DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 10/02/2003    Duedate: 10/15/2003

VEASTIAN ARENA

DM-43    TURN-410

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SUNGOD DESIGNED ME
WENSINWASIN (428)
(43-4270) [17-1-0,142]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SUNGOD DESIGNED ME             POSITION IS EMPTY
WENSINWASIN (428)              
(43-4270) [17-1-0,142]         

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

SKYWISE                        DAPHNE CAMISADO
WOLF RIDERS (391)              TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)
(43-3868) [15-11-1,97]         (43-3991) [12-11-1,56]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

MEDS (432)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. KORGAN CRUSADE (392)        34
2. WOLF RIDERS (391)           30      WENSINWASIN (428)
3. MEDS (432)                  20      Unchartered Team
4. WENSINWASIN (428)           13
5. THE FAMILY (116)            10      PLUNDER PLATOON (157)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 WENSINWASIN (428)         32  11  1 74.4   1/ 2 MEDS (432)                6  3 0
 2- 2*EASTERN HORDE (430)       12   6  1 66.7   2/ 3 WIDOWMAKERS (115)         6  7 0
 3- 3 JURIM'S TEAM (429)        28  16  1 63.6   3/ 4 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)      6  7 0
 4/ 4 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)     266 166 14 61.6   4/ 5 THE FAMILY (116)          6  9 0
 5/ 5 MEDS (432)                27  17  1 61.4   5/ 1 WENSINWASIN (428)         5  0 0
 6/ 6 WIDOWMAKERS (115)         71  72  2 49.7   6/ 6 WOLF RIDERS (391)         5  5 0
 7/ 7 WOLF RIDERS (391)         59  65  8 47.6   7- 7*EASTERN HORDE (430)       3  0 0
 8/ 0 TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)    77  88 10 46.7   8/ 0 TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)    2  3 0
 9/ 8 THE FAMILY (116)         308 380  9 44.8   9- 8 JURIM'S TEAM (429)        1  0 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[(< + -----:----- + >)] The Free Cities #69 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Zukal:

     Ghenis watched the ship _Relentless_ ease out into the channel and brushed his
hands together.  It was bound for Niatoli to further certain interests of the dark
cult.  On it was Veleks, and Cousin Og, who would look after the small thief...one
way or another.  Which freed him to attend to other matters.
     First of those other matters was a meeting with Pelishtekan, the Ferencian who
was currently the 'chief priest' of the cult.  Ghenis scowled to hide his grimace of
disgust.  He didn't like the Ferencian.  In fact, he loathed the man.  But it wasn't
necessary to like him, not really.  As long as Pelishtekan did his job, nothing else
counted.
     And right now, the man's job was to explain what manner of creature, monster, or
whatever was hunting over the lands just north of Zukal.  And how the damned thing
could be fought and destroyed.  It was in the way of certain plans that he had made
for the benefit of the dark cult...and of himself, of course.  The dark power did not
expect his minions to work for nothing but the joy of it.
     Ghenis left the waterfront behind and wove his way through the twisted and
noisome alleys of one of Zukal's poorest districts.  The cult always had its centers
among the homes of the poor.  They were the ones who had something to gain from it,
and nothing to lose, from shaking up the old order, after all.  Ghenis smiled just a
little.  He liked shaking things up.
     The cult was headquartered in a tall narrow building squeezed between other tall
narrow buildings.  The cellar, which was dark and always damp and divided into tiny
rooms no more than six feet square, was used for...storage.  More or less.  The
ground floor, reached by going down half a dozen steps from street level, was the
shrine itself.  The level above that was where the main work of the cult was done,
the plotting and planning, the gathering of information, the good stuff.  Above that,
two floors of small rooms where members of the cult lived if they couldn't do better
for themselves.  And on the top floor, the pigeons that carried messages from points
as distant as Zuwayza and Murska in the north, Rocanis, Xochithlan, and even Tricorus
in the south.  Most people had no idea how far the cult reached.
     Which was another source of amusement to Ghenis.  The authorities here in Zukal,
the very heart of the cult, had no idea that it was anything more than a handful of
dissatisfied commoners meeting to worship some petty godling.  Ha!  If Bey Sekahos
knew how near he stood to the rim of disaster, how fast he was sliding down the slope
into hell--!  Even the Bandit Princes, who had a clearer understanding of their city,
didn't know that the cult was gaining power daily and would soon be ready to make its
move.  IF the monster north of the city could be dealt with.
     Ghenis pushed open the door and stepped toward Pelishtekan's office.

Near Malcorn:

     The finger of light slid across the surface of the tall stone and touched the
worn carvings, which leaped into sudden clarity.  The little clearing, which had been
empty except for Lord Malcorn and Tiljanz al Burgos, the young Karnhorn diplomat, was
suddenly full of shadows.  Or something.  Tiljanz could feel the weight of a dozen
minds thinking about him--calculating minds, hostile minds, hungry ones.  He held
himself still and quiet with difficulty.  This was Lord Malcorn's meeting; he himself
was just present as a witness.
     Words came out of the darkness, hollow as caves, clear as trumpets.  "Why are
you here, Malcorn?"
     "To demand that you enforce your side of the agreement we made, Dregur," the
lord of Malcorn replied.  If a great tree had spoken, its voice might have sounded
like that.
     "Our side?  What have we, the true and original lords of all the land between
the lakes, to 'enforce' at the command of an ephemeral like you?"
     "Do not play games with me.  A deal was made and sworn under just such a moon,
that the dregur would attack only those who entered this land at the command of the
Easterner Inzolas.  In return for this, you were released from the Silent Place."
     "And if we choose now to disregard that 'deal' you speak of?"  Idle inquiry.
     "The Silent Place is still there."
     "You think you could return us to that captivity?"  Scorn and amusement.  "You?"
     "If you do not keep your side of the agreement," now Malcorn's voice was like
iron, cold black iron, "I will return you to that captivity.  Me."  At that moment,
Tiljanz did not doubt that Blackie would do just that, whatever the cost to himself.
     "We did make an oath."  The voice was the same, but different.  A different
dregur speaking, Tiljanz thought.  "The oath is a binding already.  He could do it."
Warning, cool consideration.
     "Because a few of us have chosen to Hunt freely, as we used to?  Unfair!  This
land was OURS.  If we stretch out our hand to take it back, where is the injustice in
that?"  Passion.
     "The injustice is in the breaking of our oath.  The land itself will reject an
oathbreaker.  It has always been so."  Stern command.  "We must keep our part of the
bargain, or by our failure we release Lord Malcorn from his.  And he could then
return us to the Silent Place, if he is willing to pay the price."  A pause.  "And
you can see that he is so willing."
     Objection.  "Those who Hunt alone will not be called back to the kennel, even by
you."
     Unyielding command.  "Then I myself will lead a Hunt against them."

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     Well my fellow combatants, there are only a few more fights left for me here in
Veastian.  Though the road has been as short as this arena is small, I can't say that
I would have it any other way.
     My master Youngblood has already been looking for prospects to take my place
when and if I leave (you can never be too sure).  Even if he does not find a suitable
replacement, I am sure that Silver Belle will do just fine.  She started off a little
slowly, but is coming into her own, so watch out.
     It will be interesting when I leave this place; the competition will be stiffer
and more unpredictable, seeing that I have been Duelmaster for nine consecutive
fights, not including if I win this time.  I know that everyone is dying for my
title, and also tired of seeing me up here turn after turn, but until someone beats
me and takes it from me, it will remain mine until I die or leave for the Isle.
     Fleshrender, good fight.  Though you are on the same team that Swordbreaker is
on, you are a worthy opponent.  May your scars remind him how lucky he really is.
Cutter, you will get your shot, but on my terms and those terms alone.  I challenged
Swordbreaker this turn, and avoided you to get revenge on my only loss.  If it
doesn't go through, maybe next turn, if you are still up in the challenger champ
area, you will get your shot.  And if I get my call this time, don't worry, I will
test my skills in the dreaded dark arena so a new Duelmaster will emerge.  I'll see
you on the sands.

                                     Sungod Designed Me, the FIRM

                                      SPY REPORT

     Welcome VEASTIAN.  I, Olaf Modeen remember this place well.  Many the fights 
have I fought here.  The celebrations, the disappointments...  Bein' on top is great 
while it lasts, WENSINWASIN.  But how many friends do you have now?  Phhbltt!  Too 
much drinking and too little dodging gave WENSINWASIN a 1-0-0!  I got a good laugh 
out of it!  What's with RAYEK?  He actually beat WIDOWMAKERS' FLESHRENDER, and walked 
away with 18 more points from the fight.  Laughs were big at WOLF RIDERS while they 
watched RAYEK clobber FLESHRENDER.  He lost 16 points and got bruised from objects 
thrown from the stands.  Another fighter (CUTTER 16-10-3) challenged another 
Duelmaster (SUNGOD DESIGNED ME 17-1-0).  Life goes on.  Try as he might, CUTTER 
wasn't good enough at persuading SUNGOD DESIGNED ME to step down from the 
Duelmaster's throne...  I suppose you want to hear some rumors and dirty gossip about 
your fellow fighters?  Tough!   
     No matter the time or place, men will always duel.  VEASTIAN thinks WIDOWMAKERS 
and their 71-72-2 is too much!  If at first you don't succeed, give up...  In my day, 
no team with a 69-69-2 would scare me off!  What's the problem, WOLF RIDERS?  What do 
people see in FLESHRENDER?  His 13-15-0?  WIDOWMAKERS ain't talkin', but he's got 70 
points.   
     A fighter's lot is filled with strife, revenge, and killing.  Some fighters 
don't accept this.  The best do.  Sending a warrior to the Dark Arena reminds the 
others they'd better shape up.  Tough beans, BIL BALROGG.  That's what a 6-11-0 gets 
you.  Many a warrior has met his fate in a hungover stupor.  You young rapscallions, 
take note!   
     Well, I'm pretty much through.  You guys need to get back practicing.  VEASTIAN 
is a nice place to live, but I don't like to live in nice places.  I don't want to 
overstay my welcome...-- Olaf Modeen  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SUNGOD DESIGNED ME 4270      17   1  0   142       WENSINWASIN (428)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 HEMERA AHKISAR 4006          13   7  2   100       TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)
 SKYWISE 3868                 15  11  1    97       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 NHAVARL 4222                 13  17  0    92       THE FAMILY (116)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CUTTER 3864                  16  10  3    90       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 RAYEK 3915                   15   9  0    89       WOLF RIDERS (391)
-MUSHAD 4287                   5   1  1    76       EASTERN HORDE (430)
 FACE BREAKER 1099            17  11  0    73       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
 SWORDBREAKER 1087            18  12  0    70       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
 FLESHRENDER 1108             13  15  0    70       WIDOWMAKERS (115)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SWAMPY THE GOBLIN 4310        5   1  0    65       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
 PENICILLEN 4299               9   2  0    61       MEDS (432)
 NORPRAMINE 4296               8   4  1    58       MEDS (432)
-SILVER BELLE 4269             7   4  0    58       WENSINWASIN (428)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DAPHNE CAMISADO 3991         12  11  1    56       TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)
-JURRASIC LARKS 4278           7   1  0    54       JURIM'S TEAM (429)
 DART 3865                     8  18  1    53       WOLF RIDERS (391)
-BIL BALROG'S SON 4281         5   3  0    53       JURIM'S TEAM (429)
 LIFETAKER 1520                6   9  0    49       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
-JABBA 4277                    6   3  0    48       JURIM'S TEAM (429)
-SHRILL BALROGG 4289           5   2  1    47       JURIM'S TEAM (429)
-JIB AH 4276                   5   4  0    47       JURIM'S TEAM (429)
 ETHON EL KEER 3992            8  14  1    45       TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)
 PREDNIZONE 4298               4   7  0    44       MEDS (432)
 CARLINE 4266                  9  11  1    39       THE FAMILY (116)
 STILTZ 4265                   8  12  0    36       THE FAMILY (116)
 SPACE BABOON 4313             5   1  0    36       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-INZOLAS 4288                  3   3  0    33       EASTERN HORDE (430)
 TIRO CUCKOO 4329              3   3  0    29       THE FAMILY (116)
-PEACE 4306                    4   0  0    28       EASTERN HORDE (430)
 TREESTUMP 4159                3   4  2    27       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 WINTER WITCH 4283             4  12  0    24       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TIRO COCOCO 4314              3   5  0    21       THE FAMILY (116)
 THE NAUGHTY POPE 4332         4   1  0    14       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
 LADY MANTLE 4267              2   4  0    12       TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)
 RIBSPLITTER 4330              1   0  0    10       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
-GALO THE RED 4268             2   2  1     9       WENSINWASIN (428)
-BISHOP 4272                   2   3  0     9       WENSINWASIN (428)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RED VALERIAN 4274             0   4  0     4       TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
BIL BALROGG 4273       6 12 0 KORGAN CRUSADE 392    ARENAMASTER KHYL 23   410 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Fleshrender -- Sorry for the mix-up, it was Face Breaker that I beat, but you
Widowmakers are all the same to me. -- Sungod Designed Me

Carline -- Good match, your record is rather deceiving, or is it?  Anyway, I hope to
see you on the sands again. -- silver belle

Nhavarl -- Now don't go thinking that just because you are still alive you can go
running your mouth.  Remember you are alive because I chose for it to be that way, I
could have easily killed you without remorse.  So go ahead and make your changes, I
guarantee the same result. -- Sungod Designed Me, the FIRM

Tree Stump -- Have you learned your lesson.  I surely hope so.  Just remember what
happened here when you go trying to kill another warrior.  You, my friend, are lucky
that I didn't go for you on that final bloodfeud.  Just as I hate getting
bloodfeuded, I hate handing them out without getting something out of it and if I had
run the last one, your life would have probably ended. -- Youngblood, the FIRM
P.S.  Just thought I would show you what August looked like:  9-10-11-16-17-11-11;
not your typical basher but he was 4-0 until you killed him.

Sun God Designed Me -- Cutter will finally get to test your skills.  I'm glad you
challenge Treestump.  Only the strong survive on the Wolf Riders.  The weak are just
meat. -- Dr. Guts

Widowmakers -- Don't let the press go to your head.  My warriors like variety and
fighting your crew every time gets old quick. -- Dr. Guts

Cutter -- Huh, you WOULD show up just when I was trying an actual new strategy for
SDM.  Not that it would have made that much difference, I suppose. -- Nhavarl

Silver Belle -- I seem to have this ringing in my ears.... -- Carline

Lifetaker -- But you wouldn't want MINE, would you?  I'm still using it! -- Stiltz

Winter Witch -- Just call me Indian Summer. -- Tiro Cococo

The Naughty Pope -- Ooooh, you ARE naughty!  Come by the guildhouse and do it again!
-- Tiro Cuckoo

The question now is can I and SHOULD I try to get a strategy change BACK? -- Nhavarl

Wolf Riders -- Do Wendy and Richard know where you are?  I'm not sure they'd approve.
-- Soultender

Youngblood -- The whole team has been on autopilot since the FTF.  That's why
Ribsplitter was slow to arrive. -- Soultender

It seems there's only room for one lovable loser on this team.  Winter Witch can
learn skills.  Sorry Bil.  Win your DA battle and we'll talk. -- Jack Wolfspider

How long has Sungod Designed Me been Duelmaster here anyway?  By my count about 9
years.  Make us proud when you finally DO go to the Isle. -- Jack W.

9 September 2003
WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MANAGERS!  If you think you have what it takes to match
wits and blades with some of the best managers in Alastari, then WE WANT YOU!  The
Tournament Of The Golden Scrod #4 will begin in Aradi (DM 60) the turn after the Fall
Mail-In.  It's not too late for you to sign up.  I realize that many of you may be
hesitant after seeing that myself and Hombre have teamed up again, but we'll try to
take it easy on you guys a little bit.  For more information on T#%S IV, please
contact me at ganolus@aol.com.  We're looking for a few good managers...the few, the
proud, the TOGS!

-- Ganolus Oakleaf, T#%S IV Commish

15 September 2003
An Announcement Concerning the Brotherhood of the Blade Alliance:
     I have chosen to withdraw my membership from the Brotherhood of the Blade
alliance.  The years I have spent in the alliance have been the best of my DM career.
I leave the alliance with many great friends and will always remain close to my
former brethren.
     The Brotherhood of the Blade will not skip a beat without my membership.  It
remains in very capable hands and its roster is among the strongest in the game.
With the return on some of its founding members to DM, I know the BOB will continue
to grow in strength and prestige in the years to come. -- The Sandman

29 September 2003
All -- Let it be known that the Firm accepts SOL into its ranks.  The Firm is:
SunGod, Dark Spirit, Youngblood, Tripwire, and SOL.

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

BIL BALROGG was butchered by ARENAMASTER KHYL in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena fight.
CUTTER was vanquished by SUNGOD DESIGNED ME in a 1 minute Challenge Title battle.
RAYEK demolished FLESHRENDER in a 1 minute uneven Challenge fight.
DART was outwaited by PENICILLEN in a slow 8 minute Challenge contest.
TREESTUMP defeated WINTER WITCH in a 2 minute bloody Challenge match.
HEMERA AHKISAR devastated CONVICTED ASSASSIN in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
SWORDBREAKER was overpowered by SKYWISE in a 2 minute gory mismatched brawl.
NHAVARL overcame FACE BREAKER in a 2 minute expert's melee.
ETHON EL KEER was vanquished by SWAMPY THE GOBLIN in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
LIFETAKER vanquished TIRO COCOCO in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
DAPHNE CAMISADO narrowly defeated CARLINE in a action packed 2 minute match.
NORPRAMINE beat DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a exciting 1 minute fight.
STILTZ was demolished by PREDNIZONE in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
SPACE BABOON devastated LADY MANTLE in a 1 minute one-sided battle.
TIRO CUCKOO devastated MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
RED VALERIAN was overcome by THE NAUGHTY POPE in a popular 1 minute beginner's fight.
RIBSPLITTER won victory over PERSISTENT BEGGAR in a 1 minute novice's fray.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  6         TOTAL PARRY       14 -   4 -  0      78  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   5         LUNGING ATTACK    38 -  20 -  0      66  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    5         SLASHING ATTACK   18 -  12 -  1      60  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         PARRY-RIPOSTE     13 -  10 -  0      57  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      3         STRIKING ATTACK   30 -  28 -  3      52  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         WALL OF STEEL     16 -  15 -  0      52  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -   5 -  0      44  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         AIMED BLOW         3 -   7 -  0      30  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         BASHING ATTACK     5 -  15 -  0      25  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         PARRY-LUNGE        2 -  14 -  0      13  |

Turn 410 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     5 -  0     WALL OF STEEL      2 -  3         3  WALL OF STEEL  
SLASHING ATTACK    3 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  2         3  STRIKING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY        1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  3         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
STRIKING ATTACK    4 -  2     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         1  SLASHING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  1     BASHING ATTACK     0 -  1         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                                                                1  PARRY-STRIKE   

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  SUNGOD DESIGNED ME 4270    17   1  0  142 WENSINWASIN (428)
LUNGING ATTACK   HEMERA AHKISAR 4006        13   7  2  100 TERMAGANT VOTARY (378)
WALL OF STEEL    SKYWISE 3868               15  11  1   97 WOLF RIDERS (391)
STRIKING ATTACK  CUTTER 3864                16  10  3   90 WOLF RIDERS (391)
PARRY-STRIKE     FACE BREAKER 1099          17  11  0   73 WIDOWMAKERS (115)
TOTAL PARRY      PENICILLEN 4299             9   2  0   61 MEDS (432)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is SKYWISE 3868.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was DAPHNE CAMISADO 3991.  The ten other most popular fighters were NHAVARL 4222, 
TREESTUMP 4159, HEMERA AHKISAR 4006, SKYWISE 3868, NORPRAMINE 4296, SPACE BABOON 
4313, TIRO CUCKOO 4329, THE NAUGHTY POPE 4332, SUNGOD DESIGNED ME 4270, and RAYEK 
3915.

The least popular fighter this week was PENICILLEN 4299.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were LADY MANTLE 4267, STILTZ 4265, TIRO COCOCO 4314, ETHON EL KEER 3992, 
FACE BREAKER 1099, DART 3865, FLESHRENDER 1108, BIL BALROGG 4273, RED VALERIAN 4274, 
and PREDNIZONE 4298.

The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn:

SUNGOD DESIGNED ME (43-4270) WENSINWASIN (428)