DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/05/2004    Duedate: 02/18/2004

VEASTIAN ARENA

DM-43    TURN-419

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

LIFETAKER
WIDOWMAKERS (115)
(43-1520) [13-11-1,113]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

LIFETAKER                      POSITION IS EMPTY
WIDOWMAKERS (115)              
(43-1520) [13-11-1,113]        

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

CARLINE                        PREDNIZONE
THE FAMILY (116)               MEDS (432)
(43-4266) [16-13-1,68]         (43-4298) [10-10-0,101]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

WIDOWMAKERS (115)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. MEDS (432)                  45
2. KORGAN CRUSADE (392)        44      MEDS (432)
3. WIDOWMAKERS (115)           43      Unchartered Team
4. THE FAMILY (116)             8
5. WOLF RIDERS (391)          -43       (100)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 2 MEDS (432)                46  27  2 63.0   1/ 1 WIDOWMAKERS (115)        10  5 1
 2/ 1 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)     287 184 15 60.9   2/ 3 MEDS (432)                9  2 1
 3/ 3 WIDOWMAKERS (115)         98  90  4 52.1   3/ 2 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)      7  8 0
 4/ 4 WOLF RIDERS (391)         67  72  8 48.2   4/ 4 THE FAMILY (116)          5 10 0
 5/ 5 THE FAMILY (116)         328 405  9 44.7   5/ 5 WOLF RIDERS (391)         4  6 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 #76 [(< + -----:----- + >)]H[(<

Various places in Zukal:

     "There are warriors coming.  Several of them from Free Blades, in fact," Kitala
the Bold, Lady Protector of Crysalis, reported.  She picked with most comfortable
chair in the Blue Moon guildhouse's common room with an unerring instinct and settled
into it.  "Maybe one or two from Crysalis, as well.  Me, anyway.  I'm getting bored
on the Isle."
     "When?" Jorja asked.  She didn't much like Kitala--they'd trained on the same
team in Lin Tirian years ago--but she could work with the woman.  Kitala had a
deserved reputation for getting things done.  Things no one else wanted to do, and by
Mantor's Shining Sword, dealing with Sekahos was not something Jorja wanted to do.
She hated politics.  "The sooner we get started, the sooner we'll be done with it."
     "Couple of weeks, probably," Kitala said after a moment's thought.  "These
things don't happen all at once.  People have to cancel their dental appointments,
sublet their apartments, find someone to walk their dogs, stuff like that.  Some of
'em even consult their managers!"  The Lubanese woman shook her head as at an
inexplicable marvel.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Ghenis crouched on a roof and looked down at soldiers marching through an alley.
They were some of Sekahos's men, heading for a brothel, not that it mattered.  Any
soldiers would do for this test.  When they were all in the alley and in his sight,
Ghenis clutched his talisman and muttered, "Stop these men, make them helpless to
prevent anything I would inflict on them in Your Name."  Then he held his breath,
waiting to see if the Dark God of the cult would answer his request.  If the Demongod
answered, then he would know that the cult was real, whatever fripperies Pelishtekan
dressed it in.  And if there was no answer....  The gladiator bared his teeth in a
silent snarl.  There was, somewhere, just such a Demongod.  He knew it.  And he would
find that Demongod and unleash it on the Ferencian and the others who would propose a
false cult, just for the money and power it gave them.  Let all false prophets
beware!
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     In the principal hall of Zukal's grandest palace, the man who was now calling
himself Prince Sekahos scowled at his advisors.  "It's outrageous!  Intolerable!
It--"
     "It has happened, even so, Prince," Amar Yayoi said.  He was the Prince's
battlemage and chief adviser.  "Some fool among the benighted heathen of this land
has let loose a tribe of Old Ones, dregur as they are called here, against us.  We
must re-bind--"
     "Why can't we get them on our side?" the Prince demanded.  "If these local
yokels bound them before, then the dregur must hate them even more than they hate us.
Why not form an alliance?"
     "A novel idea," the mage said slowly, "but I would recommend against it.  The
Old Ones are not noted for their willingness to accommodate to we who are the Younger
Peoples."  He watched closely as Sekahos considered this and felt a sinking in the
pit of his stomach.  His Prince was going to demand that the attempt be made.  It
could lead to the deepest disaster, and even if an alliance successfully forged, it
could not be depended upon.  The Old Ones were masters of that special treachery
which was produced by following agreements to the exact letter.
     Whatever Sekahos might have said next was swept aside by the entry of Vilardet,
the Prince's master of spies and assassins.  The dark-faced intriguer (he was half
Ferencian and half Kannar) sketched the formal sequences of bows and salutes and
plunged quickly into his report.  "The assassin sent against Kinnishan of Chimlevtal
failed, Prince.  Bad enough in itself, of course, but worse that it has alerted the
cursed Chimlevtans against further attempts."  What Vilardet did not say, but Yayoi
knew quite well, was that the spymaster had argued against that precipitate action.
But he was wise enough not to say "I told you so," not to THIS prince.
     "Kinnishan must die!" Sekahos shouted.  "He's a reactionary!  A cursed populist!
He is blocking my path of expansion, refusing to pay tribute, providing a base for my
enemies--"
     "All this is true," Yayoi said calmly, "but there are other ways to slay a tiger
than by charging it with a spear."
     "Let us set a trap for your enemy, Prince," Vilardet agreed.  "Let us lead him
to destroy himself, and not only himself but those who would ally with him against
you."
     "This would be a great coup," the mage urged, taking up the argument in his
turn.  "Not only would your immediate enemies be removed, but their purpose in
opposing you would be so discredited that others will hesitate to rise against in the
future."
     "And in the doing of it," Vilardet went on, "another danger might also be
reduced...if Kinnishan is brought to attack the Light of Barikala, for instance?"
     Even Sekahos hesitated over that suggestion.  Inzolas had dispatched men to take
Barikala early in the invasion.  They had succeeded, but soon afterward had ceased to
communicate.  Spies sent to that great island in the years since had never returned.
Ships passing too close to it had vanished without a trace.  No one knew what,
precisely, was happening there.  The only thing to be seen which might have a bearing
on the disappearances was a pillar of light, vast, brilliant, and unaccountable, that
rose from the center of the island.  What that pillar meant, was, or did was unknown.
"Would he be such a fool?" the Prince asked finally.
     The spymaster shrugged.  "It doesn't matter.  A situation can be contrived where
he has no CHOICE but to approach the Light.  That, or lose his throne and his allies,
which would serve our purposes well enough."
     There were several minutes of silence while all considered the possibilities.
"Do it," Sekahos said finally.

In and around Kurukar:

     He who was now known as the Black Kaliv stood behind the altar, waiting.  No
moon shone on Kurukar, nor had it since the Kaliv had come into his full power.  But
there was something in the sky which gave a blood-colored light.  The Kaliv said,
"Come."
     A woman walked toward him through the icy night.  She had been a gladiator once,
before the closing of Kurukar's arena.  She was not afraid of pain and death.  But
she was afraid now.  Terrified, not for her life but for her soul.  She would have
run screaming into the dark forest had the spell not bound her limbs to the Kaliv's
will.  She would not have survived such a flight, for the men--the CREATURES--who
served the Black Kaliv were behind her.  But it would have been a cleaner death.
     She reached the altar and stopped, staring across it and awaiting the next
command.
     "Disrobe."
     Fingers half numb with cold fumbled at the fibula holding the white cloth around
her.  Like a winding sheet, it was.  She willed her fingers to seize the clasp, to
drive the long fang of metal into her own flesh and end it all now.  Her fingers
dropped the fibula onto the cloth at her feet.
     She could sense the creatures close behind her.  They were foul things, even the
one who was human.  But she wished one of them--any one of them--would reach out and
take her life.  Now.  Before it was too late.
     "Lie on the altar," the Kaliv said.
     She did so.
     The four creatures came forward, and each of them seized one of her limbs,
holding her in place though she wasn't struggling.  The Kaliv raised a dagger over
her; it burned red in the light of the not-moon in the sky.  With a single word, he
released the spell that bound her limbs to his will.
     She screamed and fought.
     Until the dagger came down.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Kholzern, Commander of the East for the Black Kaliv, stepped aboard his
flagship.  He wore a form that was nearly human, but his sailors were not deceived.
They had seen Kholzern in the heat of battle, when he wasted no energy on such
disguises.  But he always won those battles, so they accepted his alien origin, even
when it made their blood run cold.  Not that they had a choice.  Those who had
protested serving under Commander Kholzern had...vanished.
     "North," Kholzern said, "then east through the canal to Aljafir Bay.  Aljafir
and Stormcrowe must be subdued so that we may secure out outlet into the Storm Sea."
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Tashart, Commander of the West, was not at all human and made no effort to
disguise that fact.  He gestured with a tentacle to the helmsman of his flagship.
"South," his piping voice ordered.  "All shipping which does not bear the standard of
Jhuizkhal is to be destroyed.  Three ships to blockade the mouth of North Fork's
river, the rest to invest Veastian.  Not a ship shall move along this coast without
my leave."

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 484): ALEX GRIFFIN of DREAM PARK (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 482): TILLOUISA of SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 478): BURGATORY of SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 478): MUKAARTH of BLACKHEART'S AXE (?, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 477): GHENGIS KHAN of HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 475): TRAGIC TUESDAY of QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 237): IDIOTIC INDIGO of IDIOTIC ICCERS (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 467): BINDI of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 235): SIR PELLEAS of WILLBENDERS (Abraxis, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 464): JOHNNY B GOODE of CALL THE PRIEST (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 462): GRUDGEBRINGER of WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 455): IRON-HIDE of FERROUS MEN (?, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 418): SWORDBREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 212): MING of DYNASTIC (Jack Wolfspider, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 207): BLACK JACK SHELACK of ROYAL FLUSH (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 194): NASSE of DARK SIDHE (Daehir, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 343): TENACULUM of GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 323): THE BUM of FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 142): PRIZMATYK WAHL of MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 368): SETHRA LAVODE of CASTLE BLACK from KYR'TERR
                                (Shadowgate, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 484): CLAN O' WHOOPAS (?, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 482): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 478): SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 478): DARK WARRIORS (Arcane's Den, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 477): HEROESANDFOUNDONES (The Judge, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 475): QUASI-LEGAL OPS (Necron 99, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 237): THE WARLORDS II (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 467): CRIMSON KINGS (The Yellow Jester, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 235): WORDS TO THE WISE (Wordsmith, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 464): SARATOGA GLORY (The Trainer, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 462): WHEN DOGMA FAILS (Prophet, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 455): STRONGHOLD (Silver Stroke, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 418): WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 212): MIKES MORGUE (Mike, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 207): MY DAY (Abarsis, the Slaughter Priest, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 194): TEAM VIRTUE (Boy Scout, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 343): GENERAL SURGERY (Darkfist, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 323): FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 142): MAGIC MAYHEM (Fizban, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 368): WENSINWASIN (Youngblood, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 483): BLUE GOOSE of BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 481): OCTAPUSSY of ARENA FELINES II (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 478): BURGATORY of SACRILEGIOUS MEAT (Klep, mgr.)
                            NEIGH! of TRIPLE CROWN (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 477): ROWARDENN of SAILS OF CHARON (The Sentinel, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 466): MONTY of CROC FILES (THawk, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 234): MACIOBELLY of UNFIT TO BE ORCS (Slugbait, mgr.)
                               GAELIN BLACKTALON of THE NIGHTHAWKS (Firehawk, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 464): JOHNNY B GOODE of CALL THE PRIEST (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 462): SQUEEZE CHEESE of FOOD FIGHT (Ebenezer
                                   Frothingslosh, mgr.)
                       (turn 461): OLD MAJOR of PIG BATTALION (Kellog, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 418): SWORDBREAKER of WIDOWMAKERS (Soultender, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 211): SNOWFALL of NORTHERN LIGHTS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  47 NORTH FORK (turn 207): STRAW FIRE of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 323): THE BUM of FAVORITE GUYS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 141): PIXIE BLIGHT of DARQUE FORCES VIII (Master Darque, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Greetings, Veastian!

     Will wonders never cease?  Swordbreaker gets DM and his invite.  My first ADM
warrior, and I almost sent him to the Dark Arena months ago.  He graduates with 3
experts and none of those are in his favorite learns, go figure.  Take care all, and
be nice to his newbie replacement.

                                   Soultender

                                      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 SPACE BABOON, who flew up 25 points in the rankings after mashing FACE 
BREAKER like a melon.  Keep your eye on this guy.  Our battling duelmaster 
SWORDBREAKER has managed to hold the title, fending off SKYWISE's none too subtle 
advances.  Better luck next time, WOLF RIDERS.  4 out of 5 gladiators surveyed 
protect the body, so try and avoid aiming at that location.   
     But enough of that bunch, let's get on to the wimps who like to avoid battle!  
And who is this CUTTER you ask, with 84 points and a 18-11-3 record.  Ooh, the tales 
I could tell!  In a touching display by a 'touched' warrior, FLESHRENDER went after 
CUTTER, who was higher by 20 points.  Well, when the dust settled, FLESHRENDER won 
victory over CUTTER.   
     Remember that an arena is not always a safe place to be, but it is one of the 
most interesting, though!  Here's some advice:  warriors with little wit and will may 
encounter problems on the trail to the Isle.   
     I think I had better cut this one short.  It's been nice chatting to those of 
you whom I have not offended yet.  Okay, so I may not be the world's best comedian, 
but then you guys aren't the world's best warriors.  Hasta la bye-bye.  (Loud 
choruses of 'Beat it, ya bum!')-- The Unknown Spymaster  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LIFETAKER 1520               13  11  1   113       WIDOWMAKERS (115)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SKYWISE 3868                 17  12  1   101       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 PREDNIZONE 4298              10  10  0   101       MEDS (432)
 FLESHRENDER 1108             17  20  0    96       WIDOWMAKERS (115)
 SPACE BABOON 4313            10   4  0    95       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
 FACE BREAKER 1099            22  15  0    93       WIDOWMAKERS (115)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RAYEK 3915                   17  10  0    89       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 CUTTER 3864                  18  11  3    84       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 PENICILLEN 4299              14   6  0    83       MEDS (432)
 NHAVARL 4222                 15  24  0    78       THE FAMILY (116)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 STILTZ 4265                  12  17  0    74       THE FAMILY (116)
 CARLINE 4266                 16  13  1    68       THE FAMILY (116)
 NORPRAMINE 4296              14   7  2    68       MEDS (432)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TIRO COCOCO 4314              7  10  0    52       THE FAMILY (116)
 DART 3865                    10  19  1    50       WOLF RIDERS (391)
 TIRO CUCKOO 4329              6   9  0    43       THE FAMILY (116)
 THE NAUGHTY POPE 4332         8   5  1    42       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
 WINTER WITCH 4283             8  15  0    39       KORGAN CRUSADE (392)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RIBSPLITTER 4330              5   5  1    33       WIDOWMAKERS (115)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SUDAFED 4321                  1   0  0    13       MEDS (432)
 PERCOCET 4320                 1   0  0    11       MEDS (432)
 TREESTUMP 4357                0   1  0     1       WOLF RIDERS (391)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
BIG CLUMSY GUY 4356    0  1 0 KORGAN CRUSADE 392    ARENAMASTER KHYL 23   419 NONE    
BIG WEAK GUY 4355      0  1 0 KORGAN CRUSADE 392    DARK CHAMPION 24      419 NONE    
UGLY WITCHMONKEY 4343  4  3 0 KORGAN CRUSADE 392    NORPRAMINE 4296       418         
SKUNNY WUNDY 4353      2  1 0 KORGAN CRUSADE 392    RIBSPLITTER 4330      418         
TREESTUMP 4159         3  5 2 WOLF RIDERS 391       THE NAUGHTY POPE 4332 415 NOT REVE

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Ed. -- There are worse things than short bananas!  I have just discovered so-called
"red" bananas.  You know what that means!  And besides, they look yucky.  Brown,
actually, and you know what a brown banana means. -- Tiro Cococo

     A brown banana means banana bread! -- Ed.

Face Breaker -- You got something against my face, take it up with my mother.  It's
all HER fault. -- Nhavarl

The Naughty Pope -- Naughty, naughty!  Stand in the corner and repeat some worthy
maxims (I can't think of any right now). -- Stiltz

Space Baboon -- YOU can stand under the bananananas. -- Tiro Cococococ

Userous Merchant.  I laugh. -- Carline

Winter Witch -- It's certainly your season! -- Tiro Cuckoo

Korgan Crusade -- Well, kill some of mine, then.  The replacements will start at the
bottom, I guarantee it. -- Jorja

Ugly Witchmonkey -- (recoiling in alarmed surprise)  I hadn't realized there was such
a MARKET for banananas here.  Maybe I should keep them and start an orchard.  A
banananard? -- Tiro Cococococo

Skunny -- Sorry about that.  Your Dwarven height threw me off.  Rest in peace.  I'll
drink to your valor this eve! -- Ribsplitter

Five teams and one skipped this turn.  How low can Veastian get and remain open?  It
would be really sad to see her closed.  I've tried rallying old friends to come back,
but so far, no go. -- Soultender

10 January 2004
ZalCon2 Updates (1/9/04)

     The contest will be starting on the turn due February 23rd, 2004 and run for 20
turns.
     Only one team will be allowed for each manager in the contest, regardless of
whether additional teams are announced as contest entries.  No exceptions for any
reason.
     The Style Master points should read that there is +1 point for beating a member
of your own style even if the warrior is not registered for the contest.
     Rolling points for consecutive turns as Style Master means that your warrior
gets the extra point every turn after the first 3 that he continues to hold the
title.
     The points for Quality Wins should be clarified to read the winning warrior is
ranked below by the number of recognition points needed for each bonus point at the
start of the fight.  For example, Warrior A (3-2-0, 17) beats Warrior B (4-1-0, 35)
and receives 2 bonus points under Quality Win for the 18 point difference in the
ranking.
     I believe that is all the clarifications for the moment, please feel free to
email, diplo, call or write me with any other questions or concerns about the
contest.
          Robert Occhipinti aka Zalgor Prigg

10 January 2004
                *     *     *  Third Annual Turf War  *     *      *

     Come one and all to DM 47 (North Fork) for the Third Annual Turf War!  Rules of
the contest will be posted in Turn #208's newsletter (due date Feb. 23).  The contest
will begin on Turn #209 (due date March 22).
     So, get a team there and register!  To register, you must send me a donation of
one (1) rollup CERTIFICATE.  Then, declare your alliance and team in the North Fork
personals.  You may also declare a warrior as champion, and that warrior will earn
(or lose!) double points in the contest!
     Roll-up certs will be *ALL* awarded as prizes, in addition to:

*** Highest Scoring Alliance -- Gets to Rename DM 47 for 6 months!
*** Most returns from DA (Alliance) -- Rename DA monsters for 6 months!
*** Most listings as "Style Masters" (Alliance) -- Pick arena to host the April "05
    Grand Tournament!
*** Warrior with the most awards -- Arenamaster named after him for 6 months!
*** Alliance with the most awards -- Pick the slow arena for TW 4!
*** Team with most "Style Master" listings -- Discover favorites of one warrior on
    team!
*** Warrior with most "Style Master" listings -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns!
    (I'll transfer $7.50 to the manager's account)
*** Alliance with the most kills -- Rename the stand-ins for 6 months!
*** Highest scoring Warrior -- Fights at my expense for 5 turns.  (I'll transfer
    $7.50 to their manager's account.)

     The contest will run for 10 turns, with the winners announced on turn #220.  See
the Turn #208 North Fork newsletter for complete rules and scoring system!  Direct
"declarations" to:  A.D. in the personals, and prize pot entry donations to:
                      Jason Mazuch HSP H-2
                      P.O. Box 339 #924385
                      Sparta, GA  31087-0339
     By snail mail or diplo through RSI.
               Bloody Sands!
                    Asmo Dius, TCB

16 January 2004
                                    CHAOTIC WINDS
     Once, long ago, the four Winds of Time descended upon Alastari like a TEMPEST of
epic proportions, they slew everything within their all-encompassing reach.  They
left nothing.  In their wake lay smoldering ruins.
     In their haste they sped towards the center of this great land like a colossal
giant would step across an ocean.  The four storms picked up momentum on their way
towards each other.  A collision was eminent.
     The first storm wind, the oldest and wisest of the four was named APEXALUS.  The
second, FLAGGSTAFF, was the quickest and loudest entity ever created.  The third Wind
of Time was MATRIATIN, neither old or young, quick or slow, but fierce and feisty all
the same.  The forth wind, ASSAMITHIUS, the youngest yet most creative in its means
of destruction.
     When finally they merged at the center of ALASTARI, an incredible destructive
explosion occurred.  And when the smoke and debris cleared they were one.  CHAOS was
born.
     And Chaos spread across the diminished lands reeking havoc and doom with its
passing, and destroying allover again that which already lay in ruin.

F E A R    C H A O S    I N C.
M A T R I X

28 January 2004
All -- I send out this invitation to all teams and managers.  A new Alliance has been
formed.  The Living Essences Alliance is being formed to join forces in an effort to
eliminate common foes and to help the joined warriors grow and learn to the best of
their abilities by offering suggestions and advice.  It doesn't matter what arena
you're in, or if you're in another alliance already, as of today.  This Alliance is
open to one and all!  If you are interested in joining, please DIPLO me, or send a
personal ad to DM 93's newsletter.  If you wish to join beyond March 2004, send a PA
to DM 82.  Come join the fun! -- Dagan LifeGiver, mgr. Shadow Warriors (DM 93)

28 January 2004
This notice is to formally introduce our young alliance, CHAOS INC.  We consist of
APEX, FLAGG, MATRIX, ASSAMITE, and now RUDE BUDDHA.  If we aren't already there, we
WILL be coming to an arena near you soon!  Hope to see you all at the ZALCON II.

4 February 2004
Greeting from Jhans, DM 36 -- In 2 turns the kLk will host our first annual "St.
Valentines Day Massacre" in Jhans, arena 36.  (Kill Contest)  The contest will begin
on turn 450.  It will run for 10 turns.  On turn 461 the winners will be announced.
There will be 3 separate categories, the team with the most kills, the alliance with
the most kills, and the warrior with the most kills.  For the manager of the team
with the most kills a PRIZE of 10 ROLL-UPS will be rewarded (or $50 deposited into
his account).  No need to declare yourself in the personals.  If you are in DM 36,
you will be part of the contest whether you like it or not.  We encourage as much
trash talk as you'd like.  All teams, managers, and alliances invited.  Please
contact Polarius (mgr. of Blitzkrieg) in DM 36 with questions.  Or you can email me
at jamieptmo@hotmail.com.  Good luck and see you in the sands. -- Polarius

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

BIG CLUMSY GUY was butchered by ARENAMASTER KHYL in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
BIG WEAK GUY was butchered by DARK CHAMPION in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
LIFETAKER demolished RAYEK in a popular 1 minute one-sided Challenge Title melee.
FLESHRENDER bested CUTTER in a popular 4 minute brutal veteran's Challenge contest.
RIBSPLITTER was bested by DART in a 2 minute Challenge brawl.
SWORDBREAKER slimly won victory over SKYWISE in a exciting 4 minute master's fight.
FACE BREAKER was viciously subdued by SPACE BABOON in a 2 minute uneven fight.
PENICILLEN won victory over STILTZ in a action packed 4 minute veteran's duel.
PREDNIZONE vanquished NHAVARL in a exciting 3 minute one-sided fight.
NORPRAMINE overcame TIRO COCOCO in a 2 minute gory bout.
CARLINE subdued THE NAUGHTY POPE in a 2 minute match.
WINTER WITCH was bested by TIRO CUCKOO in a 3 minute conflict.
PERCOCET bested TREESTUMP in a 1 minute novice's battle.
SUDAFED devastated MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute mismatched bout.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  6         STRIKING ATTACK   25 -  14 -  1      64  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         LUNGING ATTACK    27 -  16 -  2      63  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   4         TOTAL PARRY        6 -   4 -  0      60  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      2         SLASHING ATTACK    9 -   6 -  1      60  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         PARRY-STRIKE       5 -   5 -  0      50  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         PARRY-RIPOSTE     10 -  10 -  0      50  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         WALL OF STEEL     18 -  18 -  0      50  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         BASHING ATTACK     5 -   7 -  0      42  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         PARRY-LUNGE        6 -  11 -  0      35  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         AIMED BLOW         4 -   8 -  0      33  |

Turn 419 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  LIFETAKER 1520             13  11  1  113 WIDOWMAKERS (115)
WALL OF STEEL    SKYWISE 3868               17  12  1  101 WOLF RIDERS (391)
LUNGING ATTACK   SPACE BABOON 4313          10   4  0   95 KORGAN CRUSADE (392)
PARRY-STRIKE     FACE BREAKER 1099          22  15  0   93 WIDOWMAKERS (115)
TOTAL PARRY      PENICILLEN 4299            14   6  0   83 MEDS (432)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    CARLINE 4266               16  13  1   68 THE FAMILY (116)
SLASHING ATTACK  NORPRAMINE 4296            14   7  2   68 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 PREDNIZONE 4298.  The ten other most popular fighters were STILTZ 4265, SKYWISE 
3868, CUTTER 3864, SPACE BABOON 4313, NORPRAMINE 4296, TIRO CUCKOO 4329, LIFETAKER 
1520, FLESHRENDER 1108, RIBSPLITTER 4330, and CARLINE 4266.

The least popular fighter this week was TREESTUMP 4357.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were BIG WEAK GUY 4355, BIG CLUMSY GUY 4356, FACE BREAKER 1099, RAYEK 3915, 
SUDAFED 4321, PERCOCET 4320, WINTER WITCH 4283, TIRO COCOCO 4314, DART 3865, and THE 
NAUGHTY POPE 4332.

The following warriors have traveled to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after fighting this turn:

SWORDBREAKER (43-1087) WIDOWMAKERS (115)