DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER Date : 10/08/2003 Duedate: 10/21/2003 ARVAT ARENA DM-32 TURN-456 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS STARBREAKER CALL THE PRIEST (344) (32-4039) [9-2-1,113] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader STARBREAKER R.WALDREP II CALL THE PRIEST (344) REVELATIONS (325) (32-4039) [9-2-1,113] (32-3899) [2-2-0,32] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite FIZGIGG DIETER KWAN FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) (32-4012) [18-23-1,78] (32-4092) [6-1-0,45] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) 31 2. CALL THE PRIEST (344) 28 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) 3. THE STORMLORDS (337) 27 Unchartered Team 4. REVELATIONS (325) 26 5. DIAMOND THRONE (269) 21 REVELATIONS (325) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) 694 406 37 63.1 1/ 1 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) 9 6 2 2/ 2 CALL THE PRIEST (344) 37 24 3 60.7 2/ 3 CALL THE PRIEST (344) 7 0 1 3/ 3 THE STORMLORDS (337) 87 73 8 54.4 3/ 2 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) 5 7 0 4/ 0*REVELATIONS (325) 7 8 1 46.7 4/ 0*REVELATIONS (325) 2 1 0 5/ 4 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) 263 366 9 41.8 5/ 5 THE STORMLORDS (337) 2 3 1 6/ 5*DIAMOND THRONE (269) 3 9 2 25.0 6/ 4*DIAMOND THRONE (269) 2 8 1 '*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn (###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank TEAM SPOTLIGHT >)]H[(< + -----:----- + >)] The Free Cities #70 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(< Between Ibizond and Korga: The horseman started to turn away, but two of the hounds made a determined attack on the three gladiators as they scrambled out of their sheltering tree. Now, the tree was a trap rather than a shelter. Cadal was first out, hammering at the nearest hound with his heavy blade. Aghatamar was just behind him, close enough to slash at the hound trying to take him from the side. The horseman turned back, just as the moon shone through a gap in the clouds overhead. Aghtamar sucked in her breath in shock. There was a face, she repeated that to herself as a litany against the unknown. Two eyes--she shuddered and wrenched her gaze away from them, feeling her blood turn to ice and her bones to sand. A beak of a nose, a hunting bird's beak. Gash of a mouth, with an icy glitter of fangs. Behind her, Zilla muttered a prayer to Sermina and struck two-handed at the hound, awkwardly because she didn't want to look directly at it. That hound was no beast that ever curled up quietly before a fire or accepted a pat on the head for a job well done. Cadal lunged at his hound and came near to spitting it on his sword, but the uncanny creature twisted away. The horseman laughed, a sound which would chill the strongest heart, and turned away again, riding up the road toward whatever his, or its third hound had cornered. Fist of Kjarran, most likely, but there was no way to help him now. They had their own problems. The hounds had a pattern of swirling in to attack and then out before they could be struck in return, coordinating their efforts smoothly without needing their master's guidance. They must have done this many times before. Aghtamar thought of the other people dead along this road and knew they must have sustained just such an attack: the horn with its message of fear, then these uncanny beasts with their teasing and toying, and finally the huntsman on his horse. Not a good death. If there was such a thing as a 'good death'. While these thoughts were flitting through her mind, she kept her sword moving as well. The hounds seemed reluctant, maybe even totally unwilling, to close with them, but they wouldn't leave them alone, either. "The damned things are trying to wear us down," she muttered. And it might work. She was already breathing hard, and she could hear Zilla panting beside her. She couldn't hear Cadal, but he was farthest from her. "We've got to finish these," Cadal stated. "Fist of Kjarran is going to need our help." A shuffle and lunge, a hound yelped and dodged back. "Except they won't stand--" "And if we just go to Fist, turn our backs on these hounds," Zilla growled, "likely they'll jump on us from behind." "There must be SOME way we can kill or cripple these damned hounds!" Aghtamar snapped. "Anything that lives can be killed. It's a natural law or something." "We're not going to find it tonight except by chance," Cadal said. "And we have to go help Fist. If we all move together, back to back...." "Right! Let's move," Aghtamar agreed. "On the count of three?" *** ***** *** ***** *** The hound that Fist of Kjarran had crippled was dragging itself down the road toward its approaching master, whining pitifully. If it had been a proper dog, the gladiator might have regretted the injury. As it was...serve the damned beast right. As the hound had appeared to grow when it charged him, so did the hunter. What might have been a big horse--if it was a horse at all--became huge, and its rider dominated the sky. He...it seemed to wear a crown of cold lights, or maybe there were northern lights in the sky behind its head. No, that wasn't north, that was southeast. Fist shook his own head to clear out the fantasies. As the rider passed the crippled hound, he cried out in a terrible voice, a word Fist didn't know and didn't want to know. An evil word, he was sure. Maybe a spell, or a vow of vengeance. Not that it mattered! He had the protection of Kjarran and Jayde. He raised his sword against the moon-colored blade that was swinging down out of the stars above him. SPY REPORT Hail and well met warriors of ARVAT! Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari. OBSIDIAN GOLEM caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial commission as it skillfully bested DEBBE EAST and was awarded 26 points in recognition. In one of the week's more notable duels, LOCKED IN put down BASKERVOLE, causing him to lose 11 points of recognition in the process. Unwilling to wait upon the will of others, Duelmaster STARBREAKER challenged LINDEN last week in a match to decide the fate of the throne. Although LINDEN made a valiant effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious STARBREAKER. Informants "close" to the city champion have told me that he never fights without pantyhose on beneath his armor. Watch out! But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades that is city ARVAT. ARVAT, city of gladiators! Mighty among the names of thy guilds is THE STORMLORDS, a guild shunned and avoided by many in the weekly duels. Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was that spent the better part of last week avoiding THE STORMLORDS. Indeed it was DEVIL ADVOCATES. Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those below. LINDEN take warning! You have more than a few enemies in ARVAT. What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his foe's mortality? Perhaps even the strong cannot escape the vagaries of this world. This week arena veteran DEBBE EAST was slain, despite a 10-6-0 record. I must report the passing of VY-OTIN, veteran of many duels. 5-5-0 final record His was not illustrious--but death plays no favorites. 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 ARVAT. 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 STARBREAKER 4039 9 2 1 113 CALL THE PRIEST (344) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME JOHNNY B GOODE 4034 10 2 0 104 CALL THE PRIEST (344) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975 17 14 1 90 THE STORMLORDS (337) -PRIVATE PROPERTY 4029 7 4 1 90 CALL THE PRIEST (344) LINDEN 4072 13 8 0 85 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) FIZGIGG 4012 18 23 1 78 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME LOCKED IN 4049 7 4 1 62 CALL THE PRIEST (344) -SENSOO O SURU 3979 16 11 0 59 THE STORMLORDS (337) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME TIA M. ATT 4095 6 0 2 51 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) MAY FISTAFOLES 3852 12 8 0 49 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) DIETER KWAN 4092 6 1 0 45 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) BASKERVOLE 4071 8 13 0 43 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME LIL ETH 4093 5 2 2 33 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) -RUN OF THE MILL 4056 3 4 0 32 CALL THE PRIEST (344) R.WALDREP II 3899 2 2 0 32 REVELATIONS (325) LEGION SUX 3903 3 1 1 27 REVELATIONS (325) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME TIMKEN 3988 1 0 0 17 REVELATIONS (325) SWIFT FEUTZ 4107 1 0 0 10 DIAMOND THRONE (269) ROHAN 3361 1 2 1 8 DIAMOND THRONE (269) CHARON 4103 1 0 0 5 THE STORMLORDS (337) -LYMPHNODE 3902 1 1 0 4 REVELATIONS (325) DEATH KNIGHT 4104 0 1 0 1 THE STORMLORDS (337) DOGFISH 4105 0 1 0 1 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME I'M GOING DIE 4108 0 1 0 1 DIAMOND THRONE (269) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? DEBBE EAST 3858 10 6 0 DEVIL ADVOCATES 105 OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975 456 TALON 3359 1 2 1 DIAMOND THRONE 269 DARK CHAMPION 333 456 NONE SOPHIA 4106 0 1 0 DIAMOND THRONE 269 BLACK ORC 329 456 NONE VY-OTIN 4081 5 5 0 THE STORMLORDS 337 LIL ETH 4093 456 COEUR DE LION 3976 15 14 2 THE STORMLORDS 337 PRIVATE PROPERTY 4029 455 PERSONAL ADS The Icelord -- Fair seas and Following winds, My Brother. We salute you and should you desire my return at any time, merely contact me via either the crystal ball or the medallion. We will be there instantaneously. Salute, Great One. -- High Lord Bosk and The Harbingers Debbe East -- After thinking it over very carefully, my conclusion is that you need to work on your tan. -- Linden Mae Fistafoles -- (grinning) I like a spirited little lady. You busy tonight? -- Baskervole Starbreaker -- You're too late, boy. I'm unbreakable now. -- Lord Protector Trotline P.S. But at least you got the throne the right way. Johnny B Goode -- Your mother was wrong. You're a damned monster is what you are. -- Fizgigg P.S. Do golems have mothers? 9 September 2003 WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MANAGERS! If you think you have what it takes to match wits and blades with some of the best managers in Alastari, then WE WANT YOU! The Tournament Of The Golden Scrod #4 will begin in Aradi (DM 60) the turn after the Fall Mail-In. It's not too late for you to sign up. I realize that many of you may be hesitant after seeing that myself and Hombre have teamed up again, but we'll try to take it easy on you guys a little bit. For more information on T#%S IV, please contact me at ganolus@aol.com. We're looking for a few good managers...the few, the proud, the TOGS! -- Ganolus Oakleaf, T#%S IV Commish 15 September 2003 An Announcement Concerning the Brotherhood of the Blade Alliance: I have chosen to withdraw my membership from the Brotherhood of the Blade alliance. The years I have spent in the alliance have been the best of my DM career. I leave the alliance with many great friends and will always remain close to my former brethren. The Brotherhood of the Blade will not skip a beat without my membership. It remains in very capable hands and its roster is among the strongest in the game. With the return on some of its founding members to DM, I know the BOB will continue to grow in strength and prestige in the years to come. -- The Sandman 29 September 2003 All -- Let it be known that the Firm accepts SOL into its ranks. The Firm is: SunGod, Dark Spirit, Youngblood, Tripwire, and SOL. LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS TALON was barely slain by DARK CHAMPION in a 2 minute Dark Arena fight. SOPHIA was barely slain by BLACK ORC in a exciting 3 minute gruesome Dark Arena duel. STARBREAKER demolished LINDEN in a 1 minute uneven Challenge Title fight. LOCKED IN devastated BASKERVOLE in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge contest. JOHNNY B GOODE overpowered FIZGIGG in a 1 minute mismatched match. DEBBE EAST was barely slain by OBSIDIAN GOLEM in a popular 5 minute bloody duel. TIA M. ATT overpowered THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 1 minute mismatched brawl. MAY FISTAFOLES defeated R.WALDREP II in a 2 minute melee. DIETER KWAN viciously subdued CAPTURED ORC in a 2 minute gruesome duel. VY-OTIN was dispatched by LIL ETH in a 3 minute fight. LEGION SUX vanquished ROHAN in a 1 minute one-sided duel. TIMKEN overpowered I'M GOING DIE in a 1 minute uneven match. DEATH KNIGHT was overpowered by SWIFT FEUTZ in a 1 minute one-sided fight. DOGFISH was subdued by CHARON in a 1 minute amateur's competition. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |LUNGING ATTACK 4 WALL OF STEEL 17 - 7 - 4 71 | |SLASHING ATTACK 3 TOTAL PARRY 4 - 2 - 1 67 | |WALL OF STEEL 3 AIMED BLOW 4 - 2 - 1 67 | |PARRY-STRIKE 3 LUNGING ATTACK 13 - 7 - 0 65 | |BASHING ATTACK 3 BASHING ATTACK 4 - 3 - 1 57 | |AIMED BLOW 2 STRIKING ATTACK 15 - 12 - 1 56 | |PARRY-LUNGE 2 SLASHING ATTACK 11 - 9 - 0 55 | |STRIKING ATTACK 2 PARRY-LUNGE 4 - 4 - 0 50 | |TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-STRIKE 12 - 18 - 1 40 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 1 - 0 0 | Turn 456 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: TOTAL PARRY 1 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 1 - 2 3 SLASHING ATTACK SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 1 BASHING ATTACK 1 - 2 2 TOTAL PARRY WALL OF STEEL 2 - 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 1 2 WALL OF STEEL AIMED BLOW 1 - 1 1 BASHING ATTACK PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 1 AIMED BLOW LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 2 1 PARRY-LUNGE STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 1 1 LUNGING ATTACK TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME SLASHING ATTACK STARBREAKER 4039 9 2 1 113 CALL THE PRIEST (344) TOTAL PARRY OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975 17 14 1 90 THE STORMLORDS (337) WALL OF STEEL LINDEN 4072 13 8 0 85 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288) AIMED BLOW LOCKED IN 4049 7 4 1 62 CALL THE PRIEST (344) PARRY-LUNGE MAY FISTAFOLES 3852 12 8 0 49 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) LUNGING ATTACK DIETER KWAN 4092 6 1 0 45 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is FIZGIGG 4012. The most popular warrior this turn was DEBBE EAST 3858. The ten other most popular fighters were SOPHIA 4106, DIETER KWAN 4092, VY-OTIN 4081, TALON 3359, OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975, MAY FISTAFOLES 3852, STARBREAKER 4039, LOCKED IN 4049, JOHNNY B GOODE 4034, and TIA M. ATT 4095. The least popular fighter this week was DOGFISH 4105. The other ten least popular fighters were DEATH KNIGHT 4104, I'M GOING DIE 4108, ROHAN 3361, LIL ETH 4093, FIZGIGG 4012, BASKERVOLE 4071, LINDEN 4072, CHARON 4103, SWIFT FEUTZ 4107, and TIMKEN 3988. NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS) For those of you who keep track of such things, 18 additional warriors graduated from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament: CAFFEINE JUNKIE (3-6110) ADDICTED CATFISH HUNTER (5-3315) PARTY ANIMALS MATTAHOOPLE (16-4203) GIFTED GODS SWEET JANE (53-6535) THE DARK TEMPLE LIL NOIR (62-3311) ENIGMA NARCISSISTIC NUN (69-8644) ODD SQUAD LEGION '8' (71-2369) D.O.A. RAW SEX APPEAL (82-1331) WHY WE LOVE TUM ZOMBIE STOMP (82-2617) NO MORE TEARS VIOLENT VOLE (82-4565) MAMMAL MILITIA LADY OF THE MOON (82-5481) HARM NONE KAMIKAZI GNAT (82-6073) DEADLY ATTACKS II THE 13TH WARRIOR (82-6346) STOOPID MOVIES SIRTON (82-9190) I AM SUCK DUNE (82-10414) 4-LETTER EPICS FLEM (82-12614) 4-LETTER FLUIDS GREENHOUSE EFFECT (82-12996) GLOBAL WARMING UGLY (82-14501) 4-LETTER DESCRIPTION -- Green Eyes