DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/31/2003    Duedate: 01/13/2004

MALCORN ARENA

DM-15    TURN-476

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

MAN O' WAR
TRIPLE CROWN (382)
(15-4517) [15-2-0,123]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

MAN O' WAR                     POSITION IS EMPTY
TRIPLE CROWN (382)             
(15-4517) [15-2-0,123]         

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

BURGATORY                      BURGATORY
SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)        SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)
(15-4532) [11-18-1,109]        (15-4532) [11-18-1,109]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

TRIPLE CROWN (382)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. GREENWARDENS (244)          22
2. POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)  18POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)
3. SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)      4      Unchartered Team
4. TRIPLE CROWN (382)           1
                                       INFIRMARY ALLSTARS (403)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 POLITICALY INCORRE (461)  12  10  0 54.5   1/ 1 TRIPLE CROWN (382)       13  2 0
 2/ 2 TRIPLE CROWN (382)       235 197 14 54.4   2/ 2 SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)   6  9 1
 3/ 3 GREENWARDENS (244)       297 401  8 42.6   3/ 3 GREENWARDENS (244)        6  9 0
 4/ 4 SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)   54  83  4 39.4   4/ 4 POLITICALY INCORRE (461)  1  4 0

    '*'   Unchartered team                       '-'  Team did not fight this turn
   (###)  Avoid teams by their Team Id          ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

     >)]H[(< + -----:----- + >)] The Free Cities #75 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Zukal:

     Ghenis threw down the handful of papers in disgust.  Invoices for the purchase
of black candles and sacrificial knives, chickens, rabbits...potatoes?  An angry note
from the man in charge of the cult's storeroom, demanding an investigation to
determine what had happened to three yards of black cloth and a pound of onions that
should have been there and weren't.  A requisition for a cushion "to kneel on while
praying"--gods!  Members of dark cults were supposed to be TOUGH.  All these
pettifogging little details were an insult to the whole IDEA of a dark cult.  He had
a dark suspicion that Pelishtekan had deliberately dumped this work on him, this
FILING, to get back at him for something.  The Ferencian was always "getting back at
people," and often for the slightest of slights.  It just showed you what kind of
people Easterners were!
     Ghenis looked at the papers that were now scattered on the floor of his cubicle
and came to a decision.  He had had enough.  He walked out into the hall, taking care
to tread on as many of the papers as he could in the process.  These "administrative
details" were the Ferencian's doing, but there might, still, be a proper dark god at
the head of the cult.  He would find out, and if there was such a deity, he would
give it proper worship, with blood--and not chicken or rabbit blood--and dark deeds.
And if not...Pelishtekan would find out that Hell had NOTHING like the fury of a dark
cultist scorned.
     Ghenis began to consider ways in which he might discover the truth at the heart
of the cult.

Elsewhere in Zukal:

     Jorja rubbed her forehead tiredly, which didn't do a thing to relieve the
headache.  She wasn't sure just how SHE had been appointed to organize the overthrow
of Sekahos, one of Inzolas' men and the current ruler of Zukal.  What business was it
of hers?  She was Adantri, dammit.  She sighed.  Doreg's doing, probably.  Doreg
was--or had been--one of the Bandit Princes of Zukal.  Their association had been
brief; she hadn't even liked the man much.  But apparently that was enough.  By
Mantor's blazing sword, it was MORE than enough.
     If getting rid of Sekahos was what it took to shut up the yammering Bandit
Princes, then she would do it.
     The first thing she needed was information.  Spies.  She began to go over the
list of gladiators she might call on for assistance.

Somewhere between Veastian and North Fork:

     Emir Kyreses of Veastian shrugged and sighed.  "I know.  You meet the Mad
Khaliv's minions on land, and I have no doubt they're a major problem.  But--"
     "AND we shelter YOU from them," Gorich of North Fork cut in.  "WE bear the
burden of his demon soldiers, not--"
     "We meet them at sea," Kyreses countered.  "Most of our ships are destroyed or
dare not return from southern ports, no sailors can be found who will ship out of--or
into--Veastian.  To say nothing of the damage this has done to our economy, we--"
     "Something must be done."  Gorich glared at Kyreses, daring him to counter THAT
statement.
     The Karnhorn did not.  "I agree.  But I don't know what will answer our needs
best.  To kill the Mad Khaliv is obvious, and it MAY be enough...or it may simply
free all the demons he's bound to his service."
     "Aye."  The swampman was silent for a moment.  Then he shrugged.  "But at least
it's a place to start.  But to assassinate the Mad Khaliv will take men very nearly
as mad as he is."
     "Gladiators," Kyreses said.  "That is who we must send."

This is a general call for warriors who want to be in adventures.  Any warriors from
any arenas, Basic or Advanced, any region, are welcome.  A personal or a diplo to
Scribe will do the trick.

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 481): BLUE GOOSE of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 479): SNAGGLE PUSS of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 475): MAN O' WAR of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 476): ROWARDENN of SAILS OF CHARON (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 474): GHENGIS KHAN of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 473): MALKAI of DRAGON JUNKIES (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 236): COA PATTY of KESSEN (Iker, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 465): PYGMY SHREW of SHREW CAN IT BE NOW (The Anarchist, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): MACIOBELLY of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 461): FIZGIGG of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 459): MIKE TV of WILLY WONKA INC. (Distorted, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 452): BRAN AP CADAL of CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 416): FACE BREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): STRAW FIRE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 340): WORMY of BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 320): SWINGLINED SUE of PISSED AT WORK (Nuln, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 366): SETHRA LAVODE of CASTLE BLACK from KYR'TERR
                                (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 481): DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 479): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 475): TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 476): BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 474): DELTA DOOM (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 473): DRAGON JUNKIES (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 236): none
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 465): EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): WORDS TO THE WISE (Wordsmith, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 461): SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 459): OBSIDIAN HALL (Dameon Darkheart, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 452): CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 416): WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): MIKES MORGUE (Mike, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): MYSTIC ORC FEAST (Slugbait, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 340): BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 320): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 366): WENSINWASIN (Youngblood, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 479): DENOGGINIZER of BLOODSUCKERS (Way Cool, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 475): WEDNESDAY of THE DARK TIDES (Diaretic, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 473): FOGGY DEW of KINDRED OF KAOS (PTFT, mgr.)
                            ADOBE of DELTA DOOM (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 465): PYGMY SHREW of SHREW CAN IT BE NOW (The Anarchist, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): MACIOBELLY of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.)
                               GAELIN BLACKTALON of THE NIGHTHAWKS (Firehawk, mgr.)
                   (turn 233): FREY of STORMWATCH (Polar Bear, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 459): MIKE TV of WILLY WONKA INC. (Distorted, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
                   (turn 210): BINGE N PURGE of EMETICS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): THE MIGHTY SORE of DRAKE'S COMICS (Drake, mgr.)
                   (turn 204): BEAR KEEPER of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Yo ! Tweety bird; thanks for the couple of skills, there, Birdsong.  Tell your
stablemate, Blacklock, I'm neither a jellyfish nor portuguese, whatever that is.  You
may simply call me...

                                          Duelmaster Man O' War

                                      SPY REPORT

     The sages err'd not in their foretelling of a god descending upon MALCORN, for 
I, Novgorodny Vir, have returned!  MAN O' WAR successfully staved off a grab for the 
roses by BIRDSONG of GREENWARDENS.  Does MALCORN have no one talented enough to 
dethrone him?  So who's the team that's been walking into taverns last week and 
ordering milk?  Sounds like a PR stunt to me.   
     My mother wished me to avoid conflict, and seek the gentle trade of Spyreporter. 
But warriors aren't supposed to avoid fights!  To quell some nasty rumors, the guys 
in SACRILEGIOUS MEAT are not carrying any incurable diseases.  No need to avoid 'em.  
Like a pup with its tail between its legs, TRIPLE CROWN scurried away from 
SACRILEGIOUS MEAT.  Oh, the shame!  Everyone is famous for fifteen minutes, and 
BURGATORY is it right now.  Most challenged warrior.  Isn't SACRILEGIOUS MEAT proud!  
Them's the breaks, BURGATORY.  Expecting fair challenges from TRIPLE CROWN is 
evidently too much to ask.  Yes, Virginia, sometimes the little guy wins, as 
BURGATORY proved, beating 41 point higher NEIGH!.  ABRA-HAM! found itself challenged 
by a warrior 19 below:  LITTLE CURRENT.  LITTLE CURRENT of TRIPLE CROWN kept his wits 
as he won victory over ABRA-HAM!.   
     Like the wind whispering among the pines, do hearest I many disquieting rumors.  
Ask not for whom the sword slashes; it slashes for thee.   
     Do not think spyreporting in MALCORN is the highlight of my life.  More 
important duties call me.  Like a mixed metaphor, and an overtaxed simile, I now bid 
MALCORN farewell-- Novgorodny Vir  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MAN O' WAR 4517              15   2  0   123       TRIPLE CROWN (382)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BURGATORY 4532               11  18  1   109       SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)
 NEIGH! 4363                  20  18  1    95       TRIPLE CROWN (382)
 BLACKLOCK 4459               16   8  1    94       GREENWARDENS (244)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LITTLE CURRENT 4371          14  18  2    84       TRIPLE CROWN (382)
 BIRDSONG 4434                11  16  1    81       GREENWARDENS (244)
 ABRA-HAM! 4563                9   6  0    71       SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)
 STORMCLOUD 4379              16  20  0    68       GREENWARDENS (244)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WOODWALKER 4433               9  18  1    64       GREENWARDENS (244)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RUTHLESS 4591                 4   0  0    41       TRIPLE CROWN (382)
-SLICK BILLY 4576              3   1  0    41       POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SMOKED SOLOMON 4589           4   3  0    29       SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)
 BEHAVE YOURSELF 4586          4   0  0    28       TRIPLE CROWN (382)
-RONNIE RAY GUN 4574           4   0  0    26       POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)
-THE GOVERNATOR 4578           3   1  0    26       POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 STALKING HORSE 4569           4  10  1    23       GREENWARDENS (244)
 TRIPE 4596                    2   2  0    18       SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DUBYA 4599                    1   1  0    18       POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)
 PONTIUS PORKCHOP 4597         1   3  1     7       SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)
 RIP OFF ROWLAND 4600          0   1  0     1       POLITICALY INCORRECT (461)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Klep -- Sorry 'bout all the downchallenges <yeah, right> but it's my job to keep
Unholy Meat from reaching CC's as long as I can. -- Neigh! but wishing otherwise

Birdsong -- You've allowed me 15 political points.  As such, you may go in peace. --
Man O' War

Stalking Horse -- You're TOO kind:  a win *and* 4 skills.  Thanks! -- Ruthless

Neigh! -- (heavy sigh)  You laughed.  I heard you. -- Blacklock, who got the horse-
laugh

Little Current -- I've been zapped, yes?  I thought so.  It felt like a rather big
current when it hit me. -- Woodwalker

Man O' War -- I'm just a bird o' peace. -- Birdsong
P.S.  OFF-KEY?  You sorry nag, you have NO appreciation of music!

Burgatory -- Not only do I not like hospitals, I don't like fast food, either. --
Stormcloud, hoping you will take it AWAY

Ruthless -- I think you would find your life proceeding in a more balanced fashion if
you were to stock up on ruth.  Useful stuff, ruth. -- Stalking Horse

Triple Crown -- If changing stables would mean a chance to win...yes, maybe so! --
Stalking Horse

2 December 2003
ZalCon2, ZalCon Reloaded
Where:  Jhelum, DM 4
When:  February 9th or 23rd, 2003 (TBA when Mail In date set)
How Long:  20 Turns

Restrictions:  Zero FE at start of contest.  Must announce warrior styles by second
arena fight to receive points.  No prize modified warriors.  No entry to July Face,
No TV Challenges.  All prizes to be used exclusively on warriors from the contest
team only.

Awards:
     First Initiate Duelmaster (FID):  First warrior announced in the contest to
          reach the throne.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, increasing damage for 1 warrior by one rating to
          max for ST/SZ.
     Warrior MVP:  Top warrior based on MVP points accrued in the contest.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge for any warrior on team, +1
          to bonus in any skill area up to max for style for 1 warrior on team, 2
          nights stay at Winter FTF Hotel.
     Team MVP:  Top Team based on MVP points accrued in contest by all the teams
          warriors.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge, +1 to Bonus, 6 Months Free
          Play, 20 Rollups.
     Warrior MVP Top 11:  Next 10 warriors on MVP list at the end of the contest.
     Prize:  +1 to Bonus
     Style Master:  Top warrior in each style based on Style Master points accrued in
          the contest.
     Prize:  Favorites Knowledge of any warrior on team.
     Iron Manager Award:  Minimum 95 fights in contest by any team.
     Prize:  Choice of free entry for team to 2005 Winter Face or +1 to Bonus for one
          warrior.

MVP Point System:  +1 for Win, Fight, Kill, Recognition Leader (after Round 3), -1
Death, +2 Duelmaster, +2 each 3 Consecutive turns as DM, +1 Quality Win (any win over
opponent with 5 or more Rec), +1 for each 10 Rec points over 5 in win (+1 for 5-14
above, +2 for 15-24 above, +3 for 25-34 above).
Style Master Point System:  +2 Style Master, +1 Win vs. Same Style Opponent, +1 Win
vs. Same Style Master, +1 for 3 Consecutive Turns as Style Master (rolling).

     Please direct any question about rules or clarifications to me, Robert
Occhipinti, via Diplo to DM74, 1988 Dodgers or email to zalgor@hotmail.com.  All
rules decisions made by me are final and binding within the confines of this contest.

8 December 2003
Greetings!  I would like to invite everyone to Jhans (DM 36) for the first annual kLk
St. Valentine's Day Massacre (kill contest).  We will start the contest off with the
ceremonial burning of the Andorian flag on turn 450.  (Six turns away.  Roughly mid-
February.)  The contest will run for 10 turns.  On turn 461, 3 separate victors will
be announced.  Team with the most kills, warrior with the most kills, and alliance
with the most kills.  Prizes will be awarded to the manager of the team with the most
kills and to the manager of the warrior with the most kills.  The prizes will
probably be team roll-ups.  The number of roll-ups has yet to be determined.  The
contest is sponsored by Jhans' newest, (but by the time the contest starts) largest
alliance, the kLk (pronounced "klick"). -- Polarius, mgr. of Blitzkrieg DM 36

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

NEIGH! was devastated by BURGATORY in a 2 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
LITTLE CURRENT overcame ABRA-HAM! in a 2 minute Challenge match.
RUTHLESS savagely defeated SMOKED SOLOMON in a 4 minute bloody Challenge duel.
BEHAVE YOURSELF bested STALKING HORSE in a 1 minute Challenge fight.
DUBYA devastated PONTIUS PORKCHOP in a 1 minute gory uneven Challenge brawl.
MAN O' WAR bested BIRDSONG in a 2 minute Title match.
BLACKLOCK devastated M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute one-sided competition.
STORMCLOUD handily defeated KARNHORN SPY in a 1 minute uneven melee.
WOODWALKER vanquished THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 1 minute gruesome one-sided duel.
TRIPE vanquished RIP OFF ROWLAND in a 1 minute one-sided fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   6         TOTAL PARRY        5 -   2 -  0      71  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         STRIKING ATTACK    9 -   4 -  2      69  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         LUNGING ATTACK    37 -  21 -  1      64  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         PARRY-STRIKE      10 -   9 -  0      53  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         WALL OF STEEL      7 -   8 -  1      47  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         PARRY-RIPOSTE     10 -  13 -  0      43  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         BASHING ATTACK    13 -  17 -  1      43  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         SLASHING ATTACK    6 -   9 -  1      40  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         AIMED BLOW         5 -  10 -  0      33  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 476 was great if you     Not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   MAN O' WAR 4517            15   2  0  123 TRIPLE CROWN (382)
PARRY-STRIKE     NEIGH! 4363                20  18  1   95 TRIPLE CROWN (382)
SLASHING ATTACK  BLACKLOCK 4459             16   8  1   94 GREENWARDENS (244)
AIMED BLOW       ABRA-HAM! 4563              9   6  0   71 SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (456)
WALL OF STEEL    RUTHLESS 4591               4   0  0   41 TRIPLE CROWN (382)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BURGATORY 4532.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was BURGATORY 4532.  The ten other most popular fighters were LITTLE CURRENT 4371, 
MAN O' WAR 4517, ABRA-HAM! 4563, RUTHLESS 4591, BEHAVE YOURSELF 4586, DUBYA 4599, 
NEIGH! 4363, BLACKLOCK 4459, STORMCLOUD 4379, and WOODWALKER 4433.

The least popular fighter this week was RIP OFF ROWLAND 4600.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were BIRDSONG 4434, PONTIUS PORKCHOP 4597, STALKING HORSE 4569, 
SMOKED SOLOMON 4589, TRIPE 4596, WOODWALKER 4433, STORMCLOUD 4379, BLACKLOCK 4459, 
NEIGH! 4363, and DUBYA 4599.

                       TOURNEY FREEZE CHANGE -- ADVANCE NOTICE

     Beginning at the Winter Face-to-Face in Tempe (January 2004), we will implement 
several changes affecting tournaments.  The tournament announcement for the upcoming 
FTF and future tourneys will reflect these changes.
     First, we will eliminate the tourney freeze for all regular DM warrior classes.  
Regular DM warriors will not be classed ahead of the tournament, but instead will 
fight according to their FE on the date of the tourney.  There will still be a freeze 
for the ADM classes, occurring on the same timeline as before, approximately 6 weeks 
before the tournament.
     In addition to the above change, the warrior classes will be slightly altered.  
The new tourney classes will be as follows:

                DM Tourney Classes                 ADM Tourney Classes
              ======================              ======================
                  0 FE:  Rookies                        Freshmen
                1-4 FE:  Apprentices                    ADM
               5-10 FE:  Initiates                      Eligibles
              11-20 FE:  Adepts                      ---induction---
              21-30 FE:  Champions                      Contenders
                31+ FE:  Challengers                    Primus

     All regular DM tourney classes will remain solely FE based.  All ADM classes will 
now be based on warrior characteristics (i.e., the ADM split algorithm), including the 
Freshmen class.
     The Gateway and Primus arenas will be merging before the FTF to form one top 
arena.  These warriors will be split into two tournament classes, the Contenders and 
the Primus classes, again based upon their characteristics.  More information on this 
will be published in the newsletters for those arenas.
     If you have any questions about the above changes, please contact Customer 
Service.  Good luck in your games.

                                          -- Green Eyes and the RSI staff