DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 12/29/2005    Duedate: 01/11/2006

ROCANIS ARENA

DM-56    TURN-393

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

ZIPPER
RESCUE RANGERS (338)
(56-3111) [11-0-1,90]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

ZIPPER                         TOE
RESCUE RANGERS (338)           GET (419)
(56-3111) [11-0-1,90]          (56-3896) [4-1-1,56]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

PRIVET                         CHIP
BAD APPLES (187)               RESCUE RANGERS (338)
(56-3867) [17-9-0,76]          (56-3114) [6-3-1,66]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

RESCUE RANGERS (338)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. RESCUE RANGERS (338)        31
2. COWBOYS FROM HELL (349)     20      RESCUE RANGERS (338)
3. GET (419)                   18      Unchartered Team
4. REDHORSE (207)              15
5. BAD APPLES (187)            14      GET (419)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1 RESCUE RANGERS (338)      32  11  3 74.4   1/ 2 RESCUE RANGERS (338)      8  1 1
 2/ 2*GET (419)                  7   4  1 63.6   2/ 1 REDHORSE (207)            7  6 0
 3/ 4 REDHORSE (207)           451 503 16 47.3   3/ 4*GET (419)                 5  1 1
 4/ 5 BAD APPLES (187)         383 528 14 42.0   4/ 3 BAD APPLES (187)          4 10 0
 5/ 0*COWBOYS FROM HELL (349)    0   4  0  0.0   5/ 0*COWBOYS FROM HELL (349)   0  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

            + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Black Sword #4 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Rocanis:

     Wolf turned to scan the whole assembly of shamans before speaking.  Then he
shrugged.  "If I thought we could kill Bluesnake, here and now, I would attempt it.
At this moment, he is a greater enemy to us than Volundagh and the Black Sword of
Mytori."
     "The others wouldn't stand for--" Rain Caller began.
     "Which is why I'm not doing it."  Wolf glanced at the group around the Saarda
shaman again, and his lip curled into a sneer worthy of his totem animal.  "Did you
think I held off out of fear of Bluesnake?"
     Rain Caller snorted.  "None think that who know what happened at the Buffalo
Gate."  Then he sighed and added, "But many of the young men do NOT know of that."
     Wolf swept that away with a gesture and turned to his younger companion.  "Go
find Redfox, Ghost Dancer.  Bring him to me here."
     Ghost Dancer went, but reluctantly.  He had never heard of a Buffalo Gate, and
he had hoped that one or the other shaman would tell that story.  How could he learn
if such information was not passed along?  Of course, he knew what his mentor would
say, that if he really wanted to know, he would hunt the information as another man
might hunt a deer.

     When Ghost Dancer was gone, Wolf turned to Rain Caller again.  "You know what we
have to do."
     "I don't know any such thing," the old shaman muttered.  He shifted uneasily,
causing the tiny steel cones sown to his cloak to chime against each other.  "Why
should there be only one course open?  There might be other ways to kill the Sword."
He shifted again, not looking like a man who believed in 'other ways'.  "Why didn't
you tell your apprentice?"
     "He's been...away," Wolf said.  Then he grimaced.  "On the Isle of the Eye.  It
is not a good thing for the tribe, this dabbling in foreign magics, but the young men
must have some way to prove themselves worthy as warriors, and now that we live in
civilized lands, this is hard to find."
     Rain Caller sighed.  "Yes, I have seen it here.  Since the war...."  He shook
his head.  "Now they hang on the fringes of the city-lands, and they become brawlers
and bandits and very nearly beggars.  If they could only be united, all the broken
tribes into one, and led to a new land...."  The old man sighed again.  "Just a
dream, that."
     "Perhaps, or maybe not."
     Rain Caller stared at him.  "Wolf, you know that killing the Sword will take--
and release--enormous amounts of energy.  Everyone involved will die, more likely
than not.  How can you suggest--"
     "Never go into a battle expecting the worst," Wolf said.  "That will bring the
worst down on you.  It is not in the nature of the Great Powers to do otherwise."  He
smiled, a thin, grim smile, but genuine.  "And I have it in mind that the energies
released might be put to a good use."

     Redfox lowered his practice sword and turned to face Ghost Dancer.  He had been
glad to get off the Isle and back among the tribesmen, glad to hone his true
warrior's skills, which he knew from bitter experience were quite different those
needed by a gladiator.  But the appearance of a shaman, even a junior shaman such as
Ghost Dancer, promised nothing but trouble.  He raised an eyebrow, putting the burden
of opening talk onto the young shaman.
     "Uncle Wolf wants you," Ghost Dancer said.  He gestured toward the circle of
spirit poles at the edge of the main Rirorni encampment.  "Over there."
     "Wants me for what?"
     "He did not tell me."
     "Guess."
     Ghost Dancer looked uncomfortable.  Had he been a pure warrior instead of
already half a shaman, Redfox might have taken pity on him.  As it was...no.  Shamans
were necessary for the good of the tribe, Redfox knew that, but he had no wish to get
sucked into their business.  Uncle Wolf had sent him off "adventuring" once before,
and he had nearly died of it.  His teammate and one-time sword-brother, Madbull, had
been driven totally insane in the course of that business.  What would be the cost of
a new adventure?
     "Uncle Wolf wants you to come to him," Ghost Dancer said again.
     Redfox blew out a breath and shed his practice gear.  This boy was a messenger.
Nothing would be gained by hitting him, however strong the urge.  "All right."

     Barudai was surprised to see so many spirit poles standing on the campground at
Rocanis.  There had been a of hand shamans present when they'd sent him scouting
toward Jhans, and they had expected more to come, maybe another hand.  But this
many--!  Nearly ever shaman still living must be present, he had never heard of such
a gathering.  That was good, because the news he had was bad, and the more shamans
present to deal with it, the better.  He encouraged his weary horse to a faster pace.
The sooner he had cast this burden onto the shoulders of those better suited to carry
it, the happier he would be.

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Good morning, Rocanis!

I guess this is an ordeal we all must pass through before we go to the Isle, the
writing of the column.  What are we supposed to say?  My teammates usually just chat
about everyday things.  I'll get to that, because I've got space to fill here...but
first I want to say a few inspirational words:  Cleanliness is next to Godliness!  If
at first you don't succeed, try, try, again!  Don't forget the cat is outside in the
cold!

That last wasn't so much inspirational as...well, I need to let the cat in, back in a
sec.

Well, I accidentally hit him with the door but he's in, now.  And we continue with...
what?  The everyday chat?  I guess I'm going to fight Zipper or Privet this time
around.  I fought Bitter Vetch last turn but he's gone to the Isle now.  Vetch, did
you fight with your favorites?

My favorite weapon, according to the Commission, is the small shield.  I'm a striker.
Can I adequately express how much this sucks?  Oh, and the Commission measures my
vital statistics as:  9-13-12-17-9-15-9.  These are pretty much the perfect
statistics for surviving the arena in your hometown and being a total pud on the
Isle.  I'm going to retire.  I hope.  It's up to my manager and you know how that
goes.

Redhorse only has three members at the moment.  It seems our last couple of
replacements didn't find their way to our door, or if they did they immediately
sneaked off again.  Going to have to ask the Commission for a couple more.  It won't
be pretty.

Okay, I've talked long enough.  I'm going now.  One more fight, then retirement,
which means a lot of plowing and planting on whatever land I'll be getting.  I asked
for a riverfront property.  Yeah, it'll flood every now and then.  But the rest of
the time there will be fishing.

                                                               Shanks Pony

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings warriors!  It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the 
clash and bustle of the weekly ROCANIS games.  Former top team REDHORSE was unseated 
this week as RESCUE RANGERS moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot with a 
3-0-0 record for the round.  RIVER REED caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial 
commission as she skillfully bested MAGE'S APPRENTICE and was awarded 15 points in 
recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, PIEFACE put down YUL, causing 
him to lose 9 points of recognition in the process.  Although PRIVET made a valiant 
effort, it did not suffice to topple the reign of victorious SHANKS PONY.  Heed this! 
A seer has warned that if exactly 6 die in duels this week, the whole city shall 
perish!  Just remember...5 or 7!   
     But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades 
that is city ROCANIS.  My inside sources tell me that the team to beat in ROCANIS 
these days is REDHORSE.  At least, most blades in town are looking to avoid them.  
Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was that spent the better part 
of last week avoiding REDHORSE.  Indeed it was GET.  Loose talk at the arena has 
reached my ears and it but confirms the knowledge that many fighters are after LARGE 
DOG.  Watch your back!   
     What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his 
foe's mortality?  Dark alleys may hide both secrets and assassins.  In the arena 
there is only the brightness of steel.  Keep vigil always!   
     The girls are as pretty in ROCANIS as ever I remembered them....and the fighters 
as ugly!  Don't let your reputation slip!  Sadly warriors, now longer can I keep thy 
company nor savor the ale of thy fine city.  Depart I must and soon!  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                  
 ZIPPER 3111                  11   0  1    90       RESCUE RANGERS (338)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PRIVET 3867                  17   9  0    76       BAD APPLES (187)
 PIEFACE 3875                 11  12  0    69       BAD APPLES (187)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CHIP 3114                     6   3  1    66       RESCUE RANGERS (338)
 EATS GRASS 3853              16  14  0    62       REDHORSE (207)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TOE 3896                      4   1  1    56       GET (419)
 YUL 3868                     12  13  0    49       REDHORSE (207)
 LARGE DOG 3848                5  28  0    43       BAD APPLES (187)
 TEMB 3907                     3   0  1    41       RESCUE RANGERS (338)
-DALE 3112                     5   2  0    37       RESCUE RANGERS (338)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GODGET 3110                   4   2  0    33       RESCUE RANGERS (338)
 BENT 3908                     2   1  0    26       GET (419)
 JONNA THANE 3903              6   3  0    25       BAD APPLES (187)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-IT 3900                       1   0  0    21       GET (419)
 RIVER REED 3918               1   0  0    15       REDHORSE (207)
 GRAY COLT 3917                0   1  0     1       REDHORSE (207)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
SCRAWNY HUNCHBAC 3215  0  1 0 COWBOYS FROM HELL 349 MAINAKHA-TE MASTER 22 393 NONE    
CAMEL FODDER 3213      0  1 0 COWBOYS FROM HELL 349 JO-KOBA HARRO 26      393 NONE    
PATHETIC IMBECIL 3211  0  1 0 COWBOYS FROM HELL 349 TABAR THE KNIFE 27    393 NONE    
GUT WRENCH WENCH 3214  0  1 0 COWBOYS FROM HELL 349 STEV STONEFIST 18     393 NONE    
ANEWHOBBY 3897         0  1 0 GET 419               LADRO KHAN 24         393 NONE    
SLIM ODDS 3904         2  3 1 REDHORSE 207          TOE 3896              391         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Bitter Vetch -- Good luck on the Isle!  Or wherever you're bound. -- Shanks Pony
P.S.  My shoes are fine.  But if you want to buy me a new pair with all of your Lord
Protector money, I won't turn 'em down.

Chip -- How come you got four skills and I didn't get any?  In a seven minute fight
we both had time to learn and teach plenty.  You forgot to teach! -- Eats Grass

Privet -- When I was getting born my mother looked out of her tent and saw a horse
eating grass.  It was that name, or Poops Plenty. -- Eats Grass

At least this time I defeated my stand-in.  Take that, Doom from the South! -- Yul

Shanks Pony -- Judging by the no-offer of lands I got, if you want to retire, I hope
you have plans of your own. -- Bitter Vetch

Zipper -- Well, dang. -- Pieface
P.S.  Buttons are classier.
P.P.S.  And they don't get as hot on a sunny day.

If, and I only say IF, somebody would give the damned Turncoat a new coat, he
wouldn't have to wear his old one inside out. -- Privet

Toe -- Kick a dog, will you?  Fiend! -- Large Dog

Temb -- That's a Shewish name, is it? -- Jonna Thane

Lord Protector Shanks Pony -- Go fight the Bad Guys, with our best wishes. -- Khel
Rojida, for Rocanis Arena

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SCRAWNY HUNCHBACK was butchered by MAINAKHA-TE MASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
CAMEL FODDER was viciously butchered by JO-KOBA HARRO in a 3 minute Dark Arena duel.
PATHETIC IMBECILE was murdered by TABAR THE KNIFE in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
ANEWHOBBY was slaughtered by LADRO KHAN in a 2 minute bloody Dark Arena brawl.
GUT WRENCH WENCH was assassinated by STEV STONEFIST in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
CHIP subdued EATS GRASS in a 6 minute Challenge competition.
TEMB bested LARGE DOG in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
SHANKS PONY devastated PRIVET in a 1 minute mismatched match.
ZIPPER handily defeated KUNG-FU MASTER in a 1 minute uneven Title fight.
YUL was vanquished by PIEFACE in a 1 minute uneven duel.
TOE vanquished AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute uneven fight.
JONNA THANE vanquished TROCARAN DESERTER in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
BENT overpowered GRAY COLT in a 1 minute one-sided melee.
RIVER REED defeated MAGE'S APPRENTICE in a 5 minute novice's match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|SLASHING ATTACK                  4         SLASHING ATTACK   12 -   3 -  1      80  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         PARRY-STRIKE       8 -   3 -  0      73  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   3         STRIKING ATTACK   12 -   7 -  1      63  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         WALL OF STEEL      6 -   4 -  0      60  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         LUNGING ATTACK    15 -  12 -  1      56  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         TOTAL PARRY        6 -   5 -  0      55  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         BASHING ATTACK     7 -  10 -  0      41  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         AIMED BLOW         7 -  11 -  1      39  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      1         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   9 -  0      10  |
|AIMED BLOW                       0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   2 -  0       0  |

Turn 393 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  ZIPPER 3111                11   0  1   90 RESCUE RANGERS (338)
PARRY-STRIKE     PRIVET 3867                17   9  0   76 BAD APPLES (187)
STRIKING ATTACK  CHIP 3114                   6   3  1   66 RESCUE RANGERS (338)
TOTAL PARRY      EATS GRASS 3853            16  14  0   62 REDHORSE (207)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is PRIVET 3867.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
CAMEL FODDER 3213.  The ten other most popular fighters were CHIP 3114, PIEFACE 3875, 
TEMB 3907, ZIPPER 3111, TOE 3896, JONNA THANE 3903, BENT 3908, ANEWHOBBY 3897, LARGE 
DOG 3848, and SCRAWNY HUNCHBACK 3215.

The least popular fighter this week was RIVER REED 3918.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were GRAY COLT 3917, YUL 3868, PRIVET 3867, EATS GRASS 3853, GUT WRENCH 
WENCH 3214, PATHETIC IMBECILE 3211, SCRAWNY HUNCHBACK 3215, LARGE DOG 3848, ANEWHOBBY 
3897, and BENT 3908.

The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:

SHANKS PONY (56-3854) REDHORSE (207)