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