DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 11/28/2005    Duedate: 12/10/2005

VALAMANTIS ARENA

DM-62    TURN-371

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

BLUE BUTTERFLY
MIKE'S INK (380)
(62-3642) [5-0-0,108]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

BLUE BUTTERFLY                 POSITION IS EMPTY
MIKE'S INK (380)               
(62-3642) [5-0-0,108]          

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

RELENTLESS                     BALI DARRAS
THE BEARS (268)                MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
(62-4148) [13-8-2,75]          (62-4221) [4-3-0,46]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)         29
2. MIKE'S INK (380)             6      MIKE'S INK (380)
3. THE BEARS (268)            -16      Unchartered Team

                                       THE FUDRUCKERS (237)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 3 MIKE'S INK (380)          33  28  1 54.1   1/ 1 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)       9  6 0
 2/ 2 THE BEARS (268)          311 264 24 54.1   2/ 2 THE BEARS (268)           6  2 0
 3/ 4 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)      114 129  4 46.9   3/ 3 MIKE'S INK (380)          2  0 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[ Nightfall #9 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Valamantis:

     "I don't consider the loss of so many ships and men a 'good development', mage,"
Lord Shanmarrik said.  His dark eyes glittered, and his slit of a mouth was set like
a blade.
     Tensekai shrugged and shook his head.  "It is not the death and destruction, in
itself, that was good, lord.  The 'good' part is that the Tower was not able to
destroy all the ships.  It was not able to strike without a build-up of power.  The
power is not quite like any I am familiar with, but having observed it once, I shall
be able to detect it when it begins again.  Soon enough, I hope, to prevent another
such destructive discharge.  And I think, though I am not certain yet, that I have
discovered the fatal flaw in this invasion--for invasion it is."
     "So you say."  Shanmarrik pursed his lips and stared hard at nothing, then he
also shrugged.  "So it is still in your hands.  So be it."  He paused, then said,
"The invasion...is it...?"
     The Silver Mage nodded.  "Tarot mimes."
     Arenamistress Sitalva twitched.
     "Okay, by forces from the Fifteenth Dimension, called by people of Alastari
'tarot mimes', and we don't know what they call themselves."  Tensekai turned and
squinted out across the bay where the Black Tower had lately been.  His expression
was almost wistful.  "What a chance it would be to study...if we didn't have to fight
them for our lives and our sanity.  We could learn so much...."
     "It's in your hands," Shanmarrik said again.  The old man fixed him with a hard
stare.  "I expect results, Tensekai.  Soon."
     Sitalva listened to Shanmarrik stomping down the stairs of the Silver Mage's
tower, listened to the door slam, saw the ruler of Valamantis stalk across the narrow
strip of grass to his official boat tied up at Tensekai's dock.  When the old man was
definitely out of earshot, she turned to her friend.  "What is this nonsense about
'tarot mimes'?" she demanded.  "The Stronghold Academy on the Isle says--"
     "Says there are no such beings as tarot mimes," Tensekai finished.  For a
moment, he looked as old as rumor called him, instead of the young, vigorous man that
Valamantis knew.  "I know, I read the proclamation.  I don't know whether they lied
or were simply mistaken.  They exist.  Calling them 'tarot mimes' trivializes the
risk they present, though.  It is a very great risk."
     "Granting the danger that Tower represents to shipping, I still wouldn't call it
a 'very great risk'," Sitalva objected.  "A very great nuisance, but--"
     "The tarot mimes work by manipulating archetypes," Tensekai said.  "In this
case, crowned heads falling, citadels and the governments they represent falling.
There are a lot of crowned heads in and around Valamantis Bay, and all are at risk.
Shanmarrik, for a start.  Talissen, since she is the ruler of the alliance to which
Valamantis belongs.  The rulers of the island kingdoms.  Osksi's Council of Rule.
The Baron of Ardivent.  And what if the tower moves inland?"
     "Can it?"
     "I have no idea."
     The arenamistress was silent for a few minutes, turning over facts and
speculations in her mind.  It was an unpleasant mess.  "What do we do?"
     Tensekai paced across the rooftop, then back, across and back, frowning.
Finally he said, "We could invoke the tarot powers ourselves."

Elsewhere:

     Rossanarth, the Ambitious Guard of Valamantis, stood in knee-deep water and
stared at the impossible landscape in front of him.  He KNEW Valamantis Bay, and
there was no such land anywhere around it.  He glanced around at his companion and
fellow standby, M. Kargaed Chardinee.  "What the HECK is going on here?"
     The Rirorni came up beside him.  "We'd better find out," he said.  "Since we
seem to have lost the Black Tower, and Valamantis, too--"
     The throne which floated on the waters of what was not Valamantis Bay drifted
closer.  Or perhaps it was pushed closer by the dolphins that surrounded it.  There
was a pause.  Finally the blonde queen on the throne dragged her gaze away from the
ornate cup she held.  Saw the two Alastarians and blinked.  Even now, her eyes were
dreamy and not quite focused.  "Where did you come from?"
     Rossanarth was stunned, equally by the beauty of her voice and by the fact that
her lips had not moved.
     The Chardinee mastered himself more quickly.  "We were drawn here by the Tower,"
he said.  And his voice seemed to his companion as harsh as the squawk of a crow.
     A faint frown touched her pale forehead and she looked into her cup again.  "The
Council did not authorize this.  Who defies the Council?"
     "My lady, we do not know," Chardinee said.
     "It must be discovered."  A gesture signaled them forward.  "Sit on the step of
my throne, so that you may be borne to the Court to give testimony."

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings warriors!  It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the 
clash and bustle of the weekly VALAMANTIS games.  DANA FRISS caught the eye of many 
in the gladiatorial commission as she skillfully bested EMBEZZLING SCRIBE and was 
awarded 21 points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, RUNAWAY 
put down ERFIN GORAM, causing him to lose 8 points of recognition in the process.  
Our last turn's Duelmaster has lost, folks, lost to CONVICTED ASSASSIN, and 
RELENTLESS has made the way for a new Duelmaster!  With RELENTLESS clearing the 
throne, MIKE'S INK of BLUE BUTTERFLY takes a proud seat as VALAMANTIS' new 
Duelmaster, by virtue of recognition points.  Would you believe that over half of the 
old women in VALAMANTIS seem to feel that they could fight better than you 
gladiators?   
     But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades 
that is city VALAMANTIS.  As a gladiator gets older, the icy grip of fear lays hold 
of hers heart.  True, BLUE BUTTERFLY?  Who could miss your "brave" challenge of EB 
GOLLU?  Few would not have guessed the outcome of the bout as EB GOLLU was beat by 
BLUE BUTTERFLY.  Is this what passes for courage in VALAMANTIS?   
     What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his 
foe's mortality?  Fate is a fickle mistress.  She showers the miserable with fortune 
but sets enemies against the victorious.  Remember this!   
     A thought before I go.  Each warrior practices one style, but must not the wise 
manager learn the secrets of them all?  Sadly warriors, now longer can I keep thy 
company nor savor the ale of thy fine city.  Depart I must and soon!  Till we meet 
again, remember:  a turtle walks slow, hides head in a shell, and harms no one; a 
lion runs to slay its prey.-- Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BLUE BUTTERFLY 3642           5   0  0   108       MIKE'S INK (380)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 EB GOLLU 4138                13  36  0    77       MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
 RELENTLESS 4148              13   8  2    75       THE BEARS (268)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GOOD BEAR 4200                5   1  0    47       THE BEARS (268)
 BALI DARRAS 4221              4   3  0    46       MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CHIA EDEL 4219                5   2  0    27       MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
 RUNAWAY 4229                  2   0  0    27       THE BEARS (268)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DANA FRISS 4230               1   0  0    21       MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
 ERFIN GORAM 4220              2   5  0    11       MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
-COOPER 3850                   1   2  0     5       MIKE'S INK (380)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Blue Butterfly -- Well, I guess I should be glad you weren't a BLACK butterfly.  But,
um, have you considered that your activities here in the arena are not appropriate
for something with such a gentle image as a butterfly? -- Eb Gollu

Relentless -- Relentlessly, you should write a column, hmm? -- Doc Felle, glad to be
out of it

Good Bear -- No, you're not!  Not enough nuts.  And how about some raisins, too? --
Erfin Goram, connoisseur of chocolate bears

Persistent Beggar?  Bah! -- Chia Edel

No wonder the Osksi Noble left home, what with him being a werecat.  But I'm just
surprised he didn't learn how to fight better in the process of staying alive. --
Bali Darras

Memsettis the Overly Sarcastic -- I'll think about it and let you know. -- Doc Felle

5 November 2005
It is with a proud heart that I announce the newest member of the Desolate Empire
alliance.  Dok Sik will be known from here forth as Dark Knight Dok Sik, of the
Desolate Empire.  May he be blessed with victory and courage.  May his enemies' blood
flow freely! -- The Dark Knights Wasby and Toker

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

BLUE BUTTERFLY devastated EB GOLLU in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge Title fight.
RELENTLESS was vanquished by CONVICTED ASSASSIN in a 1 minute uneven battle.
GOOD BEAR subdued CHIA EDEL in a action packed 1 minute fight.
BALI DARRAS devastated CAPTURED ORC in a popular 2 minute brutal one-sided contest.
ERFIN GORAM was devastated by RUNAWAY in a 1 minute uneven brawl.
DANA FRISS overpowered EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute one-sided struggle.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         LUNGING ATTACK    16 -   5 -  2      76  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         AIMED BLOW         5 -   2 -  0      71  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         SLASHING ATTACK   11 -   5 -  0      69  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         TOTAL PARRY        5 -   6 -  0      45  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         WALL OF STEEL      5 -   6 -  0      45  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      4 -   5 -  0      44  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK     3 -   8 -  0      27  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         STRIKING ATTACK    2 -   6 -  0      25  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   1 -  0       0  |

Turn 371 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-RIPOSTE      1 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  1         3  SLASHING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK    3 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         1  BASHING ATTACK 
WALL OF STEEL      1 -  0     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  0         1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                              LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  1         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
                              STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  AIMED BLOW     
                              BASHING ATTACK     0 -  1         1  WALL OF STEEL  
                              TOTAL PARRY        0 -  0         1  STRIKING ATTACK
                                                                1  TOTAL PARRY    

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  BLUE BUTTERFLY 3642         5   0  0  108 MIKE'S INK (380)

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   RELENTLESS 4148            13   8  2   75 THE BEARS (268)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    BALI DARRAS 4221            4   3  0   46 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is RELENTLESS 4148.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was BALI DARRAS 4221.  The ten other most popular fighters were BLUE BUTTERFLY 3642, 
GOOD BEAR 4200, DANA FRISS 4230, RUNAWAY 4229, CHIA EDEL 4219, EB GOLLU 4138, 
RELENTLESS 4148, ERFIN GORAM 4220,  0, and  0.

The least popular fighter this week was ERFIN GORAM 4220.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were RELENTLESS 4148, EB GOLLU 4138, CHIA EDEL 4219, RUNAWAY 4229, 
DANA FRISS 4230, GOOD BEAR 4200, BLUE BUTTERFLY 3642, BALI DARRAS 4221,  0, and  0.

                   MAIL-IN TOURNEY XL

PRIMUS TOURNEY                         W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
5 2979 (124-80-4)                     12  3  0         NUMBERS              

CONTENDERS TOURNEY                     W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
PARTING THE SILK 3015 (78-66-3)        8  3  0         THE ONENESS          

ADM TOURNEY                            W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
2 2976 (36-28-3)                       1  3  0         NUMBERS              
LIL NOIR 3311 (31-27-2)                0  2  0         ENIGMA               

CHALLENGERS TOURNEY                    W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
MADE A COMBO 3896 (8-6-0)              3  3  0         WON AT POOL          
BLUE BUTTERFLY 3642 (3-0-0)            0  2  0         MIKE'S INK           

INITIATES TOURNEY                      W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
DODGE'EM DUDE 4210 (4-0-0)             4  3  0         CHURCH OF HAWKWIND   
GOOD BEAR 4200 (3-1-0)                 3  3  0         THE BEARS            

APPRENTICES TOURNEY                    W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
LYNN THAO 4190 (1-0-0)                 3  3  0         THE DAMNED II        
TAR PIT 4217 (1-0-0)                   1  3  0         THE BEARS            

ROOKIES TOURNEY                        W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
HONEY NUTS 4218 (0-0-0)                4  3  0         THE BEARS            
BRUTUS BONESAW 4225 (0-0-0)            1  3  0  DEAD   ILLTOWN BRAWLERS     
RUNAWAY 4229 (0-0-0)                   0  2  0         THE BEARS            

DEAD CHALLENGERS TOURNEY               W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
THE BUM 3918 (11-5-0)                  2  3  0         THE BEARS            

DEAD CHAMPIONS TOURNEY                 W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
SPUD WEBB 3397 (3-10-0)                7  3  1         MIDGETS              

DEAD ADEPTS TOURNEY                    W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
OLD ENGLISH 2866 (0-1-0)               2  3  0         FLOYD'S BREWERY      

DEAD INITIATES TOURNEY                 W  L  K         TEAM NAME            
THE MOUNTAIN 3379 (4-3-0)              5  3  0         THE BEARS            
CELESTIAL FURY 4143 (8-3-0)            0  2  0         DEVIL'S MAYHEM