DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 02/17/2005 Duedate: 03/02/2005
ZORPUNT ARENA
DM-24 TURN-498
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
STONEFISH
AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
(24-4489) [19-9-0,86]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
STONEFISH JAMES T. JERK
AUSSIE KILLERS (455) STAR DRECK (467)
(24-4489) [19-9-0,86] (24-4590) [8-1-0,66]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
PINE LEAF JAMES T. JERK
KRILL CAVALRY (403) STAR DRECK (467)
(24-4580) [12-12-0,52] (24-4590) [8-1-0,66]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
KRILL CAVALRY (403)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (471) 29
2. AUSSIE KILLERS (455) 23 AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
3. STAR DRECK (467) 4 Unchartered Team
4. KRILL CAVALRY (403) 1
STAR DRECK (467)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 1*STAR DRECK (467) 8 1 0 88.9 1/ 1 KRILL CAVALRY (403) 10 5 0
2/ 3 AUSSIE KILLERS (455) 93 77 4 54.7 2/ 2 AUSSIE KILLERS (455) 7 3 1
3/ 4 KRILL CAVALRY (403) 442 450 12 49.6 3/ 3*STAR DRECK (467) 2 0 0
4/ 0*DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (471) 1 2 0 33.3 4/ 0*DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (471) 1 2 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
Hello all. It is I, the Stonefish, who rules this arena. My former colleague, the
Great White Shark, forgot to leave his farewell message last time so he asked me to
deliver it to you....
To all Zorpunt, fare you well. Off to the life giving waters of the Isle. For those
interested, 15-3-17-13-11-14-11. Adv Expert Dec, Expert Atk, Ini. Great Axe, VL/VH,
Dec, no tactics. Krill Cavalry, be careful where you swim--for you never know when
it may be your last.... -- Great White Shark (or Carcharodon carcharias to you
scientific types)
In any case, watch where you step...or you'll find that the next rock you step on
isn't a rock after all....
-- Stonefish
SPY REPORT
Hail and well met warriors of ZORPUNT! Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp
Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari. TIGER SHARK caught the eye of many
in the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested TRINA LARK and was awarded 19
points in recognition. In one of the week's more notable duels, TIGER SHARK put down
TRINA LARK, causing her to lose 18 points of recognition in the process. Not for
nothing has STONEFISH in the past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this
week he's proven his combat skill yet again. Informants "close" to the city champion
have told me that he never fights without pantyhose on beneath his armor. Watch out!
Many and various are the arts of battle. In ZORPUNT "art" is a word that has
long since passed from the language! I saw one fighter that warriors avoided when
this week's challenge seeking began. RESCUE RANGERS is feared. This much I can say.
Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was that spent the better part
of last week avoiding RESCUE RANGERS. Indeed it was STAR DRECK. I can not but
mention with disdain the name of JAMES T. JERK who this week posted a challenge to a
warrior a full 10 points below in the rankings. I thought JAMES T. JERK showed great
skill and promise when he bested PINE LEAF. All right, so I slept through it! Big
deal!
What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his
foe's mortality? Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins. In the arena
there is only the brightness of steel. Keep vigil always!
A thought before I go. Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise
manager learn the secrets of them all? Sadly warriors, now longer can I keep thy
company nor savor the ale of thy fine city. Depart I must and soon! Till next we
meet remember - the pen is mightier than the sword, but a maul is a different
story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
STONEFISH 4489 19 9 0 86 AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
JOE POOLE 4534 15 11 0 70 KRILL CAVALRY (403)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
JAMES T. JERK 4590 8 1 0 66 STAR DRECK (467)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
PINE LEAF 4580 12 12 0 52 KRILL CAVALRY (403)
TIGER SHARK 4575 4 4 0 47 AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BUBBA JONES 4621 4 2 0 27 KRILL CAVALRY (403)
TRINA LARK 4615 5 4 0 26 KRILL CAVALRY (403)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
TAIPAN 4583 1 6 0 18 AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
BILL POOLE 4634 2 0 0 16 KRILL CAVALRY (403)
NEON'S SON LAMONT 4633 1 0 0 15 DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (471)
DOC'S ROLL-UP STACK 4632 0 1 0 7 DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (471)
DOOMCORPS REUNION 4629 0 1 0 7 DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (471)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KING BROWN SNAKE 4635 1 0 0 5 AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
PERSONAL ADS
James T. Jerk -- You tempt me to make comments about the similarities between
warriors and their managers, but I'm sure they aren't justified in this case. -- Pine
Leaf
Taipan -- Keep your teeth to yourself, boy. -- Trina Lark
That's ONE Dangerous Criminal who'll think twice before he knocks somebody on the
head. -- Joe Poole
I just wondered (innocent look) whether the Mordant Deserter had a heart. I was just
checking. And making sure his liver wasn't lily, a strange concept. -- Bubba Jones
I just slapped his hand. -- Bill Poole
P.S. Figured I needed a little experience before I went in for dissection.
Aussie Killers -- Yes, the arena's shrinking, and yes, it's just you. Stop killing
people! -- Krill Cavalry
Aussie Killers -- I don't know if I'll get you even the ghost of a hint of an episode
today, because I'm having a root canal, which I find distracting. -- the Scribe
15 January 2005
BR 4 is upon us! First turn is due on 1/29/05. Many thanks to RSI for helping
supply a great prize for the winner and those who meet the 90% endurance criteria.
Winning prize: 6 months free play, a +1 bonus potion, a limited damage potion,
a favorites knowledge potion, a minor stat-switch prize, and renaming a Dark Arena
creature.
Endurance prizes: a +1 bonus potion to all teams that fight 90% of the possible
fights during the contest.
For details, visit Talcama's newletter or
http://www.geocities.com/assurnasir/br4
To join, simply bring a team to DM 18, announce your entry in the personals, and
follow the very simple rule of not avoiding!
31 January 2005
My fellow duelists I come before you bearing a sad and unfortunate message.
Several months ago our group, the Vendetta Cartel, had lost contact with one of our
friends. Since he was in contact or correspondence on an almost daily basis there
was concern amongst us. With some research two of our members discovered why contact
was lost with him.
On November 10, 2004, Richard Hammes was taken from us in a senseless act of
violence during a robbery attempt at a friend's store where he sometimes worked. He
was watching the store so his friend could go home to tend to his son who had taken
ill. You may have known Rich as Abarsis, The Slaughter Priest ; richh10 on the RT;
or gameogre on the Duel2 messageboard. You may not have known that he spent 13 years
serving the United States in the Navy.
Rich dearly loved this game and all it encompassed. He may not have been the
best or most experienced manager but he loved to interact with others and was quick
to offer advice whenever anyone asked for help. He was always kind and gracious and
tried to strengthen our game, often by helping new players feel welcome or give them
a chance to compete. With his prolific posting I know that I am simply speaking the
obvious about what he did for our game. Many, like me, were drawn to him, perhaps
for his kind nature or his sense of humor, and it appears he lived his life as he
played this game. Always willing to help or do right by others.
I realize that he had many friends outside the VC so I will include the link to
the news story in case any of his other friends would like to know more of what
happened. We're all dealt a hand in life but it's not the strength of the hand
you're dealt but rather how you play it that really matters. Rich played his hand to
the very best of his human ability and for this I admire him greatly. I know we all
choose to like or dislike managers but I believe deep down we are all good and
decent, in this game, and will drop party (alliance) lines and will show the proper
respect.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041112/news_7m12clerk.html
Rich was taken from us all to soon and with so much left to offer the community
around him. He spoke of a desire to run a contest on the Duel2 site which I hope to
uphold in his name. Some of the people I have spoken with think it would be a nice
gesture to do one final good act in Rich's name, though it could never match what he
would've done within his community, for his community of San Diego. I hope that with
this contest we might raise a little money to donate to an appropriate charity within
San Diego in his name.
In conclusion I send a message to Rich:
"Rich, though I'm sure you gathered this I never really told you how much I
admired you and what a friend I considered you. I thank you for being my voice of
reason and always reminding me of why we both loved this game so much! You have
taught me one final valuable lesson in learning more of you. There are things far
more valuable in life than material possessions such as character and kindness. That
nothing going on in your life means that you cannot find a way to be kind and giving
to others. We always spoke of meeting someday and until we finally do know that you
will live on in with me and the rest of your brothers and sisters in the Cartel:
Master Darque, Kat, Bum, Sensei Jan, Maximillian, Hammer, Fizban, Firehawk, Phat
Phat. You increased all of our enjoyment of this game, you were a true ambassador of
Duelmasters, and the game will not be quite the same without you. A farewell battle
cry from the ZalCon: 'Confusion to our enemies'. May your soul rest in peace, my
friend."
Should anyone wish to correspond about Rich feel free to contact myself, or
anyone else within the Vendetta Cartel.
Street Legal
Jeff Bura
The Death Squad(63) in Tobir or triumph1971@hotmail.com
31 January 2005
Be it known throughout Alastari that Hammer is no longer a member of the
Vendetta Cartel alliance.
A difference of opinion with another highly respected member of the VC due to my
recent vocal actions in DM 47 can only be resolved by my resignation from the VC as
of January 29, 2005.
I leave of my own accord, in good standing with all members and with no hard
feelings towards anyone in the Vendetta Cartel.
There was a time when I felt that my membership in the VC made the alliance
stronger. I know that my resignation today makes the Vendetta Cartel a stronger
alliance with my absence. -- Hammer
1 February 2005
St. Valentine's Massacre update
My apologies, the Kill Contest starting on turn 476 in Jhans will run for 10 (ten)
turns ending on turn number 486.
Azrael
5 February 2005
On behalf of the ILLUMINATI Confederation of Alliances (The kLk, CHAOS, Inc. and The
Company of Brothers) I would like to express our sympathies concerning the tragic
loss of Rich Hammes to both the DM community and to the real life world. Surely our
loss has been Heaven's gain. -- Talon Darkhart, deeply sorrowful
kLk God of War, Illuminati Alliance, Puppetmaster
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
JAMES T. JERK viciously subdued PINE LEAF in a 1 minute Challenge fight.
TAIPAN was subdued by BUBBA JONES in a exciting 1 minute Challenge melee.
STONEFISH outlasted VETERAN MERCENARY in a unpopular 8 minute Title duel.
JOE POOLE bested CONVICTED ASSASSIN in a 1 minute fight.
TRINA LARK was overpowered by TIGER SHARK in a 1 minute mismatched match.
BILL POOLE bested DOC'S ROLL-UP STACK in a crowd pleasing 1 minute novice's duel.
NEON'S SON LAMONT beat EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 6 minute brawl.
DOOMCORPS REUNION was overcome by KING BROWN SNAKE in a 1 minute beginner's fight.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 3 SLASHING ATTACK 4 - 1 - 0 80 |
|BASHING ATTACK 2 LUNGING ATTACK 11 - 4 - 0 73 |
|TOTAL PARRY 2 BASHING ATTACK 11 - 6 - 1 65 |
|WALL OF STEEL 2 TOTAL PARRY 15 - 9 - 0 63 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 1 AIMED BLOW 5 - 4 - 0 56 |
|AIMED BLOW 1 WALL OF STEEL 12 - 11 - 0 52 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 5 - 5 - 0 50 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 1 PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 - 0 50 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 STRIKING ATTACK 4 - 6 - 1 40 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 2 - 0 0 |
Turn 498 was great if you Not so great if you used The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles: the fighting styles: top eleven warriors are:
SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 1 2 TOTAL PARRY
BASHING ATTACK 2 - 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 2 WALL OF STEEL
TOTAL PARRY 2 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 2 BASHING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 1 1 LUNGING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL 1 - 1 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 1 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE
1 STRIKING ATTACK
1 SLASHING ATTACK
1 AIMED BLOW
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
TOTAL PARRY STONEFISH 4489 19 9 0 86 AUSSIE KILLERS (455)
WALL OF STEEL JOE POOLE 4534 15 11 0 70 KRILL CAVALRY (403)
LUNGING ATTACK JAMES T. JERK 4590 8 1 0 66 STAR DRECK (467)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is PINE LEAF 4580. The most popular warrior this turn
was JAMES T. JERK 4590. The ten other most popular fighters were BILL POOLE 4634,
TAIPAN 4583, BUBBA JONES 4621, JOE POOLE 4534, TIGER SHARK 4575, DOC'S ROLL-UP STACK
4632, DOOMCORPS REUNION 4629, KING BROWN SNAKE 4635, PINE LEAF 4580, and TRINA LARK
4615.
The least popular fighter this week was STONEFISH 4489. The other ten least popular
fighters were NEON'S SON LAMONT 4633, TRINA LARK 4615, PINE LEAF 4580, KING BROWN
SNAKE 4635, DOOMCORPS REUNION 4629, DOC'S ROLL-UP STACK 4632, TIGER SHARK 4575, JOE
POOLE 4534, BUBBA JONES 4621, and TAIPAN 4583.
Name-Change-O-Rama
The winter tourney brought a lot of people to the Isle who didn't appear there
normally. This included Commission employees. Half a dozen arenamasters regarded
each other warily in the mirror behind the bar at the Pig in a Haystack. The Pig was
obscure and mediocre, drawing few gladiators, which is what they had all been looking
for. They saw gladiators every day. Most arenamaster were convinced that this was
some kind of punishment.
You could always pick out the arenamasters in a crowd. There were superficial
differences: One of these had clearly Adantri features, one wore an eye-patch, two
were female. But there were, in significant ways, alike. The same size, the same
hair-trigger alertness, the same deadliness.
The one-eyed man broke the ice, raising his beer mug in salute. "I'm Zrof One-
Eye from Zukal. Sugar of Arvat--" One of the women bowed slightly. "I know Sugar.
The rest of you...?"
The Adantri matched his salute. "Dernal of Dayla Kiv."
"Daiyla Kiv? Ah...."
"No, without the 'I' in it. These damned bureaucrats can't spell, and they
thought adding an unnecessary vowel was exotic." Disgust dripped from his voice.
"Tell me about it!" another man growled in agreement. "Khagal of Niatoli, and
what they do to the spelling of THAT simple word--!"
"I thought Daiyla, I mean Dayla Kiv had a different name right now,"
Arenamistress Sugar said. "The arena, at least, because of a contest?"
"Chavez Ravine." Dernal's tone was the one that substituted in polite company
for spitting on the floor.
Zrof blinked, taken aback by the bitterness. He wouldn't have minded a contest
in Zukal, and damn what they called the place. "It's only temporary, though."
"Temporary, shmiperary," another man muttered. He seemed well into his drinking,
although, like all arenamasters, he carried his liquor well. "They do it all the time
in Aradi. No reshpect. Go around changing thish, changing that. I wish I could
change shome thingsh." He signalled the bartender for a refill.
The second woman put her hand over his mug. "You've had enough, Harkon. Try the
coffee, instead."
"You should be mad, too, Ripplesh," Harkon said. "They're going to do shtuff
like that in Jahnsh, aren't they?"
Ripples Dorrigan shrugged. All the men paused, some with glasses half raised, to
watch. "It's the way things are," she said. "Not much we can do about it."
"You know," Khagal of Niatoli said, "maybe we could make a few changes. Fix the
spelling of Arena 33, for one, change a few standby titles--"
"The Commission hates changes." Dernal of Dayla Kiv topped up his glass and
drained it gloomily.
"Yes, but if we disguise it," Sugar of Arvat said, excited, "make it... maybe a
general Name-Change-O-Rama! Then we could slip OUR changes through and no one would
notice or mind."
*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*
By popular demand, we are holding a Name-Change-o-Rama during the month of March.
If you wish to change the name of your warriors or teams, please contact RSI Customer
Service. The charge for a name change is $1, unless you're in DOOMCorps, in which
case you take your chances. (Just kidding, guys! *snicker*)