DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/14/2005    Duedate: 02/26/2005

ALJAFIR ARENA

DM-17    TURN-504

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

PIP THE TROLL
HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
(17-6597) [16-6-0,92]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

ACHILLES                       HI-JINX
HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)       PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)
(17-6612) [14-5-1,103]         (17-6674) [0-1-0,2]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

DARON EL                       DARON EL
MIDDLE WAY (484)               MIDDLE WAY (484)
(17-6414) [14-28-0,85]         (17-6414) [14-28-0,85]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. MIDDLE WAY (484)            28
2. HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)    18      HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
3. PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)     3      Unchartered Team
4. FISH THANGS (505)            0
5. SURPISE! (538)               0      PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475) 261 181  9 59.0   1/ 1 HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475) 13  2 2
 2- 3 FISH THANGS (505)         16  22  0 42.1   2/ 2 MIDDLE WAY (484)          5 10 0
 3/ 4 MIDDLE WAY (484)         209 346  3 37.7   3- 4 FISH THANGS (505)         1  0 0
 4/ 0*PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)   0   2  0  0.0   4/ 0*PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)  0  2 0
 5- 5*SURPISE! (538)             0   1  0  0.0   5- 5*SURPISE! (538)            0  1 0

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

                                      SPY REPORT

     Ready for some action-packed adventure, some thrills, chills and spills?  Well 
fergit it, cause this is the Spyreport for ALJAFIR.  MVP award for VURZHAL UR?  
MIDDLE WAY's proud of him after beating THE USEROUS MERCHANT and getting 14 points.  
This Duelmaster is like something else!  PIP THE TROLL stopped DARON EL dead in his 
tracks!  I hear the top team insists all their warriors get nine hours sleep.  They 
want photogenic fighters for PR photos.   
     Look, you guys stick to fighting, all right?   
     Challenges, revenges, Bloodfeuds.  All ALJAFIR ever talks about is fighting!  
Me, I'm more laid back.  Hey you guys, don't you think your families would like to 
hear from you?  Write!  (Or have someone write for you.)  
     I really didn't, you know, study when I was a kid.  Who would've guessed I'd be 
a famous Spyreporter?  I know how much you like reading this stuff, but I really 
should stop.  I had a fun time, see you later-- Debby Tonte  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PIP THE TROLL 6597           16   6  0    92       HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ACHILLES 6612                14   5  1   103       HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MCARTHUR 6611                15   5  0    90       HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
 DARON EL 6414                14  28  0    85       MIDDLE WAY (484)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TABETA UNIS 6405             11  32  0    65       MIDDLE WAY (484)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 VURZHAL UR 6618               7  11  0    43       MIDDLE WAY (484)
-FLUFFY SCULPIN 6575           3   1  0    43       FISH THANGS (505)
-BLOWFISH 6262                 4   3  0    35       FISH THANGS (505)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-BARRACUDA 6547                2   0  0    32       FISH THANGS (505)
 MARSHALL 6673                 3   0  0    24       HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ALEXANDER THE GREAT 6656      4   1  1    23       HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
 QUORDIS RHON 6701             1   0  0    10       MIDDLE WAY (484)
-BOO!!! 6621                   0   1  0     7       SURPISE! (538)
 HI-JINX 6674                  0   1  0     2       PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)
 OBIDA PANIRI 6700             0   1  0     2       MIDDLE WAY (484)
 PYRO 6678                     0   1  0     1       PROJECT MAYHEM XXX (544)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
ANNA NICOLE SMIT 6662  0  1 0 HEROESANDFOUNDONE 475 BLYTE 6608            501         
MARIN NEH 6637         8  5 0 MIDDLE WAY 484        ACHILLES 6612         503         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Pip the Troll -- Has anyone ever mentioned how boring it is to fight you?  And then
you don't talk afterward, either. -- Daron El
P.S.  Your teammates talk, so why not you?

Achilles -- Well, darn.  That was my achilles-forehead you were hitting.  My weak
spot, you know?  I could've gone all day and not missed that.  Think of the aspirins
it'll take! -- Ghost of Marin Neh

McArthur -- I'm always so amazed by you masterful little men.  Awed. -- Tabeta Unis

Oh, gods, killed by a Captured Orc.  I'm never going to live that one down. -- Ghost
of Opata Perlis

Barracuda -- Shouldn't that line be, "I've BEEN a more formidable foe in the
bathtub"? -- Vurzhal Ur

McArthur -- But I don't want to handle Achilles.  I'm not that kind of guy. -- Daron
El

McArthur -- Bah!  What do I care about a fool of a beggar? -- Dugald Hammerhand, Not-
from-Khalhums Dwarf

Achilles -- I've been working out with weights. -- Lej Korranjal, Ambitious Guard

15 January 2005
     BR 4 is upon us!  First turn is due on 1/29/05.  Many thanks to RSI for helping
supply a great prize for the winner and those who meet the 90% endurance criteria.
     Winning prize:  6 months free play, a +1 bonus potion, a limited damage potion,
a favorites knowledge potion, a minor stat-switch prize, and renaming a Dark Arena
creature.
     Endurance prizes:  a +1 bonus potion to all teams that fight 90% of the possible
fights during the contest.
     For details, visit Talcama's newletter or
http://www.geocities.com/assurnasir/br4
     To join, simply bring a team to DM 18, announce your entry in the personals, and
follow the very simple rule of not avoiding!

31 January 2005
     My fellow duelists I come before you bearing a sad and unfortunate message.
Several months ago our group, the Vendetta Cartel, had lost contact with one of our
friends.  Since he was in contact or correspondence on an almost daily basis there
was concern amongst us.  With some research two of our members discovered why contact
was lost with him.
     On November 10, 2004, Richard Hammes was taken from us in a senseless act of
violence during a robbery attempt at a friend's store where he sometimes worked.  He
was watching the store so his friend could go home to tend to his son who had taken
ill.  You may have known Rich as Abarsis, The Slaughter Priest ; richh10 on the RT;
or gameogre on the Duel2 messageboard.  You may not have known that he spent 13 years
serving the United States in the Navy.
     Rich dearly loved this game and all it encompassed.  He may not have been the
best or most experienced manager but he loved to interact with others and was quick
to offer advice whenever anyone asked for help.  He was always kind and gracious and
tried to strengthen our game, often by helping new players feel welcome or give them
a chance to compete.  With his prolific posting I know that I am simply speaking the
obvious about what he did for our game.  Many, like me, were drawn to him, perhaps
for his kind nature or his sense of humor, and it appears he lived his life as he
played this game.  Always willing to help or do right by others.
     I realize that he had many friends outside the VC so I will include the link to
the news story in case any of his other friends would like to know more of what
happened.  We're all dealt a hand in life but it's not the strength of the hand
you're dealt but rather how you play it that really matters.  Rich played his hand to
the very best of his human ability and for this I admire him greatly.  I know we all
choose to like or dislike managers but I believe deep down we are all good and
decent, in this game, and will drop party (alliance) lines and will show the proper
respect.
     http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041112/news_7m12clerk.html
     Rich was taken from us all to soon and with so much left to offer the community
around him.  He spoke of a desire to run a contest on the Duel2 site which I hope to
uphold in his name.  Some of the people I have spoken with think it would be a nice
gesture to do one final good act in Rich's name, though it could never match what he
would've done within his community, for his community of San Diego.  I hope that with
this contest we might raise a little money to donate to an appropriate charity within
San Diego in his name.
     In conclusion I send a message to Rich:
     "Rich, though I'm sure you gathered this I never really told you how much I
admired you and what a friend I considered you.  I thank you for being my voice of
reason and always reminding me of why we both loved this game so much!  You have
taught me one final valuable lesson in learning more of you.  There are things far
more valuable in life than material possessions such as character and kindness.  That
nothing going on in your life means that you cannot find a way to be kind and giving
to others.  We always spoke of meeting someday and until we finally do know that you
will live on in with me and the rest of your brothers and sisters in the Cartel:
Master Darque, Kat, Bum, Sensei Jan, Maximillian, Hammer, Fizban, Firehawk, Phat
Phat.  You increased all of our enjoyment of this game, you were a true ambassador of
Duelmasters, and the game will not be quite the same without you.  A farewell battle
cry from the ZalCon:  'Confusion to our enemies'.  May your soul rest in peace, my
friend."
     Should anyone wish to correspond about Rich feel free to contact myself, or
anyone else within the Vendetta Cartel.
     Street Legal
     Jeff Bura
     The Death Squad(63) in Tobir or triumph1971@hotmail.com

31 January 2005
     Be it known throughout Alastari that Hammer is no longer a member of the
Vendetta Cartel alliance.
     A difference of opinion with another highly respected member of the VC due to my
recent vocal actions in DM 47 can only be resolved by my resignation from the VC as
of January 29, 2005.
     I leave of my own accord, in good standing with all members and with no hard
feelings towards anyone in the Vendetta Cartel.
     There was a time when I felt that my membership in the VC made the alliance
stronger.  I know that my resignation today makes the Vendetta Cartel a stronger
alliance with my absence. -- Hammer

1 February 2005
                           St. Valentine's Massacre update
My apologies, the Kill Contest starting on turn 476 in Jhans will run for 10 (ten)
turns ending on turn number 486.
                                                                   Azrael

5 February 2005
On behalf of the ILLUMINATI Confederation of Alliances (The kLk, CHAOS, Inc. and The
Company of Brothers) I would like to express our sympathies concerning the tragic
loss of Rich Hammes to both the DM community and to the real life world.  Surely our
loss has been Heaven's gain. -- Talon Darkhart, deeply sorrowful
                                kLk God of War, Illuminati Alliance, Puppetmaster

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

PIP THE TROLL outwaited DARON EL in a action packed 11 minute master's Title fight.
ACHILLES handily defeated CONVICTED ASSASSIN in a 2 minute gruesome one-sided match.
MCARTHUR devastated TABETA UNIS in a popular 1 minute brutal one-sided contest.
VURZHAL UR bested THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 3 minute brawl.
MARSHALL won victory over OBIDA PANIRI in a 1 minute amateur's fight.
ALEXANDER THE GREAT beat HI-JINX in a 2 minute amateur's brawl.
PYRO was overpowered by QUORDIS RHON in a 1 minute uneven melee.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         TOTAL PARRY       11 -   1 -  0      92  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         PARRY-STRIKE       5 -   1 -  0      83  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         WALL OF STEEL      8 -   3 -  1      73  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         AIMED BLOW         7 -   3 -  0      70  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK    13 -   6 -  0      68  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         STRIKING ATTACK   12 -   6 -  1      67  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         SLASHING ATTACK   10 -   5 -  0      67  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         LUNGING ATTACK     2 -   2 -  1      50  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      8 -  15 -  0      35  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  10 -  0       0  |

Turn 504 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         2  STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  1         2  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
BASHING ATTACK     1 -  0     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         2  WALL OF STEEL  
TOTAL PARRY        1 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  0         1  TOTAL PARRY    
WALL OF STEEL      2 -  1                                       1  SLASHING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  1                                       1  PARRY-LUNGE    
                                                                1  AIMED BLOW     
                                                                1  BASHING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      PIP THE TROLL 6597         16   6  0   92 HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
STRIKING ATTACK  ACHILLES 6612              14   5  1  103 HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
SLASHING ATTACK  MCARTHUR 6611              15   5  0   90 HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is DARON EL 6414.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was DARON EL 6414.  The ten other most popular fighters were ACHILLES 6612, HI-JINX 
6674, MCARTHUR 6611, VURZHAL UR 6618, MARSHALL 6673, ALEXANDER THE GREAT 6656, 
QUORDIS RHON 6701, TABETA UNIS 6405, PIP THE TROLL 6597, and OBIDA PANIRI 6700.

The least popular fighter this week was PYRO 6678.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were OBIDA PANIRI 6700, PIP THE TROLL 6597, TABETA UNIS 6405, QUORDIS RHON 
6701, ALEXANDER THE GREAT 6656, MARSHALL 6673, VURZHAL UR 6618, MCARTHUR 6611, 
HI-JINX 6674, and ACHILLES 6612.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

MCARTHUR (17-6611) HEROESANDFOUNDONES (475)

                                  Name-Change-O-Rama

     The winter tourney brought a lot of people to the Isle who didn't appear there 
normally.  This included Commission employees.  Half a dozen arenamasters regarded 
each other warily in the mirror behind the bar at the Pig in a Haystack.  The Pig was 
obscure and mediocre, drawing few gladiators, which is what they had all been looking 
for.  They saw gladiators every day.  Most arenamaster were convinced that this was 
some kind of punishment.
     You could always pick out the arenamasters in a crowd.  There were superficial 
differences:  One of these had clearly Adantri features, one wore an eye-patch, two 
were female.  But there were, in significant ways, alike.  The same size, the same 
hair-trigger alertness, the same deadliness.
     The one-eyed man broke the ice, raising his beer mug in salute.  "I'm Zrof One-
Eye from Zukal.  Sugar of Arvat--"  One of the women bowed slightly.  "I know Sugar.  
The rest of you...?"
     The Adantri matched his salute.  "Dernal of Dayla Kiv."
     "Daiyla Kiv?  Ah...."
     "No, without the 'I' in it.  These damned bureaucrats can't spell, and they 
thought adding an unnecessary vowel was exotic."  Disgust dripped from his voice.
     "Tell me about it!" another man growled in agreement.  "Khagal of Niatoli, and 
what they do to the spelling of THAT simple word--!"
     "I thought Daiyla, I mean Dayla Kiv had a different name right now," 
Arenamistress Sugar said.  "The arena, at least, because of a contest?"
     "Chavez Ravine."  Dernal's tone was the one that substituted in polite company 
for spitting on the floor.
     Zrof blinked, taken aback by the bitterness.  He wouldn't have minded a contest 
in Zukal, and damn what they called the place.  "It's only temporary, though."
     "Temporary, shmiperary," another man muttered.  He seemed well into his drinking, 
although, like all arenamasters, he carried his liquor well.  "They do it all the time 
in Aradi.  No reshpect.  Go around changing thish, changing that.  I wish I could 
change shome thingsh."  He signalled the bartender for a refill.
     The second woman put her hand over his mug.  "You've had enough, Harkon.  Try the 
coffee, instead."
     "You should be mad, too, Ripplesh," Harkon said.  "They're going to do shtuff 
like that in Jahnsh, aren't they?"
     Ripples Dorrigan shrugged.  All the men paused, some with glasses half raised, to 
watch.  "It's the way things are," she said.  "Not much we can do about it."
     "You know," Khagal of Niatoli said, "maybe we could make a few changes.  Fix the 
spelling of Arena 33, for one, change a few standby titles--"
     "The Commission hates changes."  Dernal of Dayla Kiv topped up his glass and 
drained it gloomily.
     "Yes, but if we disguise it," Sugar of Arvat said, excited, "make it... maybe a 
general Name-Change-O-Rama!  Then we could slip OUR changes through and no one would 
notice or mind."

                  *-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------* 

     By popular demand, we are holding a Name-Change-o-Rama during the month of March.
If you wish to change the name of your warriors or teams, please contact RSI Customer 
Service.  The charge for a name change is $1, unless you're in DOOMCorps, in which 
case you take your chances.  (Just kidding, guys! *snicker*)