time?" Aghtamar asked.
     "No.  There may be some repeating, judging by where the bodies have been found,
but some are too far apart to have been ambushed from the same spot.  There's been a
general progression from east to west, too, as though the killer was coming from the
east coast, maybe from Zuwayza, and heading for the west coast by way of Murska and
Fratsfa.  This seems like about the right distance from the last body--"
     "I just hope the killer doesn't decide this tree would make a good ambush spot
for HIM," Zilla muttered.
     There was a period of silence while the three Lord Protectors alternately ate
and leaned forward to peer through the branches at the road.  Their position was in
the bottom of a small valley where the road crossed a steep, rocky stream on an
arched stone bridge.
     "I wonder where the priests of Kjarran found the monster," Aghtamar asked in a
tone of idle curiosity.  "I wonder if they have any control over it, or if they just
pointed it west at Korga and turned it loose?"
     "You think the priests are responsible for this?" Cadal asked, surprised.
     "Of course," she said.  "Who else?"
     "Some of the invaders might have released something that was caged," Cadal
suggested.  "If it really is a monster of some kind.  If it's just a killer, it could
be anyone.  Besides, if it was set by the Kjarranists, you'd think it would leave
their people alone, and it hasn't.  Well, we can't be sure about beliefs, but all
races have been attacked."
     "The people of Karnhorn race who died might have been followers of Serimna,"
Zilla said.  "The priests of Kjarran hate Serimnists more even than Karragit or Orcs
or Shews.  More even than Elves."
     "It doesn't matter," Cadal said finally.  "Monstrous or mortal, it's a killer
and our job right now is to stop it."
     Aghtamar was taking her turn peering out at the road.  The sun was down, at
least as seen from this location, and the valley was filling with shadows.  She
stiffened and whispered, "Somebody coming!"
     "Fist of Kjarran?" Zilla asked.
     "No, someone coming from the east.  Someone on a horse."
     "Bad time and place for an innocent traveler," Cadal said, moving up to join her
at the edge of their shelter.  "So let's hope it's the killer looking for a place to
set his ambush."
     Zilla crammed the last of her bread and cheese into her mouth, muttered
something indistinct, and began to climb the tree, keeping close to the trunk and
spiraling upward out of sight.
     The road, which was used by traders' wagons as well as foot and horse traffic,
looped back and forth across the steep hillside to get an easier grade, so it most of
it was hidden behind the trees.  All could hear the hoofbeats, though.  One horse,
coming steadily at moderate speed.  The last stretch above the bridge was in the
clear, however, and still lit, more or less, by the ruddy light of the setting sun
reflecting off clouds above the valley.
     A shadow moved at the top of the visible length of road, resolving into a large
hound.  Two large hounds.  Too large to be hounds, but they weren't horses, bears, or
cattle.  The darkness at the edge of the trees stretched out an arm which advanced,
detached, and became a vaguely seen man, or something man-like, on a horse, or nearly
a horse.  A third hound followed on his heels.
     "The killer," Cadal said, his voice little more than a ghost of sound.
"Couldn't be anything else."
     "It could be human and I wouldn't mind," Aghtamar countered as quietly.
"Because THAT surely is no human or any other race I ever met."
     What little they could see of the figure on the horse seemed tall as a Shew but
skeletally thin.  The flame-colored light of the setting sun--or something--made the
eyes of horse, rider, and hounds all reflect redly.  One of the hounds stopped, head
up and turning slowly.  It looked directly at the tree where the gladiators were
hiding and then pointed its nose at the sky and loosed a howl that would freeze the
blood of a salamander.  The rider turned to look toward the tree also, raised a
hunting horn and blew it.  Above them, Zilla gave a startled shriek and slid down in
a shower of bark and needles.
     "We'd better get on the road," Cadal said urgently.  "We're in a trap if we try
to fight from in here."
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     The dog charged Fist of Kjarran without finesse, just came straight at him.  It
seemed to grow unnaturally as it came closer, from as big as a pony to a beast that
towered like an elephant, and it bayed continually.  Fist wondered in passing where
it found the breath to keep howling like that as it ran.  No doubt that it was an
unnatural beast of some kind!  He muttered a quick prayer, wished for a boar spear,
and knelt, bracing his sword to receive the plunging monster.
     At the last moment, its breath already cold on his face, the beast swerved to
pass Fist to his left.  Fist twisted quickly and managed to slash across its ribs,
though the cut was only a shallow one.  The dog twisted, too, whining with frustrated
eagerness to kill.  Fist got back on his feet so that he could turn and keep his face
and blade to the circling hound.  Why it didn't leap in to attack, he could not
imagine.  It backed up out of blade's reach and bayed at him.  The sound was
unpleasant, but that was all--what was the fool creature doing?
     It bayed again, with vibrato and tricky overtones.  Abruptly Fist guessed that
it was trying to frighten him.  What the heck?  Could it ONLY kill through fear, or
at least only physically attack those who had been unmanned by fear?  He lunged
suddenly, and it scrambled back out of the way rather than meet the attack and
attempt to fight.  Kjarran and Jayde!  It was like the old motto: the only thing to
be feared was fear itself.  He leaped to the attack again, pressing the infernal
hound relentlessly.  The hound dodged and twisted agilely, and whenever it had a
moment, it howled.  Not the hunting call, but the howl of a dog voicing its woes.
     It was answered by a hunting horn from farther down the valley, and for the
first time since he'd seen the hound, Fist of Kjarran again noticed the sound of
battle down there.  Apparently the hound was calling for help.
     Kjarran and Jayde!  A beast of prey that was at least twice his size and still
needed help to kill him was not something to frighten a child, much less a Lord
Protector!  But there was no telling, the help it summoned might be more formidable.
Better to take care of the hound now, at once, and not have to fight hound and helper
together.  Besides, his assistance might be needed down at the bridge where the other
Lord Protectors were fighting the hound's master.  He made a determined attack on the
hound, pressing it back with his thrusts and slashes, attempting to corner it against
the low bank at one side of the road.  It yelped, snapped, and lunged back at him
desperately.
     "Ah...I shoulda remembered," Fist muttered, dodging.  "Cornered rats and
all...."  He tried one last slash as the beast went by and laid open its hip to the
bone.  It screamed and fell.
     There was a wordless shout of fury from farther along, two human screams,
drumming hooves that approached his position faster than a horse should be able to
gallop up that slope.  Fist moved quickly to put his back to the low bluff beside the
road.  It would hamper his movement, but it would be a worse problem for the
horsemen; at least here he wouldn't have to worry about being ridden down.

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

                        ---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 473): GWEN RYDER of DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 471): CAT FANCY of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 467): INNERVISION of UNKNOWNS XX (Dark Spirit, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 467): PA ELL of WAY OF THE SWORD (Vhagar, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 465): PAN of DEITIES & DEMIGODS (DeGotti, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 464): VOO DOO of UNKNOWNS XII (Dark Spirit, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 232): LUCKY LUCIEN of CANADIAN BACON (Firehawk, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 456): MR. YUCK of THE TAKEN (Stillgard, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 230): PHOENICIA of DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 453): TROTLINE of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  33 ANASAZI (turn 451): OLD MAJOR of PIG BATTALION (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 444): KING BEAR of THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 407): SUNGOD DESIGNED ME of WENSINWASIN (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 207): CAN'T BRING ME DOWN of THE SUNGOD XPERIENCE (SunGod)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 201): JUMBO MUMBO of SPOONERTIKS (Spawn, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 188): MR. HOOPER of OPEN SESAME (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 332): BESOT of ACT OF MALICE (Carnage, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 312): THE BUM of FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 137): JUSTICE of PEACE MAKERS (Solomon, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 357): NEMESIS of CHAMPIONS from JHELUM (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM  9 ZUKAL (turn 473): CLAN O' WHOOPAS (?, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 471): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 467): GREENWARDENS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 467): SILK AND STEEL (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 465): WHEN EAGLES DARE (Talon Volksie, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 464): DRAGON JUNKIES (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 232): BAD GERMS (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 456): THE GUILD (Guido, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 230): OVERLORDS (The Icelord, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 453): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 ANASAZI (turn 451): WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 444): THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 407): THE FAMILY (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 207): MORDRED'S MADMEN (Abraxis, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 201): COFFEE RULES! (Mr. Coffee, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 188): OPEN SESAME (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 332): REDHORSE (Mila, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 312): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 137): WAY TO GO! II (Spawn, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 357): MEOW MIX, etc. (Ultraist, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 470): DOORSTOP of SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 466): DIRT KNAP of UNKNOWNS XX (Dark Spirit, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 467): PA ELL of WAY OF THE SWORD (Vhagar, mgr.)
                           PAZUZU of THE BLACKHEARTS (Nunzio Frothingslosh, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 464): KILLIN' STU of MINIONS OF MILO (Kleptov Grenufelbitz)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 463): KANDY KANES of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 231): BATMANNING (28-3402) CANADIAN BACON (Firehawk, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 229):ODYSSEUS of OVERLORDS (The Icelord, mgr.)
                               KRAC D'CHEVALIERS of THE STORMGUARDS (The Icelord)
                               BABBS BUNNY of LOONY TOONS (Rascally Rabbit, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 443): BRIGIT of CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 201): GRINNON BEARIT of THE BEAR'S PAW (KAT, mgr.)
                   (turn 200): ZEEL BEBUB of SPOONERTIKS (Spawn, mgr.)
                               INCREDIBLE SULK of DRAKE'S COMICS (Drake, mgr.)
                               MARY ANN of SCREEN DREAMS (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 187): CLOUDS AWAY of OPEN SESAME (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 311): ON MY WAY of SADISTS F2F (SunGod, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 137): JUSTICE of PEACE MAKERS (Solomon, mgr.)
                            SCRAG'S LIZARD of DARK CIRCLE PETS II (Guardian, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     If you were disturbed from your beauty rest only to have to watch a bunch of 
RIZTAB brutes like you, you'd be grouchy, too.  SWEET MAGIC turned their 3-2-1 turn 
into a 4th place rank in the listings this turn.  Any better than this, and you get 
put on hit lists.  Gee, I'm impressed, a 4-1-0 is nice, but don't get cocky, ARENA 
FELINES, the Fates teach humility, and the Fates are proud.  Of course, we're all 
terribly impressed to see SNAGGLE PUSS win a fight and gain 24 points, terribly.  
Tsk, tsk, SNAGGLE PUSS beat TILLOUISA and TILLOUISA lost 22 points.  You're breakin' 
my heart.  LIBERTY BELLE challenged RIZTAB's Duelmaster for a shot at the throne.  
And if variety is the spice of life, RIZTAB may be getting bland, as CAT FANCY stays 
top dog in the city.  I'm not in a very good mood today, but why am I telling you 
this?  You want to know what's new, don't you, RIZTAB?   
     Well, let's take a look at some more misdeeds of you miserable sword-boys.  
What's the big D?  THE CITY was the most avoided team?  Bunch of lily livered... 
grumble... mumble... curse...  And who led the way in this mass act of cowardice?  
Let's see, well, whatcha know?  It was POWERPUFF GIRLS.  Ha ha ha ha!  NANETTE was 
challenged more times this turn than the Duelmaster.  Now was the DM insulted or 
feared?  Heh, heh.  I guess I can give a little credit to BURBUJA of POWERPUFF GIRLS 
for challenging up by 22 to NANETTE.  BURBUJA was slain to get 26 points of 
recognition.   
     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.  And now a passing thought on a warrior 
dying young (BURBUJA of POWERPUFF GIRLS):  You had your chance and now you're dead.  
Oh well...  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 RIZTAB to get a drink than The Swinging 
Aardvark!  Any suggestions?  Phlllt!  Just had to do that before I leave the fine 
city of RIZTAB.  I feel much better now.  Glad to see the back of this place-- Snide 
Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CAT FANCY 5739               11   6  1   117       ARENA FELINES (177)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WISHFUL THINKER 5556         21  16  0   154       DREAMERS (142)
 FASTER PUSSYCAT 5690         17   8  1   145       ARENA FELINES II (565)
 KITTY KAT 5700               19   4  1   134       ARENA FELINES II (565)
-HOFFA'S BANE 3554            22  16  0   110       SPIRITUAL GIFT (402)
 EQUALIZER 3391               13  10  0   105       THE LAWMEN (148)
 OCTAPUSSY 5720               12   8  1    98       ARENA FELINES II (565)
-AISLE GET YOU! 5100          18  13  2    95       HELL-MART (531)
 MIKE BELIEVE 5552            16  18  0    93       POWERPUFF GIRLS (522)
 FLADRAKEEN OOSCH 4396        14  12  1    91       TEAM GNASTY (460)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SNAGGLE PUSS 5731             8  10  0    90       ARENA FELINES (177)
 LIBERTY BELLE 5448           17  24  0    88       POWERPUFF GIRLS (522)
 SMELLY CAT 5742              12   5  1    87       ARENA FELINES (177)
 CUNNING CALICO 5628          21  14  2    86       ARENA FELINES (177)
-BARRY 5663                   14  10  0    83       THE CITY (570)
-DENOGGINIZER 5702            11   9  0    82       BLOODSUCKERS (416)
-THE TICK 5659                10   3  0    82       THE CITY (570)
 97 ITEM EXPRESS 5153         21  12  0    81       HELL-MART (531)
 SOMNUS 5708                  10  12  1    77       DREAMERS (142)
 PHANTAST 5737                 8   9  2    76       DREAMERS (142)
 BAT MASTERSON 3384           11  12  1    74       THE LAWMEN (148)
 TILLOUISA 5680               16  12  1    67       SWEET MAGIC (267)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DROMMARE 5755                 9   6  1    59       DREAMERS (142)
 FRANK DREBIN 3209            12  19  0    58       THE LAWMEN (148)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ARTHUR 5662                   6   7  1    56       THE CITY (570)
-CHAINSAW VIGILANTE 5775       6   2  1    55       THE CITY (570)
-KNOTHEAD 5727                12   4  1    52       BLOODSUCKERS (416)
 BATAAKAPPU 5698               9  11  1    52       POWERPUFF GIRLS (522)
 RIFT 3922                     7   7  1    50       SPIRITUAL GIFT (402)
 NANETTE 5629                  7  28  1    50       SWEET MAGIC (267)
-BAT MANUAL 5660               6   7  1    46       THE CITY (570)
 SONADOR 5769                  5   6  0    43       DREAMERS (142)
 JOSTLING JAGUAR 5770          5   6  0    36       ARENA FELINES (177)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT? 5773     5   4  0    32       ARENA FELINES II (565)
-BLOOD BUD 5774                5   2  0    25       BLOODSUCKERS (416)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-LITTLE BULL 5786              4   1  0    23       BLOODSUCKERS (416)
 ALEX SCHIMMELFENNIG 5748      3   4  0    23       THE NORTH (554)
-AF BOX GNASTY 5417            4   1  0    21       TEAM GNASTY (460)
 KITTEN KABOODLE 5798          3   1  1    21       ARENA FELINES II (565)
 XXL STRETCH PANTS 5634        5   5  0    20       HELL-MART (531)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PIZZARRHEA 5750               3   1  0    19       HELL-MART (531)
 METER MAID 5789               2   4  0    14       THE LAWMEN (148)
-FREAKY BARBER 5283            3   2  1    13       TEAM GNASTY (460)
 KORTUL 5829                   1   0  0    13       BARJIN'S BEST (579)
 NOREEN 5783                   1   7  0    10       SWEET MAGIC (267)
 SONG OF SUMMER 5790           1   5  0    10       SWEET MAGIC (267)
 MERINDA 5828                  1   0  0    10       SWEET MAGIC (267)
 SILKE 5831                    1   0  0    10       BARJIN'S BEST (579)
-STEADY EDDIE 5785             2   3  0     9       BLOODSUCKERS (416)
-DEVIL'S WING 5544             1   0  0     9       HITLIST XII (563)
 DIRTY SANCHEZ 5725            1   0  0     7       TEAM GNASTY (460)
 DEPUTY CHAD 5810              0   3  0     3       THE LAWMEN (148)
-GALAMESH 5823                 0   2  0     2       BARJIN'S BEST (579)
-OLAF THE MIGHTY 5827          0   2  0     2       BARJIN'S BEST (579)
 POT BELLY 5819                0   1  0     1       SPIRITUAL GIFT (402)
 GREY THE SILENT 5830          0   1  0     1       BARJIN'S BEST (579)
 FAST TRACK 5820               0   1  0     1       SPIRITUAL GIFT (402)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
WILLIAM GROSE 5744     0  1 0 THE NORTH 554         SPYMASTER TORRIC 495  472 NONE    
BURBUJA 5788           3  2 0 POWERPUFF GIRLS 522   NANETTE 5629          472         
NOT4ME 5833            0  1 0 THE SHADOW TIDES 578  SPYMASTER TORRIC 495  472 NONE    
CHIT-ZU 5756           0  1 0 TEAM GNASTY 460       KITTEN KABOODLE 5798  472         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Cat Fancy -- We didn't change the Doorstop's strategy on learning its favorites, but
that does not diminish your victory.  We salute you. -- Sweet Magic
P.S.  Who cares what happens to an ol' doorstop, after all?  If I had a copper for
every time I've stubbed my toe on the damned lump--!

Bataakappu -- You're a cute little flower, but the arena is not the place for cute
little flowers. -- Tillouisa
P.S.  Don't you wish those cringing spectators were the ones that got hit?

Blood Bud -- You are NOT a cute little flower. -- Nanette

Burbuja -- I don't know if you're supposed to be a burbling brook or a witch! --
Noreen

XXL Stretch Pants -- Naturally I lost.  I was completely lost in there. -- Song of
Summer the Slim and Slender

Innervision -- One more minute and I think I would have had you. -- Neigh!,
hopelessly trying

Blacklock -- That hurt! -- Sultan, for Genuine Risk
P.S.  Nice learns

Dirt Knap -- Hell of a record!  You may be pleased to be leaving, but the rest of us
are even more pleased that you've gone! -- Triple Crown, with 10 losses to you

19 August 2003
     Citizens of Ghea (only the ignorant fail to note Lirith Kai is not in Alastari),
no new day is rising, but the sun is setting on just another beautiful evening.
While you were sleeping, an irksome rabble has entered the always fair Aruak City.
Of course they fought alongside our warriors, most not so treasured, as all
gladiators do.  They drank with themselves, and slept with themselves.  Whether they
had masks, who cares.
     Warriors, don't be afraid.  For years Aruak has been one of the safest cities in
Ghea, and that custom has been continually cultivated, and will continue to be by
those who have called it home for years and those who live, fight, and die by the
same ethics.  There is no contest, nor has there ever needed to be one for many
years.  A conflict of personalities has arisen, and the city has been 'invaded' by
pests.
     Any rules that are annouced will be purely for the joy of the lemmings' own
little world.  Those who are being targeted have no interest in participating except
to defend the integrity of an arena that is different from others.  Whether you
choose to come to Aruak, do it for your own reasons, not theirs.
    Competing in Aruak City has never been for the faint of heart or the weak willed.
Combat is combat, wherever you go.  Blood will flow as always, and now many innocents
will be caught in the middle, but those who defend Aruak's traditions never target
those who bring respect of Aruaki customs with them to our home.
    So ignore the private ranting announcement brought by the stuporous
Frothingsloshers.  If you choose Aruak City, do not choose it for an unsanctioned and
bogus 'contest', choose it for the tradition.  Choose it because Aruak is different.

Defenders of Aruak

25 August 2003
To any that care -- The CDC is back; our current roster is:
     Malaquar -- Minion of Guardian
     Pip the Troll -- Burly Enforcer Type
     mouse -- Official Sneaky Bastard
     Papa Bear -- Elder Statesmen
                     The Sealer says, "Hi, I'm the dealer."
                     Papa Bear says, "It's not my f****n fault."
Guardian -- Paper Figurehead

9 September 2003
WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MANAGERS!  If you think you have what it takes to match
wits and blades with some of the best managers in Alastari, then WE WANT YOU!  The
Tournament Of The Golden Scrod #4 will begin in Aradi (DM 60) the turn after the Fall
Mail-In.  It's not too late for you to sign up.  I realize that many of you may be
hesitant after seeing that myself and Hombre have teamed up again, but we'll try to
take it easy on you guys a little bit.  For more information on T#%S IV, please
contact me at ganolus@aol.com.  We're looking for a few good managers...the few, the
proud, the TOGS!

-- Ganolus Oakleaf, T#%S IV Commish

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

WILLIAM GROSE was butchered by SPYMASTER TORRIC in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
NOT4ME was butchered by SPYMASTER TORRIC in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
EQUALIZER savagely defeated MIKE BELIEVE in a 4 minute veteran's Challenge melee.
LIBERTY BELLE was devastated by CAT FANCY in a 1 minute Challenge Title contest.
97 ITEM EXPRESS was viciously subdued by OCTAPUSSY in a 2 minute Challenge brawl.
BATAAKAPPU was overpowered by BAT MASTERSON in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
DROMMARE overcame RIFT in a action packed 3 minute gruesome Challenge melee.
BURBUJA was dispatched by NANETTE in a 2 minute gruesome uneven Challenge fight.
SONADOR overpowered ALEX SCHIMMELFENNIG in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
DEPUTY CHAD was overcome by SONG OF SUMMER in a popular 1 minute Challenge bout.
PIZZARRHEA subdued NOREEN in a 1 minute Challenge match.
SMELLY CAT was devastated by WISHFUL THINKER in a 1 minute mismatched conflict.
FASTER PUSSYCAT demolished FLADRAKEEN OOSCH in a 1 minute mismatched match.
KITTY KAT overpowered MOTTA THE PIKE in a 1 minute mismatched conflict.
CUNNING CALICO overpowered FRANK DREBIN in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
TILLOUISA was devastated by SNAGGLE PUSS in a 1 minute uneven duel.
PHANTAST overpowered LI KO THE CLUMSY in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
SOMNUS devastated MARTOS CHARD in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
JOSTLING JAGUAR demolished METER MAID in a 2 minute one-sided bout.
XXL STRETCH PANTS was overpowered by WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT? in a 1 minute fight.
KITTEN KABOODLE butchered CHIT-ZU in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
DIRTY SANCHEZ won victory over POT BELLY in a action packed 1 minute novice's match.
FAST TRACK was vanquished by SILKE in a 1 minute mismatched fray.
MERINDA overpowered GREY THE SILENT in a 1 minute one-sided match.
KORTUL overpowered SIBATA THE THIEF in a 1 minute one-sided duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                 11         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   0 -  0     100  |
|BASHING ATTACK                  10         STRIKING ATTACK   57 -  41 -  4      58  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   8         WALL OF STEEL     12 -  10 -  0      55  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    3         SLASHING ATTACK   12 -  10 -  0      55  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         BASHING ATTACK    54 -  45 -  2      55  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         LUNGING ATTACK    49 -  42 -  4      54  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         TOTAL PARRY       30 -  28 -  0      52  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         PARRY-STRIKE       7 -  14 -  0      33  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         PARRY-RIPOSTE      5 -  13 -  1      28  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         AIMED BLOW         1 -   8 -  0      11  |

Turn 472 was great if you     Not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

PARRY-LUNGE        1 -  0     SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  2         4  STRIKING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK     7 -  3     AIMED BLOW         0 -  2         1  WALL OF STEEL  
PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -  1     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  2         1  BASHING ATTACK 
LUNGING ATTACK     5 -  3     TOTAL PARRY        0 -  2         1  PARRY-LUNGE    
STRIKING ATTACK    6 -  5                                       1  SLASHING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL      1 -  1                                       1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                                                                1  TOTAL PARRY    
                                                                1  AIMED BLOW     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  CAT FANCY 5739             11   6  1  117 ARENA FELINES (177)
WALL OF STEEL    WISHFUL THINKER 5556       21  16  0  154 DREAMERS (142)
BASHING ATTACK   FASTER PUSSYCAT 5690       17   8  1  145 ARENA FELINES II (565)
SLASHING ATTACK  OCTAPUSSY 5720             12   8  1   98 ARENA FELINES II (565)
AIMED BLOW       FLADRAKEEN OOSCH 4396      14  12  1   91 TEAM GNASTY (460)
TOTAL PARRY      97 ITEM EXPRESS 5153       21  12  0   81 HELL-MART (531)
LUNGING ATTACK   TILLOUISA 5680             16  12  1   67 SWEET MAGIC (267)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is EQUALIZER 3391.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was EQUALIZER 3391.  The ten other most popular fighters were RIFT 3922, OCTAPUSSY 
5720, JOSTLING JAGUAR 5770, CAT FANCY 5739, DROMMARE 5755, SONG OF SUMMER 5790, MIKE 
BELIEVE 5552, BAT MASTERSON 3384, BURBUJA 5788, and KITTY KAT 5700.

The least popular fighter this week was GREY THE SILENT 5830.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were FAST TRACK 5820, CHIT-ZU 5756, METER MAID 5789, FRANK DREBIN 
3209, FLADRAKEEN OOSCH 4396, LIBERTY BELLE 5448, NOT4ME 5833, WILLIAM GROSE 5744, 
KORTUL 5829, and KITTEN KABOODLE 5798.

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

WISHFUL THINKER (12-5556) DREAMERS (142)
KITTY KAT (12-5700) ARENA FELINES II (565)