DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 08/20/2014 Duedate: 09/02/2014 SUNSET ARENA DM-21 TURN-750 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS PACE VENTURA PACE INVADERS (635) (21-7747) [13-9-0,122] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader PACE VENTURA CORWIN PACE INVADERS (635) AMBER (646) (21-7747) [13-9-0,122] (21-8086) [3-0-0,24] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite GANNICUS SOCRATES OF SHRED BLOOD AND SAND (600) D.R.I. (536) (21-7897) [12-9-1,74] (21-6451) [24-21-2,111] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM PACE INVADERS (635) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. PACE INVADERS (635) 56 2. DEAD LEGENDS (649) 38 REAL BEER (424) 3. D.R.I. (536) 35 Unchartered Team 4. THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) 32 5. BIG BANG THEORY (645) 28 DEAD LEGENDS (649) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1- 1*CHOIR OF ANGELS (644) 3 0 0 100 1/ 1 PACE INVADERS (635) 9 6 0 2/ 2 REAL BEER (424) 152 73 11 67.6 2/ 5 THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) 8 6 0 3/ 3 THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) 71 39 7 64.5 3/ 9 ALL JACKED UP II (616) 8 7 0 4/ 0*DEAD LEGENDS (649) 3 2 0 60.0 4/12*AMBER (646) 8 7 0 5/ 5 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) 598 457 28 56.7 5/11 THE GRID IRON (642) 7 4 0 6- 6 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) 13 10 1 56.5 6/ 2 GRIM FANDANGO (454) 7 7 0 7- 7 I MAGI (133) 336 290 21 53.7 7/ 3 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) 7 8 2 8/13*AMBER (646) 8 7 0 53.3 8/ 8 D.R.I. (536) 7 8 1 9- 8 STEELERS (283) 59 52 2 53.2 9/ 7 THE BLUES (601) 7 8 1 10/ 9 GRIM FANDANGO (454) 838 767 36 52.2 10/ 6 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) 7 8 0 11/10 THE BLUES (601) 207 193 7 51.8 11-10 MAIDENS OF MALICE (643) 5 5 0 12/11 VANGUARD (19) 110 106 6 50.9 12/15 VANGUARD (19) 5 8 1 13/12 D.R.I. (536) 184 181 10 50.4 13/13 REAL BEER (424) 4 1 0 14/21*CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) 3 3 0 50.0 14/16*DROP OUTS (647) 4 5 0 15/15 ALL JACKED UP II (616) 161 169 10 48.8 15/ 4 BLOOD AND SAND (600) 4 11 1 16/16 PACE INVADERS (635) 52 55 5 48.6 16/ 0*DEAD LEGENDS (649) 3 2 0 17/14 BLOOD AND SAND (600) 210 225 11 48.3 17/20*CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) 3 3 0 18-17 MAIDENS OF MALICE (643) 35 40 2 46.7 18-18*CHOIR OF ANGELS (644) 2 0 0 Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 19/18 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) 322 378 20 46.0 19-14 I MAGI (133) 2 1 0 20/ 4*DROP OUTS (647) 4 5 0 44.4 20-19 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) 2 2 0 21/20 THE GRID IRON (642) 27 34 0 44.3 21/17 KANO CLAN (106) 2 4 0 22/19 KANO CLAN (106) 419 530 24 44.2 22/ 0*BIG BANG THEORY (645) 1 2 0 23/ 0*BIG BANG THEORY (645) 1 2 0 33.3 23-21 STEELERS (283) 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 The road into this city was oddly familiar to me. I sat back on the wooden coach bench and stared out the window. My travelling partners for the last several days seemed to be spice merchants of some sort, carrying on in a language that I neither understood nor was likely to be able to physically emulate. Odd clicks, snorts and whines for a good portion of the long trip left me thinking the baggage rack behind the Coachman might have been a better option. My thoughts drifted back to what had started me on this coach. * * * * Kathana and I had parted ways in Murska, my having received surreptitious invitation to travel to this spot on the map. Mind you, if I had meant "to Farmville" or "to Lapur", I would have said just that. I had been sitting in a klava hole with Kathana in the Market district of Murska when a messenger had approached our table (which almost got him killed), bowed as if he was excited to see me, and suggested he might have a missive for me. I'd only been in Alastari a few weeks, having traveled to--and gotten thrown out of (but that's another story)--Dullens on my way to where I then sat. I remember glancing at the seal on the missive and snickering. "No way," I had said, sitting back and considering the possibility of a forged seal. "Way," the courier suggested, clearing his throat expectantly. I had taken both the missive and the hint, flipping him an imperial and shaking my head to the raised eyebrows, which plaintively asked if there would be an answer and accompanying fee. He caught the imperial easily whereupon I suggested he get lost. The seal indicated Trump Enterprises, Inc., and I had admired it briefly before cracking it open. There were some things The Donald did well. The contents were plain enough, containing a rough, hand-drawn map without legend but with an obligatory red X, as well as the earthen English word "Coachman." So, nothing but a spot on a map. "Are you sure you have this, Kat?" "It doesn't do to ignore an invitation from The Donald." "Begging your pardon, that is not the question I did you the honor to ask," I said, falling into her speech patterns. I was rewarded with a contraction of her brows; I'd only said it to annoy her. "I have this." I'd tasked her with building our House Jhereg there in Murska. She'd been the only one I had known how to find and had been, apparently, lucky enough to catch her in a time of transition. Two words from her had ensured that I never, but never, ask why it was such a time. "I have put out feelers and begun to interview potential candidates. A motley bunch, but I'll find and polish some gems." She looked at me confidently. "All right. Who am I to say 'no'?" I paid the chop for the klava and bread, stood and began eyeing the surrounding Murskan streets. "Where is Market Station nowadays? I need to catch a coach." * * * * I had no idea what the map or its red X indicated, but the Coachman seemed to know it at once, so I gave it to him, took the proffered pull-down step into the carriage and was indoctrinated into the spice trade. Seven days and seventeen imperials later, I sat on the bench looking out the window over the tents that lined the outskirts of wherever we were headed while listening to incomprehensible gibberish. A soft whistle and muttered command brought the coach to a halt within the city. After a polite nod to the merchants--you never know, after all--I made my way down the steps and stretched. The Coachman handed me my bag as I turned around, looking at the buildings and architecture surrounding me with the nagging sensation of missing something. Finally, it clicked. I turned to the Coachman. "This is Sunset, isn't it?" "Sunrise, sunset... all what you make of it, you ask me; which," he added with a slight bow, "I beg leave to remind the good gentleman, you did just that." Sunset. Ellis Boyd Redding, in The Shawshank Redemption, had once said, "Thirty years. Jesus. When you say it like that...." My last trip to Sunset had been as a bald-faced boy of tender disposition about thirty years ago. My first time in Alastari. I'd partnered with four other like-minded gentlemen, using that term loosely, and we'd run what was probably an utterly unsuccessful stable of arena fighters. Here was where I had gotten my start so long ago. This could not be coincidence. Unlike Dullens, Lapur, and Murska thus far, Sunset seemed to be a booming population, if the traffic on this street were any indication. Which was good, because I would be needing some able bodies and that right soon. It wouldn't do to call upon The Donald without the proper entourage. * * * * The recruiting facility was packed, with all manner of humanity lining up for the chance of competing for, well, cash. And I had plenty of that. Who would have suspected that twenty years of compound interest on Alastari Postal Service savings bonds would be so fruitful? I had rented a private screening facility in which now stood twenty-five of Sunset's best, or so I hoped. Scattered pages of several back versions of the Sunset Sentinel lay scattered about from my efforts to get in touch with the latest and greatest within the city. "Name?" I stood in front of the first potential recruit. The pimp, *cough*, recruiter stood nearby, hovering in an obsequious fashion, licking her lips and nodding ingratiatingly. "Supriya." She, like most Alastarans, stood at least half a head above me, putting my eyes right in line with her, well, shirt logo. "You know how to use a sword, Supriya?" "'Use a sword'..." she said looking down at me, both figuratively and literally, with some disdain. "I am trained with all the knowledge and skill necessary to be a TC lunger, with not a single hint of being mode. What do I look like, a burner?" My dagger caught her between the fourth and fifth ribs, twisting to notch on the esophagus. I stepped back in a cold rage and she collapsed, clutching at the sand which would represent her final bed. Looking around the room, I spat, "Anyone else want to talk in some foreign language I don't understand? Just try me, just fracking try me." The group collectively glanced at the still gasping former "TC Lunger" before looking up and agreeing that, no, they didn't have anything to say about 'mode'. I looked back to my clipboard of candidates from the recruiter, who now was looking a little pale. "Next!" Another woman stepped up. "Name?" "Rotator." I glanced up. And up. She towered over me. "Why that name?" "It's because I look good, coming and going. Not only when you first see me coming at you but also when, from a rotated view, you see how good I look walking away from your beaten ass lying in the sand." "So, 'Rotator', eh?" "Yup." "You know that isn't how that is... well, what I mean, the word... ah, never mind. Welcome to the team!" * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * Greetings managers and gladiatores, my name is Scorpio, and I bring forth to you from an evil and undisclosed realm, five gladiators of legend, but beware, for while their names bring forth childhood smiles and memories, their blades and intentions bring forth evil and chaos. Nice to meet you all. *smiles wickedly* -- Scorpio, mgr Dead Legends * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * Deep Thoughts by Jack Handy... Maybe in order to understand mankind we have to look at that word itself. MANKIND. Basically, it's made up of two separate words "man" and "kind." What do these words mean? It's a mystery and that's why so is mankind. * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * Recently shined boots clacked on the flagstones as I made my up to the Trump Suite to watch my new team in action. The best combination, in my opinion: A new shine on old, comfortable boots. A fortnight ago, I had been in Murska working through some team issues--the issue being that I didn't really have one--when I had gotten the gold-embossed invitation with the map and the big, red "X" on a spot that turned out to be Sunset. While I preferred to think of it more as an invitation rather than a summons, the thought of not seeing what The Donald was up to never crossed my mind. And I was pretty sure he would know that. I had just walked over to the arena from the housing I had secured for my new team here in Sunset. We'd had a pep talk in the parlor of the team house before they headed off to the arena, where I had made arrangements with the Gladiatorial Commission for preparation areas. Each of them had a separate preparation room, stocked with the gear and cut sheets on the tactics I expected each of them to use. Each prep suite even had their name posted outside it by the Commission. "Your cloak, sir?" The voice of the Trump Suite hostess, a tall drink of water with, well, points all over her, brought me back to the present. "Actually, I think I'll keep it if it's all the same to you." She smiled as if the idea of my keeping my cloak was something tremendously exciting. "Of course! Mr. Trump has been expecting you. Right this way." I followed her, admiring the view. He'd done the place up in his usual style. There was more money in knick-knacks in the entryway than I made in a year. I expected that a tour was likely in the offing where I would hear all about them in the near future. Where he'd gotten them, how much they were worth, and how much of a steal he had negotiated for them. "Vlad! Come in here and meet the governor." The Donald was immaculate in tux and bow tie. Here we go. I stepped into the viewing room, overlooking the center of the arena. Stock was taken while handshakes and names were exchanged with various Sunset luminaries, most kind enough to welcome me back to Sunset. Drinks and hors d'oeuvres were served by those who knew their business. A few minutes before the fights were slated to begin, the hostess cleared her throat behind me. I turned, understood she had something to convey, and excused myself from the conversation involving a few members of the merchant's guild. "What is it?" "There is a woman here insisting to see you." Well. I followed the hostess back out to the entrance where Baby Bab stood, towering over the muscle Donald kept handy to keep people like Bab out. She was dressed in fighting garb. The nervous look on her face told me she was having the inaugural pre-fight jitters which I didn't really have time for. "What gives, Bab? Everything okay?" "Uhm, fine sir." She looked at the hostess and two bouncers. Taking a mint from the reception podium, I also took a hint and followed Bab back towards the entrance to the suite. "Okay, what gives? Listen, everyone gets nervous going into their first fight. It's something that--" "It's not that, sir. I'm fine with kicking some arena arse. It's the rest of the team." "They're having second thoughts?" "That's one way to put it." "All of them?" "Well, yes." She shifted on her feet and had still avoided meeting my eyes. She also looked like she didn't know quite where to put her hands; however, with the arena garb that wasn't shocking. "What's the problem?" "Permission to speak candidly, sir?" Apparently my episode with Supriya had taken. Good. "Granted." "They don't think you know what you are doing as a manager." I blinked not certain I had heard her correctly. "What?!" "They don't think you know what you are doing as a manager. They think your weapon, armor and tactical selections are all wrong." Apparently my episode with Supriya hadn't taken. Damn. "What the hell do they know about it? I've been in this business since their dads were a gleam in their granddad's eyes. Who the hell do they think they are?" I was bent. I didn't put all the scratch I did into giving these peeps the chance to fight just to have them second guess me. Not in my own house. I leaned forward and said in a menacing whisper, "You go back there and tell them they go out equipped with what I left them and fight as I instructed. Anyone who doesn't will answer to me after the fights. Understood?" "Yes sir," she said, looking down at me from her great height. "Get out of my sight." Seething, I made my way back to the viewing room where most had taken their seats in anticipation of the battles. I noticed the unmistakable back of The Donald's head and worked my way over to his section of couches where he sat, a blonde on each arm and an empty seat beside him. I admired the former and took the latter. "I'm expecting great things of your new team, Vlad," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "Between the two of us, we'll show these dandies what Old School can do, eh?" I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The mutter of discussion in the room halted as the first Dark Arena challenge was announced. "Wait, isn't that one of yours, Donald?" "Fiona? Yes, I tell you Vlad, no future there. I took her aside this morning and said: 'Fiona, you're fired.' Team Amber is all about quality, Vlad." The Donald's team continued to be announced, with Corwin winning and Gerard losing. The fights wore on until, about one and one half hours into the arena matches, my first fighter was announced--as fighting a member of The Donald's team. The announcer called the match: "And now, the debut of Cracked Rear View, managed by Vlad, with the warrior Dennis Sinned!" "Now you will see strategy in action, my friend," I said, elbowing The Donald in the ribs and leaning forward. I didn't notice I had actually elbowed the blonde. "Sorry, to have to pile on to the beating you are already taking here, Trump." The warriors advanced on each other quickly. "Uhm, Vlad? Is your warrior using two hatchets?" The Donald looked down at the novice melee and then awkwardly glanced my way. "That's not quality." What the hell was going on? I felt my face reddening as the conversation in the suite diminished even further as Dennis gamely tried to take down Benedict with two hatchets that he held upside down like drumsticks. A glance around the rest of the stands illustrated the mixed sense of horror and amusement, with fans looking at each other with hands covering their open mouths and eyebrows raised. In hysterics, one spectator involuntarily spat out his beer on another, leading to a more interesting brawl in the stands than on the sands. Dennis finally gave up, threw his hatchets on the sand, and stalked out, giving the jeering crowd the double 'I'm number one' salute. Baby Bab was next and was utterly demolished, though at least she seemed to have the weapon I had selected for her. More of my fights were announced and resulted in disaster. Someone muttered, "I've never seen that style use THAT weapon before." I placed my head in my hands and wondered what the hell happened. The Donald began to edge away from me on the couch. A few minutes later, another merchant said in disbelief, "Well, this next one doesn't even HAVE a weapon. I know aimed blows fight like that, but I've never seen this style try that." I lifted my head and saw Rotator, unofficial team captain, beating the snot out of an arena stooge with her bare hands while glaring at me up in the box. I stood up and stalked out of the Trump Suite, headed for the preparation rooms I had paid for. One hour later I was back up in Trump Suite, pacing back and forth in front of The Donald while holding a glass of something red that was just a bit too warm for my taste. My team had been too furious to even look at me when they returned to the prep areas from the fights, let alone listen to me. "The Commission! I can't believe they did it. Someone could have died out there!" I glared out over at the Commission box across the sands. Trump stared at me in disbelief. "They put the wrong nameplates on your prep rooms? So everyone had the wrong gear and tactics?" "That's right," I seethed as I paced. "They made a mockery of me! Did you see the stands? Did you see my warriors? I'll never be able to recruit in this town again! I'm finished. I--" "Vlad, VLAD. Sit down." Startled, I looked up to see Trump had stood and was grinning at me. I sat down and had some wine. "I've always said, Vlad, part of being a winner is to know when enough is enough. Sometimes you have to give up the fight and walk away, and move on to something that's more productive." "Like?" I said, staring at him. "I like thinking big, Vlad. If you're going to think anything, you might as well think big." The Donald called out over his shoulder to the hostess. "Mawra? Get Feinstein on the phone." Looking back at me, his eyes glowing as only The Donald's can at such a time, he said "Vlad, we're going to sue the Commission." * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 760): FIANNA QUINN of LOW ROAD 3 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 642): PIKESTAVE of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 765): JURY DUTY of MAJOR BUMMER (Coach, mgr.) DM 4 JHELUM (turn 737): COTTONBALL of THE BAD BUNNIES (The Anarchist, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 761): HIGHWAY GAMBLER of IT'S ALL OVER NOW (?, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 756): CRUSADER of MACHINES OF WAR (Hollowshade, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 764): FROGLE ROCK of BATTLE FROGS 12-13 (Grimm, mgr) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 749): NOVA CAT of EMPIRE (?, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 748): SUSHI HANGOVER of FISHY FISHY FISH (The Dark One, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 749): PACE VENTURA of PACE INVADERS (Pacemaker, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 715): ALOYSIUS THE BEAR of MIDNIGHT GREMLINS (Storm Lord, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 704): ASH of SOUL WARRIORS (Stillgard, mgr) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 328): DUCK WITH SWORDS of DUCKS UNLIMITED (Crip, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 697): STUD of DEALER'S CHOICE (Coach, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 648): FROG BELLY LINT of BATTLE FROGS 03-13 (Grimm, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 310): DYSLEXIC EDITOR of USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 303): RED RED WINE of HANGOVERS (Crip, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 594): STREET RACER of PUBLIC NUISANCE (Padre, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 279): LEPER MESSIAH of DEADLY RAGE (Var, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 642): KING OF DARKHOLM of THOSE WHO RULE (Alfredo Frothingslosh, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 760): HOMICIDAL MANIACS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 642): THE RUNAROUND (Howlin' Wolf, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 765): OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.) DM 4 JHELUM (turn 737): THE BAD BUNNIES (The Anarchist, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 761): BIG SHOTS (Howlin' Wolf, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 756): MEDAL OF HONOR 72 (The Anarchist, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 764): SHEWISH PICNIC (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 749): JAY-Z (Howlin' Wolf, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 750): STONE COLD (Coach, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 749): PACE INVADER (Pacemaker, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 715): DEVIATION (Marma Duke, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 704): SOUL WARRIORS (Stillgard, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 328): DUCKS UNLIMITED (Crip, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 697): DEALER'S CHOICE (Coach, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 648): VENTURE BROS. (Buri, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 310): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 303): HANGOVERS (Crip, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 594): STRIKER FORCE (Howlin' Wolf, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 279): BASH BROS CANDY (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 642): TOON INN et al (Alfredo Frothingslosh, mgr.) Recent Graduates ----------------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 760): FIANNA QUINN of LOW ROAD 3 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 764): GRUNT 10 of OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.) DM 4 JHELUM (turn 737): COTTONBALL of THE BAD BUNNIES (The Anarchist, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 749): GENERAL KILLS of THE CEREAL KILLERS (?, mgr.) (turn 748): JOE MAMA of D.R.I. (Var, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 703): DEFIANCE of BASH BROS CHILDREN (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 328): ISRAFEL of DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 648): HARGERD of DARK HORSEMEN (Jorja, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 303): RED RED WINE of HANGOVERS (Crip, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 594): STREET RACER of PUBLIC NUISANCE (Padre, mgr.) (turn 593): LUDWIG MILT of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.) KIM NEUW of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 278): LONDON BEEFEATER of MEAT YOUR MAKER (Crip, mgr.) FILING FEE of BASH BROS LAWYER (Assurnasirbanipal) SPY REPORT Well, what are you looking at, SUNSET? Ain't you never seen Snide Clemens before? Ah, shaddup and listen to my news. Look out below! BLOOD AND SAND is on the way down, falling to 15th from 4th with a 0-5-0! Ha ha ha ha! AMBER turned their 3-2-0 turn into a 4th place rank in the listings this turn. Any better than this, and you get put on hit lists. Now let's all watch ALL JACKED UP II's heads swell from their 4-1-0 this turn. Haa ha ha ha! Big shots, big talk, big deal. Tsk, tsk, REMIME BURR MI beat RED ROOSTER and RED ROOSTER lost 12 points. You're breakin' my heart. Going for broke or broken, our Duelmaster SL'S IRONWOOD challenged this turn. And if variety is the spice of life, SUNSET may be getting bland, as PACE VENTURA stays top dog in the city. Kickbacks and bribes, kickbacks and bribes, how else do you think some of these guys win their fights? Skill? Ha! My mother always told me, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, start talking.' I loved that woman. SUNSET, I am losing what little hope I had in you. D.R.I. the most avoided team? What insult will suffice, I cannot say. And who led the way in this mass act of cowardice? Let's see, well, whatcha know? It was NOMADIC TRIBE. Ha ha ha ha! VATICAN VIKING was challenged more times this turn than the Duelmaster. Now was the DM insulted or feared? Heh, heh. IOVIS was challenged by one of THE GRID IRON's warriors this turn, with WALTER PAYTON having a lead of 16 points going into the fight. Question now is, will SUNSET accept this sort of tacky behavior? WALTER PAYTON beating IOVIS. The insult, the....yech! I suspect either a 21 will or a 21 ego on this one, but BIRTHDAY BOY has challenged up by 27 in an attempt against THE LEVEE. And, oof! BIRTHDAY BOY saw stars around his helmet, after losing the fight, and disappointing the crowds, I might add. I guess I can give a little credit to HIJACK of ALL JACKED UP II for challenging up by 20 to SOCRATES OF SHRED. HIJACK was slain to get 73 points of recognition. And we have BENEDICT in a challenge, going down 8 points for the fight. Guess what? I thought BENEDICT showed great skill and promise when he was defeated by TWILIGHT SCOUT. All right, so I slept through it! Big deal! Ah, now we come to my favorite part, where we see all the guys who are dead and gone, and get to see if their team cared. Bye bye, warrior, bye bye... HIJACK, a glorious 14-15-2 fighter, has passed away. Gee, too bad ALL JACKED UP II. Not that I'll be buying the drinks, but I'll be glad to see PACEBALL 2 and PACE INVADERS at Baba Yaga's Bar and Grill tonight celebrating their bloodfeud victory over GANNICUS. A big yahoo goes out to GENERAL KILLS this turn, for revenging THE CEREAL KILLERS' bloodfeud against VANGUARD's warrior LEADFOOT. Heh, heh, heh. Titanium shields and bamboo daggers, guess what brave team is developing these kinds of weapons? I was about to buy a new quill pen the other day, but some fighter took it for an epee. Forgive me for writing with a dagger. Phlllt! Just had to do that before I leave the fine city of SUNSET. I feel much better now. Glad to see the back of this place-- Snide Clemens DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME PACE VENTURA 7747 13 9 0 122 PACE INVADERS (635) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -STREET LEGAL 5869 11 3 0 139 I MAGI (133) -HOEGARDEN 5554 15 14 0 125 REAL BEER (424) -THAT! 5272 14 5 2 125 REAL BEER (424) WALTER PAYTON 7952 11 3 0 119 THE GRID IRON (642) SOCRATES OF SHRED 6451 24 21 2 111 D.R.I. (536) SMITHWICK 6348 14 6 2 111 REAL BEER (424) SL'S IRONWOOD 7671 29 17 1 109 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) -METARU HEI 7058 26 20 0 106 KANO CLAN (106) -WEBSTER 3197 18 10 0 106 STEELERS (283) PACEBALL 2 7855 10 10 3 96 PACE INVADERS (635) BUILD A BARD 7764 23 15 0 92 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) JUKE 7932 11 5 0 91 THE BLUES (601) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME IOVIS 7799 16 16 1 88 BLOOD AND SAND (600) JACK SABBATH 7891 12 8 1 86 ALL JACKED UP II (616) -HARRIS 3200 16 13 1 82 STEELERS (283) PARK PACE 7919 10 6 0 82 PACE INVADERS (635) IXION 7741 18 18 0 78 BLOOD AND SAND (600) LITTLE BOU 7929 10 7 0 75 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) GANNICUS 7897 12 9 1 74 BLOOD AND SAND (600) BLAKMOON 7790 14 19 0 73 GRIM FANDANGO (454) THE LEVEE 7938 11 5 0 70 THE BLUES (601) AJAX 7996 10 3 0 70 ALL JACKED UP II (616) JOHN WAYNE GACY 7988 6 5 0 70 D.R.I. (536) -TYGRA ZOOT SUIT 7241 8 2 1 68 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME SPARTICUS 436 13 16 3 64 VANGUARD (19) TOTAL 7612 14 10 0 62 THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME LEADFOOT 609 7 7 3 53 VANGUARD (19) O J SIMPSON 7951 6 8 0 53 THE GRID IRON (642) CHEATIES 7908 12 7 2 52 THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) -MEAN JOE GREEN 4740 11 4 1 52 STEELERS (283) -DESIREE 7961 10 5 0 52 MAIDENS OF MALICE (643) -BRUTALFUL 7963 8 7 0 51 MAIDENS OF MALICE (643) REMIME BURR MI 8070 4 1 0 48 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) -TVEDEN 4961 6 4 0 45 I MAGI (133) -ESME 8024 5 5 0 45 MAIDENS OF MALICE (643) PACESON VOORHEES 8045 5 3 1 40 PACE INVADERS (635) BERIOS BURNING 7953 8 8 2 39 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) MEISHI NIBAN 7727 7 8 0 39 KANO CLAN (106) CALIZAR 610 7 6 0 38 VANGUARD (19) FEARIO 8055 5 2 1 38 THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) -CHIMAY 7916 4 1 0 38 REAL BEER (424) BIRTHDAY BOY 8040 5 4 0 37 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME STRANGE BREW 8015 6 6 2 34 THE BLUES (601) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME VATICAN VIKING 7992 6 7 0 32 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) ATTILA THE BUM 7987 5 8 1 32 D.R.I. (536) RED ROOSTER 7968 7 8 0 29 THE BLUES (601) HALBARAD 8012 6 6 1 29 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) THEOKOLES 8001 7 6 0 27 BLOOD AND SAND (600) SWEET AGONY 8071 3 0 0 27 GRIM FANDANGO (454) MONTREUX 8026 3 7 0 26 GRIM FANDANGO (454) -CONQUEST 8008 2 0 0 25 CHOIR OF ANGELS (644) JOE NAMATH 8031 5 4 0 24 THE GRID IRON (642) CORWIN 8086 3 0 0 24 AMBER (646) JACK HANDY 8087 2 1 0 24 ALL JACKED UP II (616) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME TWILIGHT SCOUT 8059 3 3 0 23 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) -OBAMATON 8017 2 1 0 21 I MAGI (133) -TERRY BRADSHAW 8022 2 1 0 21 THE GRID IRON (642) -DOMINION 8007 1 0 0 19 CHOIR OF ANGELS (644) -10 ATTACK 7906 0 19 0 19 D.R.I. (536) RANDOM 8092 2 0 0 18 AMBER (646) MASTODONNA 8048 3 4 0 17 GRIM FANDANGO (454) -MUMRA SUSPENDERS 7358 2 0 0 16 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) GERARD 8082 1 2 0 15 AMBER (646) LANCE ERICKSON 8097 2 0 0 14 DROP OUTS (647) -KHALEESI 8078 2 0 0 13 MAIDENS OF MALICE (643) BABY BAB 8106 1 1 0 13 CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) DUKE NUKE'M 8107 1 0 0 13 DEAD LEGENDS (649) PRINCESS PEACH 8110 1 0 0 13 DEAD LEGENDS (649) NOW, I WON 8102 1 0 0 12 CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) AZU LAYDYING 8099 1 1 0 11 GRIM FANDANGO (454) LEONARD 8061 1 0 0 11 BIG BANG THEORY (645) -PANTHRO TANKTOP 7242 1 1 0 10 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) -MILLER 7874 1 0 0 10 STEELERS (283) KING KOOPA 8109 1 0 0 10 DEAD LEGENDS (649) -FANECA 7810 2 3 0 9 STEELERS (283) MUTABA TOI 7860 2 3 0 9 KANO CLAN (106) PACE FRECHLEY 8116 1 0 0 9 PACE INVADERS (635) -DAVE MIELKE 8095 1 0 0 9 DROP OUTS (647) -WILYKIT SCARF 7386 2 2 0 8 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) BENEDICT 8085 2 1 0 7 AMBER (646) JACKXEL ROSE 8091 1 1 0 7 ALL JACKED UP II (616) PENNY 8064 0 1 0 7 BIG BANG THEORY (645) POOH SCHAUER 8096 0 2 0 6 DROP OUTS (647) UNKNOWN 8080 1 1 0 4 VANGUARD (19) -CHEETARA BIKINI 7375 0 2 0 2 THUNDERCAT CLOSET (606) HUMDRUM BUM 8081 0 2 0 2 VANGUARD (19) ROTATOR 8103 0 1 0 1 CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) LUIGI 8108 0 1 0 1 DEAD LEGENDS (649) DENNIS SINNED 8104 0 1 0 1 CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) DOGMA: I AM GOD 8105 0 1 0 1 CRACKED REAR VIEW (648) BLEYS 8114 0 1 0 1 AMBER (646) MARIO 8111 0 1 0 1 DEAD LEGENDS (649) ASHUR 8117 0 1 0 1 BLOOD AND SAND (600) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? COUNT JACKULA 8030 5 4 0 ALL JACKED UP II 616 BERIOS BURNING 7953 748 REVENGED HIJACK 7806 14 16 2 ALL JACKED UP II 616 SOCRATES OF SHRE 6451 750 SHIRLEY U. JOUST 8058 2 4 0 BEN'S BAZAAR 577 STRANGE BREW 8015 750 RAJ 8060 0 1 0 BIG BANG THEORY 645 BANDIT PRINCE 750 NONE THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? DURO 8002 4 6 1 BLOOD AND SAND 600 SLAP-CACKLE-DROP 8054 747 NONE NOPE 8113 0 1 0 D.R.I. 536 QUICKSILVER 750 NONE DA1 8098 1 1 0 DROP OUTS 647 ARENAMASTER HART 750 NONE DA2 8112 0 1 0 DROP OUTS 647 SHEWISH GIANT 750 NONE HOAGIE SHACK 8039 1 2 0 I MAGI 133 HALBARAD 8012 748 UNODOS PACE 7958 10 4 0 PACE INVADERS 635 GANNICUS 7897 749 JUST REVENGED LABATT BLUE 8079 0 1 0 REAL BEER 424 ARENAMASTER HART 750 NONE DUD 8115 0 1 0 THE BLUES 601 ARENAMASTER HART 750 NONE SLAP-CACKLE-DROP 8054 3 3 1 THE CEREAL KILLE 627 LEADFOOT 609 749 JUST REVENGED PERSONAL ADS Grim Fandango -- Thank you for the warm welcome! It's good to be back on the sands after a short absence. -- Donald Trump, Trump Gladiatorial Enterprises DBA Amber Dennis Sinned -- Let that be a lesson to you! Walk the straight and narrow, and things will go better for you. -- Benedict Mutaba Toi -- Nice learns. You're welcome. -- Corwin Feario -- Back to the drawing board ... -- Gerard Jackxel Rose -- Cup check! (Fail) You do get credit for Best Imagination: Name. See you next time. -- Random Pace Ventura -- The Sunset detective! Congrats on the throne. -- Gentleben and Ben's Bazaar Walter Payton -- Thought I would have been able to tackle better than that.... oh well. Nice fight...for you. -- Build a Bard, building a better defensive line...one day... Calizar -- Bless you my child, OFF WITH YOUR HEAD! -- Vatican Viking Attila the Bum -- If you would get up and exercise a little bit you might feel better. -- Birthday Boy Mastodonna -- You will. -- Remime Burr Mi Pooh Schauer -- EEEEEWWWWWWW EEEEEWWWWWW EEEEEWWWWW! -- Shirley U. Joust 20 August 14 SLAUGHTER CHALLENGE 2 Several years ago I ran a contest known as the "Slaughter Challenge" which was the idea of a member of my alliance at the time. We unfortunately lost him during a robbery attempt at the store he worked at. This November will mark the 10th anniversary of his passing so I have decided to run the Slaughter Challenge again in remembrance of him. The contest will be held in Morya, arena 28, beginning on the turn that is due on November 6th, 2014 (turn 378 I believe). Tourney participation is not allowed during the contest but the contest will start after the fall Mailer so you can get your warriors a few fight experience should you choose to. The timing of the contest was done to allow entry into the fall mailer. The rules are fairly simple and inspired to let us all feel what it is like to run warriors like Jorja does. Her teams across Alastari may sometimes be taken for granted so this contest will allow us to appreciate her teams a little better as they populate the arenas we fight in. The Rules-- There are no challenges, avoids, bloodfeuds, or tourneys allowed and only one single use of the Dark Arena is allowed after the contest begins. Win or lose the Dark Arena is allowed but once, so if you want your warrior dead be sure and throw the fight! The contest will last for 12 turns. May I point out that if you use your Dark Arena fight you will get either 2 points, for winning, or -2, for losing, and ALL fights count in the scoring. It matters not if you fight a non-contest warrior or a stand- in; they still count as much as fighting a contest warrior. This will be a test of basic strategy with a touch of luck added in as well. If anyone should break the no tourney rule they will lose 5 points for each warrior entered and those warriors, and any subsequent warriors who replace them in death, cannot score points! The one exception are the dead tourneys. Should you wish you may enter your warriors in dead tourneys, since they are not a member of your team, or even the living, at the time. The warrior may even return to the contest if a natural opening can be found for it, or you choose to use your Dark Arena fight to make that opening (if you still have that option left). Break the no DA, challenge, or avoid rules and you will be DQed as soon as the transgression is discovered. To keep the contest playing field as level as possible, we will have no messing with these rules. Of course you may DA the one time, just as a clarification, but the second time gets you DQed. This also counts if it is found you bring a second team in for the purpose of making challenges; you will be DQed. Scoring is as follows: 1 point for winning 1 point for killing (giving 2 in total, 1 for the win and 1 for the kill) 1 point for at least one of your warriors writing a personal (regardless of number of personals beyond one you still only get one point). Make sure it is written from one of your team's warriors and not simply the manager entity or you will not get the point. -1 point for losing -1 point for being killed (giving -2 in total, -1 for losing and -1 for being killed) -5 points and the loss of that warrior's slot for scoring the remainder of the contest for entering a warrior into a REGULAR tourney (again DEAD tourney is open) The Prizes: 1st place -- +1 bonus to one warrior on the team, 1 resurrection potion, and 1 favorite knowledge 2nd place -- +1 bonus for one warrior, 1 favorites knowledge 3rd place -- +1 bonus for one warrior Iron Manager Award -- Run 54 of the possible 60 fights and get a +1 bonus potion The bonus potions and favorites knowledge must be used on warriors with 5 FE or more and MUST be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest. The resurrection potion must be used within 6 months of the end of the contest but may be used on any warrior regardless of FE. ALL prizes must be used on the contest team, they are NOT transferable to another team! If you wish to participate please notify Street Legal via Personal Ad in arena 28, on the Duel2 forums, or in Chatzy! LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS DA1 was butchered by ARENAMASTER HARTH in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena fight. NOPE was slaughtered by QUICKSILVER in a 1 minute Dark Arena battle. DA2 was put to death by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena match. DUD was assassinated by ARENAMASTER HARTH in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel. RAJ was dealt death by BANDIT PRINCE in a 2 minute Dark Arena contest. LABATT BLUE was assassinated by ARENAMASTER HARTH in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight. GENERAL KILLS devastated LEADFOOT in a 1 minute uneven Bloodfeud brawl. PACEBALL 2 overpowered GANNICUS in a 1 minute one-sided Bloodfeud struggle. WALTER PAYTON devastated IOVIS in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge competition. PACE VENTURA viciously subdued SL'S IRONWOOD in a 2 minute Challenge Title melee. HIJACK was viciously butchered by SOCRATES OF SHRED in a 3 minute Challenge fight. JUKE overpowered BLAKMOON in a 1 minute uneven Challenge match. LITTLE BOU was savagely defeated by BUILD A BARD in a 2 minute Challenge fight. O J SIMPSON was bested by TOTAL in a 2 minute Challenge conflict. CHEATIES devastated VATICAN VIKING in a 2 minute one-sided Challenge battle. BIRTHDAY BOY was devastated by THE LEVEE in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge bout. REMIME BURR MI handily defeated RED ROOSTER in a 1 minute uneven Challenge fight. PACESON VOORHEES overpowered ATTILA THE BUM in a 1 minute uneven Challenge struggle. FEARIO handily defeated MONTREUX in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge bout. CORWIN viciously subdued -10 ATTACK in a 2 minute Challenge brawl. BENEDICT was overpowered by TWILIGHT SCOUT in a 9 minute one-sided Challenge bout. GERARD handily defeated POOH SCHAUER in a 2 minute mismatched Challenge competition. BABY BAB defeated UNKNOWN in a popular 1 minute novice's Challenge duel. SMITHWICK handily defeated PARK PACE in a 1 minute uneven duel. JACK SABBATH slimly won victory over IXION in a 2 minute brutal bout. AJAX overpowered AMBITIOUS GUARD in a exciting 1 minute gory uneven fight. JOHN WAYNE GACY vanquished BERIOS BURNING in a exciting 1 minute one-sided fight. SPARTICUS overpowered MEISHI NIBAN in a 2 minute gory uneven duel. STRANGE BREW easily killed SHIRLEY U. JOUST in a 1 minute mismatched bout. HALBARAD won victory over MASTODONNA in a popular 1 minute bout. THEOKOLES was overpowered by CALIZAR in a 1 minute uneven duel. JOE NAMATH savagely defeated MUTABA TOI in a 2 minute brutal match. HUMDRUM BUM was overpowered by RANDOM in a 1 minute one-sided fight. SWEET AGONY overpowered MARIO in a 1 minute uneven bout. JACK HANDY demolished ROTATOR in a 1 minute uneven contest. JACKXEL ROSE defeated LUIGI in a 2 minute brutal novice's struggle. LANCE ERICKSON bested PENNY in a popular 1 minute brutal beginner's bout. AZU LAYDYING demolished BLEYS in a 1 minute one-sided conflict. NOW, I WON vanquished ASHUR in a 1 minute one-sided bout. DENNIS SINNED was viciously subdued by PACE FRECHLEY in a 2 minute amateur's bout. DOGMA: I AM GOD was vanquished by LEONARD in a 1 minute one-sided match. PRINCESS PEACH demolished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute uneven duel. KING KOOPA unbelievably bested PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 4 minute amateur's match. DUKE NUKE'M vanquished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute one-sided conflict. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |STRIKING ATTACK 14 LUNGING ATTACK 67 - 59 - 5 53 | |LUNGING ATTACK 13 TOTAL PARRY 27 - 24 - 0 53 | |AIMED BLOW 13 WALL OF STEEL 18 - 16 - 1 53 | |SLASHING ATTACK 10 STRIKING ATTACK 45 - 44 - 2 51 | |BASHING ATTACK 10 SLASHING ATTACK 43 - 45 - 1 49 | |PARRY-STRIKE 6 PARRY-STRIKE 21 - 23 - 2 48 | |WALL OF STEEL 4 AIMED BLOW 57 - 63 - 2 48 | |PARRY-LUNGE 4 BASHING ATTACK 31 - 37 - 2 46 | |TOTAL PARRY 3 PARRY-LUNGE 11 - 16 - 2 41 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 6 - 11 - 0 35 | Turn 750 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: PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 0 SLASHING ATTACK 4 - 6 3 TOTAL PARRY STRIKING ATTACK 10 - 4 BASHING ATTACK 4 - 6 2 BASHING ATTACK LUNGING ATTACK 8 - 5 TOTAL PARRY 1 - 2 2 PARRY-STRIKE PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 3 AIMED BLOW 4 - 9 1 LUNGING ATTACK WALL OF STEEL 2 - 2 PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 3 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 AIMED BLOW 1 STRIKING ATTACK TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME BASHING ATTACK PACE VENTURA 7747 13 9 0 122 PACE INVADERS (635) AIMED BLOW WALTER PAYTON 7952 11 3 0 119 THE GRID IRON (642) PARRY-STRIKE SOCRATES OF SHRED 6451 24 21 2 111 D.R.I. (536) STRIKING ATTACK SMITHWICK 6348 14 6 2 111 REAL BEER (424) TOTAL PARRY SL'S IRONWOOD 7671 29 17 1 109 NOMADIC TRIBE (160) WALL OF STEEL BUILD A BARD 7764 23 15 0 92 BEN'S BAZAAR (577) SLASHING ATTACK JACK SABBATH 7891 12 8 1 86 ALL JACKED UP II (616) LUNGING ATTACK GANNICUS 7897 12 9 1 74 BLOOD AND SAND (600) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is GANNICUS 7897. The most popular warrior this turn was SOCRATES OF SHRED 6451. The ten other most popular fighters were PACE FRECHLEY 8116, PACE VENTURA 7747, O J SIMPSON 7951, GERARD 8082, JACKXEL ROSE 8091, BUILD A BARD 7764, CORWIN 8086, JACK SABBATH 7891, JOHN WAYNE GACY 7988, and JOE NAMATH 8031. The least popular fighter this week was BENEDICT 8085. The other ten least popular fighters were TWILIGHT SCOUT 8059, KING KOOPA 8109, DOGMA: I AM GOD 8105, DENNIS SINNED 8104, ASHUR 8117, BLEYS 8114, PENNY 8064, ROTATOR 8103, MARIO 8111, and HUMDRUM BUM 8081. The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn: SOCRATES OF SHRED (21-6451) D.R.I. (536) The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn: GENERAL KILLS (21-7613) THE CEREAL KILLERS (627) WINTER FACE-TO-FACE IN SUNNY ARIZONA! Our next winter FTF will be held in Tempe, Arizona, January 16-18, 2015. It will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel in Tempe, Arizona (480-897-7444), the same hotel as last year by popular request. Room rates are $149.00 per night, 1-2 occupancy, which includes full cooked breakfast, complimentary manager's reception, free airport shuttle, free parking and free high speed internet. There's a fitness center, jacuzzi, and pool. The rooms are blocked--code RSI. Please make your reservations now if you plan to go. This is prime season for Phoenix, and this year will be crazy: the Superbowl, Phoenix Open, auto auction, PF Chang's Marathon, and more are all during that time. The hotel will be filling up quickly and I won't be able to add rooms to the block after they are full. So please book your room now -- if you can't make it you can cancel your reservation, but we hope you do! Look for the tournament info sheet and minioverviews some time in December. We hope you're all looking forward to it and that we will see you there!