DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/23/2005    Duedate: 03/08/2005

ARVAT ARENA

DM-32    TURN-492

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SAVORY
SARATOGA GLORY (352)
(32-4143) [11-4-1,113]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SAVORY                         ARGONAUT
SARATOGA GLORY (352)           BLITZKRIEG II (354)
(32-4143) [11-4-1,113]         (32-4135) [7-2-0,69]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

BOATMAN KU                     TASSALTER
FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)        FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)
(32-4130) [12-17-1,90]         (32-4112) [9-25-0,79]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

SARATOGA GLORY (352)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. BLITZKRIEG II (354)         33
2. BUFFY'S DINER (346)         10      SARATOGA GLORY (352)
3. THE STORMLORDS (337)         9      Unchartered Team
4. FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)      4
5. SARATOGA GLORY (352)         4      BLITZKRIEG II (354)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 SARATOGA GLORY (352)      91  35  9 72.2   1/ 1 SARATOGA GLORY (352)      9  6 0
 2- 2*CHARM CITY HUSTLER (356)  25  10  1 71.4   2/ 3 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)     8  7 1
 3/ 0*BLITZKRIEG II (354)       24  13  2 64.9   3/ 2 THE STORMLORDS (337)      8  7 1
 4/ 3 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)    770 452 40 63.0   4/ 0*BLITZKRIEG II (354)       4  1 1
 5/ 4 BUFFY'S DINER (346)       31  22  0 58.5   5/ 4 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)   4 11 0
 6/ 5 THE STORMLORDS (337)      98  81 10 54.7   6- 5*CHARM CITY HUSTLER (356)  3  2 0
 7/ 6 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)  331 474 10 41.1   7/ 6 BUFFY'S DINER (346)       2  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

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 509): CAT TASTROPHIE of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 509): CAT TAGIOUS of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 503): CITATION of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 506): FELIX of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 504): PIP THE TROLL of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 503): SIT of VALHALLA (Odin, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 251): LAVA RUNNER of PRIMAL FURY (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 495): ENOSHIMA of BLACK SAMURAI (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 249): KIRKEN TUORNIN of THE NIGHTHAWKS (Firehawk, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 491): TAD DEVILLE of DEVIL ADVOCATES (The Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 489): TATHARLI of THE SEWING CIRCLE (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 482): BARRISTER of BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 446): ELLEN SUE GOTLANDER of GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 226): STORM SERPENT of SUPERIOR FORCES (Manager, mgr.)
 DM  47 SCOMSS SWAMP(turn 220): COURAGE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 207): NO-PAIN-4U of EXTREMISTS (Eclipse, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 370): HEDGEHOG of REDHORSE (Mila, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 349): COOL CAT of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 156): YANKEE DOODLE of WORLDWIDE GORE (Crip, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 396): PARANOIA of DSM4 from ZUKAL (The Sandman, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 509): BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 509): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 503): GREENWARDENS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 506): GOLDEN GLADIATORS (Midas, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 504): HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 503): THE MAGNIFICENT MAGS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 251): NORTHERN BADLANDS (Maximillian, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 495): EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 249): THE STORMGUARDS (The Icelord, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 491): SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 489): THE SEWING CIRCLE (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 482): BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 446): GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 226): DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  47 SCOMSS SWAMP(turn 220): LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 207): SNOW CALL HAMMERZ (Hammer, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 370): REDHORSE (Mila, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 349): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 156): DUDS (Amy A. Airhead, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 396): LEGION OF DUMB (Carnage, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 508): AGLIBOL of DARKMOON (Bobby Bigfoot, mgr.)
                           JUDGE PARKER of THE LAWMEN (Marshal D, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 505): PEACH NUTT of PUNNY AMINALS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 504): MCARTHUR of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 250): ALARIC of THE WARLORDS II (Fizban, mgr.)
                          RAY D AYTOR of OTTO'S MECHANICS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 249): DROKK of WHAMMO & THUDDA 4 U! (Micky, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 490): TRADEMARK of SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 481): RED FERN of VOLUNTEER FLOWERS (Inferno, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 445): DISMAY of HELL'S PAWNS (Harbinger, mgr.)
 DM  47 SCOMSS SWAMP(turn 220): COURAGE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 206): VANWAFEA of DARK SIDHE (Daehir, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 349): DRACO EL TANIN of BLADE AND BLOOD (Noachian, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Well, what are you looking at, ARVAT?  Ain't you never seen Snide Clemens 
before?  Ah, shaddup and listen to my news.  Of course, we're all terribly impressed 
to see LOGGERHEAD win a fight and gain 16 points, terribly.  Tsk, tsk, S.A. TANN beat 
DYNAMITE FLYER and DYNAMITE FLYER lost 15 points.  You're breakin' my heart.  Looks 
like ARVAT has some guts at least, TAD DEVILLE the Duelmaster was this turn's 
most-challenged warrior.  SAVORY challenged ARVAT's Duelmaster for a shot at the 
throne.  And it's out with the old, in with the new, as SAVORY takes the Title and 
last week's bar tab from the old Duelmaster.  Heh, heh.  I'm not in a very good mood 
today, but why am I telling you this?  You want to know what's new, don't you, ARVAT? 
     My mother always told me, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, start 
talking.' I loved that woman.  ARVAT, I am losing what little hope I had in you.  
SARATOGA GLORY the most avoided team?  What insult will suffice, I cannot say.  And 
it looks like THE STORMLORDS avoided them the most this turn.  What a pack of would 
be losers, if you ask me.  Hmph.  And we have SENSOO O SURU in a challenge, going 
down 12 points for the fight.  Guess what?  I thought SENSOO O SURU showed great 
skill and promise when he bested TASSALTER.  All right, so I slept through it!  Big 
deal!   
     Death and Taxes.  The less death I see, the more it taxes my patience.  Let's 
see if anyone's dead or dying.  Not that I'll be buying the drinks, but I'll be glad 
to see SAVORY and SARATOGA GLORY at The Warty Toad tonight celebrating their 
bloodfeud victory over TAD DEVILLE.  We're all going to die in the end, so why worry 
if the fate catches up with you sooner that later?   
     There's got to be a better place in ARVAT to get a drink than The Warty Toad!  
Any suggestions?  Just wait 'till next time I show up here, I won't be so nice!  So 
nyaaah!  Paste this one in your scrapbooks, you'll need the kindling come this 
winter-- Snide Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SAVORY 4143                  11   4  1   113       SARATOGA GLORY (352)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-PICKLED PIGSKIN 4051         12   0  0   130       BUFFY'S DINER (346)
 DIETER KWAN 4092             20  11  0   102       DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)
 LIL ETH 4093                 22   8  2    98       DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)
 TAD DEVILLE 4140             16   4  1    97       DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)
 OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975          19  16  1    96       THE STORMLORDS (337)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SENSOO O SURU 3979           20  11  0    90       THE STORMLORDS (337)
 BOATMAN KU 4130              12  17  1    90       FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)
 BASKERVOLE 4071              14  43  0    85       FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)
 TASSALTER 4112                9  25  0    79       FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)
 ARGONAUT 4135                 7   2  0    69       BLITZKRIEG II (354)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LITTLE RAINBOW 4146          14   6  0    61       FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)
 MISS AMERICAN PIE 4058        6   1  0    59       BUFFY'S DINER (346)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DESERT FOX 4131               5   4  1    55       BLITZKRIEG II (354)
-FILACRIP 4158                 5   2  0    50       CHARM CITY HUSTLERS (356)
 NAUTILUS 4134                 6   3  0    45       BLITZKRIEG II (354)
-CASH MONEY 4160               5   2  0    45       CHARM CITY HUSTLERS (356)
 LOGGERHEAD 4133               3   2  0    44       BLITZKRIEG II (354)
 SILVER TRAIN 4170             3   0  0    41       SARATOGA GLORY (352)
-OSMOSIS 4157                  5   2  1    38       CHARM CITY HUSTLERS (356)
 LOGGERHEAD 4149              10   7  0    37       FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-EDIBLE UNDIES 4052            4   3  0    34       BUFFY'S DINER (346)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DAHLGREN 4132                 3   2  1    33       BLITZKRIEG II (354)
-STONE COLD HUSTLER 4161       5   2  0    28       CHARM CITY HUSTLERS (356)
-STRETCH MUNROE 4159           5   2  0    26       CHARM CITY HUSTLERS (356)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CHARON 4103                   3   2  0    21       THE STORMLORDS (337)
 S.A. TANN 4177                1   0  0    16       DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)
 THOR 4169                     1   2  0    14       THE STORMLORDS (337)
 DYNAMITE FLYER 4172           1   1  0     5       SARATOGA GLORY (352)
 STRATOSTAR 4173               1   1  0     4       SARATOGA GLORY (352)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
NOT A DEVIL 4176       0  1 0 DEVIL ADVOCATES 105   SHEWISH GIANT 330     492 NONE    
SHOW ME THE TOWN 4178  0  1 0 SARATOGA GLORY 352    WURM KIN 336          492 NONE    
PRETTY WILD 4113      18  7 1 SARATOGA GLORY 352    TAD DEVILLE 4140      490 JUST REV
DEATH KNIGHT 4104      2  3 2 THE STORMLORDS 337    DAHLGREN 4132         492         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Dieter Kwan -- It's the yoghurt, isn't it? -- Baskervole, not a yoghurt fan

Obsidian Golem -- Sir (by default), I must tell you that you are too heavy for my
boat. -- Boatman Ku

Sensoo O Suru -- Was it YOU who brought that rainstorm last night?  Our roof leaked
like a fishnet. -- Little Rainbow

Cash Money -- Great idea.  You got any? -- Tassalter
P.S.  We could go paint the town faintly pink.

Filacrip -- I kinda hate it when that happens. -- Loggerhead

Obsidian Golem -- Sorry about the rough treatment.  I thought the boss was sending me
for a night fight.  I was all geared up for one of them.  With me knowing my favs
that was an unfortunate matchup.  Again, my apologies.  Perhaps when you make it to
the Isle of the Eye you will join me for an ale. -- Trademark

All -- Thank you for the hospitality Arvat.  I will never forget you all. --
Trademark

Tad Deville -- Nice strategy tweak.  I'm gonna try something else.  Since I am now
the old veteran on this team, it's going to be up to me to avenge Pretty Wild's
death.  I know I've got my work cut out for me.  Let's see what I can come up with.
-- Savory

Death Knight -- I was holding my breath when I found out I got my challenge through
on you.  I never expected to win that one.  I just hoped to come out alive.  Good
fight though.  Thanks for the skills. -- Silver Train

Embezzling Scribe -- That will teach you not to steal. -- Dynamite Flyer

Thor -- That was a heck of a fight.  Way to welcome me to the arena sands.  I hope we
can do it again sometime. -- Stratostar

WOW!!!!  This past newsletter made it to a third page!!!!!  I can't remember the last
time I saw Arvat's newsletter being three pages.  Way to go everyone!  Maybe we can
get it to a (shock and awe) fourth page!!!!! -- the Trainer

Tad Deville -- Congrats on taking the title.  What, are you like Devil Advocates 50th
warrior to hold the title of Duelmaster?  Anyway, Congrats.  We hope to knock you off
of it soon. -- Saratoga Glory stable

The Icelord -- Thank you for the refreshments.  It was an honor to hoist a few with
you and your fellow Stormlords at the Blue Boar Inn.  Next time please feel free to
bring Death Knight and Charon.  While both are icy and scary looking they are more
than welcome to toast a few. -- the Trainer

The Icelord -- I would also like to wish you luck on accomplishing your goals.  As
long as they aren't at the expense of me or my warriors of course. -- the Trainer

the Dark One -- Rumor has it that you will be breaking your silence this turn.  We
hope you keep it up. -- the Trainer

The Icelord -- I have actually been looking to expand to a slow arena.  Perhaps I
will take you up on your offer.  As long as the newsletter is updated then I will do
my best to join you there. -- the Trainer

Fisherman's Wharf -- You and yours were unusually quiet this past turn.  We hope all
is well with you and yours. -- the Trainer

The Icelord -- We at Saratoga Glory will have to think of some way to celebrate
Arvat's 500th turn.  We are currently actively trying to recruit some new blood for
the arena.  Perhaps we can shoot for a goal of 15 teams being active and a minimum of
3 personal ads per team as well.  I will have to think about it more.  We would love
to hear any ideas you might have as well. -- the Trainer

Sensoo O Suru -- Whenever I say your name, I feel like I should add a protest to the
effect that I'm sober, really I am. -- Baskervole
P.S.  Because if I was drunk, I couldn't say it at all.
P.P.S.  And what would happen if somebody had a lisp?

Lil Eth -- This comes under the heading of "who else is there to fight?" doesn't it?
Ah, well. -- Boatman Ku

Miss American Pie -- Hmm...apple, yes? -- Tassalter
P.S.  You've been gone a while.  Do you plan to stay?

Dieter Kwan -- Yugh, pineapple and grapefruit.  I thought they only used that stuff
to etch armor. -- Little Rainbow

Charon -- I guess it's not my day to go boating.  Works for me.  Looks like it's
going to rain, anyway, and I hate boating in the rain. -- Loggerhead

Trademark and the Trainer -- Great column, and our congratulations. -- Jorja and
Fisherman's Wharf

The Icelord -- Lulu isn't speaking to me since I set her to fighting in Free Blades.
Nothing but losses, and she blames me, because I won't give her a strategy change.  A
manager's life is not easy. -- Jorja, Fisherman's Wharf
P.S.  You mean, if it stays open until fight 500?  No definite suggestions, just some
vague ideas.  I'll brood on 'em.

31 January 2005
     My fellow duelists I come before you bearing a sad and unfortunate message.
Several months ago our group, the Vendetta Cartel, had lost contact with one of our
friends.  Since he was in contact or correspondence on an almost daily basis there
was concern amongst us.  With some research two of our members discovered why contact
was lost with him.
     On November 10, 2004, Richard Hammes was taken from us in a senseless act of
violence during a robbery attempt at a friend's store where he sometimes worked.  He
was watching the store so his friend could go home to tend to his son who had taken
ill.  You may have known Rich as Abarsis, The Slaughter Priest ; richh10 on the RT;
or gameogre on the Duel2 messageboard.  You may not have known that he spent 13 years
serving the United States in the Navy.
     Rich dearly loved this game and all it encompassed.  He may not have been the
best or most experienced manager but he loved to interact with others and was quick
to offer advice whenever anyone asked for help.  He was always kind and gracious and
tried to strengthen our game, often by helping new players feel welcome or give them
a chance to compete.  With his prolific posting I know that I am simply speaking the
obvious about what he did for our game.  Many, like me, were drawn to him, perhaps
for his kind nature or his sense of humor, and it appears he lived his life as he
played this game.  Always willing to help or do right by others.
     I realize that he had many friends outside the VC so I will include the link to
the news story in case any of his other friends would like to know more of what
happened.  We're all dealt a hand in life but it's not the strength of the hand
you're dealt but rather how you play it that really matters.  Rich played his hand to
the very best of his human ability and for this I admire him greatly.  I know we all
choose to like or dislike managers but I believe deep down we are all good and
decent, in this game, and will drop party (alliance) lines and will show the proper
respect.
     http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041112/news_7m12clerk.html
     Rich was taken from us all to soon and with so much left to offer the community
around him.  He spoke of a desire to run a contest on the Duel2 site which I hope to
uphold in his name.  Some of the people I have spoken with think it would be a nice
gesture to do one final good act in Rich's name, though it could never match what he
would've done within his community, for his community of San Diego.  I hope that with
this contest we might raise a little money to donate to an appropriate charity within
San Diego in his name.
     In conclusion I send a message to Rich:
     "Rich, though I'm sure you gathered this I never really told you how much I
admired you and what a friend I considered you.  I thank you for being my voice of
reason and always reminding me of why we both loved this game so much!  You have
taught me one final valuable lesson in learning more of you.  There are things far
more valuable in life than material possessions such as character and kindness.  That
nothing going on in your life means that you cannot find a way to be kind and giving
to others.  We always spoke of meeting someday and until we finally do know that you
will live on in with me and the rest of your brothers and sisters in the Cartel:
Master Darque, Kat, Bum, Sensei Jan, Maximillian, Hammer, Fizban, Firehawk, Phat
Phat.  You increased all of our enjoyment of this game, you were a true ambassador of
Duelmasters, and the game will not be quite the same without you.  A farewell battle
cry from the ZalCon:  'Confusion to our enemies'.  May your soul rest in peace, my
friend."
     Should anyone wish to correspond about Rich feel free to contact myself, or
anyone else within the Vendetta Cartel.
     Street Legal
     Jeff Bura
     The Death Squad(63) in Tobir or triumph1971@hotmail.com

31 January 2005
     Be it known throughout Alastari that Hammer is no longer a member of the
Vendetta Cartel alliance.
     A difference of opinion with another highly respected member of the VC due to my
recent vocal actions in DM 47 can only be resolved by my resignation from the VC as
of January 29, 2005.
     I leave of my own accord, in good standing with all members and with no hard
feelings towards anyone in the Vendetta Cartel.
     There was a time when I felt that my membership in the VC made the alliance
stronger.  I know that my resignation today makes the Vendetta Cartel a stronger
alliance with my absence. -- Hammer

1 February 2005
                           St. Valentine's Massacre update
My apologies, the Kill Contest starting on turn 476 in Jhans will run for 10 (ten)
turns ending on turn number 486.
                                                                   Azrael

5 February 2005
On behalf of the ILLUMINATI Confederation of Alliances (The kLk, CHAOS, Inc. and The
Company of Brothers) I would like to express our sympathies concerning the tragic
loss of Rich Hammes to both the DM community and to the real life world.  Surely our
loss has been Heaven's gain. -- Talon Darkhart, deeply sorrowful
                                kLk God of War, Illuminati Alliance, Puppetmaster

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SHOW ME THE TOWN was butchered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
NOT A DEVIL was murdered by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena melee.
SAVORY subdued TAD DEVILLE in a 2 minute bloody expert's Bloodfeud Title fight.
DIETER KWAN devastated BASKERVOLE in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
SENSOO O SURU outlasted TASSALTER in a 7 minute master's Challenge competition.
MISS AMERICAN PIE overpowered LOGGERHEAD in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge struggle.
SILVER TRAIN devastated CHARON in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge competition.
OBSIDIAN GOLEM overcame VETERAN MERCENARY in a 6 minute gruesome melee.
LIL ETH won victory over BOATMAN KU in a action packed 3 minute veteran's duel.
ARGONAUT overpowered AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
LITTLE RAINBOW overcame NAUTILUS in a 1 minute bout.
DESERT FOX defeated FRATSFA SLAVE in a 1 minute veteran vs. amateur match.
LOGGERHEAD handily defeated CAPTURED ORC in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
DAHLGREN murdered DEATH KNIGHT in a 1 minute one-sided brawl.
THOR overcame STRATOSTAR in a 1 minute gruesome novice's conflict.
DYNAMITE FLYER was defeated by S.A. TANN in a 1 minute beginner's struggle.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  6         PARRY-LUNGE        7 -   2 -  0      78  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         WALL OF STEEL     24 -  10 -  1      71  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   3         LUNGING ATTACK    24 -  10 -  0      71  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         SLASHING ATTACK    9 -   5 -  1      64  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         STRIKING ATTACK   16 -  10 -  4      62  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      2         TOTAL PARRY       11 -   8 -  0      58  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         PARRY-RIPOSTE     11 -   9 -  0      55  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         AIMED BLOW         6 -   6 -  0      50  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         BASHING ATTACK     6 -  11 -  0      35  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  10 -  0       0  |

Turn 492 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
AIMED BLOW       SAVORY 4143                11   4  1  113 SARATOGA GLORY (352)

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   DIETER KWAN 4092           20  11  0  102 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)
WALL OF STEEL    LIL ETH 4093               22   8  2   98 DEVIL ADVOCATES (105)
TOTAL PARRY      OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975        19  16  1   96 THE STORMLORDS (337)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    LITTLE RAINBOW 4146        14   6  0   61 FISHERMAN'S WHARF (288)
STRIKING ATTACK  MISS AMERICAN PIE 4058      6   1  0   59 BUFFY'S DINER (346)
PARRY-LUNGE      DESERT FOX 4131             5   4  1   55 BLITZKRIEG II (354)
BASHING ATTACK   LOGGERHEAD 4133             3   2  0   44 BLITZKRIEG II (354)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BOATMAN KU 4130.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was TASSALTER 4112.  The ten other most popular fighters were BOATMAN KU 4130, SAVORY 
4143, TAD DEVILLE 4140, DIETER KWAN 4092, DESERT FOX 4131, THOR 4169, SENSOO O SURU 
3979, MISS AMERICAN PIE 4058, SILVER TRAIN 4170, and LIL ETH 4093.

The least popular fighter this week was DYNAMITE FLYER 4172.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were STRATOSTAR 4173, DEATH KNIGHT 4104, OBSIDIAN GOLEM 3975, CHARON 
4103, LOGGERHEAD 4149, BASKERVOLE 4071, NOT A DEVIL 4176, LOGGERHEAD 4133, NAUTILUS 
4134, and SHOW ME THE TOWN 4178.

                                  Name-Change-O-Rama

     The winter tourney brought a lot of people to the Isle who didn't appear there 
normally.  This included Commission employees.  Half a dozen arenamasters regarded 
each other warily in the mirror behind the bar at the Pig in a Haystack.  The Pig was 
obscure and mediocre, drawing few gladiators, which is what they had all been looking 
for.  They saw gladiators every day.  Most arenamaster were convinced that this was 
some kind of punishment.
     You could always pick out the arenamasters in a crowd.  There were superficial 
differences:  One of these had clearly Adantri features, one wore an eye-patch, two 
were female.  But there were, in significant ways, alike.  The same size, the same 
hair-trigger alertness, the same deadliness.
     The one-eyed man broke the ice, raising his beer mug in salute.  "I'm Zrof One-
Eye from Zukal.  Sugar of Arvat--"  One of the women bowed slightly.  "I know Sugar.  
The rest of you...?"
     The Adantri matched his salute.  "Dernal of Dayla Kiv."
     "Daiyla Kiv?  Ah...."
     "No, without the 'I' in it.  These damned bureaucrats can't spell, and they 
thought adding an unnecessary vowel was exotic."  Disgust dripped from his voice.
     "Tell me about it!" another man growled in agreement.  "Khagal of Niatoli, and 
what they do to the spelling of THAT simple word--!"
     "I thought Daiyla, I mean Dayla Kiv had a different name right now," 
Arenamistress Sugar said.  "The arena, at least, because of a contest?"
     "Chavez Ravine."  Dernal's tone was the one that substituted in polite company 
for spitting on the floor.
     Zrof blinked, taken aback by the bitterness.  He wouldn't have minded a contest 
in Zukal, and damn what they called the place.  "It's only temporary, though."
     "Temporary, shmiperary," another man muttered.  He seemed well into his drinking, 
although, like all arenamasters, he carried his liquor well.  "They do it all the time 
in Aradi.  No reshpect.  Go around changing thish, changing that.  I wish I could 
change shome thingsh."  He signalled the bartender for a refill.
     The second woman put her hand over his mug.  "You've had enough, Harkon.  Try the 
coffee, instead."
     "You should be mad, too, Ripplesh," Harkon said.  "They're going to do shtuff 
like that in Jahnsh, aren't they?"
     Ripples Dorrigan shrugged.  All the men paused, some with glasses half raised, to 
watch.  "It's the way things are," she said.  "Not much we can do about it."
     "You know," Khagal of Niatoli said, "maybe we could make a few changes.  Fix the 
spelling of Arena 33, for one, change a few standby titles--"
     "The Commission hates changes."  Dernal of Dayla Kiv topped up his glass and 
drained it gloomily.
     "Yes, but if we disguise it," Sugar of Arvat said, excited, "make it... maybe a 
general Name-Change-O-Rama!  Then we could slip OUR changes through and no one would 
notice or mind."

                  *-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------* 

     By popular demand, we are holding a Name-Change-o-Rama during the month of March.
If you wish to change the name of your warriors or teams, please contact RSI Customer 
Service.  The charge for a name change is $1, unless you're in DOOMCorps, in which 
case you take your chances.  (Just kidding, guys! *snicker*)