DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 11/22/2006 Duedate: 12/05/2006 LAPUR ARENA DM-29 TURN-541 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS SUE NAMI FORCE OF NATURE (312) (29-4097) [19-22-0,121] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader SUE NAMI JASON FORCE OF NATURE (312) ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) (29-4097) [19-22-0,121] (29-2985) [3-3-0,25] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite SNOWSHOE S'TOU CARDOW HUNTERS (359) ESCAPADE (417) (29-4712) [15-11-0,62] (29-4801) [2-0-0,22] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM FORCE OF NATURE (312) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. VENUSIANS (321) 44 2. FORCE OF NATURE (312) 43 STREET WALKERS (97) 3. WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) 26 Unchartered Team 4. STREET WALKERS (97) 24 5. ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) 14 WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1 STREET WALKERS (97) 374 246 31 60.3 1/ 2 FORCE OF NATURE (312) 11 4 1 2- 4 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) 31 21 1 59.6 2/ 3 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) 9 6 1 3/ 5 BLACK SAMURAI (166) 307 289 20 51.5 3/ 1 STREET WALKERS (97) 8 7 1 4/ 6 CROC FILES (374) 317 301 20 51.3 4/ 4 MEN (356) 6 9 0 5- 7 KNIGHTMARE (103) 61 58 1 51.3 5/ 6 BLACK SAMURAI (166) 5 2 0 6/ 3*WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) 5 5 0 50.0 6- 5 KNIGHTMARE (103) 5 5 0 7/ 8 VENUSIANS (321) 148 155 9 48.8 7/10*WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) 5 5 0 8/ 9 FORCE OF NATURE (312) 186 206 13 47.4 8/ 9*ESCAPADE (417) 4 6 0 9/10 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) 324 403 8 44.6 9/ 7 CROC FILES (374) 4 10 0 10/11 MEN (356) 120 154 8 43.8 10/ 8 VENUSIANS (321) 4 11 1 11/ 2*ESCAPADE (417) 4 6 0 40.0 11-11 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) 3 2 0 12/ 0*ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) 8 19 0 29.6 12/ 0*ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) 2 2 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+-----]|%{ * (It started over a month ago) As Roadkill started towards the guild house he was so disappointed with the condition of the area he was looking at. What was once a prominent establishment had now reduced itself to a gutter house that most would pass by with out even a second look. He wasn't sure what bothered him more...the fact that his guildhouse was in shambles or the fact that no one seemed to care. "Things are about to change," he announced as he sent the front door into splinters. "Just who the hell are.... Boss, is that really you????" "Damn right Wild Thang, and things have just taken a turn for the worse and you this rag-tag group you decided to represent the Street Walkers. I'm back and I'm not happy with the fact that you have let this place to turn into ruins. The reason for our success here is because managers sent to sent their warriors here to spy on how we were training. Those who came for extra-curricular activities were of no consequence...plain and simple." (today) "All right, now that everyone knows what's expected of them I assume that will be no problems." "But boss, now that Wild Thang has graduated we have no one with any power to lead the team." "Please...Wild Thang would drop like a rock if a fly landed on her, and now I need you, You Mama, to lead a strong front while I'm away." "ME?????? You can't be serious...what to I know about leading a team?" "It won't be for long there is a new arena opening up that forbids having fighters with tourney experience, DYO's, or any modified warriors at all." "So how does that pertain to us?" "It doesn't, this is the chance for some of us old-school managers to get back to what really got us hooked in the first place. After the last tourney I realized that times have changed in the tourney ranking. This team will allow a 3 FE to actually challenge a 3 FE without having to worry about that fighter really having 33 FE because of tourney. It's simply put best as what you see is what you challenge. They even have a new arena in 81 that is open to all players as long as they abide by a few simple rules...no tourney warriors, and run a full team. That's the basics and a rotating commission is set up to enforce the basic rules." "So what if someone breaks the rules and sent someone to a tourney?" "That warrior is sent to the dark arena until dead...period." "I'm going just simple because this may be the one of the final attempts to save some basic arenas." "I love the basic play, personal ads, spotlights, conflict, and fun. I encourage all managers to think about joining if they are willing to except the rules of the arena." "Until, then I'm off to establish a new team in 81 and try to persuade the Visionist, Oremaster, Tex, Vlad, and Slowburn (if I can find them) into returning to make Lapur the envy of arenas the way is way oh so long ago." "Until that happens, may your blades strike true, if you end up fighting me....chances are we'll be in for all sorts of fun." * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * A Relative Returns By: Dominic Spinella AKA Master Beru "Are we ready then?" His eyes searched the faces around him for signs of hesitation and fear. They knew what they faced and had not shrunk back at any point since they had first traveled. His brown eyes took in the faces and wondered which he would not see again. Sherman was the only one who had received Sheila's blessing before they left, so there would be no resurrection for those that fell. There were less than two thousand now. To think that he had entered that first gate with almost a hundred thousand so long ago and now it was only these few. Visions of that first trip through the gate were quickly running through his mind. He quickly forced those images to the deepest recesses of his mind as Rodara turned toward him. Her red hair was like a sunrise just begun with orange and red mixing together to bring a sense of peace and war all at once. Her delicate face held a commanding stare as she worked out the logistics of carrying those he had found to safety, but his mind saw that playful smile which lightened his heart and made the men sigh contentedly. The robes she wore were as threadbare as any other's, even though their army had demanded that she be kept well clothed and fed. She still managed to step around their wishes and suffer the same hardships as those around her, and never once complained. Her head turned as his gaze lingered and rewarded him with the small public smile which hinted at their shared memories. He grinned and gave her a wink, before walking up to the tree stump which had been cut off to provide a rough platform. As he stepped onto the space at the top, the men and women who made up their force let out a cheer which grew and grew. The adoration swept over him as he let them have their moment. Togan had always said that common men needed something miraculous to inspire them, and where the miraculous failed, a king or general had to suffice. He tried to remember how close he was to the anniversary of his advisor's death and could only narrow it to at least five years ago. As he ran into difficulty figure out more, he raised his hands to silence those around him. "BROTHERS AND SISTERS!!" The cheering went up again at the familiar form of address. They remembered his promise at the beginning, as well as Greywand's promise on top of it. They were already his brothers and sisters in many ways, and soon they would be more. "Brothers and Sisters, we have almost come full circle. Over the second ridge behind you lays the gate which will take us back to Alastari!" Another cheer went up as the realization crashed home to the rank and file. Rumors had been rampant for most of the year as they had traveled, but this was his first acknowledgement that they were going home. Many eyes suddenly held tears of joy and many people hugged the ones beside them. Some of the faces wore sadness though, as thoughts of those who were not with the group came to mind. "In minutes, we will form up to step off for the last time.This time though.... This time we have no rear guard. We have the main line, the defenders, and the reserves. All of us fight to return to our families and friends. All of us fight to bring Greywand her prizes! We all fight FOR ALASTARI!!!" Cheers went up as weapons were raised. The group was battle hardened now and knew what they faced so bravado was not present. Every mind knew that they might not see the next day, but if they did, they would see Alastari. If they did not see tomorrow, then they could pave the way for their friends and, in many instances, lovers. "We know our fight will be tough, but I tell you now that we will make it. With our home ahead and certain death behind, we cannot help but to take the gate. And now I can share something else with you. The 'key' that Greywand gave me, it will destroy the gate behind us so that we must merely reach the gate and pass through and our fight is through. Now we do not know what the other side will hold, so we must still be wary, but we know what Alastari offers much more than we know this place, correct?" Another cheer was raised and it was obvious that those listening were almost done. Rosemary, Jason, Picker, Sherman, and on and on and on the names went. "For the Blue Falcon! For Greywand! FOR ALASTARI!!!" The chant was raised and his small army showed all evidence of being ready to march. Looking at his Captains, he nodded at them. Within seconds they sprang into action yelling and occasionally thumping those too slow in their opinions. Tents began collapsing as the campsite disappeared, one dome at a time. Returning to the ground, Master Beru was walking to his wife when he spotted his most trusted Captain approaching. Freddie was amazing in a fight and had a great rapport with all of the soldiers. Perhaps when they got back, they would be able to get him back in the arena. That would bring back fond memories. Stopping in front of Master Beru, the man bowed deeply before taking up his stance. He looked ready to kill in a blink, which was always useful in this horrible place. Master Beru wondered if he would have liked Freddie before being sent here. Although an interesting exercise in logic, it was irrelevant now that he felt Freddie had grown to be a brother to him. "Freddie. You will have the reserve unit. I know you like leading the charge, but this is more important. Motioning with his hand, Master Beru moved away from others and pulled out the small device which he had carefully guarded for almost fifteen years. The slim device was round and flat on two sides, the entire piece being as thick as his hand and just barely larger than the same. Adjusting a small control which he had practiced many times, he actually set up the device the way he had been shown so long ago. They walked and talked at the same time with Master Beru pointing out how the device worked. "This is the key to getting us out of here. When I see a break, I will point you toward it and you WILL make a hole there for us to escape through. Once the hole is made, you will keep their guardians off us as we leave and then you will bring your soldiers through with you. I am attuning this to both of us. If either of us says 'SHESTNI ABRIN TAIREGORE' the gate with destroy itself. I will only say it if everyone is through or if their guardians are charging through the gate. For you.... You will have to decide when you feel it best to use the phrase if the time comes. Be aware, I have only one device, so after the phrase is said, the gate will be gone and even if you found another gate, there would be no way to open it. So, I will not order you." "You have never ordered me. You never questioned my courage before, please do not now. I will volunteer for this task. You and Sheila's prizes will get through. You have my oath on it. And I will make sure that none of the Warlord's guardians enter Alastari, that you have my oath on as well. And if possible, the rest of the army will be given time to fight clear." Master Beru's gaze took in the strong chin and decisive stare fondly. This man was a gem, even if no one else had ever seen it. It was truly a blessing to find someone with such a pure heart and desire to serve. As the general he had to make the hard decisions and this was one he wished he could avoid, but the facts were too evident. Freddie was their best chance of returning to Alastari. They had to win. "Freddie, thank you. The first round of drinks are mine when we return to Lapur." "I'll hear none of it. It isn't decent for a general to have to buy a round of drinks when his Captain is sitting there. Now you better get back there before the entire lot of them decides to leave without you." Master Beru lingered for a moment and saw the same unspoken reassurances. Reaching out his arm, he clasped Freddie's right hand and arm and gave it a squeezing handshake. Turning on his heel, he marched off, shouting orders to get the soldiers formed up. Behind him, Master Beru did not see the sigh or the longing look that Freddie directed at Rosemary. His face twisted for a moment before he brought it under control again. As he strode toward the Reserve unit, he pushed aside the thought of letting his lieutenant know about his change of duty. She would be mad, but at least she would have a chance. He could not bring the woman he loved to a certain death. "Okay, gather around. Across the next rise, approximately three thousand Jusi Mein Taur, warriors of the society of the spear, stand between us and the gate. These are well trained, first line troops of the Warlord with moderate armor, spears for distance, and a sword similar to a broadsword for close combat. They have good morale and at least three officers, so they are not likely to break when we approach." Master Beru looked at his officers as he talked. The light-hearted banter from an hour ago was buried beneath the boulders of responsibility which each carried. He knew their mettle and was reassured to see their attentiveness. With great care, he laid out his plan. A few questions came here and there, but the plan was fairly direct. Dismissing the officers, Master Beru stayed to answer last minute questions. As the questions wrapped up, he caught the tail-end of some heated words between Freddie and Rosemary. He did not hear much, but could read their looks well enough. He had once been concerned about having both male and female soldiers, but given the amount of time they had been gone he had long since gotten over that. Apparently soldiers were not the only ones to have found solace in each other's arms. For a moment he considered countermanding his earlier order, but he knew that their best chance lay with Freddie holding the gate while the rest fled into it. He would have stayed himself, but his orders had been clear. Greywand herself had made it very clear that his role was to be a leader and advisor, not a primary combatant. No more danger than necessary was to be risked by him, that's what his men were for. With an effort he turned away and walked to his Cat-aar. The animal looked too much like a horse at times, but the blue, red, and yellow which were their natural colors always helped bring him to the true facts. It had only taken a few weeks for their horses to die upon entering this strange domain and learning to use the Cat-aar had taken quite a while, but they were better for it. As he patted her long neck, Isben looked back at Master Beru expectantly, smiling through the razor sharp teeth which enabled her to eat meat and serve as an excellent means of attack as well. Grabbing the extra length of strap, he climbed up into the saddle, taking the reins in his hands. Pulling back on the reins, Isben rose up on her hind legs allowing Master Beru a look around. The soldiers were lining up in five blocks as he had ordered with the two most important between the two in front and one in back. "We eat now?" Turning his head slightly, Master Beru took one hand off the reins to scratch behind Isben's ear. Her face held an eagerness that would have seemed right on a child, but the topic made innocence impossible. She was always hungry as near as he could tell, but she kept her appetites hidden well. Unfortunately when she sensed that she was about to eat she did not hide her appetites at all. "Yes Isben. We eat soon. Will your sisters join us again?" "We make a feast?" "I think we shall. Will they help prepare?" I will invite them! Silver shells, too?!" "Silver shells are not to be prepared!! I fear some may make the feast, but your sisters may not prepare them." Her face looked slightly hurt, but more frustrated. She always asked the same question about being able to eat Master Beru's dead soldiers and was always mad that he burned their bodies. But he had only made the mistake once of consenting to allowing silver shells as part of their feast. The surviving soldiers had almost revolted right then, not to mention the nightmares which still haunted him after twelve years. Cat-aars were messy eaters and tore their food apart to get to the 'most sweet spots'. The incident had taken weeks to smooth with the soldiers, not to mention his own conscience. The feel of his hands made his stomach roll as the memory of 'catching' a half-eaten head came back to his mind. Isben had been shaking the young officer's body when it suddenly snapped off and flew straight as a shot at him. His first instinct was to catch it and he would never forget the poor woman's eyes, dead already, but still accusingly staring at him as Isben asked for the 'top' back. Her eyes held a gleam now, as she enthusiastically asked, "You mean we can have silver shells?" "Isben, when the gate is gone, you may eat silver shells who are prepared. But you must finish dark shells and softies before silver shells. Understood?" Her nod was a small recompense for the agreement, but it might help them escape. No one would remain to burn the corpses anyway, so he might as well get a concession for the Cat-aars. That's what he told himself, he did not belief it though. "Sir, we are ready!" Looking at his soldiers, he wondered again whether this had been worth the cost. So many lost and so much of his life gone. Greywand must surely have a reason for this. Surely.... DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. Whoa...! I swear Storm Front did not bribe the commission. I have no idea how I was challenged by two warriors and then faced neither. Maybe Venus bribed the commission so Solar could fight me...lot of good that did her. Well, on to the normal stuff. Storm Front told me I have to do with the piece of paper. Two warriors can challenge me this turn. Both warriors have defeated me in the past. Machigai was said to have luckily won. Connie I am 1-2 against. Here is my problem as I see it. My strat would be different if challenged by either of them...so how do I prepare? I think this time I am losing my throne for sure... unless Venus steps up again. Sue Nami, Duel Master of Lapur SPY REPORT It's me, The Unknown Spymaster here with my bag to give you the news on last week's fights. Say good-bye to STREET WALKERS, as they are pushed from the coveted top team spot by the FORCE OF NATURE stable. Coming up with a solid 2-3-0 outing, WILL DUEL 4 MEAD has advanced 3 places in the rankings. FORCE OF NATURE is no joke as it posted a 4-1-1 week advancing from 2nd place to 1st place. Hey everybody, watch out for REWRITE, who flew up 16 points in the rankings after mashing ROZ like a melon. Keep your eye on this guy. And falling like a basher in the top ten was AMIE, who dropped 9 points after a disappointing (to say the least) bout with BRICKHOUSE. The most challenged warrior this week was SUE NAMI. If this keeps up, our Duelmaster's going to need more avoids! Drawing on all of hers experience as a 13-8-1 warrior, CONNIE went for the Duelmastership against SUE NAMI this week. Going for the gusto and coming up with aught but bloody knuckles was CROC FILES' CONNIE, who was turned away from the Duelmastership by SUE NAMI. Can you believe they are paying me 10 gold to deliver this stuff? But enough of that bunch, let's get on to the wimps who like to avoid battle! Here's a song for you: Who's afraid of the big, bad WILL DUEL 4 MEAD? Big bad WILL DUEL 4 MEAD. Big bad WILL DUEL 4 MEAD. LAPUR's afraid of the big bad WILL DUEL 4 MEAD. Tra la la la la! For those of you who like math, try this one: WILL DUEL 4 MEAD + Weapons That go Boom = STREET WALKERS + Avoid City. Well, it looks like MURRY wasn't happy with last turn's rank, so he went for broke by challenging up 27 points. No guts, no glory. I don't know about you, but when I saw MURRY step out on the sands with CEZZARO, I though it was over before it started. Good upset MURRY! Death is kind of like a new puppy: he's always around wanting to play. (Ha Zontani, how's that for a wise saying?). The audience likes blood and there was plenty of it covering LUCY as she was driven to an early grave by DOWN POUR of the FORCE OF NATURE. Congrats to SOLAR FLARE for revenging the death of hers teammate (but more importantly, feeding LADYBUG a bit of dirt). In the 'Oops, What Have I Done?' category, YOUR MAMA was mashed by SNOWSHOE, who let YOUR MAMA know that killing members of CARDOW HUNTERS is a no-no. Ask not the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no. Silly buggers, eh? Well, that wasn't too bad; Alarond told me that the people in LAPUR have no sense of humor. Or maybe that they were senseless. C'mon, Leadfoot, let's make some tracks. See ya next time I'm on this circuit!-- The Unknown Spymaster DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME SUE NAMI 4097 19 22 0 121 FORCE OF NATURE (312) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -MACHIGAI 4506 22 6 0 99 BLACK SAMURAI (166) SOLAR FLARE 4427 14 11 0 98 VENUSIANS (321) DOWN POUR 4323 13 15 2 96 FORCE OF NATURE (312) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -FIGHTING COCK 4514 10 3 0 88 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) CONNIE 4716 13 9 1 84 CROC FILES (374) WHIRLWIND 4325 12 17 0 81 FORCE OF NATURE (312) LADYBUG 4709 16 10 1 75 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) -STUBBORN ASS 4517 9 4 0 68 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -FLINT 795 18 8 0 64 KNIGHTMARE (103) SNOWSHOE 4712 15 11 0 62 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) -KOJIRO 4456 16 12 1 61 BLACK SAMURAI (166) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME JUNIBAN 4599 17 4 0 56 BLACK SAMURAI (166) -HOGUN 963 9 3 0 49 KNIGHTMARE (103) MURRY 4755 3 3 0 47 CROC FILES (374) BRICKHOUSE 4131 7 0 0 46 STREET WALKERS (97) MENSA 4442 9 14 1 42 VENUSIANS (321) STICKET 4751 9 2 0 42 FORCE OF NATURE (312) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME ZERO VISABILITY 4495 7 11 0 42 FORCE OF NATURE (312) AMIE 4718 6 12 1 38 CROC FILES (374) YOUR MAMA 4115 5 5 1 38 STREET WALKERS (97) MISS CONDUCT II 4156 4 1 0 36 STREET WALKERS (97) CEZZARO 4719 7 11 0 35 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -BITTER BEETLE 4611 4 3 0 30 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) CARINA 4749 4 7 1 25 VENUSIANS (321) JASON 2985 3 3 0 25 ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) -CROTCHETY CLAM 4639 3 1 0 25 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME JON 4764 3 2 1 22 MEN (356) S'TOU 4801 2 0 0 22 ESCAPADE (417) DAIHACHI 4750 3 2 0 21 BLACK SAMURAI (166) TOMO-CHAN 2928 2 0 0 21 WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) RED TIGER 4796 3 0 0 20 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) ROSEMARY 2984 1 5 0 17 ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) REWRITE 2926 1 1 0 17 WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) AKUMU 4674 4 4 0 16 BLACK SAMURAI (166) -TYORL 1240 1 4 0 15 KNIGHTMARE (103) ANKAA 4806 1 0 0 13 VENUSIANS (321) DON 4767 3 2 0 12 MEN (356) KYOKO 2929 1 1 0 12 WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) WEIPA 4793 1 1 0 12 CROC FILES (374) LANCE 4765 2 3 0 11 MEN (356) GOLDIE 4805 1 0 1 11 STREET WALKERS (97) BILL 4766 2 3 0 9 MEN (356) ENERGIZER BUNNY 3196 2 2 0 8 ARMY OF DARKNESS (283) RED TARMAHK 4795 2 1 0 7 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) HOFFA 4763 1 4 0 7 MEN (356) GOO 2927 1 1 0 6 WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) DIRTY SANCHEZ 4802 1 1 0 4 STREET WALKERS (97) ROZ 4799 1 1 0 4 ESCAPADE (417) RUFF-STUFF 4800 1 1 0 4 ESCAPADE (417) FLUFFY 2930 0 2 0 2 WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (282) -PISSED PEACOCK 4683 0 1 0 1 ANGRY ANIMALS (390) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? MS LEPRECHAUN 2988 2 4 0 ARMY OF DARKNESS 283 CARINA 4749 541 TIGER LILY 4732 7 6 0 CARDOW HUNTERS 359 YOUR MAMA 4115 538 JUST REV LUCY 4754 5 4 0 CROC FILES 374 DOWN POUR 4323 541 WEIPA 4726 5 8 1 CROC FILES 374 DOWN POUR 4323 538 REVENGED SAND DOLLAR 4798 0 2 0 ESCAPADE 417 BLACK ORC 385 541 NONE TRISCA 4797 0 2 0 ESCAPADE 417 SHAMBLING MOUND 384 541 NONE ALYA 4807 0 1 0 VENUSIANS 321 GOLDIE 4805 541 ASTRIAL 4328 12 14 1 VENUSIANS 321 LADYBUG 4709 540 JUST REV PERSONAL ADS Lapur -- We return!! The Army of Darkness wishes all of you well. To those whose blood will be spilt on the sands beneath our feet, may our friendships be strong enough to cover our pain. To those whose lives we will take, may the next life be a happier dream than this one. To those who talk in theatres, may the fires of a thousand Hades burn you.... Uh.... Oops. That was meant for another speech. Where was I.... -- Master Beru Where are the dress shops around here? -- Ms. Leprechaun Has anyone seen my hockey mask?? -- Jason Come and get me!! -- Energizer Bunny You guys always have to make a fuss, don't you? -- Rosemary Cezzaro -- Hey! Watch where you point that thing!!!! -- Miss Conduct P.S. Look me up outside the arena, I like your style. Murray -- If it's any consolation I probably won't be fighting for much longer since I've yet to learn a single skill. -- Brickhouse Weipa -- I had to try and end it quick (nature was calling), maybe I should cut down on the burritos and salsa before a fight. -- Dirty Sanchez Mensa -- Something tells me I got lucky on that one. -- You Mama The Street Walkers would like to welcome our newest member, Goldie Showers. She's a work in progress so be gentle with her. Escapade & Will Duel 4 Mead -- Welcome to Lapur. -- Roadkill, manager of the Street Walkers Ladybug -- It's a good thing that I don't need to eat now, that hole in my stomach might have been a problem. -- Ghost of Astrial Tylor -- I'd say nice to meet ya...but it wasn't very nice at all. -- Carina Your Mama -- A bit stingy on the skills...next time I won't be so generous! -- Mensa Sue Nami -- I know it is fun to take trophies, but can you please return my kidney? -- Solar Flare Hogun -- Well fought warrior. I thank you for making me one step closer to the Dark Arena. -- Sticket Solar Flare -- Ummm...sorry, I did not expect you. -- Sue P.S. Nice learns though, huh? Kojiro -- I would say you have been branded, but with my record I really have nothing to stand on talking that big. Good luck here and in the future. -- Down Pour M. Chardinee -- Thanks for the morale victory. -- Whirlwind Dangerous Criminal -- I would say that Storm Front usually sends those of us that lose to a stand-in fighter to the DA, but I am his first. Now he is stuck between making a bet with Venus which entails keeping me until I grad or die of natural causes and send me to the DA. -- Zero Lucy -- If only I could get you into snow, where I am at home and you would be at a major disadvantage, ah, the times we'd have then! -- Snowshoe Astrial, Ghost of -- I seriously regret your death, as you were an ornament to our arena. I shall be available if your teammates choose to bloodfeud. -- Ladybug the Remorseful P.S. I know that Bathtub Remark was tactless, but it actually WAS true, because I've shared a hot tub with a Croc in my day. Not voluntarily, mind you, but I have done it. Miss Conduct II -- If you know some new and interesting types of misconduct, I would be glad to, er, discuss matters with you. -- Cezzaro Fluffy -- But what if someone only has 2 or 3 mead to offer you? -- Red Tiger Sand Dollar -- And cheap at the price, too. -- Red Tarmahk Down Pour -- Just for your information, ANY loss by one who has killed to a member of the team of the one who has died counts as a successful bloodfeud. Random, your challenge, whatever, so long as you lose, it counts. -- Uncle Wolf Solar Flare -- I'm sorry to depress the lovely Venus further. I really am. -- Ladybug T-Hawk and anyone else interested -- I am working out a storyline to begin here in, probably, January. Volunteers and suggestions are now being accepted. -- the Scribe P.S. It will run here and in other arenas in the geographic vicinity, such as Morya, don't know for sure where else. Sticket -- I never was a good student. -- Nameless Member of the Cult of the Bloody Sun 2 November 2006 I received a Gift Certificate from someone. I'm assuming it's for entry into the Turf War 5. Whoever sent this to me...please email me at rbaphomets@yahoo.com. Thanks. 10 November 2006 The Quest of the Best has come to an end. Dark Knight Toker, host of the Quest, wants to proclaim the Ultimate Victor and give a listing of prize winners. Lady Fern and her Flower Girls of the Consortium are the Ultimate Victors of the Quest. Well fought and there's nothing like coming from behind to leave us all in the dust. Can't wait to see you defend your title! (wink) Here is a complete list of managers who placed in prize positions: 1) Lady Fern, mgr. Flower Girls 2) Le Pentarque, mgr. Blood & Guts! 3) Crip, mgr. Otto's Parts 4) D.K. Heathen Hatebred, mgr. Odin's Chosen 5) Ghab, mgr. Assassin Nation 6) Fanthayne, mgr. Dark Raiders 7) D.K. Toker, mgr. Silver Knights 8) D.K. Wasby, mgr. Bronze Knights 9) The Expatriate, mgr. Bleak Legion 10) Still the Distilled, mgr. Springborne Fair Thanks to all that had the gall to show up, but I really want to thank the managers that had the mettle to survive and not run when they started getting their butt handed to them. Respect to All. Quest #1 host, Dark Knight Toker 14 November 2006 A Tale of Fusion Confusion Delusion Revolution as told by Hammer the WordSmith SomeWhere Beyond ElseWhere and ElseWhen a hooded figure brooded upon the lingering wisps of memory from days gone by. From the howling sands to the sanding howls the streams of thought bubbled and flowed, winding endlessly entwined within the darkest recesses and lightest resources of the learned and unlearned disciplines of managerial mayhem and manipulation. Nameless faces and faceless names floated in the swirling mists of madness embalmed within the memories of one who knew he did not know how far reaching the influences [both positive and negative] had rooted and flowered in the march of time and energy expended in the historical markings of gladiatorial essence and excellence experience. The tamed and the untamed coupled with the named and the unnamed resources that spilt their sweat and blood on the sands of arenas both known and unknown had metamorphosed into the dreamings and the schemings of the fadings of jadings and paradings [in both public and private] amongst the elite and the indiscreet posturings and babblings of managers becoming legends in their own minds and times. Hammer pondered upon beginnings and the seemingly endless myriad of endings possibly possible among the interspersed and intertwined impossible possibilities presently past and future. Echoing and reechoing in the vast depths and countless compartments along the corridors of his mind, Hammer played and replayed the glories shared and dared in the sixty-plus stabled arena on fabled Noblish Island DM 93. The training had been all too brief, but the competition generated by the multi faceted personages inhabiting DM 93 and the sheer multitude of numbers had forever instilled themselves in the heart and soul of the veteran manager [Hammer]; insomuch that the migration to Niatoli Island DM 33 triggered the desire to emulate the glory and the grandeur of the spectacle of stables vying for recognition from among the virtually numberless no-name newbies making names for themselves as they numbered their stables and accomplishments for all to see and behold, to the song and the sound of the sight of clashing cold cruel steel simmering the flesh of gallant gladiators consumed by the gory and the glory of crossing blades with the superior and the inferior within the interior of Greywand's Global Gladiatorial Galaxy. Far far ago and long long away had many abandoned hope for a return to the reminiscences revered by so many managers; predating even the generations of gladiators graduating from Noblish Island and the years of yore and gore and gallantry before. Rumblings and mumblings of a renovation rejuvenating the reflexes of managers numbed by the numberless trysts of tourney tarnished stables began revolutionizing the very fabric of time and space and time-honored tradition throughout the ranks of visionary newbies and volatile veterans alike and dislike. History was being shaken to the core of the gore as glory and grandeur responded to the revelry reverie revelations and reveille revolutionizing the creation of a new arena in the making; populated by No-Tourney Warriors and Full Stable Participants pledging to forge a new vision version of "The Fiercest and Best" for crossing blades and crosser banter in the personal ads and team spotlight tomes. Now was the time for Hammer to emerge and once again merge his talent among the gifted and grifted; answering the call to assemble the drifted [and to directly divulge and converge with the dozens] for the destiny of destructive denizens determined to build a new legacy upon the all-but-forgotten ashes of the old and olden legends of times lost. [TIME JUMP] Hammer sifted the sands in the dead of night in the desert reaches [located SomeWhere BeYond ElseWhere and ElseWhen] to discover 5 gladiators not tourney worthy, yet interesting enough to begin their careers in a No-Tourney Arena! "They need not be dispatched to the Dark Arena," the veteran manager mused as he sorted through paperwork long discarded and vaguely forgotten, "because there is nothing like a good Blood Feud to provide inspiration for writing personal ads in the arena newsletter! Besides, there are times when the replacement for a warrior wounded mortally on the arena sands fares much better than the one exchanged from Torch Light!" Fights by Torch Light were certainly deemed unnecessary as Hammer had already deduced that a number of determined stables would undoubtedly congregate with High Octane Warriors under the guidance of Higher Octane Managers to populate and depopulate the new No-Tourney Arena currently under construction in DM 81. Fortunately his feeble foray into the desert would yield somewhat suitable candidates for the newfound purposes Hammer had in mind. From among the candidates to be found Hammer would be rewarded in time by BLOODFEUDS and REPLACEMENT WARRIORS aplenty! Deep into the night Hammer searched and searched until five not-so-promising stables were uncovered in the waning hours before dawn. Ripper discards were scattered far and wide, but this was not the time or the hour to let sentimental views cloud the issue at hand. Future events would lend themselves to a suitable Ripper replacement, especially with the prospects Hammer was now sorting for his selection decision to dispatch to the Gladiatorial Commission for processing. Most managers have the luxury of selecting the best group [or discarding the worst group!] Hammer had the novelty of rounding up the castaways from the New Stables paperwork accumulated long ago from Maximillian's Morya Madness contest in DM 28 that were deemed below inferior as contest prizes [and thus banished from sight!] Hammer scrutinized and agonized over which group of gladiators were worth the sacks of gold coins he was prepared to release to the Gladiatorial Commission for fees to MAINTENANCE his new stable in the No-Tourney Arena. After what seemed like long hours passing by, Hammer discarded one and then another group of hopefuls. After lengthy debate a third was cast aside. Deciding between the final two groups found Hammer going back to interview the rejected candidates time and time again [until a final decision was made that Hammer could live with and his new stable could die with!] before the final quirks were hammered out and pen put to paper to process the prospective puny stable with the Gladiatorial Commission. The only solace gained from the painful process was the knowledge that other managers would be less tempted to run stables in DM 81 populated by their tourney- worthy warriors [under the penalty of death imposed and enforced upon tourney experienced gladiators by the Committee being formed to police and regulate such matters!] as sworn to and signed in good faith by each registering manager. [TIME JUMP] Hammer had worked long and hard to find suitable candidates for his stable and now it was time to begin their training. The paperwork had been dispatched for registration with the Gladiatorial Commission and now was the hour in which preparation was paramount! Dispatch riders had arrived with the news that Considerable Bounty was being offered as incentive rewards to those managers sending new stables to the No-Tourney Arena. Hammer realized this would Up the Ante [causing greater pause in the managerial community for selecting suitable stables!] as the creative competition was certain to escalate and produce Serious Sword Slinging Stables Staining the Arena Sands Red! Obviously a serious upgrade in the quality of competition migrating to the No- Tourney Arena in DM 81 would definitely work in favor of Hammer; enormously increasing the death toll percentage potential amongst the ranks of his new start-up stable in DM 81 [Sands Running Red and Blood Feuds Running Rampant as Undoubtedly Expected!] Hammer observed the futility of his new warriors training [as well as they could for what they were made from!] while recent memories came to the forefront of his mind! When the paperwork was nearly completed and names were selected for each Gladiator, Hammer decided to name the stable according to what he had discovered in the darkness while searching during the dismal hours of the desert night. These warriors would probably be more well suited to fight by Torch Light had they fallen into the possession of most other managers! Paper Warriors better suited to confronting Dark Arena Monsters [rather than being fed to the Gladiatorial Lions certain to be populating the regular No-Tourney Arena!] Specimens blatantly better suited for feeding upon agitated armadillo ants than for striving to attain recognition and fame in the No-Tourney Arena [or any arena!] Thus was AARDVARK HAMMERZ birthed and born for Greatness or Disgrace! [TIME JUMP] Dispatch riders on winged steeds brought the news Hammer had been awaiting! Not since the days of training on Noblish Island in DM 93 had Hammer encountered such collective enthusiasm for crossing blades in a selected arena such as DM 81 [recalling the time Hammer generated a gathering of newbies to transfer to Niatoli Island in DM 33 to match wits and cross blades with the assembling veterans upon graduation!] The Consortium had represented the veterans well in DM 33 with the SWEETNESS stable managed by Sweety Pie. Now the good news had arrived that The Consortium was seen registering a stable named LIFE IMPACTS in the No-Tourney Arena! Former alliance mates Darque and Kat had reportedly registered DARQUE AGES and KATHOUSE with the Gladiatorial Commission. Morya Madness combatant LePentarque from DM 28 had registered LA PENTARCHIE and longtime fixture Drake in North Fork DM 47 [recently returned from a lengthy hiatus] had been lured by the competition to register DRAKE'S HARDWARE. Deke [at the helm of DOC LEGRAND'S LAB] was instrumental in promoting the No- Tourney Arena by repeatedly negotiating terms with the Gladiatorial Commission. Others had laid the groundwork before him, but Deke raised the banner and carried it the final distance [Supported by Countless Managers too numerous to mention!] Salute Yourselves for Your Efforts are Most Graciously Applauded throughout Alastari! Apex had signed in with CAROLINA BLUE as had Ghab with ASSASSIN NATION. Another familiar name was found on the rolls as DeGotti registered CULT OF BACCHUS followed by DOOM KNIGHTS managed by Blackstorm. Also on the rolls to be noted were AS SEEN ON TV II managed by Indimar and RAGNAROK'S WOLVES by none other than ragnorokwolf. Nomad had signed on with PHANTOM REGIMENT and Silas followed suit with GRIFFONRAWL MMA. Another notable signature was that of MasterBeru with CHILDHOOD HEROES and a penchant for scribing Team Spotlights [A Plus in Any Arena!] Detective Kellumbo had followed the clues and was observed enroute to registering a yet unannounced stable [such are the ways of sleuthhounds and such!] Rumor had it that the manager known as Roadkill was on his way to register a stable after his namesake and Slugbait was close behind [obliviously lost in thought!] Finally [in no particular disorder!] managers Grimm, Woody, Terminator, Den and Bill were also seen elbowing their way through the gathering registration crowd to officially announce their participation in the No-Tourney Arena. COUNTLESS OTHER MANAGERS were known to be pondering the consequences of sending stables to a No-Tourney Arena and had yet to make the commitment public knowledge as to their intentions. Howbeit the Gladiatorial Commission was reportedly swamped with requests for New Stable Registration Forms [whether for the Tempe Facer or No-Tourney Arena was anybody's guess at the present time!] Judging from the furtive figures darting and ducking in the shadows and alleyways throughout Alastari [as well as those huddled in taverns or communicating with one another by various means available!] the success of such a No-Tourney Arena was Ballooning far Beyond the Expectations of the Promoters and Petitioners Bar None! HAMMER WAS UNDERSTANDABLY ENTHUSED BEYOND MEASURE BECAUSE the No-Tourney Arena had the Best Potential for attracting and assembling a congregation of competitors rivaling the numbers of Noblish Island from days gone by! JANUARY 2007 MARKS THE BEGINNING of a Journey where both Newbies and Veterans join together in a Historic Assemblage Celebrating the Crossing of Blades between some of the Best Managed Stables in all of Alastari [Known and Unknown!] "May Your Blades Be Sharp and Your Wits Sharper" Hammer Minister of War LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS SAND DOLLAR was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena fight. TRISCA was slaughtered by SHAMBLING MOUND in a 1 minute gruesome Dark Arena battle. SOLAR FLARE demolished LADYBUG in a 1 minute uneven Bloodfeud fight. LUCY was butchered by DOWN POUR in a 1 minute one-sided Bloodfeud contest. CONNIE was overpowered by SUE NAMI in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge Title match. MURRY bested CEZZARO in a 1 minute Challenge duel. AKUMU was overpowered by MISS CONDUCT II in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge struggle. DAIHACHI devastated DIRTY SANCHEZ in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge competition. GOO was viciously subdued by S'TOU in a 9 minute beginner's Challenge duel. WEIPA viciously subdued HOFFA in a 2 minute gory novice's Challenge duel. KYOKO was narrowly defeated by RED TIGER in a 3 minute novice's Challenge melee. FLUFFY was subdued by LANCE in a 1 minute amateur's Challenge competition. TOMO-CHAN devastated BILL in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge battle. WHIRLWIND devastated DEADLY ASSASSIN in a 2 minute mismatched bout. AMIE was overcome by BRICKHOUSE in a 2 minute fight. STICKET won victory over MENSA in a 4 minute bout. YOUR MAMA was devastated by SNOWSHOE in a 1 minute uneven duel. ZERO VISABILITY was beaten by JUNIBAN in a 2 minute brawl. MS LEPRECHAUN was butchered by CARINA in a 1 minute one-sided brawl. JASON beat DON in a exciting 1 minute match. ROSEMARY beat RED TARMAHK in a 1 minute match. ENERGIZER BUNNY was defeated by ANKAA in a 1 minute amateur's conflict. REWRITE devastated ROZ in a 1 minute one-sided bout. JON vanquished RUFF-STUFF in a 1 minute one-sided match. GOLDIE easily killed ALYA in a 1 minute uneven duel. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |LUNGING ATTACK 8 TOTAL PARRY 24 - 16 - 0 60 | |PARRY-STRIKE 7 SLASHING ATTACK 19 - 13 - 0 59 | |BASHING ATTACK 6 AIMED BLOW 18 - 15 - 0 55 | |TOTAL PARRY 6 PARRY-LUNGE 3 - 3 - 0 50 | |SLASHING ATTACK 6 WALL OF STEEL 26 - 26 - 2 50 | |WALL OF STEEL 5 STRIKING ATTACK 20 - 21 - 1 49 | |STRIKING ATTACK 5 BASHING ATTACK 17 - 19 - 4 47 | |AIMED BLOW 3 LUNGING ATTACK 25 - 29 - 1 46 | |PARRY-LUNGE 1 PARRY-STRIKE 11 - 13 - 1 46 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 3 - 0 25 | Turn 541 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 PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 4 3 WALL OF STEEL BASHING ATTACK 4 - 2 STRIKING ATTACK 2 - 3 2 SLASHING ATTACK WALL OF STEEL 3 - 2 AIMED BLOW 1 - 2 2 STRIKING ATTACK LUNGING ATTACK 4 - 4 SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 4 1 TOTAL PARRY TOTAL PARRY 3 - 3 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 1 BASHING ATTACK 1 PARRY-LUNGE 1 LUNGING ATTACK TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME SLASHING ATTACK SOLAR FLARE 4427 14 11 0 98 VENUSIANS (321) STRIKING ATTACK CONNIE 4716 13 9 1 84 CROC FILES (374) WALL OF STEEL LADYBUG 4709 16 10 1 75 CARDOW HUNTERS (359) TOTAL PARRY JUNIBAN 4599 17 4 0 56 BLACK SAMURAI (166) AIMED BLOW MISS CONDUCT II 4156 4 1 0 36 STREET WALKERS (97) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is SNOWSHOE 4712. The most popular warrior this turn was S'TOU 4801. The ten other most popular fighters were KYOKO 2929, RED TIGER 4796, AMIE 4718, MURRY 4755, DAIHACHI 4750, WEIPA 4793, LANCE 4765, JASON 2985, SOLAR FLARE 4427, and SUE NAMI 4097. The least popular fighter this week was GOO 2927. The other ten least popular fighters were STICKET 4751, ALYA 4807, RUFF-STUFF 4800, ROZ 4799, ENERGIZER BUNNY 3196, RED TARMAHK 4795, MS LEPRECHAUN 2988, YOUR MAMA 4115, BILL 4766, and FLUFFY 2930. The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn: SUE NAMI (29-4097) FORCE OF NATURE (312)