DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 11/20/2006 Duedate: 12/02/2006
ARDIVENT ARENA
DM-46 TURN-488
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
DR STEINBURGER
FANDILS (75)
(46-3442) [23-7-0,104]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
DR STEINBURGER GEIN
FANDILS (75) WAKE 2 (356)
(46-3442) [23-7-0,104] (46-3958) [1-0-0,13]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
AZGUD AZGUD
INFERNAL LORDS (8) INFERNAL LORDS (8)
(46-3253) [14-14-0,98] (46-3253) [14-14-0,98]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
FANDILS (75)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. FANDILS (75) 47
2. INFERNAL LORDS (8) 17 FANDILS (75)
3. WAKE 2 (356) 13 Unchartered Team
4. BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74) 1
5. CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218) 0 WAKE 2 (356)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 0*WAKE 2 (356) 1 0 0 100 1/ 1 FANDILS (75) 10 3 1
2- 1 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218) 256 144 14 64.0 2/ 3 INFERNAL LORDS (8) 6 2 0
3- 2 TUFT-TASTIC! (265) 99 66 2 60.0 3- 2 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218) 6 3 0
4/ 3 FANDILS (75) 810 615 27 56.8 4/ 4 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74) 4 11 0
5/ 4 INFERNAL LORDS (8) 188 158 10 54.3 5/ 0*WAKE 2 (356) 1 0 0
6/ 6 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74) 390 615 13 38.8 6/ 7 ALAN'S BOZLEEYOTCH (318) 1 5 0
7/ 7 ALAN'S BOZLEEYOTCH (318) 6 14 0 30.0 7- 5 TUFT-TASTIC! (265) 0 2 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[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Deep Waters #23 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
"Traveling to Point will mean a boat," the Khalhums Dwarf said, looking worried.
"Crossing water. The water monsters--"
"--Won't harm a boat on a regular run from Iaye to Point," Senator Sedalia said
firmly. It might not be so, but people will believe anything said firmly by a man
with presence, and he did not want his henchpersons panicking.
"Well, they haven't SO FAR," Old Doc Circ said, is tone dark with suggestion.
The senator fixed him with a steely glare. "Do not make it necessary for me to
biff you over the head with a Congressional Record," he warned. "We will be entirely
safe from lake monsters on the ferry." He peered through the greenish twilight that
had come when the rain finally let up; it was near sunset, and the light was coming
in flat below the clouds. "The last ferry of the day will be leaving shortly. Let
us go now and get on it," he said.
Gissanniah looked down at her clothes, which were stained with smoke and
somewhat torn. "My clothes--"
"The rain has washed out most of the smoke," Sedalia said, "and there will be
more soon enough to finish that job. And the way your bodice has been torn, well,
young lady, I never thought the high-necked style looked good on you." He stroked
his mustache.
Old Doc Circ cast him a reproachful look and pulled a very large handkerchief, a
yard square and bright red, from one of his inside pockets. "We will make you a
shoulder cape, dear, over the right, under the left, and suddenly! A fashion
statement, and quite modest."
"Yes, yes, it looks fine, but now we have to get moving," Sedalia said. "The
ferry will not WAIT for you, you know." He took Gissanniah's arm and urged her along
the waterfront toward the ferry slip at the other end. "And this is the last one
today, if we miss it, we wait until morning--"
"Bad plan," Doc Circ agreed. "Who knows what might happen while we wait?"
"Or hire a boat to take us over yet tonight."
"Even worse plan," the Dwarf said. "The monsters might leave the regular ferry
alone, but any boat on its own...not a chance. And boats are dangerous enough as it
is!"
"Exactly so," the senator said. "Don't dawdle!"
There was half an hour of activity as they reached the ferry and negotiated
their fares. They were the only people wanting to cross at this hour, and the
boatmen were sure they could wait till morning, that there was actually no need to
take the boat out now at all. It required a hefty bonus to get moving, which left
the senator muttering about votes of censure and revocations of license.
Then there was an hour of inactivity and tension as the boat glided through dark
waters under a sky steadily getting darker. The lights of Iaye, which had just been
coming on, faded behind them, and there were very few lights ahead along the southern
shore of Iaye. The four gladiators stood at the railing and said very little.
"This is a long way around, isn't it?" Gissanniah muttered.
"Indeed, and quite wise, too," Old Doc Circ said, cutting into any answer the
senator might have made. "With the town of Iaye on the northwest tip of the island,
and the town of Point on the northwest tip of the peninsula, the shortest course
would, or used to, be along the north side of the island. Very direct. But Krael is
there now."
"Can't sail a ferry through a city, however ruined," Sedalia agreed. "And I
don't believe Krael would be welcoming if we landed on its waterfront."
"It's all along the front of Point, though," Kegrald the Dwarf said.
"Yes, they've had to develop a new landing site on the south side of the
peninsula," Circ agreed. "I believe there's a shuttle from the landing place to the
town. Not much in the town worth seeing, of course--"
"But since we aren't going as tourists, this is not a problem," Sedalia cut in.
"Just so. We might be advised to get a night's sleep before approaching the
tunnels under Point," the old alchemist said.
"The main one is through the Ogre's Tomb," Kegrald said. "I haven't actually
gone down it, but I've seen the tunnel-head. Very fine stonework."
"The tavern by that name?" Sedalia frowned. "It's brick and timber, not stone.
I suppose the cellars...."
"No, the actual tomb. If you know Point, you'll have seen it." The Dwarf
sounded almost...enthusiastic. "Almost a hill of stonework right in the middle of
the town. The tavern's on its flank, but it's late, and human work besides. There
are several ways into the actual tomb; we should have no trouble with entry. Of
course," he hesitated and went on more quietly, "there's the Ogre."
"A myth," Senator Sedalia said briskly.
"Not...exactly," Circ murmured.
"Nobody knows what it IS," Kegrald said, "but there's SOMETHING down there."
Another hesitation. "That's why I didn't go down."
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Cities by the Shore #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Krael:
The attackers were pressing closer around Lord Protector Eclipse. A lot of them
weren't even trying to fight, they were just hemming him in with their bodies, trying
to bring him down under the weight of their flesh. Where were they all COMING from?
He swept the shadow of his dark shield across them, and they didn't flinch, didn't
even seem to notice. If he correctly understood the nature of the shield...and he
probably didn't, it was so new to him, but he had an idea that any normal person
would run from that shadow as from a nightmare. So did that mean these weren't
normal?
Cut, stab, slash, cut, smash.
They bled normally.
No, they bled like carcasses. He stared into the eyes of a man, or what looked
like a man, that threw himself, itself, onto his blade. There was no mind there, no
soul, no man at all. Just a body. He stabbed it to the heart and shoved it away
with a shudder. But every time one died, two more came forward to replace it.
Even the ones he'd killed were getting up and coming at him again. They were
even less efficient, but they were still coming and still coming. Stabbing killed
them, if they could be called "alive" to begin with, but it didn't stop them. He
began to hack off limbs. It was exhausting. He stamped on a bodiless hand that was
clutching his heel. He whirled in place, hacking and smashing and trampling. The
arena was not like this. He had known, intellectually, that fighting in the arena
wasn't the same as "everyday" combat, but neither was this, in a different way. Was
there no END to these bodies?
"They're cooking a spell," Fandil said. His words came between grunts of effort
as he slammed the end of his wizard's staff into one attacker after another.
"Yes," Cho agreed. His sword was moving constantly, but it was not flashing,
not now that it was bloody from tip to guard. "And every one of these...warm bodies
we kill adds to the power they can use." A pause while his blade swept another
blood-spilling arc across the front of the mass of attackers. "We could use this
power, too, if we could--"
"No! This power here is VILE," Adie said. "We shall not touch it. That would
be to stoop to the level of our enemies." Her beam of concentrated sunlight burned
across another rank of the attack; spilled blood boiled away in its wake.
Cho shook his head and muttered something in Adantri.
"Don't make me laugh, Cho!" Fandil gasped. "That was NOT a nice thing to say
about--" He paused while his staff shattered the skull of another attacker. "My
staff isn't going to take much more of this," he reported. "And we need to do
something about that spell, whatever it--"
"Some kind of killing blast," Cho said.
"I'll show them 'deadly blasts'," Adie growled, gathering more sunlight into her
grip. Filtered or not, it was power, and clean power. And if she could hold
together enough of it, she could burn through whatever filter the Kraelians had put
over it. With the full power of the sunlight to wield, her enemies would find
themselves in a hard place.
Fandil was muttering an incantation, trying to match the rhythm of the words to
the spinning and thrusting of his staff. Even in the current weakened state, it
should be possible to fashion a shield from the Arcanum. Shielding was one of the
last magical functions to go.... But the battle was a distraction he didn't need
right not. And when he reached into the Arcanum, he found it...tainted. The blood
magic, he guessed, the whole Aruaki region must be contaminated with it by now. He
wondered in passing whether Cho had been right, whether Sheila Greywand had planned
the arena system to give her access to blood-power when there was no other source she
could tap. Not that it mattered right this minute....
The Arcanum was sluggish as well as weak and smudged. The shield was forming so
slowly. Too slowly. The attackers began to collapse without being touched, which
must be signaling the launching of the spell; they were giving their lives to fuse
it. Fandil groped for more power.
And felt Adie's gathered sunlight pouring into him like hot iron into a mold.
The shield snapped into shape and position.
Something struck, barely visible, a mass of dark, writhing energies that pressed
downward like the weight of the world. Fandil staggered, then steadied, braced by
Adie's strength added to his own.
And the attackers kept coming. Only stumbling and shambling forward, now, but
still coming. The shield didn't stop THEM, they were physical, not magical. And
they could flow over the three magicians like a wave of flesh and bone, drowning
them, breaking the concentration that kept the spell shield in place. Adie and
Fandil were aware of that approach but could do nothing without dissolving the
shield. Cho hacked at the zombies like a madman, but he was only one man and one
sword.
Eclipse staggered and almost fell when the pressure of the attack against him
suddenly fell away. He leaned against a bit of broken wall, when had he reached the
wall? and blinked sweat from his eyes. A lot of the zombies were simply collapsing.
Falling to the ground, falling into rapid decay, into noisome pools. But some were
turning and moving toward the other center of battle. Enough zombies to overwhelm
that small group. He shook off the blurring of fatigue. An enemy of my enemy might
be a friend, right?
He hefted his shield of shadows and headed their way.
The shield wouldn't hold much longer. Fandil found it hard to believe the
amount of power the Kraelians had assembled in these days of a weakened Arcanum. But
they were using blood magic, and probably even darker sources. And they didn't care
how many of their supporting sorcerers they burned out in the effort. And he and
Adie would burn out eventually, even if Cho left off the physical defense to aid
them.
What was Cho doing? Fighting, yes, that was obvious, but the old Adantri was
shouting, as well. Not spells, they sounded more like curses. Serious, "I really
mean it" curses. Cho was beginning to sound, in fact, like a man in the process of
losing his temper. NOT a good thing for a magician to do.
The dark weight of the spell pressed down on the shield and then...wavered. A
different darkness edged against it. A cleaner darkness, the passionless calm of a
winter night. Where it touched the black fury of the Kraelian spell, that spell
began to fade. As though it was a wineskin that had sprung a leak.
At the same moment, Cho lost his temper completely and roared out something that
shattered the stones heaped around the plaza. Lifting them into the air in a stone-
fanged whirlwind that sailed across the open ground toward the Kraelian mages.
Too many powers collided over the plaza. Brightness of the sun, darkness of an
eclipse. Howling winds and flying debris. Earthquake and a roaring of disturbed
waters.
Fandil felt his shield collapse inward toward his staff like an umbrella
closing, but he could tell that the spell he'd raised it against was gone. There
were other problems, of course, there were always other problems. He caught Adie's
arm as she stumbled and nearly fell; Cho had her on the other side. They turned
together and looked up-slope toward Point.
The gladiator they had seen before was standing there, staring past them. "Some
kind of dike broke," he said, "and there's water, a lot of water, pouring into the
lower part of this town."
"Good! Let's get higher up and away from it," Fandil answered.
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
Once again, Dr Steinberger, while working hard at his Health HUMILITY Honor, is
unavailable to spend sufficient time on his DM Column. So, this time you get me, The
Consortium Scribe.
We (actually The Consortium Elders) have been asked before "How did this team
get its name?" The story goes something like this....
The Consortium Boss was at that time responsible for starting up a manufacturing
division for WW Grainger in Lenexa, KS. The name of the division was to be Dayton
Industries. (From a Grainger trade name for motors.) The key products were HVAC
(heating, ventilation, and cooling) and were mostly fans. Combine FAN for fans, DIL
for Dayton Industries, Lenexa and you have what a true Fandil is.
Now the warrior names were to be somewhat different. The gladiators were/are
named from the boss's youth. For example, Dr Steinberger was the small town dentist
and his son was a great friend of the boss. Mary Catherine is the boss's aunt who is
only six years older than he is. Davy Privette was one of the "three cousins" that
ran around together. Earl is the boss's father's name. (Indeed, the boss has two
cats named after his parents--Earl and Beatrice.) Juanita is another aunt, in this
case from his mother's side of the family.
Now you get it! All this in Ardivent, The Arena Of The Red Sands, where Fandil
The Wise, an old and allegedly wise wizard resides.
SPY REPORT
If you were disturbed from your beauty rest only to have to watch a bunch of
ARDIVENT brutes like you, you'd be grouchy, too. Of course, we're all terribly
impressed to see JUANITA win a fight and gain 21 points, terribly. Tsk, tsk, BROQUS
beat PELLOZOEN and PELLOZOEN lost 8 points. You're breakin' my heart. Going for
broke or broken, our Duelmaster AZGUD challenged this turn. And if variety is the
spice of life, ARDIVENT may be getting bland, as DR STEINBURGER stays top dog in the
city. The Victory Tavern, humph! I've tasted better ale at mortuaries. Where do
they get this stuff? From ARDIVENT's trash dumps?
My mother always told me, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, start
talking.' I loved that woman. What's the big D? CYNICAL DELUSIONS was the most
avoided team? Bunch of lily livered... grumble... mumble... curse... And who led
the way in this mass act of cowardice? Let's see, well, whatcha know? It was
FANDILS. Ha ha ha ha! AZGUD 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. Titanium shields and bamboo daggers, guess
what brave team is developing these kinds of weapons?
What does the ARDIVENT 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! I see the crowds are getting restless, I
must leave now-- Snide Clemens
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DR STEINBURGER 3442 23 7 0 104 FANDILS (75)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MARY CATHERINE 3459 12 5 3 102 FANDILS (75)
AZGUD 3253 14 14 0 98 INFERNAL LORDS (8)
-SPARROW-BLASTER 3900 9 5 2 94 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-TEMPTATION 3314 9 5 0 89 INFERNAL LORDS (8)
-GALOOT 3907 12 1 0 74 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218)
-TERRENCE WYCLIFF 3433 8 2 0 73 TUFT-TASTIC! (265)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-JHEZRA STEELBLADE 3017 10 8 0 69 TUFT-TASTIC! (265)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DAVY PRIVETTE 3447 16 3 0 65 FANDILS (75)
-QUAR-RAL 3898 11 1 0 63 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218)
-GLAVER 3915 8 4 0 60 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218)
-LOTHAR LIGHTSWORD 3650 5 4 0 57 TUFT-TASTIC! (265)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-ANNETTE TEVERLY 3651 6 3 1 54 TUFT-TASTIC! (265)
EARL 3951 4 1 0 54 FANDILS (75)
-RYTHYM WIZARD 3357 8 6 0 51 INFERNAL LORDS (8)
JUANITA 3926 7 4 0 50 FANDILS (75)
EUROQ 3901 7 5 0 45 INFERNAL LORDS (8)
-IRONWOLF 274 5 1 0 42 BARBARIAN HORDE (47)
SHTEFFI GRAAF 3388 6 4 0 38 ALAN'S BOZLEEYOTCHS (318)
-TUVOLD 3946 4 0 0 38 TUFT-TASTIC! (265)
DEBRA CONKLIN 3890 6 19 0 37 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
JACINTHE 3892 4 19 0 31 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ZELLIT 3948 5 2 1 23 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
BROQUS 3947 4 2 0 22 INFERNAL LORDS (8)
-HAMMER 3962 1 0 0 22 CYNICAL DELUSIONS (218)
-UG 271 4 2 1 19 BARBARIAN HORDE (47)
-KROKUS 272 4 2 0 19 BARBARIAN HORDE (47)
-TARAMON 270 3 3 0 18 BARBARIAN HORDE (47)
-WEASEL 273 4 2 0 15 BARBARIAN HORDE (47)
GEIN 3958 1 0 0 13 WAKE 2 (356)
BUNGO PARK 3964 1 0 0 6 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
PELLOZOEN 3961 1 2 0 5 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
SERENA WILLIAMS 3963 0 1 0 1 ALAN'S BOZLEEYOTCHS (318)
MARTINA HINGIS 3953 0 1 0 1 ALAN'S BOZLEEYOTCHS (318)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
VENUS WILLIAMS 3954 0 1 0 ALAN'S BOZLEEYOTC 318 BANDIT PRINCE 25 488 NONE
BECKER COLLIN 3850 14 32 1 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS 74 MARY CATHERINE 3459 487
PERSONAL ADS
Blu Valley Warriors -- We mourn the loss of Becker Collin. While Mary Catherine's
killing was not intentional, all Fandils apologize. We wish it had not happened. --
Fandil The Wise
WOF -- I didn't mean to kill Becker. Really, I didn't. I just hate The Arena Of The
Red Sands! I do! -- A sad and depressed Mary Catherine
Galoot -- If I cannot beat you, even when I challenge, I am going to become cynical.
-- Davy Privette
Sparrow-Blaster -- A tough one. Like pulling sparrow hen's teeth. -- Dr. Steinberger
Jacinthe -- Whew! With all that experience of yours, I'm lucky to be alive! But I
shall take that lucky win. -- Earl
Zellit -- You and The Dixie Chicks! You and them! They all hate me! -- Earl
DeGotti -- I regularly make all my warriors pray to the MUGs. But clearly they are
not praying hard enough. -- Fandil The Wise
Glaver -- You may be quite surprised at how skilled I am! (In the arena, I mean.) --
Mary Catherine
Hey Doc -- Well I guess I need to learn a few new moves. It's too bad that Mary C
will be missing out on the throne. You can't sit there forever, so don't get
comfortable. -- Sparrow Blaster
Davy -- It's always an unbelievable win, huh. Just because I have better stamina
doesn't mean you have to quit swinging; your day will come, good luck. -- Galoot
P.S. No brains no pain.
Azgud -- Wow, can't wait to see the fight stats for this one. Hope I learned a lot
from this fight, might challenge you again quite soon. -- Glaver
Broqus -- I hate the fact that I moved up the ranks that far, barely a skill in hand,
and I'm basically fighting adepts. -- Hammer
Debra -- It couldn't of been that dull of a match or I would have brought wine,
cheese, and a nice red blanket. -- Quar-ral
DeGotti -- Yes, quite busy.... Tourneys, woman, postal clerks, yes quite busy
indeed. The training of new warriors, is another task that daunts me day in and day
out, however I'm here again, so let's chat. -- Eclipse
Wow what a wonderful and clever tale of adventure, this is indeed a great arena, keep
it up. -- Eclipse
Adie -- No problem. Hope it's just busy stuff and nothing drastic. Hope to see you
back here soon. -- DeGotti
Zellit -- I think that light or dark rum depends on the mixer don't you agree?
Golems are not picky but I do understand they don't like grapefruit juice that much.
-- DeGotti
Eclipse -- Just when I think I get a fight on you I watch the next round only to find
you taking one back. Well done with Hammer. -- DeGotti
WoF -- I am a bit confused by the Fandil's at birth. If you were doing each warrior
by column your first warrior only has 51 points and your last has 116. Are you sure
you didn't win a Frankenstein prize this last tourney? -- DeGotti
Mary Catherine -- (shakes head sadly) You are just the killingest wench! I bet
you're Delarquan at heart. -- Ghost of Becker Collin
Quar-ral -- I know how it says here that you're all cynical and, you know, kind of
mean. But it's wrong. I can tell. You're just a good old laid-back guy. All the
Rals are, actually. -- Debra Conklin
P.S. By laid-back I don't mean that you, like, lie down on the job or anything.
Just, you know, sort of relaxed.
Earl -- Well! If you're such a hot-shot, you could have TAUGHT me something. Nobody
teaches me stuff! How am I going to get better if nobody teaches me things? --
Jacinthe the greatly put-upon
Wow! The Cult Member was making, you know, oh-cult gestures and stuff before the
fight. And then he dashed right out and hit me! I figure that's got to be a sign of
his god favored him and everything, and I couldn't have that! I mean, he's just a
standby, and not even the Dangerous Criminal! So I hit him back. It seemed like the
thing to do. -- Zellit
I never trust people with shifty eyes, and rightly so, as anyone can see. He only
taught me one skill, which RIGHT THERE is a sign of his stinginess. -- Pellozoen
Dr Steinberger -- Fat lot of good it did me. -- Ghost of Becker Collin
20 October 2006
In accordance with those rules set forth by the Lady of the Realm, I hereby announce
the formation of a small group of managers calling themselves "The Outsiders". The
group consists of the following members:
Doc LeGrande
Apex
Street Legal
Carnage
Ghoti
Roadkill
Valamond
This group has only one rule. Respect the play of the managers of this
alliance. We have no worries about not playing by the rules set forth by others. We
fight the way we like, and all those in this group appreciate what tools each manager
brings. We have managers from the Delarquan, Andorian and Free Blade regions. We
have managers that focus on the tournament arenas, and we have those that focus on
the regular city arenas. We have those in our ranks that fight with honor and
respect for all, and we have those that have a bloodlust that cannot be quenched.
Our goal is simple. To create a ensemble of managers that will show their
prowess in the land of Alastari, and to bring a new level of competition to all those
that share the sands with our warriors. Our warriors are many throughout the land.
We have no home arena. We have no pacts we abide by. Our fighters range from
Mordant to Talcama, from Lapur to Lyratilan, Aruak City to Valamantis, the Primus
arena to Talahya, and many more arenas throughout the land.
Whether we are sought out or ignored makes no difference to us. We are what we
are. We fight how we fight. And we do it however we wish. We have no rules. We
have no leader or ruler. Be prepared. We are.
20 October 2006
The Dark Knights of the Desolate Empire respond thus to the Avengers of the Light:
Where are you? EACH AND EVERY Dark Knight can be found in arenas 31 and 52. Your
pretty words mean less than nothing if you won't fight. EVERY Dark Knight is more
than willing to back up their talk. So...we give you three turns in either 31 or 52,
REPEAT 31 or 52 to show up or shut up. If you don't show we'll let all of Alastari
know the Avengers are indeed cowards! -- Dark Knights of the Desolate Empire
2 November 2006
I received a Gift Certificate from someone. I'm assuming it's for entry into the
Turf War 5. Whoever sent this to me...please email me at rbaphomets@yahoo.com.
Thanks.
10 November 2006
The Quest of the Best has come to an end. Dark Knight Toker, host of the Quest,
wants to proclaim the Ultimate Victor and give a listing of prize winners.
Lady Fern and her Flower Girls of the Consortium are the Ultimate Victors of the
Quest. Well fought and there's nothing like coming from behind to leave us all in
the dust. Can't wait to see you defend your title! (wink)
Here is a complete list of managers who placed in prize positions:
1) Lady Fern, mgr. Flower Girls
2) Le Pentarque, mgr. Blood & Guts!
3) Crip, mgr. Otto's Parts
4) D.K. Heathen Hatebred, mgr. Odin's Chosen
5) Ghab, mgr. Assassin Nation
6) Fanthayne, mgr. Dark Raiders
7) D.K. Toker, mgr. Silver Knights
8) D.K. Wasby, mgr. Bronze Knights
9) The Expatriate, mgr. Bleak Legion
10) Still the Distilled, mgr. Springborne Fair
Thanks to all that had the gall to show up, but I really want to thank the
managers that had the mettle to survive and not run when they started getting their
butt handed to them.
Respect to All.
Quest #1 host,
Dark Knight Toker
14 November 2006
A Tale of
Fusion Confusion Delusion Revolution
as told by
Hammer the WordSmith
SomeWhere Beyond ElseWhere and ElseWhen a hooded figure brooded upon the
lingering wisps of memory from days gone by.
From the howling sands to the sanding howls the streams of thought bubbled and
flowed, winding endlessly entwined within the darkest recesses and lightest resources
of the learned and unlearned disciplines of managerial mayhem and manipulation.
Nameless faces and faceless names floated in the swirling mists of madness
embalmed within the memories of one who knew he did not know how far reaching the
influences [both positive and negative] had rooted and flowered in the march of time
and energy expended in the historical markings of gladiatorial essence and excellence
experience.
The tamed and the untamed coupled with the named and the unnamed resources that
spilt their sweat and blood on the sands of arenas both known and unknown had
metamorphosed into the dreamings and the schemings of the fadings of jadings and
paradings [in both public and private] amongst the elite and the indiscreet
posturings and babblings of managers becoming legends in their own minds and times.
Hammer pondered upon beginnings and the seemingly endless myriad of endings
possibly possible among the interspersed and intertwined impossible possibilities
presently past and future.
Echoing and reechoing in the vast depths and countless compartments along the
corridors of his mind, Hammer played and replayed the glories shared and dared in the
sixty-plus stabled arena on fabled Noblish Island DM 93.
The training had been all too brief, but the competition generated by the multi
faceted personages inhabiting DM 93 and the sheer multitude of numbers had forever
instilled themselves in the heart and soul of the veteran manager [Hammer]; insomuch
that the migration to Niatoli Island DM 33 triggered the desire to emulate the glory
and the grandeur of the spectacle of stables vying for recognition from among the
virtually numberless no-name newbies making names for themselves as they numbered
their stables and accomplishments for all to see and behold, to the song and the
sound of the sight of clashing cold cruel steel simmering the flesh of gallant
gladiators consumed by the gory and the glory of crossing blades with the superior
and the inferior within the interior of Greywand's Global Gladiatorial Galaxy.
Far far ago and long long away had many abandoned hope for a return to the
reminiscences revered by so many managers; predating even the generations of
gladiators graduating from Noblish Island and the years of yore and gore and
gallantry before.
Rumblings and mumblings of a renovation rejuvenating the reflexes of managers
numbed by the numberless trysts of tourney tarnished stables began revolutionizing
the very fabric of time and space and time-honored tradition throughout the ranks of
visionary newbies and volatile veterans alike and dislike.
History was being shaken to the core of the gore as glory and grandeur responded
to the revelry reverie revelations and reveille revolutionizing the creation of a new
arena in the making; populated by No-Tourney Warriors and Full Stable Participants
pledging to forge a new vision version of "The Fiercest and Best" for crossing blades
and crosser banter in the personal ads and team spotlight tomes.
Now was the time for Hammer to emerge and once again merge his talent among the
gifted and grifted; answering the call to assemble the drifted [and to directly
divulge and converge with the dozens] for the destiny of destructive denizens
determined to build a new legacy upon the all-but-forgotten ashes of the old and
olden legends of times lost.
[TIME JUMP]
Hammer sifted the sands in the dead of night in the desert reaches [located
SomeWhere BeYond ElseWhere and ElseWhen] to discover 5 gladiators not tourney worthy,
yet interesting enough to begin their careers in a No-Tourney Arena!
"They need not be dispatched to the Dark Arena," the veteran manager mused as he
sorted through paperwork long discarded and vaguely forgotten, "because there is
nothing like a good Blood Feud to provide inspiration for writing personal ads in the
arena newsletter! Besides, there are times when the replacement for a warrior wounded
mortally on the arena sands fares much better than the one exchanged from Torch
Light!"
Fights by Torch Light were certainly deemed unnecessary as Hammer had already
deduced that a number of determined stables would undoubtedly congregate with High
Octane Warriors under the guidance of Higher Octane Managers to populate and
depopulate the new No-Tourney Arena currently under construction in DM 81.
Fortunately his feeble foray into the desert would yield somewhat suitable
candidates for the newfound purposes Hammer had in mind.
From among the candidates to be found Hammer would be rewarded in time by
BLOODFEUDS and REPLACEMENT WARRIORS aplenty!
Deep into the night Hammer searched and searched until five not-so-promising
stables were uncovered in the waning hours before dawn.
Ripper discards were scattered far and wide, but this was not the time or the
hour to let sentimental views cloud the issue at hand. Future events would lend
themselves to a suitable Ripper replacement, especially with the prospects Hammer was
now sorting for his selection decision to dispatch to the Gladiatorial Commission for
processing.
Most managers have the luxury of selecting the best group [or discarding the
worst group!] Hammer had the novelty of rounding up the castaways from the New
Stables paperwork accumulated long ago from Maximillian's Morya Madness contest in DM
28 that were deemed below inferior as contest prizes [and thus banished from sight!]
Hammer scrutinized and agonized over which group of gladiators were worth the
sacks of gold coins he was prepared to release to the Gladiatorial Commission for
fees to MAINTENANCE his new stable in the No-Tourney Arena.
After what seemed like long hours passing by, Hammer discarded one and then
another group of hopefuls. After lengthy debate a third was cast aside. Deciding
between the final two groups found Hammer going back to interview the rejected
candidates time and time again [until a final decision was made that Hammer could
live with and his new stable could die with!] before the final quirks were hammered
out and pen put to paper to process the prospective puny stable with the Gladiatorial
Commission.
The only solace gained from the painful process was the knowledge that other
managers would be less tempted to run stables in DM 81 populated by their tourney-
worthy warriors [under the penalty of death imposed and enforced upon tourney
experienced gladiators by the Committee being formed to police and regulate such
matters!] as sworn to and signed in good faith by each registering manager.
[TIME JUMP]
Hammer had worked long and hard to find suitable candidates for his stable and
now it was time to begin their training. The paperwork had been dispatched for
registration with the Gladiatorial Commission and now was the hour in which
preparation was paramount!
Dispatch riders had arrived with the news that Considerable Bounty was being
offered as incentive rewards to those managers sending new stables to the No-Tourney
Arena.
Hammer realized this would Up the Ante [causing greater pause in the managerial
community for selecting suitable stables!] as the creative competition was certain to
escalate and produce Serious Sword Slinging Stables Staining the Arena Sands Red!
Obviously a serious upgrade in the quality of competition migrating to the No-
Tourney Arena in DM 81 would definitely work in favor of Hammer; enormously
increasing the death toll percentage potential amongst the ranks of his new start-up
stable in DM 81 [Sands Running Red and Blood Feuds Running Rampant as Undoubtedly
Expected!]
Hammer observed the futility of his new warriors training [as well as they could
for what they were made from!] while recent memories came to the forefront of his
mind!
When the paperwork was nearly completed and names were selected for each
Gladiator, Hammer decided to name the stable according to what he had discovered in
the darkness while searching during the dismal hours of the desert night.
These warriors would probably be more well suited to fight by Torch Light had
they fallen into the possession of most other managers!
Paper Warriors better suited to confronting Dark Arena Monsters [rather than
being fed to the Gladiatorial Lions certain to be populating the regular No-Tourney
Arena!]
Specimens blatantly better suited for feeding upon agitated armadillo ants than
for striving to attain recognition and fame in the No-Tourney Arena [or any arena!]
Thus was AARDVARK HAMMERZ birthed and born for Greatness or Disgrace!
[TIME JUMP]
Dispatch riders on winged steeds brought the news Hammer had been awaiting!
Not since the days of training on Noblish Island in DM 93 had Hammer encountered
such collective enthusiasm for crossing blades in a selected arena such as DM 81
[recalling the time Hammer generated a gathering of newbies to transfer to Niatoli
Island in DM 33 to match wits and cross blades with the assembling veterans upon
graduation!]
The Consortium had represented the veterans well in DM 33 with the SWEETNESS
stable managed by Sweety Pie. Now the good news had arrived that The Consortium was
seen registering a stable named LIFE IMPACTS in the No-Tourney Arena!
Former alliance mates Darque and Kat had reportedly registered DARQUE AGES and
KATHOUSE with the Gladiatorial Commission.
Morya Madness combatant LePentarque from DM 28 had registered LA PENTARCHIE and
longtime fixture Drake in North Fork DM 47 [recently returned from a lengthy hiatus]
had been lured by the competition to register DRAKE'S HARDWARE.
Deke [at the helm of DOC LEGRAND'S LAB] was instrumental in promoting the No-
Tourney Arena by repeatedly negotiating terms with the Gladiatorial Commission.
Others had laid the groundwork before him, but Deke raised the banner and carried it
the final distance [Supported by Countless Managers too numerous to mention!] Salute
Yourselves for Your Efforts are Most Graciously Applauded throughout Alastari!
Apex had signed in with CAROLINA BLUE as had Ghab with ASSASSIN NATION.
Another familiar name was found on the rolls as DeGotti registered CULT OF
BACCHUS followed by DOOM KNIGHTS managed by Blackstorm.
Also on the rolls to be noted were AS SEEN ON TV II managed by Indimar and
RAGNAROK'S WOLVES by none other than ragnorokwolf.
Nomad had signed on with PHANTOM REGIMENT and Silas followed suit with
GRIFFONRAWL MMA.
Another notable signature was that of MasterBeru with CHILDHOOD HEROES and a
penchant for scribing Team Spotlights [A Plus in Any Arena!]
Detective Kellumbo had followed the clues and was observed enroute to
registering a yet unannounced stable [such are the ways of sleuthhounds and such!]
Rumor had it that the manager known as Roadkill was on his way to register a
stable after his namesake and Slugbait was close behind [obliviously lost in
thought!]
Finally [in no particular disorder!] managers Grimm, Woody, Terminator, Den and
Bill were also seen elbowing their way through the gathering registration crowd to
officially announce their participation in the No-Tourney Arena.
COUNTLESS OTHER MANAGERS were known to be pondering the consequences of sending
stables to a No-Tourney Arena and had yet to make the commitment public knowledge as
to their intentions.
Howbeit the Gladiatorial Commission was reportedly swamped with requests for New
Stable Registration Forms [whether for the Tempe Facer or No-Tourney Arena was
anybody's guess at the present time!]
Judging from the furtive figures darting and ducking in the shadows and
alleyways throughout Alastari [as well as those huddled in taverns or communicating
with one another by various means available!] the success of such a No-Tourney Arena
was Ballooning far Beyond the Expectations of the Promoters and Petitioners Bar None!
HAMMER WAS UNDERSTANDABLY ENTHUSED BEYOND MEASURE BECAUSE the No-Tourney Arena
had the Best Potential for attracting and assembling a congregation of competitors
rivaling the numbers of Noblish Island from days gone by!
JANUARY 2007 MARKS THE BEGINNING of a Journey where both Newbies and Veterans
join together in a Historic Assemblage Celebrating the Crossing of Blades between
some of the Best Managed Stables in all of Alastari [Known and Unknown!]
"May Your Blades Be Sharp and Your Wits Sharper"
Hammer
Minister of War
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
VENUS WILLIAMS was butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DR STEINBURGER outwaited AZGUD in a 7 minute veteran's Challenge Title duel.
BROQUS overpowered PELLOZOEN in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge duel.
DAVY PRIVETTE devastated DEBRA CONKLIN in a 2 minute one-sided fight.
EUROQ subdued JACINTHE in a crowd pleasing 1 minute competition.
SHTEFFI GRAAF was vanquished by JUANITA in a exciting 1 minute mismatched fight.
EARL devastated RUTHLESS JAYWALKER in a 1 minute one-sided competition.
ZELLIT overcame FRIENDLY CONSTABLE in a action packed 1 minute melee.
GEIN vanquished SERENA WILLIAMS in a 1 minute gruesome one-sided duel.
MARTINA HINGIS lost to BUNGO PARK in a 1 minute novice's fight.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK 3 TOTAL PARRY 29 - 10 - 0 74 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 2 AIMED BLOW 11 - 7 - 1 61 |
|BASHING ATTACK 2 SLASHING ATTACK 15 - 11 - 0 58 |
|TOTAL PARRY 2 BASHING ATTACK 23 - 17 - 1 58 |
|WALL OF STEEL 2 STRIKING ATTACK 12 - 12 - 0 50 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 2 LUNGING ATTACK 16 - 21 - 2 43 |
|AIMED BLOW 1 WALL OF STEEL 12 - 17 - 0 41 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 1 PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 6 - 0 33 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 PARRY-LUNGE 4 - 10 - 1 29 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 - 8 - 0 27 |
Turn 488 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-STRIKE 0 - 1 3 TOTAL PARRY
SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 1 2 BASHING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK 3 - 0 LUNGING ATTACK 0 - 2 2 WALL OF STEEL
PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 1 PARRY-LUNGE
BASHING ATTACK 1 - 1 1 SLASHING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 1 - 1 1 LUNGING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL 1 - 1 1 AIMED BLOW
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
TOTAL PARRY DR STEINBURGER 3442 23 7 0 104 FANDILS (75)
WALL OF STEEL DAVY PRIVETTE 3447 16 3 0 65 FANDILS (75)
STRIKING ATTACK EARL 3951 4 1 0 54 FANDILS (75)
SLASHING ATTACK JUANITA 3926 7 4 0 50 FANDILS (75)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is AZGUD 3253. The most popular warrior this turn was
AZGUD 3253. The ten other most popular fighters were EUROQ 3901, JUANITA 3926,
ZELLIT 3948, DAVY PRIVETTE 3447, GEIN 3958, BUNGO PARK 3964, BROQUS 3947, EARL 3951,
VENUS WILLIAMS 3954, and PELLOZOEN 3961.
The least popular fighter this week was DR STEINBURGER 3442. The other ten least
popular fighters were MARTINA HINGIS 3953, SERENA WILLIAMS 3963, SHTEFFI GRAAF 3388,
JACINTHE 3892, DEBRA CONKLIN 3890, PELLOZOEN 3961, VENUS WILLIAMS 3954, EARL 3951,
BROQUS 3947, and BUNGO PARK 3964.