DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 09/16/2003    Duedate: 10/13/2003

FRATSFA ARENA

DM-52    TURN-183

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SQUASH BUTT
OTTO'S PARTS (150)
(52-3269) [15-12-1,121]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SQUASH BUTT                    SOUTHPOINT
OTTO'S PARTS (150)             OHIO (350)
(52-3269) [15-12-1,121]        (52-3492) [1-0-0,33]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

SINISTER SAINT                 SQUASH BUTT
IRON CATHEDRAL (159)           OTTO'S PARTS (150)
(52-1690) [15-12-1,87]         (52-3269) [15-12-1,121]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. OHIO (350)                  77
2. MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)          35      KING AND COUNTRY (345)
3. OTTO'S PARTS (150)          19      Unchartered Team
4. IRON CATHEDRAL (159)        14
5. THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)     5      OHIO (350)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*OHIO (350)                 5   0  0  100   1/ 0 MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)       11  4 0
 2/ 1*KIWI CONNECTION (337)      2   0  0  100   2/ 2 IRON CATHEDRAL (159)      9  6 0
 3/ 2 KING AND COUNTRY (345)    36  23  0 61.0   3/ 1 OTTO'S PARTS (150)        7  4 2
 4/ 0 MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)        33  22  0 60.0   4/ 0*OHIO (350)                5  0 0
 5- 3*PHOBIC PHENOMS (346)      10  10  1 50.0   5- 3*PHOBIC PHENOMS (346)      5  5 0
 6/ 4 OTTO'S PARTS (150)       198 209 12 48.6   6/ 6*KIWI CONNECTION (337)     2  0 0
 7/ 6 IRON CATHEDRAL (159)     101 114 15 47.0   7/ 5 KING AND COUNTRY (345)    2  9 0
 8/ 0*THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)   0   5  0  0.0   8/ 0*THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)  0  5 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[ Andorians Abroad #14 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Not in Zuwayza:

     The change from the sunlit courtyard to the shuttered interior of the house was
abrupt and extreme enough to blind Tankesh temporarily.  He blinked impatiently,
trying to clear his vision, and blundered after the old man as soon as he could see
vague outlines.  Furniture seemed to leap out and bite him in the shins.  When his
eyes finally adjusted to the shadowed interior of the building, he saw that he was in
a long hallway with arches opening off both sides.  The old man was just disappearing
through one half way down on the left.  Tankesh hurried after him.
     The room was bare and dark, lit only by a single candle, although the
whitewashed walls made it seem brighter than it actually was.  The old man was
kneeling on the floor, which was of tile, white tile with black and red and gold ones
inlaid in a series of concentric circles.  It looked too much like a target for
Tankesh's comfort; he supposed that was just his imagination.  He hoped that's all it
was.  He squinted at the symbols the old man was drawing in some of the rings, but
they meant nothing to him.  Well, he didn't expect they would.  Adie would probably
recognize them, though.  Could he remember enough detail to describe them to here
when he got back?
     The old man stood up cautiously, one hand on the small of his back.  He pointed
with his stick of chalk to a spot in one of the outer rings.  "Stand there, young
man, and ask no questions.  Pay attention and watch for the proper place to get off.
This is simple, but not easy."
     The elf stood where he had been directed and watched the old man take his place
in the center of the circle.  "Proper place to get off?"
     "When the rim of the circle passes through your world," the old man said.
Sliding his sleeves back on arms like withered sticks, he began to chant.
     It was, or it felt like, several minutes before he saw the arch to the hallway
pass in front of him and realized that the circle was rotating.  He glanced down, but
there seemed to be no change in the tiles under his feet.  Back up, as a corner of
the room slid by, quickly followed by the next one.  Definitely rotating, and picking
up speed, too.  "When the rim of the circle passes through my world," he muttered.
"How will I know that, unless there happen to be landmarks in sight?"
     The old man didn't answer.  Tankesh hadn't really expected him to.  The walls
blurred and vanished, to be replaced by a seascape with waves breaking on a beach of
white sand and on rocks farther out.  A wave sliding inward at the end of its course
dampened the toe of one boot.  Pleasant looking, but nothing familiar.  Another blur.
A forest of standing stones lit by bluish light from two moons, both near full, and a
smell of fresh-spilled blood.  A blur.  A true forest, trees like columns reaching
into a green darkness overhead, mist, and a smell of things growing and dying.  It
called to something in his elven heritage, but it was not where he needed to be.  A
blur that seemed to last longer than the others, there was a hesitation and a pulsing
red light half way through it.  Something they weren't going to stop for.  Just as
well, that light looked like it might be fire.  A large vaulted chamber, the image
wavering slightly and indistinct at any distance from his apparent location.  Voices
speaking akhadic.  He tried to step out of the circle, but it was like moving through
cold tar.  The view began to blur, and he forced himself outward, throwing himself to
the floor outside the circle in a dive.
     It seemed to take forever to fall, his motion slowed to the point where he
wasn't even sure he was moving at all.  And then there was a sort of soundless click,
and the floor came up fast and hard, knocking the breath out of him as he hit and
rolled.

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Fratsfa,

It is with a sad and bitter heart that I re-take the Duelmaster's Throne.  While I
would have liked to continue this interesting contest with Squash Butt, I have more
pressing business as an instrument of retribution.  We will miss Clarry....

May downchallengers never prosper.

Meradi

                                      SPY REPORT

     If you were disturbed from your beauty rest only to have to watch a bunch of 
FRATSFA brutes like you, you'd be grouchy, too.  Later days, OTTO'S PARTS, since 
MIDDLE WAY 8 took top team from you this turn, you guys are old news.  I can just 
hear all the boasts coming in OHIO's next personal ads.  Their first turn they went 
5-0-0.  Of all teams I'd ever have any sympathy for, it's the new ones like THEY 
MIGHT BE ORCS, going 0-5-0 on their first turn.  Don't let it get out.  Of course, 
we're all terribly impressed to see SOUTHPOINT win a fight and gain 33 points, 
terribly.  Tsk, tsk, SINISTER SAINT beat COLLAPSED LUNG and COLLAPSED LUNG lost 3 
points.  You're breakin' my heart.  And it's out with the old, in with the new, as 
SQUASH BUTT takes the Title and last week's bar tab from the old Duelmaster.  Heh, 
heh.  The Victory Tavern, humph!  I've tasted better ale at mortuaries.  Where do 
they get this stuff?  From FRATSFA'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?  OTTO'S PARTS 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 KING AND COUNTRY. 
Ha ha ha ha!  Ooh, I'm frightfully impressed, TEMPER was this turn's most challenged 
warrior.  Watch that ego swell, sports fans.   
     Death and Taxes.  The less death I see, the more it taxes my patience.  Let's 
see if anyone's dead or dying.  We're all going to die in the end, so why worry if 
the fate catches up with you sooner that later?   
     I was about to buy a new quill pen the other day, but some fighter took it for 
an epee.  Forgive me for writing with a dagger.  Well, I've had enough of this 
drivel, and I'm sure you have too.  Off like a dirty shirt of padded leather.  Paste 
this one in your scrapbooks, you'll need the kindling come this winter-- Snide 
Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SQUASH BUTT 3269             15  12  1   121       OTTO'S PARTS (150)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-BLOODY NOSE 3175             18  15  1   134       OTTO'S PARTS (150)
 MERADI 3437                  19   4  0    91       KING AND COUNTRY (345)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SINISTER SAINT 1690          15  12  1    87       IRON CATHEDRAL (159)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 COLLAPSED LUNG 3380           5   7  2    55       OTTO'S PARTS (150)
 TEMPER 3373                  10   5  0    48       IRON CATHEDRAL (159)
 RENDOR QUIL 3497              7   4  0    43       MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)
 TEALIN SALI 3496              7   4  0    40       MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LENA KORIL 3495               7   4  0    33       MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)
 CAULIFLOWER EARS 3424         5   5  0    33       OTTO'S PARTS (150)
-THAASOPHOBE 3454              2   2  0    33       PHOBIC PHENOMS (346)
 SOUTHPOINT 3492               1   0  0    33       OHIO (350)
 NEFAN MURH 3499               6   5  0    28       MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)
 POL OLVAN 3498                6   5  0    27       MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)
 MALICE 3447                   4   3  0    26       IRON CATHEDRAL (159)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-PHOBOPHOBE 3452               3   1  1    21       PHOBIC PHENOMS (346)
 MURRAY 3341                   2   0  0    21       KIWI CONNECTION (337)
-BLENNOPHOBE 3470              2   1  0    19       PHOBIC PHENOMS (346)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 STEUBENVILLE 3487             1   0  0    19       OHIO (350)
 FAT FRIAR 3455                3   3  0    12       IRON CATHEDRAL (159)
 VICAR GENERAL 3474            2   1  0    11       IRON CATHEDRAL (159)
 TOLEDO 3482                   1   0  0    11       OHIO (350)
 CLEO 3433                     1   2  0    11       KING AND COUNTRY (345)
 CHARLEY 3444                  0   3  0    10       KING AND COUNTRY (345)
 JAMESTOWN 3491                1   0  0     8       OHIO (350)
 BEXLEY 3486                   1   0  0     6       OHIO (350)
 LEVIATHAN 3506                0   1  0     1       THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)
 TROLL 3505                    0   1  0     1       THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)
 TROGLODYTE 3504               0   1  0     1       THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)
 NEANDERTHAL 3507              0   1  0     1       THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)
 ORCA 3503                     0   1  0     1       THEY MIGHT BE ORCS (352)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
CARDINAL CYN 2556      6  8 0 IRON CATHEDRAL 159    PHOBOPHOBE 3452       180         
CLARRY 3434            8  4 0 KING AND COUNTRY 345  BLOODY NOSE 3175      182         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

King & Country -- I know you are peeved with the challenge to Clarry, but he was the
highest ranked warrior that the DM wasn't already challenging, and 6-4-6 attacking
the legs is hardly a "killer" strat.  But the nose is now at 16 political points, and
will be taking an indefinite leave from arena action. -- Otto's Parts

Meradi -- Consider myself untweaked. -- Squash Butt

Temper -- A year's fine tuning should produce a bout with a more favourable result.
-- Cauliflower Ears (Yes, I like a little cheese with my whine.)

Charley -- Well, it seems I hit you much harder than I thought, or rather that your
brain is in some strange location.  Could it be in your right arm?  Perhaps your
abdominal region?  It must be one of the two as I only hit you in those areas, twice
each.... -- Malice

Crip -- It is difficult to fathom what would possess you to allow your warrior to
make such a pitiful down challenge!  You should be ashamed.  Know that the gesture
cuts me deeply, from one manager to another.  It is like you have decided that,
rather than allowing your warriors to compete with mine, you are willing to let them
steal wins like common thieves.  Prepare for a very long bloodfeud. -- Generalissimo
Puerco

Ko Tenne -- Chanla fared better than Clarry, it seems.... -- Generalissimo Puerco

For our last farewells--

Thaasophobe -- Think of that win as my going-away gift to you. -- Ringan
P.S.  Or as a sign of my basic mediocrity, of course.

Cleo -- A bold challenge.  I would have visited you in the Infirmary as a not-so-
secret friend, but I had to rush off to Miroi T'Chi-Chang, where I won't know
ANYBODY.  Darn. -- Lesinj, already homesick

Charley -- Should I plume myself on the defeat of a warrior with only one fight to my
five?  I don't think so.... -- Lenj d'Len

Phobophobe -- You have nothing to fear but fear itself.  You certainly don't have ME
to fear. -- S'jonsin the unfearsome

Kalkin -- Re triple fifteens, I have heard people say they tend to be cursed, but my
own warriors tend to be so seriously cursed by the lack of management attention that
I really couldn't speak to that from direct experience.  I will say that it is my
feeling and experience that a lot of the so-called "curses" that I've heard of tend
to be superstition based on too small a pool of data.  And that the "numbers
consciousness" resulting from the wide dissemination of the researches of such people
as Pagan has tended to do as much harm as good, since there is a chance factor in
many situations (not a "curse" or a "blessing" but just chance) that young number-
crunchers forget or don't know to allow for.  And, of course, my underlying belief
that the ability of the manager is THE most important factor in a warrior's success
or lack of it. -- Ko Tenne, Sand Dancers, now probably Leeta, Middle Way
P.S.  You should get a couple of newsletters free after going inactive, but if
something comes up on the trip-15 issue after that, and you haven't returned to
active play, I'll see about getting a copy to you.  Heck, I might even research it
myself among my pool of graduated warriors; there are bound to be a bunch of trip-15s
among 'em.

19 August 2003
     Citizens of Ghea (only the ignorant fail to note Lirith Kai is not in Alastari),
no new day is rising, but the sun is setting on just another beautiful evening.
While you were sleeping, an irksome rabble has entered the always fair Aruak City.
Of course they fought alongside our warriors, most not so treasured, as all
gladiators do.  They drank with themselves, and slept with themselves.  Whether they
had masks, who cares.
     Warriors, don't be afraid.  For years Aruak has been one of the safest cities in
Ghea, and that custom has been continually cultivated, and will continue to be by
those who have called it home for years and those who live, fight, and die by the
same ethics.  There is no contest, nor has there ever needed to be one for many
years.  A conflict of personalities has arisen, and the city has been 'invaded' by
pests.
     Any rules that are annouced will be purely for the joy of the lemmings' own
little world.  Those who are being targeted have no interest in participating except
to defend the integrity of an arena that is different from others.  Whether you
choose to come to Aruak, do it for your own reasons, not theirs.
    Competing in Aruak City has never been for the faint of heart or the weak willed.
Combat is combat, wherever you go.  Blood will flow as always, and now many innocents
will be caught in the middle, but those who defend Aruak's traditions never target
those who bring respect of Aruaki customs with them to our home.
    So ignore the private ranting announcement brought by the stuporous
Frothingsloshers.  If you choose Aruak City, do not choose it for an unsanctioned and
bogus 'contest', choose it for the tradition.  Choose it because Aruak is different.

Defenders of Aruak

25 August 2003
To any that care -- The CDC is back; our current roster is:
     Malaquar -- Minion of Guardian
     Pip the Troll -- Burly Enforcer Type
     mouse -- Official Sneaky Bastard
     Papa Bear -- Elder Statesmen
                     The Sealer says, "Hi, I'm the dealer."
                     Papa Bear says, "It's not my f****n fault."
Guardian -- Paper Figurehead

9 September 2003
WE'RE LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD MANAGERS!  If you think you have what it takes to match
wits and blades with some of the best managers in Alastari, then WE WANT YOU!  The
Tournament Of The Golden Scrod #4 will begin in Aradi (DM 60) the turn after the Fall
Mail-In.  It's not too late for you to sign up.  I realize that many of you may be
hesitant after seeing that myself and Hombre have teamed up again, but we'll try to
take it easy on you guys a little bit.  For more information on T#%S IV, please
contact me at ganolus@aol.com.  We're looking for a few good managers...the few, the
proud, the TOGS!

-- Ganolus Oakleaf, T#%S IV Commish

15 September 2003
An Announcement Concerning the Brotherhood of the Blade Alliance:
     I have chosen to withdraw my membership from the Brotherhood of the Blade
alliance.  The years I have spent in the alliance have been the best of my DM career.
I leave the alliance with many great friends and will always remain close to my
former brethren.
     The Brotherhood of the Blade will not skip a beat without my membership.  It
remains in very capable hands and its roster is among the strongest in the game.
With the return on some of its founding members to DM, I know the BOB will continue
to grow in strength and prestige in the years to come. -- The Sandman

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

CAULIFLOWER EARS was unbelievably bested by TEMPER in a 3 minute Challenge fight.
MERADI was demolished by SQUASH BUTT in a popular 4 minute one-sided Title melee.
SINISTER SAINT devastated COLLAPSED LUNG in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
TEALIN SALI narrowly defeated MALICE in a 2 minute bloody match.
LENA KORIL viciously subdued CHARLEY in a 3 minute gory duel.
RENDOR QUIL bested THE HONEST MERCHANT in a 2 minute match.
NEFAN MURH devastated CLEO in a 1 minute one-sided competition.
POL OLVAN overcame FAT FRIAR in a action packed 4 minute melee.
VICAR GENERAL viciously subdued TROGLODYTE in a action packed 3 minute novice's duel.
MURRAY defeated ORCA in a 1 minute novice's fight.
SOUTHPOINT handily defeated POLITE BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
STEUBENVILLE demolished POLITE BEGGAR in a 1 minute mismatched match.
TOLEDO handily defeated NEANDERTHAL in a 2 minute brutal one-sided contest.
JAMESTOWN slimly won victory over LEVIATHAN in a 3 minute amateur's bout.
BEXLEY viciously subdued TROLL in a action packed 3 minute gruesome amateur's bout.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   6         BASHING ATTACK    14 -   6 -  1      70  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         PARRY-STRIKE      19 -  10 -  0      66  |
|AIMED BLOW                       4         WALL OF STEEL     12 -   8 -  3      60  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         LUNGING ATTACK    22 -  20 -  2      52  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     3         TOTAL PARRY       13 -  13 -  0      50  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         SLASHING ATTACK    9 -   9 -  1      50  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         AIMED BLOW         6 -   7 -  1      46  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         STRIKING ATTACK   10 -  13 -  1      43  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      6 -   9 -  0      40  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        4 -   6 -  1      40  |

Turn 183 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
PARRY-STRIKE     SQUASH BUTT 3269           15  12  1  121 OTTO'S PARTS (150)
STRIKING ATTACK  SINISTER SAINT 1690        15  12  1   87 IRON CATHEDRAL (159)
TOTAL PARRY      TEMPER 3373                10   5  0   48 IRON CATHEDRAL (159)
BASHING ATTACK   RENDOR QUIL 3497            7   4  0   43 MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    TEALIN SALI 3496            7   4  0   40 MIDDLE WAY 8 (351)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is SINISTER SAINT 1690.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was SQUASH BUTT 3269.  The ten other most popular fighters were LEVIATHAN 3506, 
VICAR GENERAL 3474, CAULIFLOWER EARS 3424, TROLL 3505, POL OLVAN 3498, JAMESTOWN 
3491, LENA KORIL 3495, RENDOR QUIL 3497, TOLEDO 3482, and BEXLEY 3486.

The least popular fighter this week was ORCA 3503.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were CLEO 3433, COLLAPSED LUNG 3380, NEANDERTHAL 3507, STEUBENVILLE 3487, 
CHARLEY 3444, TROGLODYTE 3504, SINISTER SAINT 1690, MERADI 3437, TEMPER 3373, and 
SOUTHPOINT 3492.

                 FACE-TO-FACE TOURNEY XXXI

GATEWAY TOURNEY                        W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
SIROCCO 1789 (93-75-0)                 2  3  0         ELEMENTAL FORCE      

ADM TOURNEY                            W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
SHAFT 3348 (9-3-1)                     1  3  0         PIMPS                

FRESHMEN TOURNEY                       W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
BRAIN TUMOR 2584 (31-16-0)             4  3  0         OTTO'S PARTS         

CHAMPIONS TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
UNKNOWN QUANTITY 2133 (5-6-0)          1  3  0         CAUSE AND PURPOSE    
BLOODY NOSE 3175 (17-15-0)             0  3  0         OTTO'S PARTS         

APPRENTICES TOURNEY                    W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
CAULIFLOWER EARS 3424 (4-3-0)          7  3  1         OTTO'S PARTS         

                                FACE-TO-FACE XXXII

     Our next Winter Face-to-Face will be held on Martin Luther King weekend, Friday 
through Sunday, 16-18 January 2004, at the Embassy Suites in Tempe, Arizona (4400 S 
Rural Rd).  Room rates are $119.00 per night, 1-2 occupancy, which includes breakfast.  
The rooms are blocked.  The reservations number is 480-897-7444; tell them you're with 
the "Reality Simulations Face to Face Convention" block.  Our room block will be 
released in mid-December, so please make sure you reserve your room before then.
     There is a free shuttle to the airport, as well as free parking.  The hotel is 
located down the freeway in Tempe.  All rooms have high speed internet (for an extra 
charge).  There is a fitness center, jacuzzi, and pool, and of course a bar and 
restaurant inside the hotel.  And there's Denny's right across the street.  Look for 
transportation info in the tournament information sheet.
     The tournament information sheet/strategy sheet should be out sometime in late 
November/early December. 
     If you haven't been to a Face-to-Face before, you're overdue.  If you have, 
you'll be back.  Don't miss this one, it'll be a blast!  See you there! 

                                          -- Green Eyes and the RSI Staff