DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER
Date : 03/31/2004 Duedate: 04/13/2004
SUNSET ARENA
DM-21 TURN-479
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
KITTY CHOWDER
CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
(21-5466) [22-11-1,149]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
KITTY CHOWDER I SEE SOUNDS
CARNAGE CANARIES (147) COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
(21-5466) [22-11-1,149] (21-5704) [7-1-1,90]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
WILD THING SKULL STROKER
TRANSGRESSORS (492) BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
(21-5649) [17-24-1,76] (21-5590) [9-6-0,42]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. COSMIC FREAK OUT (498) 52
2. BLACKEST PRIDE (71) 31 MEOW MIX (466)
3. SONS OF SATAN (20) 29 Unchartered Team
4. SWORD OPERA (323) 27
5. CARNAGE CANARIES (147) 26 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 1*COSMIC FREAK OUT (498) 26 12 1 68.4 1/ 2*COSMIC FREAK OUT (498) 11 4 1
2/ 2 MEOW MIX (466) 66 41 1 61.7 2/ 1 CARNAGE CANARIES (147) 11 4 0
3/ 4 YAKUZA (475) 83 69 2 54.6 3/ 3 BLACKEST PRIDE (71) 10 3 1
4/ 3 PUDDLE OF BLOOD (500) 6 5 0 54.5 4/ 4 YAKUZA (475) 7 8 0
5/ 5 MINISTRY OF SKA (496) 45 38 4 54.2 5/ 8 IRONIC TAILS (484) 7 8 0
6/ 6 SONS OF SATAN (20) 257 218 33 54.1 6/ 5 GRIM FANDANGO (454) 6 7 0
7/ 8 CARNAGE CANARIES (147) 98 84 9 53.8 7/ 6 MINISTRY OF SKA (496) 5 6 0
8/10 BLACKEST PRIDE (71) 339 306 34 52.6 8/11 SWORD OPERA (323) 5 10 0
9/11 STORM WARNING (472) 82 76 4 51.9 9- 7 THE BLOODBANES (474) 4 0 0
10-12 THE BLOODBANES (474) 56 52 1 51.9 10/ 9 MEOW MIX (466) 3 3 0
11/13 GRIM FANDANGO (454) 149 150 4 49.8 11/17 SONS OF SATAN (20) 3 7 0
12/15 TRANSGRESSORS (492) 98 104 5 48.5 12/16 KANO CLAN (106) 2 2 0
13/16 RAGE (501) 40 45 2 47.1 13/14 STORM WARNING (472) 2 2 0
14/17 IRONIC TAILS (484) 51 63 5 44.7 14/10 RAGE (501) 2 5 0
15/18 SWORD OPERA (323) 392 567 15 40.9 15/15 THAT 70'S TEAM (476) 1 2 0
16/19 KANO CLAN (106) 133 197 7 40.3 16/19 TRANSGRESSORS (492) 0 4 0
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
17/20 THAT 70'S TEAM (476) 26 43 1 37.7 17/20 PUDDLE OF BLOOD (500) 0 1 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[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Dark Federation #5 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Rodeki:
There were just the four of them, or five if you counted Adabemis & Balmador as
two separate people, which Sue E. Syde didn't. Not much of an army to arrest a
governor. And just because "Princess Tirisha wants it done." What did the woman
expect them to DO? It was beginning to look like Adabemis & Balmador wasn't the only
crazy person around. She glanced at her companions and wondered if there was any
point in commenting on this. Not to the Dwarf with his two personalities, although
if one or the other didn't happen to like Tirisha.... No, not to him, or them. And
she had a good idea that Captain Shirivien already knew it and didn't care, at least,
not enough to run counter to Tirisha's commands. And her teammate Rob A. Ree...she
shook her head. Better just to keep quiet for now.
The streets of Rodeki were quiet, too. Very few people were out, and they were
keeping close to the sides of buildings and fading down alleys at first sight of the
group from Xochithlan. Expecting trouble, Sue guessed.
The governor's palace in Rodeki was not as impressive as Sue had expected.
Large, yes, but so...ordinary. It looked more like an office building than it did a
palace. It was built against the side of the mountain that closed in Rodeki on the
north, maybe even built back into the mountain, and it went up three stories with a
sort of tower climbing higher back along the slope. There were no majestic pillars,
no statues in niches (no niches), and only one balcony. And it was grubby. The
stone might have been light-colored originally, but years of the smelter smoke that
sometimes filled the valley had turned it blotched dark brown and sooty black.
Tirisha wasn't going to like this place at all; Sue E. Syde couldn't imagine her
living in it.
But that wasn't today's problem. Today's problem was taking it away from
Governor Milvares. Who wasn't likely to be taken by surprise....
One side of the big double door opened as the gladiators and Sirivien started up
the steps. She didn't recognize the man who came out--a Kannar, late middle age,
looked like a man used to wielding authority. It might be the governor himself.
When they were close enough to hear him without shouting, he said, "Why have you come
here?"
The gladiators instinctively looked toward Captain Shirivien. "On the order of
our lady, Princess Tirisha of Xochithlan," he said. "She has commanded us to arrest
Governor Milvares."
"On what grounds?" The man's voice was still calm, but there was steel in it.
Shirivien hesitated. "The Princess has not offered us explanation. It is not
our place to question, only to obey."
A voice from overhead said, "We could drop things on them from here, even though
we don't have proper stuff like boiling lead."
Sue glanced up. There was a short woman in a Dwarven helmet on the balcony.
A tall man in arena-issue mail came up behind her. "Not yet, Gate Witch." He
added something that the people on the steps couldn't hear, but the Dwarven woman
grinned and punched him on the arm.
The man in the doorway reclaimed their attention, saying, "Your princess would
be better served if the people around her asked for explanations and offered advice.
She would be wise to return to Xochithlan."
"Are you threatening Princess Tirisha?" Adabemis or Balmador demanded.
"No, I'm offering her sound advice. It would be a good move for her to leave
Rodeki. She has no place here."
"It sounds like a threat to ME." That was definitely Balmador, the more hostile
of the two personalities.
"If you think in terms of threats," the man said, "all things sound like
threats."
Balmador opened his mouth to make a retort, but She and Shirivien moved in on
him from either side, and Sue put a hand over his mouth.
"Your advice may be good," she said, "but we have our orders."
The man made a sort of half bow and stepped back, pulling the door closed behind
him.
From the balcony, Gate Witch said, "NOW can we drop things on them, John?"
"I thought you were looking forward to fighting them in the halls," the man
replied. "If you drop things on them now, they'll never make it into the halls.
Which might not be a bad thing, when one comes to think about it...."
"Spoilsport!" Both gladiators on the balcony withdrew, and pulled that door
shut behind them also.
Rob A. Ree, whose many flaws did not include major stupidity, looked at the
closed door of the palace, and at the windows on either side, which were fifteen feet
above the ground in front of them and barred, and said, "Anybody got a pocket
battering ram?"
"I thought we were supposed to be able to just walk in," Adabemis added. "Now
what?"
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Out of the Past #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Near Fratsfa:
Gladiators sailed up the river from Kati-Tei through Andor, Fratsfa, and Zensu
to the Isle of the Eye. Some came as tourists, some as newly-graduated warriors,
some to attend and participate in the Spring Tourney. This was a steady source of
income for boatmen, and many of them made the trip two or three times a month; the
river and its shores were well known to them.
"I don't remember a castle on that hill," one sailor muttered, squinting at the
shore. "And I was along here just last week...."
"There was no castle there," Lady Fern, manager of the Flower Girls in Fratsfa
confirmed. "And a week is certainly not long enough to build one!"
"There was one...eight hundred years ago," a voice murmured behind her.
The statuesque manager glanced back at her gladiatress, Nasty Nasturtium. The
woman was an Araoi, and elf of the purest blood, and Lady Fern supposed it was
possible that Nasturtium actually REMEMBERED a castle there, but she hoped not. The
thought of having a warrior that old was unsettling. "You're sure, Nasty?"
The elfin blonde nodded firmly. "Yes, my mother told me about it--one of her
brothers helped to bring the castle down. The Castle of Storms, that was its name, a
place of the darkest arts. It was the stronghold of Prince Illrienherthinil
Silverthorn, who was called the Ill Rain."
Lady Fern glanced at the sky automatically. It WAS getting cloudy, but that
was, must be, coincidence. After all, changeable weather was common at this time of
year.
"That wasn't on Khaldren's list." The short, stocky man removed his bowler and
extended a hand to Lady Fern. "Raoul, Lord Protector In Gerfel We Trust."
"Kennelworth has spoken of you," Lady Fern admitted. "But what do you know of
this Castle of Storms?"
"Not a thing, doll. But I'm wondering if Khaldren's magic isn't raising more
ruins than he planned on--anyplace with enough of the wrong kind of magic
concentrated in it."
"This Khaldren is...?" Nasturtium asked.
"A wizard who escaped the sinking of Krael," Raoul explained. "He wants to
bring Krael forward in time, or back from the dead, or something. And other places
he knows about from that era."
"That would take a great magic," Nasturtium protested. "With the Arcanum in the
current low state, it should not be possible."
"Adie in Aruak City says he could be using blood magic based on the arena
deaths, doll. She seems to think that'd do it for him."
The elf recoiled. "It would!" she whispered, "and that would call to all sites
where dark magic has sunk deep. This must be stopped!"
"Well, I'm taking the warning to Lady Sheila--"
"She can do nothing, even if she would," Nasturtium snapped. "She dares not
touch blood magic, even to fight it, except in the most indirect fashion, and
indirection will not serve! Not soon enough, anyway."
"Adie will think of some way to fight Khaldren," Raoul said, a little uneasily.
He took a deep breath and put his hat back on. "And until he's stopped, we will
fight everything he brings up from the past."
"If we have to fight the Ill Rain," Nasty Nasturtium predicted, "it won't be
easy."
Valamantis:
Lord Protector Ka D'Argo, on a brief trip to his home on Kolact, had planned to
take ship at Valamantis. But the port city was not as he had expected. There was
always bustle, but now...it reminded him of a disturbed anthill. And where had those
towers on the landward side come from? They weren't something that could have been
built in a day, or even a year, and he'd been through here four months ago.
"It's Old Valamantis," Arenamistress Sitalva said grimly. "We've had word of
some kind of magic afoot aimed at ruined cities, and with all the blood spilled in
the recent Bloodgames, it would have been more surprising if something had NOT
happened there. But understanding why doesn't help us now. The oldest levels of Old
Valamantis," she said grimly, "were Folstrom. NOBODY wants to see the Folstrom loose
in the world again."
"Bringing the ruins back is one thing," the tall gladiator argued, "but the
people...? Surely Ahringol won't release their souls because of a spell and some
blood."
Sitalva watched the slight wavering of the resurrected towers and shivered,
though the day was already warm. "We'll find out, when the city stabilizes. The
Silver Mage says sometime in the next week and a half or two weeks. But we can see
people moving around in there. And even if they're zombies, it isn't going to be
good."
Iaye:
The fishing boats that had fled Iaye when the earthquakes began crept back one
by one as the Trier grew calm again. Most of them followed the coast down toward
Point, not because they needed the guidance but to see for themselves if drowned
Krael had truly risen from the waves.
It had.
Lord Protector Goff, assistant manager of the Red Dog Gang, stood on the gently
rocking deck of his boat and stared through a spyglass at the rampart of buildings
that blocked what had been the strait between Iaye and Point. He wasn't sure what he
had expected, but not this.
Krael stood above the water, but not as it must once have looked. Many of the
taller buildings showed broken tops, and all was slimed with mud and weed. Here and
there, decaying wrecks lay in the streets or even on the roofs of houses. The smell
of dead fish was obvious even from a mile away. Krael LOOKED like a city that had
spent centuries under water. The people who moved among those ruins didn't. There
weren't enough of them to represent the entire population of the city at the time of
its disaster, he guessed at no more than two hundred. But they looked...normal.
Alive. And their activity--they seemed to be trying to clear one section of the city
of its mud and debris--were just what you'd expect.
And they seemed to take the whole situation for granted. They must KNOW, from
the state of Krael now, what had happened, but they just calmly went about cleaning
up.
That was the most unnerving thing of all.
Xochithlan:
There were no ruins around Xochithlan to rise up at the wizard's call, because
the modern city was the old city, continuously lived in for longer than most
Alastarian cities had existed. There was, perhaps, a tendency for certain long-
buried residents to stir in their graves, but if any came out to walk the streets, it
was not immediately obvious.
What was obvious was the forest.
There had been a forest around Xochithlan for a long time, but it had been
burned away during the Rirorni War. Replanting efforts had been ongoing for the last
eight years, but eight years is not long enough to bring back a major forest. And
what surrounded the city now, pressing in against the walls and disturbing the newer
suburbs, was a major forest.
Not, however, a forest such as the Xochithlani remembered.
This was a Forest Primeval.
This was a forest that might hide...anything.
And according to the scholars of ancient texts consulted by King Feyen of
Xochithlan, it probably did.
Zuwayza:
Zuwayza was as old as Xochithlan, and there were as many dark secrets buried
under its streets. The foundation of the city, Vekhirn knew, went back to the days
before the first humans. There were Folstrom traces, but there was also something
older. Maybe more than one something. And they were all stirring. Too much blood
had been spilled here, especially in the years since the invasion--during the
invasion itself, and in the slow beating back of the Eastern forces.
And in other ways, or for other causes, as well. The court wizard had sensed a
new feeling in the people of the old city. Harder. Crueler, perhaps. Less patient,
less tolerant--and the Glorious Empire had never been noted for tolerance. The woman
Jayde, who claimed to be the daughter of Kjarran, her death and her mysterious
apotheosis, had that been the start of this dark bitterness that gripped the people?
He shrugged that off. Whatever the cause for the change of heart, blood had been
spilled. And somewhere, someone had called on spilled blood to raise old evils, and
spilled blood everywhere had answered.
Aruak City:
Adeolar stared into the gilt-framed mirror, frowning and twisting a lock of hair
between nervous fingers. Nothing she was Seeing was good. Not that the mirror was
the best way to See, but it was the only scrying device she had that was still
working. There was a bloody film over the glass that could not be washed off, and
that, she suspected, was a sign of just how bad things were. Blood magic, used to
excess, tainted everything. There was no doubt that the wizard in Zorpunt was strong
and ruthless, but what he had started seemed to be taking on a life of its own. And
no one, so far, seemed able to stop him.
She would have to take steps herself.
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Out of the Past #5 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Dal Shang:
From the top tier of the arena, you could see a long way out to sea, because the
arena was built on a cliff above the harbor. So was a lot of the rest of Dal Shang,
but except for the governor's palace, it mostly wasn't as high as the arena.
Lord Protector Wais, who had come home to Dal Shang in a vague effort to boost
that beleaguered arena, was sitting on the top tier brooding. The arena was
shrinking faster than a pool of water in the desert. Promising warriors who were
looking for a career in the arena were not looking in THIS arena. Fourteen active
warriors last time, and two of them had been retiring by way of a Dark Arena
appearance. His own team, even, had gone inactive! Something had to be done, but he
had no idea what. Even the fans had deserted Dal Shang arena.
With a sigh, he turned away from the empty arena to look out to sea. And so he
saw the waters of the lake heave as though they were boiling, and a new--or very
old--island rise like a black reef no more than five miles off shore. Five miles is
too far away to see the details, but there was something disturbingly regular about
the broken ridgeline of that island. Like buildings....
A note for the people of the Free Cities and Lirith Kai:
Some people say that if you get rid of magic, the world will be much simpler.
Some people say that the destabilization of the Arcanum will get rid of magic. Ha!
High Magic, the stuff that highly educated wizards do, falters as the Arcanum
weakens. But there are other kinds of magic. Older. Cruder. Less vulnerable.
There's Blood Magic. Spilling blood releases power. The more blood, the more power.
And a very powerful wizard of several centuries ago, Khaldren of Krael, who
decided that he didn't want to die when the city around him was dying, has come to
the present. He's made a spell to bring Krael back from ruins, and he's tied it to
Blood Magic.
But there's more blood being spilled around Alastari than he realized, and a lot
of Lost Cities that want to live again. If you have some old ruins near your house,
and there's an arena where people are bleeding and dying, you've got trouble coming.
This is now your story, too.
It's all a plot, and probably a dark one. Where is Daylight Savings time when
you need it?
* }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *
---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---
Duelmasters
-----------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 492): WISPER of SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 377): TOOFLESS of GLORY BOUND TROLLS (DeGotti, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 497): WHIP SCORPION of SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 493): CHASM OF IGNORANCE of UTOPIA RELIGIOSO (Neon Necromancer)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 492): SUX0R of MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 496): MEDUSA of BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 493): DIGGER WASP of FLAGG'S CHAMPIONS (Flagg, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 488): BLING BLING of TERRAPIN STATION (Floyd, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 479): SCOURGE of THUNDR + LITENING (Doc Steele, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 478): KITTY CHOWDER of CARNAGE CANARIES (C. Canary, mgr.)
DM 36 JHANS (turn 452): HALO 14 of BLIND HYPOCRISY (Jekyll, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 443): HARI CANE of JINDA-BAN (Zin, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 193): TAMMY FAYE of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 430): GATE WITCH of FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 378): APPLE of FRUITS (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 179): MERGEN of THE BLACK COMPANY (Woelfe, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 167): MACAULIFFE of THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 328): AKLAR of MITHRAL HALO (Barnabas, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 144): CONSTANTINE of AGELESS WONDER (Belyn, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 371): DOONE of FLAGG 16 from RODEKI (Flagg, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 492): HOMICIDAL MANIACS (Nick, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 377): RESURRECTION (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 497): THE NUKES (Fusion, mgr.)
DM 4 JHELUM (turn 493): THE DREIHDENS 2 (Dreihdenflahg, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 492): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Nick, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 496): BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 493): FLOWER CHILDREN (Ebenezer Frothingslosh, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 488): MEGAWARRIORS (Matrix, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 479): CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 478): CARNAGE CANARIES (C. Canary, mgr.)
DM 36 JHANS (turn 452): KAMIKAZI (?, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 443): JINDA-BAN (Zin, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 193): CHEAP SHOTS (?, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 430): DELVERS (Nick, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 378): DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 179): none
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 167): COLOUR GUARDS (Captain Crayola, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 328): MITHRAL HALO (Barnabas, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 144): none
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 371): LEGENDS OF STEELE (Doc Steele, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 497): WHIP SCORPION of SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 492): SUX0R of MORE NEW TEAMS 2 (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 488): BLING BLING of TERRAPIN STATION (Floyd, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 479): SCOURGE of THUNDR + LITENING (Doc Steele, mgr.)
PAUL of SHEPHERDS (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
(turn 478): WONDER BRA of THE GUARDIANS II (Guardian, mgr.)
BOOTER of BURN N' PILLAGE (Jolly, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 477): SONJA BLOODBANE of THE BLOODBANES (Stik, mgr.)
SPY REPORT
Greetings warriors! It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the
clash and bustle of the weekly SUNSET games. Former top team CARNAGE CANARIES was
unseated this week as COSMIC FREAK OUT moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot
with a 5-0-1 record for the round. Fortune did not smile upon RAGE this time out who
this turn suffered a fall into 14th position in the wake of a 1-1-0 round.
Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the corner! Witness how this week
SONS OF SATAN went 3-2-0 to move up 6 in the rankings. My praise to COSMIC FREAK OUT
for their 5-0-1 week this time out. Indeed, it was a skillfully fought round
deserving of notice! I SEE SOUNDS caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial
commission as it skillfully bested FANCY FEAST and was awarded 24 points in
recognition. In one of the week's more notable duels, MR. TWISTER put down BELL
BOTTOMS, causing him to lose 12 points of recognition in the process. Most watched
of the fights this week, the spotlight was on GLIMMOR as he bore arms against the
challenge of reigning Duelmaster KITTY CHOWDER. Although GLIMMOR made a valiant
effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious KITTY CHOWDER. No
confirmation, but my sources claim that the top team has gained their position using
magical aids. Charmed weapons perhaps?
I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently
transpired. Indeed there is much I would report. I saw one fighter that warriors
avoided when this week's challenge seeking began. BLACKEST PRIDE is feared. This
much I can say. If you didn't look down dark alleys you'd have been hard pressed to
find any of GRIM FANDANGO last week. Busy avoiding BLACKEST PRIDE? Mighty fighters
cannot but expect competition from those below. POISON BEAK take warning! You have
more than a few enemies in SUNSET. For some warriors honor is not important--only
empty victory. See, gladiators, how GALE FORCE of STORM WARNING challenged down 16
points to GERYON. All the city knows the duel went in favor of GALE FORCE. I shall
not fail to spread the word in other cities of this "mighty" victory. As a gladiator
gets older, the icy grip of fear lays hold of its heart. True, UGLY FOG? Who could
miss your "brave" challenge of MIRANDA GRACE? The Fates are not kind to the
cowardly, as evidenced by the fact that UGLY FOG was bested by MIRANDA GRACE. And
who can now doubt that MIRANDA GRACE is a hardy opponent? At the gambling halls I
have started to bet money on EMNITY. She has got the courage it takes. Witness hers
challenge this turn against RAZOR MELODY! Do not the gods reward courage? EMNITY it
was that claimed victory in the bout, while also rising 19 points in recognition. I
cannot but express pride for the fearlessness of POISON BEAK who cast caution to the
winds and challenged RUDE BUDDHA, a fighter 26 points higher. In the end POISON BEAK
was overcame by RUDE BUDDHA, a "sharp" reminder that higher recognition is an
indication of greater skill. Still, it was a worthy bout!
Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser? Warriors, may this counselor stand
ready at your right hand forever! Perhaps even the strong cannot escape the vagaries
of this world. This week arena veteran FANCY FEAST was slain, despite a 12-4-0
record. Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins. In the arena there is only
the brightness of steel. Keep vigil always!
If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times
already in SUNSET. Nice atmosphere you have here! More than a sharp eye must I
keep, indeed a stout pair of legs must I keep as well! The endless paths of Alastari
await me! Till we meet again, remember: a turtle walks slow, hides head in a shell,
and harms no one; a lion runs to slay its prey.-- Zontani Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KITTY CHOWDER 5466 22 11 1 149 CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SYLVESTER F. 5620 8 4 1 117 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
HURRICANE 5404 14 18 1 107 STORM WARNING (472)
-SYRANO BLOODBANE 5720 13 4 0 106 THE BLOODBANES (474)
GLIMMOR 5503 20 10 0 93 GRIM FANDANGO (454)
GALE FORCE 5418 16 14 0 92 STORM WARNING (472)
RUDE BUDDHA 5765 10 3 0 91 MINISTRY OF SKA (496)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
I ATE A PUTY TAT 1512 19 17 0 90 CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
I SEE SOUNDS 5704 7 1 1 90 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
MR. TWISTER 5716 11 7 0 89 IRONIC TAILS (484)
TAISHO 5485 23 9 1 88 YAKUZA (475)
KAMI 5521 21 8 0 87 YAKUZA (475)
-ROGAN 5755 12 9 1 81 RAGE (501)
-MAINE COON CAT 5358 12 11 0 81 MEOW MIX (466)
EMNITY 5748 12 3 0 79 RAGE (501)
RUDI JAMOS 5428 19 17 0 76 SWORD OPERA (323)
WILD THING 5649 17 24 1 76 TRANSGRESSORS (492)
GERYON 1710 10 10 1 74 SONS OF SATAN (20)
-PERSIANA JONES 5682 9 6 0 74 MINISTRY OF SKA (496)
RAZOR MELODY 5577 11 12 2 73 IRONIC TAILS (484)
BELL BOTTOMS 5493 14 16 0 70 THAT 70'S TEAM (476)
SKA-BOOM 5743 6 9 2 67 MINISTRY OF SKA (496)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
UGLY FOG 5414 15 17 0 66 STORM WARNING (472)
RONALD REAGAN 1588 11 11 0 66 SONS OF SATAN (20)
MIRANDA GRACE 5552 8 17 1 66 SWORD OPERA (323)
C. CANARY 5766 8 6 0 61 CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
INERTIA 5761 7 2 0 60 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
POISON BEAK 5827 4 4 0 60 CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
SENSEI JAN 5619 13 7 0 59 YAKUZA (475)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
LUGO BELOSKI 5566 13 11 2 54 SWORD OPERA (323)
-SIMON BLOODBANE 5490 9 9 1 53 THE BLOODBANES (474)
ASYLUM 5786 6 1 1 53 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
DRANE 5833 6 0 0 50 GRIM FANDANGO (454)
LIQUID GOLIATH 5800 8 3 0 47 IRONIC TAILS (484)
MINOS 5805 5 3 1 47 SONS OF SATAN (20)
THE HIPPY 5701 4 2 0 45 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
COMPACTOR 5647 9 14 2 43 TRANSGRESSORS (492)
SKULL STROKER 5590 9 6 0 42 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
CAT KABOB 5802 5 5 1 39 CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
WRATHCHILD 5747 5 10 1 36 RAGE (501)
-HI-JINX 5778 5 4 0 35 MINISTRY OF SKA (496)
PERFERATOR 5741 4 6 0 34 TRANSGRESSORS (492)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
YOUNG BLOOD 5723 6 5 0 33 PUDDLE OF BLOOD (500)
TOAD LICKER 5830 6 1 0 33 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BAD ACID 5700 5 3 0 33 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
-MORRIS 5835 2 2 0 33 MEOW MIX (466)
RED EYE LOVE 5832 4 3 1 30 IRONIC TAILS (484)
MINAMI KAZE 5164 5 11 0 28 KANO CLAN (106)
ACE 5732 5 12 0 27 SWORD OPERA (323)
DAMION 5831 3 3 0 27 SONS OF SATAN (20)
METARU YONA 5350 6 8 0 26 KANO CLAN (106)
-HORNS 5770 3 3 0 26 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
-MOMORO WA 5514 8 1 0 25 KANO CLAN (106)
-AGENT 99 5840 3 1 0 25 MINISTRY OF SKA (496)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MUSHIKU BO 5713 5 3 0 23 KANO CLAN (106)
TRIPPY HIPPY 5829 4 3 0 23 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
SKYDANCER 5834 3 3 0 23 GRIM FANDANGO (454)
-MATSUDA KAO 5712 5 0 0 21 KANO CLAN (106)
TIEN 5808 5 5 0 20 YAKUZA (475)
-SOLOMON BLOODBANE 5475 4 8 0 20 THE BLOODBANES (474)
SLAUGHTER PRST 5781 4 5 0 19 STORM WARNING (472)
TALPER 5784 3 10 0 19 SWORD OPERA (323)
-MOON BEAM 5745 2 5 0 13 RAGE (501)
WRECKER 5759 1 9 0 12 TRANSGRESSORS (492)
-TIGER'S TAIL 5638 1 0 0 11 MEOW MIX (466)
-SUPER FRIENDS 5757 1 0 0 11 THAT 70'S TEAM (476)
BIG BEER HUG 5856 1 2 0 9 IRONIC TAILS (484)
SIMON COWELL 5850 1 2 0 8 SONS OF SATAN (20)
NUBUNAGA 5858 0 2 0 2 YAKUZA (475)
-WATERGATE 5836 0 1 0 1 THAT 70'S TEAM (476)
-SUPER HOST 5758 0 1 0 1 THAT 70'S TEAM (476)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
MOONSHINE 5386 3 4 2 DIRTY SOUTH 465 MINOS 5805 475 NOT REVE
BOOMERANG 5854 1 2 0 GRIM FANDANGO 454 ARENAMASTER HARTH 410 479 NONE
GRAVE DIGGER 5855 1 2 0 GRIM FANDANGO 454 BANDIT PRINCE 412 479 NONE
WHISKERS 5621 0 1 0 MEOW MIX 466 BANDIT PRINCE 412 479 NONE
FANCY FEAST 5306 12 4 0 MEOW MIX 466 I SEE SOUNDS 5704 479
SHURIKEN 5842 0 2 0 YAKUZA 475 RED EYE LOVE 5832 476 REVENGED
PERSONAL ADS
Sensei Jan -- You have to be the most cowardly manager to ever step foot in this
city. -- Morris
Rude Buddha -- Sorry to disappoint, but my days in the arena are over. -- Maine Coon
Cat
Drane -- Not a chance? Reactivate and we'll see. -- Asylum
Mr. Twister -- Ain't that the truth! -- Sylvester F.
Poison Beak -- I demand a rematch. -- Skull Stroker
Glimmor -- Thank you, may I have another? -- Sylvester "Scary skill totals"
Frothingslosh
Miranda Grace -- Maybe you should pick up a shield, your face just isn't parrying
like it used to. -- Inertia
Ooops. Looks like I didn't get the last turn in on time. Don't plan to change it so
if there are any odd challenges due to standings shakeups, I apologize in advance.
Of course, I have had very little success in challenging since my return so most of
you are probably waiting for my challenges! -- Damion, SOS
Canaries -- Nice turn, but you know it can't last forever! -- Grim Fandango
Kitty Chowder -- Perhaps the "real" Duelmaster would write a column. Rematch time!
-- Glimmor
Sylvester -- Did you just apologize to someone for making a downchallenge?? Floyd or
no, wonders never cease.... -- Stik
Floyd -- At least now I know who I'm dealing with. En garde!! -- Stik
More puds off to the DA for me. Gravedigger and Boomerang were a couple of dixie
bashers I was hoping to soak a few wins out of before disposing of, but my patience
wore thin quick. With Glimmor hopefully off to the Isle shortly, it's time to start
rebuilding this team for real. Not sure just why two of my guys sat out last turn,
either, but they'll be out there this week hopefully. -- Stik
Sylvester F. -- You're not so tough, smart guy. -- Glimmor
Asylum -- Bring it anytime. -- Drane
Skull Stroker -- Ha! Take that! -- P. Beak
Razor Melody -- Thanks for showing up. Since none of my challenges went through. --
K. Chowder
I See Sounds -- A perfect record no more. An odd sense of satisfaction has overcome
me. -- c. Canary
Ace -- You got a glass jaw there. -- C. Canary
Rude Buddha -- Thank you. -- K. Chowder
Wrathchild -- I bow to a valiant foe, but I will not throw the fight for you. To
cool your wrath, it must be truly won. Good luck, and know that at least I won't be
changing strategies on you. -- Lugo Beloski
Inertia -- Ah, I could use some of that. Specifically, the inertia of a winning
streak.... -- Miranda Grace
Toad Licker -- That's kind of revolting. You need to go find a Dark Toad and try it
on him. -- Talper
Maine Coon Cat -- I thought you'd be bigger. Not that I found you puny, of course.
And lovely fur. -- Rudi Jamos
Cat Kabob -- Gods, I wish you WERE. Or failing that, a canary kabob. -- Ace
Rogan -- And to you, also. -- Lugo Beloski
Liquid Goliath -- Sign your program? Well...okay. -- Miranda Grace
P.S. But don't tell Madam Butterfly. She gets so jealous!
3 March 2004
MONGO'S MARDI GRAS MADNESS DUELMASTERS AUCTION
Mongo, aka Matt McIntosh and ex-Warden of the Dark Circle, is auctioning off his
entire collection of Duelmasters warriors and stables. Don't miss out on this chance
to own some fantastic warriors! There are ADM warriors available in every class from
Primus to Freshmen, as well as over a dozen Basic stables.
Does a Slasher with +4 attack, +4 decisiveness, +3 initiative and +2 riposte
sound good? How about a Lunger who received the benefit of a TC prize, has TVed
three times after graduating--and still hasn't maxed out his skills!? How about a
Striker in the Freshmen class who has decisiveness for a favorite learn and the MAUL
for a favorite weapon!?
Or perhaps you prefer playing in Basic. Then how does a stable with four Adept
class warriors who have a combined record of 41-19-9 sound? Or maybe a stable with
three 21-Will warriors? Or perhaps a stable with four Initiates and a Rookie who
have a combined record of 23-6-1?
The quality of the lots is excellent. All you need to view and bid on the lots
is go to:
http://members.aol.com/jvmerlino/mardigras.html
If you want to be on the mailing list to receive regular updates on the auction,
just send an e-mail to JVMerlino@aol.com. Merlin, aka John Merlino and also an ex-
Warden of the Dark Circle, will be running this auction for me. I just moved to New
Orleans and am likely currently stumbling around the French Quarter...because it's
Mardi Gras! So I have named my auction in honor of this occasion.
The auction will start on Saturday, March 13th, 2004, and will continue for
several weeks. But you should get your bids in early if you want your best chance at
owning any of these fantastic warriors and stables.
Many thanks to all for your interest and your bids,
Mongo
5 March 2004
Style Masters Symposium
Hosted by Hammer
The years have slipped by and many DM Managers have come and gone since the last
Hammer's Handbook was compiled and printed.
There is now a stirring within me to begin writing and editing yet another
Handbook with a distribution date sometime in 2005.
This Handbook will be made available via Email with a possibility of burning the
info to a CD for distribution.
Special arrangements will be made to provide the information via printed page to
those contributors who are serving sentences behind bars.
The working title of this new Handbook is "Style Masters Symposium Hosted by
Hammer".
Distribution of this Handbook is projected to be MAINLY for those DM Managers
who contribute information/articles to Hammer by June 2004.
Informative and entertaining articles should focus on insights regarding Any or
All 10 Style Masters for both the Basic and ADM arenas as well as Tourney
competition.
Articles focusing on Weapons/Armor are also encouraged for inclusion.
Whether you are a Newbie Manager without a clue or a Jaded Veteran; everyone has
discovered something about this gaming experience that is both Insightful and
Entertaining.
Email Your Articles to HammerDM@fastermail.com or send them via Diplo to either
Flower Hammerz (372) in DM 28 or Casino Hammerz (576) in DM 33.
Length and Content of the Style Masters Symposium Hosted by Hammer will be
Determined by the Quality and Quantity of Contributors Combined with the Literary
Efforts of Hammer who is currently overseas for an indefinite period of time.
Articles Contributed for this Project should be of Sufficient Length and Content
to Warrant being Included to Receive the Finished Document when Hammer has completed
this literary work to His satisfaction.
Managers contributing articles are also requested to include a DM Bio of
Themselves along with any Notable Successes and/or Failures during Their DM Career in
Basic, ADM and/or Tourney Play.
A listing of Active Stables would also be Helpful for Anyone Seeking to Reply to
Contributors via Diplo, Email or Snailmail.
May Your Blades Be Sharp And Your Wits Sharper!
-- Hammer of Flower Hammerz (372) DM 28 and Casino Hammerz (576) DM 33
18 March 2004
St. Valentine's Day Massacre Update
We are pleased to announce that the kLk sponsored St. Valentine's Day Massacre
kill contest in DM 36 is off to a great start. We are also pleased to announce that
in addition to the 10 team rollups we are also able to offer the renaming of a dark
arena warrior as a prize to the manager with the most kills. The contest is only 2
turns old and is still wide open. There are currently 5 managers tied with one kill
each. Anything can still happen so hurry up and get into the arena.
On a personal note, no other alliances have entered the arena in force to
challenge the kLk dominance. We were expecting The Firm to put up a fight for their
supposed home arena. But, they were a no show. Guess they proved what they are
really made of. *evil grin*
Perhaps another alliance would like to step in to give us a challenge. We are
throwing down the gauntlet. Perhaps the Chaos Inc. boys I keep hearing about would
like to step in and challenge the kLk for arena dominance. If you don't show up,
Chaos, don't feel bad. FAR better managers than you have been invited into Jhans but
have chosen to pass on the offer.
So if you consider yourself worthy to compete, like fierce competition, and
enjoy arenas where the personals are as fierce as the fighting, come visit JHANS DM
36. We're already planning our next contest, "Capture the Flag," and have a
storyline being actively worked on in the arena. Whatever you like about DM you can
find it in JHANS.
Bookie
mgr. of Suicidal Dreams
and Director Jhans Board of Tourism
kLk Alliance
27 March 2004
This notice is to inform the DM world that CHAOS INC. has added CHEETO to its
ranks. He joins APEX, FLAGG, MATRIX, ASSAMITE, and RUDE BUDDHA as the 6th member.
May your chaotic wings spread disaster and CHAOS for all your days! Welcome CHEETO!!
27 March 2004
Has anyone seen it in print that the "Goat" is leaving the "Cartel"? There were
some diplos to the effect of a special branch of the Cartel being formed, like secret
societies, governmental agencies and alliances certain agendas are developed. To
obtain the desired effect of any agenda only key personnel can be used. The "Goat"
is "Cartel" so until you see it with me announcing that I am not Cartel, remember,
"The Agenda of the Core is for you to fight for." I hope this stops the confusion.
-- Goat
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
BOOMERANG was butchered by ARENAMASTER HARTH in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
GRAVE DIGGER was butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
WHISKERS was murdered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 2 minute brutal Dark Arena melee.
MR. TWISTER overpowered BELL BOTTOMS in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge duel.
KITTY CHOWDER devastated GLIMMOR in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge Title fight.
TAISHO was demolished by SYLVESTER F. in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge competition.
WILD THING was savagely defeated by I ATE A PUTY TAT in a 2 minute Challenge struggle.
GALE FORCE overcame GERYON in a 1 minute Challenge fight.
UGLY FOG was handily defeated by MIRANDA GRACE in a 3 minute uneven Challenge melee.
EMNITY defeated RAZOR MELODY in a action packed 4 minute Challenge duel.
POISON BEAK was overpowered by RUDE BUDDHA in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
PERFERATOR was handily defeated by C. CANARY in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge bout.
RONALD REAGAN subdued LUGO BELOSKI in a 2 minute bloody master's Challenge match.
CAT KABOB was viciously subdued by INERTIA in a 2 minute brutal Challenge battle.
THE HIPPY devastated WRATHCHILD in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge bout.
TOAD LICKER viciously subdued TALPER in a 2 minute gruesome Challenge fight.
METARU YONA was overpowered by MINOS in a 1 minute uneven Challenge struggle.
DAMION was viciously subdued by ASYLUM in a crowd pleasing 2 minute Challenge bout.
SLAUGHTER PRST was bested by MINAMI KAZE in a 4 minute Challenge fight.
TIEN was overpowered by BAD ACID in a exciting 1 minute one-sided Challenge match.
BIG BEER HUG was outlasted by TRIPPY HIPPY in a unpopular 20 minute Challenge fight.
KAMI was viciously subdued by HURRICANE in a popular 2 minute veteran's contest.
SKA-BOOM was subdued by RUDI JAMOS in a 2 minute bout.
FANCY FEAST was viciously butchered by I SEE SOUNDS in a action packed 1 minute duel.
DRANE luckily beat YOUNG BLOOD in a popular 4 minute match.
COMPACTOR was overpowered by SENSEI JAN in a popular 1 minute gruesome one-sided duel.
SKULL STROKER savagely defeated ACE in a exciting 3 minute gruesome bout.
RED EYE LOVE beat OSKSI NOBLE in a 1 minute duel.
LIQUID GOLIATH handily defeated CAPTURED ORC in a exciting 1 minute uneven bout.
WRECKER was vanquished by SKYDANCER in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
SIMON COWELL defeated NUBUNAGA in a popular 1 minute beginner's duel.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 14 SLASHING ATTACK 41 - 25 - 2 62 |
|TOTAL PARRY 9 WALL OF STEEL 33 - 23 - 0 59 |
|BASHING ATTACK 7 LUNGING ATTACK 82 - 62 - 1 57 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 6 STRIKING ATTACK 39 - 31 - 1 56 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 6 AIMED BLOW 19 - 21 - 1 48 |
|WALL OF STEEL 5 TOTAL PARRY 38 - 51 - 0 43 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 4 PARRY-RIPOSTE 18 - 29 - 0 38 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 4 BASHING ATTACK 23 - 43 - 1 35 |
|AIMED BLOW 1 PARRY-STRIKE 14 - 27 - 2 34 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 1 PARRY-LUNGE 3 - 8 - 0 27 |
Turn 479 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:
AIMED BLOW 1 - 0 TOTAL PARRY 4 - 5 4 LUNGING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK 6 - 0 WALL OF STEEL 2 - 3 3 WALL OF STEEL
STRIKING ATTACK 4 - 2 BASHING ATTACK 1 - 6 2 STRIKING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 8 - 6 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 1 1 SLASHING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 - 2 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 4 1 AIMED BLOW
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
LUNGING ATTACK KITTY CHOWDER 5466 22 11 1 149 CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
STRIKING ATTACK SYLVESTER F. 5620 8 4 1 117 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
WALL OF STEEL GLIMMOR 5503 20 10 0 93 GRIM FANDANGO (454)
AIMED BLOW I SEE SOUNDS 5704 7 1 1 90 COSMIC FREAK OUT (498)
TOTAL PARRY EMNITY 5748 12 3 0 79 RAGE (501)
PARRY-RIPOSTE SENSEI JAN 5619 13 7 0 59 YAKUZA (475)
BASHING ATTACK LUGO BELOSKI 5566 13 11 2 54 SWORD OPERA (323)
SLASHING ATTACK ASYLUM 5786 6 1 1 53 BLACKEST PRIDE (71)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is WILD THING 5649. The most popular warrior this turn
was SKULL STROKER 5590. The ten other most popular fighters were RAZOR MELODY 5577,
MIRANDA GRACE 5552, ASYLUM 5786, HURRICANE 5404, YOUNG BLOOD 5723, SYLVESTER F. 5620,
I ATE A PUTY TAT 1512, RONALD REAGAN 1588, INERTIA 5761, and MINAMI KAZE 5164.
The least popular fighter this week was TRIPPY HIPPY 5829. The other ten least
popular fighters were BIG BEER HUG 5856, WRECKER 5759, DRANE 5833, METARU YONA 5350,
TALPER 5784, WRATHCHILD 5747, POISON BEAK 5827, GLIMMOR 5503, BELL BOTTOMS 5493, and
BOOMERANG 5854.
The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn:
KITTY CHOWDER (21-5466) CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS)
For those of you who keep track of such things, 14 additional warriors graduated
from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament:
ABE SIMPSON (9-4453) SPRINGFIELD
PB-LEAD (23-4385) ROCK-ETTS IV
RATTLESNAKE SHAKE (60-4242) METAL MELTDOWN
CHIP (60-4413) RESCUE RANGERS
SLAKE (82-12993) WORD OF THE DAY
DIS-COMBOBULATE (63-2222) DIS-TEAM
RETARD (68-7501) POLITICALLYINCORRECT
DARKSIDE (22-2714) LOST SOULS 1
ZHARRA TYL MEDAN (40-2586) SUPERIOR FORCES
SMOOGIE (82-2247) STREET PIZZAD III
ARATHEA (13-3318) THE ELITE
PX (82-14364) SUPERIOR FORCES 1203
MIKE, POWERFUL (82-7051) MIKE THE HUNTER
DIS-FUNCTIONAL (63-2223) DIS-TEAM
-- Green Eyes