DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/25/2003    Duedate: 01/07/2004

VEASTIAN ARENA

DM-43    TURN-416

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

FACE BREAKER
WIDOWMAKERS (115)
(43-1099) [21-13-0,100]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

FACE BREAKER                   POSITION IS EMPTY
WIDOWMAKERS (115)              
(43-1099) [21-13-0,100]        

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

CARLINE                        FLESHRENDER
THE FAMILY (116)               WIDOWMAKERS (115)
(43-4266) [13-13-1,53]         (43-1108) [15-19-0,80]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

WIDOWMAKERS (115)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. WIDOWMAKERS (115)           26
2. THE FAMILY (116)             7      MEDS (432)
3. MEDS (432)                   5      Unchartered Team
4. WOLF RIDERS (391)            0
5. KORGAN CRUSADE (392)         0      THEIR OWN MINDS (189)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1 WENSINWASIN (428)         34  16  1 68.0   1/ 1 WIDOWMAKERS (115)        10  5 0
 2- 2 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)     280 176 15 61.4   2/ 2 THE FAMILY (116)          7  8 0
 3/ 3 MEDS (432)                37  25  1 59.7   3- 5 WOLF RIDERS (391)         4  1 0
 4/ 4 WIDOWMAKERS (115)         88  85  3 50.9   4- 3 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)      4  5 1
 5- 5 WOLF RIDERS (391)         63  66  8 48.8   5/ 4 MEDS (432)                4  5 0
 6/ 6 THE FAMILY (116)         323 395  9 45.0   6- 6 WENSINWASIN (428)         0  1 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 #75 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Zukal:

     Ghenis threw down the handful of papers in disgust.  Invoices for the purchase
of black candles and sacrificial knives, chickens, rabbits...potatoes?  An angry note
from the man in charge of the cult's storeroom, demanding an investigation to
determine what had happened to three yards of black cloth and a pound of onions that
should have been there and weren't.  A requisition for a cushion "to kneel on while
praying"--gods!  Members of dark cults were supposed to be TOUGH.  All these
pettifogging little details were an insult to the whole IDEA of a dark cult.  He had
a dark suspicion that Pelishtekan had deliberately dumped this work on him, this
FILING, to get back at him for something.  The Ferencian was always "getting back at
people," and often for the slightest of slights.  It just showed you what kind of
people Easterners were!
     Ghenis looked at the papers that were now scattered on the floor of his cubicle
and came to a decision.  He had had enough.  He walked out into the hall, taking care
to tread on as many of the papers as he could in the process.  These "administrative
details" were the Ferencian's doing, but there might, still, be a proper dark god at
the head of the cult.  He would find out, and if there was such a deity, he would
give it proper worship, with blood--and not chicken or rabbit blood--and dark deeds.
And if not...Pelishtekan would find out that Hell had NOTHING like the fury of a dark
cultist scorned.
     Ghenis began to consider ways in which he might discover the truth at the heart
of the cult.

Elsewhere in Zukal:

     Jorja rubbed her forehead tiredly, which didn't do a thing to relieve the
headache.  She wasn't sure just how SHE had been appointed to organize the overthrow
of Sekahos, one of Inzolas' men and the current ruler of Zukal.  What business was it
of hers?  She was Adantri, dammit.  She sighed.  Doreg's doing, probably.  Doreg
was--or had been--one of the Bandit Princes of Zukal.  Their association had been
brief; she hadn't even liked the man much.  But apparently that was enough.  By
Mantor's blazing sword, it was MORE than enough.
     If getting rid of Sekahos was what it took to shut up the yammering Bandit
Princes, then she would do it.
     The first thing she needed was information.  Spies.  She began to go over the
list of gladiators she might call on for assistance.

Somewhere between Veastian and North Fork:

     Emir Kyreses of Veastian shrugged and sighed.  "I know.  You meet the Mad
Khaliv's minions on land, and I have no doubt they're a major problem.  But--"
     "AND we shelter YOU from them," Gorich of North Fork cut in.  "WE bear the
burden of his demon soldiers, not--"
     "We meet them at sea," Kyreses countered.  "Most of our ships are destroyed or
dare not return from southern ports, no sailors can be found who will ship out of--or
into--Veastian.  To say nothing of the damage this has done to our economy, we--"
     "Something must be done."  Gorich glared at Kyreses, daring him to counter THAT
statement.
     The Karnhorn did not.  "I agree.  But I don't know what will answer our needs
best.  To kill the Mad Khaliv is obvious, and it MAY be enough...or it may simply
free all the demons he's bound to his service."
     "Aye."  The swampman was silent for a moment.  Then he shrugged.  "But at least
it's a place to start.  But to assassinate the Mad Khaliv will take men very nearly
as mad as he is."
     "Gladiators," Kyreses said.  "That is who we must send."

This is a general call for warriors who want to be in adventures.  Any warriors from
any arenas, Basic or Advanced, any region, are welcome.  A personal or a diplo to
Scribe will do the trick.

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

                        ---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 480): BLUE GOOSE of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 478): DENOGGINIZER of BLOODSUCKERS (Way Cool, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 474): MAN O' WAR of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 475): ROWARDENN of SAILS OF CHARON (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 473): FOGGY DEW of KINDRED OF KAOS (PTFT, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 472): MALKAI of DRAGON JUNKIES (Youngblood, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 235): POPPY HAMMER of FLOWER HAMMERZ (Hammer, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 464): PYGMY SHREW of SHREW CAN IT BE NOW (The Anarchist, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 233): SODOM of DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 460): FIZGIGG of FISHERMAN'S WHARF (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 458): MIKE TV of WILLY WONKA INC. (Distorted, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 451): DINGO of THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 415): SKYWISE of WOLF RIDERS (Dr. Guts, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): STRAW FIRE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 339): WORMY of BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 319): SWINGLINED SUE of PISSED AT WORK (Nuln, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 140): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 365): MYMID EL NAIMIS of THE DANGER DOGS from BONSUR
                                (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 480): DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 478): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 474): TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 475): BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 473): KINDRED OF KAOS (PTFT, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 472): QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 235): THE PENTARCHY (The Pentalque, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 464): EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 233): WORDS TO THE WISE (Wordsmith, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 460): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 458): WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 451): THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 415): none
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): MIKES MORGUE (Mike, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): MYSTIC ORC FEAST (Slugbait, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 339): BAD APPLES (Uncle Wolf, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 319): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 140): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 365): WENSINWASIN (Youngblood, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 479): E. VICTOR of LETTER BOMBS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 477): SMELLY CAT of ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 475): WEDNESDAY of THE DARK TIDES (Diaretic, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 473): FOGGY DEW of KINDRED OF KAOS (PTFT, mgr.)
                            ADOBE of DELTA DOOM (Barnabas, mgr.)
                (turn 472): TWO GLASS EYES of SPECIAL ED (PTFT, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 463): GOLDIE of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 233): FREY of STORMWATCH (Polar Bear, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
                   (turn 210): BINGE N PURGE of EMETICS (Berylstar, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 205): THE MIGHTY SORE of DRAKE'S COMICS (Drake, mgr.)
                   (turn 204): BEAR KEEPER of CARNIVAL (Carny, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 192): IRIADOR of DRUID'S GROVE (Talon Warsmith, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 139): SUNGLASSES of FOUND IN THE SAND (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     It's me, The Unknown Spymaster, back to give you this week's Spy Report.  Sit 
back in your seats and we'll have more fun than a barrel of Zontanis.  Hey everybody, 
watch out for PREDNIZONE, who flew up 15 points in the rankings after mashing CARLINE 
like a melon.  Keep your eye on this guy.  And falling like a basher in the top ten 
was CARLINE, who dropped 9 points after a disappointing (to say the least) bout with 
PREDNIZONE.  Well, if ya don't shows up at the laundromat, ya can'ts wash yer 
clothes.  SKYWISE did not fight this week so his title was forfeit.  In front of all 
the crowds, FACE BREAKER took the Duelmaster's crown for his own.  I give the bum two 
weeks.  Advice to bashers--never force anything, just get a bigger halberd!   
     Let's dig a little deeper into what's happening in the VEASTIAN arena.   
     Being a spy is great--other people die and you spend the rest of the day 
drinking to their memory.  Better tanked than dead!  Remember:  alliances are great, 
but try and take your ally in the arena with you and see what happens.   
     I think I had better cut this one short.  It's been nice chatting to those of 
you whom I have not offended yet.  Well, there goes another Spy Report.  Good luck in 
next week's fights.  See ya next time I'm on this circuit!-- The Unknown Spymaster  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FACE BREAKER 1099            21  13  0   100       WIDOWMAKERS (115)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-SKYWISE 3868                 16  11  1   111       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 SWORDBREAKER 1087            22  14  0    97       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
-CUTTER 3864                  17  10  3    92       WOLF RIDERS (391)
-RAYEK 3915                   16   9  0    92       WOLF RIDERS (391)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LIFETAKER 1520               10  11  1    89       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
-SILVER BELLE 4269             9   5  0    89       WENSINWASIN (428)
 NHAVARL 4222                 15  21  0    85       THE FAMILY (116)
 FLESHRENDER 1108             15  19  0    80       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
 STILTZ 4265                  11  15  0    78       THE FAMILY (116)
 PREDNIZONE 4298               8   9  0    72       MEDS (432)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PENICILLEN 4299              12   5  0    62       MEDS (432)
-DART 3865                     9  18  1    61       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 TIRO COCOCO 4314              7   7  0    57       THE FAMILY (116)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 NORPRAMINE 4296              11   7  1    56       MEDS (432)
 CARLINE 4266                 13  13  1    53       THE FAMILY (116)
-SPACE BABOON 4313             7   4  0    48       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
-UGLY WITCHMONKEY 4343         4   1  0    41       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
-WINTER WITCH 4283             6  14  0    35       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
 TIRO CUCKOO 4329              5   7  0    35       THE FAMILY (116)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-THE NAUGHTY POPE 4332         7   3  1    33       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RIBSPLITTER 4330              4   3  0    23       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
-SKUNNY WUNDY 4353             1   0  0    20       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
-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                  
-PROTOMAS 4344                 0   3  0     3       WENSINWASIN (428)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
TREESTUMP 4159         3  5 2 WOLF RIDERS 391       THE NAUGHTY POPE 4332 415         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Face Breaker -- (heavy sigh)  I'm never going to graduate.  It's a curse.  You are
merely the instrument of the curse. -- Nhavarl

Fleshrender -- Tut.  Nothing but violence.  Violence is never the answer for
anything. -- Stiltz
P.S.  Well, okay, it answers some things, but not the really profound questions.  You
know, like, "Why?"
P.P.S.  Or, of course, "Why not?"

Ugly Witchmonkey -- Well, darn, those weren't the skills I was TRYING to teach.  I
was trying to teach "Cosmetics 101." -- Carline

Winter Witch -- There are too many witches around here. -- Tiro Cococo
P.S.  And too much winter, alsoso.

Prednizone -- I just can't handle drugs. -- Tiro Cuckoo

Soultender -- For those kind words, however untrue, I thank you. -- Nhavarl

Ed. -- It depends on the mood I'm in. -- Tiro Cocococococococo
P.S.  Officially, only three.

     I'm just glad your middle name isn't banana. -- Ed.

Carline -- I tried to get Lifetaker to change his name to Bunnyhugger, but he
wouldn't.  And it's not like he's taken many; he's just obstinate. -- Soultender

Congrats! to Swampy for going 3 & 3.  I hope he makes it back some day. -- Soultender
Alas, both my dead were 0-2.

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

SWORDBREAKER bested NHAVARL in a action packed 5 minute brutal master's fight.
FACE BREAKER handily defeated STILTZ in a 1 minute one-sided Title match.
FLESHRENDER won victory over PENICILLEN in a popular 4 minute master's brawl.
LIFETAKER overpowered NORPRAMINE in a crowd pleasing 1 minute mismatched match.
PREDNIZONE vanquished CARLINE in a exciting 1 minute mismatched fight.
TIRO COCOCO devastated AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute one-sided competition.
RIBSPLITTER lost to TIRO CUCKOO in a 2 minute duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         LUNGING ATTACK    30 -  12 -  1      71  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  2         STRIKING ATTACK   26 -  14 -  1      65  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         TOTAL PARRY        6 -   4 -  0      60  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         SLASHING ATTACK   11 -   8 -  0      58  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         WALL OF STEEL     18 -  18 -  0      50  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         AIMED BLOW         6 -   6 -  0      50  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      9 -  11 -  0      45  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -   6 -  0      40  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         BASHING ATTACK     3 -   7 -  0      30  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        3 -  14 -  0      18  |

Turn 416 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 -  0         3  WALL OF STEEL  
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  0     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  2         3  STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK    2 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  1         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
WALL OF STEEL      3 -  0     SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                              BASHING ATTACK     0 -  1         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                              TOTAL PARRY        0 -  1         1  BASHING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
PARRY-STRIKE     FACE BREAKER 1099          21  13  0  100 WIDOWMAKERS (115)
WALL OF STEEL    SWORDBREAKER 1087          22  14  0   97 WIDOWMAKERS (115)
TOTAL PARRY      PENICILLEN 4299            12   5  0   62 MEDS (432)
SLASHING ATTACK  NORPRAMINE 4296            11   7  1   56 MEDS (432)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is CARLINE 4266.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was FLESHRENDER 1108.  The ten other most popular fighters were NHAVARL 4222, 
RIBSPLITTER 4330, SWORDBREAKER 1087, LIFETAKER 1520, PREDNIZONE 4298, TIRO COCOCO 
4314, FACE BREAKER 1099, TIRO CUCKOO 4329, PENICILLEN 4299, and CARLINE 4266.

The least popular fighter this week was NORPRAMINE 4296.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were STILTZ 4265, CARLINE 4266, PENICILLEN 4299, TIRO CUCKOO 4329, FACE 
BREAKER 1099, TIRO COCOCO 4314, PREDNIZONE 4298, LIFETAKER 1520, SWORDBREAKER 1087, 
and RIBSPLITTER 4330.