DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/26/2004    Duedate: 03/10/2004

NIYTYOLE ISLAND ARENA

DM-33    TURN-465

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

LIGHT DA' PYRE
WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)
(33-7063) [14-7-1,129]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

LIGHT DA' PYRE                 AMORPHOUSBLOB
WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)         CHAOTICDISORDER (585)
(33-7063) [14-7-1,129]         (33-7042) [1-1-0,8]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

DARK DUMPLING                  TOMB SCONE
BAD BREAD (95)                 BAD BREAD (95)
(33-4949) [19-18-1,92]         (33-5585) [15-5-0,78]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

SACKETT'S & CO. (552)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. JAILBIRDS (590)             38
2. CASINO HAMMERZ (576)        35      PETS ON FIRE (573)
3. JOYS OF BOOZE (556)         30      Unchartered Team
4. FOOD FIGHT (10)             23
5. WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)      22      DARK TOADS II (598)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1 PET ROCKS (487)           39  15  0 72.2   1/ 1 SACKETT'S & CO. (552)     9  2 0
 2/ 2 PETS ON FIRE (573)       130  79  8 62.2   2/ 3 JAILBIRDS (590)           8  7 1
 3/ 3 COLGATE DAYS (594)         8   5  1 61.5   3/ 2 JOYS OF BOOZE (556)       7  5 0
 4/ 4 SACKETT'S & CO. (552)    110  86 12 56.1   4/ 6 PIG BATTALION (226)       7  8 0
 5/ 5 VEGGIES (435)            161 139 11 53.7   5/ 4 WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)    7  8 0
 6/ 7 CASINO HAMMERZ (576)      70  63 13 52.6   6/10 CASINO HAMMERZ (576)      5  2 0
 7- 6 OBSIDIAN HALL (192)      328 298 29 52.4   7/ 5 VEGGIES (435)             5  7 0
 8/ 8 JOYS OF BOOZE (556)      126 118  4 51.6   8/11 FOOD FIGHT (10)           4  2 0
 9/ 9 FOOD FIGHT (10)          145 140  5 50.9   9- 7 OBSIDIAN HALL (192)       4  6 0
10/11 WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)   133 133  3 50.0  10- 8 PET ROCKS (487)           3  2 0
11/12 BAD BREAD (95)           188 215 20 46.7  11/12 PETS ON FIRE (573)        2  2 0
12/13 PIG BATTALION (226)       81  99  6 45.0  12/ 9*DARK TOADS II (598)       2  4 0
13/14 JAILBIRDS (590)           30  40  3 42.9  13/15*CHAOTICDISORDER (585)     1  2 0
14/10*DARK TOADS II (598)        2   4  0 33.3  14/14 COLGATE DAYS (594)        1  2 0
15/15*CHAOTICDISORDER (585)      1   2  0 33.3  15/13 BAD BREAD (95)            0  4 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

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                                   Hammerz Herald
                             Hammer Run Edition/Turn 464
                                      by Hammer

     He who is loose and slack in his work is brother to him who is a destroyer and
he who does not use his endeavors to heal himself is brother to him who commits
suicide. -- Proverbs 18:9  Amplified Bible

     Hammer summoned his new group of Hammer Run recruits to assess their worthiness
to represent his CASINO HAMMERZ stable.
     First to enter Hammer's office was COOL HAND HAMMER, a Female Plunger; followed
by her Male entourage of BLUFFING HAMMER, a Piker; STONE FACE HAMMER, a Striker and
MAVERICK HAMMER, a Total Parody.
     Furrowing his brow, Hammer strode over to the Total Parody, looking him straight
in the eye, saying, "You would go Straight to the Dark Arena were it not that I have
use for you to Experiment with your abilities in Niytyole Island for any possible
Improvements to be Implemented to Enhance my gladiators in other stables."
     MAVERICK HAMMER bowed his knee and swore an oath to do his Best for the overall
good of Hammer's stables.
     Then turning to STONE FACE HAMMER [who had an uncustomary quizzical look on his
face under the scrutiny of his Veteran Manager] Hammer replied, "As for you, you are
a Borderline Dark Arena Projection; however, a Replacement is Needed for POKER FACE
HAMMER and You will have To Do!"
     The Striker sank to both knees, uttering a Vow to Do His Best to Represent
CASINO HAMMERZ as a Hammer Runner.
     Hammer then addressed BLUFFING HAMMER who Showed No Signs of Stress, other than
a Faint Snicker towards his stable mate's Vow to Hammer.
     "You Did Not Quite Fit Any Profile I Was Looking For," stated Hammer as he
glanced once more at the Piker's paperwork, "But I Needed To Enter Someone In This
Category And You Will Have To Do!"
     BLUFFING HAMMER realized the Gravity of the Situation and Found Himself Bowing
to one knee and Muttering an Oath as well.
     Finally it was COOL HAND HAMMER who stood before her Veteran Manager to Hear His
Assessment of Her Value.
     "I was Sorely Tempted to Classify You as a Different Style for Experimenting
Purposes," Hammer spoke softly but to the point. "However, it is Needful that My
Stable have an Entry in the Plunger Category, so I am Counting On You to Prove
Yourself Worthy of My Decision to Do So!"
     Her Features and Body Language Expressed a Heartfelt Gratitude that Hammer would
Give Her This Opportunity, Instead of Designating Her for Experimentation
Purposes...Thus Her Vow Was Most Determined.
     Hammer Bid His New Recruits to Take Their Training Seriously as the Future Well
Being and Fate of the CASINO HAMMERZ stable Might Very Well Hinge On Their Hammer Run
Performance.
     "For The Days Ahead Are Grim Days Indeed," Hammer spoke Boldly as his features
took upon an Authority of Inspiration, "And Only Those Who Are Determined To Walk In
The Path Of The Mighty One Of Old Will Find The Courage And Boldness To Overcome The
Adversity That Will Come To Seek And Destroy. You Have The Ability Within To
Transform Seeming Defeat Into Victory That Will Cause You To Outshine Those Round
About You Who Would Scoff At Your Value And Your Very Lives. So Meet The Challenges
Head On For You Will Find A Way To Overcome If You Faint Not In The Heat Of Battle.
Death May Be Certain When You Give Up Hope. Faith In The Inward Voice Will See You
Through To Graduation And Immortality."
     The 4 Newcomers prostrated themselves in Hammer's office as each one Consecrated
his or her life to Fulfill Their Destiny on the sands of Niytyole Island as Hammer
Runners.

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

HAMMER RUN for the ROLLUPS ROLL CALL
Round by Round Recognition
P-ad Approved Style Masters Listings
"Be Bold! Wager Gold!"
(P-ad declarations in parenthesis)
[Manager name/Stable name in brackets]

Rippers
     01.  Lucky Lady Hammer (T-440) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz]
     02.  W. (T-442) [Street Legal/Of Mythos And Men]
Lungers
     01.  Roulette Hammer (T-440) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz] Died T-461
     02.  Hey, Zeus! (T-443) [Prophet/When Dogma Fails]
     03.  Career Criminal (T-455) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds]
Strikers
     01.  Poker Face Hammer (T-441) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz] Died T-462
     02.  Athena (T-442) [Street Legal/Of Mythos And Men] Died at the April Mailer
          2003 Rookies Tourney
     03.  Black Jack Hammer (T-443) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz] Died at the October
          Mailer 2003 Adepts Tourney
     04.  Tommy Lee (T-444) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds] Died T-448 DA
     05.  Poc (T-447) [Kellog/Pig Battalion] Died T-451
     06.  Stone Face Hammer (T-463) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz]
Pikers
     01.  Siren (T-442) [Street Legal/Of Mythos And Men]
     02.  Men (T-444) [Kellog/Pig Battallion] Died T-447
     03.  Canadian II (T-450) [Kellog/Pig Battallion] Died T-450 DA
     04.  Gordie (T-463) [Kellog/Pig Battallion]
     05.  Bluffing Hammer (T-463) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz]
Slashers
     01.  Light Da' Pyre (T-443) [Prophet/When Dogma Fails]
     02.  Spryte (T-444) [Dameon Darkheart/Obsidian Hall]
     03.  Black Margot (T-452) [Dameon Darkheart/Obsidian Hall] Died T-461 DA
Total Parodys
     01.  Doctor Lecter (T-444) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds]
     02.  Larry Flint (T-445) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds] Died T-448 DA
     03.  Mirikle (T-447) [Dameon Darkheart/Obsidian Hall]
     04.  Heretic Barbeque (T-448) [Prophet/When Dogma Fails] Died T-450
Plungers
     01.  Tim Allen (T-444) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds] Died T-453
     02.  Coolhand Luke (T-444) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds] Died T-446
     03.  Piggy (T-455) [Kellog/Pig Battalion]
     04.  Cool Hand Hammer (T-463) [Hammer/Casino Hammerz]
Bashers
     01.  Repeat Offender (T-447) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds]
     02.  Joe Friday (T-448) [Kellog/Pig Battallion]
     03.  Canadian (T-449) [Kellog/Pig Battallion] Died T-449 DA
     04.  Firsttime Felon (T-450) [Philthy Phil/Jailbirds] Died T-462 DA
     05.  Gotta Schtick (T-451) [Prophet/When Dogma Fails] Died T-455 DA
Wastes
     01.  Shocktart (T-449) [Distorted/Willy Wonka Inc.] Died T-452
     02.  Luftschwein (T-452) [Kellog/Pig Battallion]
Aimers
     01.  Arnold Z. (T-452/HAL did not print P-ad from T-451) [Kellog/Pig Battallion]
          Died T-454
     03.  Hamton (T-455) [Kellog/Pig Battallion] Died T-462
     04.  Porkey LR (T-463)  [Kellog/Pig Battallion]

Attention: Distorted/Willie Wonka Inc. and all other managers/stables! Hammer Run is
for 0 FE Basic Arena Warriors ONLY. Slugworth is a 14-11-0 Striker and Mike TV is an
8-5-1 Lunger (when declared in the P-ads); therefore, neither of these warriors
qualify as contestants in the Hammer Run as announced in the P-ads for T-444.

     >)]H[(< + -----:----- + >)] The Free Cities #77 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Near Barikala:

     The Golden Moon, Lady Protector Artemisia commanding, was approaching the Urt
Delta from the northeast as the day drew to a close.  Her goal was Zukal, but as soon
as the ship came within sight of land, she would anchor and wait for daylight.  The
maze of channels and islands that formed the delta was not something to attempt at
night.  At least, not now.  A decade ago there had been an intricate network of
beacons that a skilled and familiar pilot could use to reach the city's docks at any
hour, but the invasion from the East had put an end to that.  The defenders had
destroyed the beacons to hamper their foes, and the triumphant invaders of Zukal had
neither the knowledge or desire to restore the system.
     Artemisia's lip curled.  The Easterners called the people of Alastari
barbarians, because many of their cultures were young.  But if the 'civilized' old
cultures of the East didn't--or couldn't--restore safe shipping, who was the true
barbarian?
     The lookout shouted that land was in sight, and Artemisia turned to squint into
the setting sun.  But she was lower than the man on the mast and couldn't see the
dark line of the shore yet.  With a shrug, she turned to look the other way,
searching the sky for a warning of the sudden storms that had given this great lake
its name.  That horizon was clear, also.  She didn't quite trust it, but...the sky
was clear and the wind was steady.  Good enough, for now.
     When she turned to the west again, she could see land herself, the long, dark
hump of Barikala Island, silhouetted against the crimson sky.  The sun vanished from
sight, and its light was replaced by the broad, slightly greenish beam that shot
straight upward from the center of Barikala.  Around her, the sailors moved to place
the ship in a safe position and run out the anchors for the night; her first officer
needed no instructions to handle that.
     That beam of light over Barikala was also new since the invasion, and Artemisia
wished her friend Beag Magda were here.  The Elf understood such things.  Or at least
knew how to think about them, because nobody understood just what that blazing beacon
was...other than dangerous.  No one who had landed on Barikala in the last few years
had returned from there to tell what they'd seen.
     The lookout called down something else that she couldn't hear over the bustling
sounds of sails being lowered and anchor chains creaking off their drums.  One of the
sailors halfway down the mast below him shouted up, got an answer, and came hurrying
down.
     "Koro says there's something coming out through the delta," the sailor reported.
"He isn't sure what, the light's about gone, but it might be a group of canoes.  They
aren't in a main channel, anyway."
     Artemisia glanced to the side.  Her first officer was there, as he should be.
"We may have an attack coming up," she said quietly.
     He nodded and moved off to make sure the crew was ready.
     Artemisia tapped her fingers on the hilt of her cutlass, reviewing
possibilities, then shrugged.  It was useless to speculate without more information,
and dangerous to formulate plans under such circumstances.  She would have to wait
upon events.

Zukal:

     Ghenis glared down into the alley where the last of the soldiers were marching
past.  Nothing had happened.  The dark god he had believed he served had not
responded.  The Ferencian was lying to them all.  But somewhere, he knew, there was
such a dark demongod, and he vowed to find it.  And the Ferencian liar would be the
first sacrifice....
     He withdrew carefully from the roof above the alley.  It would be a good idea to
get out of Zukal for a while.  Out from under that liar Pelishtekan's eye, so that he
could think and lay his plans in relative safety.  Niatoli Island, that's where he
would go.  The false cult already had a 'mission' there, and Cousin Og would be his,
Ghenis's, first recruit.

The Isle of the Eye:

     Beag Magda sat at a small table near the back of the Two Lilies and swirled the
last of the tea in her cup moodily.  She had no fault to find with the Lilies, they
knew her here and always gave her the same table.  And the tea, as usual, was
excellent.  Something was wrong somewhere, but it was less definite--and more
important--than a problem with the service, or a mediocre cup of tea.  She was almost
afraid to look into her cup.
     That was nonsense.  It was only the unknown that should be feared, and once she
read the tea leaves, the problem would not be unknown.  Well, it would not be
completely unknown, but tea leaves were a very imprecise method of diagnosis and
prognostication.  With a little shake, she threw off the dark mood, emptied the last
swallow of tea into the saucer, and peered into the cup at the leaves clinging to its
bottom and sides.
     She could feel the hair trying to rise on the back of her neck.  The leaves
seemed to be swimming in a web of shadows.  The patterns they formed all indicated as
plainly as tea leaves could that something very dark was impending.  But nothing was
clear.  Who was menaced, and by what?  How soon?
     Beag Magda set the cup down very carefully, because her hand was trying to
shake, and laid coins beside it to pay for the tea.  She needed more information, and
she couldn't get it here.

Stormcrowe:

     Lord Protector Ipecac stalked ashore and glared around for someone to share his
outrage.  Anyone who recognized him in time--and Stormcrowe was a small island with a
limited population who generally DID recognize one another--departed hastily.  Lady
Protector Snowfall wasn't quite fast enough.  "Do you know what HAPPENED?" Ipecac
demanded.
     Looking distinctly queasy, Snowfall shook her head.
     "My ship was ATTACKED," the warrior from Emetics snapped.  He didn't notice when
the shapely woman flinched from his vehemence; people were always doing that around
him.  He stalked closer, dropping his voice for privacy.  "Monsters," he hissed.
"Demons out of the waves.  Half shark, half man, you might say.  Others like kraken.
They were summoned by a dark wizard on a black ship.  We have to do something about
this."
     Snowfall swallowed a couple of times, then said, "Why?  And how?"
     Ipecac raised his eyebrows.  "You want to live on nothing but fish caught in the
harbor?" he asked.  "They could blockade us!  And what if they decide to come ashore
and attack us here on the island?"  He frowned thoughtfully.  "Probably it's part of
some Karnhorn plot, and if we don't nip it in the bud, they'll be all over us,
murdering and enslaving.  Can't have that."
     "No," Snowfall agreed faintly, "we can't have that.  But how do we stop them?"
     "We fight, of course!"  He hesitated, perhaps realizing that such a plan was
lacking in useful details.  "All the ships will have to be armed with...catapults,"
he suggested.  "And...none of them going out alone.  Yes.  And we need to find any
wizards on the island and recruit them to help fight, and more importantly to find
out what we're up against.  That's a beginning."  He nodded firmly.  "We need to
start right away!"
     Snowfall turned quickly to the rail at the edge of the dock and fed the fish her
lunch, then straightened.  "Yes, I can see that.  Wizards, catapults, convoys.  No
time to waste...."

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 486): ALEX GRIFFIN of DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 484): XXL STRETCH PANTS of HELL-MART (Ebenezer Frothingslosh)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 480): ABRA-HAM! of SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 480): HIMEI of YAMABUSHI (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 479): GHENGIS KHAN of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 477): TMARACK of THE SIERRAS (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 238): ZACHARIAH of RED IRON KNIGHTS (Woelfe, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 469): THE FIRE WITCH of CRIMSON KINGS (The Yellow Jester, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 236): HUNGRY BONES of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 466): LOCKED IN of CALL THE PRIEST (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 464): LIGHT DA' PYRE of WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 457): BRAN AP CADAL of CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 420): SPACE BABOON of KORGAN CRUSADE (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 213): MING of DYNASTIC (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 208): 100% COLUMBIAN of COFFEE RULES! (Mr. Coffee, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 195): NASSE of DARK SIDHE (Daehir, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 345): TENACULUM of GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 325): TAIL IN THE AIR of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 143): KASENKO of PERFECTION QUEST II (Mannequin, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 370): SETHRA LAVODE of CASTLE BLACK from KYR'TERR
                                (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 486): CLAN O' WHOOPAS (?, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 484): THE CITY (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 480): SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 480): WYLDERNESS WYLD (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 479): HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 477): QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 238): THE WARLORDS II (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 469): CRIMSON KINGS (The Yellow Jester, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 236): WHAMMO & THUDDA 4 U! (Micky, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 466): SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 464): SACKETT'S & CO. (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 457): CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 420): MEDS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 213): DYNASTIC (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 208): THE JESUITS (Goat, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 195): TEAM VIRTUE (Boy Scout, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 345): GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 325): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 143): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 370): MEOW MIX, etc. (Sylvester Frothingslosh, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 479): MAN O' WAR of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 480): PUN DAT of PUNNY AMINALS (Jorja, mgr.)
                           CRIMSON of PHOENIX (?, mgr.)
               (turn 479): MUKAARTH of BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 478): CAESAR of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 469): SACRIFICIAL KNIFE of HAND ON YOUR HEART (Manray, Marquis
                          d'Frothingslosh, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 236): SODOM of DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.)
                               PALLADICE of STORMWATCH (Polar Bear, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 457): BRAN AP CADAL of CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
               (turn 456): DINGO of THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
                           IRON-HIDE of FERROUS MEN (Ironbutt, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 208): UR BRAIN ON EGG of MYSTIC ORC FEAST (Slugbait, mgr.)
                   (turn 207): STRAW FIRE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 195): NASSE of DARK SIDHE (Daehir, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 345): 4-0 PROLENE of GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     Hey all, it's me, Light da' Pyre.  Top of the heap.  King of the mountain.  The
Duelmaster.  Turns out, my manager was experimenting with my strategy when last I
fought Spryte.  Not so this last fight.  A much better result.  Anyway, race to
graduation with Spryte, round 21, go!

                    Light da' Stinkin' Pyre

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings, warriors of NIYTYOLE ISLAND!  Once again I've been called out of 
retirement for my abilities and insights into Spyreporting.  Ya gotta be quick on yer 
feet!  Keep your elbow off the table!  Thrust!  Block out the pain!  CASINO HAMMERZ 
is now ranked 6th with a 3-2-0 turn.  Some people say I ramble too much, I don't say 
anything relevant.  I repeat myself.  I ramble.  Well JOYS OF BOOZE moved up 1, to 
3rd.  What's with DOCTOR LECTER?  He actually beat BAD BREAD's TOMB SCONE, and walked 
away with 17 more points from the fight.  Laughs were big at JAILBIRDS while they 
watched SEXUAL PREDATOR clobber HOT PEPPER.  He lost 11 points and got bruised from 
objects thrown from the stands.  Try as he might, DARK DUMPLING wasn't good enough at 
persuading LIGHT DA' PYRE to step down from the Duelmaster's throne...  I suppose you 
want to hear some rumors and dirty gossip about your fellow fighters?  Tough!   
     If at first you don't succeed, avoid.  That'll get you in the Spyreports.  How 
well I know the feeling of being in the most avoided team!  Don't fall out of 
practive, JOYS OF BOOZE!  The bums at FOOD FIGHT couldn't face the challenges from 
JOYS OF BOOZE!  No excuse for that!  What do people see in BEER BELLY?  His 3-1-0?  
JOYS OF BOOZE ain't talkin', but he's got 25 points.  DARTMAN didn't quite know what 
to make of a challenge he received from JOE FRIDAY of PIG BATTALION, who is 22 points 
below him.  JOE FRIDAY perhaps got his just desserts, seeing as he was overcame by 
DARTMAN and ended up with 36 recognition points.   
     A fighter's lot is filled with strife, revenge, and killing.  Some fighters 
don't accept this.  The best do.  Who will dare fight REPEAT OFFENDER, after he 
returned from the Dark Arena?  (For the record 6-5-2 is 33, and has he points) How 
long have I been here?  I got people to see, places to go...   
     Well, I'm pretty much through.  You guys need to get back practicing.  NIYTYOLE 
ISLAND is a nice place to live, but I don't like to live in nice places.  Time for my 
medication, so I'll leave now.  Practice, practice, practice!-- Olaf Modeen  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LIGHT DA' PYRE 7063          14   7  1   129       WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-KEOKOTAH 6471                16  11  2   139       SACKETT'S & CO. (552)
 PUT OUT THE CAT 6793         22   9  1   114       PETS ON FIRE (573)
 DARK DUMPLING 4949           19  18  1    92       BAD BREAD (95)
-SPRYTE 7101                  10  10  1    92       OBSIDIAN HALL (192)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DIGITALIS 6862               18  16  1    90       OBSIDIAN HALL (192)
-KID REDO 6899                10   7  3    90       SACKETT'S & CO. (552)
 CATLOW 6990                  12   5  1    85       SACKETT'S & CO. (552)
 DOCTOR LECTER 7097           13   1  0    84       JAILBIRDS (590)
 TOMB SCONE 5585              15   5  0    78       BAD BREAD (95)
 GRUDGEBRINGER 6999           14  15  0    75       WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)
 LUCKY LADY HAMMER 7043       11  11  1    75       CASINO HAMMERZ (576)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-PANDORA 6898                 14  15  2    68       OBSIDIAN HALL (192)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DA SPINS 7011                11   9  1    66       JOYS OF BOOZE (556)
 LONIGAN 7022                  8   8  1    66       SACKETT'S & CO. (552)
-MYRIKLE 7128                  8   8  1    66       OBSIDIAN HALL (192)
 SHAR-PEI FLAMBE 6902         11   2  0    63       PETS ON FIRE (573)
 IRON CHEF 6925                9   4  0    61       FOOD FIGHT (10)
 CLINCH 7133                   7   2  1    61       SACKETT'S & CO. (552)
 DARTMAN 7161                  7   5  1    59       COLGATE DAYS (594)
 HEY, ZEUS! 7068              11  10  0    57       WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 STUPOR 7094                   9  12  0    47       JOYS OF BOOZE (556)
 HAROLD O'DOOM 7176            6   4  1    42       WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)
-QUARTZ 5563                   9   2  0    41       PET ROCKS (487)
 JOE FRIDAY 7130               7   7  1    36       PIG BATTALION (226)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MARBLE 5561                   8   3  0    33       PET ROCKS (487)
 REPEAT OFFENDER 7122          6   5  2    33       JAILBIRDS (590)
-LIONESS 7222                  2   0  0    33       DARK TOADS II (598)
-GRANITE 5562                  8   3  0    30       PET ROCKS (487)
-LIMESTONE 5560                7   3  0    26       PET ROCKS (487)
-PUMICE 5559                   7   4  0    25       PET ROCKS (487)
 BEER BELLY 7127               3   1  0    25       JOYS OF BOOZE (556)
 OLD MILLWATER 7173            3   1  0    25       JOYS OF BOOZE (556)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PIGGY 7175                    3   6  0    23       PIG BATTALION (226)
 SNARF! 7227                   3   1  0    23       WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)
 SLAYBAGEL 7105                3   1  0    20       BAD BREAD (95)
-PUMPKIN 6973                  3   1  0    20       VEGGIES (435)
 LUFTSCHWEIN 7154              4   7  0    19       PIG BATTALION (226)
-TIGRESS 7216                  0   1  0    19       DARK TOADS II (598)
 SWILL 7187                    2   1  0    18       FOOD FIGHT (10)
 SEXUAL PREDATOR 7241          2   0  0    17       JAILBIRDS (590)
 COOL HAND HAMMER 7243         1   0  0    15       CASINO HAMMERZ (576)
 CAREER CRIMINAL 7169          3   2  0    14       JAILBIRDS (590)
 PORKY LR 7232                 2   1  0    13       PIG BATTALION (226)
 GORDIE 7231                   2   1  0     9       PIG BATTALION (226)
 HOT PEPPER 6984               1   2  0     9       VEGGIES (435)
 AMORPHOUSBLOB 7042            1   1  0     8       CHAOTICDISORDER (585)
 SWEET PEA 7235                1   1  0     7       VEGGIES (435)
-DAVE GAGNON 7158              1   0  0     7       COLGATE DAYS (594)
-DEMONICHELLION 7038           0   1  0     7       CHAOTICDISORDER (585)
 STONE FACE HAMMER 7245        1   0  0     6       CASINO HAMMERZ (576)
 MANSLAUGHTER 7228             1   3  0     6       JAILBIRDS (590)
 JAGUAR 7205                   0   2  0     2       DARK TOADS II (598)
 MAVERICK HAMMER 7242          0   1  0     1       CASINO HAMMERZ (576)
 BLUFFING HAMMER 7244          0   1  0     1       CASINO HAMMERZ (576)
 CRUMMY 7240                   0   1  0     1       FOOD FIGHT (10)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
DOOM BISCUIT 7092      0  2 0 BAD BREAD 95          WURM KIN 247          465 NONE    
ROULETTE HAMMER 7044  13  5 4 CASINO HAMMERZ 576    KEOKOTAH 6471         461 NONE    
POKER FACE HAMME 7057  8 11 3 CASINO HAMMERZ 576    KID REDO 6899         462         
DARK CHAMPION 244      0  1 0 DARK ARENA 0          REPEAT OFFENDER 7122  465 NONE    
PANTHER 7204           0  1 0 DARK TOADS II 598     GERELIN LOSTFIRE 239  465 NONE    
LUTEFISK 7239          0  1 0 FOOD FIGHT 10         STONE GOLEM 246       465 NONE    
HAMTON 7174            1  5 0 PIG BATTALION 226     REPEAT OFFENDER 7122  462 REVENGED

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
RED ONION 7014         1  2 0 VEGGIES 435           BLACK ORC 240         465 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Dartman -- Phew, that was close; you're better than I thought. -- Clinch

Grudge -- Nip and tuck there for a while.  Knew you'd need to rest sooner or later.
-- The Kid

Pandora -- Guess I took off right out of the blocks. -- Catlow

Harold -- Meet O'Doom. -- Lonigan

Kellog -- Gotta watch that climb if they have a weapon in their hand. -- Catlow

Pets On Fire -- Yeah, I was looking through the AD arenas' and saw this team listed
with your MMMMMMMM's team, knew it was you.  Talked to so many people at the face
sometimes you forget which team with which manager.  Let's not let this out, me
backing a slosher at the face.  :)  You and your buddy are cool, too bad he was so
hung over at the face, don't think he's usually a stick in the mud.  :)  Good luck
Mr. C.F., hope to see you there next year.  Your time for a TC is coming, you got as
close as you can get without it.  Won't be long, just got to keep working hard.  See
you around on the sands. -- Barnabas

Rascally Rabbit and TigToad --Welcome back to DM 33.  Good to know you are Alive and
Well and have chosen to Grace our Beloved Island with your Special Talents! -- Hammer

Hammer Runners -- My 4 Replacements should be arriving this cycle or next, depending
upon the Snailmail route taken from overseas.  Expect the arrival of COOL HAND
HAMMER, Plunger; BLUFFING HAMMER, Piker; STONE FACE HAMMER, Striker and MAVERICK
HAMMER, Total Parody.  The Fate of CASINO HAMMERZ Future in Niytyole Island May Well
Rest Upon Their Blades!!!! -- Hammer

Kellog -- Those Who Live By The Sword Die By The Sword.  CASINO HAMMERZ Surprisingly
Dealt Death and were in turn Surprised By Death.  The Fate of this Unpredictable
Stable Rests Upon the Blades of LUCKY LADY HAMMER and the 4 New Replacements who have
Yet to Carve Their Destiny Upon the Sands of Niytyole Island as Hammer Runners. --
Hammer

25 February 2004
Readers, and especially those who volunteered warriors -- My apologies for the sudden
lack of episodes.  I've been sick, but expect to be back at the keyboard soon. -- the
Scribe

3 March 2004
                   MONGO'S MARDI GRAS MADNESS DUELMASTERS AUCTION

     Mongo, aka Matt McIntosh and ex-Warden of the Dark Circle, is auctioning off his
entire collection of Duelmasters warriors and stables.  Don't miss out on this chance
to own some fantastic warriors!  There are ADM warriors available in every class from
Primus to Freshmen, as well as over a dozen Basic stables.
     Does a Slasher with +4 attack, +4 decisiveness, +3 initiative and +2 riposte
sound good?  How about a Lunger who received the benefit of a TC prize, has TVed
three times after graduating--and still hasn't maxed out his skills!?  How about a
Striker in the Freshmen class who has decisiveness for a favorite learn and the MAUL
for a favorite weapon!?
     Or perhaps you prefer playing in Basic.  Then how does a stable with four Adept
class warriors who have a combined record of 41-19-9 sound?  Or maybe a stable with
three 21-Will warriors?  Or perhaps a stable with four Initiates and a Rookie who
have a combined record of 23-6-1?
     The quality of the lots is excellent.  All you need to view and bid on the lots
is go to:
          http://members.aol.com/jvmerlino/mardigras.html
     If you want to be on the mailing list to receive regular updates on the auction,
just send an e-mail to JVMerlino@aol.com. Merlin, aka John Merlino and also an ex-
Warden of the Dark Circle, will be running this auction for me.  I just moved to New
Orleans and am likely currently stumbling around the French Quarter...because it's
Mardi Gras!  So I have named my auction in honor of this occasion.
     The auction will start on Saturday, March 13th, 2004, and will continue for
several weeks.  But you should get your bids in early if you want your best chance at
owning any of these fantastic warriors and stables.
     Many thanks to all for your interest and your bids,

Mongo

5 March 2004
Style Masters Symposium
Hosted by Hammer

     The years have slipped by and many DM Managers have come and gone since the last
Hammer's Handbook was compiled and printed.
     There is now a stirring within me to begin writing and editing yet another
Handbook with a distribution date sometime in 2005.
     This Handbook will be made available via Email with a possibility of burning the
info to a CD for distribution.
     Special arrangements will be made to provide the information via printed page to
those contributors who are serving sentences behind bars.
     The working title of this new Handbook is "Style Masters Symposium Hosted by
Hammer".
     Distribution of this Handbook is projected to be MAINLY for those DM Managers
who contribute information/articles to Hammer by June 2004.
     Informative and entertaining articles should focus on insights regarding Any or
All 10 Style Masters for both the Basic and ADM arenas as well as Tourney
competition.
     Articles focusing on Weapons/Armor are also encouraged for inclusion.
     Whether you are a Newbie Manager without a clue or a Jaded Veteran; everyone has
discovered something about this gaming experience that is both Insightful and
Entertaining.
     Email Your Articles to HammerDM@fastermail.com or send them via Diplo to either
Flower Hammerz (372) in DM 28 or Casino Hammerz (576) in DM 33.
     Length and Content of the Style Masters Symposium Hosted by Hammer will be
Determined by the Quality and Quantity of Contributors Combined with the Literary
Efforts of Hammer who is currently overseas for an indefinite period of time.
     Articles Contributed for this Project should be of Sufficient Length and Content
to Warrant being Included to Receive the Finished Document when Hammer has completed
this literary work to His satisfaction.
     Managers contributing articles are also requested to include a DM Bio of
Themselves along with any Notable Successes and/or Failures during Their DM Career in
Basic, ADM and/or Tourney Play.
     A listing of Active Stables would also be Helpful for Anyone Seeking to Reply to
Contributors via Diplo, Email or Snailmail.
     May Your Blades Be Sharp And Your Wits Sharper!
     -- Hammer of Flower Hammerz (372) DM 28 and Casino Hammerz (576) DM 33

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

REPEAT OFFENDER viciously butchered DARK CHAMPION in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DOOM BISCUIT was murdered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena melee.
RED ONION was murdered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
PANTHER was slaughtered by GERELIN LOSTFIRE in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena brawl.
LUTEFISK was slain by STONE GOLEM in a 3 minute brutal Dark Arena fight.
CATLOW bested GRUDGEBRINGER in a popular 1 minute expert's Challenge brawl.
LONIGAN viciously subdued SHAR-PEI FLAMBE in a 1 minute bloody Challenge match.
IRON CHEF handily defeated STUPOR in a 2 minute gruesome uneven Challenge fight.
JOE FRIDAY was viciously subdued by DARTMAN in a 3 minute Challenge duel.
SWEET PEA lost to SWILL in a 2 minute novice's Challenge duel.
SNARF! defeated CAREER CRIMINAL in a 3 minute beginner's Challenge match.
MANSLAUGHTER was overpowered by BEER BELLY in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
SEXUAL PREDATOR luckily beat HOT PEPPER in a 2 minute amateur's Challenge competition.
LIGHT DA' PYRE demolished DARK DUMPLING in a popular 1 minute mismatched Title match.
PUT OUT THE CAT handily defeated VENOMOUS CONCUBINE in a 2 minute one-sided conflict.
DOCTOR LECTER unbelievably bested TOMB SCONE in a crowd pleasing 5 minute bout.
HEY, ZEUS! was overcome by DA SPINS in a crowd pleasing 2 minute bloody master's bout.
LUCKY LADY HAMMER defeated CLINCH in a exciting 6 minute brutal bout.
SLAYBAGEL was overpowered by HAROLD O'DOOM in a 1 minute one-sided match.
LUFTSCHWEIN was overcome by OLD MILLWATER in a 4 minute competition.
PIGGY bested EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute bout.
AMORPHOUSBLOB luckily beat BLUFFING HAMMER in a tiring 14 minute novice's duel.
JAGUAR was overcome by PORKY LR in a crowd pleasing 1 minute gory beginner's duel.
GORDIE savagely defeated MAVERICK HAMMER in a 2 minute gruesome novice's fight.
CRUMMY was outlasted by STONE FACE HAMMER in a 11 minute gory beginner's fight.
COOL HAND HAMMER overpowered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 1 minute uneven match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                  11         WALL OF STEEL     18 -  12 -  1      60  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      9         TOTAL PARRY       33 -  23 -  1      59  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         PARRY-RIPOSTE     16 -  12 -  0      57  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         SLASHING ATTACK   22 -  18 -  1      55  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      3         LUNGING ATTACK    46 -  49 -  4      48  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         BASHING ATTACK    15 -  18 -  3      45  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     3         PARRY-LUNGE       10 -  14 -  2      42  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         STRIKING ATTACK   10 -  14 -  1      42  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         PARRY-STRIKE       2 -   3 -  0      40  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         AIMED BLOW         2 -  10 -  0      17  |

Turn 465 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-RIPOSTE      2 -  0     PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  2         3  SLASHING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL      3 -  1     STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  2         2  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
PARRY-LUNGE        2 -  1     LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  8         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  1                                       1  WALL OF STEEL  
TOTAL PARRY        5 -  4                                       1  TOTAL PARRY    
AIMED BLOW         1 -  1                                       1  STRIKING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK     2 -  2                                       1  BASHING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  LIGHT DA' PYRE 7063        14   7  1  129 WHEN DOGMA FAILS (566)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    PUT OUT THE CAT 6793       22   9  1  114 PETS ON FIRE (573)
LUNGING ATTACK   DARK DUMPLING 4949         19  18  1   92 BAD BREAD (95)
TOTAL PARRY      DOCTOR LECTER 7097         13   1  0   84 JAILBIRDS (590)
STRIKING ATTACK  TOMB SCONE 5585            15   5  0   78 BAD BREAD (95)
WALL OF STEEL    DA SPINS 7011              11   9  1   66 JOYS OF BOOZE (556)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is DARK DUMPLING 4949.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was TOMB SCONE 5585.  The ten other most popular fighters were DARTMAN 7161, 
LUCKY LADY HAMMER 7043, HEY, ZEUS! 7068, CLINCH 7133, LUTEFISK 7239, IRON CHEF 6925, 
GORDIE 7231, STONE FACE HAMMER 7245, CAREER CRIMINAL 7169, and HOT PEPPER 6984.

The least popular fighter this week was AMORPHOUSBLOB 7042.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were CRUMMY 7240, BLUFFING HAMMER 7244, MAVERICK HAMMER 7242, OLD 
MILLWATER 7173, MANSLAUGHTER 7228, SHAR-PEI FLAMBE 6902, RED ONION 7014, DOOM BISCUIT 
7092, JAGUAR 7205, and SLAYBAGEL 7105.