DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 12/13/2006 Duedate: 12/26/2006 RIZTAB ARENA DM-12 TURN-557 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS KALEN STEEL THUNDER (630) (12-6418) [17-11-0,109] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader MACHIAVELLI MEGALOMANIAC DREAMERS (142) INCUBUS (594) (12-6440) [11-6-0,119] (12-5989) [7-1-0,97] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite ALOURSHIN LEIBNIZ SWEET MAGIC (267) DREAMERS (142) (12-6126) [22-30-1,97] (12-6540) [5-3-0,35] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM DREAMERS (142) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. DREAMERS (142) 49 2. COLD IRON BLOWS (637) 46 CULTS-R-US (624) 3. STEEL THUNDER (630) 19 Unchartered Team 4. ICE AGE (639) 16 5. INCUBUS (594) 9 INCUBUS (594) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 0*INCUBUS (594) 7 1 0 87.5 1/ 2 DREAMERS (142) 11 4 0 2/ 1 CULTS-R-US (624) 80 60 1 57.1 2/ 1 CULTS-R-US (624) 8 7 0 3- 2 ERRATA (604) 21 19 1 52.5 3/ 7*COLD IRON BLOWS (637) 7 3 0 4- 4 FORCE OF FIVE (586) 49 48 2 50.5 4/ 4*ICE AGE (639) 7 5 0 5/11*COLD IRON BLOWS (637) 7 7 0 50.0 5/ 3 HIGH JINKS (584) 7 8 0 6/ 5 HIGH JINKS (584) 193 194 11 49.9 6/ 5 STEEL THUNDER (630) 5 10 1 7/ 6 DREAMERS (142) %1091 %1111 86 49.5 7- 6 FORCE OF FIVE (586) 3 2 0 8/ 7*ICE AGE (639) 13 18 0 41.9 8/ 8 WHO DA MAN? (623) 3 3 0 9/ 8 STEEL THUNDER (630) 82 133 8 38.1 9/ 9 SWEET MAGIC (267) 3 12 0 10/ 9 SWEET MAGIC (267) 430 747 11 36.5 10/ 0*INCUBUS (594) 1 0 0 11/10 WHO DA MAN? (623) 17 31 0 35.4 11-11 ERRATA (604) 1 2 0 '*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn (###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. [Brother Zort enters center stage. The spotlight shines bright. He grins like an elementary student on graduation day (or more like the grill of a 56' Chevy without headlights). As his lips begin to move to accept his duelmastership a bum bumrushes. Enter a breathless Comrade Kook panting and wheezing in dismay.] Goodness...uhhh...gracious...please, oh, please...let me compose myself[gasping wildly]...so undignified for an immortal...but I just had to respond...[composes himself, checks his newly pruned pompadour and commences] Let me begin by apologizing oh so vociferously to that studly man of men, Machiavelli. He's oh so righto brighto to complain about my lack of respect towards him and his masculine ways. What a coward I was to challenge Twisted Clown (an inveterate sandbag) and Kalen when I could have challenged Sugar Jane and Alourshin with their nearly 90 combined losses. What an apologetic shrinking violet I am. My face stained with tears of humiliation. My brow furrowed with lines of dismay. (No of course they're not wrinkles you silly heathen, any fashionable warrior aware of my daily moisturizing regime would know not to ask such a silly question!) If only I could do justice to any affront you've endured. Oh please tell me how to make amends! Perhaps some style tips (love the back-up epee, so slimming to the hips, but as I always plead with Zort; a scimitar with a leather cap is so last year), or some relationship advice (a bit wooden with the delivery, you need to emote, emote, emote!), or even, if I may be so bold, some advice on battlefield etiquette (rule number 1, always a no no silly you, don't brag about fights you lose!). But [with head bowed]...I must admit [a shuddering of the shoulders, a tremble of the lips].... Ohh, I'm just so sorry for all I've done, I confess! I confess!.....[SMACK] [SLAP] Get a hold of yourself you blubbering fool [a clearly annoyed Brother Zort straightens his back then unconvincingly winks at the camera]. As reigning duelmaster of Riztab I bow humbly to my predecessors [he almost bows, somewhat humbly]. Please excuse my rambling friend Kook. You see, it's a very emotional time for him (as if there were a time he wasn't emotional). Becoming an immortal has been an enormous change (like his daily wardrobe), and much of his frayed state of mind is due to unfounded rumours being spread by bitter rivals (as opposed to the 'sweet' rivals). But as my limelight seeking cultmate now understands (after a well placed scimitar to the hamstring), the struggles of us mere mortals here in Riztab should no longer concern him. The future of our great arena is here, and it's all about ME, ME, ME! What I think, what I'll do, what I want! How should I administer to my subjects? Cruelly (Alourshin that would be you), moderately (Buddha, I granted you that victory), or with complete benevolence (Kalen and Losing Is Fun, I'm sure you understand now; if I'd actually been trying...). So who should the King...excuse me, I meant duelmaster, sacrifice...oops, sorry, I meant challenge. Losing Is Fun, Kalen, and Machiavelli are noble plebeians (I mean warriors), but I command (I mean think) we should all embrace and give a hearty welcome back to our long lost doormats (I mean neighbors) from Force of Five. So I'll allow my presence to grace (I mean challenge), Sorak. Your singular duelmaster, Brother Zort SPY REPORT So why do I have this bag over my head? Because I am The Unknown Spymaster and I'm going to give you a spy report!. Say good-bye to CULTS-R-US, as they are pushed from the coveted top team spot by the DREAMERS stable. Coming up with a solid 4-1-0 outing, COLD IRON BLOWS has advanced 4 places in the rankings. Advancing in the rankings was DREAMERS who went from last turn's 1086-1111-86, to this week's record of 1091-1111-86. Hey everybody, watch out for EPICURIOUS, who flew up 18 points in the rankings after mashing MISSY MOSSY like a melon. Keep your eye on this guy. Ya know, some days it doesn't pay to walk out on the sands. MISSY MOSSY was subdued by EPICURIOUS and drops 15 points. What does the Duelmaster and Piltdown Man have in common? They are both the most challenged apes in human history! Heyheyhey! Drawing on all of his experience as a 16-11-0 warrior, KALEN went for the Duelmastership against BROTHER ZORT this week. In front of all the crowds, KALEN took the Duelmaster's crown for his own. I give the bum two weeks. Can you believe they are paying me 10 gold to deliver this stuff? Here is other news that is of note. And hey, kiddies, those of you who didn't avoid DREAMERS, please raise you hand. Wow. Does RIZTAB really have that many liars? And you guys like to boo me? Well, unsling your rasberries, cause STEEL THUNDER beats feet every time DREAMERS smiles at them. Try farming, eh? BORN LOSER of ICE AGE had better have a good reason for challenging down 10 points in a challenge which he lost. I thought BORN LOSER showed great skill and promise when he was subdued by EGROS. All right, so I slept through it! Big deal! Remember that an arena is not always a safe place to be, but it is one of the most interesting, though! Here's some advice: warriors with little wit and will may encounter problems on the trail to the Isle. Well, that wasn't too bad; Alarond told me that the people in RIZTAB have no sense of humor. Or maybe that they were senseless. C'mon, Leadfoot, let's make some tracks. Its been real, and its been fun, but it hasn't been real fun...-- The Unknown Spymaster DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME KALEN 6418 17 11 0 109 STEEL THUNDER (630) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME MACHIAVELLI 6440 11 6 0 119 DREAMERS (142) LOSING IS FUN 6330 14 10 0 118 WHO DA MAN? (623) -SORAK 5918 14 6 0 107 FORCE OF FIVE (586) BUDDHA 6231 19 17 0 100 DREAMERS (142) ALOURSHIN 6126 22 30 1 97 SWEET MAGIC (267) MEGALOMANIAC 5989 7 1 0 97 INCUBUS (594) BROTHER ZORT 6338 18 10 0 96 CULTS-R-US (624) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME TALA GOG 6066 16 41 0 89 SWEET MAGIC (267) BROTHER ZERO 6341 16 12 0 86 CULTS-R-US (624) -CAELUM 5916 14 6 0 75 FORCE OF FIVE (586) UGLY EDDIE 6370 13 10 1 73 HIGH JINKS (584) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME HUME 6376 13 8 0 64 DREAMERS (142) -MONKEY 6105 5 4 0 58 ERRATA (604) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME EPICURIOUS 6495 8 4 0 56 DREAMERS (142) -SUGAR 6104 7 4 0 52 ERRATA (604) -SETH 6482 5 2 1 52 FORCE OF FIVE (586) KRANKYKARL 6406 11 8 1 49 HIGH JINKS (584) HURRICANE 6481 4 11 0 38 STEEL THUNDER (630) IRONSTORM 6483 8 6 0 36 STEEL THUNDER (630) LEIBNIZ 6540 5 3 0 35 DREAMERS (142) MISSY MOSSY 6539 5 3 0 35 HIGH JINKS (584) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME YODA MAN 6328 3 21 0 32 WHO DA MAN? (623) DEXTER 6524 8 2 0 31 HIGH JINKS (584) BLING BLING 6555 3 0 0 31 ICE AGE (639) -BOGUS LA 6132 3 5 0 29 ERRATA (604) -RYE 6108 3 1 1 25 ERRATA (604) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME BIG SHRIMP 6561 2 0 0 23 ICE AGE (639) WACKY WACO WONK 6505 4 6 0 22 CULTS-R-US (624) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME JASPER 6566 2 0 0 21 COLD IRON BLOWS (637) WINTER SHADOWS 6526 3 7 0 16 SWEET MAGIC (267) EGROS 6565 1 1 0 16 COLD IRON BLOWS (637) RANFUAGUD 6567 2 0 0 15 COLD IRON BLOWS (637) TARILISS 6527 2 8 0 14 SWEET MAGIC (267) QUALIX 6564 2 0 0 14 COLD IRON BLOWS (637) KOOL-AID DRINKER 6557 2 2 0 13 CULTS-R-US (624) TYGER 6559 1 2 1 12 STEEL THUNDER (630) SWEET BETSEY 6571 1 0 0 9 SWEET MAGIC (267) -THE BLOB 6510 2 1 0 8 FORCE OF FIVE (586) BULLHOG 6560 1 2 0 5 STEEL THUNDER (630) BORN LOSER 6554 1 2 0 5 ICE AGE (639) -GREY 6478 0 1 0 5 ERRATA (604) RIPTIDE 6562 1 1 0 4 ICE AGE (639) MANGY POLECAT 6569 0 2 0 2 HIGH JINKS (584) IAINTPLAYING 6568 0 1 0 1 ICE AGE (639) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? MRS. MORNINGSTAR 6512 0 3 0 COLD IRON BLOWS 637 DEMRON THE DARK 497 557 NONE BURQUA BOY 6570 0 1 0 CULTS-R-US 624 TYGER 6559 557 TALON 6484 7 4 0 STEEL THUNDER 630 UGLY EDDIE 6370 554 REVENGED PERSONAL ADS Alourshin -- The ugliest! I love fighting you. Getting my hat handed to me ain't so bad when I can get in some of my own. -- Ugly Eddie Epicurious -- "It" is not a Golem. (only "It" category listed on the form when I first started in the pens) "It" is a karragit from the swamps. (where else?) And "It" couldn't be more pleased to make your acquaintance. (tougher than you look) Trade ya learns. -- Missy Mossy Seth -- I'm convinced, for now. Movements of the future, we'll see. -- Krankykarl Winter Shadows -- D'ja catch that moonset, n' subsequent moonrise? Moooonshadows... they've been writ about. -- Dexter Losing is Fun -- You keep saying that, but you aren't convincing. If it's such a darned thrill, why not experience it yourself? -- Sugar Jane P.S. And do NOT believe anyone who tells you that you're being philanthropic and people will love you for your generosity. You're not and they won't. Trust me on this. Ugly Eddie -- You are SOOO ugly...you're actually kinda cute. That's weird, but there it is. Hmm. Probably because you're tall. -- Alourshin Monkey -- Ho! They told me you'd fall for that trick with the hard candies in a jar, but I didn't believe it. Still, the old "What have I got to lose by trying" deal, I did and YOU did. Amazing. -- Tala Gog P.S. Just break the jar. Eat the candies and rot your teeth. See if I care. Dexter -- (crossly) It's the unseasonal warmth. I was all SET, snow on the first and single-digit temperatures, I had it all PLANNED. And for a week, it went just exactly RIGHT. But then some dumb warm front came along and started messing up EVERYTHING. It's really annoying. -- Winter Shadows Wacky Waco Wonk -- Being a golem, I just don't "get" cults. I do apologize, it must be frustrating for you! -- Tariliss P.S. As a Shew, should you not be taller? Comrade Kook -- Actually, I had no plan to go to the Isle. They tell me the housing problem there is intense and insoluble. -- Sugar Jane Marmaduke the Broke -- Darned straight I dare to criticize you! If you can't take me down, you can't protest. -- Tariliss 14 November 2006 A Tale of Fusion Confusion Delusion Revolution as told by Hammer the WordSmith SomeWhere Beyond ElseWhere and ElseWhen a hooded figure brooded upon the lingering wisps of memory from days gone by. From the howling sands to the sanding howls the streams of thought bubbled and flowed, winding endlessly entwined within the darkest recesses and lightest resources of the learned and unlearned disciplines of managerial mayhem and manipulation. Nameless faces and faceless names floated in the swirling mists of madness embalmed within the memories of one who knew he did not know how far reaching the influences [both positive and negative] had rooted and flowered in the march of time and energy expended in the historical markings of gladiatorial essence and excellence experience. The tamed and the untamed coupled with the named and the unnamed resources that spilt their sweat and blood on the sands of arenas both known and unknown had metamorphosed into the dreamings and the schemings of the fadings of jadings and paradings [in both public and private] amongst the elite and the indiscreet posturings and babblings of managers becoming legends in their own minds and times. Hammer pondered upon beginnings and the seemingly endless myriad of endings possibly possible among the interspersed and intertwined impossible possibilities presently past and future. Echoing and reechoing in the vast depths and countless compartments along the corridors of his mind, Hammer played and replayed the glories shared and dared in the sixty-plus stabled arena on fabled Noblish Island DM 93. The training had been all too brief, but the competition generated by the multi faceted personages inhabiting DM 93 and the sheer multitude of numbers had forever instilled themselves in the heart and soul of the veteran manager [Hammer]; insomuch that the migration to Niatoli Island DM 33 triggered the desire to emulate the glory and the grandeur of the spectacle of stables vying for recognition from among the virtually numberless no-name newbies making names for themselves as they numbered their stables and accomplishments for all to see and behold, to the song and the sound of the sight of clashing cold cruel steel simmering the flesh of gallant gladiators consumed by the gory and the glory of crossing blades with the superior and the inferior within the interior of Greywand's Global Gladiatorial Galaxy. Far far ago and long long away had many abandoned hope for a return to the reminiscences revered by so many managers; predating even the generations of gladiators graduating from Noblish Island and the years of yore and gore and gallantry before. Rumblings and mumblings of a renovation rejuvenating the reflexes of managers numbed by the numberless trysts of tourney tarnished stables began revolutionizing the very fabric of time and space and time-honored tradition throughout the ranks of visionary newbies and volatile veterans alike and dislike. History was being shaken to the core of the gore as glory and grandeur responded to the revelry reverie revelations and reveille revolutionizing the creation of a new arena in the making; populated by No-Tourney Warriors and Full Stable Participants pledging to forge a new vision version of "The Fiercest and Best" for crossing blades and crosser banter in the personal ads and team spotlight tomes. Now was the time for Hammer to emerge and once again merge his talent among the gifted and grifted; answering the call to assemble the drifted [and to directly divulge and converge with the dozens] for the destiny of destructive denizens determined to build a new legacy upon the all-but-forgotten ashes of the old and olden legends of times lost. [TIME JUMP] Hammer sifted the sands in the dead of night in the desert reaches [located SomeWhere BeYond ElseWhere and ElseWhen] to discover 5 gladiators not tourney worthy, yet interesting enough to begin their careers in a No-Tourney Arena! "They need not be dispatched to the Dark Arena," the veteran manager mused as he sorted through paperwork long discarded and vaguely forgotten, "because there is nothing like a good Blood Feud to provide inspiration for writing personal ads in the arena newsletter! Besides, there are times when the replacement for a warrior wounded mortally on the arena sands fares much better than the one exchanged from Torch Light!" Fights by Torch Light were certainly deemed unnecessary as Hammer had already deduced that a number of determined stables would undoubtedly congregate with High Octane Warriors under the guidance of Higher Octane Managers to populate and depopulate the new No-Tourney Arena currently under construction in DM 81. Fortunately his feeble foray into the desert would yield somewhat suitable candidates for the newfound purposes Hammer had in mind. From among the candidates to be found Hammer would be rewarded in time by BLOODFEUDS and REPLACEMENT WARRIORS aplenty! Deep into the night Hammer searched and searched until five not-so-promising stables were uncovered in the waning hours before dawn. Ripper discards were scattered far and wide, but this was not the time or the hour to let sentimental views cloud the issue at hand. Future events would lend themselves to a suitable Ripper replacement, especially with the prospects Hammer was now sorting for his selection decision to dispatch to the Gladiatorial Commission for processing. Most managers have the luxury of selecting the best group [or discarding the worst group!] Hammer had the novelty of rounding up the castaways from the New Stables paperwork accumulated long ago from Maximillian's Morya Madness contest in DM 28 that were deemed below inferior as contest prizes [and thus banished from sight!] Hammer scrutinized and agonized over which group of gladiators were worth the sacks of gold coins he was prepared to release to the Gladiatorial Commission for fees to MAINTENANCE his new stable in the No-Tourney Arena. After what seemed like long hours passing by, Hammer discarded one and then another group of hopefuls. After lengthy debate a third was cast aside. Deciding between the final two groups found Hammer going back to interview the rejected candidates time and time again [until a final decision was made that Hammer could live with and his new stable could die with!] before the final quirks were hammered out and pen put to paper to process the prospective puny stable with the Gladiatorial Commission. The only solace gained from the painful process was the knowledge that other managers would be less tempted to run stables in DM 81 populated by their tourney- worthy warriors [under the penalty of death imposed and enforced upon tourney experienced gladiators by the Committee being formed to police and regulate such matters!] as sworn to and signed in good faith by each registering manager. [TIME JUMP] Hammer had worked long and hard to find suitable candidates for his stable and now it was time to begin their training. The paperwork had been dispatched for registration with the Gladiatorial Commission and now was the hour in which preparation was paramount! Dispatch riders had arrived with the news that Considerable Bounty was being offered as incentive rewards to those managers sending new stables to the No-Tourney Arena. Hammer realized this would Up the Ante [causing greater pause in the managerial community for selecting suitable stables!] as the creative competition was certain to escalate and produce Serious Sword Slinging Stables Staining the Arena Sands Red! Obviously a serious upgrade in the quality of competition migrating to the No- Tourney Arena in DM 81 would definitely work in favor of Hammer; enormously increasing the death toll percentage potential amongst the ranks of his new start-up stable in DM 81 [Sands Running Red and Blood Feuds Running Rampant as Undoubtedly Expected!] Hammer observed the futility of his new warriors training [as well as they could for what they were made from!] while recent memories came to the forefront of his mind! When the paperwork was nearly completed and names were selected for each Gladiator, Hammer decided to name the stable according to what he had discovered in the darkness while searching during the dismal hours of the desert night. These warriors would probably be more well suited to fight by Torch Light had they fallen into the possession of most other managers! Paper Warriors better suited to confronting Dark Arena Monsters [rather than being fed to the Gladiatorial Lions certain to be populating the regular No-Tourney Arena!] Specimens blatantly better suited for feeding upon agitated armadillo ants than for striving to attain recognition and fame in the No-Tourney Arena [or any arena!] Thus was AARDVARK HAMMERZ birthed and born for Greatness or Disgrace! [TIME JUMP] Dispatch riders on winged steeds brought the news Hammer had been awaiting! Not since the days of training on Noblish Island in DM 93 had Hammer encountered such collective enthusiasm for crossing blades in a selected arena such as DM 81 [recalling the time Hammer generated a gathering of newbies to transfer to Niatoli Island in DM 33 to match wits and cross blades with the assembling veterans upon graduation!] The Consortium had represented the veterans well in DM 33 with the SWEETNESS stable managed by Sweety Pie. Now the good news had arrived that The Consortium was seen registering a stable named LIFE IMPACTS in the No-Tourney Arena! Former alliance mates Darque and Kat had reportedly registered DARQUE AGES and KATHOUSE with the Gladiatorial Commission. Morya Madness combatant LePentarque from DM 28 had registered LA PENTARCHIE and longtime fixture Drake in North Fork DM 47 [recently returned from a lengthy hiatus] had been lured by the competition to register DRAKE'S HARDWARE. Deke [at the helm of DOC LEGRAND'S LAB] was instrumental in promoting the No- Tourney Arena by repeatedly negotiating terms with the Gladiatorial Commission. Others had laid the groundwork before him, but Deke raised the banner and carried it the final distance [Supported by Countless Managers too numerous to mention!] Salute Yourselves for Your Efforts are Most Graciously Applauded throughout Alastari! Apex had signed in with CAROLINA BLUE as had Ghab with ASSASSIN NATION. Another familiar name was found on the rolls as DeGotti registered CULT OF BACCHUS followed by DOOM KNIGHTS managed by Blackstorm. Also on the rolls to be noted were AS SEEN ON TV II managed by Indimar and RAGNAROK'S WOLVES by none other than ragnorokwolf. Nomad had signed on with PHANTOM REGIMENT and Silas followed suit with GRIFFONRAWL MMA. Another notable signature was that of MasterBeru with CHILDHOOD HEROES and a penchant for scribing Team Spotlights [A Plus in Any Arena!] Detective Kellumbo had followed the clues and was observed enroute to registering a yet unannounced stable [such are the ways of sleuthhounds and such!] Rumor had it that the manager known as Roadkill was on his way to register a stable after his namesake and Slugbait was close behind [obliviously lost in thought!] Finally [in no particular disorder!] managers Grimm, Woody, Terminator, Den and Bill were also seen elbowing their way through the gathering registration crowd to officially announce their participation in the No-Tourney Arena. COUNTLESS OTHER MANAGERS were known to be pondering the consequences of sending stables to a No-Tourney Arena and had yet to make the commitment public knowledge as to their intentions. Howbeit the Gladiatorial Commission was reportedly swamped with requests for New Stable Registration Forms [whether for the Tempe Facer or No-Tourney Arena was anybody's guess at the present time!] Judging from the furtive figures darting and ducking in the shadows and alleyways throughout Alastari [as well as those huddled in taverns or communicating with one another by various means available!] the success of such a No-Tourney Arena was Ballooning far Beyond the Expectations of the Promoters and Petitioners Bar None! HAMMER WAS UNDERSTANDABLY ENTHUSED BEYOND MEASURE BECAUSE the No-Tourney Arena had the Best Potential for attracting and assembling a congregation of competitors rivaling the numbers of Noblish Island from days gone by! JANUARY 2007 MARKS THE BEGINNING of a Journey where both Newbies and Veterans join together in a Historic Assemblage Celebrating the Crossing of Blades between some of the Best Managed Stables in all of Alastari [Known and Unknown!] "May Your Blades Be Sharp and Your Wits Sharper" Hammer Minister of War 30 November 2006 NEED A TURF WAR ALLIANCE?? Master Beru, Wretch, Reaper, and Xoan have come together to form an Alliance for the TURF WAR in DM47 with no regards for experience in competitions or even the game. If you want to enjoy the thrills of the competition, we have space for up to three more managers. Contact Master Beru at d_spinella@msn.com for more information or send a note to Master Beru at DM 29--Army of Darkness. If you are interested, we need to move quickly, since the contest starts in January and there are a few requirements to meet to participate. May your blades find the chinks in your enemy's armor. -- Master Beru 6 December 2006 ANNOUNCING THE NO-TOURNAMENT ARENA (81) As an American I honor my cultural heritage by stealing any good idea. This idea was originally proposed by Lord Xiang in November 2005. RSI will be opening the arena (81) for teams willing to sign the following pledge: * I pledge that I will not send warriors from this arena to a Tournament, nor will I use a Tournament prize on a warrior from this arena. * I pledge to run a full team when I run turns in this arena. If circumstances preclude my running less than a full team I will notify the Player Committee. * I agree to abide by the decisions of the Player Committee. * I understand that any warrior that participates in a Tournament shall be sent to the Dark Arena until they are dead. * I understand that any warrior that receives a Tournament prize shall be send to the Dark Arena until they are dead. The following are the rules for joining this No-Tournament arena 1. No tournament play for warriors in this arena (Dead tournament or otherwise). 2. One team per manager. 3. Teams start with new rollup (or a zero fight equivalent team is transferred into this arena.) 4. No tourney prizes allowed to modify warriors in the arena. 5. Twenty teams required, per RSI. 6. Waivers are required to allow self-regulation on tourney ban, granting RSI authority to Dark Arena any warrior that participates in a Tournament (until the warrior is dead). 7. Rotating council to enforce tourney ban and maintain arena integrity. The main purpose of the Player Committee is to maintain fair play in the arena: * Warriors that participate in Tournaments will be sent to the Dark Arena until they are dead. This means that the Player Committee has the power to send another player's warrior to the Dark Arena * Managers that abuse the rules of the Arena may be banned/transferred from the Arena. The player with the most votes for Chairman will fill slot 1 [Chairperson] and that term expires end of March 2007. The player with the most votes overall will fill slot 5 and that term expires end of November 2007. The player with the second most votes overall will fill slot 4 and that term expires end of September 2007. The player with the third most votes overall will fill slot 3 and that term expires end of November 2007. The player with the fourth most votes overall will fill slot 2 and that term expires end of May 2007. During the month that the chairperson's term expires the Player Committee will select one of the remaining 4 players to be the next chairperson. During the month that any member's term expires the arena will vote for a different player to join the Players' Committee. If you want to be a candidate for the player committee: 1. Post a message in the Duel2 Forum at http://www.reality.com/duel2/modules.php?name=Forums 2. E-Mail Deke at DekeYoung@Comcast.NET 3. Send a Diplomatic Note to Doc LeGrand's Lab [ARENA 81] There are 4 steps to joining this arena 1) Send in a new team rollup to RSI with the following pledge taped/stapled to the rollup sheet, or transfer a ZERO FIGHT EQUIVALENT TEAM to Arena 81 and send RSI the following form. No-Tournament Arena (81) * I pledge that I will not send warriors from this team to a Tournament, nor will I use a Tournament prize on a warrior from this team. * I pledge to run a full team when I run turns in this arena. If circumstances preclude my running less than a full team I will notify the Player Committee. * I agree to abide by the decisions of the Player Committee. * I understand that any warrior that participates in a Tournament shall be sent to the Dark Arena until they are dead. * I understand that any warrior that receives a Tournament prize shall be send to the Dark Arena until they are dead. [Sign your name here ..............................................................] 2) [Optional] post a message on the Duel 2 Forums in the Creating a No-Tournament Arena thread http://www.reality.com/duel2/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=2296&sid= 94ebf69603ccaf5c7dbf1b19da799732 3) [Optional] send an e-mail to DekeYoung@Comcast.NET with your team name 4) [Optional] Send a Diplomatic Note to Doc LeGrand's Lab in Arena 81 with your team name and intent to join Arena 81 and abide by the Arena rules. RSI will be processing overviews for this arena as soon as you send them into RSI. The first turn will run in January 2007. This will be a normal speed arena. While I am encouraging everyone to use TEAM MAINTENANCE it is not mandatory. The intent is that players that run turns will run a full team. One warrior teams are discouraged and will a topic for the Player Committee to resolve. I also encourage players to join the Duel2 Yahoo Group for faster updates and feedback. http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/duel/ There are already 29 managers already committed to the project x Apex = CAROLINA BLUE -- Cf PC -- Cf PCC x Bill (I think this is the same person) = CLUB CUTTHROAT x Blackstorm = DARK ENCLAVE -- Cf PC Master Darque = DARQUE AGES x DeGotti = CULT OF BACCHUS x Deke = DOC LEGRAND'S LAB Den = BIG LAKE OUTCASTS x Drake = DRAKE'S HARDWARE -- Cf PC Ghab = ASSASSIN NATION Grimm = FURRY FURY Hammer = AARDVARK HAMMERZ Ikillu = BATTLE GRUNTS x Indimar = AS SEEN ON TV II x Kat = KATHOUSE x Kellumbo = KELLUMBO'S KIDS x Le Pentarque = LA PENTARCHIE x Master Beru = CHILDHOOD HEROES -- Cf PC x Nomad = DRAGONBANE GUILD Nuln = RED IRON KNIGHTS x Pauly = ALE HOUSE MERCS Ragnarokwolf = RAGNAROK'S WOLVES x Rillon = THE DRAUGS x Roadkill = STREET WALKERS Seraphim = LEGION OF SOLITUDE Silas = GRIFFONRAWL MMA SlugBait = ORCS HATE PHYSICS x Terminator = WARMASTERS x The Consortium = LIFE IMPACTS -- Cf PC -- Cf PCC Woody X = 17 Team Rollups received by RSI as of 29 November 2006 Cf = Candidate for PC = Player Committee PCC = Player Committee Chairperson Deke Young will not be part of the inaugural Player Committee, maybe later once the Arena direction has been developed. Any questions can be directed to DekeYoung@Comcast.NET I will track Awards in Arena 81, which will be posted on a web site and included in the following turn's newsletter. The Honor of Sunset Award: The first team to reach 10 Team Kills. In the case that there is more than one team that achieves 10 Team Kills on the same turn, I will pay the Award to the team with the most kills. If two or more teams are tied for Team Kills, I will prolong the contest until one team has the most Kills in the Arena (it does not have to be one of the teams that first reached 10 Team Kills.) The Race to Victory Award: The first team to reach 75 Team Wins. In the case that there is more than one team that reaches 75 Team wins on the same turn, I will pay the Award to the team with the most wins. If two or more teams are tied for Team Wins, I will prolong the contest until one team has the most wins in the Arena (it does not have to be one of the teams that first reached 75 Team Wins.) The Commitment to Change Award: The first team to reach 125 Team Fights. In the case that there is more than one team that reaches 125 Team Fights on the same turn, I will pay the Award to the team with the most fights. If two or more teams are tied for Team Fights, I will prolong the contest until one team has the most fights in the Arena (it does not have to be one of the teams that first reached 125 Team Fights.) I hope I never give out this award {figure it out on your own.} The Team Advancement Award: The first team to graduate 5 warriors to ADM. In the case that there is more than 1 team that graduates 5 warriors on the same turn, I will pay the Award to the first team to graduate 6 warriors. In the case that there is more than 1 team that graduates 6 warriors on the same turn, I will pay the Award to the first team to graduate 7 warriors, and so on. The Iron Throne Award: The first team to hold the Duelmaster for 10 turns STARTING ON TURN 11. The Stylemaster Award. The first team to hold the Stylemaster Award in 7 different styles, STARTING ON TURN 11. If two teams obtain Stylemaster Awards in 7 styles on the same turn, the goal will be increased to 8 Styles. Team Recognition Points: The total recognition points for all warriors in the arena The Iron Throne Ledger: We will track who has been the Duelmaster every turn in Arena history. Iron Throne Counter: The total number of times a team has been the Duelmaster. Composite Team Stylemaster awards: The number of times a team has had any of the 10 Stylemasters. Having 2 Stylemasters = 2 points that turn. Challenge win percentage: How often your warriors win when they challenge. Challenge Defender rate: How often your warriors win when they WERE challenged. Team Invitations: Number of warriors graduated to ADM. Team Graduation Rate: Total team fights/Graduated Warriors. Team Kill Percentage: Total of team Kills/Team Fights Team Death Percentage: Total of Team Deaths/Team Fights Team Revenge Rate: Number of Deaths/BloodFeuds Revenged (Note that the Dark Arena will be counted as not-revenged.) You only get credit for one successful BloodFeud per death (though I encourage you to BloodFeud all 4 turns.) Current Win Streaks: Warriors that have gone the most turns without losing or missing a turn. Team Yahtzee counter: Number of times a team has gone 5-0 in a turn. Team Bagel counter: Number of times a team has fought without a win. Team Dark Arena counter: Number of times each team has used the Dark Arena. The Most Feared (avoided) Team counter: Number of turns that team was the most avoided team. We will create a web page just for Arena 81 category leaders. Hope to see you there. -- Deke LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS MRS. MORNINGSTAR was dealt death by DEMRON THE DARK in a 2 minute Dark Arena fight. KALEN viciously subdued BROTHER ZORT in a 5 minute expert's Challenge Title battle. BROTHER ZERO lost to BUDDHA in a 2 minute master's Challenge brawl. EPICURIOUS overpowered MISSY MOSSY in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight. IRONSTORM was bested by KRANKYKARL in a 1 minute Challenge brawl. LEIBNIZ viciously subdued WACKY WACO WONK in a 4 minute Challenge fight. BLING BLING viciously subdued YODA MAN in a 4 minute one-sided Challenge competition. BORN LOSER was vanquished by EGROS in a 1 minute uneven Challenge duel. TALA GOG was vanquished by LOSING IS FUN in a 1 minute uneven fight. ALOURSHIN was vanquished by MACHIAVELLI in a exciting 1 minute one-sided fight. UGLY EDDIE was handily defeated by MEGALOMANIAC in a 1 minute one-sided bout. HUME demolished HURRICANE in a 1 minute mismatched match. DEXTER overcame TARILISS in a exciting 1 minute contest. WINTER SHADOWS was demolished by BIG SHRIMP in a 1 minute one-sided brawl. MANGY POLECAT slimly lost to SWEET BETSEY in a 3 minute novice's conflict. KOOL-AID DRINKER unbelievably bested RIPTIDE in a 2 minute beginner's duel. TYGER executed BURQUA BOY in a 1 minute mismatched brawl. BULLHOG was devastated by RANFUAGUD in a 1 minute one-sided fight. QUALIX subdued IAINTPLAYING in a 1 minute brutal novice's bout. JASPER overpowered WILLIE THE RAT in a 1 minute mismatched conflict. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |STRIKING ATTACK 9 SLASHING ATTACK 13 - 8 - 0 62 | |WALL OF STEEL 8 TOTAL PARRY 16 - 11 - 0 59 | |BASHING ATTACK 5 STRIKING ATTACK 52 - 36 - 1 59 | |LUNGING ATTACK 4 LUNGING ATTACK 38 - 35 - 0 52 | |SLASHING ATTACK 3 WALL OF STEEL 30 - 33 - 0 48 | |PARRY-STRIKE 3 BASHING ATTACK 20 - 26 - 0 43 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 9 - 12 - 0 43 | |AIMED BLOW 2 PARRY-STRIKE 11 - 20 - 1 35 | |TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-LUNGE 7 - 22 - 1 24 | |PARRY-LUNGE 1 AIMED BLOW 5 - 16 - 0 24 | Turn 557 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: TOTAL PARRY 1 - 0 BASHING ATTACK 2 - 3 4 STRIKING ATTACK LUNGING ATTACK 3 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 2 3 PARRY-STRIKE STRIKING ATTACK 6 - 3 AIMED BLOW 0 - 2 1 TOTAL PARRY WALL OF STEEL 5 - 3 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 1 1 WALL OF STEEL PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 3 1 PARRY-LUNGE 1 BASHING ATTACK TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME TOTAL PARRY KALEN 6418 17 11 0 109 STEEL THUNDER (630) STRIKING ATTACK MACHIAVELLI 6440 11 6 0 119 DREAMERS (142) WALL OF STEEL BUDDHA 6231 19 17 0 100 DREAMERS (142) BASHING ATTACK BROTHER ZERO 6341 16 12 0 86 CULTS-R-US (624) PARRY-STRIKE UGLY EDDIE 6370 13 10 1 73 HIGH JINKS (584) PARRY-RIPOSTE KRANKYKARL 6406 11 8 1 49 HIGH JINKS (584) SLASHING ATTACK MISSY MOSSY 6539 5 3 0 35 HIGH JINKS (584) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is ALOURSHIN 6126. The most popular warrior this turn was LEIBNIZ 6540. The ten other most popular fighters were BROTHER ZORT 6338, KALEN 6418, MANGY POLECAT 6569, SWEET BETSEY 6571, BROTHER ZERO 6341, BUDDHA 6231, DEXTER 6524, RIPTIDE 6562, BLING BLING 6555, and MACHIAVELLI 6440. The least popular fighter this week was IAINTPLAYING 6568. The other ten least popular fighters were BULLHOG 6560, BURQUA BOY 6570, WINTER SHADOWS 6526, TARILISS 6527, HURRICANE 6481, UGLY EDDIE 6370, TALA GOG 6066, BORN LOSER 6554, YODA MAN 6328, and MISSY MOSSY 6539. The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn: ALOURSHIN (12-6126) SWEET MAGIC (267) JANUARY FACE-TO-FACE IN TEMPE! Our next winter FTF will be held in Tempe, Arizona, January 12-14, 2007. It will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Tempe, Arizona (480-894-7444), the same hotel as last year by popular request. Room rates are $149.00 per night, 1-4 occupancy, which includes full cooked breakfast, complimentary manager's reception (yes, really!), free airport shuttle, free parking, high speed internet (for extra charge), fitness center, jacuzzi, and pool. The rooms are blocked--please make your reservation by December 15 before the block is released! (This is prime season for Phoenix, and several people were unable to book rooms last year because they waited too long.) Look for transportation info in the tournament information sheet. We hope you're all looking forward to it and that we will see you there!