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*)