DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER Date : 03/30/2004 Duedate: 04/12/2004 KATI-TEI ARENA DM-41 TURN-430 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS MARS WANDERERS (329) (41-3989) [10-2-0,98] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader MARS SADISTA FAIRBORNE WANDERERS (329) MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) (41-3989) [10-2-0,98] (41-4006) [5-0-0,34] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite TORA HAMLIN WHIPPED TOPPING WANDERERS (329) LOOD FOOD (367) (41-3983) [11-5-1,83] (41-4045) [2-2-0,33] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) 32 2. WOLF PACK (361) 23 BIRDS (286) 3. LOOD FOOD (367) 20 Unchartered Team 4. GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) 14 5. WANDERERS (329) 6 GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1- 1*THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) 4 1 0 80.0 1/ 3*GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) 9 6 0 2- 2*HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) 9 6 0 60.0 2/ 6*MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) 8 7 0 3- 3*LIQUOR CABINET (366) 6 4 2 60.0 3/ 1 WANDERERS (329) 7 8 1 4- 5*MAD COWS (363) 5 4 0 55.6 4/ 2*WOLF PACK (361) 6 9 1 5/ 7*GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) 11 9 0 55.0 5/11 BIRDS (286) 5 4 0 6/ 8 BIRDS (286) 58 52 4 52.7 6/15*LOOD FOOD (367) 5 9 0 7/12*MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) 12 11 1 52.2 7- 5*HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) 4 1 0 8/ 6*WOLF PACK (361) 10 10 1 50.0 8- 9*THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) 4 1 0 9/ 9 WANDERERS (329) 290 329 7 46.8 9- 4*LIQUOR CABINET (366) 3 2 1 10-11*BLITZKRIEG (359) 8 10 3 44.4 10- 7*MAD COWS (363) 3 2 0 11-13*CHAZZARIUM (371) 4 6 0 40.0 11- 8*HELTER SKELTER (350) 3 5 0 12-14*HELTER SKELTER (350) 5 8 0 38.5 12-12*BLITZKRIEG (359) 3 7 2 13/16*LOOD FOOD (367) 5 14 0 26.3 13/13*OLD SCHOOL (368) 3 12 0 14/15*OLD SCHOOL (368) 4 16 0 20.0 14-10*CHAZZARIUM (371) 2 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 + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The North Woods #1 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ + A log cabin near North Fork: Captain Zarthynes glanced at Galbadan and almost laughed. The Shew was scowling, probably as deeply as he himself had been a moment ago. The two of them had been appointed, by Emir Kyreses of Veastian and the ruling council of North Fork, to be joint commanders of this first mission against the Black Kaliv, and Zarthynes could see that the Shew liked this partnership no more than he did. Which actually made the whole thing seem more manageable. He could work with a man whose attitude he understood. Even if the man was a Shew. Zarthynes smiled, a little stiffly, perhaps, but it was a smile, and extended his hand. "We can make this work, if we do it together," he said in his careful Harkanar. That was the trade dialect used by the Harkene tribes of the area, and he figured the Shew would know it. Of course, it was quite likely that Galbadan spoke Akkadic, as well, but given the current relations between Shews and Karnhorns, that might be less than tactful. Galbadan maintained his scowl for a few seconds, and then his mouth twitched a little. He reached out and grasped the Karnhorn's hand. "Aye, we can. Nothing like a common enemy, eh?" He relaxed and leaned back on his bench. "What men do you bring? I've half a dozen scouts, my own men, and a few gladiators from Murska." "A few gladiators," Zarthynes said, "and a small boat...ship, whatever, with a crew that knows the coast from Amen-Tei to Snowbound. Emir Kyreses regards this as primarily a scouting mission, with a heavier expedition to follow when we have more information." "Sensible," the Shew agreed, nodding. "But they do say that Kyreses is a sensible man...for a Karnhorn." He raised his hand to forestall Zarthynes' response. "Nay, that was unworthy of me. For now, we're allies." Zarthynes took a deep breath, then nodded himself. "I must remember that, too," he muttered. Seeing the Shew's questioning look, he added, "Some of the gladiators in my group are...Andorians." He took another deep breath. "An ally in time of need is a true ally. You know the land between here and Kurukar better than I do, I am sure. What would you suggest as the best way to begin?" The Shew frowned at the far wall of the cabin, then got up and crossed to the window. By the fact that he didn't have to duck his head--he was well over seven feet tall--Zarthynes knew that this cabin had been built for Shews. "I hadn't thought of having a boat in this," Galbadan muttered. "Not our kind of thing, boats. But it might be useful...." He shrugged. "I don't know how best to work the boat in. My suggestion would be to go north through the woods--stay away from the main road and maybe all the others as well. Get close to Kurukar and then see what happens, what openings we find." He glanced over his shoulder "I know those woods, you see. My scouts know them really well. But boats...." He shook his head. "What do Shews know of boats?" "I will admit that I am not a sailor myself. Through the woods...yes, that sounds best," the Karnhorn agreed. "And the boat can follow along as we move north, maybe keep watch on the fleet the Black Kaliv sent down to blockade us. Because if those ships were to land men to cut off our advance--" "Don't want that," the Shew agreed. He went to the door of the cabin. "Let's begin." + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Out of the Past #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ + Near Fratsfa: Gladiators sailed up the river from Kati-Tei through Andor, Fratsfa, and Zensu to the Isle of the Eye. Some came as tourists, some as newly-graduated warriors, some to attend and participate in the Spring Tourney. This was a steady source of income for boatmen, and many of them made the trip two or three times a month; the river and its shores were well known to them. "I don't remember a castle on that hill," one sailor muttered, squinting at the shore. "And I was along here just last week...." "There was no castle there," Lady Fern, manager of the Flower Girls in Fratsfa confirmed. "And a week is certainly not long enough to build one!" "There was one...eight hundred years ago," a voice murmured behind her. The statuesque manager glanced back at her gladiatress, Nasty Nasturtium. The woman was an Araoi, and elf of the purest blood, and Lady Fern supposed it was possible that Nasturtium actually REMEMBERED a castle there, but she hoped not. The thought of having a warrior that old was unsettling. "You're sure, Nasty?" The elfin blonde nodded firmly. "Yes, my mother told me about it--one of her brothers helped to bring the castle down. The Castle of Storms, that was its name, a place of the darkest arts. It was the stronghold of Prince Illrienherthinil Silverthorn, who was called the Ill Rain." Lady Fern glanced at the sky automatically. It WAS getting cloudy, but that was, must be, coincidence. After all, changeable weather was common at this time of year. "That wasn't on Khaldren's list." The short, stocky man removed his bowler and extended a hand to Lady Fern. "Raoul, Lord Protector In Gerfel We Trust." "Kennelworth has spoken of you," Lady Fern admitted. "But what do you know of this Castle of Storms?" "Not a thing, doll. But I'm wondering if Khaldren's magic isn't raising more ruins than he planned on--anyplace with enough of the wrong kind of magic concentrated in it." "This Khaldren is...?" Nasturtium asked. "A wizard who escaped the sinking of Krael," Raoul explained. "He wants to bring Krael forward in time, or back from the dead, or something. And other places he knows about from that era." "That would take a great magic," Nasturtium protested. "With the Arcanum in the current low state, it should not be possible." "Adie in Aruak City says he could be using blood magic based on the arena deaths, doll. She seems to think that'd do it for him." The elf recoiled. "It would!" she whispered, "and that would call to all sites where dark magic has sunk deep. This must be stopped!" "Well, I'm taking the warning to Lady Sheila--" "She can do nothing, even if she would," Nasturtium snapped. "She dares not touch blood magic, even to fight it, except in the most indirect fashion, and indirection will not serve! Not soon enough, anyway." "Adie will think of some way to fight Khaldren," Raoul said, a little uneasily. He took a deep breath and put his hat back on. "And until he's stopped, we will fight everything he brings up from the past." "If we have to fight the Ill Rain," Nasty Nasturtium predicted, "it won't be easy." Valamantis: Lord Protector Ka D'Argo, on a brief trip to his home on Kolact, had planned to take ship at Valamantis. But the port city was not as he had expected. There was always bustle, but now...it reminded him of a disturbed anthill. And where had those towers on the landward side come from? They weren't something that could have been built in a day, or even a year, and he'd been through here four months ago. "It's Old Valamantis," Arenamistress Sitalva said grimly. "We've had word of some kind of magic afoot aimed at ruined cities, and with all the blood spilled in the recent Bloodgames, it would have been more surprising if something had NOT happened there. But understanding why doesn't help us now. The oldest levels of Old Valamantis," she said grimly, "were Folstrom. NOBODY wants to see the Folstrom loose in the world again." "Bringing the ruins back is one thing," the tall gladiator argued, "but the people...? Surely Ahringol won't release their souls because of a spell and some blood." Sitalva watched the slight wavering of the resurrected towers and shivered, though the day was already warm. "We'll find out, when the city stabilizes. The Silver Mage says sometime in the next week and a half or two weeks. But we can see people moving around in there. And even if they're zombies, it isn't going to be good." Iaye: The fishing boats that had fled Iaye when the earthquakes began crept back one by one as the Trier grew calm again. Most of them followed the coast down toward Point, not because they needed the guidance but to see for themselves if drowned Krael had truly risen from the waves. It had. Lord Protector Goff, assistant manager of the Red Dog Gang, stood on the gently rocking deck of his boat and stared through a spyglass at the rampart of buildings that blocked what had been the strait between Iaye and Point. He wasn't sure what he had expected, but not this. Krael stood above the water, but not as it must once have looked. Many of the taller buildings showed broken tops, and all was slimed with mud and weed. Here and there, decaying wrecks lay in the streets or even on the roofs of houses. The smell of dead fish was obvious even from a mile away. Krael LOOKED like a city that had spent centuries under water. The people who moved among those ruins didn't. There weren't enough of them to represent the entire population of the city at the time of its disaster, he guessed at no more than two hundred. But they looked...normal. Alive. And their activity--they seemed to be trying to clear one section of the city of its mud and debris--were just what you'd expect. And they seemed to take the whole situation for granted. They must KNOW, from the state of Krael now, what had happened, but they just calmly went about cleaning up. That was the most unnerving thing of all. Xochithlan: There were no ruins around Xochithlan to rise up at the wizard's call, because the modern city was the old city, continuously lived in for longer than most Alastarian cities had existed. There was, perhaps, a tendency for certain long- buried residents to stir in their graves, but if any came out to walk the streets, it was not immediately obvious. What was obvious was the forest. There had been a forest around Xochithlan for a long time, but it had been burned away during the Rirorni War. Replanting efforts had been ongoing for the last eight years, but eight years is not long enough to bring back a major forest. And what surrounded the city now, pressing in against the walls and disturbing the newer suburbs, was a major forest. Not, however, a forest such as the Xochithlani remembered. This was a Forest Primeval. This was a forest that might hide...anything. And according to the scholars of ancient texts consulted by King Feyen of Xochithlan, it probably did. Zuwayza: Zuwayza was as old as Xochithlan, and there were as many dark secrets buried under its streets. The foundation of the city, Vekhirn knew, went back to the days before the first humans. There were Folstrom traces, but there was also something older. Maybe more than one something. And they were all stirring. Too much blood had been spilled here, especially in the years since the invasion--during the invasion itself, and in the slow beating back of the Eastern forces. And in other ways, or for other causes, as well. The court wizard had sensed a new feeling in the people of the old city. Harder. Crueler, perhaps. Less patient, less tolerant--and the Glorious Empire had never been noted for tolerance. The woman Jayde, who claimed to be the daughter of Kjarran, her death and her mysterious apotheosis, had that been the start of this dark bitterness that gripped the people? He shrugged that off. Whatever the cause for the change of heart, blood had been spilled. And somewhere, someone had called on spilled blood to raise old evils, and spilled blood everywhere had answered. Aruak City: Adeolar stared into the gilt-framed mirror, frowning and twisting a lock of hair between nervous fingers. Nothing she was Seeing was good. Not that the mirror was the best way to See, but it was the only scrying device she had that was still working. There was a bloody film over the glass that could not be washed off, and that, she suspected, was a sign of just how bad things were. Blood magic, used to excess, tainted everything. There was no doubt that the wizard in Zorpunt was strong and ruthless, but what he had started seemed to be taking on a life of its own. And no one, so far, seemed able to stop him. She would have to take steps herself. * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * ---===ANDORIAN REGIONAL NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 8 ARKERS (turn 242): CLOSED MIND of BLACKTHORN ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.) DM 11 ARUAK CITY (turn 485): STEEL MONKEY of VELVET GREEN (Manray, Marquis d'Frothingslosh, mgr.) DM 14 TOBIR (turn 485): HYDE of OTAGO HIGHLANDERS (The Mun, mgr.) DM 22 SOLVEN (turn 478): KANGAROO KATE of THE ZOO (Leeta, mgr.) DM 24 ZORPUNT (turn 474): CANE TOAD of AUSSIE KILLERS (THawk, mgr.) DM 25 LYRATILAN (turn 474): ABSOLUCIOUN of CHAUCERS WORDS (Berylstar, mgr.) DM 26 CALEAM (turn 475): WOOLLY LOCO of POISONOUS PUGILISTS (Poison Ivy, mgr.) DM 30 IAYE (turn 470): GAZELLE HOUND of DOG DAY AFTERNOON (Poison Ivy, mgr.) DM 40 ZENSU (turn 436): CMOT DIBBLER of THE DISC (Technogeek, mgr.) DM 41 KATI-TEI (turn 429): MARS of WANDERERS (Leeta, mgr.) DM 46 ARDIVENT (turn 422): PURPLE SASH of HARDTIMESINBABYLON (Technogeek, mgr.) DM 52 FRATSFA (turn 189): SALVATION of PIECES OF EIGHT (Rascally Rabbit, mgr.) DM 60 ARADI (turn 334): GUMMI GHOUL of THE UPSTARTS III (Anti, mgr.) DM 63 AMEN-TEI (turn 323): ELENA of SITTIN' ON ACES (Generalissimo Puerco, mgr.) DM 71 KYR'TERR (turn 144): LOKI of ARCTIC GUARDS (Yukon Cornelius, mgr.) ADM 105 ANDORAK (turn 370): MONICA VIRTUESHIELD of KNIGHTS OF VIRTUE from ARUAK CITY (JRK, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 8 ARKERS (turn 242): LA PENTARCHIE (The Pentalque, mgr.) DM 11 ARUAK CITY (turn 485): MORAL FIBER (Nunzio Frothingslosh, mgr.) DM 14 TOBIR (turn 485): ALL THE MUN'S MEN (The Mun, mgr.) DM 22 SOLVEN (turn 478): THE DEMOCRATS (Al Gore, mgr.) DM 24 ZORPUNT (turn 474): AUSSIE KILLERS (THawk, mgr.) DM 25 LYRATILAN (turn 474): CHAUCERS WORDS (Berylstar, mgr.) DM 26 CALEAM (turn 475): WARCKERS (Papaiz, mgr.) DM 30 IAYE (turn 470): RED DOG GANG (Goff, mgr.) DM 40 ZENSU (turn 436): WIMPS MOST FOWL (Wimpy, mgr.) DM 41 KATI-TEI (turn 429): none DM 46 ARDIVENT (turn 422): HARDTIMESINBABYLON (Technogeek, mgr.) DM 52 FRATSFA (turn 189): ASSASSIN NATION (Ghab, mgr.) DM 60 ARADI (turn 334): FA CHING (DeGotti, mgr.) DM 63 AMEN-TEI (turn 323): SAFE HAVEN (Keldon Blackfang, mgr.) DM 71 KYR'TERR (turn 144): CASTLE BLACK (Shadowgate, mgr.) ADM 105 ANDORAK (turn 370): TOTEM, etc. (The Sentinel, mgr.) Recent Graduates ---------------- DM 8 ARKERS (turn 242): CLOSED MIND of BLACKTHORN ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.) (turn 241): MELTDOWN of X-FORCE (Savant, mgr.) DM 11 ARUAK CITY (turn 485): CONNOR MACLEOD of SCARLET KNIGHTS II (Talon Warsmith) DM 22 SOLVEN (turn 477): BEAR MARKET of THE DEMOCRATS (Al Gore, mgr.) ROBERT BYRD of THE DEMOCRATS (Al Gore, mgr.) DM 24 ZORPUNT (turn 474): CANE TOAD of AUSSIE KILLERS (THawk, mgr.) (turn 473): TRISHA WINGFOOT of KRILL CAVALRY (Leeta, mgr.) DM 25 LYRATILAN (turn 473): NOLAN ORGEL of THE MIDDLE WAY 4 (Leeta, mgr.) DM 41 KATI-TEI (turn 428): PELICAN of BIRDS (JE, mgr.) DM 46 ARDIVENT (turn 422): OLLIE FUNT of DEATHTONGUE (Technogeek, mgr.) DM 52 FRATSFA (turn 188): RED EYE of ASSASSIN NATION (Ghab, mgr.) DM 60 ARADI (turn 334): LIGHTNING IX of DEATH STUDS VII (Death Stud, mgr.) (turn 333): BLACKBURST of FA CHING (DeGotti, mgr.) THUNDRA of FA CHING (DeGotti, mgr.) SIR ZESTALOT of 4000 BLOWS (Nuln, mgr.) DM 71 KYR'TERR (turn 144): LOKI of ARCTIC GUARDS (Yukon Cornelius, mgr.) (turn 143): PIYA of THAI INQUISITION (?, mgr.) DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. We lose twice to managed warriors, then win three times to standbys, and the Commission calls this a turn? I could think of a few things to call it, myself, but I don't suppose its any of your faults. Unless, of course, you're not running full teams? (pause to examine the newsletter) Okay, I take it back, things are hotting up here, just not in the top ranks--yet. Way to go. Let's see lots of blood and gore and guts on the sands here, show those Karnhorns up the coast that we aren't anybody they want to mess with. I hear they've been boarding some of our boats, claiming they were in "Karnhorn waters," as if there WAS such a thing, and making problems. Taking cargoes, impressing seamen. Stuff like that. Are we going to allow this? Come to that, are we going to allow the throne of this arena to be decided by a fight with a standby? That's ridiculous on the face of it. I could LOSE to M. Chardinee, and if I didn't drop too far in the rankings, I'd still keep the title. Mars SPY REPORT Good day, in KATI-TEI a quiet thief gets rich, but a quiet spymaster gets poor. So bring me ale and harken to my tidbits of news. It seems the training can make the difference, as WANDERERS is pushed out of top team by GLAD TO MEAT YOU, who came from 3rd with a 3-2-0 this turn. Now keep the taverns open late tonight, for there are sorrows to drown for LIQUOR CABINET, whose 0-0-0 this turn dropped them by 5 into 9th. LOOD FOOD stable has parlayed this turn's 2-3-0 into a 9 space move up the rankings. This brings them up to 6th place. Good work, guys! The MEMPHIS MAFIA guild has had a 4-1-0 turn and deserves to be watched in the future. You never know where this kind of thing can lead. And let's see, TORA HAMLIN fought VETERAN MERCENARY and gained 19 points and contributed to WANDERERS' 2-3-0. BETHANNE GRACE has lost to RUTHLESS JAYWALKER, falling 18 points, while helping make WANDERERS a 2-3-0 turn. The attempts to dethrone the Duelmaster have failed, and MARS remains KATI-TEI's top warrior for another turn. Can someone confirm a rumor for me? I hear the top team makes their losing fighters do dishes at The Dripping Blade until they win. Maybe? Oriental wise man once say, 'Hiding behind shields prevents proper sun tanning.' Inscrutable, but true. MEMPHIS MAFIA has cause to stand tall, as they were KATI-TEI's most avoided team. A smart manager knows this is a team to beat. And avoiding MEMPHIS MAFIA more than any other team we find WOLF PACK. KATI-TEI, are we going to accept, or respect this sort of thing? Well, sports fans, take notice that OSTRICH from BIRDS was KATI-TEI's most challenged warrior this turn. In a brave attempt, BIG GULP from LOOD FOOD challenged up 23 points to fight OSTRICH from the BIRDS stable. BIG GULP perhaps got its just desserts, seeing as it lost to OSTRICH and ended up with 10 recognition points. The Dark Arena is for those who cannot win, not who cannot lose with grace. Dignity in life or death is the warrior's creed. Is it really true that KATI-TEI has more dishwashers per capita that fighters? Just thought I'd ask... I like this place, KATI-TEI, the taverns have old wine, and young serving girls. Who could ask for more? Well, I'm burning daylight here in KATI-TEI and I've a long road ahead of me. Happy Trails. Until the sun next rises and my pen sets to paper-- Alarond the Scribe DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME MARS 3989 10 2 0 98 WANDERERS (329) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME TORA HAMLIN 3983 11 5 1 83 WANDERERS (329) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME JEHU 3963 12 10 1 60 WANDERERS (329) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME BETHANNE GRACE 3984 8 8 1 48 WANDERERS (329) -YELLOW BRICK TOAD 4018 3 0 0 40 HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) OSTRICH 3970 8 7 0 35 BIRDS (286) SADISTA FAIRBORNE 4006 5 0 0 34 MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME WHIPPED TOPPING 4045 2 2 0 33 LOOD FOOD (367) -BOTOX BARBIE 3928 2 0 0 29 HELTER SKELTER (350) -HOOCH 4042 2 0 1 28 LIQUOR CABINET (366) -OSPRY 3988 3 4 1 26 BIRDS (286) PORTERHOUSE ARREST 4059 3 1 0 26 GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) -BOOZEHOUND 4041 2 0 0 25 LIQUOR CABINET (366) RUBIX CUBESTEAK 4061 4 0 0 24 GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -FERRETOLOGY 4019 3 0 0 23 HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) MR. SALTY 4072 2 1 0 23 LOOD FOOD (367) LION RINGER 4014 3 1 1 22 WOLF PACK (361) SATURN 3990 4 8 0 20 WANDERERS (329) -FROG OF WAR 4085 1 0 0 20 HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) -XXX 4038 2 0 1 19 LIQUOR CABINET (366) JEALOUSY 4007 2 3 0 19 MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) -MOOOOOOO! 4024 2 0 0 16 MAD COWS (363) -DISCOMFORT ZONE 4090 1 0 0 16 THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) -RING LEADER 4099 1 0 0 16 BLITZKRIEG (359) BIFF RULES 4015 3 1 0 14 WOLF PACK (361) -GOT BLOOD? 4083 1 0 0 14 MAD COWS (363) RHAYNE 4009 3 2 1 13 MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) EGGS OVERLY EASY 4044 1 3 0 13 LOOD FOOD (367) -RONNY HANNA 4071 1 1 0 12 CHAZZARIUM (371) FROTH'RELLA 4098 2 0 0 11 MEMPHIS MAFIA (360) CHICKEN TIGHT JEANS 4080 3 0 0 10 GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) -TERRIERS 4088 1 0 0 10 THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) -$BLING$ 3925 1 2 0 10 HELTER SKELTER (350) BIG GULP 4047 0 4 0 10 LOOD FOOD (367) -BATAAN 4001 2 2 1 9 BLITZKRIEG (359) TOWER 4012 2 2 0 9 WOLF PACK (361) -FEDERAL CUFFLINK 4087 1 0 0 9 THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) -BDYY 3997 2 2 0 8 BLITZKRIEG (359) -UDDERLY POED 4023 1 1 0 8 MAD COWS (363) -BARRIFFS 4089 1 0 0 8 THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) -PISTONS MCGUIRE 3926 2 1 0 7 HELTER SKELTER (350) -TIP THIS! 4021 1 0 0 7 MAD COWS (363) -FALCON 4004 0 1 0 7 BIRDS (286) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -KING FISHER 4005 1 3 0 6 BIRDS (286) HOLY SCHLITZ 4052 1 3 0 6 OLD SCHOOL (368) -HERGROM 4069 1 1 0 6 CHAZZARIUM (371) TURBO PLEASE-BOX 4049 1 3 0 6 OLD SCHOOL (368) -BARON BREWSKIE 4037 0 2 0 6 LIQUOR CABINET (366) -BARNICLE BILL 4000 1 1 1 5 BLITZKRIEG (359) -PAPER TIGER 4016 1 2 0 5 HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) -SALEM'S OCELOT 4084 1 0 0 5 HELPLESS ANIMALS (362) -TORCH MY MONKEY 4067 1 1 0 5 CHAZZARIUM (371) -CHICK MAGNATE 4070 0 2 0 2 CHAZZARIUM (371) -COLD HANDS 4022 0 2 0 2 MAD COWS (363) S&M&MS 4103 0 1 0 1 LOOD FOOD (367) MINI-MANNY 4106 0 1 0 1 WOLF PACK (361) -MISUNDERESTIMATED 4086 0 1 0 1 THAT'S MY BUSH! (373) THE VEAL DEAL 4104 0 1 0 1 GLAD TO MEAT YOU (370) INDESTRUCTABLE II 4108 0 1 0 1 OLD SCHOOL (368) -FROTHENSTEIN 4100 0 1 0 1 BLITZKRIEG (359) PRYOR ON FIRE 4110 0 1 0 1 OLD SCHOOL (368) HERBIE 4109 0 1 0 1 OLD SCHOOL (368) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? MEXI-MELT 4105 0 1 0 GLAD TO MEAT YOU 370 WURM KIN 27 430 NONE PRIME TIME 4079 0 1 0 GLAD TO MEAT YOU 370 BARNICLE BILL 4000 428 GOOD VS WEEVIL 4017 0 1 0 HELPLESS ANIMALS 362 RHAYNE 4009 426 REVENGED GAMBIT 4008 0 3 0 MEMPHIS MAFIA 360 BANDIT PRINCE 25 430 NONE ZUCCHINI TOAST 4050 0 2 0 OLD SCHOOL 368 BATAAN 4001 428 PAPPY BLUE RIBS 4051 1 1 0 OLD SCHOOL 368 XXX 4038 428 VINYL SPASM 4081 1 1 0 OLD SCHOOL 368 LION RINGER 4014 429 TRUE GRIT 4013 1 3 0 WOLF PACK 361 STONE GOLEM 26 430 NONE PERSONAL ADS These ads got misfiled (in a game that runs a day later, of course) and should have appeared last turn. Sorry 'bout that! -- Ed. All -- Hmm, what's up with all the Froth'n Pikers in here? I don't think I've ever seen ten Pikers TOTAL in my DM career. (laugh) There some kind of new trend? New fad? Do all the popular kids have a piker now? Well maybe I want one too! Mom!! Get me a Piker! (grin) OK, seriously, what is with the parry-striker resurgence? -- Bookie JE and Leeta -- I don't think we've met before so let me intro myself: I'm Bookie, formerly of DOOMcorps, DRC, and Black Regime and currently of the KLK. I'm Delarq and play as such. It's nothing personal and I give as good as I get. G'luck and see you on the sands! -- Bookie Leeta -- Looks like the throne goes through you for quite a while to come. Maybe some of us inits can join you soon. -- Bookie P.S. Have fun fighting Virginal Concubine every turn! LOL! P.P.S. Excuse a stupid question but with your name I gotta ask: are you a girl? Ospry -- Thanks for the learns! -- Sadie Editor -- Psychedelic food? Hmm. Let me think...the caterpillar broke me off a piece of his shroom before we hit the hooka. Does that count? (grin) -- Bookie Absolutely. That's classic psychedelic stuff, that is. -- Ed. Polarius -- Congrats on the 2 kills KLK BOOM some people! I hear ya! -- Bookie No personals? Geesh you Froth'rs are poor hosts (evil grin). Talk already! -- Bookie Porterhouse Arrest -- Madam, I find your behavior arresting. Don't do it again. -- Saturn Pelican -- Wow, you must have had your beak stuffed FULL of skills! Thanks. -- Bethanne Grace There's one idiot peasant who won't be standing around grinning stupidly any more. -- Jehu the non-repentant P.S. And they think Jaywalkers can be ruthless! That's nothing compared to a cab driver. I would've killed my peasant, too, if the arenamaster hadn't stepped in when he did. Something about needing the peasants to plant the crops or something. If that's the case, they shouldn't send the fools into the arena in the first place. -- Tora Hamlin Polarius -- You want personals with flavor in this arena, you have to throw some of your own into the pot. We Wayfarers will, as usual, give as good as or a little better than we get. -- Leeta P.S. Are the 'Sloshers planning to stage a beer bash here? Again, it seems my ads were lost. Oh well. (shrug) -- Bookie Not lost, just misplaced. *sigh* -- Ed. Turbo Please Box -- Umm, no thanks. I'd rather not turn you on (not until you buy me dinner first at least). How cheap of a date do you think I am? (grin) -- Bookie Do you really want an answer to that question? *grin* -- Ed. Otto -- Wow, somebody else talked! (grin) Nice to be playing in an arena with you and your alliance. Swords high! -- Bookie P.S. Wanna come to Jhans? (grin) Alfredo -- If you're in here, wassup man. Long time no see. -- Bookie Leeta -- So you're a talker too? I've always thought DM was more fun with a little friendly trashtalking. Feel free to drop me a line, even if it's friendly. (grin) I play like a Delarq so please don't take anything in the arena personal. It's just a game. Swords high! -- Bookie Leeta -- BTW, just curious. Your name makes me think of "Lita" off wrestling. Um, are you a girl? I've never known a lot of girls to play DM and...well, I'm the curious kind. -- Bookie Polarius -- How sad is it that "Cosmo" won't even say hey to us. We get tossed out of bus with the guy and now he acts like he doesn't know us. (grin) We're being froth'n ignored. LOL! -- Bookie 3 March 2004 MONGO'S MARDI GRAS MADNESS DUELMASTERS AUCTION Mongo, aka Matt McIntosh and ex-Warden of the Dark Circle, is auctioning off his entire collection of Duelmasters warriors and stables. Don't miss out on this chance to own some fantastic warriors! There are ADM warriors available in every class from Primus to Freshmen, as well as over a dozen Basic stables. Does a Slasher with +4 attack, +4 decisiveness, +3 initiative and +2 riposte sound good? How about a Lunger who received the benefit of a TC prize, has TVed three times after graduating--and still hasn't maxed out his skills!? How about a Striker in the Freshmen class who has decisiveness for a favorite learn and the MAUL for a favorite weapon!? Or perhaps you prefer playing in Basic. Then how does a stable with four Adept class warriors who have a combined record of 41-19-9 sound? Or maybe a stable with three 21-Will warriors? Or perhaps a stable with four Initiates and a Rookie who have a combined record of 23-6-1? The quality of the lots is excellent. All you need to view and bid on the lots is go to: http://members.aol.com/jvmerlino/mardigras.html If you want to be on the mailing list to receive regular updates on the auction, just send an e-mail to JVMerlino@aol.com. Merlin, aka John Merlino and also an ex- Warden of the Dark Circle, will be running this auction for me. I just moved to New Orleans and am likely currently stumbling around the French Quarter...because it's Mardi Gras! So I have named my auction in honor of this occasion. The auction will start on Saturday, March 13th, 2004, and will continue for several weeks. But you should get your bids in early if you want your best chance at owning any of these fantastic warriors and stables. Many thanks to all for your interest and your bids, Mongo 5 March 2004 Style Masters Symposium Hosted by Hammer The years have slipped by and many DM Managers have come and gone since the last Hammer's Handbook was compiled and printed. There is now a stirring within me to begin writing and editing yet another Handbook with a distribution date sometime in 2005. This Handbook will be made available via Email with a possibility of burning the info to a CD for distribution. Special arrangements will be made to provide the information via printed page to those contributors who are serving sentences behind bars. The working title of this new Handbook is "Style Masters Symposium Hosted by Hammer". Distribution of this Handbook is projected to be MAINLY for those DM Managers who contribute information/articles to Hammer by June 2004. Informative and entertaining articles should focus on insights regarding Any or All 10 Style Masters for both the Basic and ADM arenas as well as Tourney competition. Articles focusing on Weapons/Armor are also encouraged for inclusion. Whether you are a Newbie Manager without a clue or a Jaded Veteran; everyone has discovered something about this gaming experience that is both Insightful and Entertaining. Email Your Articles to HammerDM@fastermail.com or send them via Diplo to either Flower Hammerz (372) in DM 28 or Casino Hammerz (576) in DM 33. Length and Content of the Style Masters Symposium Hosted by Hammer will be Determined by the Quality and Quantity of Contributors Combined with the Literary Efforts of Hammer who is currently overseas for an indefinite period of time. Articles Contributed for this Project should be of Sufficient Length and Content to Warrant being Included to Receive the Finished Document when Hammer has completed this literary work to His satisfaction. Managers contributing articles are also requested to include a DM Bio of Themselves along with any Notable Successes and/or Failures during Their DM Career in Basic, ADM and/or Tourney Play. A listing of Active Stables would also be Helpful for Anyone Seeking to Reply to Contributors via Diplo, Email or Snailmail. May Your Blades Be Sharp And Your Wits Sharper! -- Hammer of Flower Hammerz (372) DM 28 and Casino Hammerz (576) DM 33 18 March 2004 St. Valentine's Day Massacre Update We are pleased to announce that the kLk sponsored St. Valentine's Day Massacre kill contest in DM 36 is off to a great start. We are also pleased to announce that in addition to the 10 team rollups we are also able to offer the renaming of a dark arena warrior as a prize to the manager with the most kills. The contest is only 2 turns old and is still wide open. There are currently 5 managers tied with one kill each. Anything can still happen so hurry up and get into the arena. On a personal note, no other alliances have entered the arena in force to challenge the kLk dominance. We were expecting The Firm to put up a fight for their supposed home arena. But, they were a no show. Guess they proved what they are really made of. *evil grin* Perhaps another alliance would like to step in to give us a challenge. We are throwing down the gauntlet. Perhaps the Chaos Inc. boys I keep hearing about would like to step in and challenge the kLk for arena dominance. If you don't show up, Chaos, don't feel bad. FAR better managers than you have been invited into Jhans but have chosen to pass on the offer. So if you consider yourself worthy to compete, like fierce competition, and enjoy arenas where the personals are as fierce as the fighting, come visit JHANS DM 36. We're already planning our next contest, "Capture the Flag," and have a storyline being actively worked on in the arena. Whatever you like about DM you can find it in JHANS. Bookie mgr. of Suicidal Dreams and Director Jhans Board of Tourism kLk Alliance 27 March 2004 This notice is to inform the DM world that CHAOS INC. has added CHEETO to its ranks. He joins APEX, FLAGG, MATRIX, ASSAMITE, and RUDE BUDDHA as the 6th member. May your chaotic wings spread disaster and CHAOS for all your days! Welcome CHEETO!! 27 March 2004 Has anyone seen it in print that the "Goat" is leaving the "Cartel"? There were some diplos to the effect of a special branch of the Cartel being formed, like secret societies, governmental agencies and alliances certain agendas are developed. To obtain the desired effect of any agenda only key personnel can be used. The "Goat" is "Cartel" so until you see it with me announcing that I am not Cartel, remember, "The Agenda of the Core is for you to fight for." I hope this stops the confusion. -- Goat LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS TRUE GRIT was dealt death by STONE GOLEM in a 2 minute Dark Arena fight. GAMBIT was murdered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena melee. MEXI-MELT was assassinated by WURM KIN in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena duel. BIG GULP was bested by OSTRICH in a 2 minute Challenge fight. WHIPPED TOPPING overpowered SATURN in a 6 minute mismatched Challenge match. JEALOUSY overpowered HOLY SCHLITZ in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge struggle. MARS devastated M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute one-sided Title competition. BETHANNE GRACE was handily defeated by RUTHLESS JAYWALKER in a 1 minute uneven melee. TORA HAMLIN vanquished VETERAN MERCENARY in a 1 minute gruesome one-sided duel. JEHU was viciously subdued by KUNG-FU MASTER in a 2 minute gory fight. MR. SALTY was beaten by SADISTA FAIRBORNE in a 1 minute novice's melee. TOWER was defeated by RUBIX CUBESTEAK in a 2 minute novice's match. RHAYNE bested S&M&MS in a exciting 3 minute brutal amateur's conflict. LION RINGER devastated TURBO PLEASE-BOX in a 1 minute mismatched bout. BIFF RULES handily defeated HERBIE in a tiring 6 minute bloody uneven fight. EGGS OVERLY EASY vanquished INDESTRUCTABLE II in a 1 minute one-sided fray. PORTERHOUSE ARREST devastated PRYOR ON FIRE in a 1 minute one-sided brawl. CHICKEN TIGHT JEANS beat MINI-MANNY in a exciting 6 minute novice's match. FROTH'RELLA luckily beat THE VEAL DEAL in a 3 minute bloody amateur's fight. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |LUNGING ATTACK 9 WALL OF STEEL 26 - 14 - 3 65 | |PARRY-STRIKE 4 STRIKING ATTACK 13 - 9 - 1 59 | |TOTAL PARRY 4 BASHING ATTACK 18 - 16 - 1 53 | |WALL OF STEEL 4 AIMED BLOW 16 - 15 - 2 52 | |BASHING ATTACK 3 TOTAL PARRY 19 - 19 - 0 50 | |SLASHING ATTACK 3 LUNGING ATTACK 22 - 28 - 3 44 | |PARRY-LUNGE 2 PARRY-STRIKE 14 - 18 - 1 44 | |AIMED BLOW 2 PARRY-LUNGE 9 - 13 - 0 41 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 SLASHING ATTACK 8 - 13 - 1 38 | |STRIKING ATTACK 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 - 6 - 0 33 | Turn 430 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 3 - 1 LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 7 3 AIMED BLOW TOTAL PARRY 3 - 1 AIMED BLOW 0 - 2 2 BASHING ATTACK WALL OF STEEL 3 - 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 2 WALL OF STEEL BASHING ATTACK 2 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 3 2 LUNGING ATTACK PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 0 1 PARRY-LUNGE 1 PARRY-STRIKE TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME BASHING ATTACK MARS 3989 10 2 0 98 WANDERERS (329) WALL OF STEEL TORA HAMLIN 3983 11 5 1 83 WANDERERS (329) LUNGING ATTACK JEHU 3963 12 10 1 60 WANDERERS (329) PARRY-LUNGE OSTRICH 3970 8 7 0 35 BIRDS (286) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is TORA HAMLIN 3983. The most popular warrior this turn was WHIPPED TOPPING 4045. The ten other most popular fighters were S&M&MS 4103, TRUE GRIT 4013, MINI-MANNY 4106, EGGS OVERLY EASY 4044, THE VEAL DEAL 4104, OSTRICH 3970, MARS 3989, TORA HAMLIN 3983, TOWER 4012, and RHAYNE 4009. The least popular fighter this week was HERBIE 4109. The other ten least popular fighters were BIFF RULES 4015, PRYOR ON FIRE 4110, INDESTRUCTABLE II 4108, TURBO PLEASE-BOX 4049, MR. SALTY 4072, BETHANNE GRACE 3984, HOLY SCHLITZ 4052, GAMBIT 4008, FROTH'RELLA 4098, and CHICKEN TIGHT JEANS 4080. NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS) For those of you who keep track of such things, 14 additional warriors graduated from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament: ABE SIMPSON (9-4453) SPRINGFIELD PB-LEAD (23-4385) ROCK-ETTS IV RATTLESNAKE SHAKE (60-4242) METAL MELTDOWN CHIP (60-4413) RESCUE RANGERS SLAKE (82-12993) WORD OF THE DAY DIS-COMBOBULATE (63-2222) DIS-TEAM RETARD (68-7501) POLITICALLYINCORRECT DARKSIDE (22-2714) LOST SOULS 1 ZHARRA TYL MEDAN (40-2586) SUPERIOR FORCES SMOOGIE (82-2247) STREET PIZZAD III ARATHEA (13-3318) THE ELITE PX (82-14364) SUPERIOR FORCES 1203 MIKE, POWERFUL (82-7051) MIKE THE HUNTER DIS-FUNCTIONAL (63-2223) DIS-TEAM -- Green Eyes