DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 02/20/2018 Duedate: 03/05/2018
SEAM ARENA
DM-20 TURN-70
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
DHOTHO HALFGRAY
DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
(20-544) [14-12-3,110]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
DHOTHO HALFGRAY POSITION IS EMPTY
DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
(20-544) [14-12-3,110]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
SNOZZLE JASON THE MASON
HUCKLE'S CATS (23) HUCKLE'S CATS (23)
(20-460) [20-20-0,90] (20-512) [5-4-0,25]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. MARVEL (54) 48
2. DIETIES AND DEMIGODS (37) 39 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
3. LOSERS (20) 28 Unchartered Team
4. LOST SENTINELS (19) 14
5. WEIRDING WAYS (53) 8 NIGHT CRUE (46)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1- 2 PHANTOM REGIMENT (25) 86 68 3 55.8 1/ 1 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22) 10 5 1
2/ 3 WEIRDING WAYS (53) 55 45 7 55.0 2/ 7 DIETIES AND DEMIGOD (37) 8 4 0
3/ 4 THIRSTY THUGS (31) 186 157 6 54.2 3/ 2 LOST SENTINELS (19) 8 7 0
4/ 6 MARVEL (54) 40 35 2 53.3 4/ 8 MARVEL (54) 7 8 1
5/ 5 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22) 180 161 16 52.8 5/ 6 THIRSTY THUGS (31) 7 8 0
6/ 8 DIETIES AND DEMIGOD (37) 158 148 10 51.6 6- 4 PIXELBENDERS (36) 6 4 0
7- 7 PIXELBENDERS (36) 151 143 8 51.4 7/10 DEADLINE (32) 6 6 0
8/ 9 HUCKLE'S CATS (23) 130 139 2 48.3 8/ 9 HUCKLE'S CATS (23) 5 7 0
9/10 LOST SENTINELS (19) 148 190 12 43.8 9/ 3 LOSERS (20) 5 10 1
10/11 DEADLINE (32) 65 102 6 38.9 10- 5 PHANTOM REGIMENT (25) 4 1 0
11/12 LOSERS (20) 126 213 22 37.2 11/12 WEIRDING WAYS (53) 3 7 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
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********** NEW SEAM JOURNAL **********
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Greetings, warriors and managers of Seam! I am hoping to start a new ongoing practice
for our arena by producing a New Seam Journal every 5 turns or so. My goal is to have
a NSJ article ready for every turn that ends in 0 or 5, staring with this glorious
turn 70. I'll mix the topics up a bit for each article.
We will focus upon the awards records for this edition, taking a look at the various
stats surrounding the Duelmaster's throne, recognition, popularity and point gains.
Essentially, most of the awards you see when you first glance at the newsletter.
******************************
** The Duelmaster **
In 69 turns of fighting, we have had quite a few champions in the arena. The first
Duelmaster will forever be Werewolf 20-127 from Light of the Moon. His accomplishment
truly stands as the only one we will list here that can never be taken away. As for
the others, let's just say they are a bit more fluid.
* Most Duelmasters
THIRSTY THUGS -- 16; I'M NOT EGGBERT -- 10; DARQUE AGES & PIXELBENDERS -- 9; DEITIES AND DEMIGODS -- 7; HUCKLE'S CATS, PHANTOM REGIMENT, & PHILANTHROLORDS -- 4; LIGHT OF THE MOON, 7TH SANCTUM, WAY OF ALL FLESH, AUTOMAN EMPIRE, & DEADLINE -- 1
* Duelmaster by Style
STRIKER -- 19; LUNGER -- 15; TOTAL PARRY -- 12; BASHER & PARRY-LUNGE -- 5; AIMED BLOW & SLASHER -- 4; PARRY-STRIKE -- 3; PARRY RIPOSTE & WALL OF STEEL -- 1
* Best Duelmasters (W/L% with 20 min. fights)
SMOKEHEAD (LU) of THIRSTY THUGS -- 17-3-1 (85.00%)
MAGUVIAL (PS) of DARQUE KNIGHTS -- 17-6-2 (73.91%)
BUMBLE RUMBLE (ST) of PHILANTHROLORDS -- 16-6-1 (72.73%)
* Deadliest Duelmasters (3 kill min.)
PUCKER & BLOAT (ST) of PIXELBENDERS -- 4 KILLS
DHOTHO HALFGRAY (ST) of DARQUE KNIGHTS -- 3 KILLS
** CHARTERED RECOGNITION LEADERS **
* Most CRL (Teams)
DEITIES AND DEMIGODS, I'M NOT EGGBERT, PIXELBENDERS -- 10
* Most CRL (Warriors)
SMOKEHEAD of THIRSTY THUGS -- 6
OPACITY: 100% of PIXELBENDERS -- 5
SIF of DEITIES AND DEMIGODS -- 4
** POPULARITY LEADERS **
* Most Popular (Teams)
DEITIES AND DEMIGODS -- 24
PIXELBENDERS -- 14
7TH SANCTUM -- 8
* Most Popular (Warriors)
GILGAMESH of DEITIES AND DEMIGODS -- 17
COBRA MONSOON of 7TH SANCTUM -- 8
EQUALIZER of PIXELBENDERS -- 8
** CURRENT TOP TEAM **
* BEST 3 TURN RECORD
THIRSTY THUGS -- 14-1-1 (Turn 12)
* Most Awards
THIRSTY THUGS -- 10
I'M NOT EGGBERT -- 8
PHILANTHROLORDS -- 7
** TOP TEAM ON THE MOVE **
* Best Single Turn Gain
I'M NOT EGGBERT -- 77 pts (Turn 12)
* Top 3 Largest Gains
I'M NOT EGGBERT -- 77 pts (Turn 12)
I'M NOT EGGBERT -- 74 pts (Turn 31)
DARQUE KNIGHTS -- 66 pts (Turn 68)
******************************
And so ends our Turn 70 report, my lovelies! I hope you have found it to be
informative and motivating. I find it easier to make goals and crush competitors when
I know what I am up against. Not that I would literally crush anyone... or would I?
Teehee, you never truly know with a witch, do you? I promise, I am one of the good
ones, which I'm sure is a line all witches would use. But hey, you know me, you can
trust me! ::wink::
-- Sidara Brightbell
New Seam Journal Correspondant
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
Howdy folks of Seam!
I've held the throne a few times previously, but have never taken the time to address
any of you. There isn't really much to say. I'm a big disappointment to Darque, who
thought I had so much more potential in the arena than barely eeking out a .500
record.
What can I say? The competition has been fierce, or something. I have no
explanation! A wizard such as Darque should know that the Fates are fickle
mistresses.
Enough with that nonsense! I am on the throne as of now. If my calculations are
correct, one more win should get me invited to the Isle. I cannot remember if Darque
bothered to challenge anyone from the Challenger Champions. I only have 1 true option
in Snozzle. Barnabus Crow has been missing for a few turns and even though I'd like to
go a few rounds with Ra-Ra, the Commission won't let us fight because we are in the
same guild. Oh well, we will leave it up to the Fates, once again!
Until next turn, warriors! Luck and life on the sands!
-- Duelmaster Dhotho Halfgray
SPY REPORT
Good afternoon, my sweets! Winter has been pushed out, at least for a brief
moment, and spring-like temperatures are upon us for a few days. The weather wizards
are 50/50 at best, but they seem to have called this day correctly. It is nice to
have the day's festivities with sunshine and a cool breeze whipping through the arena.
It sure beats the torrential downpours from the last few turns. It is great to see
each of you here, so let's dive into this turn's action, shall we?
Last turn's Duelmaster was a repeat champion. He held the throne on turns 65 and
66 before losing it to Casper. He retook it last turn after Craquelure left us for
the Isle. This turn gave Dhotho the opportunity to slip solely into 3rd place for
most thrones in Seam. It was good to see he did not approach this goal passively. He
posted a challenge to the top ranked Challenger Champion, Snozzle of Huckle's Cats.
Dhotho shows us why he is currently top dog in the arena as he overcomes Huckle's Cat,
Snozzle! Dhotho also received his invitation to the Isle, which he suspected was
going to happen if he won. Congrats to Dhotho, who is a member of the Darque Knights
guild. He is managed by Master Darque.
The most avoided team for the turn is Deities and Demigods. They were avoided
most by Weirding Ways. The most challenged warrior for the turn was Snozzle. We have
already covered his valiant, albeit, unsuccessful fight against our Duelmaster.
Another challenge that needs mentioning is Piwi Steelmoon's challenge against the
lesser ranked Paranoid Android, a mismatch of 31 points. Do we really need this in
this arena? Must I remind all of you this is an Andorian arena? My reminders seem to
be falling upon deaf ears, but I will continue to voice them as the needs arise. Not
missing a beat, Weirding Ways posted their own down challenge when Vicar in a Tutu
challenged Bagherra of Lost Sentinels. It wasn't a massive dip like the previous
fight, but it also did not end well for Vicar, as he lost to Bagherra.
Darque Knights remains the top team after a 3-2 turn. Deities and Demigods make
a big leap from 7th to 2nd with a 4-0 effort. This is the biggest gain for the turn.
Lost Sentinels slip a spot into 3rd, while Marvel moved up 4 spots to 4th. Rounding
out the top 5, we have Thirsty Thugs who moved up a modest 1 spot. The biggest drop
for the turn belongs to Losers who fell 6 to 9th after going 2-3-1. There were more
than a few inactives this turn as Phantom Regiment continues to be missing and I'm Not
Eggbert dropped from the ranking after missing 2 turns. Pixelbenders were also absent
on turn 70. We hope each of them finds their road back to us in the arena!
There isn't much to report in the area of death, which is always good news to me.
Only 2 deaths marred our beautiful sands on turn 70. An Incompetent Punk was put down
in the regular arena by the aptly named Pestilence. The other death occurred in the
Dark Arena as Losers sent the 3-3 Carapax to the Dark Arena. The Losers guild has
lost an entire team, 5 warriors, since turn 66. Condolences and good luck on
restocking your warriors!
I have rambled on enough, my darlings. I now release you back into the arena for
meet and greets with the gladiators; wooden sword fights between the kiddies and
aspiring gladiators; as well as all the street food Seam has to offer. Don't eat too
much now! I want to see all of you back here on Turn 71. I'll be looking for you!
-- Sidara Brightbell
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DHOTHO HALFGRAY 544 14 12 3 110 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ZUSHI 514 15 16 1 97 LOST SENTINELS (19)
AERY SHINE 559 16 7 1 95 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
BLACK KNIGHT 603 7 7 0 92 MARVEL (54)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SNOZZLE 460 20 20 0 90 HUCKLE'S CATS (23)
GAMBIT 593 11 4 0 86 MARVEL (54)
RA-RA RAINWAR 490 20 16 1 80 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
-DWIMORBERG 576 11 6 0 78 PHANTOM REGIMENT (25)
HASTUR 481 17 18 0 70 DIETIES AND DEMIGODS (37)
MONA LISA 515 19 12 0 69 LOST SENTINELS (19)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
HAIG 488 16 21 0 69 THIRSTY THUGS (31)
PIWI STEELMOON 619 7 2 0 69 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
FRIGG 529 16 10 0 63 DIETIES AND DEMIGODS (37)
THOR 620 6 2 0 60 MARVEL (54)
-RASTERIZE 565 11 6 0 59 PIXELBENDERS (36)
-EQUALIZER 487 13 17 0 58 PIXELBENDERS (36)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BAD PENNY 575 9 11 1 55 LOST SENTINELS (19)
GYAVIIRA 602 7 7 0 55 THIRSTY THUGS (31)
BAHAMUT 585 9 5 0 53 DIETIES AND DEMIGODS (37)
KOOKSY INURMOUT 560 16 4 0 52 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
-GRAVEBORN PALADIN 604 7 3 1 51 PHANTOM REGIMENT (25)
TIAMAT 584 8 9 0 48 DIETIES AND DEMIGODS (37)
BRASS HAMMER 562 11 9 1 43 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
MDJAI 596 5 10 1 43 DEADLINE (32)
DEVAL 599 7 8 0 42 DEADLINE (32)
PARENTAL DECEIT 583 8 8 2 41 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
PARANOID ANDROID 573 9 9 0 36 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
KAGEWA 601 7 7 0 36 THIRSTY THUGS (31)
VALERIA 613 5 7 0 35 THIRSTY THUGS (31)
CAPT. AMERICA 589 7 8 0 34 MARVEL (54)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
RAINERIO 598 6 9 1 33 DEADLINE (32)
YAOTL 597 4 11 0 30 DEADLINE (32)
-INVERT 642 2 0 0 29 PIXELBENDERS (36)
VOID 640 1 2 0 26 LOST SENTINELS (19)
JASON THE MASON 512 5 4 0 25 HUCKLE'S CATS (23)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
VAULT 638 3 1 0 22 THIRSTY THUGS (31)
WOLFGANG WOLF 621 4 3 0 19 HUCKLE'S CATS (23)
PESTILENCE 648 1 0 1 17 LOSERS (20)
BAGHERRA 639 1 2 0 14 LOST SENTINELS (19)
TASKMASTER 644 2 0 1 13 MARVEL (54)
-CARRION CALL 628 2 2 0 13 PHANTOM REGIMENT (25)
CYANIDE 647 1 0 0 13 LOSERS (20)
FARMER ALFALFA 541 2 6 0 12 HUCKLE'S CATS (23)
IRON PARIAH 630 3 2 0 11 LOSERS (20)
-BURIAL RITES 643 1 0 0 11 PHANTOM REGIMENT (25)
ASDIEL WYRMEYE 633 2 3 1 10 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
RAGE 635 2 2 1 9 LOSERS (20)
VICAR IN A TUTU 641 1 1 0 4 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
-CHANNEL MIXER 646 0 1 0 1 PIXELBENDERS (36)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
INCOMPETENT PUNK 0 0 0 PESTILENCE 648 70 NONE
CARAPAX 624 3 4 0 LOSERS 20 BANDIT PRINCE 70 NONE
CUTLASS 645 0 1 0 LOSERS 20 TASKMASTER 644 69
IRIS 513 16 12 3 LOSERS 20 RA-RA RAINWAR 490 68
STEEL 626 0 3 0 LOSERS 20 ASDIEL WYRMEYE 633 66 REVENGED
ZERO 629 0 1 0 LOSERS 20 THUNDER CLAP 605 66 NOT REVENGED
CALIGURU 622 1 3 0 LOST SENTINELS 19 RAGE 635 67
GHOST 145 15 14 1 PHANTOM REGIMENT 25 DHOTHO HALFGRAY 544 66 REVENGED
PERSONAL ADS
Piwi Steelmoon -- Bane of the Total Parry here in Seam? Bah! I don't think you could
do that again. -- Kooksy Inurmouf
Kookie In Your Mouth -- Non-warriors such as yourself should avoid true warriors like
myself. -- Piwi Steelmoon
P.S. Down challenge noted. Master Darque always repays such acts in his own time.
Craquelure -- Congrats on your graduation and good riddance! I'm not sad to see you
go! -- Ra-Ra Rainwar
Noble Assassin -- I'm confused. Are you an assassin that killed a noble? Or, are you
a noble who just also happens to be an assassin? -- Aery Shine
Feisty Ruffian -- Isn't being feisty a key component to being a ruffian? I'm never
met a Friendly Ruffian. All I'm saying is the name might be a bit redundant. --
Dhotho Halfgray
Shiftyeyed Volunteer -- Why would you volunteer for this? Have you seen what we do to
each other in the arena? -- Asdiel Wyrmeye, the monetarily compensated gladiator
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
CARAPAX was viciously butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 4 minute Dark Arena fight.
IRON PARIAH was viciously subdued by TASKMASTER in a 17 minute Bloodfeud battle.
DHOTHO HALFGRAY vanquished SNOZZLE in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge Title brawl.
BLACK KNIGHT overpowered MONA LISA in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
GAMBIT devastated HAIG in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
THOR was devastated by AERY SHINE in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge match.
PIWI STEELMOON handily defeated PARANOID ANDROID in a 1 minute uneven Challenge fight.
RAGE was vanquished by VALERIA in a 1 minute uneven Challenge duel.
VICAR IN A TUTU lost to BAGHERRA in a 2 minute beginner's Challenge fight.
RA-RA RAINWAR lost to ZUSHI in a exciting 2 minute gruesome veteran's fight.
FRIGG beat BAD PENNY in a exciting 3 minute fight.
HASTUR subdued GYAVIIRA in a 2 minute mismatched competition.
KAGEWA was bested by TIAMAT in a 2 minute battle.
KOOKSY INURMOUT outlasted RAINERIO in a tiring 7 minute brawl.
BRASS HAMMER was handily defeated by BAHAMUT in a 1 minute one-sided conflict.
DEVAL was vanquished by MORDANT GOON in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
MDJAI won victory over VOID in a 1 minute veteran vs. amateur fray.
CAPT. AMERICA bested JASON THE MASON in a popular 3 minute brawl.
PARENTAL DECEIT overpowered WOLFGANG WOLF in a 1 minute one-sided match.
YAOTL overpowered FARMER ALFALFA in a 1 minute one-sided match.
ASDIEL WYRMEYE was handily defeated by VAULT in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
CYANIDE overpowered SHIFTYEYED VOLUNTEER in a 1 minute uneven fight.
PESTILENCE killed INCOMPETENT PUNK in a 1 minute beginner's bout.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK 7 TOTAL PARRY 35 - 26 - 1 57 |
|BASHING ATTACK 6 PARRY-STRIKE 25 - 20 - 1 56 |
|WALL OF STEEL 5 WALL OF STEEL 33 - 32 - 3 51 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 5 BASHING ATTACK 35 - 34 - 1 51 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 5 STRIKING ATTACK 39 - 39 - 3 50 |
|TOTAL PARRY 4 SLASHING ATTACK 26 - 28 - 1 48 |
|AIMED BLOW 3 AIMED BLOW 20 - 23 - 0 47 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 3 LUNGING ATTACK 28 - 35 - 0 44 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 4 - 6 - 2 40 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 PARRY-LUNGE 5 - 8 - 1 38 |
Turn 70 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:
WALL OF STEEL 4 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 3 3 STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK 5 - 2 PARRY-STRIKE 1 - 2 2 WALL OF STEEL
AIMED BLOW 2 - 1 BASHING ATTACK 2 - 4 2 AIMED BLOW
PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 LUNGING ATTACK 1 - 4 1 SLASHING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 1 1 LUNGING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 2 - 2 1 PARRY-LUNGE
1 PARRY-STRIKE
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
STRIKING ATTACK DHOTHO HALFGRAY 544 14 12 3 110 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
WALL OF STEEL AERY SHINE 559 16 7 1 95 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
PARRY-LUNGE RA-RA RAINWAR 490 20 16 1 80 DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
AIMED BLOW MONA LISA 515 19 12 0 69 LOST SENTINELS (19)
BASHING ATTACK THOR 620 6 2 0 60 MARVEL (54)
TOTAL PARRY KOOKSY INURMOUT 560 16 4 0 52 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
LUNGING ATTACK BRASS HAMMER 562 11 9 1 43 WEIRDING WAYS (53)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is SNOZZLE 460. The most popular warrior this turn was
JASON THE MASON 512. The ten other most popular fighters were ZUSHI 514, BAD PENNY
575, BLACK KNIGHT 603, FRIGG 529, HASTUR 481, GYAVIIRA 602, AERY SHINE 559, VICAR IN
A TUTU 641, BAGHERRA 639, and BAHAMUT 585.
The least popular fighter this week was IRON PARIAH 630. The other ten least popular
fighters were TASKMASTER 644, KOOKSY INURMOUT 560, ASDIEL WYRMEYE 633, FARMER ALFALFA
541, WOLFGANG WOLF 621, DEVAL 599, BRASS HAMMER 562, RAGE 635, THOR 620, and MONA
LISA 515.
The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:
DHOTHO HALFGRAY (20-544) DARQUE KNIGHTS (22)
CHALLENGES AND AVOIDS
To clarify: You issue Challenges to warriors, but Avoid teams.
To Challenge, write that warrior's name and ID# in the space provided.
To Avoid, write the team's name and Team ID in that space.
Make sure you include the ID!
* * * * * MEMO * * * * *
From: The Office of Accurate Census Reporting, Gladiatorial Commission
To: All Managers
In the interest of preserving our natural resources and preventing managerial writer's
cramp, the census form has been eliminated, effective immediately. Managers may
register their warriors' races and/or favorite sayings by simply writing them on a
separate piece of paper and submitting them to the Commission. Each warrior may have
up to 15 favorite sayings. Each saying must be categorized Jeer, Gloat, Boredom, Ouch,
Victory and may be up to 70 characters long. For any questions, please contact the
Gladiatorial Commission.
SUMMER FACE-TO-FACE IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
We have planned our summer FTF for July 13-15, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia, only 7
miles on a quick Metro ride from Washington, D.C.!. It will be held at the Holiday
Inn Arlington at Ballston. Room rates are $79 per night on 7/12 and 7/15 and $129 on
7/13 and 7/14, 1-2 occupancy. There's free wireless throughout the property as well
as a fitness center, outdoor pool, and business center, as well as a resturant and bar
inside the hotel. There is no airport shuttle and parking is $7/day. The rooms are
blocked -- ask for the Reality Simulations block. Reservations must be made by 6/12.
(As always if you have issues making reservations, please let us know!)
Hotel site: http://www.hiarlington.com
Look for the tournament info sheet and minioverviews some time in June. We hope
you're all looking forward to it and that we will see you there!
-- RSI
This is just a reminder to all participants in this arena that it is a no-tourney
arena, and is therefore subject to the no-tourney rules. The pledge all participants
took when they entered this arena is as follows:
********************************************************************************
NO-TOURNEY ARENA PLEDGE
* 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 or receives
a tournament prize shall be sent to the Dark Arena until they are dead.
********************************************************************************
Best of luck in the arena!
TEAM AND CHARACTER MAINTENANCE SERVICE
As a service to all managers, we offer team and character maintenance. This
option allows you to make sure your team or selected warriors will never miss a turn!
Team Maintenance: This will cause all warriors on that team to fight every
turn; if it's an AD arena, any new warriors who arrive on that team will
fight the turn they arrive. In A.D. or in transfer arenas where you have
multiple teams, each team will need to separately be on Team Maintenance.
(The only exception is new warriors; they will not fight until they have had
their initial strategy input.)
Character Maintenance: This will cause only that warrior to fight every
turn. If the character graduates or changes arenas, he/she/it will stay on
Character Maintenance.
In either case, you may submit strategy sheets for your warriors each turn, if
you wish. The Team/Character Maintenance will make sure your warriors fight each
turn, and they will always use their most recently entered strategy.
Remember that challenges, avoids, and challenge/if challenged strategies will not
carry through from turn to turn. These sections are only used on the turn they are
entered. In order to continually challenge or avoid you will need to submit a
strategy sheet each time.
One other thing to remember about maintenance: Maintenance is not something
that you write on your turnsheet (like in demo tourneys). In order to add or remove
maintenance for a team or warrior, you must send a note to Customer Service. If you
just write things like this on your strategy sheet, they may or may not get done.
Likewise, don't write it on your personal ads. Please, please, please put it on a
separate piece of paper with "Customer Service" written on the top. If you don't,
well, you can imagine.
Thanks for your time. Good luck in Duelmasters! -- Green Eyes
Mission to the Twisted Lands
Episode One
Old Brown could run pretty fast if properly motivated, but mostly he walked with
a long-legged, distance-devouring stride. He was a huge horse, a half-giant's
warhorse, shaggy and self-assured, with muscles like half-buried boulders in his
shoulders and hips. Lounging in the saddle was the motivating force, the half-giant,
Keel Woodhaven. Although in his mind he was slouching and half-asleep, he sat up
straight in the saddle since that is more comfortable for riding.
It was twilight, stars coming out above and lights in farmhouse windows below.
They traveled through vineyards, brown and fallow now in the winter, descending gently
toward the tree-crowded coast. The distant trees, not just pines, were green. They
stayed green because the marsh that surrounded the city-state of Bonsur had hot
springs in it.
Keel Woodhaven had always liked Bonsur. It had a relaxed feel about it, the
women seemed prettier, the music was great, everyone thought about having fun. And
the booze was excellent, of course. He passed the arena at the edge of town, and
paused to read the current statistics, posted on the gate and lit by a lantern. So,
an elven cobbler was the Duelmaster? Why would a shoemaker take up such a painful
profession? Then he noticed the team name: Shewish Picnic. He snorted. That
explained it, all right. As a half-Shew, he was kind of bothered by that team theme,
which was present in Home Guard as well. It was sort of funny though. He saw that
Elf Cobbler was headed for the Isle. Probably not bound for Home Guard just yet,
though.
They passed a small chicken ranch. A rooster uttered an untimely crow. At about
that time, Old Brown took exception to something and bolted. Cussing, Keel hauled on
the reins, to little effect since the horse was stronger than him and apparently
frightened. He didn't see the masked men coming out of their hiding places behind
him, looking frustrated. At least not until a crossbow bolt thunked into the backside
of his leather cuirass. His horse screamed and ran faster.
Hauling Old Brown to the left as they passed a set of big open gates into a well-
lighted courtyard, Keel got them behind the shelter of the high stone wall, and patted
the horse's sweaty neck. "You're okay now, friend. I'll go take care of those
bozos."
As he dismounted, he noticed he was becoming surrounded by uniformed men, some
with swords and some with halberds.
"Howdy?" he said, hoping they were friendly.
"Your horse has been shot," said someone, pointing at a bolt sticking out of Old
Brown's butt.
"Well damn!" Keel laid a comforting hand on the horse's flank, which quivered.
"So have you," the guard continued.
"Yeah, thought so. Doesn't feel like it got through the armor though." Keel
tried to look over his shoulder, but could only see the feathered end of the bolt.
"Who are you guys?"
"We are the Queen's Guard."
"What? Queen Gemra? Okay, please take care of Old Brown here, and I'll go find
the ***holes that shot him."
"Sir, you are mistaken. You will be taken to a doctor. We will arrest the
assailants."
"Hey! I'm on a mission from Sheila Greywand. Anyway, they shot my horse. My
HORSE! I'm gonna get 'em." Unslinging his huge sword, Keel strode toward the gate.
Four Guardsmen came with him, flanking him like the trailing ends of a flock of
geese. They might have intended a different formation, but he had the longest legs
and walked the fastest. The one who'd spoken to him before said, "I'm Corporal Brat
Langerman. And you are?"
"Keel Woodhaven."
"I've heard of you! The Queen will want to meet you."
"That's fine. Let's stick to the sides of these buildings. If they're still
around, we'll be targets in the middle of the street."
They weren't quiet, exactly, since the guards wore highly polished chain mail
which jingled. However, Bonsur had a lively night life. Music and laughter came from
bars and nightclubs on adjacent streets, people lingered on corners chatting and
sometimes playing instruments, and children hawked newssheets, shoeshines, flowers, a
selection of rouges, and offered to carry packages. So the sounds the guards made
weren't too noticeable.
Keel led the way back to the chicken ranch. He was thinking that the bad guys
wouldn't have waited around to be hunted. They might have left clues, though.
Perhaps even a discarded, crumpled note offering a cash reward for his head, and
signed by a notorious crimelord. Or distinctive cigar stubs, monogrammed hankies...
personalized masks. Tracks of boots made by elven cobblers. Anything. Witnesses,
even.
There were no people on the street near the chicken ranch. It was full night
now, a bit chilly although there was a warm and slightly funky breeze from the marsh.
Corporal Brat Langerman said quietly, "Is this where it happened?"
"Yup."
"Well, I don't think they're here anymore."
Keel was about to agree, when a crossbow bolt appeared in the Corporal's arm.
The young man hissed, "Everybody down!"
The guardsmen hunkered against the wall of a hardware store, which didn't offer
anything resembling good cover except that they were in shadow there. Keel crouched a
little, but he knew he was a pretty big target, plus his sword gave off a faint
greenish glow. He looked around, searching the darkness for signs of their foes.
A shadow on top of a shaded walkway across the street shifted a little. Keel
pulled a weighted dart out of his pocket and hurled it. He was good at tavern darts,
but it was dark, the distance was too great, and he just wasn't lucky. The little
missile clattered against the shingles of the porch roof. There was a startled twitch
from the half-seen form. At that instant, Keel lunged across the street. His long
legs carried him across to the opposite shadows in three bounds. More bolts came out
of the darkness, one lodging in his calf, the others missing him altogether.
Now the Guardsmen had a good idea where their foes were, and it takes a while to
reload a crossbow. The four men charged, yelling wildly. Tucking his sword under his
arm, Keel grabbed one of the posts holding up the porch roof, strained, and dislodged
it. After a moment he yanked it out of the structure entirely. The roof sagged,
there was a yelp of surprise, and someone's foot appeared off the edge of it. Keel
grabbed him by the ankle and hauled him the rest of the way down.
There were brief sounds of fighting, then footsteps that rapidly receded down an
alley. Three Guardsmen raced off in pursuit. Keel's prisoner started to try to get
away, so the half-Shew tossed him up, grabbed him by the arms and bashed him against
the wall.
"Are you okay?" asked Brat, sheathing his sword.
"Took one in the leg, but it's not too bad I think," Keel said, shifting his
unconscious prisoner to one hand and bending to pick up his sword.
"I'll help you tie that one up," Brat said. "There's a dead one here. I think
there were two more." He grunted slightly, trying to reach something with his injured
arm. "Got some ties in my right-hand belt pouch. If you could get them for me?"
They bound the prisoner, then bandaged each other.
"What did they want?" asked the Corporal.
Keel shrugged. "No clue. Let's get him somewhere safe and we can ask him..."
He listened. "Your guys are coming back."
"Yeah."
The Guardsmen hadn't been able to track their assailants in the darkness, but at
least there were no further injuries. The group of them returned warily to the
courtyard of the Guard House, where a woman was smearing some kind of ointment on Old
Brown's wound. After the horse was bedded down in the stable, the Guardsmen led Keel
into their office, where there was a welcome scent of fresh coffee. The medic set
about binding Keel's wound and that of the Corporal, who turned out to be an extremely
handsome man. Keel remembered hearing that Queen Gemra required her Guardsmen to be
good looking. That didn't mean they weren't competent, though. Brat had done pretty
well.
The medic roused their prisoner with smelling salts. They all sat in the main
office, Corporal Langerman facing the miscreant, who was seated in a cushioned chair,
looking reasonably comfortable except for his bandaged head. "All right," said Brat.
"Now I want you to tell me that you're going to turn Queen's Evidence."
"Not on your life, pretty boy!" The man had, perhaps, some excuse for hard
feelings since he was more homely than not, with a crooked nose and eyes set too close
together. He and Keel looked shabby and ill-favored amongst all these gleamingly
handsome Guardsmen.
Keel leaned forward. "You guys shot my horse."
"Oh. Sorry, didn't mean to do that. We were just shooting at you."
"Why?"
"Glowing sword."
"What?"
"Duh, it's a magic sword! We saw it when you drew it in Delarq Tor, and figured
we could sell it so we followed you."
The half-Shew snorted. "The Dentless isn't magic. It was in a Chaos Gate for
five hundred years and it picked up some energy, that's all. All it does, is glow.
And cut things."
The bandit looked chagrined. "But... it's got to be magic."
"Ain't. Sorry kid."
After that, Keel was taken to enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the Palace. Queen
Gemra was a definite babe, with long, silken black hair, a delicate pouty face, and
luscious curves. She asked him about his mission, which was to go to the Twisted
Lands and shut down a leaking Chaos Gate. He entertained her with the story of his
adventure on the Two-Shew Express, and she gave him a brown velvet cloak to show her
appreciation. She did not invite him to her bed, which was fine because his heart
belonged to another, always and forever.
* * * * *
This is a continuing adventure.
Watch for future chapters in the Bonsur and Home Guard newsletters!