DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 02/20/2018 Duedate: 03/19/2018
NORTH FORK ARENA
DM-47 TURN-389
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
JACK B. QUICK
ROYAL FLUSH (48)
(47-8246) [17-27-0,120]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
JACK B. QUICK LITTLE BOY
ROYAL FLUSH (48) BOOK OF THOMAS (801)
(47-8246) [17-27-0,120] (47-8548) [2-0-0,26]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
JACK B. QUICK FRUIT CUP
ROYAL FLUSH (48) FAST FOOD (724)
(47-8246) [17-27-0,120] (47-9024) [11-12-4,95]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
ROYAL FLUSH (48)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. SPECTRAL STEEL (778) 60
2. WEIRD ALCHEMY (480) 46 LAND OF OZ (217)
3. ROYAL FLUSH (48) 41 Unchartered Team
4. BOOK OF THOMAS (801) 38
5. DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840) 33 DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 1 LAND OF OZ (217) 854 545 30 61.0 1/ 1 ROYAL FLUSH (48) 11 4 0
2- 2 SHEWISH DINER (806) 126 88 12 58.9 2/ 3 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792) 9 6 2
3- 3 BAD BEATS (791) 80 63 1 55.9 3/ 2 WEIRD ALCHEMY (480) 8 4 1
4/ 4 ROYAL FLUSH (48) 942 750 48 55.7 4/ 6 THE SOVEREIGN (818) 6 9 1
5- 5 STAR PRAIRIE (821) 55 44 5 55.6 5- 4*METAL KNIGHTS (839) 5 5 0
6/ 6 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795) 42 34 4 55.3 6/10 LAND OF OZ (217) 5 5 0
7/ 8 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792) 93 80 9 53.8 7/ 5 FAST FOOD (724) 5 7 1
8- 7*METAL KNIGHTS (839) 8 7 1 53.3 8/ 8 WHITE WOLVES (832) 4 6 0
9- 9 DARQUE FORCES (396) 334 297 25 52.9 9- 7 DARQUE FORCES (396) 3 1 0
10-10 80'S DISCO (810) 85 79 2 51.8 10/13 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795) 3 3 0
11/12 BASH BROS PARK (766) 125 122 10 50.6 11-12 STAR PRAIRIE (821) 2 0 0
12/11 FAST FOOD (724) 171 169 12 50.3 12/15 BASH BROS PARK (766) 2 3 0
13/ 0 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541) 26 27 1 49.1 13/ 0*DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840) 2 3 0
14/13 WEIRD ALCHEMY (480) 143 150 8 48.8 14/17*BOOK OF THOMAS (801) 2 8 0
15/14 SPECTRAL STEEL (778) 77 81 3 48.7 15/ 0 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541) 1 1 0
16/15 WHITE WOLVES (832) 32 40 0 44.4 16/14 SPECTRAL STEEL (778) 1 1 0
17-16 ROYAL COMATENTS (301) 57 78 2 42.2 17-11 BAD BEATS (791) 1 1 0
18/ 0*DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840) 2 3 0 40.0 18- 9 80'S DISCO (810) 1 2 0
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
19/18 THE SOVEREIGN (818) 42 73 3 36.5 19-16 ROYAL COMATENTS (301) 1 4 0
20/17 SATAN'S MINIONS (813) 29 51 0 36.3 20-18 SHEWISH DINER (806) 0 4 0
21-19 BIG IDEA (32) 262 482 26 35.2 21-19 BIG IDEA (32) 0 3 0
22/20*BOOK OF THOMAS (801) 2 8 0 20.0 22/20 SATAN'S MINIONS (813) 0 3 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
SPY REPORT
Hail and well met warriors of NORTH FORK! Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp
Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari. Fortune did not smile upon 80'S
DISCO this time out who this turn suffered a fall into 18th position in the wake of a
0-0-0 round. Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the corner! Witness
how this week LAND OF OZ went 1-3-0 to move up 4 in the rankings. My praise to BIG
LAKE GROOVE for their 4-1-1 week this time out. Indeed, it was a skillfully fought
round deserving of notice! WARRIOR WIGHT caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial
commission as he skillfully bested HUMBUG and was awarded 60 points in recognition.
In one of the week's more notable duels, ARMENIUS put down BRAINS, causing him to
lose 7 points of recognition in the process. Most watched of the fights this week,
the spotlight was on ALIISZA as she bore arms against the Bloodfeud of reigning
Duelmaster JACK B. QUICK. Not for nothing has JACK B. QUICK in the past laid claim
to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week he's proven his combat skill yet again.
Would you believe that over half of the old women in NORTH FORK seem to feel that
they could fight better than you gladiators?
Many and various are the arts of battle. In NORTH FORK "art" is a word that has
long since passed from the language! I saw one fighter that warriors avoided when
this week's challenge seeking began. BIG LAKE GROOVE is feared. This much I can
say. If you didn't look down dark alleys you'd have been hard pressed to find any of
ROYAL FLUSH last week. Busy avoiding BIG LAKE GROOVE? Mighty fighters cannot but
expect competition from those below. WHIPPED CREAM take warning! You have more than
a few enemies in NORTH FORK. A match that raised a few eyebrows at the games this
week, it seems that P-NUT FIREBEARD posted a challenge against the more highly
recognized AMIINANY DANGER. The results, you ask? Well, the firebrand P-NUT
FIREBEARD was defeated by AMIINANY DANGER. Remember warriors, this is the discipline
of steel.
What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his
foe's mortality? Strange what qualities come forth in the face of certain doom.
BLINDING MAN has the town astir with the news of his Dark Arena victory! Walk proud,
warriors of ROYAL FLUSH! By striking down ALIISZA you have avenged the honor of your
dead. Your virtue is known to all in NORTH FORK. My hearty congratulations GRANULO,
for thy revenge upon WHIPPED CREAM, slayer of thy fallen comrade. Next time she will
know better, eh? Some say a warrior is judged by the way he bears arms. One thing
is sure, better a dagger in hand then a sword on the belt!
A thought before I go. Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise
manager learn the secrets of them all? Ahh, but I can hear the spires of a far off
city calling to me. I must away! Till next we meet remember: a fool flies into a
rage quickly and often. The wise are angered by the same thing only once. Zontani
Sharp Eyes
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
JACK B. QUICK 8246 17 27 0 120 ROYAL FLUSH (48)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-CYCLONUS 8365 13 5 1 113 DARQUE FORCES (396)
GRANULO 8496 19 13 0 107 WEIRD ALCHEMY (480)
MUNCHKIN 8432 19 14 0 102 LAND OF OZ (217)
DATABASE EDITOR 9079 14 7 2 101 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
BULLY 8410 13 13 0 100 BASH BROS PARK (766)
HUMBUG 8655 13 10 2 97 LAND OF OZ (217)
FRUIT CUP 9024 11 12 4 95 FAST FOOD (724)
-BUSTED ACES 8580 18 10 0 94 BAD BEATS (791)
STYLE CHANGER 9162 9 9 2 92 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-SKYWARP 8063 16 12 1 91 DARQUE FORCES (396)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MUMMY MUSKETEER 8146 12 8 0 90 SPECTRAL STEEL (778)
WHIPPED CREAM 8768 14 12 1 86 FAST FOOD (724)
-HAWKINS 8949 11 7 0 83 STAR PRAIRIE (821)
-STARSCREAM 7419 16 16 1 81 DARQUE FORCES (396)
-VIKING VAMPIRE 8992 14 8 0 78 SPECTRAL STEEL (778)
-RAVEN 3354 10 9 0 78 ROYAL COMATENTS (301)
-HARRY SLAUGHTER 8493 9 5 1 78 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795)
-HENCHMAN 8756 8 3 0 76 SATAN'S MINIONS (813)
-KANSAS 9062 8 5 0 70 LAND OF OZ (217)
POUTINE 8769 13 13 1 69 FAST FOOD (724)
-VARS FOLLEY 9025 10 5 3 68 STAR PRAIRIE (821)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
RETURN OF THE KING 9124 7 4 0 66 ROYAL FLUSH (48)
A DLEGG 9204 11 5 0 64 WEIRD ALCHEMY (480)
-HOBO CASSEROLE 8622 9 11 1 63 SHEWISH DINER (806)
BLACK CHAOS 8872 11 13 0 62 THE SOVEREIGN (818)
-PROBUS 4910 6 4 0 62 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541)
-CRYING KID 8392 6 5 0 61 BASH BROS PARK (766)
AMIINANY DANGER 8491 10 7 1 60 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795)
VESPASIAN 4932 7 6 0 60 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-SLUDGE 8470 9 4 1 56 DARQUE FORCES (396)
-PLANET ROCK 9078 6 2 0 56 80'S DISCO (810)
SLUSH PUPPY 9023 16 7 0 55 FAST FOOD (724)
-LICINIUS 4912 5 4 0 54 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541)
ALIISZA 8871 8 13 1 53 THE SOVEREIGN (818)
-MUD PATH 8767 7 4 0 52 BASH BROS PARK (766)
-THE SAFETY DANCE 8700 8 4 0 51 80'S DISCO (810)
-LACKEY 8760 5 5 0 50 SATAN'S MINIONS (813)
ARMENIUS 9159 8 7 0 48 WHITE WOLVES (832)
-DUMBLEGORE 8492 7 7 1 48 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795)
ACE MERRILL 9319 6 2 0 46 ROYAL FLUSH (48)
QUEEN LATIFAH 9038 6 11 0 45 ROYAL FLUSH (48)
-RUMP ROAST 9066 8 5 2 41 SHEWISH DINER (806)
HEADLESS NICK 8776 6 6 0 41 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795)
GALLIENUS 4956 4 6 1 41 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541)
MADCAP 9306 5 6 2 40 WEIRD ALCHEMY (480)
-KELLANTH 3410 9 7 0 39 ROYAL COMATENTS (301)
P-NUT FIREBEARD 8874 8 14 0 38 THE SOVEREIGN (818)
-RON WE SLAY 8494 8 6 1 37 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795)
GLADIUS 8873 7 16 0 37 THE SOVEREIGN (818)
-HACKER 9156 5 4 0 37 STAR PRAIRIE (821)
-AUGUSTUS 4909 3 6 0 37 WHOLY ROMAN EMPIRE (541)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-RASP 3353 7 11 0 32 ROYAL COMATENTS (301)
DIONEXUS 9157 6 9 0 31 WHITE WOLVES (832)
-LEGIONNAIRE LICH 9009 4 3 0 31 SPECTRAL STEEL (778)
MARATHON MAN 9313 7 2 0 29 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
-HELLYEAH 9347 2 1 1 28 METAL KNIGHTS (839)
-DISTURBED 9350 2 1 0 28 METAL KNIGHTS (839)
-THAT'S POKER 9262 4 3 0 26 BAD BEATS (791)
LITTLE BOY 8548 2 0 0 26 BOOK OF THOMAS (801)
BRAINS 9296 5 5 0 25 LAND OF OZ (217)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-COW PIE 9281 1 0 1 23 SHEWISH DINER (806)
-JACKYL 9349 2 1 0 22 METAL KNIGHTS (839)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-HYPER AGGRESSIVE 9261 3 2 1 21 BAD BEATS (791)
PARADIGM 9018 4 7 0 20 THE SOVEREIGN (818)
-BEN HURT 4150 3 1 0 20 ROYAL COMATENTS (301)
-TROUBLE 4151 2 2 0 20 ROYAL COMATENTS (301)
BELISARIUS 9302 4 5 0 19 WHITE WOLVES (832)
-SLIPKNOT 9348 2 1 0 19 METAL KNIGHTS (839)
LEAF 9384 1 0 0 15 DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840)
ADDICTION 9387 1 0 0 15 DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840)
-RAZORCLAW 9363 1 0 0 12 DARQUE FORCES (396)
TELLIUS 9373 1 1 0 11 WHITE WOLVES (832)
LITTLE VARIOUS 9341 2 4 0 10 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
BRUTUS 9380 1 0 0 10 WHITE WOLVES (832)
TENTENABULATION 9381 1 0 0 10 ROYAL FLUSH (48)
-STOOGE 9259 2 2 0 8 SATAN'S MINIONS (813)
-HELLHOUND HESTATI 9211 1 1 0 8 SPECTRAL STEEL (778)
DING DONG 9342 1 2 0 5 LAND OF OZ (217)
-AMARANTHE 9346 0 3 0 3 METAL KNIGHTS (839)
-WHO'S ZOOMIN WHO 9351 0 3 0 3 80'S DISCO (810)
WHIRLPOOL 9385 0 1 0 1 DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840)
HAMMERHEAD 9383 0 1 0 1 DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840)
FEATHER 9386 0 1 0 1 DOWNWARD SPIRAL (840)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
RELAX 8706 10 9 0 80'S DISCO 810 STYLE CHANGER 9162 386
SEX (I'M A) 8704 10 4 0 80'S DISCO 810 STYLE CHANGER 9162 387
ALONE IN THE DAR 9382 0 1 0 BASH BROS PARK 766 IC ENFORCER 389 NONE
JOLLY GREEN 9255 2 2 0 BIG IDEA 32 COW PIE 9281 386
DIEDIE 9376 0 1 0 BOOK OF THOMAS 801 IC TASKMASTER 389 NONE
HEDIES 9377 0 1 0 BOOK OF THOMAS 801 IC ENFORCER 389 NONE
ITDIES 9379 0 1 0 BOOK OF THOMAS 801 AA DESERTER 389 NONE
SHEDIES 9378 0 1 0 BOOK OF THOMAS 801 AVATAR OF DARKHE 389 NONE
LYRIC TENOR 9104 5 5 0 ROYAL FLUSH 48 ALIISZA 8871 388 JUST REVENGED
DUD 9375 0 1 0 SATAN'S MINIONS 813 NOT SO GENTLEBEN 389 NONE
CAPTAIN RONDO 9205 8 7 0 WEIRD ALCHEMY 480 WHIPPED CREAM 8768 388 JUST REVENGED
DAQ 9388 0 1 0 WEIRD ALCHEMY 480 AA DESERTER 389 NONE
CRASSUS 9357 1 1 0 WHITE WOLVES 832 MADCAP 9306 388
LYCURGUS 9356 0 1 0 WHITE WOLVES 832 HELLYEAH 9347 386
PERSONAL ADS
Congrats to our old friend Jack B. Quick, Duelmaster of North Fork. -- Oz The All
Praising
Scorpio, I guess that after they, The Scarlet One and Droppings, robbed that dinky
Laundromat with the old lady clientele, and then scoured the roads of the state for
aluminum cans, they didn't have enough to pay for that silly name for long. All hail
North Fork. -- Oz The All Knowing
P.S. You know, his mother should have thrown him away and kept the stork.
Canadian Fruit Cup, you were too sweet and too many calories for me. -- Kansas (Rock
Chalk, Jayhawks!)
Big Lake Groovies, you played us to a draw, and you are one sister I would never take
the chance of kissing.
Humbug wiped out Database Editot
Blinding Man chomped on Munchkin
You know what they say Groovers, if your manager's brains were dynamite, there
wouldn't be enough to blow his cap off.
-- Oz The All Informative
Health. Humility. Honor. North Fork forever. -- Oz The All Proclaiming
Hell Yeah -- My hand hurts like Hell -- Yeah! Maybe one of my brothers will succeed
where I failed! -- Belisarius
Littel Boy -- I doubt I will be able to have any children now! That longsword was
sharp! -- Tellius
P-Nut Firebeard -- Next time we should make more of a show for the crowd! Still, I won
and you fell asleep! -- Dionexus
A Dlegg -- You have much improved since the last time we fought! -- Armenius
Madcap -- We hope the skills you learned from slaying Crassus were worth it! You are
going to need them! Our brother will be avenged! -- White Wolves
Style Changer -- A downchallenge of 45 points ending in a loss... That's one of the
most pathetic events I have witnessed in years in the arenas. What's you manager's
name again, I can't seem to remember it! heh...I guess I won't anyway. -- La
Guillotine (Weird Alchemy) and Granulo
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
BLINDING MAN viciously butchered NOT SO GENTLEBEN in a 2 minute Dark Arena fight.
ALONE IN THE DARK was murdered by IC ENFORCER in a 3 minute Dark Arena melee.
DAQ was dispatched by AA DESERTER in a 2 minute Dark Arena brawl.
ITDIES was butchered by AA DESERTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
SHEDIES was assassinated by AVATAR OF DARKHEART in a 1 minute Dark Arena match.
DIEDIE was butchered by IC TASKMASTER in a 1 minute gruesome Dark Arena brawl.
HEDIES was assassinated by IC ENFORCER in a 1 minute Dark Arena struggle.
DUD was savagely slain by NOT SO GENTLEBEN in a 3 minute bloody Dark Arena brawl.
JACK B. QUICK savagely defeated ALIISZA in a 2 minute expert's Bloodfeud Title melee.
GRANULO vanquished WHIPPED CREAM in a 1 minute uneven Bloodfeud fight.
DIONEXUS was viciously subdued by MADCAP in a popular 3 minute brutal Bloodfeud fight.
HUMBUG was viciously subdued by WARRIOR WIGHT in a 2 minute veteran's Challenge bout.
MUNCHKIN unbelievably bested FRUIT CUP in a 4 minute master's Challenge conflict.
P-NUT FIREBEARD was viciously subdued by AMIINANY DANGER in a 3 minute Challenge bout.
QUEEN LATIFAH was luckily beaten by BLACK CHAOS in a popular 1 minute Challenge duel.
RETURN OF THE KING viciously subdued SLUSH PUPPY in a 4 minute Challenge fray.
LITTLE VARIOUS was viciously subdued by PARADIGM in a 3 minute gory Challenge brawl.
BELISARIUS was outlasted by MARATHON MAN in a exciting 9 minute Challenge match.
DATABASE EDITOR overpowered FIZBAN in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided match.
BULLY devastated POUTINE in a 3 minute one-sided contest.
STYLE CHANGER savagely defeated VETERAN MERCENARY in a exciting 3 minute gory duel.
A DLEGG handily defeated GALLIENUS in a 1 minute uneven duel.
ACE MERRILL devastated GLADIUS in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
HEADLESS NICK was savagely defeated by VESPASIAN in a action packed 2 minute fight.
ARMENIUS overpowered BRAINS in a 3 minute one-sided duel.
LITTLE BOY overpowered DING DONG in a 1 minute brutal uneven match.
TELLIUS vanquished FEATHER in a 1 minute one-sided fray.
TENTENABULATION handily defeated WHIRLPOOL in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
HAMMERHEAD was vanquished by BRUTUS in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
LEAF overpowered MAXIMILLIAN in a 1 minute uneven duel.
ADDICTION overpowered MAXIMILLIAN in a 1 minute one-sided match.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 12 WALL OF STEEL 41 - 28 - 1 59 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 10 TOTAL PARRY 29 - 26 - 0 53 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 7 PARRY-STRIKE 10 - 10 - 0 50 |
|BASHING ATTACK 6 STRIKING ATTACK 38 - 39 - 4 49 |
|TOTAL PARRY 6 LUNGING ATTACK 50 - 52 - 2 49 |
|WALL OF STEEL 5 AIMED BLOW 17 - 20 - 0 46 |
|AIMED BLOW 2 SLASHING ATTACK 26 - 37 - 2 41 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 2 BASHING ATTACK 25 - 37 - 2 40 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 PARRY-RIPOSTE 5 - 8 - 0 38 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 PARRY-LUNGE 2 - 8 - 0 20 |
Turn 389 was great if you Not so great if you used The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles: the fighting styles: top eleven warriors are:
LUNGING ATTACK 9 - 3 STRIKING ATTACK 3 - 4 2 LUNGING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL 3 - 2 SLASHING ATTACK 4 - 6 2 BASHING ATTACK
AIMED BLOW 1 - 1 BASHING ATTACK 2 - 4 2 STRIKING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 2 - 4 2 WALL OF STEEL
PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 1 AIMED BLOW
PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 2 1 TOTAL PARRY
PARRY-RIPOSTE 0 - 0 1 SLASHING ATTACK
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
BASHING ATTACK GRANULO 8496 19 13 0 107 WEIRD ALCHEMY (480)
TOTAL PARRY MUNCHKIN 8432 19 14 0 102 LAND OF OZ (217)
STRIKING ATTACK DATABASE EDITOR 9079 14 7 2 101 BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
SLASHING ATTACK WHIPPED CREAM 8768 14 12 1 86 FAST FOOD (724)
AIMED BLOW RETURN OF THE KING 9124 7 4 0 66 ROYAL FLUSH (48)
LUNGING ATTACK AMIINANY DANGER 8491 10 7 1 60 DEATHLY HALLOWS (795)
WALL OF STEEL ARMENIUS 9159 8 7 0 48 WHITE WOLVES (832)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is JACK B. QUICK 8246. The most popular warrior this
turn was FRUIT CUP 9024. The ten other most popular fighters were AMIINANY DANGER
8491, BELISARIUS 9302, STYLE CHANGER 9162, MADCAP 9306, JACK B. QUICK 8246, RETURN OF
THE KING 9124, VESPASIAN 4932, POUTINE 8769, PARADIGM 9018, and BULLY 8410.
The least popular fighter this week was ALONE IN THE DARK 9382. The other ten least
popular fighters were MARATHON MAN 9313, SLUSH PUPPY 9023, HAMMERHEAD 9383, WHIRLPOOL
9385, FEATHER 9386, DING DONG 9342, GLADIUS 8873, GALLIENUS 4956, WHIPPED CREAM 8768,
and HEDIES 9377.
The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:
JACK B. QUICK (47-8246) ROYAL FLUSH (48)
DATABASE EDITOR (47-9079) BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:
WARRIOR WIGHT (47-7978) SPECTRAL STEEL (778)
BLINDING MAN (47-8417) BIG LAKE GROOVE (792)
SUMMER FACE-TO-FACE IN ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA
We have planned our summer FTF for July 13-15, 2018, in Arlington, Virginia, only 7
miles on a quick Metro ride from Washington, D.C.!. It will be held at the Holiday
Inn Arlington at Ballston. Room rates are $79 per night on 7/12 and 7/15 and $129 on
7/13 and 7/14, 1-2 occupancy. There's free wireless throughout the property as well
as a fitness center, outdoor pool, and business center, as well as a resturant and bar
inside the hotel. There is no airport shuttle and parking is $7/day. The rooms are
blocked -- ask for the Reality Simulations block. Reservations must be made by 6/12.
(As always if you have issues making reservations, please let us know!)
Hotel site: http://www.hiarlington.com
Look for the tournament info sheet and minioverviews some time in June. We hope
you're all looking forward to it and that we will see you there!
-- RSI
Mission to the Twisted Lands
Episode One
Old Brown could run pretty fast if properly motivated, but mostly he walked with
a long-legged, distance-devouring stride. He was a huge horse, a half-giant's
warhorse, shaggy and self-assured, with muscles like half-buried boulders in his
shoulders and hips. Lounging in the saddle was the motivating force, the half-giant,
Keel Woodhaven. Although in his mind he was slouching and half-asleep, he sat up
straight in the saddle since that is more comfortable for riding.
It was twilight, stars coming out above and lights in farmhouse windows below.
They traveled through vineyards, brown and fallow now in the winter, descending gently
toward the tree-crowded coast. The distant trees, not just pines, were green. They
stayed green because the marsh that surrounded the city-state of Bonsur had hot
springs in it.
Keel Woodhaven had always liked Bonsur. It had a relaxed feel about it, the
women seemed prettier, the music was great, everyone thought about having fun. And
the booze was excellent, of course. He passed the arena at the edge of town, and
paused to read the current statistics, posted on the gate and lit by a lantern. So,
an elven cobbler was the Duelmaster? Why would a shoemaker take up such a painful
profession? Then he noticed the team name: Shewish Picnic. He snorted. That
explained it, all right. As a half-Shew, he was kind of bothered by that team theme,
which was present in Home Guard as well. It was sort of funny though. He saw that
Elf Cobbler was headed for the Isle. Probably not bound for Home Guard just yet,
though.
They passed a small chicken ranch. A rooster uttered an untimely crow. At about
that time, Old Brown took exception to something and bolted. Cussing, Keel hauled on
the reins, to little effect since the horse was stronger than him and apparently
frightened. He didn't see the masked men coming out of their hiding places behind
him, looking frustrated. At least not until a crossbow bolt thunked into the backside
of his leather cuirass. His horse screamed and ran faster.
Hauling Old Brown to the left as they passed a set of big open gates into a well-
lighted courtyard, Keel got them behind the shelter of the high stone wall, and patted
the horse's sweaty neck. "You're okay now, friend. I'll go take care of those
bozos."
As he dismounted, he noticed he was becoming surrounded by uniformed men, some
with swords and some with halberds.
"Howdy?" he said, hoping they were friendly.
"Your horse has been shot," said someone, pointing at a bolt sticking out of Old
Brown's butt.
"Well damn!" Keel laid a comforting hand on the horse's flank, which quivered.
"So have you," the guard continued.
"Yeah, thought so. Doesn't feel like it got through the armor though." Keel
tried to look over his shoulder, but could only see the feathered end of the bolt.
"Who are you guys?"
"We are the Queen's Guard."
"What? Queen Gemra? Okay, please take care of Old Brown here, and I'll go find
the ***holes that shot him."
"Sir, you are mistaken. You will be taken to a doctor. We will arrest the
assailants."
"Hey! I'm on a mission from Sheila Greywand. Anyway, they shot my horse. My
HORSE! I'm gonna get 'em." Unslinging his huge sword, Keel strode toward the gate.
Four Guardsmen came with him, flanking him like the trailing ends of a flock of
geese. They might have intended a different formation, but he had the longest legs
and walked the fastest. The one who'd spoken to him before said, "I'm Corporal Brat
Langerman. And you are?"
"Keel Woodhaven."
"I've heard of you! The Queen will want to meet you."
"That's fine. Let's stick to the sides of these buildings. If they're still
around, we'll be targets in the middle of the street."
They weren't quiet, exactly, since the guards wore highly polished chain mail
which jingled. However, Bonsur had a lively night life. Music and laughter came from
bars and nightclubs on adjacent streets, people lingered on corners chatting and
sometimes playing instruments, and children hawked newssheets, shoeshines, flowers, a
selection of rouges, and offered to carry packages. So the sounds the guards made
weren't too noticeable.
Keel led the way back to the chicken ranch. He was thinking that the bad guys
wouldn't have waited around to be hunted. They might have left clues, though.
Perhaps even a discarded, crumpled note offering a cash reward for his head, and
signed by a notorious crimelord. Or distinctive cigar stubs, monogrammed hankies...
personalized masks. Tracks of boots made by elven cobblers. Anything. Witnesses,
even.
There were no people on the street near the chicken ranch. It was full night
now, a bit chilly although there was a warm and slightly funky breeze from the marsh.
Corporal Brat Langerman said quietly, "Is this where it happened?"
"Yup."
"Well, I don't think they're here anymore."
Keel was about to agree, when a crossbow bolt appeared in the Corporal's arm.
The young man hissed, "Everybody down!"
The guardsmen hunkered against the wall of a hardware store, which didn't offer
anything resembling good cover except that they were in shadow there. Keel crouched a
little, but he knew he was a pretty big target, plus his sword gave off a faint
greenish glow. He looked around, searching the darkness for signs of their foes.
A shadow on top of a shaded walkway across the street shifted a little. Keel
pulled a weighted dart out of his pocket and hurled it. He was good at tavern darts,
but it was dark, the distance was too great, and he just wasn't lucky. The little
missile clattered against the shingles of the porch roof. There was a startled twitch
from the half-seen form. At that instant, Keel lunged across the street. His long
legs carried him across to the opposite shadows in three bounds. More bolts came out
of the darkness, one lodging in his calf, the others missing him altogether.
Now the Guardsmen had a good idea where their foes were, and it takes a while to
reload a crossbow. The four men charged, yelling wildly. Tucking his sword under his
arm, Keel grabbed one of the posts holding up the porch roof, strained, and dislodged
it. After a moment he yanked it out of the structure entirely. The roof sagged,
there was a yelp of surprise, and someone's foot appeared off the edge of it. Keel
grabbed him by the ankle and hauled him the rest of the way down.
There were brief sounds of fighting, then footsteps that rapidly receded down an
alley. Three Guardsmen raced off in pursuit. Keel's prisoner started to try to get
away, so the half-Shew tossed him up, grabbed him by the arms and bashed him against
the wall.
"Are you okay?" asked Brat, sheathing his sword.
"Took one in the leg, but it's not too bad I think," Keel said, shifting his
unconscious prisoner to one hand and bending to pick up his sword.
"I'll help you tie that one up," Brat said. "There's a dead one here. I think
there were two more." He grunted slightly, trying to reach something with his injured
arm. "Got some ties in my right-hand belt pouch. If you could get them for me?"
They bound the prisoner, then bandaged each other.
"What did they want?" asked the Corporal.
Keel shrugged. "No clue. Let's get him somewhere safe and we can ask him..."
He listened. "Your guys are coming back."
"Yeah."
The Guardsmen hadn't been able to track their assailants in the darkness, but at
least there were no further injuries. The group of them returned warily to the
courtyard of the Guard House, where a woman was smearing some kind of ointment on Old
Brown's wound. After the horse was bedded down in the stable, the Guardsmen led Keel
into their office, where there was a welcome scent of fresh coffee. The medic set
about binding Keel's wound and that of the Corporal, who turned out to be an extremely
handsome man. Keel remembered hearing that Queen Gemra required her Guardsmen to be
good looking. That didn't mean they weren't competent, though. Brat had done pretty
well.
The medic roused their prisoner with smelling salts. They all sat in the main
office, Corporal Langerman facing the miscreant, who was seated in a cushioned chair,
looking reasonably comfortable except for his bandaged head. "All right," said Brat.
"Now I want you to tell me that you're going to turn Queen's Evidence."
"Not on your life, pretty boy!" The man had, perhaps, some excuse for hard
feelings since he was more homely than not, with a crooked nose and eyes set too close
together. He and Keel looked shabby and ill-favored amongst all these gleamingly
handsome Guardsmen.
Keel leaned forward. "You guys shot my horse."
"Oh. Sorry, didn't mean to do that. We were just shooting at you."
"Why?"
"Glowing sword."
"What?"
"Duh, it's a magic sword! We saw it when you drew it in Delarq Tor, and figured
we could sell it so we followed you."
The half-Shew snorted. "The Dentless isn't magic. It was in a Chaos Gate for
five hundred years and it picked up some energy, that's all. All it does, is glow.
And cut things."
The bandit looked chagrined. "But... it's got to be magic."
"Ain't. Sorry kid."
After that, Keel was taken to enjoy a sumptuous dinner at the Palace. Queen
Gemra was a definite babe, with long, silken black hair, a delicate pouty face, and
luscious curves. She asked him about his mission, which was to go to the Twisted
Lands and shut down a leaking Chaos Gate. He entertained her with the story of his
adventure on the Two-Shew Express, and she gave him a brown velvet cloak to show her
appreciation. She did not invite him to her bed, which was fine because his heart
belonged to another, always and forever.
* * * * *
This is a continuing adventure.
Watch for future chapters in the Bonsur and Home Guard newsletters!