DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/31/2003    Duedate: 01/13/2004

MURSKA ARENA

DM-35    TURN-453

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

IRON-HIDE
FERROUS MEN (11)
(35-286) [19-15-2,122]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

IRON-HIDE                      SPARHAWK
FERROUS MEN (11)               STRONGHOLD (282)
(35-286) [19-15-2,122]         (35-2927) [3-3-0,22]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

IRON-HIDE                      IRONMONGER
FERROUS MEN (11)               FERROUS MEN (11)
(35-286) [19-15-2,122]         (35-1022) [11-7-0,66]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

FERROUS MEN (11)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. FERROUS MEN (11)            63
2. CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)      11      FERROUS MEN (11)
3. STRONGHOLD (282)            11      Unchartered Team
4. TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)    0
5. THE BEARS (253)              0      STRONGHOLD (282)

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/ 0 FERROUS MEN (11)          5  0 0
 2- 2 THE BEARS (253)          313 230 19 57.6   2/ 3 CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)    5 10 2
 3/ 0 FERROUS MEN (11)          91  85  5 51.7   3- 1 TENN. CLOVER BOTTO (351)  3  2 0
 4/ 3 CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)   412 629 18 39.6   4/ 4*STRONGHOLD (282)          3  4 0
 5/ 4*STRONGHOLD (282)           5  11  1 31.3   5- 2 THE BEARS (253)           2  0 0

    '*'   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 #75 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Zukal:

     Ghenis threw down the handful of papers in disgust.  Invoices for the purchase
of black candles and sacrificial knives, chickens, rabbits...potatoes?  An angry note
from the man in charge of the cult's storeroom, demanding an investigation to
determine what had happened to three yards of black cloth and a pound of onions that
should have been there and weren't.  A requisition for a cushion "to kneel on while
praying"--gods!  Members of dark cults were supposed to be TOUGH.  All these
pettifogging little details were an insult to the whole IDEA of a dark cult.  He had
a dark suspicion that Pelishtekan had deliberately dumped this work on him, this
FILING, to get back at him for something.  The Ferencian was always "getting back at
people," and often for the slightest of slights.  It just showed you what kind of
people Easterners were!
     Ghenis looked at the papers that were now scattered on the floor of his cubicle
and came to a decision.  He had had enough.  He walked out into the hall, taking care
to tread on as many of the papers as he could in the process.  These "administrative
details" were the Ferencian's doing, but there might, still, be a proper dark god at
the head of the cult.  He would find out, and if there was such a deity, he would
give it proper worship, with blood--and not chicken or rabbit blood--and dark deeds.
And if not...Pelishtekan would find out that Hell had NOTHING like the fury of a dark
cultist scorned.
     Ghenis began to consider ways in which he might discover the truth at the heart
of the cult.

Elsewhere in Zukal:

     Jorja rubbed her forehead tiredly, which didn't do a thing to relieve the
headache.  She wasn't sure just how SHE had been appointed to organize the overthrow
of Sekahos, one of Inzolas' men and the current ruler of Zukal.  What business was it
of hers?  She was Adantri, dammit.  She sighed.  Doreg's doing, probably.  Doreg
was--or had been--one of the Bandit Princes of Zukal.  Their association had been
brief; she hadn't even liked the man much.  But apparently that was enough.  By
Mantor's blazing sword, it was MORE than enough.
     If getting rid of Sekahos was what it took to shut up the yammering Bandit
Princes, then she would do it.
     The first thing she needed was information.  Spies.  She began to go over the
list of gladiators she might call on for assistance.

Somewhere between Veastian and North Fork:

     Emir Kyreses of Veastian shrugged and sighed.  "I know.  You meet the Mad
Khaliv's minions on land, and I have no doubt they're a major problem.  But--"
     "AND we shelter YOU from them," Gorich of North Fork cut in.  "WE bear the
burden of his demon soldiers, not--"
     "We meet them at sea," Kyreses countered.  "Most of our ships are destroyed or
dare not return from southern ports, no sailors can be found who will ship out of--or
into--Veastian.  To say nothing of the damage this has done to our economy, we--"
     "Something must be done."  Gorich glared at Kyreses, daring him to counter THAT
statement.
     The Karnhorn did not.  "I agree.  But I don't know what will answer our needs
best.  To kill the Mad Khaliv is obvious, and it MAY be enough...or it may simply
free all the demons he's bound to his service."
     "Aye."  The swampman was silent for a moment.  Then he shrugged.  "But at least
it's a place to start.  But to assassinate the Mad Khaliv will take men very nearly
as mad as he is."
     "Gladiators," Kyreses said.  "That is who we must send."

This is a general call for warriors who want to be in adventures.  Any warriors from
any arenas, Basic or Advanced, any region, are welcome.  A personal or a diplo to
Scribe will do the trick.

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 481): BLUE GOOSE of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 479): SNAGGLE PUSS of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 475): MAN O' WAR of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 476): ROWARDENN of SAILS OF CHARON (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 474): GHENGIS KHAN of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 473): MALKAI of DRAGON JUNKIES (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 236): COA PATTY of KESSEN (Iker, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 465): PYGMY SHREW of SHREW CAN IT BE NOW (The Anarchist, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): MACIOBELLY of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 461): FIZGIGG of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 459): MIKE TV of WILLY WONKA INC. (Distorted, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 452): BRAN AP CADAL of CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 416): FACE BREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): STRAW FIRE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 340): WORMY of BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 320): SWINGLINED SUE of PISSED AT WORK (Nuln, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 366): SETHRA LAVODE of CASTLE BLACK from KYR'TERR
                                (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 481): DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 479): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 475): TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 476): BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 474): DELTA DOOM (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 473): DRAGON JUNKIES (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 236): none
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 465): EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): WORDS TO THE WISE (Wordsmith, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 461): SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 459): OBSIDIAN HALL (Dameon Darkheart, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 452): CHILDREN OF LLYR (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 416): WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): MIKES MORGUE (Mike, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): MYSTIC ORC FEAST (Slugbait, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 340): BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 320): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 366): WENSINWASIN (Youngblood, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 479): DENOGGINIZER of BLOODSUCKERS (Way Cool, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 475): WEDNESDAY of THE DARK TIDES (Diaretic, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 473): FOGGY DEW of KINDRED OF KAOS (PTFT, mgr.)
                            ADOBE of DELTA DOOM (Barnabas, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 465): PYGMY SHREW of SHREW CAN IT BE NOW (The Anarchist, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): MACIOBELLY of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.)
                               GAELIN BLACKTALON of THE NIGHTHAWKS (Firehawk, mgr.)
                   (turn 233): FREY of STORMWATCH (Polar Bear, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 459): MIKE TV of WILLY WONKA INC. (Distorted, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
                   (turn 210): BINGE N PURGE of EMETICS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): THE MIGHTY SORE of DRAKE'S COMICS (Drake, mgr.)
                   (turn 204): BEAR KEEPER of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     Okay, I freely grant that we don't want a Venomous Concubine as Duelmistress,
but aren't there any other contenders?

                                    Bran ap Cadal
                                Duelmaster by Default

                                      SPY REPORT

     The sages err'd not in their foretelling of a god descending upon MURSKA, for I, 
Novgorodny Vir, have returned!  TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM?  Who?  FERROUS MEN is the top 
team these days, buddies!  FERROUS MEN had cause to celebrate, after IRONMONGER got 
17 points by beating GWALCHMAI.  GWALCHMAI certainly had a baffled expression on his 
face, after losing to IRONMONGER and losing 15 points in the process!  What can be a 
greater victory?  IRON-HIDE has taken his place as the top, as MURSKA's new 
Duelmaster.  So who's the team that's been walking into taverns last week and 
ordering milk?  Sounds like a PR stunt to me.   
     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...  The warriors of CHILDREN 
OF LLYR found their efforts at combat frustrated as STRONGHOLD apparently had more 
important things to do than fight.  Everyone is famous for fifteen minutes, and OISAN 
is it right now.  Most challenged warrior.  Isn't CHILDREN OF LLYR proud!  Willing to 
win at any cost is SPARHAWK, who challenged MELGWYN, 10 points junior.  Our 
sympathies, MELGWYN!  I thought SPARHAWK showed great skill and promise when he 
defeated MELGWYN.  All right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     The moving sword slashes, and having slashed, moves on...  Oh hard!  that to 
strike a flame, the match itself must needs be wasting!   
     Do not think spyreporting in MURSKA is the highlight of my life.  Keep those 
sands bloody and the buzzards fat!  MURSKA, I leave you now.  The Duelmaster has 
agreed to foot my bill at The Victory Tavern.  'Til next time-- Novgorodny Vir  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 IRON-HIDE 286                19  15  2   122       FERROUS MEN (11)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           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           19  17  1    81       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 IRONMONGER 1022              11   7  0    66       FERROUS MEN (11)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MONA FERRULE 1041            10   6  0    55       FERROUS MEN (11)
 GWALCHMAI 3749               13   7  3    49       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)
-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)
 OISAN 3794                    2   7  0    25       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BRANGWYN 3793                 1   8  0    24       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SPARHAWK 2927                 3   3  0    22       STRONGHOLD (282)
-PLOUGHBOY 3762                5   5  1    21       TENN. CLOVER BOTTOM (351)
 LORD FERRIC 1181              1   2  0    16       FERROUS MEN (11)
 LADY FERRIC 1180              1   2  0    15       FERROUS MEN (11)
 KAN'SHI 3802                  1   1  0    10       STRONGHOLD (282)
 MELGWYN 3804                  1   3  0     6       CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
DA #1 2926             1  1 1 STRONGHOLD 282        SPYMASTER 22          453 NONE    
RE-ROLL 3801           0  1 0 STRONGHOLD 282        WURM KIN 27           453 NONE    
SCUM LILY 3803         0  1 0 STRONGHOLD 282        SPYMASTER 22          453 NONE    
TRUXTON 3764           5  5 1 TENN. CLOVER BOTT 351 GWALCHMAI 3749        451         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Why does it have to be ME to capture the stupid Orc? -- Gwalchmai, with better things
to do

I'll bet he isn't a deserter, I'll bet he's a Mordant SPY.  A mean and sneaky person.
-- Brangwyn

Sparhawk -- And I looked like a damned sparrow or something?  Get your eyes checked!
-- Oisan

Kan'shi -- Any relation to Ki'shin in Arvat?  I just wondered. -- Melgwyn

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.

8 December 2003
Greetings!  I would like to invite everyone to Jhans (DM 36) for the first annual kLk
St. Valentine's Day Massacre (kill contest).  We will start the contest off with the
ceremonial burning of the Andorian flag on turn 450.  (Six turns away.  Roughly mid-
February.)  The contest will run for 10 turns.  On turn 461, 3 separate victors will
be announced.  Team with the most kills, warrior with the most kills, and alliance
with the most kills.  Prizes will be awarded to the manager of the team with the most
kills and to the manager of the warrior with the most kills.  The prizes will
probably be team roll-ups.  The number of roll-ups has yet to be determined.  The
contest is sponsored by Jhans' newest, (but by the time the contest starts) largest
alliance, the kLk (pronounced "klick"). -- Polarius, mgr. of Blitzkrieg DM 36

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

DA #1 was butchered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
RE-ROLL was butchered by WURM KIN in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena duel.
SCUM LILY was easily killed by SPYMASTER in a popular 1 minute Dark Arena match.
SPARHAWK devastated MELGWYN in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge contest.
KAN'SHI was overpowered by OISAN in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge match.
BRAN AP CADAL was devastated by IRON-HIDE in a 1 minute one-sided Title duel.
GWALCHMAI was devastated by IRONMONGER in a 2 minute mismatched match.
MONA FERRULE handily defeated THE USEROUS MERCHANT in a 5 minute uneven fight.
BRANGWYN vanquished EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute uneven duel.
LORD FERRIC overpowered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 1 minute uneven duel.
LADY FERRIC overpowered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a dull 5 minute one-sided fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         AIMED BLOW         5 -   2 -  1      71  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         TOTAL PARRY        7 -   3 -  0      70  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   2         WALL OF STEEL     15 -   7 -  2      68  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         PARRY-STRIKE      27 -  14 -  2      66  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         LUNGING ATTACK    17 -  15 -  1      53  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         STRIKING ATTACK    1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         SLASHING ATTACK    1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         BASHING ATTACK     4 -  13 -  1      24  |
|AIMED BLOW                       0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -   8 -  0      20  |

Turn 453 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-STRIKE       1 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     1 -  3         4  PARRY-STRIKE   
PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  0         3  WALL OF STEEL  
SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  1         1  SLASHING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  0     TOTAL PARRY        0 -  1         1  LUNGING ATTACK 
LUNGING ATTACK     1 -  1                                       1  AIMED BLOW     
WALL OF STEEL      1 -  1                                       1  BASHING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  IRON-HIDE 286              19  15  2  122 FERROUS MEN (11)
LUNGING ATTACK   BRAN AP CADAL 3713         19  17  1   81 CHILDREN OF LLYR (141)
WALL OF STEEL    IRONMONGER 1022            11   7  0   66 FERROUS MEN (11)
PARRY-STRIKE     MONA FERRULE 1041          10   6  0   55 FERROUS MEN (11)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is IRON-HIDE 286.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was IRONMONGER 1022.  The ten other most popular fighters were OISAN 3794, SPARHAWK 
2927, MONA FERRULE 1041, BRANGWYN 3793, LORD FERRIC 1181, SCUM LILY 3803, IRON-HIDE 
286, DA #1 2926, RE-ROLL 3801, and MELGWYN 3804.

The least popular fighter this week was LADY FERRIC 1180.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were GWALCHMAI 3749, BRAN AP CADAL 3713, KAN'SHI 3802, MELGWYN 3804, 
RE-ROLL 3801, DA #1 2926, IRON-HIDE 286, SCUM LILY 3803, LORD FERRIC 1181, and 
BRANGWYN 3793.

                       TOURNEY FREEZE CHANGE -- ADVANCE NOTICE

     Beginning at the Winter Face-to-Face in Tempe (January 2004), we will implement 
several changes affecting tournaments.  The tournament announcement for the upcoming 
FTF and future tourneys will reflect these changes.
     First, we will eliminate the tourney freeze for all regular DM warrior classes.  
Regular DM warriors will not be classed ahead of the tournament, but instead will 
fight according to their FE on the date of the tourney.  There will still be a freeze 
for the ADM classes, occurring on the same timeline as before, approximately 6 weeks 
before the tournament.
     In addition to the above change, the warrior classes will be slightly altered.  
The new tourney classes will be as follows:

                DM Tourney Classes                 ADM Tourney Classes
              ======================              ======================
                  0 FE:  Rookies                        Freshmen
                1-4 FE:  Apprentices                    ADM
               5-10 FE:  Initiates                      Eligibles
              11-20 FE:  Adepts                      ---induction---
              21-30 FE:  Champions                      Contenders
                31+ FE:  Challengers                    Primus

     All regular DM tourney classes will remain solely FE based.  All ADM classes will 
now be based on warrior characteristics (i.e., the ADM split algorithm), including the 
Freshmen class.
     The Gateway and Primus arenas will be merging before the FTF to form one top 
arena.  These warriors will be split into two tournament classes, the Contenders and 
the Primus classes, again based upon their characteristics.  More information on this 
will be published in the newsletters for those arenas.
     If you have any questions about the above changes, please contact Customer 
Service.  Good luck in your games.

                                          -- Green Eyes and the RSI staff