DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 02/23/2018 Duedate: 03/22/2018
XOCHITHLAN ARENA
DM-39 TURN-373
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
LOUD TOYS
BASH BROS BABY (461)
(39-4069) [24-17-0,98]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
LOUD TOYS POSITION IS EMPTY
BASH BROS BABY (461)
(39-4069) [24-17-0,98]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
LOUD TOYS MANILA
BASH BROS BABY (461) WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
(39-4069) [24-17-0,98] (39-3923) [5-3-0,80]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. BIG LAKE LUMBER (483) 49
2. WORLD BLADES 8 (466) 41 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
3. ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475) 0 Unchartered Team
4. BASH BROS BABY (461) -2
5. BOOK OF THOMAS (479) -22 MARAUDERS (397)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 4 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483) 28 21 0 57.1 1/ 1 BOOK OF THOMAS (479) 7 8 1
2/ 2 BASH BROS BABY (461) 104 79 6 56.8 2/ 4 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483) 6 2 0
3/ 3 BOOK OF THOMAS (479) 75 64 8 54.0 3/ 5 WORLD BLADES 8 (466) 6 3 0
4- 5 ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475) 133 129 9 50.8 4/ 2 BASH BROS BABY (461) 5 8 0
5/ 6 WORLD BLADES 8 (466) 16 22 0 42.1 5- 6 ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475) 2 1 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
SPY REPORT
Hail and well met warriors of XOCHITHLAN! Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp
Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari. My praise to WORLD BLADES 8 for
their 3-0-0 week this time out. Indeed, it was a skillfully fought round deserving
of notice! PAHM LEIER caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial commission as she
skillfully bested STRATOSPHERE and was awarded 21 points in recognition. In one of
the week's more notable duels, MAWRIE RAWSH put down DIAMOND DUST, causing him to
lose 15 points of recognition in the process. Although NOT THE MOM CRY made a
valiant effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious BOTTLE ROCKET.
No confirmation, but my sources claim that the top team has gained their position
using magical aids. Charmed weapons perhaps?
Many and various are the arts of battle. In XOCHITHLAN "art" is a word that has
long since passed from the language!
Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser? Warriors, may this counselor stand
ready at your right hand forever! I must report the passing of NOT THE MOM CRY,
veteran of many duels. 17-26-1 final record His was not illustrious--but death plays
no favorites. Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins. In the arena there
is only the brightness of steel. Keep vigil always!
A thought before I go. Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise
manager learn the secrets of them all? Ahh, but I can hear the spires of a far off
city calling to me. I must away! Till we meet again, remember: a turtle walks
slow, hides head in a shell, and harms no one; a lion runs to slay its prey.--
Zontani Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
LOUD TOYS 4069 24 17 0 98 BASH BROS BABY (461)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-EUNUCH 4097 16 8 0 100 ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
MAWRIE RAWSH 4153 7 5 0 85 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
MANILA 3923 5 3 0 80 WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
DIAMOND DUST 4198 11 6 0 73 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
COLLYWOBBLES 4170 15 10 1 69 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BRUNEI 3924 8 6 0 66 WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DOESN'T SLEEP 4182 13 6 0 56 BASH BROS BABY (461)
PAHM LEIER 4207 5 5 0 53 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
-PROPHESLICE 4201 5 6 1 46 ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475)
OLD GLORY 4199 11 6 4 45 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
FERNANDO 4050 3 5 0 41 WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
STRATOSPHERE 4197 10 6 1 37 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BRAIN STOEN 4204 5 2 0 23 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
-IRON CHEF 4215 4 2 0 23 ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475)
JULIE MEIS 4217 3 2 0 19 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
TORY TOTZKE 4216 1 0 0 15 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
-MUSASHI 4214 2 3 0 9 ANYWAYUSLICEIT (475)
CEASELESS CRY 4228 1 2 0 5 BASH BROS BABY (461)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
PERSONAL ADS
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
MANILA devastated DOESN'T SLEEP in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
BRUNEI demolished OLD GLORY in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge melee.
BOTTLE ROCKET assassinated NOT THE MOM CRY in a 1 minute mismatched duel.
COLLYWOBBLES was devastated by LOUD TOYS in a exciting 1 minute one-sided Title fight.
DIAMOND DUST was bested by MAWRIE RAWSH in a 1 minute brawl.
STRATOSPHERE was vanquished by PAHM LEIER in a 1 minute mismatched fight.
JULIE MEIS was overpowered by FERNANDO in a popular 1 minute mismatched brawl.
BRAIN STOEN handily defeated LONG-RANGE ARCHERS in a 3 minute uneven melee.
CEASELESS CRY lost to TORY TOTZKE in a action packed 1 minute fight.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK 7 LUNGING ATTACK 21 - 7 - 2 75 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 3 AIMED BLOW 13 - 10 - 0 57 |
|AIMED BLOW 2 STRIKING ATTACK 7 - 6 - 0 54 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 2 BASHING ATTACK 30 - 26 - 3 54 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 1 TOTAL PARRY 7 - 7 - 0 50 |
|TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-STRIKE 10 - 11 - 0 48 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 - 4 - 0 33 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 SLASHING ATTACK 3 - 7 - 0 30 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 1 - 0 0 |
|WALL OF STEEL 0 WALL OF STEEL 0 - 0 - 0 0 |
Turn 373 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:
SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 BASHING ATTACK 3 - 4 4 BASHING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 1 - 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 2 LUNGING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 2 PARRY-STRIKE
AIMED BLOW 1 - 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 1 STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 1 WALL OF STEEL 0 - 0 1 AIMED BLOW
1 SLASHING ATTACK
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
BASHING ATTACK LOUD TOYS 4069 24 17 0 98 BASH BROS BABY (461)
LUNGING ATTACK MAWRIE RAWSH 4153 7 5 0 85 BIG LAKE LUMBER (483)
STRIKING ATTACK MANILA 3923 5 3 0 80 WORLD BLADES 8 (466)
PARRY-STRIKE DIAMOND DUST 4198 11 6 0 73 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
AIMED BLOW COLLYWOBBLES 4170 15 10 1 69 BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is LOUD TOYS 4069. The most popular warrior this turn
was MANILA 3923. The ten other most popular fighters were LOUD TOYS 4069, FERNANDO
4050, TORY TOTZKE 4216, BRUNEI 3924, MAWRIE RAWSH 4153, PAHM LEIER 4207, DOESN'T
SLEEP 4182, COLLYWOBBLES 4170, DIAMOND DUST 4198, and JULIE MEIS 4217.
The least popular fighter this week was BRAIN STOEN 4204. The other ten least
popular fighters were STRATOSPHERE 4197, NOT THE MOM CRY 3888, OLD GLORY 4199,
CEASELESS CRY 4228, JULIE MEIS 4217, DIAMOND DUST 4198, COLLYWOBBLES 4170, DOESN'T
SLEEP 4182, PAHM LEIER 4207, and MAWRIE RAWSH 4153.
The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:
LOUD TOYS (39-4069) BASH BROS BABY (461)
The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:
BOTTLE ROCKET (39-4157) BOOK OF THOMAS (479)
SUMMER FACE-TO-FACE IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
We have planned our summer FTF for July 13-15, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia, only 7
miles on a quick Metro ride from Washington, D.C.!. It will be held at the Holiday
Inn Arlington at Ballston. Room rates are $79 per night on 7/12 and 7/15 and $129 on
7/13 and 7/14, 1-2 occupancy. There's free wireless throughout the property as well
as a fitness center, outdoor pool, and business center, as well as a resturant and bar
inside the hotel. There is no airport shuttle and parking is $7/day. The rooms are
blocked -- ask for the Reality Simulations block. Reservations must be made by 6/12.
(As always if you have issues making reservations, please let us know!)
Hotel site: http://www.hiarlington.com
Look for the tournament info sheet and minioverviews some time in June. We hope
you're all looking forward to it and that we will see you there!
-- RSI
Mission to the Twisted Lands
Episode One
Old Brown could run pretty fast if properly motivated, but mostly he walked with
a long-legged, distance-devouring stride. He was a huge horse, a half-giant's
warhorse, shaggy and self-assured, with muscles like half-buried boulders in his
shoulders and hips. Lounging in the saddle was the motivating force, the half-giant,
Keel Woodhaven. Although in his mind he was slouching and half-asleep, he sat up
straight in the saddle since that is more comfortable for riding.
It was twilight, stars coming out above and lights in farmhouse windows below.
They traveled through vineyards, brown and fallow now in the winter, descending gently
toward the tree-crowded coast. The distant trees, not just pines, were green. They
stayed green because the marsh that surrounded the city-state of Bonsur had hot
springs in it.
Keel Woodhaven had always liked Bonsur. It had a relaxed feel about it, the
women seemed prettier, the music was great, everyone thought about having fun. And
the booze was excellent, of course. He passed the arena at the edge of town, and
paused to read the current statistics, posted on the gate and lit by a lantern. So,
an elven cobbler was the Duelmaster? Why would a shoemaker take up such a painful
profession? Then he noticed the team name: Shewish Picnic. He snorted. That
explained it, all right. As a half-Shew, he was kind of bothered by that team theme,
which was present in Home Guard as well. It was sort of funny though. He saw that
Elf Cobbler was headed for the Isle. Probably not bound for Home Guard just yet,
though.
They passed a small chicken ranch. A rooster uttered an untimely crow. At about
that time, Old Brown took exception to something and bolted. Cussing, Keel hauled on
the reins, to little effect since the horse was stronger than him and apparently
frightened. He didn't see the masked men coming out of their hiding places behind
him, looking frustrated. At least not until a crossbow bolt thunked into the backside
of his leather cuirass. His horse screamed and ran faster.
Hauling Old Brown to the left as they passed a set of big open gates into a well-
lighted courtyard, Keel got them behind the shelter of the high stone wall, and patted
the horse's sweaty neck. "You're okay now, friend. I'll go take care of those
bozos."
As he dismounted, he noticed he was becoming surrounded by uniformed men, some
with swords and some with halberds.
"Howdy?" he said, hoping they were friendly.
"Your horse has been shot," said someone, pointing at a bolt sticking out of Old
Brown's butt.
"Well damn!" Keel laid a comforting hand on the horse's flank, which quivered.
"So have you," the guard continued.
"Yeah, thought so. Doesn't feel like it got through the armor though." Keel
tried to look over his shoulder, but could only see the feathered end of the bolt.
"Who are you guys?"
"We are the Queen's Guard."
"What? Queen Gemra? Okay, please take care of Old Brown here, and I'll go find
the ***holes that shot him."
"Sir, you are mistaken. You will be taken to a doctor. We will arrest the
assailants."
"Hey! I'm on a mission from Sheila Greywand. Anyway, they shot my horse. My
HORSE! I'm gonna get 'em." Unslinging his huge sword, Keel strode toward the gate.
Four Guardsmen came with him, flanking him like the trailing ends of a flock of
geese. They might have intended a different formation, but he had the longest legs
and walked the fastest. The one who'd spoken to him before said, "I'm Corporal Brat
Langerman. And you are?"
"Keel Woodhaven."
"I've heard of you! The Queen will want to meet you."
"That's fine. Let's stick to the sides of these buildings. If they're still
around, we'll be targets in the middle of the street."
They weren't quiet, exactly, since the guards wore highly polished chain mail
which jingled. However, Bonsur had a lively night life. Music and laughter came from
bars and nightclubs on adjacent streets, people lingered on corners chatting and
sometimes playing instruments, and children hawked newssheets, shoeshines, flowers, a
selection of rouges, and offered to carry packages. So the sounds the guards made
weren't too noticeable.
Keel led the way back to the chicken ranch. He was thinking that the bad guys
wouldn't have waited around to be hunted. They might have left clues, though.
Perhaps even a discarded, crumpled note offering a cash reward for his head, and
signed by a notorious crimelord. Or distinctive cigar stubs, monogrammed hankies...
personalized masks. Tracks of boots made by elven cobblers. Anything. Witnesses,
even.
There were no people on the street near the chicken ranch. It was full night
now, a bit chilly although there was a warm and slightly funky breeze from the marsh.
Corporal Brat Langerman said quietly, "Is this where it happened?"
"Yup."
"Well, I don't think they're here anymore."
Keel was about to agree, when a crossbow bolt appeared in the Corporal's arm.
The young man hissed, "Everybody down!"
The guardsmen hunkered against the wall of a hardware store, which didn't offer
anything resembling good cover except that they were in shadow there. Keel crouched a
little, but he knew he was a pretty big target, plus his sword gave off a faint
greenish glow. He looked around, searching the darkness for signs of their foes.
A shadow on top of a shaded walkway across the street shifted a little. Keel
pulled a weighted dart out of his pocket and hurled it. He was good at tavern darts,
but it was dark, the distance was too great, and he just wasn't lucky. The little
missile clattered against the shingles of the porch roof. There was a startled twitch
from the half-seen form. At that instant, Keel lunged across the street. His long
legs carried him across to the opposite shadows in three bounds. More bolts came out
of the darkness, one lodging in his calf, the others missing him altogether.
Now the Guardsmen had a good idea where their foes were, and it takes a while to
reload a crossbow. The four men charged, yelling wildly. Tucking his sword under his
arm, Keel grabbed one of the posts holding up the porch roof, strained, and dislodged
it. After a moment he yanked it out of the structure entirely. The roof sagged,
there was a yelp of surprise, and someone's foot appeared off the edge of it. Keel
grabbed him by the ankle and hauled him the rest of the way down.
There were brief sounds of fighting, then footsteps that rapidly receded down an
alley. Three Guardsmen raced off in pursuit. Keel's prisoner started to try to get
away, so the half-Shew tossed him up, grabbed him by the arms and bashed him against
the wall.
"Are you okay?" asked Brat, sheathing his sword.
"Took one in the leg, but it's not too bad I think," Keel said, shifting his
unconscious prisoner to one hand and bending to pick up his sword.
"I'll help you tie that one up," Brat said. "There's a dead one here. I think
there were two more." He grunted slightly, trying to reach something with his injured
arm. "Got some ties in my right-hand belt pouch. If you could get them for me?"
They bound the prisoner, then bandaged each other.
"What did they want?" asked the Corporal.
Keel shrugged. "No clue. Let's get him somewhere safe and we can ask him..."
He listened. "Your guys are coming back."
"Yeah."
The Guardsmen hadn't been able to track their assailants in the darkness, but at
least there were no further injuries. The group of them returned warily to the
courtyard of the Guard House, where a woman was smearing some kind of ointment on Old
Brown's wound. After the horse was bedded down in the stable, the Guardsmen led Keel
into their office, where there was a welcome scent of fresh coffee. The medic set
about binding Keel's wound and that of the Corporal, who turned out to be an extremely
handsome man. Keel remembered hearing that Queen Gemra required her Guardsmen to be
good looking. That didn't mean they weren't competent, though. Brat had done pretty
well.
The medic roused their prisoner with smelling salts. They all sat in the main
office, Corporal Langerman facing the miscreant, who was seated in a cushioned chair,
looking reasonably comfortable except for his bandaged head. "All right," said Brat.
"Now I want you to tell me that you're going to turn Queen's Evidence."
"Not on your life, pretty boy!" The man had, perhaps, some excuse for hard
feelings since he was more homely than not, with a crooked nose and eyes set too close
together. He and Keel looked shabby and ill-favored amongst all these gleamingly
handsome Guardsmen.
Keel leaned forward. "You guys shot my horse."
"Oh. Sorry, didn't mean to do that. We were just shooting at you."
"Why?"
"Glowing sword."
"What?"
"Duh, it's a magic sword! We saw it when you drew it in Delarq Tor, and figured
we could sell it so we followed you."
The half-Shew snorted. "The Dentless isn't magic. It was in a Chaos Gate for
five hundred years and it picked up some energy, that's all. All it does, is glow.
And cut things."
The bandit looked chagrined. "But... it's got to be magic."
"Ain't. Sorry kid."
After that, Keel was taken to enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the Palace. Queen
Gemra was a definite babe, with long, silken black hair, a delicate pouty face, and
luscious curves. She asked him about his mission, which was to go to the Twisted
Lands and shut down a leaking Chaos Gate. He entertained her with the story of his
adventure on the Two-Shew Express, and she gave him a brown velvet cloak to show her
appreciation. She did not invite him to her bed, which was fine because his heart
belonged to another, always and forever.
* * * * *
This is a continuing adventure.
Watch for future chapters in the Bonsur and Home Guard newsletters!