DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 06/03/2005    Duedate: 06/30/2005

TROCAR ARENA

DM-54    TURN-195

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

RON WEASLEY
GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)
(54-2872) [22-10-0,124]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

NO-STICK TAPE                  WICKED SLICE
USELESS TOOLS (219)            STEEL REIGN (309)
(54-2541) [16-4-2,131]         (54-2876) [3-1-0,41]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

BATTLEBLADE                    RON WEASLEY
EYE OF THE STORM (221)         GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)
(54-2071) [10-5-0,102]         (54-2872) [22-10-0,124]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

STEEL REIGN (309)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. SPARF! (310)                75
2. STEEL REIGN (309)           39      USELESS TOOLS (219)
3. MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)      38      Unchartered Team
4. EYE OF THE STORM (221)      32
5. JANIX (298)                 28      STEEL REIGN (309)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*STEEL REIGN (309)         11   5  2 68.8   1/ 0*STEEL REIGN (309)        10  3 2
 2/ 3 USELESS TOOLS (219)      180  83  6 68.4   2/ 2*SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZ (299) 10  5 0
 3/ 1*SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZ (299)  10   5  0 66.7   3/ 3*HOLD THAT TIGER (300)     9  6 0
 4/ 2*HOLD THAT TIGER (300)      9   6  0 60.0   4/ 9*CARESS OF STEEL (301)     8  6 0
 5/ 0 GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)  121  88  6 57.9   5/ 7 MILLENIUM METAL (304)     7  3 0
 6/ 9*CARESS OF STEEL (301)      8   6  0 57.1   6/ 5*OF WOLF AND MAN (296)     7  8 1
 7/ 0 SPARF! (310)              55  42  3 56.7   7/ 1 USELESS TOOLS (219)       6  2 0
 8/ 8*OF WOLF AND MAN (296)     11   9  1 55.0   8/ 0 GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)   6  5 0
 9/ 5 EYE OF THE STORM (221)    41  36  5 53.2   9/ 4 TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)   6  8 0
10- 6 DARK PENTAGRAM (305)      23  22  1 51.1  10/12*JANIX (298)               6  9 0
11/ 7 TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)  158 155  6 50.5  11/ 6*SEA DOGS (294)            6  9 0
12/11*MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)     5   5  0 50.0  12/13*MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)    5  5 0
13/10 MILLENIUM METAL (304)     53  75  4 41.4  13/10 THE ABYSMALS (270)        5 10 2
14/ 4*SEA DOGS (294)             6   9  0 40.0  14/ 0 SPARF! (310)              4  1 0
15/ 0*LEAKY TEEPEE (307)         2   3  0 40.0  15/ 8 EYE OF THE STORM (221)    4  6 0
16/12 THE ABYSMALS (270)        31  50  6 38.3  16-11 DARK PENTAGRAM (305)      3  1 0
17/13*JANIX (298)                6  12  0 33.3  17/ 0*LEAKY TEEPEE (307)        2  3 0
18/ 0*POMPOUS PALADINS (277)    13  27  2 32.5  18/15*BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)     2  5 0

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
19/15*BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)      2   8  0 20.0  19/ 0*POMPOUS PALADINS (277)    1  4 0
20-14*OFF THE WALL II (303)      1   4  0 20.0  20-14*OFF THE WALL II (303)     1  4 0

    '*'   Unchartered team                       '-'  Team did not fight this turn
   (###)  Avoid teams by their Team Id          ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

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

                                SLAUGHTER'S CHALLENGE

     Friends and foes, and friendly foes....  We have gathered here in Trocar to
honor the memory of, and mourn the loss of, an honored member of the Duelmasters/
Duel2 community.  Those of you who participated in the various forums surrounding our
duels are more than familiar with the man we knew as Abarsis, The Slaughter Priest.
He was a man who would discuss this pastime with you, offer advice to others
regarding it, and who had a glaringly apparent warmth and compassion about him.  With
a few words he could make you laugh and with even fewer words he made you know that
he was someone that you could count on if you needed him.  I had the privilege of
knowing him as an alliance-mate and blood-brother in the Vendetta Cartel's Griswold
Family, which was headed by "the Exalted Clark" Doc Mabuse, a captain under Master
Darque (head of the Vendetta Cartel).  He, in fact, was my sponsor into this alliance
and for that I thank him, for this alone has helped in my enjoyment of our fine
fellowship of DM/D2!
     You may not have known Richard Walter Hammes, the real man behind Abarsis,
though.  He was a man who began playing Duelmasters back in the mid-80s, while
serving time as a reactor operator/engineer on a fast attack submarine in the United
States Navy, along with an early legend of the game, Ghengis Jhan.  He was named for
his grandfathers, both Richard and William, who must have been very proud of him!  He
spent time away from the game but it lured him back in, as it has for many of us
recently, and we got to know him much better, in this new electronic age, from his
prolific posting to the various forums.  Though there are many things we have
recently learned about Rich, regardless of what anyone read between the lines, the
most important thing we learned was that he never let life destroy his will and
generosity.  He loved to read at the library, he often spent time at the local ice
cream parlor ensuring the owner's wife was safe as she worked alone at times, and it
seems he very simply loved to interact with the people of his community, and they
loved to talk with him.  He lost his life and a mindless, senseless act of violence
while watching the counter at his friend's party store so the owner could go home and
tend to his son who had taken ill that night.  There is no reason yet as to why but
perhaps we can all find our own reason why in what we learned about him.
     He was a treasured member of his neighborhood and he was very well liked and
admired...and I imagine, especially by seeing the memorial and candles held in vigil
for his soul, he is dearly missed in that very same community that will likely carry
on his memory within each of them.  It has been said that death is the state in which
we no longer exist in this world save for in the memories of those we knew.  I know
Richard Hammes, Abarsis, will live on in this world through me and others for many
years to come.  R.I.P., my dear friend!
     We have come to participate in this contest that Rich had hoped to run someday.
He cannot do so, instead we will!  I am honored to be able to bring it to fruition
and I am pleased that through the generosity of those who have come to join me Rich
may do one more, perhaps final, good act for his community in San Diego!

The Rules:

     There are no challenges, avoids, bloodfeuds, or tourneys allowed and only one
single use of the Dark Arena is allowed after the contest begins.  To help eliminate
any interference, I am going to allow avoids of non-contest teams in case they are
there to manipulate and affect the winner of the contest.  Win or lose, the Dark
Arena is allowed only once, so if you want your warrior dead be sure and throw the
fight!
     The contest will last for 12 turns.  May I point out that if you use your Dark
Arena fight you will get either 2 points, for winning, or -2, for losing, and ALL
fights count in the scoring.  It does not matter if you fight a non-contest warrior
or a stand-in; they still count as much as fighting a contest warrior.  This will be
a test of basic strategy with a touch of luck added in as well.
     If anyone should break the no tourney rule they will lose 5 points for each
warrior entered and those warriors, and any subsequent warriors who replace them in
death, cannot score points!  The one exception is the dead tourney.  Should you wish
you may enter your warriors in dead tourneys, since they are not a member of your
team, or even the living, at the time.  The warrior may even return to the contest,
or enter if it is an OLD warrior, if a natural opening can be found for it, or you
choose to use your Dark Arena fight to make that opening (if you still have that
option left).  Break the no DA, challenge, or avoid rules (except avoids of non-
contest teams) and you will be DQ'd as soon as the transgression is discovered.  To
keep the contest playing field as level as possible, we will have no messing with
these rules.  Of course you may DA the one time, just as a clarification, but the
second time gets you DQ'd.  This also counts if it is found you bring a second team
in for the purpose of making challenges.  You can bring a second team, just don't
think they can challenge to give you an advantage.  This means DQ to your contest
team.

Scoring is as follows:
1 point for winning
1 point for killing (giving 2 in total, 1 for the win and 1 for the kill)
1 point for at least one of your warriors writing a personal (regardless of number of
     personals beyond one you still only get one point).  Make sure it is written
     from one of your team's warriors and not simply the manager entity or you will
     not get the point.
-1 point for losing
-1 point for being killed (giving -2 in total, -1 for losing and -1 for being killed)
-5 points and the loss of that warriors slot for scoring the remainder of the contest
     for entering a warrior into a REGULAR tourney (again the DEAD tourney is open)

The Prizes:
1st place - +1 bonus to one warrior on the team, 1 resurrection potion, and 1
     favorite knowledge
2nd place - +1 bonus for one warrior, 1 favorites knowledge
3rd place - +1 bonus for one warrior

Iron Manager Award - Run 54 of the possible 60 fights and get a +1 bonus potion

     The bonus potions and favorites knowledge must be used on warriors with 5 FE or
more and MUST be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest.  The resurrection
potion must be used within 6 months of the end of the contest, my thanks to Lee for
this, but may be used on any warrior regardless of FE.  ALL prizes must be used on
the contest team, they are NOT transferable to another team!
     We are not sure, YET, which Consortium manager will show up here but they have
all combined to purchase rights to 12 teams that will be awarded to managers as
follows:

THE CONSORTIUM PRIZE PACK:

     4 RUs will be awarded to the top scoring team from turns 1-5 (tie break is
highest scoring most recent round; turn 5, turn 4, etc.)
     4 RUs to go to the highest scoring team from rounds 6-10.  (Same tie break as
turns 1-5.  And this means most points accumulated between turns 6-10 not the leader
of the contest at the end of turn 10.)
     4 RUs go to the team who scores the most kills (most recent kill will break the
tie).

The current roster of managers and teams:

HAMMER:             MEMORIAL HAMMERZ
THE CONSORTIUM(?):  HOLD THAT TIGER (our best guess as to the team)
STIK:               STEEL REIGN
TRIPWIRE:           OF WOLF AND MAN
SHAMAN:             LEAKY TEE PEE
MANNEQUIN:          SNOTMAN'S PETTING ZOO
SENSEI JAN:         BATTLE BEASTS
ONE-ARMED BANDIT:   SEA DOGS
RILLION:            GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2
MAXIMILLIAN:        CARESS OF STEEL
FIREHAWK:           POMPOUS PALADINS
CRIP:               SPARF!
STREET LEGAL:       MILLENIUM METAL

     This is not a final list as there are a few days left to get the entries in; it
should be close to final by print date though, but this is how it stands as of now!
     My many thanks to all who sent their condolences for, and felt the loss of,
Richard Hammes!  I have sent a consolidated message to his brother of our gratitude
of knowing Rich and our deep felt sense of loss at his passing all too soon!
     You can track the scoring race on the Duel2 site and I have created a yahoo
group, http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/slaughters_challenge/ , where I hope to
place early newsletters for the eager and impatient. ;-)

Thank you all,

Jeff Bura (a.k.a. Street Legal)
triumph1971@hotmail.com

             + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ A Darque Tale #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Trocar:

     "Trocar lies that way," Raigavor said.  "We can talk in comfort in my tower."
Again the teeth were bared; Darque was almost certain that it was meant as a smile
this time.
     "On your own ground, which has been prepared by you and steeped in your own
power?  I think not."
     "I maintain spells against unauthorized entry and attacks from without, but I
shall shut down the spells that prevent unauthorized departure."  When Darque did not
answer immediately, Raigavor added, "You hold the sigil.  If I kill you, it is lost,
and I cannot take it from you by force while you live.  At this time, anyway.  You
are safe enough."
     Darque sneered within his own mind.  Such a taunt might move a human to almost
any foolishness, but he was demon born.  He knew that there was no safety but what he
carved for himself, and he did not care what a human thought of his courage.  Still,
what he said about the sigil was true enough, and he seemed desperate enough to get
it that he probably could be trusted.  For now.  The half-demon nodded.  "Very well.
Let us go there."
     Raigavor had a carpet for transport.  Darque hadn't seen a flying carpet in
years.  Most mages considered it a toy for dilettantes.  But perhaps that very
simplicity was a strength now; it might be easier to keep a carpet flying properly
than most transportation spells; he knew that teleportation, for one, had achieved a
state of deep unreliability.  And this was an obedient carpet, for now, and of a
pleasing pattern and color.  He shrugged and stepped onto it; his two dwarven guards
followed and sat where the Red Wizard directed them to.
     Their course was eastward across the necropolis to the cliff that bordered the
valley of the Selwin River.  When they were high enough to give a broad view of the
landscape, Darque fixed the location of the necropolis in his mind.  You never knew
when you might need a graveyard for spell components and suitable locations, and one
so rich in years and powers, and yet unattended by guardians, was worth remembering.
He grabbed quickly at the sigil as it attempted to get away while his attention was
divided.
     Below the long line of the cliff, the Selwin glittered blue in the sunlight.
Metallic blue, and the lake was almost purple.  Darque glanced up quickly.  Water
reflected the color of the sky, so where had these colors come from?  The sky was
gray, typical of a winter day on the Rirorni Plains, but there was an iridescent
shimmer that came and went.  Some kind of magical effect, Darque realized.  Damned
odd.  If he didn't have to pay attention to the sigil, he would investigate it simply
to find out what was causing it and what it could be used for.
     From the front of the carpet, Raigavor said, "It's part of the current
instability of the Arcanum.  And the Materium as well."  This time when he bared his
teeth there was no suggestion that it might be a smile.  "It's that witch on the
Isle, meddling.  May the Hounds of Nurgol eat her soul!"  The carpet began to slant
downward toward a small island at the head of the lake and what was unmistakably a
wizard's tower.
     Darque didn't respond to Raigavor's outburst, but he noted it.  A mage who
became angry was a mage who was vulnerable.  It was worth knowing that there were
things that could stir this one to...irritation, at least.  He wasn't sure that the
Red Wizard was actually angry with the Greywand, but he seemed a man of fiery temper
who could be goaded to it if such should be necessary.
     He was not worried about Sheila Greywand.  True, the witch was powerful.  So
what?  He had destroyed powerful magicians before and would again, if he felt like
it.  She was vulnerable, too--she lacked judgment.  He sneered mentally.  She might
have been formidable...three thousand years ago.  Humans were weakened by age,
though, unlike demons who simply grew stronger.  And she was female.  There were
reasons why one saw so few female master-mages.
     The carpet flopped down onto the flat roof of the tower, interrupting Darque's
thoughts.  He tightened his mental grip on the sigil again.
     Raigavor snapped his fingers and part of the floor dissolved, revealing a
staircase spiraling downward.  "My sanctum is below."
     "But we could talk equally well here on the roof," Darque countered.
     Raigavor glanced up at the sky, which was quivering with iridescence.  "My
sanctum is private."
     Darque frowned and studied the sky himself.  Now that the topic was opened,
there was something strange about that shimmer, something more than the disturbance
of the Arcanum.  He didn't like being spied on, and he began to probe for the
identifying characteristics.
     "Priests of Mytori," Raigavor said.  "You may not have encountered them near
Chimlevtal, but we're bothered by them a lot down this way.  Nosy and malicious, but
they won't come here to my island."
     "I have never heard that they report to the Greywand."
     "They don't.  They've got their own ox to roast, but they'll use a fire someone
else has started."  Raigavor stepped down into the stairwell.
     With a final glance at the sky, Master Darque followed him.  A master mage
learned not to engage in needless combat--that kind of thing was the province of the
young and insecure.  He would save his strength for the battles that would make a
difference.  Such as with this Raigavor the Unholy, if it came to that point.
     The sanctum was on the first level below the roof, and it was luxurious.  Money
had been spent freely on the furnishings and the decor.  The only signs that a
magician worked here were the heavy glass-fronted bookcases (all with obvious locks),
and a complex circle-and-star pattern inlaid into the floor, now partly covered by a
rug similar to the flying carpet in pattern and color.
     "Tell me what you know of this sigil," Darque said, "and tell me why you want
it."
     "It's the key to a certain class of Gates," Raigavor said, "and I want it
because I'm a Red Wizard."
     "What does the Nai Shang Academy have to do with it?" Darque asked.
     Raigavor frowned.  "You really don't know?"
     "I know somewhat about the Academy, and it has not, to my knowledge, had much
interest in Gates."
     "Amazing," Raigavor murmured, "you really don't understand, and yet you knew
enough to seize the sigil...."  He shook himself and sighed.  "Some things you will
need to know.  First, that a Red Wizard may become a Nai Shang--it's a good disguise.
But one must be BORN a Red Wizard.  And we are not a numerous people, especially in
this world."
     "In this world," Darque repeated.  Many things were beginning to come into
focus.  "That's why you need the sigil, is it?  To go home."
     "Yes.  I had thought you a demon-lord native to that world, but now...?"
     "I may not be native to that world," Darque said, "but I will be a Demon Lord
there.  How is the sigil to be used?"
     "From Xochithlan."  Raigavor gestured toward one wall of his chamber.  "Trocar
has no points of direct contact, which would make for an easy Gate--we don't want to
arrive with half our powers exhausted."
     Darque nodded.  That made sense.  "So, there are points of 'direct contact' in
Xochithlan?  Good.  I had been going there anyway, to consult the royal library about
the sigil."
     "An excellent choice," Raigavor said.  Darque looked at him closely, but the
man--the Red Wizard--did not seem to be mocking him.  "We can reach there quickly
through the Spirit Land--"
     "Ah, no.  That route is closed now.  I spoke to some...creatures in the Spirit
Land who were very firm on the subject, even after I demonstrated my ability to
compel them.  Apparently there has been some kind of structural damage."  He
shrugged.  No need to admit that he was partly responsible for that damage, and he
wasn't sure that he was to blame anyway.  "What other methods of travel are there?"
     Raigavor sighed.  "I was afraid of that.  The Guardians have been getting more
restive and hostile for some time.  It leaves us with nothing but mundane options, as
my carpet is unreliable over such a distance."
     "Horses."  Darque pursed his lips as though to spit.  "I hate riding horses."

            + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Black Sword #1 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Near Jhans:

     Barudai was not in a position to look across the river at Jhans.  He was on the
other side of the hill, and near the bottom.  He did not want to see Jhans, and even
more, he did not want anybody from Jhans to see him.  The Rirorni considered himself
a scout, but he knew that many people--from Jhans--might well call him a spy.  And
nobody like spies much.  They probably wouldn't believe him if he said that his...
scouting had no object that was hostile to Jhans.  He wouldn't have believed it in
their place, even though he knew that this time it was the truth.  In fact, if he got
his information back to the gathering of shamans near Rocanis in time for them to
act, his mission would be of great benefit to Jhans and all southern Alastari.
     That prospect was not as comforting as he had hoped.  He still had to get back
to Rocanis, after all, and the renegade's men were hunting him.
     He studied as much of the sky as he could see from his shelter under an
overhanging rock.  Definitely a storm coming, and not a little one, either.  This
would be the kind of storm that menaced the life of anyone fool enough to be out in
it.  Hail like fists.  Floods of rain.  Lightning like the end of the world.  He
tried to back farther into his inadequate shelter, but his horse was behind him--not
a foolish beast!--pressed against the slanting stone.  Still, when he wasn't moving,
he was leaving no tracks, and the renegade's men would have to take shelter somewhere
also--or die under the flail of the storm.
     The clouds covered the sky, blocking stars and moon, but lightning shredded the
darkness.  The rain held off.  To Barudai, that meant that when the waters finally
came, they would be devastating.  Every little fold of the plain would be a roaring
stream.  Flat lands would be lakes.  Travel would be impossible, tonight and for days
to come.
     The last was an uneasy thought.  The renegade's men could have magical aids;
there were shamans in his camp, too.  He had glimpsed a feather cloak in one tent,
and that meant flying.  A man could fly above the waters.  Where as he, Barudai, had
only his own two feet, and his horse.
     Movement caught his eye, and he stared out anxiously.  If one of the renegade's
assassins found him here--  His sword was in his hand as he searched for an attacker.
     There!
     Wheeling below the clouds, dodging the lightning, bird-shaped but without a
bird's grace.  Impossible to judge size against the sky, but he thought it was too
big for any mortal bird.  Trust the renegade to inspire men to dare even such a
storm!  The flying figure circled again and aimed toward the hill, that much Barudai
could see.  And it was getting larger, which meant lower.
     The clouds burst like a ruptured waterskin, cutting visibility to nothing.  Even
a true bird would have trouble flying in that...wouldn't it?  Yes, of course.  There
was as much water as air in the sky now, it was hard to breathe.  Flying must be
impossible.  If the flyer crashed to the ground, all would be well.  But if it
managed to land....
     He stared at the blind wall of falling water.  Sometimes it turned bright white
with lightning, other times it was black.  Nothing was visible beyond it.  Nothing to
do but wait.  He hated waiting.
     The ground trembled under his feet, and his horse screamed, barely audible over
the storm.  The animal's warmth was gone from behind him, replaced by a cold wind.
     Turning slowly, shaking with cold and fear, Barudai stared into a tunnel where
there had been solid rock before.  It was not completely dark, though the light was
faint, without color or visible source.  Unfamiliar symbols crawled on walls as
smooth as glass, colored purple, and poison green, and red as blood.
     In the depth of the tunnel, shadows moved.

Rocanis:

     It was a clear day when they stepped through the Gate, unusual for this early in
the spring.  Ghost Dancer sat down immediately and began to rummage in his pack for
food and drink.
     "Leave it," Wolf said.  "We'll eat in Rocanis, and we may need our travel-fare
later."
     Ghost Dancer considered protesting that he was hungry NOW and could always buy
more jerked meat and dried fruit down in Rocanis, but the old shaman didn't look like
a man prepared to tolerate argument right now.  Wolf didn't look like a man prepared
to yield to the needs of the flesh for any reason right now.  Didn't HE ever get
hungry and thirsty?  Ghost Dancer sighed and closed his pack, stood, and followed the
old man down the trail toward Rocanis.
     Although it was hard to believe Wolf was old, even with his white hair.  The
shaman was setting a hard pace, and he seemed as tireless as the wind.  It made Ghost
Dancer aware that he had become somewhat soft while living on the Isle.  True, he had
sparred every day, and with warriors better than he was, but this kind of endurance
test had not been part of his life in years.  It was the boast of the Maengedai that
when raiding, they could go forty or fifty miles a day on their own feet.  He
couldn't do that today.  Still, the man--or demon--that they were pursuing couldn't
be up for such a long run, either.  And he (Master Darque) was barred from using the
Spirit Land as a shortcut just as Wolf and himself now were.
     They walked in silence for several minutes, picking a careful way down the slope
from Spirit Ridge.  Ghost Dancer studied the town below, a frown taking shape on his
face.  "Aren't there a lot more tents than usual down there?"
     "Yes."  Wolf's voice was hard, angry.  "And more of them than should be are
flying shaman's ribbons."
     "A council?"  There hadn't been a shaman's council for ten, maybe fifteen years,
maybe twenty.  Not since sometime around the Rirorni War.  It took something dire to
draw shamans from all the tribes into a meeting; without the use of the Spirit Land,
some of them would have to travel for months to get back to their tribes.  "What
could have spawned this?"
     "Something bad."  Wolf snorted.  "Something that anyone who paid attention would
have KNOWN was coming, but most of them would rather hide their heads under their
blankets and hope it would go away."
     Knowing his tutor, Ghost Dancer figured this meant that Wolf had warned them of
some impending danger and been ignored.  He searched his own memory.  If Wolf had
mentioned a danger to him, and he'd forgotten about it...but he couldn't recall any
such warning.  "What is the danger?"
     "Have you heard of the Black Swords of Mytori?"
     "Just a bare mention," Ghost Dancer admitted.  "Not even the legends have
anything about them."  He considered what he knew of the cult of Mytori Iron-Hand and
winced.  Any sword "blessed" by Mytori would be very bad news indeed.  "What about
your pursuit of Master Darque and the sigil?"
     The old shaman's hands clenched and unclenched.  When he answered, it sounded
like he was talking through teeth that were also clenched.  "It will have to wait.  I
swore an oath to serve the Maengedai, and I cannot in good conscience ignore the
danger of a Black Sword."

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

                         ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 522): SNAG of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 407): YOBER of OF WOLF AND MAN 6 (Tripwire, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 527): NOT HOYLE of GAMES LIBRARY (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 523): SOGNATORE of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 522): POSITION IS EMPTY
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 526): COOKIE FOR THE SOUL of HOLE IN THE WALL (The Muffin Man)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 524): MAJOR ANGER of WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 518): THE UPRIGHT MAN of ALASTARIAN IDOL (Assurnasirbanipal)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 510): QUINTAL of PENTARCHIE-18 (The Pentalque, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 509): DAZEY of GRIM FANDANGO (Stik, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 483): BENANDANTI of HELTER SKELTER (Cosmo, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 473): DARK TYPHLOSION of FIRE DECK (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 208): MAELSTROM FURY of THE MYRMIDON (Noachian, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 460): MIYAGI'S MIATA of COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 409): DELANGE of DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 194): MOUSETRAP of USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 182): OOKAZI of IMPROVED ILLUSION (Phantasm, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 358): DIO of MIDGETS (Ganolus Oakleaf, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 160): RYSHER of ORIGINALE BASTARDS ( ! , mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 402): MIMIC BLENNY of BIG MEAN FISH from TALCAMA (Big Wave
                             Dave, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 522): LAB EXPERIMENTS (The Mun, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 407): THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 527): GAMES LIBRARY (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 523): THE SHALLOWSHIP (?, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 522): EVEREST LLP (?, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 526): DARK PANTHEON (Doc Steele, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 524): WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 518): THE FELLOWSHIP (Mithrandir, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 510): none
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 509): GRIM FANDANGO (Stik, mgr.)
 DM  36 JHANS (turn 483): KAMIKAZI (Nemesis, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 473): ARENA FELINES (Garfield, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 208): CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 460): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 409): DARK HORSEMEN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 194): USELESS TOOLS (Crip, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 182): ILL AVENGERS (Knolan, Master Wildstorm, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 358): MIDDLE WAY 10 (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 160): TWISTED SISTERS (Savant, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 402): BLACK PRIMER, etc. (Doc Steele, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 526): CARROT of VEGGIES (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 521): JOHN TYLER of I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 510): QUINTAL of PENTARCHIE-18 (The Pentalque, mgr.)
                (turn 509): SMUNCH of THUNDR + LITENING (Doc Steele, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 509): DAZEY of GRIM FANDANGO (Stik, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOLME (turn 472): RUNABOUT of JINDA-BAN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 160): RYSHER of ORIGINALE BASTARDS ( ! , mgr.)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Welcome all to the Slaughterhouse.  We useless tools will not be entering a contest
requiring skill and knowledge, because, well, we are useless tools.  That, and the
fact that the contest rules are incompatible with this team.  It is a long
established fact that the tools are intermittent in participating at best.  That, and
Crip has been working on getting the team set-up to have three warriors fight as
immortal champions in the same tourney.  May try it for St. Louis, but not sure if
the next turn will run before or after the big event.  Needless to say, I am not one
of those three being considered, for I am the most useless tool.

Mousetrap

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail TROCAR!  Warriors of the arena, prepare to be praised and blamed for your 
deeds.  It seems the training can make the difference, as USELESS TOOLS is pushed out 
of top team by STEEL REIGN, who came from 0th with a 4-1-1 this turn.  Now keep the 
taverns open late tonight, for there are sorrows to drown for EYE OF THE STORM, whose 
2-3-0 this turn dropped them by 7 into 15th.  CARESS OF STEEL stable has parlayed 
this turn's 4-1-0 into a 5 space move up the rankings.  This brings them up to 4th 
place.  Good work, guys!  The OF WOLF AND MAN guild has had a 4-1-1 turn and deserves 
to be watched in the future.  You never know where this kind of thing can lead.  
TROCAR welcomes a new team to our ranks, unofficially of course, for now.  But 
welcome nonetheless to LEAKY TEEPEE.  Let's see what you can do.  And let's see, 
VIKING RAIDER fought SNOW LEOPARD and gained 67 points and contributed to SPARF!'s 
4-1-0.  KRAZY KANGAROO has lost to BATTLEBLADE, falling 19 points, while helping make 
SPARF! a 4-1-0 turn.  And not without some honor, RON WEASLEY now claims the title 
and throne of Duelmaster of TROCAR.  By the way, was that our Duelmaster that I saw 
last night, cramped under the table at The Welcome Wench?   
     I tell you, a green quarterstaff lasts longer than a seasoned sapling.  A basher 
friend of mine assures me this is true.  Well, sports fans, take notice that VIRET 
from TRADERS OF TROCAR was TROCAR's most challenged warrior this turn.   
     We only live a short time in this world, so why not take a sharp blade, and 
shave it close?  A brave warrior does not carry a red shield, he has nothing to cover 
or hide when the fight is over.  Consider well.   
     Remember, blood on the purple robe does not change it from a purple robe.  Dare 
to fight bravely.  Well, I'm burning daylight here in TROCAR and I've a long road 
ahead of me.  Happy Trails.  Until you see my quill in TROCAR again, farewell-- 
Alarond the Scribe  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RON WEASLEY 2872             22  10  0   124       GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 NO-STICK TAPE 2541           16   4  2   131       USELESS TOOLS (219)
 A.O. HELL 2523               16   5  1   130       USELESS TOOLS (219)
-RUBBER BULLET 2503           18   1  0   120       USELESS TOOLS (219)
 FRED WEASLEY 2868            20   7  0   116       GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)
 BATTLEBLADE 2071             10   5  0   102       EYE OF THE STORM (221)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MOUSETRAP 2521               17   7  1    86       USELESS TOOLS (219)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 KRAZY KANGAROO 2895           8   8  0    80       SPARF! (310)
 WASTELANDER 2134              8   2  1    72       EYE OF THE STORM (221)
 WIMPERETTA 2655              15   9  0    70       TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)
 CHAOS WARRIOR 2069            8   8  2    68       EYE OF THE STORM (221)
 VIKING RAIDER 2885            1   0  0    67       SPARF! (310)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MADAM VENUSIA 2887            9   6  0    66       SPARF! (310)
 NICKLEBACK 2815               8  14  1    57       MILLENIUM METAL (304)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GHOLAM 2827                   7   1  0    51       DARK PENTAGRAM (305)
 ARABESQUE 2557                7  12  3    49       THE ABYSMALS (270)
 VIRET 2727                    8   5  0    48       TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)
 WICKED SLICE 2876             3   1  0    41       STEEL REIGN (309)
 DEMIMONDE 2561                7   8  2    40       THE ABYSMALS (270)
-THE FORSAKEN 2826             6   5  0    35       DARK PENTAGRAM (305)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 EVERGREY 2801                 5   1  0    33       MILLENIUM METAL (304)
 BASTINADO 2563                6  12  0    30       THE ABYSMALS (270)
 SNIR 2784                     3   0  0    30       JANIX (298)
 KILLSWITCH ENGAGE 2802        2   4  0    30       MILLENIUM METAL (304)
 SIR LOIN OF BEEF 2618         5   3  1    29       POMPOUS PALADINS (277)
 SWAMP DONKEY 2771             3   0  0    28       SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZOO (299)
 DOOMRUNNER 2070               5  11  1    27       EYE OF THE STORM (221)
-EMILY THE STRANGE 2832        4   4  0    27       DARK PENTAGRAM (305)
 HERMOINE 2855                 3   5  0    27       GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)
 VENTURIA 2878                 4   0  0    26       STEEL REIGN (309)
 FINNIGAN 2615                 2   6  0    25       POMPOUS PALADINS (277)
 PLUMP PORKER 2772             3   0  0    24       SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZOO (299)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WOODS 2776                    1   2  0    23       HOLD THAT TIGER (300)
 THOR RAVENBLADE 2781          1   2  0    23       CARESS OF STEEL (301)
 SOLID GONE 2879               2   2  1    22       STEEL REIGN (309)
 SIR CASWALLAWN 2617           3   5  1    21       POMPOUS PALADINS (277)
 NYALL BLOODGRIN 2782          3   0  0    21       CARESS OF STEEL (301)
 HONOR RICH HAMMER 2793        1   1  0    20       MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)
-YAHOO WAHOO 2733              1   1  0    20       USELESS TOOLS (219)
 TONY THE 2778                 3   0  0    19       HOLD THAT TIGER (300)
 DARA 2765                     1   2  0    19       JANIX (298)
 HAUBERK 2564                  2   3  1    18       THE ABYSMALS (270)
 WRENN 2877                    1   1  0    18       STEEL REIGN (309)
 NEVER DIE 2756                2   2  1    17       OF WOLF AND MAN (296)
 SKORINDELLE 2742              4   1  0    16       TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)
 POCKET GOPHER 2773            2   1  0    16       SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZOO (299)
 MOCHAOMHOG 2616               1   7  0    16       POMPOUS PALADINS (277)
 MEL 2883                      1   0  0    16       SPARF! (310)
 FACELESS MAN 2753             3   1  0    15       OF WOLF AND MAN (296)
 SHELLBACK 2744                2   1  0    15       SEA DOGS (294)
 SLAUGHTER HAMMER 2790         2   0  0    15       MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)
 LEE FAMILY HAMMER 2792        1   1  0    14       MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)
 HAVELOCK THE DANE 2614        2   6  0    13       POMPOUS PALADINS (277)
 ARE YOU READY? 2757           2   2  0    13       OF WOLF AND MAN (296)
 CUB 2774                      2   1  0    13       HOLD THAT TIGER (300)
 KRYMSYN 2758                  2   1  0    13       EYE OF THE STORM (221)
 ENVI 2786                     1   2  0    13       JANIX (298)
 FOUL NAVIGATOR 2745           2   1  0    11       SEA DOGS (294)
 SWASHBUCKLER 2743             2   1  0    11       SEA DOGS (294)
 SHARK 2777                    2   1  0    11       HOLD THAT TIGER (300)
 INCLINE 2880                  1   1  1    11       STEEL REIGN (309)
 BLACK FLAGGER 2746            0   3  0    11       SEA DOGS (294)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WRONG WAY 2754                2   2  0    10       OF WOLF AND MAN (296)
 WET NOODLE 2844               1   0  0    10       LEAKY TEEPEE (307)
 SLASH 2836                    1   0  0    10       CARESS OF STEEL (301)
 BENGAL 2775                   1   2  0     9       HOLD THAT TIGER (300)
-SPINNER 2798                  1   0  0     9       OFF THE WALL II (303)
 SYSTEM OF A DOWN 2897         1   0  0     9       MILLENIUM METAL (304)
 HIGHER 2755                   2   2  0     8       OF WOLF AND MAN (296)
 OLGERD VLAD 2780              2   1  0     7       CARESS OF STEEL (301)
 JAWS 2788                     1   0  0     7       BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)
 HARPOONER 2747                0   3  0     7       SEA DOGS (294)
 RUNNING WATER 2846            1   0  0     6       LEAKY TEEPEE (307)
 ERIK THUNDERHEAD 2783         1   2  0     5       CARESS OF STEEL (301)
 SPAM JAVELINA 2769            1   2  0     5       SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZOO (299)
 STINKBUG 2770                 1   2  0     5       SNOTMAN'S PETTINGZOO (299)
 CERBERUS 2835                 1   0  0     5       BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)
 JUUNK 2804                    1   2  0     5       MILLENIUM METAL (304)
 GRUNGE GRL HAMMER 2794        1   1  0     4       MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)
 THE BORG 2882                 1   0  0     4       SPARF! (310)
 DRAGONFLY 2696                0   4  0     4       THE ABYSMALS (270)
 FASC DROOL HAMMER 2791        0   2  0     2       MEMORIAL HAMMERZ (302)
 PENELOTHE 2838                0   2  0     2       TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)
 DARISTAM 2837                 0   2  0     2       TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)
 WASP 2761                     0   1  0     1       BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)
-ANIME 2797                    0   1  0     1       OFF THE WALL II (303)
-QUICKSHOT 2796                0   1  0     1       OFF THE WALL II (303)
 FUNGI WARRIOR 2848            0   1  0     1       LEAKY TEEPEE (307)
 XYCO 2899                     0   1  0     1       JANIX (298)
 PIT VIPER 2834                0   1  0     1       BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)
 SNOW LEOPARD 2759             0   1  0     1       BATTLE BEASTS 2 (297)
 YELLOW SNOW 2847              0   1  0     1       LEAKY TEEPEE (307)
 WET DOG 2845                  0   1  0     1       LEAKY TEEPEE (307)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
HAGRID 2852            1  2 0 GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 308 NEVER DIE 2756        195         
BUCKBEAK 2850          1  1 0 GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 308 SOLID GONE 2879       195         
GLUM 2766              1  2 0 JANIX 298             HAUBERK 2564          195         
DAROSHTAN 2602        13 13 0 TRADERS OF TROCAR 252 NO-STICK TAPE 2541    192         
PALLINEA 2735          4  1 0 TRADERS OF TROCAR 252 ARABESQUE 2557        193 REVENGED

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Sorry you will not be Slaughtering it, Crip.  Good men are hard to find.  We'll see
you in The Swamp and in Saint Looey. -- Vet, Hold That Tiger Zookeeper

TROCARITES, Kat; Trocarites! -- Vet, Hold That Tiger Zookeeper

What?  No challenges?  No avoids?  A maintenance type tournament?????  We can do
that! -- Vet, Hold That Tiger Zookeeper, (A Consortium Affiliate)

I thought Vlad was rather tasty!  (Great learns for all that, huh, Vlad?) -- Hold
That TONY THE Tiger

Hauberk -- Did you see that stroke?  A hole in one?  I only swung once!  One swing.
One win. -- Hold That Tiger WOODS

Erik Thunderhead -- I think I was sooooooo lucky!  Same train, but you got the
mostest. -- Hold That Tiger CUB

Envi -- Some days you get the SHARK.  Some days the SHARK gets you. -- Hold That
Tiger SHARK

Quickshot -- An interesting match up, and I appreciate you being my meal. -- Hold
That BENGAL Tiger

Hey, Street; please give us a list so we know who we can avoid.  Know what I mean? --
Vet, Hold That Tiger Zookeeper

Trocar -- I am bringing my Sparf! teammates here to participate in the Memorial
tournament.  I have been the Duelmaster of Seam, but I doubt that I will be able to
hold such a title here among the stiff competition.  For those that care, Sparf! and
Useless Tools are run by the same manager -- Krazy Kangaroo

All -- I would like to announce that Gryffindor House2 has taken up Slaughter's
Challenge!  We look forward to crossing swords with the rest of you, if that is what
the random match-up gods decree. -- Rillion

Trocar -- We at the Leaky TeePee are honored to fight in Mr. Slaughter's challenge.
-- Fungi Warrior (spokes person for Leaky TeePee)

Consortium Representative -- We know our manager sucks, and are very glad to see you.
At least we can beat somebody. -- Running Water

All -- I am pleased and honored to be here, dueling on the sands of Trocar in honor
of the memory of Rich, a.k.a. Slaughter Priest.  He was a great competitor and
valuable participant in my home arena of Sunset, and I know he's missed wherever his
warriors stepped on the sands.  Salute, Slaughter Priest!  My team, Steel Reign is
here to join the action.  I'm looking forward to dueling with many of the best! --
Stik

All -- Since I haven't fought anybody yet, I'll just tell all of you that I'm by
FFAAAAAARRR the best guy on Stik's team (even though the records don't indicate it)
and woe to any who cross me.  Since there are no bloodfeuds allowed and extra points
for kills, Stik says me and the rest o' the boys will be pretty bloodthirsty, and we
expect no less from anyone else.  Blades UP!! -- Solid Gone for Steel Reign

All -- We look forward to matching blades with you in the memorial contest. -- One
Armed Bandit mgr. of the Sea Dogs

Daristam -- Come back and try me when you've gotten your sea legs! -- Foul Navigator

The Forsaken -- Landlubber. -- Black Flagger

All -- I'm officially declaring Battle Beast 2 for the Memorial Contest.  Priest
taught me a lot and I'm honored to be able to compete in this fine contest. -- Sensei
Jan

All -- I, Cerberus, the most intelligent of Sensei's twisted creations (not saying
much) have been elected team Captain.  My creator, using forbidden knowledge gained
from her years in the Twisted Lands, has merged human, orc, elf, and animal blood to
bring us to life!  Only time will tell if these experiments were successful or
not.... -- Cerberus

Nyall Bloodgrin -- I am simply amazed by my poor performance.  Hopefully a few well
placed bribes with the Gladiatorial Commission will result in a re-match. -- Pocket
Gopher

Lee Family Hammer -- Looks like you brought everything but the kitchen sink into the
arena with you.  Reaching for the off-hand weapon might have cost you that fight.  If
I were you, I would come out swinging with it or leave it at home. -- Plump Porker

Glum -- Odd fight, but the skills were worth it! -- Swamp Donkey

Wrong Way -- I guess there really is a Right and Wrong Way to do things.  Thanks for
the DEC skills, I'll put them to good use. -- Stinkbug

Dara -- Funny, I never got the feeling I was being dominated during our match.... --
Spam Javelina

Good luck to all in the Challenge! -- Mannequin, mgr. Snotman's Pettingzoo

All -- Pompous Paladins declares for the contest. -- Firehawk

Trocar Tribute Teams -- It is my intent to Honor Rich by more than just my name!
However, you know how Hammer is about creating Certain Styles out of Uncertain
Substance! -- HONOR RICH HAMMER

All -- Welcome to Trocar and Slaughter's Challenge!  Hammer, Consortium, Blackstorm,
Stik, Tripwire, Shaman, Mannequin, One-Armed Bandit, Rillion, Crip, and my brethren
Street Legal, Maxmillian, Firehawk, and Sensei Jan--a hearty welcome and good
fighting to you all.  Let's do the Slaughter Priest proud! -- Kat

Spam -- Never liked potted meat.  Too much slime. -- The Persian Prince of
Processing, Kat

Arabesque -- It's okay for you to be Abysmal.  The rest of us appreciate it. --
Wimperetta

Bastinado -- Absolutely NOT.  The grapefruit is much too acidic already. -- Viret

Killswitch Engage -- That's the trouble with you golems.  You just aren't susceptible
to feminine wiles. -- Skorindelle
P.S.  Never use lie soap on your rayons.  They're sensitive to the least little
deceptions.

Foul Navigator -- Darn, you got me thoroughly lost that time.  I KNEW that I
shouldn't have asked for directions. -- Daristam

Juunk -- Is that your manager's idea of a joke?  Just asking. -- Penelothe
P.S.  I'm beautiful and cool, so who needs to be trustworthy, eh?
P.P.S.  You're much too tall to look good in elevator shoes.

And a dutiful welcome to the five struggling new warriors of Janix, as requested. --
Traders of Trocar

The Incipient Kat -- Why not? -- Ghost of Pallinea

Arabesque -- Yes, I'd call that a lasting impression. -- Ghost of Pallinea

Bastinado -- As fast as I need to be to catch blood donors. -- Wimperetta

Please welcome Caress of Steel to the Memorial Contest. -- Maximillian

Pocket Gopher -- Maybe next time, dude. -- Nyall

Cub -- You sure don't fight like a Cub. -- Erik

Ice Pick -- With Life Bane in my hand once more I hunger for blood.  I will be by
your side in your battle with your enemies in the swamp, my friend. -- Liam the Goth,
mgr. Dark Pentagram 305

Nick -- Hi, whatcha doing?  C. Fire would love chicken and fries, Angel Dust is a he,

so no to the Doc, but Lynn lkes playing doctor (being the doctor that is). -- Liam
the Goth
P.S.  Buddy Lee says hi.  Maybe a DM column.  He is TW4 crazy at the moment.

Demimonde -- You are the loveliest demon I have ever fought; killer moves. -- Gholam

Never Die -- A dance with no blood or loss, but the smell of roses in the night air.
-- Emily the Strange

Noachian -- An honor to be fighting with you in TW4.  Do tell me more of your God
over a goblet of Elven blood. -- Liam the Goth

Sensei Jan -- DAed a whole team, wow!  Will try to fit this contest into my small war
chest.  We'll see. -- Liam the Goth
P.S.  He was a great guy!  Even with his ICU team smashing my poor Pentagrams up in
Transel.

Black Flagger -- Your kind always trash me.  I just hate that the very first fight
let everybody know that I was a WOS.  But well fought and well met. -- The Forsaken

4 May 2005
Several questions have been asked about Slaughter's Challenge that I'd like to
address and clarify.
     1)  All Prizes must be used on the contest team, this includes the resurrection.
         Remember any fast arena team should be able to transfer to a slow arena
         (except for arena 82, I believe).
     2)  Warriors will be allowed to fight and run in the dead tourney, should there
         be one, and return if an opening can be made without breaking the rules
         (i.e. only one DA fight allowed per team).
     3)  If you win your single DA match you do not get another.  It's one use of the
         Dark Arena win or lose so if you want him/her/it dead be sure and throw the
         match!
     4)  The resurrection potion's longevity has been extended by the commission to 6
         months but the other potions (favorites, and +1 bonus) must still be used
         within 2 turns and on a 5 FE or higher warrior.  The resurrection can go on
         any warrior regardless of FE.
Street Legal

P.S.  My thanks to those already entered (Hammer, The Consortium, Tripwire, Stik, and
Shaman) and hope many more find a reason to come to arena 54.  Again, my email is
triumph1971@hotmail.com or you can diplo me in arena 14 at THE DEATH SQUAD (63) if
you need more info!

21 May 2005
Amendment for "Fratsfas Quest for the Best!"
     Managers that have teams already established in Fratsfa need not have (3) three
warriors in the initiates.  FE will NOT be a factor.  Stables may be entered at any
time.  Just announce your stable in the p-ads.
     ***************************************************************************
     This in my invitation to all managers  who wish to prove their mettle against
managers from all over Alastari.  We have limited TP's in this contest to one a team
at a time.  We DO NOT want this contest to become a scum fest as many others have,
hence the Andorian arena.  Good luck to all who come to prove their skills.  "May
your enemies' blood flow freely" -- Dark Knight Toker, Desolate Empire Alliance

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

DEMIMONDE was bested by VIRET in a 2 minute bloody Challenge fight.
SWAMP DONKEY vanquished SHELLBACK in a 1 minute uneven Challenge battle.
STINKBUG was narrowly defeated by FACELESS MAN in a 5 minute Challenge fight.
SPAM JAVELINA was bested by SKORINDELLE in a 2 minute novice's Challenge fight.
HAUBERK murdered GLUM in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge competition.
PLUMP PORKER unbelievably bested ARE YOU READY? in a 2 minute Challenge fight.
DRAGONFLY was devastated by ENVI in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge competition.
POCKET GOPHER handily defeated HARPOONER in a 1 minute uneven Challenge melee.
MOUSETRAP was vanquished by RON WEASLEY in a 5 minute one-sided Title duel.
KRAZY KANGAROO was overpowered by BATTLEBLADE in a 1 minute gruesome one-sided fight.
NO-STICK TAPE overpowered WIMPERETTA in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
A.O. HELL demolished CHAOS WARRIOR in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
FRED WEASLEY devastated WASTELANDER in a 1 minute one-sided battle.
MADAM VENUSIA slimly won victory over NICKLEBACK in a 2 minute master's bout.
ARABESQUE viciously subdued HERMOINE in a 2 minute gruesome fight.
SIR CASWALLAWN was overpowered by WICKED SLICE in a 1 minute gruesome uneven struggle.
FINNIGAN was beaten by EVERGREY in a 4 minute bloody brawl.
DOOMRUNNER was bested by KILLSWITCH ENGAGE in a exciting 1 minute fight.
BASTINADO was subdued by SIR LOIN OF BEEF in a 1 minute brutal bout.
SNIR beat WOODS in a crowd pleasing 2 minute fight.
BLACK FLAGGER was unbelievably bested by SLAUGHTER HAMMER in a 2 minute gory contest.
NYALL BLOODGRIN savagely defeated PENELOTHE in a exciting 2 minute gory duel.
THOR RAVENBLADE handily defeated TROLLBAIT in a 1 minute uneven duel.
TONY THE unbelievably bested HAVELOCK THE DANE in a exciting 7 minute bout.
CUB was defeated by WRENN in a action packed 1 minute fight.
MOCHAOMHOG was beaten by VENTURIA in a 4 minute expert vs. novice upset fight.
DARA savagely defeated FOUL NAVIGATOR in a 1 minute brutal beginner's match.
KRYMSYN won victory over GRUNGE GRL HAMMER in a 2 minute novice's fray.
BENGAL was overcome by SYSTEM OF A DOWN in a action packed 6 minute amateur's bout.
NEVER DIE executed HAGRID in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
SHARK unbelievably bested JUUNK in a tiresome 13 minute novice's fray.
HIGHER luckily beat WASP in a exciting 12 minute novice's fight.
OLGERD VLAD luckily beat FASC DROOL HAMMER in a exciting 7 minute beginner's bout.
WRONG WAY slimly won victory over WET DOG in a monotonous 10 minute amateur's fight.
ERIK THUNDERHEAD was bested by WET NOODLE in a popular 2 minute beginner's bout.
LEE FAMILY HAMMER subdued SWASHBUCKLER in a exciting 1 minute amateur's match.
HONOR RICH HAMMER vanquished INCLINE in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
SOLID GONE slaughtered BUCKBEAK in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
DARISTAM was subdued by JAWS in a 1 minute brutal beginner's competition.
VIKING RAIDER overpowered SNOW LEOPARD in a 1 minute gruesome uneven battle.
FUNGI WARRIOR slimly lost to CERBERUS in a 2 minute gruesome amateur's match.
YELLOW SNOW was handily defeated by SLASH in a 1 minute mismatched fight.
RUNNING WATER savagely defeated XYCO in a 2 minute bloody beginner's competition.
PIT VIPER was subdued by THE BORG in a 5 minute brutal novice's match.
MEL defeated MAGE'S APPRENTICE in a popular 1 minute novice's duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                 14         PARRY-RIPOSTE     16 -   6 -  0      73  |
|TOTAL PARRY                     12         TOTAL PARRY       28 -  12 -  0      70  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                  12         SLASHING ATTACK   16 -   8 -  0      67  |
|WALL OF STEEL                   11         STRIKING ATTACK   34 -  22 -  3      61  |
|AIMED BLOW                      10         PARRY-LUNGE       10 -   7 -  0      59  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    7         WALL OF STEEL     18 -  17 -  0      51  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   7         AIMED BLOW        17 -  27 -  2      39  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      6         BASHING ATTACK    11 -  21 -  1      34  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  6         LUNGING ATTACK    14 -  27 -  1      34  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     3         PARRY-STRIKE       1 -   6 -  0      14  |

Turn 195 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:

PARRY-LUNGE        6 -  0     BASHING ATTACK     3 -  4         3  STRIKING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE      6 -  1     WALL OF STEEL      4 -  7         2  TOTAL PARRY    
TOTAL PARRY        8 -  4     PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  2         1  PARRY-LUNGE    
STRIKING ATTACK    8 -  6     LUNGING ATTACK     4 -  8         1  WALL OF STEEL  
SLASHING ATTACK    3 -  3     AIMED BLOW         2 -  8         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                                                                1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                                                                1  SLASHING ATTACK
                                                                1  AIMED BLOW     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      RON WEASLEY 2872           22  10  0  124 GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)
STRIKING ATTACK  NO-STICK TAPE 2541         16   4  2  131 USELESS TOOLS (219)
PARRY-LUNGE      A.O. HELL 2523             16   5  1  130 USELESS TOOLS (219)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    FRED WEASLEY 2868          20   7  0  116 GRYFFINDOR HOUSE2 (308)
SLASHING ATTACK  WASTELANDER 2134            8   2  1   72 EYE OF THE STORM (221)
AIMED BLOW       WIMPERETTA 2655            15   9  0   70 TRADERS OF TROCAR (252)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BATTLEBLADE 2071.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was RON WEASLEY 2872.  The ten other most popular fighters were WASP 2761, 
HAVELOCK THE DANE 2614, WOODS 2776, BENGAL 2775, NYALL BLOODGRIN 2782, FASC DROOL 
HAMMER 2791, WET NOODLE 2844, ARE YOU READY? 2757, NICKLEBACK 2815, and ARABESQUE 
2557.

The least popular fighter this week was SHARK 2777.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were HIGHER 2755, JUUNK 2804, WET DOG 2845, THE BORG 2882, OLGERD VLAD 2780, 
SYSTEM OF A DOWN 2897, TONY THE 2778, PIT VIPER 2834, XYCO 2899, and YELLOW SNOW 
2847.