DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 05/20/2009    Duedate: 06/16/2009

STORMCROWE ARENA

DM-45    TURN-282

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

JACOB MARLEY
PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
(45-4351) [15-4-1,160]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

JACOB MARLEY                   SVAMPBOB
PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)         MIKES HEROES (509)
(45-4351) [15-4-1,160]         (45-4510) [4-0-0,31]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

JACOB MARLEY                   GRATEFUL DEAD
PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)         PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
(45-4351) [15-4-1,160]         (45-4525) [4-5-0,29]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

MIKES HEROES (509)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. OLD MAN RIVER (494)         27
2. NOSTALGIA (506)             23      PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
3. MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)        13      Unchartered Team
4. PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)       5
5. MIKES HEROES (509)           2      MIKES HEROES (509)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)    57  33  3 63.3   1/ 1*MIKES HEROES (509)        8  2 1
 2/ 2*MIKES HEROES (509)        20  12  2 62.5   2/ 2 PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)    6  4 1
 3/ 3 NOSTALGIA (506)           54  36  2 60.0   3/ 4 MIRACLE WORKSHOP (371)    5  4 0
 4- 4 OF WOLF & MAN 4 (491)     51  36  4 58.6   4/ 3 SRETSAMLEUD II (500)      4  2 1
 5/ 5 SRETSAMLEUD II (500)      51  39  7 56.7   5/ 6 MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)      3  8 0
 6/ 0 OLD MAN RIVER (494)       37  31  3 54.4   6/ 0 OLD MAN RIVER (494)       2  2 0
 7/ 7 MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)      89 109  3 44.9   7/ 5 NOSTALGIA (506)           2  8 0
 8/ 8 MIRACLE WORKSHOP (371)    25  36  1 41.0   8- 8 OF WOLF & MAN 4 (491)     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

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

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

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 618): KEEL HAULER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 620): CARLOTTA of SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 614): NECROPALYSE of DARK CREATION (H.P.L. West, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 616): MAREY D'NUIT of PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 614): TIBERIUS of FIELDS OF ELYSIUM (Caesar, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 612): WHITE CHOCOLATE of WALI'S FINEST (?, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 306): OPASAN of PHANTACITY (Omega, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 605): LITERNIUS of EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 304): ULL HARDHAMMER of THE STORMBRINGERS (High Lord Bosk)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 602): MADNESS of ANGELS OF PAIN (The Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 600): PITT of STORM BRINGERS (The Rake, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 591): SLOWGO of LOST CAUSE (Vol, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 553): HAWK NELSON of POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (Zalgor Prigg)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 281): JACOB MARLEY of PHANTOM REGIMENT (Nomad, mgr.)
 DM  47 DOUBLE X (turn 276): JUSTICE FOR ALL of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 262): INGLEMORT JULS of MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 481): SPLAT of THEM (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 468): ACIDULOUS of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 448): ZOE ALDIN of MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 444): MAN-O-WAR of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 211): DEATH SUCKS of BLACKMAIL (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAYLA KIV (turn 408): MORO TEN ZORA of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 401): CORINTHIAN of PARANOID ASYLUM (Jekyll, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 390): GABRIELLE REESE of GIRLS X3 (NON, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 506): NATAS of DO IT AGAIN (Dark One, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 618): SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 620): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM  15 MALCORN (turn 614): DARK CREATION (H.P.L. West, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 616): PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 614): FIELDS OF ELYSIUM (Caesar, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 612): THE MAGNIFICENT MAGS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 306): SANGUIS MORI (Toker, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 605): WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (Sporkis, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 304): WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  32 ARVAT (turn 602): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
 DM  33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 600): RAVAGING LORDS (General Ikillyu, mgr.)
 DM  35 MURSKA (turn 591): LOST CAUSE (Vol, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 553): LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.)
 DM  45 STORMCROWE (turn 281): MIKES HEROES (Mike?, mgr.)
 DM  47 DOUBLE X (turn 276): LAND OF OZ (Oz the All Successful, mgr.)
 DM  50 SNOWBOUND (turn 261): LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
 DM  56 ROCANIS (turn 481): INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.)
 DM  60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 468): RED DOG GANG (Spot, mgr.)
 DM  61 JURINE (turn 448): MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 444): MIGHTY DUCKS (Woody, mgr.)
 DM  73 ERINIKA (turn 211): MIDLE WAY 18 (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAYLA KIV (turn 408): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 401): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 390): GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 506): I'M HISTORY et al (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   9 ZUKAL (turn 617): HEMPEN JIG of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  12 RIZTAB (turn 619): PHILOLAUS of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM  16 WILLAF (turn 615): ZIGADENUS of MAXIMUM RESULTS (Coyote, mgr.)
 DM  17 ALJAFIR (turn 614): QUINTUS of FIELDS OF ELYSIUM (Caesar, mgr.)
 DM  19 ZUWAYZA (turn 611): WEE MAN of CUNNING RUNTS (Deep Thought, mgr.)
 DM  28 MORYA (turn 306): OPASAN of PHANTACITY (Omega, mgr.)
                          MANKILLER of DODGE BULLETS (Jorja, mgr.)
 DM  29 LAPUR (turn 604): ELVIRA MADIGAN of TRAIL OF TEARS (?, mgr.)
 DM  31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 303): THERMOPYLAE of WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM  43 VEASTIAN (turn 552): KRYSTAL MEYERS of POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (Zalgor Prigg)
 DM  47 DOUBLE X (turn 276): NIKKO of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
                 (turn 275): NILES of SECOND BANANAS (Manniquin, mgr.)
                             BLACKENED of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.)
                 (turn 274): KILLING JOKE of INDIFFERENCE (Jekyll, mgr.)
 DM  60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 468): ACIDULOUS of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
                       (turn 467): BUSTED NUTS of HIT ME WITH... (PTFT, mgr.)
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 444): MAN-O-WAR of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Dead?!?!  Optimus Prime died in the infirmary?!  Honestly, I thought the guy was
tougher than that.  I had hoped to keep him around as a punching bag for awhile.  Now
I suppose his team is going to get all nostalgic about their once fine gladiator...
saw that one coming, didn't you?  Will I get to see Destro in a Bloodfeud?  Not this
turn anyway, as he isn't ranked highly enough.  If the situation changes, I await
your challenge.
     With Kellumbo and Trip hiding out last turn the arena got a bit smaller, but
hopefully that won't last.  Stik should make an appearance again this turn, which
will be nice to see.  I think.  A certain AB I know owes me a drink at the tavern.
Who knows, maybe we will even get Master Darque back soon.  Who would have thought we
would miss a little red demon?  What is the world coming to?   Heck, even a more
active Hammer would be a treat.  The Mutants are here, but a more active and
talkative Minister of War would be appreciated.
     But for now, I think I shall concentrate on the task at hand--defending my
throne.  Slow arenas are so, well, slow, that I honestly don't remember who I
challenged.  But it must have been Shadowcat, after all, who else could it have been?
I like my chances in that fight, so hopefully I shall be here again next turn to
harass you with warnings of fights past, present and future.

--Jacob Marley, Duelmaster of Stormcrowe

                                      SPY REPORT

     If you were disturbed from your beauty rest only to have to watch a bunch of 
STORMCROWE brutes like you, you'd be grouchy, too.  Of course, we're all terribly 
impressed to see DESTRO win a fight and gain 22 points, terribly.  Tsk, tsk, DESTRO 
beat PROWLER and PROWLER lost 15 points.  You're breakin' my heart.  Going for broke 
or broken, our Duelmaster SHADOWCAT HAMMER challenged this turn.  And if variety is 
the spice of life, STORMCROWE may be getting bland, as JACOB MARLEY stays top dog in 
the city.  I'm not in a very good mood today, but why am I telling you this?  You 
want to know what's new, don't you, STORMCROWE?   
     Well, let's take a look at some more misdeeds of you miserable sword-boys.  
SRETSAMLEUD II, I suppose you'll be glad to know you were this turn's most avoided 
team.  Care to know who is the most afraid of you?  And who led the way in this mass 
act of cowardice?  Let's see, well, whatcha know?  It was PHANTOM REGIMENT.  Ha ha ha 
ha!  SHADOWCAT HAMMER was challenged more times this turn than the Duelmaster.  Now 
was the DM insulted or feared?  Heh, heh.   
     Ah, now we come to my favorite part, where we see all the guys who are dead and 
gone, and get to see if their team cared.  We're all going to die in the end, so why 
worry if the fate catches up with you sooner that later?   
     What does the STORMCROWE arena have in common with the inns?  It's just as 
comfortable to sleep in either place.  Ha ha ha ha!  Just wait 'till next time I show 
up here, I won't be so nice!  So nyaaah!  Glad to see the back of this place-- Snide 
Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 JACOB MARLEY 4351            15   4  1   160       PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MERCED 4341                  11   3  1   104       OLD MAN RIVER (494)
 DESTRO 4418                  13   7  0    95       NOSTALGIA (506)
 SHADOWCAT HAMMER 3961        18  24  0    92       MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ICHABOD CRANE 4352           12   6  2    77       PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
 PROWLER 4350                 12   6  0    72       PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
 WANT TO KNOW JESUS 3241       7  10  0    72       MIRACLE WORKSHOP (371)
 DICE 4381                    13   7  1    68       SRETSAMLEUD II (500)
 THE RED 4340                  8   6  0    68       OLD MAN RIVER (494)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-TIGRIS 4339                   6   7  1    57       OLD MAN RIVER (494)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FLYING DUTCHMAN 4469          8   5  0    51       PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
 HALF 4384                    11  12  2    47       SRETSAMLEUD II (500)
 HOLY VIRGIN BLOOD 3237        8   9  0    45       MIRACLE WORKSHOP (371)
 SPEAKS IN TONGUES 3239        8   9  1    36       MIRACLE WORKSHOP (371)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DC MASTER 4523                5   1  0    33       OF WOLF & MAN 4 (491)
 SVAMPBOB 4510                 4   0  0    31       MIKES HEROES (509)
 GRATEFUL DEAD 4525            4   5  0    29       PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
 PADDYPO 4443                  6   2  0    28       MIKES HEROES (509)
-PINGU 4439                    4   2  0    28       MIKES HEROES (509)
 WOLFSBANE HAMMER 4502         3  10  0    27       MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-STORABOLLEN 4509              4   1  2    23       MIKES HEROES (509)
 ROCKSLIDE HAMMER 4515         3   9  0    22       MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)
 KEJSAREN 4584                 1   0  0     7       MIKES HEROES (509)
 DEADGUY 4587                  0   3  0     3       NOSTALGIA (506)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
OOGIBOOGI 4441          1  3 0 MIKES HEROES 509     SPEAKS IN TONGUE 3239 278  REVENGED
SEBASTIAN HAMMER 4355  10 11 1 MUTANT HAMMERZ 456   DICE 4381             281   
DUKE 4588               0  1 0 NOSTALGIA 506        STORABOLLEN 4509      280   
OPTIMUS PRIME 4417     14  5 1 NOSTALGIA 506        JACOB MARLEY 4351     281   
GREENRIVRKILLR 4501     2  5 0 OLD MAN RIVER 494    HIGH ELF              282  NONE
THE RHINE 4554          1  1 1 OLD MAN RIVER 494    BANDIT PRINCE         282  NONE

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Now that the Slaughterhouse contest is over, lets get Jorja back in here!  We need
somebody besides Trip and Kellumbo to kick around!

29 April 09
Greetings All -- This is Vincent Michaels, "the Rake", mgr. of the Stormbringers out
of DM 33 Niatoli Island, back after a relatively long layoff.  I come back to my
arena to find only two other teams there.  Terrible!  I'm calling on all you managers
out there who have inactive teams in Niatoli to put them back in the game.  Also,

anyone else who wants to come check out our little island are welcome.  Good food and
a lot of good gambling, and you will have a chance to smack around Gen. GirlPants and
his band of Ravaged Queens.  Great fun.  Come one, come all!

4 May 09
Players of Duel 2:

RSI wants to try, in a few arenas, a system that rewards role-play and general arena
involvement.  Our thoughts at this time are as follows, and feedback is earnestly
solicited:

1.  What to reward.
a.  Spotlights--they don't have to be involved and lengthy storylines, and in fact,
my own inclination is to say: anything game related and original (i,e,, not a
reprint), maybe set a minimum length.  I use TOGS here as my model--half a column as
formatted for the newsletter, and we don't judge the quality of the writing (so long
as the editor isn't grossed out), just the intent to make a positive contribution.
b.  A dm column where one is "due."  Again, no judgment on quality of writing, should
be dm-related, and I would say (this is just me) a minimum length of maybe five
lines.
c.  Personals.  More than just "you suck," or "good fight."  How much more doesn't
really concern me, and quality, other than "not offensive to the editor," should not
be an issue.  We don't want to encourage participation and then muzzle it.
d.  It has been suggested that a reward point or two be offered for running a full
team.  We could include this, but my own inclination would be to say that there would
be no points for this, but that those who don't make a clear effort on this
(accidents happen, so maybe something like "when the three-turn total of fights is
below twelve"?) aren't eligible for points on any turn until they get it back up to a
full team.

2.  How to reward it.
a.  We've been thinking nebulously about some kind of point system, obviously, as an
example, say 3 points for a spotlight, 2 for a column, 1 for personals, more points
here for what takes more effort, but some points for any effort.  This is in no way
final!  But some way to keep track of who is contributing and how much, and as non-
subjective as possible; this would be noted as each newsletter would be proofed.  A
way to clearly identify who's sending in what would help, but I can work it out by
referring to the warrior listings if I have to.
b.  But, assuming a point system, do the rewards, whatever they end up being, go to
the player who achieves a certain point total?  Is this calculated per turn, or as a
running total over as many turns as it takes to reach that point?  Or to the player
with the highest total on any given turn?  What about ties?
c.  What do the points get the player?  The current thought is X points gets a free
fight, probably replacing the "Popularity Leader's" free fight in the relevant arena.
That suggests only one player getting a role-play free fight on any given turn.  Is
this enough to encourage the newsletter participation we're hoping for?  Should we
convert "This Week's Favorite" to a role-play free fight also?  Or handle rewards in
some other way entirely?

3.  Where it happens.
The current thought is, try it in four arenas:  one in each region, and one slow
arena.  Who picks the arenas in question?  I'd be inclined to rule out those that are
doing fairly well already (Ardivent, Sunset, Lapur; Arkers, Morya, North Fork), but
is that wise?  Or even fair?  Darned if I know.  Places where it is NOT currently
intended to happen:  Transfer arenas.  Maybe rule out the no-tourney arenas as
current candidates, too?

If this seems to work well enough to be worth the effort, should we consider
extending it to more, eventually to all non-transfer, arenas?

This is not a "someday down the line we might" concept.  We want to do this, and

SOON.  Your feedback would be appreciated, for, against, changes, anything.  You can
email me directly at jputney zianet com (make sure it says DM in the subject line) or
send a diplo to scribe, any arena.

the Scribe

P.S.  Staff members not to be eligible for role-playing free fights.

5 May 09
The Battle Royal V is upon us!  Come join one of the original contests that has had
some of the games best managers involved in the past.  DM 18, Talcama, some consider
it to be the crown jewel of the Delarq cities is where this contest will take place.

The Battle Royal is intended to be a play as you want, play what you want Delarquan
style contest with very few rules.  While I'd love to say, "NO AVOIDING" is the only
rule (and that wouldn't be too far off), I must spell out situations that can and
have occurred and require additional clarification.

The advantages of this format:
1) Simple.
2) No penalty for DAs.
3) No restrictions on warriors entered into the contest (baggers, TC mods, etc all
   welcome)
4) No penalty for not fighting. 
5) It isn't a race where 21 wit and favorite learn determine the victor.
6) Losing a warrior (or even your whole team) doesn't eliminate you from contention.
7) It is possible to overcome almost any deficit.  And this has been proven, with
   managers making huge point swings in short periods of time!
8) It is a contest designed to show manager skill rather than warrior ability.

There are a few disadvantages:
1) There is no set end.  It is possible for this contest to go on indefinitely.  In
   practice, this format has worked very nicely in the past and I expect it will
   continue to work well. 
2) You cannot avoid (But that is part of the fun and the head to head nature of this
   contest requires this rule.)
3) It encourages bloodshed.
4) Baggers and experienced warriors have an advantage over new warriors.

Battle Royal Rules:

- Any team in Talcama is eligible to participate.  There are no restrictions on
warriors (baggers, TC prize modified, etc).  However, any warrior that fights for
your team is considered in the BR.

- Teams may not avoid any other team within the contest.  (Note that you may avoid
teams outside the contest but you do so at your own risk.)  Avoiding a team on the
turn they enter the Battle Royal is not considered against the rules (since you
couldn't know the team wasn't part of the BR).  The suggestion is not to avoid at
all.  Assur (the contest moderator) gets an avoid report every turn and will catch
people avoiding!

- Managers may only enter a single team in the contest.

- Any manager with more than one team in Talcama may not challenge any other contest
warrior with their non contest team(s).  The intention is that no advantage can be
gained by having multiple teams in the arena.

****Failure to comply with the above rules***
1st offense: Disqualification from the prize, but you may still participate.
2nd offense: Warning.
3rd offense: Removal from Battle Royal.

- If a manager decides to switch teams, his score will start back at 0.  This is to
prevent a manager from sweeping the contest with several teams of sandbaggers.  Can a
manager use this clause to go from a negative score to zero?  Yes.  I realize this is
sort of cheating, but I'd rather have a manager start over with a new team than drop
out of the contest.  Even so, they have to start at 0 and must gain 25 points.

- If your warrior loses a contest fight because of an input error and this error is
verified by RSI, you will have a point added to your score.  The head to head records
will remain the same and any points gained by another manager will remain on that
manager's record.

- As soon as you are announced in the newsletter, you are officially entered into the
Battle Royal.  Scoring begins on that turn!  You are expected to follow the rules
that turn and every turn following.  Your team may enter any time they wish during
the course of the Battle Royal.

- If you are exiting the Battle Royal, you are not removed until the turn after your
intention is published.  You are asked to follow the rules for that turn (either
through not avoiding or not running your warriors).

Scoring:
- Scoring begins the turn your team declares participation.
- Scoring continues through the turn your team withdraws.
- Score is calculated by: Wins+Kills-Lossses.
- Only fights with other B.R. participannts count towards your score, but they count
  whether they are challenges or random match-ups.
- First Manager to 25 points wins!
- In event of tie, B.R. continues until one team that has reached 25 points is ahead
  of all other participants.

Disputes:
- The attempt has been made to make these rules as complete and bulletproof as
possible, but Tripwire will resolve any disputes as fairly as he is capable.

Prizes:
For the Winner:

6 Months Free Play in Talcama for the winning team (doesn't include tourneys)!

One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18)!

One Limited Damage Bump Potion (one time use, up to max for stats, used on DM 18
warrior)!

One Minor Stat Switch Prize (up to 2 points can be moved from one stat to another
stat on a new rollup in DM 18, before adding 14 points.  This prize can be used up to
3 months from the contest end.  Both points must be used in the same place (can't
take one from a speed and one from deftness and add one to wit and will)).

One Favorites Knowledge Potion (to be used on a 5+ FE warrior in DM 18).

Rename One Dark Arena Creature in DM 18, which will be renamed for 6 Months or until
the Ladies decide to return it to the previous name.

All potions renaming prizes must be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest.

Endurance Award (available to all participants):

One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18).

To qualify for the Endurance Award you must participate in 90% of the total fights
possible over the course of the BR.  If you don't have time to make it into the BR by
the first turn, there will be a two turn window before the counter will start for new
teams.  The fights do not have to be BR point scoring fights, just 90% of the total
possible participation over the course of the contest!  So, if the contest runs 26
turns, there are 130 fights possible. Your team must have 117 fights during those 26
turns to be eligible.

All prizes/potions subject to RSI's interpretation of how they are used/implemented.
RSI said the faves knowledge must be used on an Inits warrior or higher and set at
5FE or more.

Tripwire

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

GREENRIVRKILLR was dealt death by HIGH ELF in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
THE RHINE was butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a exciting 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
JACOB MARLEY subdued SHADOWCAT HAMMER in a 1 minute expert's Challenge Title fight.
FLYING DUTCHMAN devastated PADDYPO in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
GRATEFUL DEAD was narrowly defeated by SVAMPBOB in a 5 minute Challenge competition.
MERCED overpowered ICHABOD CRANE in a 1 minute one-sided struggle.
DESTRO devastated PROWLER in a action packed 1 minute gruesome one-sided competition.
THE RED vanquished HOLY VIRGIN BLOOD in a 2 minute gory uneven duel.
DICE vanquished SPEAKS IN TONGUES in a 1 minute gory one-sided duel.
WANT TO KNOW JESUS overpowered HALF in a 1 minute one-sided melee.
ROCKSLIDE HAMMER overpowered CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute one-sided match.
WOLFSBANE HAMMER bested EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute master vs. novice conflict.
DEADGUY was savagely defeated by KEJSAREN in a 1 minute bloody novice's brawl.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   4         SLASHING ATTACK   20 -  12 -  1      63  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    3         AIMED BLOW        20 -  13 -  0      61  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         TOTAL PARRY       35 -  26 -  0      57  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   3         PARRY-LUNGE        6 -   6 -  1      50  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         LUNGING ATTACK    44 -  48 -  3      48  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         PARRY-RIPOSTE     12 -  14 -  0      46  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         STRIKING ATTACK   43 -  51 -  3      46  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         WALL OF STEEL     22 -  27 -  1      45  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-STRIKE       1 -   2 -  0      33  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         BASHING ATTACK    23 -  46 -  3      33  |

Turn 282 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   JACOB MARLEY 4351          15   4  1  160 PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
AIMED BLOW       MERCED 4341                11   3  1  104 OLD MAN RIVER (494)
TOTAL PARRY      DESTRO 4418                13   7  0   95 NOSTALGIA (506)
WALL OF STEEL    PROWLER 4350               12   6  0   72 PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  DICE 4381                  13   7  1   68 SRETSAMLEUD II (500)
STRIKING ATTACK  FLYING DUTCHMAN 4469        8   5  0   51 PHANTOM REGIMENT (496)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is JACOB MARLEY 4351.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was GRATEFUL DEAD 4525.  The ten other most popular fighters were JACOB MARLEY 
4351, SVAMPBOB 4510, DESTRO 4418, FLYING DUTCHMAN 4469, WANT TO KNOW JESUS 3241, 
WOLFSBANE HAMMER 4502, KEJSAREN 4584, THE RHINE 4554, MERCED 4341, and THE RED 4340.

The least popular fighter this week was DEADGUY 4587.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were HALF 4384, HOLY VIRGIN BLOOD 3237, ICHABOD CRANE 4352, PADDYPO 4443, 
SPEAKS IN TONGUES 3239, PROWLER 4350, SHADOWCAT HAMMER 3961, GREENRIVRKILLR 4501, 
ROCKSLIDE HAMMER 4515, and DICE 4381.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

SHADOWCAT HAMMER (45-3961) MUTANT HAMMERZ (456)

                  MAIL-IN TOURNEY XLVII

ELIGIBLES TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
DEATH FOG 4017 (70-32-0)               2  3  0         SUPERIOR FORCES      

ADEPTS TOURNEY                         W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
2 GIRLS 1 CUP 4397 (9-5-0)             6  3  0         KELLUMBO'S KIDS      

INITIATES TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
VADIS 4535 (6-0-1)                     7  3  0         KELLUMBO'S KIDS      
GRATEFUL DEAD 4525 (4-4-0)             4  3  0         PHANTOM REGIMENT     

APPRENTICES TOURNEY                    W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
RIME-ANCIENT MARINER 4496 (3-1-0)      3  3  0         MAIDEN JAPAN         
SVAMPBOB 4510 (2-0-0)                  3  3  0         MIKES HEROES         

ROOKIES TOURNEY                        W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
SCRUB 4576 (0-0-0)                     3  3  0         ARCTIC WASTES        
BARREN 4577 (0-0-0)                    0  1  0  DEAD   ARCTIC WASTES        

ADM FOOLS TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
TUNDRA 4280 (18-12-1)                  0  3  0         ARCTIC WASTES        

CHAMPIONS FOOLS TOURNEY                W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
ICHABOD CRANE 4352 (12-5-2)            0  3  0         PHANTOM REGIMENT     

INITIATES FOOLS TOURNEY                W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
DC MASTER 4523 (5-1-0)                 0  3  0         OF WOLF & MAN 4      

APPRENTICES FOOL TOURNEY               W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
STORABOLLEN 4509 (3-1-2)               0  3  0         MIKES HEROES         

ROOKIES FOOLS TOURNEY                  W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
SEXY MARIA 4589 (0-0-0)                2  3  0         KELLUMBO'S KIDS      
KEJSAREN 4584 (0-0-0)                  0  3  0         MIKES HEROES         

                                  Daydream Believer

You once thought of me,
As a white knight on a steed.
Now you know how happy I can be...

It's true.  I'm gone.  I've punched my ticket to Immortality and I'm off to the Isle.
I know a lot of you are wondering what it is about me that has made me so successful.
I wish I knew for sure.  I think it has more to do with intangibles (knack) than it
does with design, bonuses and favorites.  I'll let you decide.

Daydream Believer (PR) 17-14-4-17-7-8-17  Poor Endurance--Good Damage
I -- 8 (+1)  R -- 13  A -- 14 (+4)  P -- 14 (+4)  Df - 8  Dc - 6 (+3)

I know what you're thinking, "WTF, that guy looks like a 98 lb weakling!"  Sigh...I
prefer to think my physical characteristics are ideally suited for a finesse style.
As for my bases, I know they aren't much to look at.  After all, I am a PR.  I'm
fortunate to be blessed where I need it the most--attack and parry.

Okay, so I've got nice bases with bonuses in the right spots.  What about favorites?
Did I know them in advance or did I change them?  The answer is no, I had no idea
what they were for sure until I recieved my graduation announcement.  I would be
happy to tell you what my favorites are but I don't think my clone, Jumpinjack Flash,
would be very happy with me if I did.  Let's just say that from the moment I stepped
on the sands as a Rookie I used the same strategy in EVERY fight.  The only thing I
ever changed was armor (early on vs. TP's) and attack/defend locations.  That should
give those of you who have faced me more than once something to think about.

You may be interested to know that I am all natural.  I haven't had a prize of any
type used on me.  I'm a freak of nature.  It just goes to show you never know when a
guy like me will walk into your guildhouse looking for work as a gladiator.  It's up
to you to spot the potential and nuture it along.

I'm going to list my tourney results and records versus each style.  It isn't meant
to be a brag--I just thought you might find it interesting and a lot easier than
looking it up yourself.  Enjoy!
     Tourneys:  Rookies: 15-1-3 TC.  Initiates: 15-3-3 TV.  Adepts: 16-2 TC.
Champs: 13-1-1 TC.  Rookies--Champs record: 59-7-7 (.894)  Challengers: 9-3 TV.
Challengers: 15-1-1 TC.
 
Challengers: 13-3 TV -- Runner-up (Marv-AB)  Challengers: 13-3 TV -- Runner-up
(Teevella-LU)  Challengers: 7-3  Challengers: 11-3-2 TV  Challengers: 11-3-1 TV
 Challengers: 13-3 TV -- Runner-up (Marv-AB)

Challengers: 12-3 TV.  Challengers record: 104-25-4 (.806).  Career Tourney record:
163-32-11 (.836)  TC's: 4  TVs: 8 (3 Runner-ups)  Arena record: 5-0-1  Grudge
matches: 3-0

Total record: 171-32-12 (.842)  Tourney record vs all styles:  AB: 7-11  BA: 6-0-1
LU: 46-9-4  PL: 5-1-1  PR: 2-0  PS: ---  SL: 9-2  ST: 51-5-2  TP: 35-4-3  WS: 2-0

As you can see, the only style I had trouble with is the ABs.  I think that has more
to do with which ABs I fought rather than the style as a whole.  I was 3-1 vs ABs
early on (Rookies-Champs) and 4-10 in Challengers.  I was 1-5 vs Marv, 0-1 vs Marv Jr
and 0-3 vs Soulsnare.  I am going to make an educated guess and assume they all had
skills or prizes added to them to make them competetive at the Challenger level where
so few ABs are.  I could be wrong, though I doubt it.

See you on the Isle,
    Daydream Believer