DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 07/19/2006    Duedate: 08/01/2006

LAPUR ARENA

DM-29    TURN-532

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

LYRA
VENUSIANS (321)
(29-4320) [15-9-0,92]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

LYRA                           POSITION IS EMPTY
VENUSIANS (321)                
(29-4320) [15-9-0,92]          

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

MURRY                          AKUMU
CROC FILES (374)               BLACK SAMURAI (166)
(29-4638) [14-23-0,81]         (29-4674) [4-3-0,22]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

 (153)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. FORCE OF NATURE (312)       25
2. VENUSIANS (321)             16      CROC FILES (374)
3. BLACK SAMURAI (166)         14      Unchartered Team
4. CROC FILES (374)             9
5. ECHL-EAST (313)              0ARMED AND DANGEROUS (368)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1*BOMBER GALS (409)          7   3  3 70.0   1/ 5 VENUSIANS (321)           9  6 1
 2/ 3 CROC FILES (374)         300 274 20 52.3   2/ 2 CROC FILES (374)          9  6 1
 3/ 4 BLACK SAMURAI (166)      294 283 20 51.0   3/ 4 FORCE OF NATURE (312)     7  8 0
 4/ 5 VENUSIANS (321)          129 129  7 50.0   4/ 1 CARDOW HUNTERS (359)      6  6 0
 5- 6 ECHL-EAST (313)           18  19  0 48.6   5/ 7 BLACK SAMURAI (166)       3  4 0
 6/ 7 FORCE OF NATURE (312)    159 188 11 45.8   6- 3*BOMBER GALS (409)         2  3 1
 7/ 8 CARDOW HUNTERS (359)     304 384  7 44.2   7- 8 ECHL-EAST (313)           0  1 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

      + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ A Crocodile in the Shadows #20 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

The story so far:  At a time in the past, intelligent reptilians were brought to Ghea
and manipulated magically to become gladiators.  Though they could pass for human in
heavy cloaks and a bad light, they were and are not human, either in the altered
Ghean form, or in the world of their origin.  Legend among them says that they were
made by magicians in the distant past, to be servants or slaves, but were found to be
unsuitable and abandoned.  Why they were brought to Ghea and Alastari they do not
know, but they believe it was for no purpose they would approve of.
     Through the machinations of one of their main enemies, the dark-elf mage Nishtar
who has seized control of Monuntial, the gladiatorial Crocs Agro and Bindi have been
returned to the world from which they came, where Nishtar is also a powerful ruler.
     With the help of certain humans, some of them also gladiators, they escaped from
Nishtar's immediate clutches and fled across a great plain in search of their people.
They stand now on the brink of the last descent to a swamp-filled valley where they
can hope to find other crocs.  They have seen an army of elves approaching the swamp
on a northern route, probably with no good end in view, and two of the humans have
gone to scout the elvish army.

     Bindi and Agro stood on the brink of the last cliff and looked outward and down.
Below them the land was green and spangled with the reflection of sunlight off water,
unlike the dry hills behind them.
     "That is a land for crocs," Agro muttered.  His hands twitched, fingers curved
into claws.  "If crocs are already there, we'll have to fight them for territory, no
one would give up so much as a body-length of that--"
     Bindi jabbed him with a hard fist.  "We must form alliance with them," she
reminded her companion.
     "That's the warmblood way--"
     "Yes, it is one of their great strengths, and we must have that strength, too,
in order to stand against them.  You know that!  We talked about it before."
     In so far as his reptilian face could have an expression, Agro looked sheepish.
"I forgot."
     Bindi thumped him a second time.  "Well, don't forget again.  This is
important."
     "Yeah, yeah."  He turned to look north.  Their human companions, Ashon Chang and
Rughal, were already out of sight, but the faint haze of dust from the movement of
the elven army was visible.  "I know.  An individual band of crocs isn't going to
defeat an army of elves.  Damned warmbloods...."
     The orc, Vurand, came up beside them.  "Swamps aren't my favorite kind of
place," he said, "but I'd like it better to be down there than skylined here on the
top of the cliff.  The elves to the north might have scouts out, and there could be
other enemies around."
     "For a warmblood, you're not so dumb," Agro said.  He began to search the cliff
on which they stood, looking for a way down.  As cliffs went, this one was low, maybe
ten lengths straight down and then a longer slope to the waterside.  But it was still
a cliff.
     Tyrai, once the arenamistress of Monuntial, came up on their other side.  "There
is a small ravine just to the south of here," she said, "and from the end of it, what
appears to be a ledge that will take us the rest of the way down."
     Agro looked at her, shaking his head over the unlikeliness of this alliance.
     But it was Vurand who put the Croc's most immediate concern into words.  "You
haven't forgotten that the rest of us aren't werecats who can climb anything, have
you?"
     "This will be easy," Tyrai said.  "Well, at least not terribly hard...."
     They followed her along the top of the bluff to the descent she had chosen.  The
ravine was narrow and steep, but at least the rocks they could see were large and
firmly bedded in the slope, and there was none of the dry, thorny brush that had
given the crocs trouble at earlier stages of their climb down from the highlands.
     The going was faster than Bindi had expected.  They half-slid down the grassy
ravine, and the ledge at the end of that was wide enough to walk along almost
normally.  In fact... "This looks like someone cleared it," she said.
     Ahead of her, Tyrai shrugged.  "Maybe someone--some one of your people--did, in
case they had to climb in or out of the swamp."
     "They wouldn't need to!" Bindi said.  "What would bring a croc up to the high,
dry land?"
     "You never know when a pressing need might arise," the arenamistress said.
"Your people have enemies, which may mean scouting parties to be sent out, or raiding
parties.  They may engage in trade--"
     "No.  We never do things like that!"
     "Then it's time and past time that you did!  Learn the lesson my people did--
finally.  Make yourselves a strong, productive people among the other peoples of the
world, if you want them to respect you as equals instead of see you as animals to be
hunted, or at best slaves to be used."  She glanced over her shoulder at the two
crocs.  "It is true that whatever you do, not everyone will change the way they see
you.  But some, the best, will."
     Bindi glanced over her shoulder at Agro behind her.  The bigger croc hissed
annoyance and acknowledgment.  "We see this...now," he said.  "We will do what we
can."  After a moment, watching Tyrai's back descending the ledge ahead of them, he
asked, "Why do you care so?"
     She twitched one shoulder.  "Your people are in the same position mine were, not
so long ago.  We had to make the rest of the world see us as people, as equals, or we
would be nothing but prey.  In most places, this happened long before I was born, but
some isolated communities of shapeshifters are still balanced on that edge.  And if
you are accepted as people, that will help us, just as our acceptance helps you.  So
you see," she finished, "my own interests are involved, too.  This is why I will give
you all the help I can.  And because, as one person to another, I find you...worthy.
Deserving of help."

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of LAPUR!  Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp Eyes, 
Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  Warriors--remember that glory waits always 
around the corner!  Witness how this week VENUSIANS went 3-2-0 to move up 4 in the 
rankings.  DOWN POUR caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial commission as he 
skillfully bested LADYBUG and was awarded 16 points in recognition.  In one of the 
week's more notable duels, SOLAR FLARE put down CEZZARO, causing him to lose 12 
points of recognition in the process.  Not for nothing has ACCO in the past laid 
claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week he's proven his combat skill yet 
again.  Heed this!  A seer has warned that if exactly 6 die in duels this week, the 
whole city shall perish!  Just remember...5 or 7!   
     I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently 
transpired.  Indeed there is much I would report.  My inside sources tell me that the 
team to beat in LAPUR these days is BLACK SAMURAI.  At least, most blades in town are 
looking to avoid them.  Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was 
that spent the better part of last week avoiding BLACK SAMURAI.  Indeed it was CROC 
FILES.  Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those below.  LYRA take 
warning!  You have more than a few enemies in LAPUR.   
     Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser?   Warriors, may this counselor stand 
ready at your right hand forever!  Walk proud, warriors of BLACK SAMURAI!  By 
striking down WEIPA you have avenged the honor of your dead.  Your virtue is known to 
all in LAPUR.  Fate is a fickle mistress.  She showers the miserable with fortune but 
sets enemies against the victorious.  Remember this!   
     If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times 
already in LAPUR.  Nice atmosphere you have here!  More than a sharp eye must I keep, 
indeed a stout pair of legs must I keep as well!  The endless paths of Alastari await 
me!  Till 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                  
 LYRA 4320                    15   9  0    92       VENUSIANS (321)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MACHIGAI 4506                17   5  0    99       BLACK SAMURAI (166)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ORATHAI 4598                  7   1  0    83       ECHL-EAST (313)
 MURRY 4638                   14  23  0    81       CROC FILES (374)
 SUE NAMI 4097                13  19  0    75       FORCE OF NATURE (312)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-FURY 3872                     8   3  0    75       ECHL-EAST (313)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 KOJIRO 4456                  14   9  1    63       BLACK SAMURAI (166)
 CONNIE 4716                   9   4  1    61       CROC FILES (374)
 SNOWSHOE 4712                10   7  0    59       CARDOW HUNTERS (359)
 DOWN POUR 4323                7  12  0    59       FORCE OF NATURE (312)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SOLAR FLARE 4427              9   7  0    48       VENUSIANS (321)
 WHIRLWIND 4325                8  12  0    47       FORCE OF NATURE (312)
-JUNIBAN 4599                 14   4  0    46       BLACK SAMURAI (166)
 TIGER LILY 4732               5   2  0    41       CARDOW HUNTERS (359)
 LADYBUG 4709                 11   6  0    39       CARDOW HUNTERS (359)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ASTRIAL 4328                  7  11  1    33       VENUSIANS (321)
 MENSA 4442                    7   7  1    33       VENUSIANS (321)
 AMIE 4718                     4   5  1    32       CROC FILES (374)
 WEIPA 4726                    4   3  1    29       CROC FILES (374)
 CEZZARO 4719                  4   5  0    28       CARDOW HUNTERS (359)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 AKUMU 4674                    4   3  0    22       BLACK SAMURAI (166)
-BIG BERTHA 4728               2   0  1    21       BOMBER GALS (409)
 CARINA 4749                   2   0  0    20       VENUSIANS (321)
 ZERO VISABILITY 4495          4   5  0    19       FORCE OF NATURE (312)
-GREEN DRAGON 4729             2   0  0    17       BOMBER GALS (409)
-POKI-GAL 4731                 1   1  1    16       BOMBER GALS (409)
 STICKET 4751                  1   1  0     8       FORCE OF NATURE (312)
-ADMIRAL BOWEN 4289            0   3  0     7       ECHL-EAST (313)
-TORPEDO JANE 4727             1   1  1     5       BOMBER GALS (409)
-MS MANNERS 4730               1   1  0     4       BOMBER GALS (409)
-DAIHACHI 4750                 0   1  0     1       BLACK SAMURAI (166)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
HORIKAO 4748           0  1 0 BLACK SAMURAI 166     WEIPA 4726            530 JUST REV
EXPRESS 3553           1  1 0 ECHL-EAST 313         POKI-GAL 4731         529         
ILL OMEN 4494          4  3 1 FORCE OF NATURE 312   ASTRIAL 4328          530 REVENGED

                                     PERSONAL ADS

A strange group of women from parallel Alastaris.  They've come together as strangers
in a strange land, looking to survive and prosper.  And it seems folks like hitting
each other over the head here.  Ah well, when in Rome....

Ursa -- I suggest Green Tea.  Anti-oxidants are healthy. -- Ms. Manners

This one wishes for no more fill-ins.  This one wishes to fight real warriors. --
Green Dragon

Incoming! -- Torpedo Jane

OK.  OK!  Bring on the Bloodfeud!  I'm not asking; I'm telling! -- Poki-gal

Like my drum solo, sailor? -- Big Bertha

Ladybug -- About that rust...see, our stable is not big enough to actually store our
armor inside with us, so it has to sit outside in the elements. -- Whirlwind

Cezzaro -- That wasn't water pouring down...it was my blood that filled the holes. --
Downpour

Poki-Gal -- A good, honorable fight.  Enjoyable. -- Zero

Astrial -- Go on...kill again!  I mean, glad we could settle that with our honor
intact. -- Down Pour

Torpedo Jane -- Just my luck that I would draw the other Bomber Gal that has a kill.
-- Sticket

Ladybug -- Sorry, with a record like mine, I have to influence the commission on who
I match-up against.  (I challenged you, but it did not go through, and then got
matched up with you). -- Sue Nami

Mensa -- Hey, thanks for the great learns.  You are welcome to enter the arena with
me any time. -- Whirlwind

Lapur -- I hope all who went had success at the tourney. -- Storm Front, Mgr. Force
of Nature

Snowshoe -- Ouch!  It sure is dark in here.  Snowshoe, I think you put my flare out.
-- Solar Flare

Whirlwind -- You seemed to have a lot of stamina.  I am sorry you didn't have enough
to finish the fight, I was going to buy you a drink afterward. -- Mensa

Downpour -- Yikes!  That felt more like hail than rain. -- Astrial

Ms Manners -- To say that I was surprised to make it to the sixth minute is an
understatement.  You have some fancy moves, hopefully next time we are matched I can
learn them. -- Carina

Acco -- Congrats on your advancement.  I can see that you deserve it! -- Lyra

Sue Nami -- You just washed me away!  Hey, what else could I say here? -- Ladybug
P.S.  But the "bury in the sand" part was going a bit too far, really.  Getting the
sand out of, you know, places, well, it's a hard job, and not at all pleasant.

Connie -- Wow, the teeth that bite! -- Tiger Lily
P.S.  Come on, 'fess up!  You were just jealous because I have more...chest
development than you do, and the guys like it.  I promise you, it isn't worth it.
Who wants to be a sex object to a bunch of tigers?

Solar Flare -- A good try, but when you hit the snow I keep about me (sort of about
me, it's a kind of pocket-universe thing), well, it reflected right back AT you.
That puts the glare in the other eye, eh? -- Snowshoe
P.S.  Okay, not a "pocket" universe, figure of speech, I slip it down my boottops.

Amie -- Ah, I see the point of Lily's frustration.  Golems just aren't...fun. --
Cezzaro
P.S.  Or tasty.

Down Pour -- Rain like that, I gotta tell you, *I* was miserable, too.  So I figured
to share it. -- Cezzaro

Whirlwind -- Yes.  I'm fond of daisies, myself, they seem so cheerful.  And I figured
you needed some cheering up. -- Ladybug

Ghost of Ursa -- If you would like me to make a special offering meal for you out on
the local Spirit Ridge, I would be glad to do so. -- Tiger Lily

Ed. -- This is true. -- Ladybug

Big Bertha -- I consider that to be a PRIME example of the use of Unnecessary Force.
-- Ghost of an Embezzling Scribe

20 June 2006
Dark Knights of the Desolate Empire
Our newest Dark Knight disrespected?!?!?!  ARE THEY SERIOUS?!?!  If at all possible,
let's get over to 31.  I'm on the way.  Let's get 'em. -- Dark Knight Osiris

26 June 2006
To those interested, G.E.C.K.O., Inc, is looking for able-bodied warriors to embark
on a dangerous mission.  Those interested (or for more details) diplo me at:
Juice, DM 93, mgr. Arena Masters, Inc -- Juice

30 June 2006
All -- I am looking for able bodied warriors, magic-wielding wizards, faith-healing
clerics, and quick-handed thieves to begin a quest requested by the Emperor of the
Southern Kingdom of Crailmia.  All interested parties can diplo me in arena 93 --
Noblish Island, c/o Will-O-Wisps (1422) or write to me at -- Robert Bennett, 317173,
4269 West M-80, Kincheloe, Mi 49784. -- the Lightbearer, mgr. Will-O-Wisps

1 July 2006
BROTHER KNIGHTS OF THE DESOLATE EMPIRE -- Hail brothers where ever you are to be
found!  We are engaging in arena 31.  Let them feel our wrath.  Onward to glory!!! --
Dark knight Blackstorm

1 July 2006
Soultaker -- Read your e-mail! -- Guardian

10 July 2006
The Dark Knights sat at the Dark Table with grim faces.  All present knew that there
could be no quarter.  The Forces of Desolation would be unleashed.  There would be no
turning back, no mercy and no hesitation to do what was necessary.  Teeth gritted and
knuckles whitened with fury as the IMPERIAL PROCLAMATION was signed by each Dark
Knight.
     AS OF JULY 1, 2006 -- WAR IS DECLARED ON THE ALLIANCE KNOWN AS THE VENDETTA
CARTEL.
     The Desolate Empire -- Dark Knights:  Ancient Creep, Blackstorm, Dok Sik, Goat,
Heathen, Hatebred, Kon, Osiris, Toker, Wasby the Great

14 July 2006
In response to the Desolate Empire's declaration of war, the Vendetta Cartel offers
the following response:

The members of the Vendetta Cartel can be found in 1, 8, 9, 10,  11, 14, 22, 25, 28,
31, 39, 45, 47, 50, 52, 54, 59, 60, 100, and 106.  Stop yapping in the all-arena ads,
pick an arena, issue a challenge, actually win something, and then maybe (and we
stress maybe) you may speak.  You may come to our home arenas (8, 31, and 47) and
confront us, but we suggest you learn to win in your own "home" arena (52) first.

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

KOJIRO devastated WEIPA in a 1 minute mismatched Bloodfeud fight.
MURRY lost to LYRA in a exciting 1 minute expert's Challenge Title battle.
DOWN POUR overpowered LADYBUG in a crowd pleasing 1 minute mismatched Challenge duel.
ZERO VISABILITY was overpowered by TIGER LILY in a 1 minute Challenge match.
AMIE viciously subdued ASTRIAL in a 2 minute gory Challenge duel.
ACCO devastated VETERAN MERCENARY in a 1 minute mismatched match.
CONNIE slimly lost to SUE NAMI in a action packed 1 minute fight.
SNOWSHOE was viciously subdued by DEADLY ASSASSIN in a action packed 3 minute duel.
CEZZARO was overpowered by SOLAR FLARE in a 1 minute uneven duel.
WHIRLWIND defeated MENSA in a 5 minute fight.
AKUMU savagely defeated STICKET in a popular 4 minute gory melee.
CARINA demolished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute mismatched match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   4         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -   1 -  0      80  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         STRIKING ATTACK   28 -  13 -  2      68  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         SLASHING ATTACK   11 -   9 -  0      55  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         BASHING ATTACK    11 -  10 -  2      52  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         AIMED BLOW        12 -  11 -  0      52  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         LUNGING ATTACK    20 -  21 -  4      49  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         WALL OF STEEL     13 -  19 -  1      41  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         TOTAL PARRY        7 -  11 -  0      39  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -   2 -  0      33  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 532 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-STRIKE       1 -  0     STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  2         4  LUNGING ATTACK 
SLASHING ATTACK    3 -  0     WALL OF STEEL      1 -  3         2  SLASHING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  1     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  STRIKING ATTACK
AIMED BLOW         1 -  1     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  0         1  TOTAL PARRY    
BASHING ATTACK     1 -  1     TOTAL PARRY        0 -  2         1  PARRY-LUNGE    
                                                                1  BASHING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   LYRA 4320                  15   9  0   92 VENUSIANS (321)
STRIKING ATTACK  CONNIE 4716                 9   4  1   61 CROC FILES (374)
SLASHING ATTACK  SOLAR FLARE 4427            9   7  0   48 VENUSIANS (321)
AIMED BLOW       TIGER LILY 4732             5   2  0   41 CARDOW HUNTERS (359)
WALL OF STEEL    LADYBUG 4709               11   6  0   39 CARDOW HUNTERS (359)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is MURRY 4638.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
AKUMU 4674.  The ten other most popular fighters were AMIE 4718, LYRA 4320, SNOWSHOE 
4712, DOWN POUR 4323, SOLAR FLARE 4427, WHIRLWIND 4325, TIGER LILY 4732, CONNIE 4716, 
SUE NAMI 4097, and KOJIRO 4456.

The least popular fighter this week was MENSA 4442.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were CEZZARO 4719, ZERO VISABILITY 4495, WEIPA 4726, CARINA 4749, STICKET 
4751, ASTRIAL 4328, LADYBUG 4709, MURRY 4638, KOJIRO 4456, and SUE NAMI 4097.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

LEXINGTON (29-4580) DARK GLORY (395)

The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:

ACCO (29-4691) CROC FILES (374)

               NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS)

     For those of you who keep track of such things, 5 additional warriors graduated 
from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament.  

                       SNOTTYMAN (40-3685) of THEY TRAINED ME!
                            HORRID (65-6385) of LEGION IV
                         JUDICIOUSLY (82-27214) of ADVERBS II
                      TERRICONUS (82-27651) of THE GLORIOUS DARK
                      FLABBY-O (82-30720) of STREET PIZZAD XXII

Congrats to the grads. -- Green Eyes