DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 03/17/2005    Duedate: 03/30/2005

CLIFFHOME ARENA

DM-38    TURN-469

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

FUGAZI
TEAM FLOYD (99)
(38-3565) [9-3-2,99]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

FUGAZI                         POSITION IS EMPTY
TEAM FLOYD (99)                
(38-3565) [9-3-2,99]           

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

RUNABOUT                       TORCHICK
JINDA-BAN (198)                FIRE DECK (394)
(38-4458) [18-18-0,75]         (38-4514) [3-2-0,43]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

TEAM FLOYD (99)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. TEAM FLOYD (99)             16
2. FIRE DECK (394)              9      ARENA FELINES (374)
3. JINDA-BAN (198)              7      Unchartered Team
4. ARENA FELINES (374)          3
5. BOY O'S (388)                0      IBM II (122)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 ARENA FELINES (374)      115  44 10 72.3   1/ 3 TEAM FLOYD (99)           9  1 1
 2- 2 BOY O'S (388)             25  17  3 59.5   2/ 1 JINDA-BAN (198)           7  8 0
 3/ 5 TEAM FLOYD (99)          303 261 18 53.7   3/ 2 FIRE DECK (394)           4  8 0
 4/ 6 FIRE DECK (394)           20  26  0 43.5   4/ 4 ARENA FELINES (374)       3  0 0
 5/ 7 JINDA-BAN (198)          313 427  7 42.3   5- 6 BOY O'S (388)             0  2 0

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

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings, Warriors of CLIFFHOME.  Allow this humble servant Novgorodny Vir to 
give you a respite from the fights in the form of this Spyreport.  The boys at 
JINDA-BAN left the arena dejected, after being kicked out of the top spot by TEAM 
FLOYD.  Good show!  Practice pays for DINGIL BILL, who pummelled VETERAN MERCENARY, 
to pocket 14 points.  A certain someone should cut down on the drinking and practice 
more, after losing 14 points to KUNG-FU MASTER.  (Discrete enough, HARANDUR?) A 
certain someone saw DARK TYPHLOSION at The Choking Ogre with the shakes, and now he 
fails to show up to defend his throne.  What a pathetic slob!  Now I can't insult 
FUGAZI, as he has gloriously dueled to the top.  Oh great new Duelmaster!!!  (Stop me 
if I lay it on too thick) So who's the team that's been walking into taverns last 
week and ordering milk?  Sounds like a PR stunt to me.   
     So much to report, so little time!  Is it charming personality?  Conversational 
abilities?  Good oral hygiene?  Whatever it is, SIR LICKSALOT is the most challenged 
warrior.  Them's the breaks, RUNABOUT.  Expecting fair challenges from TEAM FLOYD is 
evidently too much to ask.  Warriors of CLIFFHOME!  Do you wish your reputations 
tainted by the base challenge of FUGAZI?   
     Is there life after death?  Pragmatics (and warriors) know there is death after 
life!  Questions are being raised about the disposing of severed body parts in the 
arena.  A certain tavern in CLIFFHOME would I avoid!   
     Do not think spyreporting in CLIFFHOME is the highlight of my life.  As if 
buffeted by forces of nature beyond my control, I must take my leave of this place.  
Can anything compare to the pleasure of writing Spyreports for CLIFFHOME?  On that 
giddy note I take my leave-- Novgorodny Vir  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FUGAZI 3565                   9   3  2    99       TEAM FLOYD (99)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DARK TYPHLOSION 4414          9   0  0   123       FIRE DECK (394)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DINGIL BILL 4428             17  25  0    87       JINDA-BAN (198)
-FIGARO 4340                   7   3  0    76       BOY O'S (388)
 RUNABOUT 4458                18  18  0    75       JINDA-BAN (198)
 HARANDUR 4484                 9  15  0    73       JINDA-BAN (198)

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

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SIR LICKSALOT 4341           11   2  0    53       ARENA FELINES (374)
 EAGLE'S CLAW 4345             6   1  1    53       TEAM FLOYD (99)
 TORCHICK 4514                 3   2  0    43       FIRE DECK (394)
-WALDO 4336                    6   2  1    35       BOY O'S (388)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WHAT'S A VOLKSIE? 4563        2   0  0    33       TEAM FLOYD (99)
-PUSS IN BOOTS 4358            2   1  0    25       ARENA FELINES (374)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BALLOU YS 4539                4   9  0    21       JINDA-BAN (198)
-FRANKEN FELINE 4399           1   0  0    20       ARENA FELINES (374)
 GUHULONG 4565                 2   4  0    19       JINDA-BAN (198)
 STABBING EASTWARD 4562        2   0  1    18       TEAM FLOYD (99)
-ROLLO 4544                    2   1  0    13       BOY O'S (388)
 MELLOW LEDBETTER 4561         1   1  0     8       TEAM FLOYD (99)
 RAPIDASH 4577                 0   1  0     1       FIRE DECK (394)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
GROWLITHE 4559         2  2 0 FIRE DECK 394         SPYMASTER 22          469 NONE    
ARCANINE 4576          0  1 0 FIRE DECK 394         BLACK ORC 20          469 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Dark Typhlosion -- Well, I suppose it's better hold the title by fighting me than by 

fighting, say, the Khalhums Dwarf (nasty fellows, Khalhums Dwarves, and THEY never 
write columns, either).  But still, I wish somebody else would show up here to help 
fill out the fights, don't you? -- Harandur the melancholy

Nobody told me I would have to do Kung-Fu.  I just can't seem to get my wheels on 
that style. -- Runabout

Fugazi -- I don't know what Harandur's talking about; I'd rather fight a standby ANY 
day. -- Dingil Bill

Indeed, I didn't mind defeating the Osksi Noble (who is a Dwarf, and possibly from 
Khalhums). -- Ballou Ys

Mellow Ledbetter -- What mellow?  Alla time you hit me. -- Guhulong

Stimpy -- I agree that the internet has been hard on the pbm games, and the freebies 
have CERTAINLY been hard.  Dm hasn't gone up in price in all the years I've been 
involved with it (how anybody could afford to run several teams back when twenty a 
month would go a lot farther, I cannot imagine!), but it has gone up in production 
costs, and this, too, has been hard on the game.  I don't know what the answer might 
be.  There has been a small but growing shift in our player base toward people who, 
for various reasons, don't have internet access.  Is that the answer, to go entirely 
for non-email players?  Or should we try to find some way to alter and/or enhance the 
game to make it worth that money every month?  Of course, if you mention altering in 
the hearing of most long-time supporters (most of them number-crunchers), they go 
bananas.  And as to enhancing...?  The only way I can think of to enhance without 
altering involves making the newsletters themselves more interesting, and since 
they're up on the website, you don't actually have to pay to read 'em.  Not that 
there's all that much to read in most. -- Nick, Jinda-Ban
P.S.  If you DO think of anything good, let us know at once!  I can be reached 
directly at LiviaATreality.com

1 March 2005
                                    The Contract
                         [as retold by Hammer the WordSmith]
     What had begun as a contract for swords and armor between a well known name in
the DM community and the former VC Captain/WordSmith and WeaponSmith of the Vendetta
Cartel Tarantula Tribe was destined to impact and altar the landscape of the dueling
community for years to come.
     The following is but a condensed retelling of history in the making.

    Hammer continued sipping his tankard of Elven Tonic as the mysterious hooded
figure quietly seated himself across the table from the Veteran Manager whose back
was against the wall; allowing for a subtle, but effective surveillance of the dimly
lit tavern.
     Recent events in both Illis and North Fork/SCOMSS Swamp Arena had stunned the DM
managerial world with the announcement that Hammer had resigned from his position as
a well respected member of the Vendetta Cartel Alliance.
     Those managers and associates closest to Hammer were shocked and dismayed that
there seemed to be NO Rational Explanation for Hammer making such a seemingly
irrational, hasty and extremely illogical decision; by what seemed to be a spur of
the moment reaction following the Declaration of War by Hammer in the DM 47 P-ads.
     This is what stirred the mysterious hooded figure to seek Hammer with a request
that would change the managerial course of both men; ultimately Rocking the
Managerial World of Alastari as a result of the forthcoming decisions reached by the
two Veterans.
     Time passed swiftly as both Veteran Managers discussed how the landscape of the
DM game on the sands of Alastari had changed over the years both in Basic and Tourney
play; producing a new breed of managers who would of necessity band together in an
alliance with a common goal; waging war against antagonists while improving the
managerial skills of each participating member in their glorious quest for DM
excellence.
     Hammer listened intently as his unexpected guest inquired about the situation in
North Fork/SCOMSS Swamp Arena; revealing his desire to participate in the upcoming
Turf War 4 contest in DM 47 with an alliance that would accept him on a more
permanent basis other than for just fighting together as a TW4 alliance to win fame
and Gift Certs.
     Here was a Veteran Manager, seeking the advice of Hammer regarding an alliance
to join on a permanent basis; plus extending a sword arm of friendship and requesting
that Hammer join him as an alliance mate with those who would welcome their
membership.
     The Iron in the Words of Hammer had produced this opportunity as a result of the
recent conflicts witnessed first hand by the manager seated across the table from
Hammer.  This Veteran Manager had been secretly searching and scouting around
Alastari for someone worth his mettle to fight alongside; someone who would know
where to find the perfect gang of rebels who were unafraid of waging war against
anyone.
     Hammer knew exactly where to look and in a matter of days the two newcomers were
welcomed into the ranks of a group of managers who received them as war waging equals
in an alliance that had joined a Confederation of Alliances for the TW4 contest.
     Fighting under the banner of The Illuminati Confederation of Alliances alongside
members of Chaos Inc, kLk and The Company of Brothers during the TW4 was more than
either of the two Veteran Managers had envisioned a few months ago.
     Hammer was now entering a new journey with a new attitude.
     Perhaps you readers may have noticed that new attitude by now since this
announcement by Hammer is uncharacteristically Exclamation Point Free.
     Except for the famous quote by Hammer at the end of this announcement.
     Now that Hammer and the Mysterious Hooded Figure have agreed to join forces with
an alliance whose members have welcomed them enthusiastically; let those who desire
to be antagonistic be forewarned as to the identities of these newly welcomed wagers
of war:

Tripwire
kLk Bringer of Pain

Hammer
kLk WordSmith and WeaponSmith
Minister of War
Illuminati Idealist

     "May Your Blades Be Sharp and Your Wits Sharper!"

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

GROWLITHE was butchered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
ARCANINE was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena duel.
FUGAZI viciously subdued RUNABOUT in a 1 minute veteran's Challenge Title match.
TORCHICK was unbelievably bested by SIR LICKSALOT in a 6 minute Challenge fight.
WHAT'S A VOLKSIE? devastated BALLOU YS in a 1 minute uneven Challenge brawl.
MELLOW LEDBETTER was savagely defeated by GUHULONG in a 3 minute Challenge struggle.
DINGIL BILL handily defeated VETERAN MERCENARY in a 1 minute uneven fight.
HARANDUR slimly lost to KUNG-FU MASTER in a action packed 1 minute duel.
EAGLE'S CLAW viciously subdued AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 2 minute gruesome fight.
STABBING EASTWARD won victory over RAPIDASH in a exciting 1 minute novice's fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         TOTAL PARRY       11 -   6 -  0      65  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         AIMED BLOW        10 -   6 -  0      63  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         LUNGING ATTACK    25 -  19 -  1      57  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         PARRY-STRIKE       6 -   6 -  0      50  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         STRIKING ATTACK    7 -   8 -  0      47  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         WALL OF STEEL      4 -   6 -  0      40  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         BASHING ATTACK     6 -   9 -  0      40  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         SLASHING ATTACK    6 -  11 -  0      35  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 469 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   FUGAZI 3565                 9   3  2   99 TEAM FLOYD (99)
TOTAL PARRY      SIR LICKSALOT 4341         11   2  0   53 ARENA FELINES (374)
WALL OF STEEL    EAGLE'S CLAW 4345           6   1  1   53 TEAM FLOYD (99)
SLASHING ATTACK  TORCHICK 4514               3   2  0   43 FIRE DECK (394)
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 TORCHICK 4514.  The ten other most popular fighters were GUHULONG 4565, FUGAZI 
3565, WHAT'S A VOLKSIE? 4563, EAGLE'S CLAW 4345, STABBING EASTWARD 4562, DINGIL BILL 
4428, HARANDUR 4484, RUNABOUT 4458, SIR LICKSALOT 4341, and MELLOW LEDBETTER 4561.

The least popular fighter this week was BALLOU YS 4539.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were ARCANINE 4576, GROWLITHE 4559, RAPIDASH 4577, MELLOW LEDBETTER 4561, 
SIR LICKSALOT 4341, RUNABOUT 4458, HARANDUR 4484, DINGIL BILL 4428, STABBING EASTWARD 
4562, and EAGLE'S CLAW 4345.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

FUGAZI (38-3565) TEAM FLOYD (99)