DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 05/25/2009 Duedate: 06/06/2009
VALAMANTIS ARENA
DM-62 TURN-462
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
FYRE SWORD
DEATH MOB (15)
(62-4481) [13-7-1,87]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
FYRE SWORD RACE STEELE
DEATH MOB (15) H.W.A. (377)
(62-4481) [13-7-1,87] (62-3590) [1-0-0,15]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
FYRE SWORD FYRE SWORD
DEATH MOB (15) DEATH MOB (15)
(62-4481) [13-7-1,87] (62-4481) [13-7-1,87]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
DEATH MOB (15)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. H.W.A. (377) 48
2. THE BEARS (268) 27 THE BEARS (268)
3. DEATH MOB (15) 6 Unchartered Team
4. MIDDLE WAY 10 (420) -14
H.W.A. (377)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1/ 1 THE BEARS (268) 417 371 38 52.9 1/ 1 DEATH MOB (15) 11 4 2
2/ 2 DEATH MOB (15) 198 191 20 50.9 2/ 2 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420) 6 9 0
3/ 3 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420) 308 383 6 44.6 3/ 3 THE BEARS (268) 4 3 2
4/ 0*H.W.A. (377) 1 4 0 20.0 4/ 0*H.W.A. (377) 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+-----]|%{ *
---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---
Duelmasters
-----------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 506): GALLORDIN of THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 629): KOVARAMANN VOTH of GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 624): FELISSA HURM of THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 628): CANDY CANE of CHURCH LADIES (Papa Bear, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 617): DEIMOS of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 614): SPARE ANCHOR of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 613): WHITMAN of LITERATE LOONS (?, mgr.)
DM 36 JHANS (turn 585): THE AZURE NYMPH of HOUSE OF RATS (?, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 577): TORCHILIGHT KID of U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 260): D'URVILLE of KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 561): CHATTY CABALIST of DUNGEON CELL (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 512): PHAEDRA of AMAZON ELITE (?, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): KORASIM of TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 211): THE TRUNK MONKEY of BARBARIAN HORDE (?, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 505): SUPER BUM of FLAT BROKE (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 2 NIANIA (turn 506): THE GOLDEN FISH (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 3 OSKSI (turn 629): GAMES LIBRARY (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 5 KALTOS (turn 624): THE MIDDLE WAY 5 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 7 BONSUR (turn 628): SENTINELS (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 617): THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 18 TALCAMA (turn 614): SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 613): POSITION IS EMPTY
DM 36 JHANS (turn 585): GIRLS X3 (Non?, mgr.)
DM 38 CLIFFHOME (turn 577): U.A.K. (Otis the Drunk, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 260): KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 42 RODEKI (turn 561): DUNGEON CELL (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 51 TRICORUS (turn 512): AMAZON ELITE (?, mgr.)
DM 54 TROCAR (turn 246): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.)
DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 211): FEARSOME LEGENDS (?, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 505) 0729205R et al (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 1 MORDANT (turn 623): POOP DECK GUY of SEA DOGS (One Armed Bandit, mgr.)
WAYWARD SON of MANNEQUIN'S BEST (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 6 TRANSEL (turn 624): HATTIE of PSYCHO SQUAD (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 10 KOLACT (turn 616): JOLEEN KRUZ of THE MOONDOGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 21 SUNSET (turn 612): LAGERKVIST of LITERATE LOONS (?, mgr.)
DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 260): D'URVILLE of KIWI CONNECTION (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 59 ILLIS (turn 234): KIRRALA of ISLANDERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 62 VALAMANTIS (turn 461): ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB (Jakari, mgr.)
(turn 460): EVANDER GILL of MIDDLE WAY 10 (Jorja, mgr.)
SPY REPORT
I was going on vacation, see? Surf, sun... But what do those bums say? "Hit
the road, Debby Tonte. VALAMANTIS needs a spyreport." Oh, well. MVP award for BEAR
FOOT? THE BEARS' proud of him after beating JERANS LA'ROC and getting 20 points.
Talk about yer big time losers! JERANS LA'ROC got smashed by BEAR FOOT, and lost 19
points! Don't you think the Duelmaster is being unfair? I think ANGRY DECKHAND
should let ISOMBARD KORL be Duelmaster for a while, without fighting about it. I
hear the top team insists all their warriors get nine hours sleep. They want
photogenic fighters for PR photos.
I gotta admit I haven't been in "deep con caves" with any spies. Really, I just
wing this stuff.
Man, all these warriors dying and killing each other! Don't you guys ever give
it a break? Hey! Quit laughing! Just because MASTIFF had 16-8-2 was no reason for
THE BEARS to send him to the Dark Arena! Stop it! Everyone has problems, but why
did THE BEARS send MASTIFF to the Dark Arena? He had a 16-8-2, and I thought he
looked neat on the sands... It was kind of sad, seeing old ISOMBARD KORL stumbling
around the arena, before ANGRY DECKHAND finished him off. Oh well! It was so gross
when ANGRY DECKHAND of DEATH MOB killed ISOMBARD KORL. They should start making
warriors use safer weapons, or more shields, or something... Hey you guys, don't you
think your families would like to hear from you? Write! (Or have someone write for
you.)
I really didn't, you know, study when I was a kid. Who would've guessed I'd be
a famous Spyreporter? I'm getting tired of writing this stuff, so I'm calling it
quits. Remember you guys, ease up sometimes! Chill out! Later, Debby Tonte
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
FYRE SWORD 4481 13 7 1 87 DEATH MOB (15)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
CAPTAIN SCOURGE 4496 7 1 1 67 DEATH MOB (15)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SALTY DOG 4471 14 14 0 60 DEATH MOB (15)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ELEN GORVAN 4493 6 7 0 38 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BEAR FOOT 4504 1 1 0 33 THE BEARS (268)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
THE RUSSIAN 4499 2 1 0 17 THE BEARS (268)
BILGE RAT 4505 3 1 0 15 DEATH MOB (15)
RACE STEELE 3590 1 0 0 15 H.W.A. (377)
JERANS LA'ROC 4501 3 3 0 12 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
HOBBAN JEPP 4503 2 3 0 9 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
TAWNY 4516 1 0 1 6 THE BEARS (268)
FERRIS HALE 4517 0 1 0 1 MIDDLE WAY 10 (420)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
JOBBER #1 3588 0 1 0 H.W.A. 377 MISTRESS SITALVA 462 NONE
JOBBER #2 3592 0 1 0 H.W.A. 377 SPYMASTER 462 NONE
JOBBER #3 3589 0 1 0 H.W.A. 377 BLACK ORC 462 NONE
PEPPER PARKS 3591 0 1 0 H.W.A. 377 TAWNY 4516 462
MASTIFF 4446 16 9 2 THE BEARS 268 MOUNTAIN TROLL 462 NONE
PERSONAL ADS
Angry Deckhand -- We've been over this before, haven't we? So why should I belabor
the point, which would do about as much good as me trying to belabor you. -- Evander
Gill
P.S. Good thing I already graduated, isn't it?
Salty Dog -- What I need to go along with you is a beer. And what the heck, come on
down to the tavern with me, and I'll buy YOU a beer, too. But just one, mind! --
Isombard Korl
Captain Scourge -- So go scourge on the water, okay? There must be bunches of ships
out there in the bay just waiting to be scourged. Do 'em up red. -- Jerans La'Roc
An Embezzling Scribe? Pooh. What do I need with scribes at all, much less one who
can't be trusted? -- Elen Gorvan
Elen's probably right about this Embezzling Scribe, though I hate to admit it. What
business has she to be right about anything? -- Hobban Jepp
Memsettis the Downtrodden -- Since I don't propose to go to the Isle if I can avoid
it, the issue of what Lady Sheila might give me if I asked is moot. Moot as an old
boot, in fact. Tell me more about this tomb I might rob. -- Evander Gill
Lord Protector Angry Deckhand -- Matters anent lands have not changed in the past two
weeks. Perhaps you would care to go partners with Evander Gill in the tomb he may,
or may not, rob? I'm sure something could be arranged. -- Memsettis the Downtrodden,
Manager of Valamantis Arena
4 May 09
Players of Duel 2:
RSI wants to try, in a few arenas, a system that rewards role-play and general arena
involvement. Our thoughts at this time are as follows, and feedback is earnestly
solicited:
1. What to reward.
a. Spotlights--they don't have to be involved and lengthy storylines, and in fact,
my own inclination is to say: anything game related and original (i,e,, not a
reprint), maybe set a minimum length. I use TOGS here as my model--half a column as
formatted for the newsletter, and we don't judge the quality of the writing (so long
as the editor isn't grossed out), just the intent to make a positive contribution.
b. A dm column where one is "due." Again, no judgment on quality of writing, should
be dm-related, and I would say (this is just me) a minimum length of maybe five
lines.
c. Personals. More than just "you suck," or "good fight." How much more doesn't
really concern me, and quality, other than "not offensive to the editor," should not
be an issue. We don't want to encourage participation and then muzzle it.
d. It has been suggested that a reward point or two be offered for running a full
team. We could include this, but my own inclination would be to say that there would
be no points for this, but that those who don't make a clear effort on this
(accidents happen, so maybe something like "when the three-turn total of fights is
below twelve"?) aren't eligible for points on any turn until they get it back up to a
full team.
2. How to reward it.
a. We've been thinking nebulously about some kind of point system, obviously, as an
example, say 3 points for a spotlight, 2 for a column, 1 for personals, more points
here for what takes more effort, but some points for any effort. This is in no way
final! But some way to keep track of who is contributing and how much, and as non-
subjective as possible; this would be noted as each newsletter would be proofed. A
way to clearly identify who's sending in what would help, but I can work it out by
referring to the warrior listings if I have to.
b. But, assuming a point system, do the rewards, whatever they end up being, go to
the player who achieves a certain point total? Is this calculated per turn, or as a
running total over as many turns as it takes to reach that point? Or to the player
with the highest total on any given turn? What about ties?
c. What do the points get the player? The current thought is X points gets a free
fight, probably replacing the "Popularity Leader's" free fight in the relevant arena.
That suggests only one player getting a role-play free fight on any given turn. Is
this enough to encourage the newsletter participation we're hoping for? Should we
convert "This Week's Favorite" to a role-play free fight also? Or handle rewards in
some other way entirely?
3. Where it happens.
The current thought is, try it in four arenas: one in each region, and one slow
arena. Who picks the arenas in question? I'd be inclined to rule out those that are
doing fairly well already (Ardivent, Sunset, Lapur; Arkers, Morya, North Fork), but
is that wise? Or even fair? Darned if I know. Places where it is NOT currently
intended to happen: Transfer arenas. Maybe rule out the no-tourney arenas as
current candidates, too?
If this seems to work well enough to be worth the effort, should we consider
extending it to more, eventually to all non-transfer, arenas?
This is not a "someday down the line we might" concept. We want to do this, and
SOON. Your feedback would be appreciated, for, against, changes, anything. You can
email me directly at jputney zianet com (make sure it says DM in the subject line) or
send a diplo to scribe, any arena.
the Scribe
P.S. Staff members not to be eligible for role-playing free fights.
5 May 09
The Battle Royal V is upon us! Come join one of the original contests that has had
some of the games best managers involved in the past. DM 18, Talcama, some consider
it to be the crown jewel of the Delarq cities is where this contest will take place.
The Battle Royal is intended to be a play as you want, play what you want Delarquan
style contest with very few rules. While I'd love to say, "NO AVOIDING" is the only
rule (and that wouldn't be too far off), I must spell out situations that can and
have occurred and require additional clarification.
The advantages of this format:
1) Simple.
2) No penalty for DAs.
3) No restrictions on warriors entered into the contest (baggers, TC mods, etc all
welcome)
4) No penalty for not fighting.
5) It isn't a race where 21 wit and favorite learn determine the victor.
6) Losing a warrior (or even your whole team) doesn't eliminate you from contention.
7) It is possible to overcome almost any deficit. And this has been proven, with
managers making huge point swings in short periods of time!
8) It is a contest designed to show manager skill rather than warrior ability.
There are a few disadvantages:
1) There is no set end. It is possible for this contest to go on indefinitely. In
practice, this format has worked very nicely in the past and I expect it will
continue to work well.
2) You cannot avoid (But that is part of the fun and the head to head nature of this
contest requires this rule.)
3) It encourages bloodshed.
4) Baggers and experienced warriors have an advantage over new warriors.
Battle Royal Rules:
- Any team in Talcama is eligible to participate. There are no restrictions on
warriors (baggers, TC prize modified, etc). However, any warrior that fights for
your team is considered in the BR.
- Teams may not avoid any other team within the contest. (Note that you may avoid
teams outside the contest but you do so at your own risk.) Avoiding a team on the
turn they enter the Battle Royal is not considered against the rules (since you
couldn't know the team wasn't part of the BR). The suggestion is not to avoid at
all. Assur (the contest moderator) gets an avoid report every turn and will catch
people avoiding!
- Managers may only enter a single team in the contest.
- Any manager with more than one team in Talcama may not challenge any other contest
warrior with their non contest team(s). The intention is that no advantage can be
gained by having multiple teams in the arena.
****Failure to comply with the above rules***
1st offense: Disqualification from the prize, but you may still participate.
2nd offense: Warning.
3rd offense: Removal from Battle Royal.
- If a manager decides to switch teams, his score will start back at 0. This is to
prevent a manager from sweeping the contest with several teams of sandbaggers. Can a
manager use this clause to go from a negative score to zero? Yes. I realize this is
sort of cheating, but I'd rather have a manager start over with a new team than drop
out of the contest. Even so, they have to start at 0 and must gain 25 points.
- If your warrior loses a contest fight because of an input error and this error is
verified by RSI, you will have a point added to your score. The head to head records
will remain the same and any points gained by another manager will remain on that
manager's record.
- As soon as you are announced in the newsletter, you are officially entered into the
Battle Royal. Scoring begins on that turn! You are expected to follow the rules
that turn and every turn following. Your team may enter any time they wish during
the course of the Battle Royal.
- If you are exiting the Battle Royal, you are not removed until the turn after your
intention is published. You are asked to follow the rules for that turn (either
through not avoiding or not running your warriors).
Scoring:
- Scoring begins the turn your team declares participation.
- Scoring continues through the turn your team withdraws.
- Score is calculated by: Wins+Kills-Lossses.
- Only fights with other B.R. participannts count towards your score, but they count
whether they are challenges or random match-ups.
- First Manager to 25 points wins!
- In event of tie, B.R. continues until one team that has reached 25 points is ahead
of all other participants.
Disputes:
- The attempt has been made to make these rules as complete and bulletproof as
possible, but Tripwire will resolve any disputes as fairly as he is capable.
Prizes:
For the Winner:
6 Months Free Play in Talcama for the winning team (doesn't include tourneys)!
One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18)!
One Limited Damage Bump Potion (one time use, up to max for stats, used on DM 18
warrior)!
One Minor Stat Switch Prize (up to 2 points can be moved from one stat to another
stat on a new rollup in DM 18, before adding 14 points. This prize can be used up to
3 months from the contest end. Both points must be used in the same place (can't
take one from a speed and one from deftness and add one to wit and will)).
One Favorites Knowledge Potion (to be used on a 5+ FE warrior in DM 18).
Rename One Dark Arena Creature in DM 18, which will be renamed for 6 Months or until
the Ladies decide to return it to the previous name.
All potions renaming prizes must be used within 2 turns of the end of the contest.
Endurance Award (available to all participants):
One +1 Bonus Potion (up to max for warrior, to be used on a warrior in DM 18).
To qualify for the Endurance Award you must participate in 90% of the total fights
possible over the course of the BR. If you don't have time to make it into the BR by
the first turn, there will be a two turn window before the counter will start for new
teams. The fights do not have to be BR point scoring fights, just 90% of the total
possible participation over the course of the contest! So, if the contest runs 26
turns, there are 130 fights possible. Your team must have 117 fights during those 26
turns to be eligible.
All prizes/potions subject to RSI's interpretation of how they are used/implemented.
RSI said the faves knowledge must be used on an Inits warrior or higher and set at
5FE or more.
Tripwire
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
MASTIFF was dealt death by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 2 minute Dark Arena fight.
JOBBER #3 was murdered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena melee.
JOBBER #1 was murdered by MISTRESS SITALVA in a 1 minute gruesome Dark Arena fight.
JOBBER #2 was butchered by SPYMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena contest.
ANGRY DECKHAND assassinated ISOMBARD KORL in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
FYRE SWORD was unbelievably bested by KHALHUMS DWARF in a 2 minute Title duel.
CAPTAIN SCOURGE devastated DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a 1 minute one-sided competition.
SALTY DOG viciously subdued CAPTURED ORC in a 3 minute gruesome uneven melee.
BILGE RAT was vanquished by ELEN GORVAN in a action packed 1 minute uneven fight.
JERANS LA'ROC was overpowered by BEAR FOOT in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
THE RUSSIAN viciously subdued HOBBAN JEPP in a 2 minute brutal novice's bout.
RACE STEELE savagely defeated FERRIS HALE in a crowd pleasing 1 minute competition.
PEPPER PARKS was killed by TAWNY in a 2 minute amateur's match.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 5 AIMED BLOW 7 - 1 - 1 88 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 3 PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 1 - 0 75 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 5 - 3 - 0 63 |
|BASHING ATTACK 2 BASHING ATTACK 6 - 4 - 3 60 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 2 WALL OF STEEL 9 - 7 - 1 56 |
|AIMED BLOW 1 PARRY-LUNGE 6 - 5 - 1 55 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 LUNGING ATTACK 12 - 10 - 2 55 |
|WALL OF STEEL 1 SLASHING ATTACK 11 - 14 - 0 44 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 TOTAL PARRY 4 - 7 - 0 36 |
|TOTAL PARRY 1 STRIKING ATTACK 4 - 8 - 0 33 |
Turn 462 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:
AIMED BLOW 1 - 0 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 4 LUNGING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 0 SLASHING ATTACK 0 - 2 2 PARRY-LUNGE
WALL OF STEEL 1 - 0 STRIKING ATTACK 0 - 3 1 AIMED BLOW
LUNGING ATTACK 3 - 2 TOTAL PARRY 0 - 1 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE
PARRY-LUNGE 1 - 1 1 WALL OF STEEL
BASHING ATTACK 1 - 1 1 PARRY-STRIKE
1 TOTAL PARRY
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
LUNGING ATTACK FYRE SWORD 4481 13 7 1 87 DEATH MOB (15)
AIMED BLOW CAPTAIN SCOURGE 4496 7 1 1 67 DEATH MOB (15)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is FYRE SWORD 4481. The most popular warrior this turn
was FYRE SWORD 4481. The ten other most popular fighters were MASTIFF 4446, THE
RUSSIAN 4499, PEPPER PARKS 3591, SALTY DOG 4471, RACE STEELE 3590, ELEN GORVAN 4493,
CAPTAIN SCOURGE 4496, TAWNY 4516, ISOMBARD KORL 4462, and BILGE RAT 4505.
The least popular fighter this week was FERRIS HALE 4517. The other ten least
popular fighters were HOBBAN JEPP 4503, JERANS LA'ROC 4501, JOBBER #2 3592, JOBBER #1
3588, JOBBER #3 3589, BEAR FOOT 4504, BILGE RAT 4505, ISOMBARD KORL 4462, TAWNY 4516,
and CAPTAIN SCOURGE 4496.
The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:
ANGRY DECKHAND (62-4473) DEATH MOB (15)