DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/17/2005    Duedate: 03/02/2005

CLIFFHOME ARENA

DM-38    TURN-467

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

DARK TYPHLOSION
FIRE DECK (394)
(38-4414) [8-0-0,115]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

DARK TYPHLOSION                POSITION IS EMPTY
FIRE DECK (394)                
(38-4414) [8-0-0,115]          

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

RUNABOUT                       GROWLITHE
JINDA-BAN (198)                FIRE DECK (394)
(38-4458) [18-16-0,93]         (38-4559) [2-0-0,28]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

JINDA-BAN (198)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. JINDA-BAN (198)             45
2. FIRE DECK (394)             34      ARENA FELINES (374)
3. ARENA FELINES (374)          4      Unchartered Team
4. DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (401)     0
5. SANDS OF TIME (371)          0      ZULUS FROM HELL (234)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1*DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (401)   1   0  0  100   1/ 1 JINDA-BAN (198)           9  6 0
 2/ 2 ARENA FELINES (374)      113  44 10 72.0   2/ 3 FIRE DECK (394)           5  3 0
 3/ 3 BOY O'S (388)             25  17  3 59.5   3- 2 SANDS OF TIME (371)       2  0 0
 4- 4 SANDS OF TIME (371)       45  34  0 57.0   4- 6*DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (401)  1  0 0
 5- 5 EAGLES CLAW (47)         668 570 56 54.0   5/ 8 ARENA FELINES (374)       1  1 0
 6- 6 TEAM FLOYD (99)          294 260 17 53.1   6/ 5 BOY O'S (388)             1  3 0
 7/ 7 FIRE DECK (394)           19  20  0 48.7   7- 7 EAGLES CLAW (47)          1  4 0
 8/ 8 JINDA-BAN (198)          310 420  7 42.5   8- 4 TEAM FLOYD (99)           0  2 0

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

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     I LOSE to the Khalhums Dwarf (a worthy foe), and for that I get the title?  This
is...really sad.  But I suppose no more than is to be expected of someone who has a
small horseless carriage temporarily in elven form for a teammate.  Oh, well, I trust
somebody more worthy of the title will show up and take it away from me today.

                                     Dingil Bill

                                      SPY REPORT

     Oh, hi.  Its just little 'ol Debby Tonte.  Thought I'd check out CLIFFHOME to 
see what's new.  Uncool, TEAM FLOYD.  I mean 0-0-0 is bad.  Will they will be allowed 
to fight?  I say use 'em for training practice!  ARENA FELINES like really fought 
hard to move up to 5th from 8th.  Way to go!  MVP award for RUNABOUT?  JINDA-BAN's 
proud of her after beating KHALHUMS DWARF and getting 15 points.  Talk about yer big 
time losers!  ROLLO got smashed by GROWLITHE, and lost 3 points!  Oh, wow, like the 
Duelmaster must be the most popular guy in all CLIFFHOME.  He got the most 
challenges.  (But what about proposals?) Like, DARK TYPHLOSION must be pretty gutsy!  
He challenged the Duelmaster from JINDA-BAN.  Does this guy have a death wish or 
what!  And I was just getting used to the ex-Duelmaster's habit of...(!)  Oh well, 
welcome DARK TYPHLOSION.  Aren't FIRE DECK proud.  (Oh, my.) I hear the top team 
insists all their warriors get nine hours sleep.  They want photogenic fighters for 
PR photos.   
     Look, you guys stick to fighting, all right?  EAGLES CLAW was CLIFFHOME's most 
avoided team.  Is there some award for that?  I don't know what BOY O'S' been doing.  
They certainly haven't been accepting many fights from EAGLES CLAW, that's fer sher.  
     Man, all these warriors dying and killing each other!  Don't you guys ever give 
it a break?  Fight, fight, fight.  Is that all you guys can do?   
     Remember, blood on a purple robe may stain.  Soak it in cold water, and hand 
wash.  I'm getting tired of writing this stuff, so I'm calling it quits.  Remember 
you guys, ease up sometimes!  Chill out!  Later, Debby Tonte  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DARK TYPHLOSION 4414          8   0  0   115       FIRE DECK (394)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RUNABOUT 4458                18  16  0    93       JINDA-BAN (198)
 HARANDUR 4484                 9  13  0    93       JINDA-BAN (198)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-FUGAZI 3565                   7   3  2    88       TEAM FLOYD (99)
 DINGIL BILL 4428             16  24  0    80       JINDA-BAN (198)
-FIGARO 4340                   7   3  0    76       BOY O'S (388)
-ROBERT GERMAN 4521            8   2  1    72       EAGLES CLAW (47)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-PAWS 4342                     7   3  0    59       ARENA FELINES (374)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TORCHICK 4514                 3   0  0    49       FIRE DECK (394)
 SIR LICKSALOT 4341            9   2  0    48       ARENA FELINES (374)
 WALDO 4336                    6   2  1    35       BOY O'S (388)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-EAGLE'S CLAW 4345             4   1  1    32       TEAM FLOYD (99)
-FUZZY BUNNY SLIPPERS 4549     3   0  0    28       EAGLES CLAW (47)
 GROWLITHE 4559                2   0  0    28       FIRE DECK (394)
-PECAN PIE 4172                2   3  0    25       SANDS OF TIME (371)
-PUSS IN BOOTS 4358            2   1  0    25       ARENA FELINES (374)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BALLOU YS 4539                3   8  0    22       JINDA-BAN (198)
-FRANKEN FELINE 4399           1   0  0    20       ARENA FELINES (374)
 GUHULONG 4565                 1   3  0    14       JINDA-BAN (198)
 ROLLO 4544                    2   1  0    13       BOY O'S (388)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-NEON LOVES HANSON 4485        1   0  0     9       DIRTY LIL' SECRETS (401)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
WATER LILY 4566        0  1 0 FIRE DECK 394         MOUNTAIN TROLL 18     467 NONE    
VULPIX 4564            0  1 0 FIRE DECK 394         STONE GOLEM 26        467 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

The Convicted Assassin was a sneaky little elf and got no more than he deserved, and
probably less.  Damned backstabber. -- Harandur

Sir Licksalot -- A worthier candidate for roadkill has not crossed my lane in some
time.  But I restrained myself and swerved at the last moment, remembering that while
Nick doesn't mind the sight of blood, he is averse to organs smeared across the
highway.  Odd, that. -- Runabout

Waldo -- I hope someone pulls that O down over your head and you strangle on it. --
Ballou Ys, not in the most charitable of moods

Funny Bunny Slippers -- That tickle!  Very fuzzy.  Laugh lots. -- Guhulong

Lost Souls -- I know some managers who are DELIGHTED with that predictability.  I
won't name names, but....  Have you considered opening a team in some more active
arena? -- Jinda-Ban

I would be honored to be the Duelmaster now that the other undefeated warrior is
outta here.  I didn't fight last time because I didn't want to mess up his...er...
perfect record.  Yeah, I could have...but that's been too easy. -- Dark T.
P.S.  Good riddance!

15 January 2005
     BR 4 is upon us!  First turn is due on 1/29/05.  Many thanks to RSI for helping
supply a great prize for the winner and those who meet the 90% endurance criteria.
     Winning prize:  6 months free play, a +1 bonus potion, a limited damage potion,
a favorites knowledge potion, a minor stat-switch prize, and renaming a Dark Arena
creature.
     Endurance prizes:  a +1 bonus potion to all teams that fight 90% of the possible
fights during the contest.
     For details, visit Talcama's newletter or
http://www.geocities.com/assurnasir/br4
     To join, simply bring a team to DM 18, announce your entry in the personals, and
follow the very simple rule of not avoiding!

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

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

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

5 February 2005
On behalf of the ILLUMINATI Confederation of Alliances (The kLk, CHAOS, Inc. and The
Company of Brothers) I would like to express our sympathies concerning the tragic

loss of Rich Hammes to both the DM community and to the real life world.  Surely our
loss has been Heaven's gain. -- Talon Darkhart, deeply sorrowful
                                kLk God of War, Illuminati Alliance, Puppetmaster

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

WATER LILY was butchered by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
VULPIX was dispatched by STONE GOLEM in a 2 minute gruesome Dark Arena battle.
DARK TYPHLOSION demolished DINGIL BILL in a 1 minute uneven Challenge Title fight.
WALDO was devastated by TORCHICK in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge contest.
ROLLO was defeated by GROWLITHE in a 4 minute amateur's Challenge match.
RUNABOUT overpowered KHALHUMS DWARF in a 2 minute bloody one-sided struggle.
HARANDUR handily defeated KHALHUMS DWARF in a 2 minute uneven fight.
SIR LICKSALOT unbelievably bested AMBITIOUS GUARD in a action packed 6 minute duel.
BALLOU YS vanquished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute uneven fight.
GUHULONG vanquished MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute one-sided fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|AIMED BLOW                       3         AIMED BLOW        12 -   4 -  0      75  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         STRIKING ATTACK   11 -   8 -  2      58  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         TOTAL PARRY       12 -  10 -  0      55  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         PARRY-STRIKE       7 -   7 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         LUNGING ATTACK    22 -  24 -  0      48  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         SLASHING ATTACK    9 -  10 -  0      47  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK     7 -  12 -  0      37  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         WALL OF STEEL      2 -   6 -  0      25  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 467 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     AIMED BLOW         1 -  2         5  LUNGING ATTACK 
SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK     1 -  2         3  STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
BASHING ATTACK     1 -  0     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  0         1  SLASHING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY        1 -  1     WALL OF STEEL      0 -  0         1  TOTAL PARRY    

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   DARK TYPHLOSION 4414        8   0  0  115 FIRE DECK (394)
STRIKING ATTACK  RUNABOUT 4458              18  16  0   93 JINDA-BAN (198)
SLASHING ATTACK  TORCHICK 4514               3   0  0   49 FIRE DECK (394)
TOTAL PARRY      SIR LICKSALOT 4341          9   2  0   48 ARENA FELINES (374)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is RUNABOUT 4458.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was GROWLITHE 4559.  The ten other most popular fighters were RUNABOUT 4458, HARANDUR 
4484, DARK TYPHLOSION 4414, VULPIX 4564, TORCHICK 4514, GUHULONG 4565, WATER LILY 
4566, WALDO 4336, BALLOU YS 4539, and DINGIL BILL 4428.

The least popular fighter this week was SIR LICKSALOT 4341.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were ROLLO 4544, DINGIL BILL 4428, BALLOU YS 4539, WALDO 4336, WATER 
LILY 4566, GUHULONG 4565, TORCHICK 4514, VULPIX 4564, DARK TYPHLOSION 4414, and 
HARANDUR 4484.

                                  Name-Change-O-Rama

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

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

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