DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/03/2003    Duedate: 12/16/2003

MURSKA ARENA

DM-35    TURN-451

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

DINGO
THE BEARS (253)
(35-3716) [15-7-0,111]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

DINGO                          POSITION IS EMPTY
THE BEARS (253)                
(35-3716) [15-7-0,111]         

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

BRAN AP CADAL                  TOM THUMB
CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)         THE BEARS (253)
(35-3713) [18-16-1,73]         (35-3791) [4-1-1,35]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

THE BEARS (253)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)   12
2. THE BEARS (253)             10TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)
3. CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)      -2      Unchartered Team

                                       ARCHAIC INFINITY (296)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 TENN. CLOVER BOTTO (351)  30  20  3 60.0   1/ 1 THE BEARS (253)           9  1 0
 2/ 2 THE BEARS (253)          313 230 19 57.6   2/ 2 TENN. CLOVER BOTTO (351)  9  6 0
 3/ 4 CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)   408 623 17 39.6   3/ 3 CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)    4 10 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 #74 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Malcorn:

     The Prince of Malcorn listened carefully as Fist of Kjarran and his companions
described the monster on the road to Murska, what it had done up till now and how
they had dealt with it.  When Fist repeated Cadal's statement that the matter was not
settled and could not be settled in simple combat, the prince sighed and nodded.
"That's true," he admitted.  "The dregur can be driven off with steel, but they can't
be finally settled that way.  It takes magic to bind and unbind them, because an
essential part of their nature is magical."
     Stiffly, Aghtamar said, "We heard that it was you who set them loose
originally--"
     "For what I considered good and sufficient reason, yes, I did," Malcorn agreed.
"How many invaders did you encounter on the road here from Korga?"
     "Invaders?"  The Korgan woman shook her head, puzzled.  "None.  I hear they're
pulling out all along the coast, going back to their homelands, I suppose, and about
time!"
     "About time," Malcorn agreed.  "It was the dregur who finally convinced them of
that.  Not all dregur are criminals like the one you fought, probably no more than
might be found in a similar group of humans.  I made an agreement, which the
responsible leaders of the dregur entered into fully and fairly.  They will help us
deal with the few among them who are criminal."
     "They'll...help?" Zilla asked faintly.  "Wonderful.  Just wonderful."
     "They said they'd clean up their own snakes."  The gladiators turned to peer
into the dark corner.  The man sitting there, who had been so silent he hadn't been
noticed, was plainly a Karnhorn.  A Karnhorn of a familiar type--by his clothing,
which was fashionable but not highly so, and very plainly made, a man of the lower
ranks of the nobility, and impoverished, Aghtamar decided.  Probably a minor
bureaucrat.  Which made his presence here, on terms of familiarity with the Prince of
Malcorn, a puzzle.  Not her puzzle to solve, she hoped.
     "I know they did, Tiljanz, and I believe they intend to do so," Malcorn replied. 
"But I don't see any harm in providing them with...witnesses to their fulfillment of
the agreement."
     "To make sure they have no second thoughts?" Tiljanz asked.  He sounded a little
amused, but only a little.  "No harm in that," he agreed.  "I shall certainly go
along to see that the terms of the agreement are met."
     "No offense intended," Fist said quickly, "but this will be a job for warriors.
You don't look like--"
     "I am not a warrior," the young Karnhorn answered calmly.  "And I take no
offense at your warning, intended as it is to preserve my life.  But life is not
enough, there must be self-respect, as well."
     "Tiljanz al Burgos is as steady a man as you'll find," Malcorn cut in.  "He
won't run, and he won't get in your way.  We'll take him with us."
     "With...us?" Aghtamar asked faintly.
     "Yes, I'm coming, too," the Prince of Malcorn answered.

     Fist of Kjarran had expected to leave immediately, or at least first thing the
next morning.  But two full days passed before Lord Malcorn and the Karnhorn
bureaucrat were ready to go.  Two days during which he considered going without them.
But there were always several Shews, large, Lord Protector Shews, standing between
him and the door when those thoughts came to him.
     And then when they did finally set out, Fist of Kjarran, Aghtamar, Zilla, Cadal,
Malcorn, and Tiljanz al Burgos, Fist found himself wishing that some of those big,
tough-looking Shews were coming, too.

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 479): E. VICTOR of LETTER BOMBS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 477): SMELLY CAT of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 473): MAN O' WAR of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 473): CRIMSON of PHOENIX (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 471): TWO GLASS EYES of SPECIAL ED (PTFT, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 470): TRAGIC TUESDAY of QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 235): POPPY HAMMER of FLOWER HAMMERZ (Hammer, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 462): GOLDIE of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 233): SODOM of DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 459): STARBREAKER of CALL THE PRIEST (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 457): MIKE TV of WILLY WONKA INC. (Distorted, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 450): DINGO of THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 413): SWORDBREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 210): BINGE N PURGE of EMETICS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 204): 101 PROOF!! of COFFEE RULES! (Mr. Coffee, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 191): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 338): WORMY of BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 318): MARTINE of FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 140): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 363): NEMESIS of CHAMPIONS from JHELUM (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 479): DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 477): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 473): TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 473): BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 471): MIDDLE WAY (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 470): QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 235): THE PENTARCHY (The Pentalque, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 462): EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 233): WORDS TO THE WISE (Wordsmith, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 459): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 457): OBSIDIAN HALL (Dameon Darkheart, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 450): THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 413): KORGAN CRUSADE (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 210): MIKES MORGUE (Mike, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 204): COFFEE RULES! (Mr. Coffee, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 191): TEAM VIRTUE (Boy Scout, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 338): BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 318): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 140): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 363): MEOW MIX, etc. (Sylvester Frothingslosh, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 479): E. VICTOR of LETTER BOMBS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
              (turn 478): SCHIZOPHRENIC of DSM4 (The Sandman, mgr.)
                          GWEN RYDER of DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 477): SMELLY CAT of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
               (turn 476): CUNNING CALICO of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
                           CAT FANCY of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
                           FASTER PUSSYCAT of ARENA FELINES II (Garfield, mgr.)
                           PERSONAL BEJEEZUS of ESTIMATED PROPHETS (Chazz
                           Frothingslosh, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 471): ASH of DELTA DOOM (Barnabas, mgr.)
                            BECKY of BLADES OF STEEL (Lord Andarus, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 462): COBRA of DEATH THREAT (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 233): FREY of STORMWATCH (Polar Bear, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 458): LINDEN of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 456): WILD CARD HAMMER of CASINO HAMMERZ (Hammer, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 449): KING BEAR of THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 210): BINGE N PURGE of EMETICS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 204): BEAR KEEPER of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
                   (turn 203): JUMBO MUMBO of SPOONERTIKS (Spawn, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 337): GAZELLE of REDHORSE (Mila, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 139): SUNGLASSES of FOUND IN THE SAND (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     It is I, Novgorodny Vir, Spymaster of Spymasters.  Look on my work, ye mighty, 
and despair!  TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM had cause to celebrate, after MERO got 13 points by 
beating MELGWYN.  A certain someone should cut down on the drinking and practice 
more, after losing 10 points to DANGEROUS CRIMINAL.  (Discrete enough, JACKSON?) 
Those who hoped for a new Duelmaster were disappointed by BRAN AP CADAL, of CHILDREN 
OF LLYR, who despite a 18-16-1 couldn't overcome MURSKA's Number 1.  Word has it one 
team in MURSKA is using psychics to predict wins.  They lead a charmed life!   
     A Zenmaster once told me, 'Does not the spinning wheel turn?  And do not the 
little birds cry out?'  Any ideas?  Perhaps the warriors of CHILDREN OF LLYR should 
take up some hobbies, as they are the most avoided team...  As a woman of good 
breeding scorns the "warriors" of THE BEARS, so did that sorry team shy from CHILDREN 
OF LLYR  
     The moving sword slashes, and having slashed, moves on...  You've heard about 
TRUXTON of TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM.  Death plays no favorites, and neither do I.  What 
was a 5-5-1 doing on the fields in the first place?  Ask not for whom the sword 
slashes; it slashes for thee.   
     All good things must come to an end.  As if buffeted by forces of nature beyond 
my control, I must take my leave of this place.  Do not despair!  I shall return!-- 
Novgorodny Vir  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DINGO 3716                   15   7  0   111       THE BEARS (253)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BRAN AP CADAL 3713           18  16  1    73       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GWALCHMAI 3749               12   6  2    60       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WARM SESSION 3763             7   3  0    44       TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)
 JACKSON 3766                  8   2  1    40       TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)
 TOM THUMB 3791                4   1  1    35       THE BEARS (253)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MERO 3800                     4   2  0    33       TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PLOUGHBOY 3762                5   5  1    21       TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)
 MELGWYN 3804                  1   1  0    11       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)
 OISAN 3794                    1   6  0     9       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)
 BRANGWYN 3793                 0   7  0     7       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
TRUXTON 3764           5  5 1 TENN. CLOVER BOTT 351 GWALCHMAI 3749        451         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

King Bear -- I assure you, I got up off my bed of pain to see you off to the Isle.
It was an inspiring sight. -- Bran ap Cadal, who has fought you too many times

Warm Session -- Hmm, is that when a lot of people get together with their in-laws
and, um, discuss things with vigor and a certain lack of restraint? -- Gwalchmai

Ploughboy -- The sooner you beat THAT sword into a plowshare, the happier I will be.
-- Brangwyn

Tom Thumb -- That gesture at the end of the fight was distinctly rude. -- Oisan

I don't think fighting the Embezzling Scribe counts as an initiation into the
realities of arena life. -- Melgwyn

13 November 2003
Let it be known far and wide, that the Warrior TUM 18-7380, the Champions Runner-Up
for the recent Tournament, is managed by none other than Shocking Toad.  I named this
fabulous warrior after my friend and mentor, TUM, a.k.a. Don!  Sorry TUM didn't get
me my first TC; however, a runner-up with all those sandbaggers is pretty impressive,
if I do say so myself. -- Shocking Toad, The Manager

13 November 2003
All -- This is to announce that I am no longer a member of the Vendetta Cartel
Alliance.  I have enjoyed my time there, and I've made some great friends.  Their
company will be missed, but they will endure.  I wish them well. -- Apex

2 December 2003
ZalCon2, ZalCon Reloaded
Where:  Jhelum, DM 4
When:  February 9th or 23rd, 2003 (TBA when Mail In date set)
How Long:  20 Turns

Restrictions:  Zero FE at start of contest.  Must announce warrior styles by second
arena fight to receive points.  No prize modified warriors.  No entry to July Face,
No TV Challenges.  All prizes to be used exclusively on warriors from the contest
team only.

Awards:
     First Initiate Duelmaster (FID):  First warrior announced in the contest to
          reach the throne.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, increasing damage for 1 warrior by one rating to
          max for ST/SZ.
     Warrior MVP:  Top warrior based on MVP points accrued in the contest.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge for any warrior on team, +1
          to bonus in any skill area up to max for style for 1 warrior on team, 2
          nights stay at Winter FTF Hotel.
     Team MVP:  Top Team based on MVP points accrued in contest by all the teams
          warriors.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge, +1 to Bonus, 6 Months Free
          Play, 20 Rollups.
     Warrior MVP Top 11:  Next 10 warriors on MVP list at the end of the contest.
     Prize:  +1 to Bonus
     Style Master:  Top warrior in each style based on Style Master points accrued in
          the contest.
     Prize:  Favorites Knowledge of any warrior on team.
     Iron Manager Award:  Minimum 95 fights in contest by any team.
     Prize:  Choice of free entry for team to 2005 Winter Face or +1 to Bonus for one
          warrior.

MVP Point System:  +1 for Win, Fight, Kill, Recognition Leader (after Round 3), -1
Death, +2 Duelmaster, +2 each 3 Consecutive turns as DM, +1 Quality Win (any win over
opponent with 5 or more Rec), +1 for each 10 Rec points over 5 in win (+1 for 5-14
above, +2 for 15-24 above, +3 for 25-34 above).
Style Master Point System:  +2 Style Master, +1 Win vs. Same Style Opponent, +1 Win
vs. Same Style Master, +1 for 3 Consecutive Turns as Style Master (rolling).

     Please direct any question about rules or clarifications to me, Robert
Occhipinti, via Diplo to DM74, 1988 Dodgers or email to zalgor@hotmail.com.  All
rules decisions made by me are final and binding within the confines of this contest.

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

DINGO devastated BRAN AP CADAL in a 1 minute mismatched Title fight.
JACKSON was vanquished by DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a 1 minute uneven battle.
GWALCHMAI killed TRUXTON in a action packed 1 minute fight.
WARM SESSION bested FRATSFA SLAVE in a 3 minute veteran vs. novice contest.
TOM THUMB demolished BRANGWYN in a action packed 1 minute gory mismatched competition.
PLOUGHBOY bested OISAN in a 3 minute match.
MERO devastated MELGWYN in a 2 minute gruesome one-sided competition.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|PARRY-STRIKE                     5         TOTAL PARRY       11 -   2 -  0      85  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         WALL OF STEEL     17 -   8 -  1      68  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         AIMED BLOW         6 -   3 -  1      67  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         PARRY-STRIKE      27 -  18 -  2      60  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         LUNGING ATTACK    21 -  17 -  2      55  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK     3 -   8 -  1      27  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   7 -  0       0  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  0         STRIKING ATTACK    0 -   2 -  0       0  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      0         SLASHING ATTACK    0 -   2 -  0       0  |

Turn 451 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     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         4  PARRY-STRIKE   
WALL OF STEEL      2 -  0     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  1         2  WALL OF STEEL  
PARRY-STRIKE       3 -  2     LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  1         2  BASHING ATTACK 
                              SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  0         1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                              STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  0         1  AIMED BLOW     
                              BASHING ATTACK     0 -  2         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                              TOTAL PARRY        0 -  0     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
WALL OF STEEL    DINGO 3716                 15   7  0  111 THE BEARS (253)
LUNGING ATTACK   BRAN AP CADAL 3713         18  16  1   73 CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)
PARRY-STRIKE     WARM SESSION 3763           7   3  0   44 TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)
AIMED BLOW       TOM THUMB 3791              4   1  1   35 THE BEARS (253)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BRAN AP CADAL 3713.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was TOM THUMB 3791.  The ten other most popular fighters were PLOUGHBOY 3762, 
OISAN 3794, MERO 3800, DINGO 3716, GWALCHMAI 3749, TRUXTON 3764, MELGWYN 3804, BRAN 
AP CADAL 3713, JACKSON 3766, and WARM SESSION 3763.

The least popular fighter this week was BRANGWYN 3793.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were WARM SESSION 3763, JACKSON 3766, BRAN AP CADAL 3713, MELGWYN 3804, 
TRUXTON 3764, GWALCHMAI 3749, DINGO 3716, MERO 3800, OISAN 3794, and PLOUGHBOY 3762.