DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 10/06/2016    Duedate: 10/19/2016

ROCANIS ARENA

DM-56    TURN-671

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

ANUSHA
SKULL SQUADRON (28)
(56-4660) [14-4-1,99]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

ANUSHA                         PRINTS OF WHALES
SKULL SQUADRON (28)            PICTURE THIS (448)
(56-4660) [14-4-1,99]          (56-4289) [2-1-0,73]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

JOMMY                          TARGUS
MEN OF STEEL (131)             SKULL SQUADRON (28)
(56-4539) [16-31-1,86]         (56-4665) [10-4-1,79]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

SKULL SQUADRON (28)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. THEM (433)                  37
2. SKULL SQUADRON (28)         36      GET (419)
3. PICTURE THIS (448)          20      Unchartered Team
4. GET (419)                   16
5. MEN OF STEEL (131)           1      PICTURE THIS (448)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1 DEMONIC DELICACIES (471)  10   1  0 90.9   1/ 1 SKULL SQUADRON (28)       8  3 1
 2/ 0*PICTURE THIS (448)         2   1  0 66.7   2/ 4 THEM (433)                2  4 0
 3/ 0 GET (419)                 77  46  1 62.6   3- 2 DEMONIC DELICACIES (471)  1  0 0
 4/ 2 SKULL SQUADRON (28)      476 371 30 56.2   4/ 0 GET (419)                 1  0 0
 5/ 3 THEM (433)               160 165 13 49.2   5/ 3 MEN OF STEEL (131)        0  3 0
 6/ 4 MEN OF STEEL (131)       336 377 46 47.1   6/ 0*PICTURE THIS (448)        0  1 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

     "Victory!"
     Bosh and Targus of the Skull Squadron stable carried Rao, the new Duelmaster of 
Rocanis on their shoulders from the arena to Mylar's Tavern; after removing his armor.
     Anusha opened the door to a crowd of enthusiastic supporters shouting, 
"Rao..Rao..Rao!" 
     The Duelmaster's feast for Rao had been prepared early once the surprising rumors 
were confirmed that Vealzebub of Demonic Delicacies wasn't defending his title and 
likely preparing for the upcoming tournament.  Inside, the drinks were pouring, food 
was cooking, and gold was flowing.
     Grimwood, their manager, waited at the table of honor with two fat sacks in each 
hand.  As Rao's companions let him down, Grimwood dropped them. Each made a heavy coin 
sound.  One tipped over, spilling its contents of gold and silver pieces. 
     "Congratulations, Rao, on winning the Duelmaster title!  I couldn't be happier 
for you and the stable!" Grimwood shouted over the crowd's din.  He then placed a 
rolled-up scroll sealed with red wax, which had the impression of a crooked wand.
     "What's that?"
     "Oh, something to read later.  Congratulations again, and enjoy your feast!" 
Grimwood clasped him firmly on his shoulder.  He then waived to someone he knew and 
disappeared into the crowd gathering around the Duelmaster's table.
     Rao sat and breathed out a sigh of contentment.  He stared at the mound of coins 
in front of him.  The tinkering sounds of plates and glasses overlapped the 
conversations of his friends in the tavern.  He breathed in the smells of the cooking 
meat, the refinement of the Alastarian drinks, and saw the warm smiles of ladies 
approaching.  It had been a good day.
     
     * * *
     
     Grimwood moved through the patrons in Mylar's Tavern to Khel Rojida, Rocanis' 
arena manger.  The two briefly shook hands and Khel asked, "Is it done?"
     The manager of the Skull Squadron stable nodded. "I don't like this, Khel."
     "None of us do, but it's for the greater good.  Things are almost over, but there 
is one last piece of business to attend to."
     "Want company?"
     "No, you'd be missed.  Go enjoy the feast."
     Khel left Mylar's, shaking a few peoples' hands on the way out.  He mounted his 
steed and trotted through the streets.  He smiled, taking special note of the various 
buildings, lights, and the populace happily going about their lives.  As he passed 
through the main gate, he waived at the guards, and headed south.
     Two hours passed and the chirping songs of crickets began to emanate from the 
lush grassland.  Khel enjoyed the feeling of the wind brush his face, his mount's 
strength, which didn't even seem to notice his weight, and the slow gate at which they 
traveled.  It had a calming effect on him.  He always enjoyed riding.
     Four Rirorni men rose from the cover of the tall grass.  Each had an arrow 
trained at Khel.  Each wore heavy, maroon colored scalemail armor and wore a full helm 
with the design of a snarling demon.  Khel stopped and raised his hands.
     "You're late, Rocani," their leader said through an opening in his helm.
     "There was a celebration," Khel responded.
     "Fortunate, as Khan Bannok dictated that is the only thing keeping you alive."
     "Oh, he's a Khan now?  Send my congratulations," Khel said. 
     "You can tell him yourself.  Move."
     Khel followed the leader with the other three Rirorni flaking behind. 
     Cresting a hill, he saw Bannok's encampment.  The Rirorni were lighting the 
nighttime fires and by the number of tents, mounted patrols, and troops, its size had 
grown tremendously from the thousand he had just over a year ago.  He quickly got lost 
in the maze of similar looking bivouacs.  They approach a gigantic marquee seemingly 
made from thick rugs with two heavily armored guards in ceremonial garb stationed at 
the entrance.  Each carried a long spear and small shield and were completely 
motionless.  If they watched him, he couldn't tell, as their full helms, decorated 
with the appearance of an angry demon hid everything in shadow.
     Instead of entering the large abode, which Khel assumed was Bannok's, the Rirorni 
escort guided him past it to another tent, akin to the others in the camp a few rows 
over. 
     "Go in, Rocani," the Rirorni leader said, opened the flap, and closed it behind 
Khel.
     Inside the room, a large rug covered the ground.  Three containers held fire that 
warmed the room and provided light.  Two wooden pillars kept the roof up.  A small 
table and several chairs lined with pillows were scattered in the room.  One larger 
seat, lined with thick furs, wider than it was tall, sat on a slightly raised 
platform.  Leaning back and sitting there was Khan Bannok.  He was broad-shouldered 
with an over-sized jaw. 
     Two normal Rirorni could fit within his massive frame. His head was shaven, but 
black stubble protruded and made it appear to look like a skull-cap.  His face had 
several painful looking scars and his nose had been broken at least once in his 
lifetime.  
     Khel bowed and kept his sight to the floor.
     Bannok grunted indicating for him to rise. 
     "Khan Bannok-"
     "Warlord Bannok," Bannok interrupted holding up his hand.
     "Forgive, your men indicated you hold the title of Khan."
     "My soldiers have great enthusiasm about the future.  I like to encourage it."
     "I have delivered as promised," Khel said.
     "Hmm.  There is a saying in the Rirorni Empire. 'Alastarian's words are like 
their coins, don't trust them.'"
     "The Warlord has provided great incentive to ensure my words are trustworthy," 
Khel replied.
     "Ah, a man of his word?"
     "I am."
     "My little brother is the Duelmaster of your city?" Bannok asked.
     "Yes, his victory in the arena was earlier today."
     "And the invitation to the Isle of the Eye?"
     "Delivered by his manager."
     Bannok called out, "Wine!"
     A young woman entered donning an elaborate dress made of the finest silk. She 
approached a table and poured two cups from a decorated copper pitcher.  She handed 
one to Khel, then brought the other to Bannok.  She bowed and left.  He then motioned 
for Khel to drink. 
     The wine was dry, but not overly tart.  A fine mixture.  It didn't take but a few 
moments for the alcohol effect to hit his head after reaching his stomach.  It was 
strong stuff.
     Bannok watched Khel for a moment, then drank and sighed at the taste.  
     "Excellent.  Now my little brother can stop with these grandiose notions of 
trying to prove himself in the Alastarian gladiatorial arena."
     Khel shuffled from one foot to the other, drew in a breath of courage, and asked, 
"The prisoner will be released?"
     "I have no prisoners here," Bannok scoffed and gestured to the empty room. 
     "My pardon.  Your latest guest is free to leave?"
     "Of course, he's ready to return with you back to Rocanis.  Now, take your 
leave."
     Khel bowed and a Rirorni opened the flap for him from outside.  He saw 
     Vealzebub on a nearby horse.  He removed a gag and then rubbed bruised wrists.  
While he wore an expression of anger and outrage, he wasn't any worse for wear.  Khel 
exhaled, they both still drew breath, Rao's immortality was assured, and with it, 
Rocanis' safety.  It had been a good day.  

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Hail gladiators of Rocanis!

It is I, Rao of the Skull Squadron stable and Duelmaster of this fine city.  

Rocanis is way past due for a Duelmaster's Column, so I'm off to it.

Talk about having your name plastered everywhere.  I suspect in all the years Rocanis 
has had a gladiator arena, no stable has secured all 7 top honor spots.  However, I 
admit there were two mitigating factors making it even possible.  The first is the 
arena's low population, I'd like it to see it go higher, and second Demonic Delicacies 
didn't fight.  Still it was a wonderful surprise. 

While I was prepared to fight Vealzebub last turn, I'll answer an age old warrior 
question.  I was relieved not fighting him.  He's a great gladiator, likely better 
than myself, and at the end of things the payoff for my stable was much grander.  

For my last turn in the city, which I've called my home for over a year, I'm heading 
to the Dark Arena to test my mettle and my newly gifted scimitar against a fabled 
monster.  I suspected the short spear wasn't my favorite and was going to start 
testing again, but last turn confirmed it wasn't.   

So, to my fellow gladiators, I will leave you all with some words of encouragement.  
Remember, each defeat in the arena is only a delay on the long road to becoming the 
Duelmaster of Rocanis and a Lord Protector to Alastari.

                                          Humbly,
                                          Rao of Skull Squadron
                                          Duelmaster of Rocanis
                                          Grimwood, manager

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings, Warriors of ROCANIS.  Allow this humble servant Novgorodny Vir to 
give you a respite from the fights in the form of this Spyreport.  Practice pays for 
PRINTS OF WHALES, who pummelled T BONES, to pocket 20 points.  Win some, lose some.  
Speaking of which, RIRORNI SABOTEUR was winsome, after beating TARGUS and seeing him 
lose 1 points.  Well, Duelmaster RAO Dark Arena Challenged DARK ARENA's VEL 
STEELWIND.  Is a 17-14-0 good enough?  RAO successfully staved off a grab for the 
roses by VEL STEELWIND of DARK ARENA.  Does ROCANIS have no one talented enough to 
dethrone him?  Word has it one team in ROCANIS is using psychics to predict wins.  
They lead a charmed life!   
     A Zenmaster once told me, 'Does not the spinning wheel turn?  And do not the 
little birds cry out?'  Any ideas?  Perhaps the warriors of MEN OF STEEL should take 
up some hobbies, as they are the most avoided team...  As a woman of good breeding 
scorns the "warriors" of THEM, so did that sorry team shy from MEN OF STEEL  
     Ah, the duel!  The roar of the oppenent, the smell of the crowd!  Those who owe 
RAO of SKULL SQUADRON money and had written him off, take note:  he'S BACK FROM THE 
DARK ARENA!!!  AND he'S MAD!!!  Oh hard!  that to strike a flame, the match itself 
must needs be wasting!   
     Leave me now, you base fools!  As if buffeted by forces of nature beyond my 
control, I must take my leave of this place.  Do not despair!  I shall return!-- 
Novgorodny Vir  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ANUSHA 4660                  14   4  1    99       SKULL SQUADRON (28)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GREYLOCK 4605                15   3  1   115       MEN OF STEEL (131)
-VEALZEBUB 4623               10   1  0   109       DEMONIC DELICACIES (471)
 PANCAKES 4241                 9   4  0    91       GET (419)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 JOMMY 4539                   16  31  1    86       MEN OF STEEL (131)
 BOSH 4656                    15   6  1    84       SKULL SQUADRON (28)
 TARGUS 4665                  10   4  1    79       SKULL SQUADRON (28)
 PRINTS OF WHALES 4289         2   1  0    73       PICTURE THIS (448)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 T BONES 4551                  6   2  1    53       THEM (433)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GENIUS AWESOME 4402           2   1  0    22       MEN OF STEEL (131)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-NAKOR 4686                    2   0  0    22       MEN OF STEEL (131)
 BUMS 4712                     1   0  0     7       THEM (433)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
OPEN TRYOUT #11 4714    0  1 0 SKULL SQUADRON 28    ROKORI KLEE           671  NONE
FLIES 4710              0  1 0 THEM 433             MAINAKHA-TE MAST      671  NONE
SCARS 4711              0  2 0 THEM 433             VEL STEELWIND         671  NONE

                                     PERSONAL ADS

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

RAO butchered VEL STEELWIND in a 2 minute bloody Dark Arena fight.
SCARS was barely slain by VEL STEELWIND in a 2 minute Dark Arena battle.
FLIES was easily killed by MAINAKHA-TE MASTER in a 1 minute gory Dark Arena match.
OPEN TRYOUT #11 was dispatched by ROKORI KLEE in a 3 minute Dark Arena brawl.
ANUSHA overpowered RIRORNI SPY in a crowd pleasing 1 minute mismatched Title match.
BOSH overpowered PRIEST OF MYTORI in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided struggle.
JOMMY was handily defeated by PANCAKES in a 2 minute gruesome uneven fight.
TARGUS was unbelievably bested by RIRORNI SABOTEUR in a action packed 3 minute duel.
PRINTS OF WHALES was narrowly defeated by T BONES in a popular 3 minute uneven duel.
BUMS defeated TROCARAN DESERTER in a 3 minute beginner's match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         LUNGING ATTACK     9 -   3 -  1      75  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         PARRY-LUNGE        7 -   3 -  1      70  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   2         AIMED BLOW         9 -   4 -  1      69  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         WALL OF STEEL      9 -   5 -  0      64  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      5 -   4 -  1      56  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-STRIKE       5 -   5 -  0      50  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         STRIKING ATTACK    5 -  12 -  1      29  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         TOTAL PARRY        1 -   4 -  0      20  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   0         BASHING ATTACK     1 -   5 -  0      17  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      0         SLASHING ATTACK    0 -   1 -  0       0  |

Turn 671 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        1 -  0     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         3  AIMED BLOW     
PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  2         3  WALL OF STEEL  
WALL OF STEEL      3 -  1     SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  0         2  STRIKING ATTACK
AIMED BLOW         1 -  1     STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                              BASHING ATTACK     0 -  0         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                              TOTAL PARRY        0 -  0         1  LUNGING ATTACK 

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
AIMED BLOW       ANUSHA 4660                14   4  1   99 SKULL SQUADRON (28)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    PANCAKES 4241               9   4  0   91 GET (419)
WALL OF STEEL    BOSH 4656                  15   6  1   84 SKULL SQUADRON (28)
LUNGING ATTACK   TARGUS 4665                10   4  1   79 SKULL SQUADRON (28)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is JOMMY 4539.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
TARGUS 4665.  The ten other most popular fighters were PRINTS OF WHALES 4289, OPEN 
TRYOUT #11 4714, SCARS 4711, ANUSHA 4660, PANCAKES 4241, BOSH 4656, T BONES 4551, 
JOMMY 4539, FLIES 4710, and BUMS 4712.

The least popular fighter this week was BUMS 4712.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were FLIES 4710, JOMMY 4539, T BONES 4551, BOSH 4656, PANCAKES 4241, ANUSHA 
4660, SCARS 4711, OPEN TRYOUT #11 4714, PRINTS OF WHALES 4289, and TARGUS 4665.

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

RAO (56-4607) SKULL SQUADRON (28)

                 FACE-TO-FACE TOURNEY LVII

PRIMUS TOURNEY                         W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
THE LITTLE ONE 1432 (243-281-4)        2  3  0         STAR GUARDIANS       
SONIC 1695 (83-66-2)                   1  4  0         THE ALLIANCE         

CONTENDERS TOURNEY                     W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
TWILIGHT ZONE 1694 (91-69-1)           0  5  0         THE ALLIANCE         

ELIGIBLES TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
ASHEN SHUGAR 1867 (69-93-5)           11  3  0         MEN OF STEEL         

ADM TOURNEY                            W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
SLICE CONSTRUCT 3181 (43-36-1)         2  3  0         ANYWAYUSLICEIT       

FRESHMEN TOURNEY                       W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
ERIK 3399 (67-89-1)                    4  3  0         MEN OF STEEL         
BACK 3949 (31-24-0)                    2  3  0         GET                  
MEABEER 3899 (32-24-0)                 1  3  0         GET                  

CHALLENGERS TOURNEY                    W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
PRINTS OF WHALES 4289 (2-0-0)          2  3  0         PICTURE THIS         

CHAMPIONS TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
MUD KING 4659 (7-0-2)                 10  3  1         MEN OF STEEL         
SERGEANT 5 4497 (14-5-0)               0  3  0         MEDAL OF HONOR A11   

ADEPTS TOURNEY                         W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
VEALZEBUB 4623 (6-1-0)                 6  3  1         DEMONIC DELICACIES   
SHALLOW SLAMMY 4589 (3-2-0)            0  3  0         WEIRD STUDENTS       

INITIATES TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
T BONES 4551 (5-1-1)                   2  3  0         THEM                 

ROOKIES TOURNEY                        W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
PEACE AND 4705 (0-0-0)                 5  3  0         Q IS FOR QUIET       
SCARS 4711 (0-0-0)                     3  3  0         THEM                 
BUMS 4712 (0-0-0)                      1  3  0         THEM                 
NAKOR 4686 (0-0-0)                     1  4  0         MEN OF STEEL