DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 05/21/2009 Duedate: 06/03/2009 JHANS ARENA DM-36 TURN-585 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS THE AZURE NYMPH HOUSE OF RATS (3) (36-34) [15-6-1,68] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader THE AZURE NYMPH EVA MENDES HOUSE OF RATS (3) GIRLS X3 (572) (36-34) [15-6-1,68] (36-6705) [4-0-0,65] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite ABALOND EGRAN ELLIRIN IMBRAY MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) (36-7349) [15-9-1,55] (36-7351) [10-14-1,48] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM GIRLS X3 (572) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. GIRLS X3 (572) 41 2. BABES (416) 7 HOUSE OF RATS (3) 3. GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (574) 0 Unchartered Team 4. CHRISTIAN ROCK 3 (613) 0 5. MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) -3 GIRLS X3 (572) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1- 1*GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (574) 7 4 0 63.6 1/ 1*GIRLS X3 (572) 10 2 0 2/ 3*GIRLS X3 (572) 17 10 1 63.0 2/ 2 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) 6 9 0 3/ 2 HOUSE OF RATS (3) 56 44 2 56.0 3/ 4 HOUSE OF RATS (3) 4 4 2 4/ 4 BABES (416) 363 303 17 54.5 4/ 5 BABES (416) 1 2 0 5/ 5 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) 60 55 4 52.2 5- 3*GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (574) 1 3 0 6- 6*CHRISTIAN ROCK 3 (613) 0 3 0 0.0 6- 6*CHRISTIAN ROCK 3 (613) 0 3 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+-----]|%{ * ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 505): GALLORDIN of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 629): KOVARAMANN VOTH of GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 624): FELISSA HURM of THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 627): HIERONYMUS ZIGG of SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 617): DEIMOS of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 613): DOT DOT DOT of CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): LEAD INSTRUCTOR of LIGHT BRIGADE (Woody, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 584): BAM BAM THE IMP of HOUSE OF RATS (?, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 576): TORCHILIGHT KID of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 259): D'URVILLE of KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 560): CHATTY CABALIST of DUNGEON CELL (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 511): CARGO of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): KORASIM of TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 210): UM-PAH of ONE MAN BAND (Allegro, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 505): SUPER BUM of FLAT BROKE (The Muffin Man, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 2 NIANIA (turn 505): PEANUT BUTTER FUDGE (Gavin, Rule, mgr.) DM 3 OSKSI (turn 629): GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.) DM 5 KALTOS (turn 624): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.) DM 7 BONSUR (turn 627): SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 617): THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 613): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): MONADIC TRIBE (Nomad, mgr.) DM 36 JHANS (turn 584): GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (Non?, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 576): U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 259): KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.) DM 42 RODEKI (turn 560): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.) DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 511): DARK HORSEMEN (Jorja, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 210): ONE MAN BAND (Allegro, mgr.) ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 505) 0729205R et al (The Muffin Man, mgr.) Recent Graduates ----------------- DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.) WAYWARD SON of MANNEQUIN'S BEST (Mannequin, mgr.) DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.) DM 10 KOLACT (turn 616): JOLEEN KRUZ of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 612): BLUE MOON of RUN AND HYDE (Jekyll, mgr.) HEXALUS of VINCERE AUT MORI (Toker, mgr.) DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): LAGERKVIST of LITERATE LOONS (?, mgr.) DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 575): RUNNA DAMILL of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.) (turn 460): EVANDER GILL of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.) DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. Yeah, I know, it's the same old story. A ripper returns to the arena after twenty years, goes to the DA and becomes Duelmaster. I was about to present you all with my throne speech, but this place is so dead, the Dark Arena sends its unwanted here. Bam Bam, the imp daddy of Jhans SPY REPORT Well, what are you looking at, JHANS? Ain't you never seen Snide Clemens before? Ah, shaddup and listen to my news. Of course, we're all terribly impressed to see EVA MENDES win a fight and gain 18 points, terribly. Tsk, tsk, EVA MENDES beat ABALOND EGRAN and ABALOND EGRAN lost 9 points. You're breakin' my heart. Our last turn's Duelmaster has lost, folks, lost to M. CHARDINEE, and BAM BAM THE IMP has made the way for a new Duelmaster! With BAM BAM THE IMP clearing the throne, HOUSE OF RATS of THE AZURE NYMPH takes a proud seat as JHANS' new Duelmaster, by virtue of recognition points. 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, JHANS? My mother always told me, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, start talking.' I loved that woman. GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS, I suppose you'll be glad to know you were this turn's most avoided team. Care to know who is the most afraid of you? And it looks like HOUSE OF RATS avoided them the most this turn. What a pack of would be losers, if you ask me. Hmph. ABALOND EGRAN was challenged more times this turn than the Duelmaster. Now was the DM insulted or feared? Heh, heh. Ah, now we come to my favorite part, where we see all the guys who are dead and gone, and get to see if their team cared. Gee, BABES, ain't it past due for sending MIRIAM Dark Arena? What took ol' '14-5-0' so long? Hope? Ha ha aha ha! Now hey, I like to see a death as much as the next guy, but hey BABES, whyja send MIRIAM to the Dark Arena, look at hers record, huh? Titanium shields and bamboo daggers, guess what brave team is developing these kinds of weapons? I was about to buy a new quill pen the other day, but some fighter took it for an epee. Forgive me for writing with a dagger. Well, I've had enough of this drivel, and I'm sure you have too. Off like a dirty shirt of padded leather. Glad to see the back of this place-- Snide Clemens DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME THE AZURE NYMPH 34 15 6 1 68 HOUSE OF RATS (3) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -KYRA 7316 18 1 1 142 BABES (416) -SHERRY 7335 9 1 1 102 BABES (416) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -RAKAR 5307 11 6 1 68 IRON TIGERS (484) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME EVA MENDES 6705 4 0 0 65 GIRLS X3 (572) BAM BAM THE IMP 35 14 8 1 63 HOUSE OF RATS (3) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME ABALOND EGRAN 7349 15 9 1 55 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) ELLIRIN IMBRAY 7351 10 14 1 48 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) -KELLY BUNDY 6669 3 0 0 41 GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (574) GRACIE NICOLE 6652 4 3 0 36 GIRLS X3 (572) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME NICOLE KIDMAN 6650 4 1 1 33 GIRLS X3 (572) DANETTE ROGERS 6653 4 3 0 31 GIRLS X3 (572) -JAMIE KING 6670 1 1 0 26 GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (574) DEETY HINCH 7385 3 0 0 25 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -LISA D. 6666 1 2 0 21 GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (574) CHESHIRE BAT 7167 1 4 0 15 HOUSE OF RATS (3) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME DIANNE 7381 1 0 0 14 BABES (416) EDDIE INCHER 7375 2 7 0 13 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) GORM HOLLIS 7384 1 2 0 5 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) VENUS 7382 0 1 0 2 BABES (416) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? MIRIAM 7320 14 6 0 BABES 416 SHEWISH GIANT 585 NONE PERSONAL ADS Hal has been misbehaving, and many personals sent in good time have not arrived. They should show up next time. Well, we hope they'll show up next time. For now, our apologies. -- the Editor 29 April 09 Greetings All -- This is Vincent Michaels, "the Rake", mgr. of the Stormbringers out of DM 33 Niatoli Island, back after a relatively long layoff. I come back to my arena to find only two other teams there. Terrible! I'm calling on all you managers out there who have inactive teams in Niatoli to put them back in the game. Also, anyone else who wants to come check out our little island are welcome. Good food and a lot of good gambling, and you will have a chance to smack around Gen. GirlPants and his band of Ravaged Queens. Great fun. Come one, come all! 4 May 09 Players of Duel 2: RSI wants to try, in a few arenas, a system that rewards role-play and general arena involvement. Our thoughts at this time are as follows, and feedback is earnestly solicited: 1. What to reward. a. Spotlights--they don't have to be involved and lengthy storylines, and in fact, my own inclination is to say: anything game related and original (i,e,, not a reprint), maybe set a minimum length. I use TOGS here as my model--half a column as formatted for the newsletter, and we don't judge the quality of the writing (so long as the editor isn't grossed out), just the intent to make a positive contribution. b. A dm column where one is "due." Again, no judgment on quality of writing, should be dm-related, and I would say (this is just me) a minimum length of maybe five lines. c. Personals. More than just "you suck," or "good fight." How much more doesn't really concern me, and quality, other than "not offensive to the editor," should not be an issue. We don't want to encourage participation and then muzzle it. d. It has been suggested that a reward point or two be offered for running a full team. We could include this, but my own inclination would be to say that there would be no points for this, but that those who don't make a clear effort on this (accidents happen, so maybe something like "when the three-turn total of fights is below twelve"?) aren't eligible for points on any turn until they get it back up to a full team. 2. How to reward it. a. We've been thinking nebulously about some kind of point system, obviously, as an example, say 3 points for a spotlight, 2 for a column, 1 for personals, more points here for what takes more effort, but some points for any effort. This is in no way final! But some way to keep track of who is contributing and how much, and as non- subjective as possible; this would be noted as each newsletter would be proofed. A way to clearly identify who's sending in what would help, but I can work it out by referring to the warrior listings if I have to. b. But, assuming a point system, do the rewards, whatever they end up being, go to the player who achieves a certain point total? Is this calculated per turn, or as a running total over as many turns as it takes to reach that point? Or to the player with the highest total on any given turn? What about ties? c. What do the points get the player? The current thought is X points gets a free fight, probably replacing the "Popularity Leader's" free fight in the relevant arena. That suggests only one player getting a role-play free fight on any given turn. Is this enough to encourage the newsletter participation we're hoping for? Should we convert "This Week's Favorite" to a role-play free fight also? Or handle rewards in some other way entirely? 3. Where it happens. The current thought is, try it in four arenas: one in each region, and one slow arena. Who picks the arenas in question? I'd be inclined to rule out those that are doing fairly well already (Ardivent, Sunset, Lapur; Arkers, Morya, North Fork), but is that wise? Or even fair? Darned if I know. Places where it is NOT currently intended to happen: Transfer arenas. Maybe rule out the no-tourney arenas as current candidates, too? If this seems to work well enough to be worth the effort, should we consider extending it to more, eventually to all non-transfer, arenas? This is not a "someday down the line we might" concept. We want to do this, and SOON. Your feedback would be appreciated, for, against, changes, anything. You can email me directly at jputney zianet com (make sure it says DM in the subject line) or send a diplo to scribe, any arena. the Scribe P.S. Staff members not to be eligible for role-playing free fights. 5 May 09 The Battle Royal V is upon us! Come join one of the original contests that has had some of the games best managers involved in the past. DM 18, Talcama, some consider it to be the crown jewel of the Delarq cities is where this contest will take place. The Battle Royal is intended to be a play as you want, play what you want Delarquan style contest with very few rules. While I'd love to say, "NO AVOIDING" is the only rule (and that wouldn't be too far off), I must spell out situations that can and have occurred and require additional clarification. The advantages of this format: 1) Simple. 2) No penalty for DAs. 3) No restrictions on warriors entered into the contest (baggers, TC mods, etc all welcome) 4) No penalty for not fighting. 5) It isn't a race where 21 wit and favorite learn determine the victor. 6) Losing a warrior (or even your whole team) doesn't eliminate you from contention. 7) It is possible to overcome almost any deficit. And this has been proven, with managers making huge point swings in short periods of time! 8) It is a contest designed to show manager skill rather than warrior ability. There are a few disadvantages: 1) There is no set end. It is possible for this contest to go on indefinitely. In practice, this format has worked very nicely in the past and I expect it will continue to work well. 2) You cannot avoid (But that is part of the fun and the head to head nature of this contest requires this rule.) 3) It encourages bloodshed. 4) Baggers and experienced warriors have an advantage over new warriors. Battle Royal Rules: - Any team in Talcama is eligible to participate. There are no restrictions on warriors (baggers, TC prize modified, etc). However, any warrior that fights for your team is considered in the BR. - Teams may not avoid any other team within the contest. (Note that you may avoid teams outside the contest but you do so at your own risk.) Avoiding a team on the turn they enter the Battle Royal is not considered against the rules (since you couldn't know the team wasn't part of the BR). The suggestion is not to avoid at all. Assur (the contest moderator) gets an avoid report every turn and will catch people avoiding! - Managers may only enter a single team in the contest. - Any manager with more than one team in Talcama may not challenge any other contest warrior with their non contest team(s). The intention is that no advantage can be gained by having multiple teams in the arena. ****Failure to comply with the above rules*** 1st offense: Disqualification from the prize, but you may still participate. 2nd offense: Warning. 3rd offense: Removal from Battle Royal. - If a manager decides to switch teams, his score will start back at 0. This is to prevent a manager from sweeping the contest with several teams of sandbaggers. Can a manager use this clause to go from a negative score to zero? Yes. I realize this is sort of cheating, but I'd rather have a manager start over with a new team than drop out of the contest. Even so, they have to start at 0 and must gain 25 points. - If your warrior loses a contest fight because of an input error and this error is verified by RSI, you will have a point added to your score. The head to head records will remain the same and any points gained by another manager will remain on that manager's record. - As soon as you are announced in the newsletter, you are officially entered into the Battle Royal. Scoring begins on that turn! You are expected to follow the rules that turn and every turn following. Your team may enter any time they wish during the course of the Battle Royal. - If you are exiting the Battle Royal, you are not removed until the turn after your intention is published. You are asked to follow the rules for that turn (either through not avoiding or not running your warriors). Scoring: - Scoring begins the turn your team declares participation. - Scoring continues through the turn your team withdraws. - Score is calculated by: Wins+Kills-Lossses. - Only fights with other B.R. participannts count towards your score, but they count whether they are challenges or random match-ups. - First Manager to 25 points wins! - In event of tie, B.R. continues until one team that has reached 25 points is ahead of all other participants. Disputes: - The attempt has been made to make these rules as complete and bulletproof as possible, but Tripwire will resolve any disputes as fairly as he is capable. Prizes: For the Winner: 6 Months Free Play in Talcama for the winning team (doesn't include tourneys)! One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18)! One Limited Damage Bump Potion (one time use, up to max for stats, used on DM 18 warrior)! One Minor Stat Switch Prize (up to 2 points can be moved from one stat to another stat on a new rollup in DM 18, before adding 14 points. This prize can be used up to 3 months from the contest end. Both points must be used in the same place (can't take one from a speed and one from deftness and add one to wit and will)). One Favorites Knowledge Potion (to be used on a 5+ FE warrior in DM 18). Rename One Dark Arena Creature in DM 18, which will be renamed for 6 Months or until the Ladies decide to return it to the previous name. All potions renaming prizes must be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest. Endurance Award (available to all participants): One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18). To qualify for the Endurance Award you must participate in 90% of the total fights possible over the course of the BR. If you don't have time to make it into the BR by the first turn, there will be a two turn window before the counter will start for new teams. The fights do not have to be BR point scoring fights, just 90% of the total possible participation over the course of the contest! So, if the contest runs 26 turns, there are 130 fights possible. Your team must have 117 fights during those 26 turns to be eligible. All prizes/potions subject to RSI's interpretation of how they are used/implemented. RSI said the faves knowledge must be used on an Inits warrior or higher and set at 5FE or more. Tripwire LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS MIRIAM was barely slain by SHEWISH GIANT in a 2 minute bloody Dark Arena fight. BAM BAM THE IMP was viciously subdued by M. CHARDINEE in a dull 10 minute battle. THE AZURE NYMPH luckily beat ELLIRIN IMBRAY in a 2 minute master's Title duel. ABALOND EGRAN was viciously subdued by EVA MENDES in a 1 minute gory fight. GRACIE NICOLE demolished CHESHIRE BAT in a 1 minute mismatched competition. DANETTE ROGERS overpowered OSKSI NOBLE in a 1 minute one-sided struggle. NICOLE KIDMAN devastated EDDIE INCHER in a 1 minute one-sided competition. GORM HOLLIS was handily defeated by DIANNE in a action packed 1 minute uneven melee. DEETY HINCH won victory over VENUS in a 1 minute beginner's fight. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |LUNGING ATTACK 5 AIMED BLOW 7 - 1 - 0 88 | |SLASHING ATTACK 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 - 1 - 2 75 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 SLASHING ATTACK 9 - 3 - 1 75 | |BASHING ATTACK 2 LUNGING ATTACK 24 - 15 - 2 62 | |AIMED BLOW 1 BASHING ATTACK 7 - 10 - 0 41 | |STRIKING ATTACK 1 WALL OF STEEL 4 - 7 - 0 36 | |TOTAL PARRY 1 TOTAL PARRY 1 - 2 - 0 33 | |WALL OF STEEL 1 STRIKING ATTACK 6 - 14 - 0 30 | |PARRY-LUNGE 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 - 0 0 | |PARRY-STRIKE 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 - 0 0 | Turn 585 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 3 LUNGING ATTACK SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 0 3 SLASHING ATTACK LUNGING ATTACK 3 - 2 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 1 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 1 BASHING ATTACK 0 - 2 1 BASHING ATTACK TOTAL PARRY 0 - 1 1 WALL OF STEEL WALL OF STEEL 0 - 1 1 AIMED BLOW TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME PARRY-RIPOSTE THE AZURE NYMPH 34 15 6 1 68 HOUSE OF RATS (3) LUNGING ATTACK EVA MENDES 6705 4 0 0 65 GIRLS X3 (572) BASHING ATTACK ABALOND EGRAN 7349 15 9 1 55 MIDDLE WAY 17 (612) SLASHING ATTACK GRACIE NICOLE 6652 4 3 0 36 GIRLS X3 (572) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is ABALOND EGRAN 7349. The most popular warrior this turn was MIRIAM 7320. The ten other most popular fighters were ELLIRIN IMBRAY 7351, GRACIE NICOLE 6652, THE AZURE NYMPH 34, DANETTE ROGERS 6653, NICOLE KIDMAN 6650, DIANNE 7381, EVA MENDES 6705, DEETY HINCH 7385, CHESHIRE BAT 7167, and GORM HOLLIS 7384. The least popular fighter this week was BAM BAM THE IMP 35. The other ten least popular fighters were EDDIE INCHER 7375, ABALOND EGRAN 7349, VENUS 7382, GORM HOLLIS 7384, CHESHIRE BAT 7167, DEETY HINCH 7385, EVA MENDES 6705, DIANNE 7381, NICOLE KIDMAN 6650, and DANETTE ROGERS 6653.