DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/20/2003    Duedate: 01/02/2004

RODEKI ARENA

DM-42    TURN-423

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SNAPPY GEORGE
COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
(42-4015) [13-6-0,112]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SNAPPY GEORGE                  POSITION IS EMPTY
COLOR ME SUAVE (322)           
(42-4015) [13-6-0,112]         

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

PROBLEMATIC                    STERLING
FLAGG'S FIVE (213)             FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
(42-3928) [19-14-0,97]         (42-3950) [16-11-3,91]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

COLOR ME SUAVE (322)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. DELVERS (154)               54
2. COLOR ME SUAVE (322)        52      COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
3. CLOWNING AROUND (354)        3      Unchartered Team
4. KING'S KREW (151)            0
5. FLAGG'S FIVE (213)         -27       (94)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 COLOR ME SUAVE (322)     240 170 16 58.5   1/ 2 COLOR ME SUAVE (322)     10  5 0
 2/ 2 CLOWNING AROUND (354)     20  18  0 52.6   2/ 1 FLAGG'S FIVE (213)        9  6 1
 3/ 3 FLAGG'S FIVE (213)       132 148  8 47.1   3/ 3 DELVERS (154)             7  8 0
 4/ 4 DELVERS (154)            307 432  5 41.5   4- 4 KING'S KREW (151)         3  2 0
 5- 5 KING'S KREW (151)         47  89  2 34.6   5/ 5 CLOWNING AROUND (354)     3  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

      * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *

     Doone was cleaning the Runeblade again.  He kept it close to him now that he was
the Keeper of the Runeblade.  His mind had been in a rush, but sitting down with the
Runeblade and tending to it seemed to relax him.  He was preparing to head to the
Gate to defend it, surely a suicidal task.  Already Rodeki Rambler, La Killer,
Imaluzer, Spawn, and Constance had volunteered to join him at the Gate, each with
their own grim determination to make a difference.  Doone had to calm Constance down
a bit and reassure her that just as long as their bodies could be retrieved from the
battlefield then all would be well.  He didn't tell her that the chances of their
bodies being recovered were very slim, but she needed some glimmer of hope to help
steel her resolve.  Was there truly no hope?  Of course not, this is what they had
been training for.  But what if their training had not been enough?  He shuddered and
returned to cleaning the Runeblade in an effort to take his mind off of the carnage
that lay ahead.
     His apartment in Darkholm was on the fourth level of a small spire located
conveniently close to Darkholm's arena.  It was a great location to view the comings
and goings of his fellow Lord Protectors as they mingled around the arena.  It
seemed, however, to always be perpetually hot in his apartment, so Doone liked to sit
by the window in his preparation room with the window cracked to enjoy the cool
breeze.  It also afforded him the opportunity, as of late, to glance out the window
and admire the banner proclaiming his as the current Keeper of the Blade.  His prep
room was where he had gone to clean the Runeblade and steal a glance at the banner
yet another time.  A small amount of selfish pride wasn't too bad a thing, was it?
      At some point in time Doone had fallen asleep sitting next to the window with
his back propped against the wall.  He was awoken to a gentle pulsing of wind against
his cheek.  It was a golden butterfly ever so gently flapping it wings near his face.
He stared at it for a moment, before he realized it wasn't an ordinary butterfly.
Swiftly, he cupped the butterfly in his hands and said, "Speak."  The butterfly
spread its wings to its fullest and an image began to appear, blurry at first and
then gaining sharpness as the image filled the whole of the butterfly's wings.  It
was Flagg.  The image finally came to a crisp picture and Flagg began to speak,
"Doone, I need you guys here.  It seems that there are dark days under way in Rodeki.
I can not get straight answers from Harby.  I am afraid that she, or at least, part
of her stable may have some dealings progressing that would not bode well for us.
Something serious is happening and I feel that I may already be receiving ill
consequences because of it.  There is something wrong with my magic.  I cannot
control my teleport spells and it is taking massive concentration to maintain this
simple animation spell.  Please come quickly."
     Doone was taken aback, surely nothing good could come of this and this only help
to confirm some of his own suspicions.  He spoke to the butterfly, "Send this message
back to Flagg."

++====>

     Flagg was eyeing the sky nervously, looking for the apparition he thought he had
just seen.  Surely it couldn't have been...but that would be impossible!  He quickly
went under the trellis into the yard of his newly rented clubhouse.  He paused
outside the door to reflect on his recent conversation with Harby.  No, she denied
knowing anything of any strange happenings that were going on lately.  No, she had
not heard any rumors of any foul plots brewing.  Nothing, she said she knew nothing.
Things were becoming apparently weird in Rodeki.  Already a large contingent of men
began filtering into town.  Not that that was unusual in of itself.  Men were always
coming and going as Rodeki had enough mines outside of town to more than sustain a
population twice its size.  But these men...these men were all pretty much young men,
in good health, and all wore nicer clothes than the typical carpetbagger.  Moreover,
these men seemed to congregate at The Welcome Wench, even though there were plenty of
other taverns in town to satisfy all of their needs.  Things were indeed becoming
very strange.  He stood there lost in thought for a few more moments until he caught
glimpse of a familiar flittering of gold cutting its jagged path in the air.  Flagg
extended one finger and the golden butterfly landed on it.  He quickly turned it over
into his palm and the visage of Doone resolved itself in on the back of the
butterfly's wings.  He did not look well.  Doone began, "Flagg, your Lord Protectors
can't come to join you in Rodeki quite yet.  We are going to the Gate to help in the
struggle that is going on there.  If we make it back to Darkholm, we will find our
way back home shortly there after.  I have important news for you.  Make sure you are
alone."  Doone paused, allowing Flagg a furtive glance around to ensure his privacy.
Doone continued, "I believe I have seen something that may interest all of us.  A
green dragon with back and tail spikes of black.  I only quickly caught glimpse of it
once as it flew overhead, but I know what I saw.  This is not good, for you know what
this means.  Something is afoot.  If the team returns from the Gate, we will need to
go back to the mines to verify matters.  You know why."  With that the image stopped
and the butterfly resumed the soft beat of its wings.  Flagg waved his opposite hand
over the butterfly and it dissipated into golden sparks that wormed their way back
into his finger tips.
     So his mind hadn't been playing tricks on him after all.  How had he gotten
himself into this mess after all?  He guessed it didn't matter now, he would just
have to attend to matters at hand once and for all.  A shadow fell over him and he
quickly looked up.  A green dragon with black spikes.  Flagg pumped a fist into the
air and yelled, "Old nemesis!  Your return is unwelcome!  Leave now!"
     The dragon rolled onto its back and then rose straight up.  It stared at Flagg,
smoke tendrils curled out its nostrils and licks of flame came from the corners of
its mouth.  They both knew the time would come when they faced each other again.  The
dragon rolled again and flew straight out of sight.  Flagg quickly went into his new
stable house and began sifting through his library.

          + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Dark Federation #2 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Jhans:

     "That is a fight you cannot win, Princess Morra," Chancellor Ethylbyrr said.  He
leaned forward to emphasize his point, one hand on the report that had sparked the
discussion.  "It is better not to enter a battle you cannot win."
     "Darron wouldn't--"
     "Princess, your brother is no longer a boy, he is a young man now," the old man
said.  "He will not be pleased to receive...advice from his older sister, much less
commands.  Even without his new friends, he would be reluctant to--"
     "All right, you've made your point."  She looked away.  Looked out the window
across the city of Jhans, but she didn't really see it.  Didn't want to see it, if
the truth be told.  She was surprised to realize that what she really wanted to see
at this moment was her husband, Gryzash the Golden.  She had not felt strongly about
him one way or the other, theirs had been a marriage of political expediency.  But
Gryzash was--had been--a confident, decisive man.  One whose very presence would awe
these quarreling nobles of Jhans into obedience.  Unfortunately, Gryzash was dead.
Her thoughts shifted briefly to their son, Gorris.  She might have stayed in Jhans to
fight the treacherous 'advisors' of her brother, except...it was her first duty to
protect her son and defend HIS heritage.  Let Prince Darron worry about Jhans now.
It was time for her to leave him to it, for good or ill.
     "I must take Gorris to Sibikhas," she said finally.  "That is where my duty lies
now.  That city is his to rule, by rights, but it is easier to hold onto power than
to win it back after it's been lost.  Will you stay here and advise Darron?"
     Ethylbyrr laughed sadly and shook his head.  "The boy--the young man--wouldn't
have me," he said.  "His new friends won't want to share the influence, and...I am a
reminder of his youth.  Which he would prefer to forget as he strives to become a man
in his own eyes."
     "If you remain in Jhans without a royal post, your life won't be worth--"
     "It will be worth nothing at all," the old man said.  "I will be dead by the
time you clear the city's gates."
     She nodded.  There was no mercy in the Delarquan Federation for someone who fell
from power.  "Come with me to Sibikhas, then.  It would be a shame to waste your wit
and experience, old friend."
     The old man half rose from his seat across the table and bowed.  "I would be
honored to serve you in Sibikhas or elsewhere, Princess."  Seating himself again, he
said, "But you cannot simply decide to leave Jhans and then go.  You will need, at
the very least, bodyguards.  The Jhans Royal Guard you cannot take with you--they
belong here and will provide some protection from Darron, if he does not run
completely mad and dismiss them.  So you will need--"
     "Gladiators," she said firmly.  "Two or three, at least, as many as half a dozen
perhaps.  They are--"
     "They are crude men, for the most part," Ethylbyrr protested.
     "So?  They are less likely than any others to have political axes of their own
to grind.  I will have gladiators for bodyguards."  She grimaced.  "I will need
them."

This is a call for volunteers.  A personal, or an email to Livia@reality.com will do
it.

      * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *

                         ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 484): WISPER of SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 370): MORADOR of RESURRECTION (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 489): MARY RETZLAFF of AMERICAN APPRAISAL (?, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 485): LYSISTRATA of DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 484): FREDERICK DOUGLASS of I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 488): IVANMOE of SOUL STRIPPERS II (Saucy Jack, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 486): POPCORN MACHINE of WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 480): KEPLER of THE MOONDOGS (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 472): PROVIDENCE of SUPERIOR FORCES 6N (Manager, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 471): TSUNAMI of STORM WARNING (Abarsis, the Slaughter Priest)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 445): KATHLEEN of BABES (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 436): NUTCRACKER of ALL FINESSE (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 189): ZOOLANDER of WITLESS WONDERS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 422): DRAXUS BREMOORE of FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 371): DROGOI of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 175): BIRAN of THE WHITE COMPANY (Silverstroke, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 163): LUCIA of ISLANDERS (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 320): BLACK WIDOW of SLAUGHTERHOUSE 5 (Soultaker, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 141): 2 PHAT of VERMIN (Sultan, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 364): DOONE of FLAGG 16 from RODEKI (Flagg, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 484): BLOOD AND IRON (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 370): KNOT WHOLE (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 489): SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 485): DOGS OF WAR (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 484): I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 488): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 486): WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 480): THE MENTORS (Dr. Feelgood, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 472): CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 471): BOOK OF STINK (Kleptov Grenufelbitz, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 445): BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 436): EAGLES CLAW (Talon Volksie, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 189): CHEAP SHOTS (?, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 422): FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 371): DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 175): INDULGENT DRINKS (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 163): THE EXPLORERS (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 320): none
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 141): EPOCHOLYPSE (Brewmaster, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 364): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 370): MORADOR of RESURRECTION (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 489): GO FISH of GAMES LIBRARY (Nick, mgr.)
              (turn 488): THE MAN of FAMOUS HITTERS (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 488): IVANMOE of SOUL STRIPPERS II (Saucy Jack, mgr.)
                (turn 487): GRIZZLY ADAMS of BATTLE BEASTS (Sensei Jan, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 486): POPCORN MACHINE of WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
                           SATOSHI KUNO of NINJAS (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
               (turn 485): ISHINOMORI of NINJAS (Shocking Toad, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 472): PROVIDENCE of SUPERIOR FORCES 6N (Manager, mgr.)
                (turn 471): PEOPLE'S ELBOW of UNTOUCHABLES (Angus, mgr.)
                            ACK VERT of PENTARCHIE-18 (The Pentalque, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 435): EAGLE'S NEST of EAGLES CLAW (Talon Volksie, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 175): BIRAN of THE WHITE COMPANY (Silverstroke, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 163): LUCIA of ISLANDERS (Nick, mgr.)
                          GHASTLY MIGRAINE of HANGOVERS (Crip, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Rodeki,

Once again I find myself on the throne and I am greatly honored for it.  Rubber
Bumper, you gave it a nice shot, but you need a little more padding to scum me out.
By the way, you may want to change out your armor every once in awhile.  The smell
was truly offensive and if I might say, was the most offensive thing about you.  I am
going to be challenging Snappy George this time out.  Hopefully, if all goes well
I'll still be here next turn.  My stablemates and I usually have a pretty good go at
initiating the action against Suave's warriors, but usually when his guys go
desperate they tend to win the day.  I think we tend to get excited at the prospect
of a win and we forget all about our own desperation strategies that work just fine
against the rest of the stables in town.  The Suave ones usually get our number if we
get 'em all desperate though.  Flagg is still scratching his head trying to figure
out what to do about it.  Hey Flagg!  Here's a suggestion:  Try Armor!  Most of us
get tired of the wet napkin and handkerchiefs you give us to fight with.  Oh well, a
few more wins and I'll be off to Darkholm, knock on wood.  If I live long enough I'll
be the first slasher from any of Flagg's stables to become a Lord Protector.  Where's
that wood?  Ahhhh...there it is.  *knock, knock, knock*

                        Draxus Bremoore

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of RODEKI!  Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp Eyes, 
Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  Former top team FLAGG'S FIVE was unseated 
this week as COLOR ME SUAVE moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot with a 
5-0-0 record for the round.  EL RIPPOFF caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial 
commission as it skillfully bested VETERAN MERCENARY and was awarded 21 points in 
recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, RUBBER BUMPER put down 
STERLING, causing him to lose 12 points of recognition in the process.  As is 
fitting, the most sought after warrior on the challenge boards this week was none 
other than Duelmaster DRAXUS BREMOORE himself.  Who here was not present for the 
title fight this week as SNAPPY GEORGE boldly challenged DRAXUS BREMOORE in order to 
strive for the Duelmasters honors?  This time victory fell to the grasp of the 
usurper.  All hail SNAPPY GEORGE, Duelmaster of RODEKI!  No confirmation, but my 
sources claim that the top team has gained their position using magical aids.  
Charmed weapons perhaps?   
     But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades 
that is city RODEKI.  RODEKI, city of gladiators!  Mighty among the names of thy 
guilds is KING'S KREW, a guild shunned and avoided by many in the weekly duels.  
Apparently the stalwarts of CLOWNING AROUND are catching the bulk of jests down at 
the challenging board for their large share of the avoids.  I can not but mention 
with disdain the name of YANKEE DAN who this week posted a challenge to a warrior a 
full 14 points below in the rankings.  I thought YANKEE DAN showed great skill and 
promise when he defeated JOHN ROSE.  All right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     Is not Death a warrior's foremost adviser?   Warriors, may this counselor stand 
ready at your right hand forever!  Fate is a fickle mistress.  She showers the 
miserable with fortune but sets enemies against the victorious.  Remember this!   
     If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times 
already in RODEKI.  Nice atmosphere you have here!  Ahh, but I can hear the spires of 
a far off city calling to me.  I must away!  Till next we meet remember:  a fool 
flies into a rage quickly and often.  The wise are angered by the same thing only 
once.  Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SNAPPY GEORGE 4015           13   6  0   112       COLOR ME SUAVE (322)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RUBBER BUMPER 3903           20  29  0   102       DELVERS (154)
 PROBLEMATIC 3928             19  14  0    97       FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
 STERLING 3950                16  11  3    91       FLAGG'S FIVE (213)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DRAXUS BREMOORE 3980         12   6  0    88       FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
 ANN ARTICHOKE 3984           16   8  0    85       DELVERS (154)
 EL RIPPOFF 3992              13   9  0    82       DELVERS (154)
-GUNSLINGER 1587              13  16  2    80       KING'S KREW (151)
 GATE WITCH 3953              16   6  0    70       FLAGG'S FIVE (213)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GEORGE STARK 1589            13  18  0    65       KING'S KREW (151)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 YANKEE DAN 4019              13   5  0    55       CLOWNING AROUND (354)
 FUZZY BUZZCUT 4024           11   5  0    55       COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
 SUSHEE SU 3983                8  16  0    46       DELVERS (154)
 JOHN ROSE 3985                7  17  0    41       DELVERS (154)
 HAIRLIP BOMBSHELL 4067        2   2  1    39       COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
 BOZO 4016                     6  12  0    36       CLOWNING AROUND (354)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-CARRIE 3230                   4   6  0    31       KING'S KREW (151)
 LIMPY TWO-SCREWS 4048         5   6  0    27       COLOR ME SUAVE (322)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GERALD 3281                   1   2  0    20       KING'S KREW (151)
 GOLDEN BOY OF BASS 4071       2   1  0    17       COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
-BEN MEARS 3280                2   1  0    17       KING'S KREW (151)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
UNACCEPTABLE 4084      0  1 0 FLAGG'S FIVE 213      ARENAMASTER FARIN 23  423 NONE    
LYRIA ADLER 4065       2  1 0 FLAGG'S FIVE 213      HAIRLIP BOMBSHEL 4067 420 REVENGED

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Rubber Bumper -- That was one time where the huffing and puffing was enough to blow
over the Bumper. -- Draxus Bremoore

Gunslinger -- You sure can take a pounding!  Can you dish it out too? -- Sterling

Snappy George -- That was my challenge, down to you!  Sheesh!  You go and get all
excited and start swinging and hacking away because of a small down challenge, I was
so embarrassed I forgot to protect myself...eh...my deary! -- Gate Witch #2

Ann Artichoke -- Snappy George, doesn't play nice.  I want to play with you again,
deary. -- Gate Witch #2

Hairlip Bombshell -- You know, the other fighters on your team learn like 4 skills
off of me a turn.  Are you dumb or sumfin? -- Problematic
P.S.  I didn't mean to patronize you with all those parries I made with my warhammer.
I mean, a warhammer wasn't meant for parrying, but Flagg was dumb and sent me out
with it and all.  Sorry!

Kings Krew -- Welcome back!!!  You still managing under the name of King Ralph? --
Flagg

Assurbluetwangythingytwentybucksforadecentbasherburpenheimer -- You've been silent
lately.  Golem got your tongue? -- Flagg

Suave -- How are things going with your professional career these days?  Bet you're
making tons more money than my 'ol factory working butt! -- Flagg

All -- As you can tell by the printing of the tourney results last turn, I had the
WORST tourney outing I have ever had.  But at the same time, it was the best I ever
had, because I picked up my first TV ever with the best warrior I have ever fielded.
Her name is Digger Wasp and she runs in Bonsur and I am tourney prepping like a
madman for her this time.  I think she could have TC'd the last tourney, had she had
been timed better.  She was 6 FE less than the "perfectly timed" warriors she went up
against. -- Flagg

All -- Draxus hand submitted his DM column last turn, but apparently the Commission
didn't like the squid he squeezed for the ink.  The blood mixed in with the ink kind
of made a blackish/red ooze that didn't look real well on paper.  I'm going to make
him send it in by lightning pigeon this time. -- Flagg

Editor -- Just checking again.  Tag! -- Flagg

     Nein, abend. -- Ed.

Yankee Dan -- Harby never loses sleep over me.  He says sleep is valuable, and if he
was to go losing it every time some warrior did poorly, he'd get none at all.  He
says WE should lose sleep over our poor performance, which is silly.  If we lose
sleep, our performance gets even worse, right?  So there's no sleep lost in
conjunction with this team. -- John Rose

Draxus Bremoore -- You're getting really good at handling the Bumper with neatness
and dispatch. -- Harby

Bozo -- (strutting)  It was a deadly attack, you noticed that?  It's only by my mercy
and innate shivery that you survived. -- El Rippoff

Fuzzy Buzzcut -- I love rubbing your silly haircut with my weapons. -- Ann Artichoke

Limpy Two-Screws -- Looks like you've got a screw loose there!  Ha. -- Sushee Su

Flagg -- Good work on the spotlight.  Keep it up! -- Harby, who enjoys seeing someone
else do the work sometimes

Gate Witch #2 -- (glower) -- Ann Artichoke

It looks like Rodeki sent more warriors to the tourney than are active here now.
Let's see if we can't up our numbers, hmm?  Everybody run five warriors for a start.
-- Harby

2 December 2003
ZalCon2, ZalCon Reloaded
Where:  Jhelum, DM 4
When:  February 9th or 23rd, 2003 (TBA when Mail In date set)
How Long:  20 Turns

Restrictions:  Zero FE at start of contest.  Must announce warrior styles by second
arena fight to receive points.  No prize modified warriors.  No entry to July Face,
No TV Challenges.  All prizes to be used exclusively on warriors from the contest
team only.

Awards:
     First Initiate Duelmaster (FID):  First warrior announced in the contest to
          reach the throne.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, increasing damage for 1 warrior by one rating to
          max for ST/SZ.
     Warrior MVP:  Top warrior based on MVP points accrued in the contest.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge for any warrior on team, +1
          to bonus in any skill area up to max for style for 1 warrior on team, 2
          nights stay at Winter FTF Hotel.
     Team MVP:  Top Team based on MVP points accrued in contest by all the teams
          warriors.
     Prize:  Limited Damage Potion, Favorites Knowledge, +1 to Bonus, 6 Months Free
          Play, 20 Rollups.
     Warrior MVP Top 11:  Next 10 warriors on MVP list at the end of the contest.
     Prize:  +1 to Bonus
     Style Master:  Top warrior in each style based on Style Master points accrued in
          the contest.
     Prize:  Favorites Knowledge of any warrior on team.
     Iron Manager Award:  Minimum 95 fights in contest by any team.
     Prize:  Choice of free entry for team to 2005 Winter Face or +1 to Bonus for one
          warrior.

MVP Point System:  +1 for Win, Fight, Kill, Recognition Leader (after Round 3), -1
Death, +2 Duelmaster, +2 each 3 Consecutive turns as DM, +1 Quality Win (any win over
opponent with 5 or more Rec), +1 for each 10 Rec points over 5 in win (+1 for 5-14
above, +2 for 15-24 above, +3 for 25-34 above).
Style Master Point System:  +2 Style Master, +1 Win vs. Same Style Opponent, +1 Win
vs. Same Style Master, +1 for 3 Consecutive Turns as Style Master (rolling).

     Please direct any question about rules or clarifications to me, Robert
Occhipinti, via Diplo to DM74, 1988 Dodgers or email to zalgor@hotmail.com.  All
rules decisions made by me are final and binding within the confines of this contest.

8 December 2003
Greetings!  I would like to invite everyone to Jhans (DM 36) for the first annual kLk
St. Valentine's Day Massacre (kill contest).  We will start the contest off with the
ceremonial burning of the Andorian flag on turn 450.  (Six turns away.  Roughly mid-
February.)  The contest will run for 10 turns.  On turn 461, 3 separate victors will
be announced.  Team with the most kills, warrior with the most kills, and alliance
with the most kills.  Prizes will be awarded to the manager of the team with the most
kills and to the manager of the warrior with the most kills.  The prizes will
probably be team roll-ups.  The number of roll-ups has yet to be determined.  The
contest is sponsored by Jhans' newest, (but by the time the contest starts) largest
alliance, the kLk (pronounced "klick"). -- Polarius, mgr. of Blitzkrieg DM 36

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

UNACCEPTABLE was butchered by ARENAMASTER FARIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
SNAPPY GEORGE devastated DRAXUS BREMOORE in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge Title duel.
YANKEE DAN defeated JOHN ROSE in a 4 minute Challenge duel.
HAIRLIP BOMBSHELL bested BOZO in a 6 minute Challenge contest.
PROBLEMATIC bested VETERAN MERCENARY in a 2 minute brawl.
STERLING was unbelievably bested by RUBBER BUMPER in a 4 minute master's fight.
GATE WITCH was overcome by ANN ARTICHOKE in a 2 minute expert's fight.
EL RIPPOFF vanquished VETERAN MERCENARY in a 3 minute uneven duel.
SUSHEE SU slimly lost to FUZZY BUZZCUT in a 3 minute gruesome expert's fight.
LIMPY TWO-SCREWS defeated EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute veteran vs. beginner fight.
GOLDEN BOY OF BASS overpowered PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   4         PARRY-STRIKE       6 -   1 -  0      86  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    3         PARRY-LUNGE        6 -   2 -  0      75  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         SLASHING ATTACK    9 -   4 -  0      69  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         AIMED BLOW         2 -   1 -  0      67  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         PARRY-RIPOSTE     19 -  11 -  0      63  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         STRIKING ATTACK    4 -   3 -  1      57  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         BASHING ATTACK    12 -   9 -  0      57  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         TOTAL PARRY       16 -  13 -  0      55  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         LUNGING ATTACK    11 -  14 -  1      44  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  0         WALL OF STEEL      6 -  20 -  0      23  |

Turn 423 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
PARRY-RIPOSTE    SNAPPY GEORGE 4015         13   6  0  112 COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
PARRY-STRIKE     PROBLEMATIC 3928           19  14  0   97 FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
LUNGING ATTACK   STERLING 3950              16  11  3   91 FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
SLASHING ATTACK  DRAXUS BREMOORE 3980       12   6  0   88 FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
PARRY-LUNGE      GATE WITCH 3953            16   6  0   70 FLAGG'S FIVE (213)
TOTAL PARRY      YANKEE DAN 4019            13   5  0   55 CLOWNING AROUND (354)
BASHING ATTACK   FUZZY BUZZCUT 4024         11   5  0   55 COLOR ME SUAVE (322)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is PROBLEMATIC 3928.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was STERLING 3950.  The ten other most popular fighters were JOHN ROSE 3985, EL 
RIPPOFF 3992, SUSHEE SU 3983, PROBLEMATIC 3928, RUBBER BUMPER 3903, GATE WITCH 3953, 
SNAPPY GEORGE 4015, ANN ARTICHOKE 3984, FUZZY BUZZCUT 4024, and LIMPY TWO-SCREWS 
4048.

The least popular fighter this week was BOZO 4016.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were UNACCEPTABLE 4084, DRAXUS BREMOORE 3980, GOLDEN BOY OF BASS 4071, 
HAIRLIP BOMBSHELL 4067, YANKEE DAN 4019, LIMPY TWO-SCREWS 4048, FUZZY BUZZCUT 4024, 
ANN ARTICHOKE 3984, SNAPPY GEORGE 4015, and GATE WITCH 3953.