DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 10/16/2009    Duedate: 11/12/2009

MORYA ARENA

DM-28    TURN-312

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SURGICAL
STEEL AND SILK (495)
(28-4437) [16-18-0,114]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SURGICAL                       QUINTUS MAXIMUS
STEEL AND SILK (495)           SONS OF MARS (526)
(28-4437) [16-18-0,114]        (28-4709) [6-1-2,61]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

LORVANDIS                      TEZCATLIPOCA
DODGE BULLETS (126)            THE PENTARCHY (397)
(28-4402) [19-23-0,80]         (28-4641) [8-1-2,65]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

STEEL AND SILK (495)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. STEEL AND SILK (495)        55
2. SONS OF MARS (526)          45      EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
3. EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)       42      Unchartered Team
4. THE PENTARCHY (397)         36
5. D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)         8      SONS OF MARS (526)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1*DREAD EMPIRE (523)         1   0  0  100   1/ 3 STEEL AND SILK (495)     11  4 0
 2/ 2 EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)     56  28  0 66.7   2/ 2 THE PENTARCHY (397)       9  3 2
 3/ 3 THE PENTARCHY (397)      358 212 10 62.8   3/ 1 EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)     9  5 0
 4/ 5*SONS OF MARS (526)        20  15  2 57.1   4/ 7*SONS OF MARS (526)        9  6 1
 5- 4*ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)       14  11  4 56.0   5/ 6 DODGE BULLETS (126)       8  7 0
 6- 6*FORCE OF FIVE (524)       13  12  0 52.0   6/10 D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)      7  8 2
 7/ 7 PHANTACITY (480)         101  99  8 50.5   7/ 5 ZULU NATION (501)         7  8 1
 8- 8*MISFITS (378)              5   5  0 50.0   8/ 8*THE CONDEMNED (520)       5  4 0
 9/ 9 DODGE BULLETS (126)      375 379 12 49.7   9- 4*FORCE OF FIVE (524)       5  5 0
10/10 ZULU NATION (501)         67  70  8 48.9  10/ 9 PHANTACITY (480)          4  4 0
11/11 STEEL AND SILK (495)      99 105  1 48.5  11-11*MISFITS (378)             3  2 0
12/12*THE CONDEMNED (520)       17  22  2 43.6  12-12*ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)       2  3 1
13/13 D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)      38  52  6 42.2  13/13*RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)     2 12 0
14/15*PAX CLAN (522)             6  30  3 16.7  14-14*DREAD EMPIRE (523)        1  0 0
15/14*RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)      3  16  0 15.8  15/15*PAX CLAN (522)            1 10 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

       * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *

                                        Part V

     Something was seriously awry.  Ebonariex paced the length of his cavernous
"lair," muttering and shaking his head.  Numerous arcane lights and flames danced
around the chamber, each illuminating its own unique mystery.  In the light of this
multihued kaleidoscope, his draconic shadow danced fitfully across walls crisscrossed
with maps and mystic scrawling.  Magic and its workings were the target of his
"dragon greed," something he readily accepted and reveled in.  Objects and writings
both marvelous and trivial were arranged in orderly fashion throughout the length of
this cavern, each carefully catalogued and shelved.
     Ebonariex came to a sudden halt, his eyes narrowing and nostrils flaring.  "I've
warned you not to disturb me here," the words were growled so low as to be almost
inaudible.
     Striding in from the cavern's end, a pale warrior armed in classic Norse regalia
saluted smartly before coming to a halt.  "I was told the matter was urgent, and one
does not question Nomandatter."
     Ebonariex turned to face the intruder.  "One does not question ME," his
surprisingly quick stride brought him within a foot of the warrior before he could
respond, "you may be newly awakened, but that is one rule you will learn swiftly."
     The strange warrior stepped back a few paces.  His expression implied that the
point had been made, but he fumbled for a cylindrical case clipped to his waist.
"I... I was told that you must be given this... that it, uh," the Northwight
swallowed loudly and lifted the sealed scroll case toward Ebonariex, "that it must
not be given to ANY other."
     Ebonariex shook his head in annoyance.  "Then I apologize for my abruptness," he
snatched the case, "but you will learn that it is far from wise to interrupt a dragon
in his home," he gestured to the surroundings.  "Your manager I may be, but I am
STILL a dragon."
     The warrior swallowed loudly and stepped back a few more feet.  "Uh, yes, sir, I
mean, uh...."
     Ebonariex jabbed a taloned finger toward the exit.  "Leave, before you make a
greater fool of yourself."
     As the warrior scrambled for the exit, Ebonariex cracked the case's seal.
*Strange, I didn't know Michael had need of another of Hel's souls yet.*  Careful not
to damage the fragile parchment, he removed the scroll with surprisingly deft hands.
*I suppose the Slaughterhouse must have claimed another.*  Unfurling the scroll, he
couldn't help a moment of confusion.  The handwriting was obviously not Michael's
fluid script.  It took only a few seconds for his draconic mind to grasp the
implications, and by then the trap was closing.  *If Michael didn't write this, then
that wasn't his messenger, and since he controls the Niflheim rift, one of Hel's
minions should NOT have borne this message!*
     Ebonariex swiveled to find where the "messenger" had gone, but already matters
were spinning out of control.  His lair seemed to be contracting around him, and he
knew innately that a very powerful form of magical inversion was being enacted.
*Someone's twisting my wards!*  Fast as thought, he began invoking the keys necessary
to shatter his own abjurant fields.  At the same time, his hands flew through an
intricate series of gestures, summoning numerous bits of magical paraphernalia--
rings, rods, spell-matrix gemstones.  The entire cavern began to tremble as small
fragments of stone tumbled free of the vaulted ceiling.
     "MINE!  This sanctuary is MINE, and you will not usurp it!"  Ebonariex's form
began to swell, his near incoherent rage making it difficult to maintain his humanoid
form.  "Show yourself, coward!  Show yourself, and we will see who is master of THIS
lair!"
     As Ebonariex systematically shattered his own rebelling wards, the all-but-
forgotten scroll was undergoing a sinister transformation.  Jagged black script
flowed smoothly from the parchment, squiggling across the floor in a disturbingly
intentional manner.  As Ebonariex's roars reached a crescendo, the now scarlet-tinged
"ink" formed a sinister circle of infernal phrases and precise geometric angles.
With a sulphurous puff, the outer ring of symbols flared into life.
     Ebonariex was channeling every ounce of his draconic being to stem the tide of
his mutinous wards.  They had been designed with the express purpose of preventing
draconic access, and whatever else he had become, he was still a dragon.  If the
wards had inverted simultaneously, he would have been helpless before them, but
thankfully they were flipping in an almost domino-like manner.  The draconic mind is
a marvelous thing, and while he had no time to spare for idle speculation, a nagging
thought still surfaced.  *If whoever did this had the power to turn my wards... why
not all at once?*  Crushing a spell matrix, he tore one of the deadlier wards apart.
*It's almost as if someone WANTS me to breach these wards.*  No sooner had the
thought occurred than he sensed the presence of another.
     Half-mad with power, and now more dragon than not, Ebonariex whirled to face
this new threat.  What greeted him, wearing a mocking smile, did nothing to calm his
near-crazed state.  *Anthraxilariss!*
     Towering nearly twelve feet tall, the fiendish half-dragon's scales glinted a
scarlet-tinged ebony in the flickering arcane light.  "My, my, Ebonariex, that's
quite the light show you're putting on," she parted her lips in a terrible grin and
tapped her chin thoughtfully.  "Pity it's all for naught."
     Ebonariex stood frozen in shock as the last of his cascading wards slammed into
place.  It didn't matter now.  His eyes drifted to the now-blank parchment which he
had so carelessly tossed aside, before slowly returning his focus to the intruder.
He'd been duped, and now a greater portion of his magical power was drained.  It
would be hours before his full strength returned.
     Anthraxilariss stepped daintily across the still-smoking symbols that surrounded
her.  "Don't look so distraught, I've no wish to KILL you, Ebonariex," she swayed
toward one of his display tables, absently caressing a silver atheme before looking
coyly over her shoulder, "or should I call you 'Father'?"
     Ebonariex flinched involuntarily.  "Call me what you will," his voice was hoarse
from shouting and thick with emotion, "but you are NO daughter of mine!"
     Anthraxilariss's smoky laugh rang out in the ensuing silence.  "My brother was a
fool, Father, and you yourself gave us our challenge," she pirouetted before assuming
a deadly serious expression.  "I did what I HAD to, Father."
     The contempt in her voice was unmistakable, but Ebonariex knew the truth.  Her
nature had betrayed her.  Evil was inherent to his draconic bloodlines, and though
he'd had seven children, he'd hoped to guide them down a path that would allow them
to overcome that blood.  With Michael's help HE had done it, and he'd sought the same
for his children.  Three had died early, but the other four--three male and one
female--had shown true promise.  His youngest had become a respected mercenary
commander, and another had opened a chain of profitable taverns.  It was his eldest
and his only girl who'd shown the greatest promise.  Locked in their human forms, as
all his children had been, they'd progressed admirably as apprentices to a very
respectable old mage.  His eldest excelled, and then shocked even Ebonariex when he
earned the mantle of Arcane Devotee to the god of Justice.  Not only had he overcome
his evil blood, he'd become a champion of righteousness!  Anthraxilariss had seemed
ecstatic and pleaded for him to visit her newly constructed tower.  She was becoming
quite the sorceress herself, though she had a reputation of being somewhat ruthless.
Morchandium, his son, accepted his sister's invitation.  To this day, Ebonariex knew
not what had transpired in that tower.  Only the evidence of his son's brutal death,
and the ascendance of Anthraxilariss's fiendish power remained to tell the story.
     With a sudden burst of speed, Ebonariex lunged for his daughter, teeth bared and
talons glinting.  She easily rolled to the side of the attack, and his momentum
carried him into the table she'd stood before.  As the black oak splintered beneath
his weight, he snatched a pure teardrop shaped crystal from a shattered compartment.
*Lich's tear.*  The thought was a chill one.  Only the most powerful spell-matrixes
required this sort of gem, and he had never determined what this particular one
contained.
     Anthrax let loose a blast of brimstone scented fire.  "Father, you have no idea
how long I've wanted to do this," her voice was an unnatural hiss, "you will die a
thousand deaths for the disgrace you brought upon me."
     Ebonariex had already begun the necessary concentration to free the spell-
matrix, but hellfire was something he had no defense for in his weakened state.  *I
can't keep this up for long.  If she realizes just how weakened I am....*  Gritting
his teeth against the pain, he continued to unlock the matrix.  *Just a few more
seconds, oh daughter of mine.*  He ducked behind another table, snatching up a
merfolk war-trident simply because it was near.  *Got to keep her hesitant.*
Anthraxilariss laughed maniacally, fire gouting from her fingertips in an endless
stream, "Father, for all your lofted power, you have nothing to counter simple fire?"
Her laughter had gained a decidedly lunatic tinge, "Let's see how you manage THIS?"
Ebonariex had a fleeting impression of massive wrenching force, and with a final
desperate effort, he crushed the spell-matrix.  The horrendous sounds of splintered
bone and torn flesh followed him into darkness.

             + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Edge of Night #44 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

The Silent Place near Zuwayza:

     They were three Lord Protectors with two gates to guard, the main one into--and
out of--the Silent Place, and the little hole in the barrier that some petty
necromancer had made on the far side.  Three for two, it seemed logical that two of
them should stand at the main entrance to make sure none of the denizens of the place
got out, one at the rear where the passage was smaller, to do the same.  They drew
straws, well, twigs broken off a nearby rowan bush, and Blackwind got the short one.
     He tossed it up and caught it, grinning.  The prospect of having something
positive and comprehensible to do was a pleasure.  "The back way for me, then.  That
works."
     "Make sure you've got a full water bottle and enough food for at least a day,"
Redfox said.  "No telling how long we'll have to do this--"
     "Yes, mother!"  The Malcornishman sighed.  "Don't fuss, Redfox."
     "Someone's got to!"  He shook his head and sighed in turn.  "No, okay.  It's
just the..." he waved a hand vaguely.  "Everything," he said finally.  "Things after
things after things.  It wears hard after a while."
     "That is a warm-blood problem," Agro said.  "My people have more patience."
     "Then I'm glad you're here," Redfox said.  "The longer I live, the less patience
I seem to have."
     Blackwind looked at the two of them and shook his head.  There were things going
on that he couldn't guess at, but apparently there were....  Hell, he didn't know.
So long as they could do the job, he didn't care, either.  "Share the patience
between you, then," he said, "and I'll go watch the back."  He patted the canteen at
his belt, which sloshed, and the comfortably full shoulder bag with its bread and
cheese and dried fruits, checked to make sure sword and dagger were ready to hand,
and left.  To have a simple task and no confusing companions would make a pleasant
change.
     He started walking around the perimeter of the Silent Place, checking the fence
for weak spots as he went.
     "The one you call 'redfox' is... not himself?"
     Blackwind jumped a little.  He'd forgotten the demons were still around, hoped
they were not still around.  He turned toward the deep, gravelly voice but saw
nothing he could identify in the darkness under the trees.  "Arhazul?  Why are you
still here?  We can handle this guard job."
     "No doubt you can, it is for this that the Grey Witch has you trained, is it
not?  But we retain an interest and wish to see the matter settled.  And... it has
been long since I walked in the world of flesh."
     "But--"
     "I will do no harm to your kind.  I do not wish to face the Malcorn with blood
guilt on my spirit.  But tell me of your companion.  His manner disturbs you."
     "Well, yeah.  It doesn't seem like him somehow."
     "You fear he might be possessed or something of that nature?  It is not so.  But
there is a Death Mark on him, and this disturbs his soul."  A pause.  "It is perhaps,
why he was willing to give his life's blood to seal this place, for his death will
satisfy the Mark and it will leave."
     "And he'd be dead."
     "Yes, but this--death--is something that comes for all of you humans in the end,
is it not?  Even the Chosen of the Grey Witch."
     Blackwind shrugged.  He had heard other Lord Protectors speculating on this, but
the fact was that no one really knew.  And 'in the end' could be a long time off.
"How did this 'death mark' come to happen?"
     "An interesting question.  The nighthunter that brought him and you to my plane
placed it there, but that creature could not have created it.  The nighthunter must
have had dealings with someone of power other than myself, a demon possibly, or even
a powerful mortal.  When this matter of the Silent Place has been finished, I shall
enjoy pursuing the question.  It will be an interesting problem."
     "This death mark would mean something more than just an ordinary death, wouldn't
it?" Blackwind guessed.
     "But of course, or what would be the point of it?  Something desires his soul,
that is what a Death Mark does, marks a soul as claimed in advance by one with the
power to take it."  A rattling sound, which the gladiator realized, with a shock, was
Arhazul's way of laughing.  "This happens more often than perhaps you realize.  Many
humans walk under the sky with Death Marks, though seldom for long."
     "Huh."  Blackwind frowned.  "We'll have to do something about that," he
muttered.
     "Now?"
     There was something in the demon's voice, as though he was... no, the gladiator
couldn't put a finger on it.  But it set the hairs up on the back of his neck.  "Not
right this minute," he said, "but next.  After this business about the Silent Place
is done."
     "Ah.  In that case, I suggest you bring your attention back to the matter in
hand, because things await your doing."
     Blackwind looked along the line of iron spears linked by iron chains that formed
the boundary of the Silent Place.  He was in sight of the small gap they'd found in
back.  And in sight, now, of a feeble greenish-yellow light that moved around that
gap.  His lips curled back in a wolf's grin.  The necromancer who had dared to tamper
with this barrier, returned to profit from his work.  All the profit he would get
would be his own death.

      * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *

                        ---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 628): BLHU MURTHER of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 630): KISSA BELLE of SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 624): QRYSYS of DARK CREATION (H.P.L. West, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 626): ON GOLDEN POND of GOLDEN GLADIATORS (Midas, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 620): URSILA VINE of MIDDLE WAY (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 623): ERIC CARTMAN of CUNNING RUNTS (Deep Thought, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 311): SURGICAL of STEEL AND SILK (Michael Eldritch, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 616): FELISSA of STREET WALKERS (Roadkill, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 309): ULTHAR STORMHELM of THE STORM GUARDS (The Icelord)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 612): MARCELLUS of ROMAN HEROES (Caesar, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 610): KOBALT of RAVAGING LORDS (General Ikillu, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 601): BRENDAL of CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 564): PRINCE CONNOR of LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 287): HALF of SRETSAMLEUD II (Phat Phat, mgr.)
 DM  47 SCOMBS SWAMP (turn 281): MEDEE of THE OPERA (Manager, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 268): MRS. VAUGHN of LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 491): AIRSLICER DAN of INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.)
 DM  60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 478): CLOUDGAZER of EX OBLIVIONE (Enigma, mgr)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 458): HEADING SOUTH of AUTUMN SAGA (?, mgr.)
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 455): CHIANA of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 216): DEATH SUCKS of BLACKMAIL (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAYLA KIV (turn 418): DIENEKES of GATES OF FIRE (?, mgr.)
 DM  75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 409): CORINTHIAN of PARANOID ASYLUM (Jekyll, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 401): DANNI ROGERS of GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 517): DEFIANCE of ANGELS OF PAIN (The Dark One, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 628): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 630): SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 624): STARBASE 5 (Zeus, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 626): GOLDEN GLADIATORS (Midas, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 620): MIDDLE WAY (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 623): CUNNING RUNTS (Deep Thought, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 311): EXPENSE ACCOUNT (Finance Manager, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 616): CLAN CROW (?, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 309): WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 612): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 610): RAVAGOMG LORDS (General Ikillu, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 601): SHINING PATH (?, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 564): THE FAMILY (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 287): DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  47 SCOMBS SWAMP (turn 281): THE OPERA (Manager, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 268): LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 491): INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.)
 DM  60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 478): EX OBLIVIONE (Enigma, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 458): MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 455): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 216): BLACKMAIL (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAYLA KIV (turn 418): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 409): GREATS OF TROY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 401): GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 517): DO IT AGAIN et al (The Dark One, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 627): SEA LEGS of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 624): STEWIE GRIFFIN of CUNNING RUNTS (Deep Thought, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 310): CASH MEALS of EXPENSE ACCOUNT (Finance Manager, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 616): FELISSA of STREET WALKERS (Roadkill, mgr.)
              (turn 615): COLOSSUS of X-MEN (?, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 612): MARCELLUS of ROMAN HEROES (Caesar, mgr.)
                          HERON of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 563): ELOWAN of OBSCURE LORE (Tigtoad, mgr.)
 DM  47 SCOMBS SWAMP (turn 281): SPECTRE of GOTHIC MINISTRY (Liam the Goth, mgr.)
                     (turn 280): KODIAK of THE BEAR'S PAW (Kat, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 267): PETRA QUORD of MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
                              EXTRUSION of LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 265): C.H.S. of LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 491): AIRSLICER DAN of INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.)
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 455): CHIANA of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAYLA KIV (turn 417): LIRINI TYL VARIN of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 399): RED COULTER of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     You elder fighters surely remember me.  The younger ones may call me Olaf 
Modeen.  I return to MORYA once again!  Woof!  EXPENSE ACCOUNT were a bunch of dogs 
after STEEL AND SILK got through with 'em!  3rd ain't so sweet as 1st!  Phhbltt!  Too 
much drinking and too little dodging gave FORCE OF FIVE a 0-0-0!  I got a good laugh 
out of it!  Ya gotta be quick on yer feet!  Keep your elbow off the table!  Thrust!  
Block out the pain!  D'HARAN EMPIRE is now ranked 6th with a 3-2-0 turn.  Some people 
say I ramble too much, I don't say anything relevant.  I repeat myself.  I ramble.  
Well SONS OF MARS moved up 3, to 4th.  What's with CRICTOR UNGERER?  He actually beat 
DODGE BULLETS' LORVANDIS, and walked away with 19 more points from the fight.  Laughs 
were big at THE CONDEMNED while they watched DEAEL clobber JAMIE LEE.  It lost 12 
points and got bruised from objects thrown from the stands.  SECI was reminded on the 
sands why SURGICAL is Duelmaster.  Wouldn't it be nice to have live subjects to 
practice on?  I hear some team is looking into the uses of convicted prisoners.   
     If at first you don't succeed, avoid.  That'll get you in the Spyreports.  How 
well I know the feeling of being in the most avoided team!  Don't fall out of 
practive, FORCE OF FIVE!  In my day, no team with a 13-12-0 would scare me off!  
What's the problem, SONS OF MARS?  What do people see in JENNSEN?  Hers 8-10-1?  
D'HARAN EMPIRE ain't talkin', but she's got 35 points.  Maybe STEEL AND SILK's 
VALERIAN is one of those gals who likes pain, or something.  That's what she'll get 
next week, after challenging up 27 to BLOOD HAWK.  VALERIAN won victory over BLOOD 
HAWK (VALERIAN getting 27 points, too!)--Ooh baby!  Now dat I likes!  ZOD didn't 
quite know what to make of a challenge he received from CASCELLA of D'HARAN EMPIRE, 
who is 19 points below him.  CASCELLA perhaps got his just desserts, seeing as he was 
bested by ZOD and ended up with 56 recognition points.   
     There have been some calls to lengthen the time limit.  Do you want the fighters 
to walk away, or not?  ZIGGY (DARKFACE) was plum wore out after SCARLET pounded 'im 
silly in a Bloodfeud.  ZULU NATION'll have to get a little better before going after 
SCARLET again!  CHANDALEN larned his lesson (QUINTUS MAXIMUS taught it well), and we 
right likely won't be seein' 'im fight any SONS OF MARS members with the same gusto.  
How long have I been here?  I got people to see, places to go...   
     Who knows what the future holds for a warrior.  More fights, there's no doubt.  
All work and no play makes Olaf a dull fighter.  Work and play no fighter dull Olaf.  
Olaffighterwork and no play.  Time for my medication, so I'll leave now.  Practice, 
practice, practice!-- Olaf Modeen  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SURGICAL 4437                16  18  0   114       STEEL AND SILK (495)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 EXPERIENTIA 4483             17  10  0    99       STEEL AND SILK (495)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SECI 4464                    18  14  2    89       PHANTACITY (480)
 OTHER 4536                   18   5  0    88       EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
 ZOD 4525                     15   8  1    85       ZULU NATION (501)
 SCARLET 4603                 11   7  0    84       D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)
 CRICTOR UNGERER 4640          8   4  1    82       THE PENTARCHY (397)
 LORVANDIS 4402               19  23  0    80       DODGE BULLETS (126)
-WHITE BECT 4645               5   2  0    75       THE PENTARCHY (397)
 ZOE (DARKFACE) 4538           9  14  1    74       ZULU NATION (501)
 ANFERROUS 4508               16   8  0    68       STEEL AND SILK (495)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TEZCATLIPOCA 4641             8   1  2    65       THE PENTARCHY (397)
 VALERIAN 4732                 5   0  0    62       STEEL AND SILK (495)
 QUINTUS MAXIMUS 4709          6   1  2    61       SONS OF MARS (526)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CASCELLA 4659                 6   6  0    56       D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)
 PATTE DE SAGUAR 4629         10   5  0    52       THE PENTARCHY (397)
 RENTAL CAR 4534               6   7  0    44       EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
 BLOOD HAWK 4621              11   6  0    39       DODGE BULLETS (126)
 PYRITE 4698                   5   2  0    39       STEEL AND SILK (495)
 JENNSEN 4604                  8  10  1    35       D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)
 CHANDALEN 4602                6  12  4    34       D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-POGODI 4731                   3   1  0    32       PHANTACITY (480)
 LAUNDRY 4715                  4   1  0    31       EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
 NENA VIXIN 4670               3   5  1    30       THE CONDEMNED (520)
-VRTOGLAVA 4684                5   2  0    28       PHANTACITY (480)
 DEAEL 4671                    4   4  0    27       THE CONDEMNED (520)
 CINCINNATUS 4706              4   3  0    26       SONS OF MARS (526)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LOURDEPATTE 4690              3   5  0    26       THE PENTARCHY (397)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ZIGGY (DARKFACE) 4716         1   4  1    23       ZULU NATION (501)
 LUCIUS SULLA 4733             2   2  0    21       SONS OF MARS (526)
-FORSETI 3567                  3   2  0    17       ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)
-UNLOVED OCELOT 3354           2   0  0    17       MISFITS (378)
 FLEN ASAIL 4668               4   4  0    16       THE CONDEMNED (520)
 CLOUDRIDER 4734               3   1  0    16       DODGE BULLETS (126)
-THORA THORSSON 3565           2   3  1    16       ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)
 DASK RUIN 4667                3   5  1    15       THE CONDEMNED (520)
-PURPLE GIRAFFE 3357           1   1  0    15       MISFITS (378)
 ZAB 4729                      3   2  0    14       ZULU NATION (501)
-ANGRBODA 4730                 2   0  1    14       ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)
 POSTAGE 4750                  1   0  0    14       EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
-JUGGERNAUT 4694               4   1  0    13       FORCE OF FIVE (524)
-BOOMERANG 4696                4   1  0    13       FORCE OF FIVE (524)
-LIZARD 4693                   2   3  0    13       FORCE OF FIVE (524)
 TRAINING 4749                 1   0  0    13       EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
-THOR THORSSON 3564            3   2  1    12       ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)
-GUNGNARTH 3568                3   2  1    12       ODIN'S CHOSEN (403)
 MADELINE 4710                 2   5  0    12       DODGE BULLETS (126)
 THERIAULT 4751                1   0  0    12       D'HARAN EMPIRE (513)
 STONEWALKER 4735              3   1  0    11       DODGE BULLETS (126)
-IWRON DESTUDE 4713            3   2  0    11       THE CONDEMNED (520)
-SABRETOOTH 4692               2   3  0    11       FORCE OF FIVE (524)
-CALL OF THE SEA 4687          1   0  0    11       DREAD EMPIRE (523)
 MARCUS REGULUS 4756           1   0  0    11       SONS OF MARS (526)
 CHAOS 4739                    1   2  0    11       ZULU NATION (501)
-PINK SQUIRREL 3356            1   1  0    11       MISFITS (378)
 LUCKII DUVAL 4719             2   2  0     8       RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)
-THREE-EYED GOAT 3353          1   1  0     8       MISFITS (378)
 JAMIE LEE 4745                1   1  0     6       RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)
-PORCUPINE 4717                1   3  0     6       FORCE OF FIVE (524)
 BERTHGAR PAX 4726             0   4  0     5       PAX CLAN (522)
 DORTHY PAX 4724               0   4  0     4       PAX CLAN (522)
 GIMLEE VAINE 4720             0   4  0     4       RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)
 THROM BORDEN 4723             0   4  0     4       RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)
 KAZZAR 4748                   0   2  0     2       RAG-TAG MISFITS (527)
 GENEVIVE PAX 4737             0   2  0     2       PAX CLAN (522)
 MANIUS DENTATUS 4755          0   1  0     1       SONS OF MARS (526)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
REIBISCH 4683           3  6 0 D'HARAN EMPIRE 513   ZIGGY (DARKFACE) 4716 311  JUST REVENGED
PARKING FEES 4535       5  6 0 EXPENSE ACCOUNT 506  QUINTUS MAXIMUS 4709  311   
DEBRA PAX 4725          1  2 0 PAX CLAN 522         JENNSEN 4604          311   
JEBI1KENOBI 4711        3  2 0 PHANTACITY 480       TEZCATLIPOCA 4641     311   
PIZDA 4599             10  4 0 PHANTACITY 480       CRICTOR UNGERER 4640  310  REVENGED
DANGEL 4722             0  1 0 RAG-TAG MISFITS 527  ANGRBODA 4730         308  NOT REVENGED
SLY DUVAL 4721          0  2 0 RAG-TAG MISFITS 527  THORA THORSSON 3565   310   
APPIUS CLAUDIUS 4708    2  2 0 SONS OF MARS 526     DASK RUIN 4667        309  JUST REVENGED
GAIUS NERO 4707         2  1 0 SONS OF MARS 526     THOR THORSSON 3564    308  REVENGED
MARCUS CAMILLUS 4705    3  3 0 SONS OF MARS 526     CHANDALEN 4602        311  JUST REVENGED

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Just because world economies are eking back does not mean we can spend more. capiche?
-- Finance Manager

Whoa!  Look at this BIG arena.  Nice! -- Finance Manager

Experimentia -- Sorry about that, but you will get your chance for the top again,
soon, I'd bet. -- Cash Meals

Cascella -- Well, now, that wasn't nice on my challenge!  Perhaps the word "suck"
should be in my vocabulary/ -- Rental Car (somewhat dented)

Convicted Assassin?  Hey, I'll take 'em any way I can get 'em! -- Other

Quintas Maximus and Sons Of Mars -- You don't like parking fees?  Is that why you
offed Parking Fees?  That does not make me happy at all.  He may not have been
brilliant at 11-10-11-17-10-8-17 (+2 Decise), but he was MINE.  Was. -- Finance
Manager

Hey, Arenamaster, I do need something part time to do in my retirement, so I would
gladly oversee the arena cafeteria.  I would.  What's the pay? -- Cash Meals

     Whatever you can make off it.

Hum... again, one from Phantacity down... I guess Tezcatlipoca is going to take his
first beating today!  The dead was unwanted, would Phantacity KD be kinda high? -- Le
Pentarque

Parking fees are annoying, I can understand Quintus Maximus...  Condolences anyway,
Finance Manager!

Finance Manager -- Bring them on by.  I would be willing to discuss alternate
payments... like say... a diplo with some much needed advice on how to set up winning
gladiators.  As I am struggling as a manager. -- Pappy Pax

Dr. Doom -- I have found your gladiators.  They all passed out after singing off key
for hours.  They scared off most of my customers when Juggernaut tried to sing
soprano.  That was bad. -- Pappy Pax

Le Pentarque -- Nasty.  But I felt I had to send a message so you don't feel bad.
When I can't make anything of a roll-up I usually make it a striker or TP, and if you
knew what their names meant, you'd know they were not any prospects:  Jebi had -4 in
dec.  BUT, if you really feel bad and seek redemption, I will forgive you if you join
our faltering no-tourney arena 83. -- Omega
P.S.  Worth a try, don't you think? :) -- D.S.

Genevive -- I'm confused.  Are you a calico or a tabby? -- Luckii

Juggernaut -- Did I do better with the backscratcher than the Pax did? -- Jamie Lee

Sabertooth -- I think I have it figured out this time.  Let's dance again. -- Throm
Borden

Jorja -- I will shortly be taking your advice.  As a beginner, I have many questions.
-- olle Ketor

Marcus Camillus -- Just as I expected.  Is there any Daughters of Mars to avenge you?
-- Chandalen

Rental Car -- Might there be enough in the budget for a course in evasive driving? --
Cascella

Debra Pax -- Sorry.  My frustration had just boiled over.  This won't ban me from
getting free drinks, will it? -- Jennsen
P.S.  I welcome any or all bloodfeuds.

Ziggy -- Caught me off guard.  I expected a peaceful comic strip dwarf. -- Ghost of
Reibisch

Anferrous -- Did a throne possibility interrupt your daily style training?  I gave
you the perfect skills, though. -- Scarlet

Tez -- You were probably the toughest, but I like Patte.  He let me participate. --
Jennsen

Patte de Saguar -- To think that cactus wrens nest in saguaros!  I don't know how
they do it.  I believe I'm going to have to treat them with more respect. -- Blood
Hawk

Zod -- Damn.  I *am* over the hill.  And there's nothing on the other side but more
hills. -- Lorvandis

Ourdepatte -- Ah, right, obviously, you needed that win more than I did.  Yeah,
that's it, an act of generosity.  That's my story, and I'm sticking to it. --
Stonewalker

A Convicted Thief?  Ridiculous. -- Madeline

Porcupine -- Looks to me like you've got a serious problem there, bub. -- Cloudrider

Laundry -- Nah, crawl into the drier, instead.  It's warmer. -- Blood Hawk

D'Harran Empire -- Your diplo received, and you should be getting a response from me
this time. -- Jorja

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SCARLET devastated ZIGGY (DARKFACE) in a 1 minute mismatched Bloodfeud fight.
QUINTUS MAXIMUS vanquished CHANDALEN in a 1 minute uneven Bloodfeud battle.
LUCIUS SULLA demolished DASK RUIN in a 1 minute uneven Bloodfeud fight.
BERTHGAR PAX was bested by JENNSEN in a 4 minute novice vs. veteran Bloodfeud contest.
ZOE (DARKFACE) was demolished by EXPERIENTIA in a 1 minute Challenge competition.
CASCELLA was vanquished by ZOD in a exciting 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
VALERIAN devastated BLOOD HAWK in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge competition.
KAZZAR was overcome by STONEWALKER in a 1 minute beginner's Challenge melee.
ZAB slimly lost to LOURDEPATTE in a 3 minute Challenge duel.
SURGICAL overpowered SECI in a popular 1 minute uneven Title duel.
LORVANDIS was overpowered by CRICTOR UNGERER in a 1 minute gory uneven match.
OTHER luckily beat TEZCATLIPOCA in a exciting 5 minute bloody match.
ANFERROUS overcame RENTAL CAR in a 2 minute contest.
PATTE DE SAGUAR subdued NENA VIXIN in a crowd pleasing 1 minute match.
PYRITE overpowered MADELINE in a 1 minute gory mismatched conflict.
FLEN ASAIL was unbelievably bested by CINCINNATUS in a 3 minute bout.
DEAEL devastated JAMIE LEE in a 1 minute uneven duel.
LUCKII DUVAL was overpowered by LAUNDRY in a crowd pleasing 1 minute mismatched brawl.
GIMLEE VAINE was overpowered by THERIAULT in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
THROM BORDEN was overpowered by TRAINING in a 1 minute gory one-sided bout.
DORTHY PAX was overcome by CLOUDRIDER in a 1 minute amateur's competition.
GENEVIVE PAX was overpowered by MARCUS REGULUS in a 1 minute uneven fight.
CHAOS demolished MANIUS DENTATUS in a 1 minute uneven bout.
POSTAGE vanquished PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a tiring 3 minute mismatched fray.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  9         WALL OF STEEL     37 -  20 -  2      65  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  7         LUNGING ATTACK    51 -  32 -  5      61  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   7         SLASHING ATTACK   42 -  35 -  2      55  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   6         STRIKING ATTACK   43 -  42 -  5      51  |
|AIMED BLOW                       5         TOTAL PARRY       11 -  11 -  1      50  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     4         AIMED BLOW        21 -  23 -  1      48  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         PARRY-STRIKE      15 -  18 -  0      45  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         PARRY-LUNGE       10 -  15 -  0      40  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         PARRY-RIPOSTE      8 -  14 -  1      36  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         BASHING ATTACK    27 -  48 -  3      36  |

Turn 312 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-LUNGE        1 -  0     STRIKING ATTACK    4 -  5         3  SLASHING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY        3 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  4         2  WALL OF STEEL  
WALL OF STEEL      3 -  0     AIMED BLOW         2 -  3         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
SLASHING ATTACK    4 -  3     BASHING ATTACK     1 -  5         2  STRIKING ATTACK
PARRY-STRIKE       2 -  2                                       1  AIMED BLOW     
PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  1                                       1  TOTAL PARRY    

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  EXPERIENTIA 4483           17  10  0   99 STEEL AND SILK (495)
WALL OF STEEL    OTHER 4536                 18   5  0   88 EXPENSE ACCOUNT (506)
AIMED BLOW       ZOD 4525                   15   8  1   85 ZULU NATION (501)
LUNGING ATTACK   CRICTOR UNGERER 4640        8   4  1   82 THE PENTARCHY (397)
TOTAL PARRY      ANFERROUS 4508             16   8  0   68 STEEL AND SILK (495)
BASHING ATTACK   VALERIAN 4732               5   0  0   62 STEEL AND SILK (495)
STRIKING ATTACK  QUINTUS MAXIMUS 4709        6   1  2   61 SONS OF MARS (526)
PARRY-STRIKE     PATTE DE SAGUAR 4629       10   5  0   52 THE PENTARCHY (397)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is LORVANDIS 4402.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was TEZCATLIPOCA 4641.  The ten other most popular fighters were PATTE DE SAGUAR 
4629, FLEN ASAIL 4668, QUINTUS MAXIMUS 4709, JENNSEN 4604, ZOD 4525, SURGICAL 4437, 
CRICTOR UNGERER 4640, LAUNDRY 4715, TRAINING 4749, and SCARLET 4603.

The least popular fighter this week was POSTAGE 4750.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were MANIUS DENTATUS 4755, GENEVIVE PAX 4737, THROM BORDEN 4723, GIMLEE 
VAINE 4720, JAMIE LEE 4745, CINCINNATUS 4706, RENTAL CAR 4534, LORVANDIS 4402, KAZZAR 
4748, and BLOOD HAWK 4621.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

EXPERIENTIA (28-4483) STEEL AND SILK (495)