DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 06/16/2020    Duedate: 06/29/2020

AMEN-TEI ARENA

DM-63    TURN-733

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

POOR STRANGER
WAYFARERS (248)
(63-3464) [10-11-0,107]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

POOR STRANGER                  GOLIATH
WAYFARERS (248)                STEELE RISING (380)
(63-3464) [10-11-0,107]        (63-3504) [2-0-0,23]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

BARRETT INCH                   POOR STRANGER
WAYFARERS (248)                WAYFARERS (248)
(63-3455) [14-8-1,88]          (63-3464) [10-11-0,107]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

STEELE RISING (380)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. WAYFARERS (248)             78
2. STEELE RISING (380)         24      SATAN'S SAINTS (377)
3. EXCLAMATION! (350)          15      Unchartered Team
4. SATAN'S SAINTS (377)         3
5. TELESCOPIUM (374)            0      STEELE RISING (380)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 3 SATAN'S SAINTS (377)       8   2  2 80.0   1/ 3*STEELE RISING (380)       7  3 1
 2/ 1 BAD ATTIFOOD (376)        16   5  0 76.2   2/ 2 EXCLAMATION! (350)        5  6 0
 3/ 2*STEELE RISING (380)        7   3  1 70.0   3/ 6 WAYFARERS (248)           5  7 1
 4/ 4 EXCLAMATION! (350)       279 135 18 67.4   4/ 5 SATAN'S SAINTS (377)      3  0 0
 5- 5*TELESCOPIUM (374)         11  10  0 52.4   5/ 1 BAD ATTIFOOD (376)        3  2 0
 6/ 7 WAYFARERS (248)          %1086 %1193 24 47.7   6- 4*TELESCOPIUM (374)         2  2 0
 7/ 6*TEAM SCUM (115)            2   3  0 40.0   7/ 7*TEAM SCUM (115)           1  2 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[ Storm Season #3 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Near Veastian:

     Sharrou Darrasagh, Convicted Assassin, peered into the fog uneasily.  "We 
shouldn't be out here," he muttered.  "This isn't safe--"
     "Row!" Marsham t'Sulej said.  The Ambitious Guard wasn't any happier to be out on 
the lake in a fog than his companions, but he'd be damned if he'd let any of them see 
his fear.
     "No good to row till we know which way to go," the Veteran Mercenary said calmly.  
The dwarf claimed his name was Vargas Tarn and that he had an absolute sense of 
direction, developed in the tunnels under Murska.  "There's a magical field of some 
kind at work that is distorting directions and all useful clues.  We just have to wait 
it out."
     "There's something WITH us out here," t'Sulej whispered.
     "Oh, THANK you for that information!"  The Assassin was whispering, too, but his 
voice dripped sarcasm--and fear--even so.  "If it's a Black Ship, I'm just going to 
lie down and die right here."
     "I hope it is a Black Ship," Tarn said.  "That's why we're here, isn't it?  To 
deliver our emir's answer to the ultimatim?  The sooner we meet the Ship, the sooner 
we're done."
     "And the sooner the demons on the Ship can eat us," Darrasagh muttered.  "You 
know the emir said no, and we'll be the first to reap the Or Else."
     "It's an adventure, boy," Tarn said.  A grin split his beard. "Better'n dying of 
boredom."
     A darker blob in the murk grew and resolved itself into the black hull of a ship.  
A ship a lot bigger than their rowboat.  A voice came down to them.  "Dho you haf see 
answerh?"
     T'Sulej held up the leather message tube.
     "Frow i' upf."
     He tossed it up.
     The voice above them said something in a language none of them knew.  But they 
all understood the net that dropped over them.

                                      SPY REPORT

     Greetings warriors!  It is I, Zontani Sharp Eyes, here to bring report of the 
clash and bustle of the weekly AMEN-TEI games.  Former top team BAD ATTIFOOD was 
unseated this week as STEELE RISING moved up from 3rd ranking to take the top spot 
with a 3-2-1 record for the round.  Fortune did not smile upon BAD ATTIFOOD this time 
out who this turn suffered a fall into 5th position in the wake of a 0-2-0 round.  
Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the corner!  Witness how this week 
WAYFARERS went 3-1-0 to move up 3 in the rankings.  POOR STRANGER caught the eye of 
many in the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested JERK and was awarded 36 
points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, BARRETT INCH put 
down IT'S NACHO CHEESE, causing him to lose 20 points of recognition in the process.  
Due to hers absence and inability to defend the throne, RHO TELESCOPII has lost the 
title of Duelmaster.  The city has turned out in honor of POOR STRANGER, for with his 
arena victory he may now lay claim to the highest position in the city!  Would you 
believe that over half of the old women in AMEN-TEI seem to feel that they could 
fight better than you gladiators?   
     I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently 
transpired.  Indeed there is much I would report.  AMEN-TEI, city of gladiators!  
Mighty among the names of thy guilds is BAD ATTIFOOD, a guild shunned and avoided by 
many in the weekly duels.  Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was 
that spent the better part of last week avoiding BAD ATTIFOOD.  Indeed it was 
EXCLAMATION!.  I can not but mention with disdain the name of AQUINAS who this week 
posted a TV challenge to a warrior a full 10 points below in the rankings.  I thought 
AQUINAS showed great skill and promise when he subdued PICKLES AND ONIONS.  All 
right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     Vendettas.  Bloodied blades and broken spears.  Indeed the city has seen more 
than its fair share of red in recent times.  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?  More than a sharp eye must I keep, indeed a 
stout pair of legs must I keep as well!  The endless paths of Alastari await me!  
Till next we meet remember - the pen is mightier than the sword, but a maul is a 
different story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 POOR STRANGER 3464           10  11  0   107       WAYFARERS (248)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-RHO TELESCOPII 3447           8   1  0   121       TELESCOPIUM (374)
 OOPS 3466                    15   1  1   102       EXCLAMATION! (350)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BARRETT INCH 3455            14   8  1    88       WAYFARERS (248)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 IT'S NACHO CHEESE 3474        8   2  0    65       BAD ATTIFOOD (376)
 AQUINAS 3480                  5   0  1    60       SATAN'S SAINTS (377)
-JALAPENO BUSINESS 3473        4   1  0    58       BAD ATTIFOOD (376)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CLOUD SHADOW 3467            12   6  1    54       WAYFARERS (248)
 PICKLES AND ONIONS 3453       9  20  1    48       WAYFARERS (248)
-PSHAW 3451                   11   8  0    41       EXCLAMATION! (350)
-JOHN BOSCO 3477               3   2  1    36       SATAN'S SAINTS (377)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-BABY, PEAS! 3471              2   0  0    25       BAD ATTIFOOD (376)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GOLIATH 3504                  2   0  0    23       STEELE RISING (380)
 DARKFIRE 3503                 2   0  0    21       STEELE RISING (380)
-LAMBDA TELESCOPII 3489        2   0  0    21       TELESCOPIUM (374)
-NU TELESCOPII 3486            1   0  0    21       TELESCOPIUM (374)
 SHY GUY 3502                  2   0  1    18       STEELE RISING (380)
 I H8 SCUM 1518                1   3  0    16       TEAM SCUM (115)
 GOSH 3506                     1   1  0    13       EXCLAMATION! (350)
-CHICKEN 3499                  1   3  0    10       EXCLAMATION! (350)
-KINDA A BIG DILL 3475         2   1  0     7       BAD ATTIFOOD (376)
 NAKA 3501                     1   1  0     4       STEELE RISING (380)
-GOOD SCUM 692                 1   0  0     3       TEAM SCUM (115)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
FRIENDLY CONSTAB        0  0 0                      SHY GUY 3502          733  NONE
IMPASTA 3472            0  1 0 BAD ATTIFOOD 376     BLACK ORC             733  NONE
HELP 3470               2  5 1 EXCLAMATION! 350     BARRETT INCH 3455     731   
DA1 3509                0  1 0 STEELE RISING 380    BLACK ORC             733  NONE
LUFI 3456               0  1 0 SUPERIOR FORCES  302 AQUINAS 3480          729  NOT REVENGED

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Well, Rho; you did it again. You beat me. I'll bet you think you are hot stuff. Take a 
look at me -- what you beat. Are you really much? -- Jerk 7+2, 19+2, 8, 9+2, 18+1, 
10+1, 21 good/norm AB

Shy Guy, you are but a pimple on my assets. -- Gosh

Poor Stranger, poor, poor stranger. -- Oops

I H8 Scum and you, too. -- Chicken

Loud and proud. Loud and proud. -- Loudmouth, Mgr of Exclamations!

Aquinas -- Only ONE skill for me?  Piker. -- Pickles and Onions

Oops -- With all those wins, you should've had more to teach me. -- Poor Stranger

May the Jaywalker never know another day of sunshine. -- Cloud Shadow

I laughed as I started the Jaywalker down a wet and cheerless path. -- Barrett Inch

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

IMPASTA was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DA1 was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena duel.
AQUINAS overcame PICKLES AND ONIONS in a 6 minute Challenge match.
OOPS overpowered KUNG-FU MASTER in a 1 minute mismatched duel.
JERK was devastated by POOR STRANGER in a exciting 1 minute one-sided Title fight.
IT'S NACHO CHEESE was devastated by BARRETT INCH in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
CLOUD SHADOW overpowered THE HONEST MERCHANT in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
I H8 SCUM was defeated by GOLIATH in a 1 minute melee.
NAKA was unbelievably bested by GOSH in a action packed 1 minute beginner's duel.
SHY GUY assassinated FRIENDLY CONSTABLE in a 1 minute uneven duel.
DARKFIRE overpowered FRIENDLY CONSTABLE in a 1 minute one-sided fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   4         BASHING ATTACK     9 -   3 -  0      75  |
|AIMED BLOW                       4         LUNGING ATTACK    14 -   6 -  2      70  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         TOTAL PARRY        6 -   3 -  1      67  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         WALL OF STEEL      2 -   1 -  0      67  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         SLASHING ATTACK    2 -   1 -  0      67  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         AIMED BLOW        21 -  18 -  0      54  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         STRIKING ATTACK   25 -  24 -  2      51  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -   7 -  0      36  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   2 -  0      33  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 733 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     AIMED BLOW         0 -  4         4  STRIKING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY        2 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  TOTAL PARRY    
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  1     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         2  LUNGING ATTACK 
BASHING ATTACK     1 -  1     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  0         1  BASHING ATTACK 
                              SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  0         1  AIMED BLOW     
                              WALL OF STEEL      0 -  0         1  PARRY-STRIKE   

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
BASHING ATTACK   OOPS 3466                  15   1  1  102 EXCLAMATION! (350)
STRIKING ATTACK  BARRETT INCH 3455          14   8  1   88 WAYFARERS (248)
AIMED BLOW       IT'S NACHO CHEESE 3474      8   2  0   65 BAD ATTIFOOD (376)
TOTAL PARRY      AQUINAS 3480                5   0  1   60 SATAN'S SAINTS (377)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BARRETT INCH 3455.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was POOR STRANGER 3464.  The ten other most popular fighters were AQUINAS 3480, 
BARRETT INCH 3455, CLOUD SHADOW 3467, GOLIATH 3504, NAKA 3501, PICKLES AND ONIONS 
3453, GOSH 3506, DARKFIRE 3503, IMPASTA 3472, and DA1 3509.

The least popular fighter this week was I H8 SCUM 1518.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were SHY GUY 3502, IT'S NACHO CHEESE 3474, OOPS 3466, DA1 3509, IMPASTA 
3472, DARKFIRE 3503, GOSH 3506, PICKLES AND ONIONS 3453, NAKA 3501, and GOLIATH 3504.

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

JERK (63-3426) EXCLAMATION! (350)

                                 RSI PANDEMIC UPDATE

We're doing okay out here in Arizona, staying mostly quiet and trying to stay healthy, 
and we hope you and your families are well.  Things are super weird right now.   
Here's a quick update on what's coming up: 

Summer 2020 Face-to-Face:  In case there is any lingering doubt, the 2020 summer face-
to-face is cancelled.  It just doesn't seem wise to hold it, and feedback is that most 
of you would not be able to attend.  Better to stay safe and stay at home, this time.  

Summer 2020 Mail-In:  So we'll hold a mail-in tournament this summer.  It will be held 
on the weekend of July 17-19, 2020.  We are still finalizing the format--look for the 
tournament announcement shortly after the freeze on June 6th. 

Halloween 2020 Mail-In:  Should be able to take place as normal.  We bandied about the 
idea of having a Fall FTF, but that doesn't look like a good idea.  

Winter 2021 Face-to-Face:  We have already secured a contract for the Winter FTF in 
Tempe for our usual Martin Luther King weekend, January 15-17, 2021 and are crossing 
our fingers that we will be able to hold that tournament in person, but there is still 
some chance that we will need to cancel it as well.  I expect we will know for certain 
in November or December.  Please mark it on your calendars and feel free to get hotel 
reservations, but don't buy non-refundable plane tickets!  (We are waiting for the 
group code for reservations and will post it when we get it.) 

Summer 2021 Face-to-Face:  Surely we'll be able to have this one! *crossed fingers*  
We're looking at the midwest cities for this one (Cincinnati or Minneapolis), so stay 
tuned.

                         * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

                            THE BLOODGAMES HAVE RETURNED! 

For those of you who always wanted the chance to manage the last warrior standing 
alive upon the arena sands, your day has come.  At the end of the ten turns, even 
though several warriors, bruised and scarred, MAY yet live, only three will be crowned 
Bloodgames Champions and be invited to the Isle of the Eye!  And in this game mere 
survival counts for little.  A great general once said, "The object of battle is not 
to die for your cause, but to make your enemy die for his."  This general would have 
greatly enjoyed the Duelmasters Bloodgames!  

By popular demand, we will hold THREE Bloodgames arenas -- a regular and slow 
Bloodgames by mail, and a Bloodgames which will run with the mail-in tourney!  

    DM 95:  slow bloodgames (due every four weeks, due July 20)  
    DM 98:  regular speed bloodgames (due every two weeks, due July 20) 
    DM 99:  mail-in style bloodgames (processed with the tourney, due July 15)

Gameplay in the Bloodgames proceeds according to standard DM rules, except for a few 
notable exceptions: 

* STARTING A BLOODGAMES TEAM -- You don't need a special rollup to enter the 
bloodgames.  Your Bloodgames team is ten warriors, one of each fighting style, each 
warrior designed from scratch!  (All are 84 points, 3-21, as usual.)  Simply list your 
ten warriors and send them to us; we will send you back overviews of your warriors so 
you can submit strategies.  The first turn is due mid-July and subsequent turns will 
be due on Mondays.  

* DEATH -- As the name implies, the Bloodgames will leave the arena sands somewhat 
darker before they're over.  It's a dangerous sport intended only for the tough and 
spirited.  The Arenamaster will be less likely to intercede on behalf of a dying 
warrior.  Even at a 1 kill desire, kill attempts will occur.  There are no 
replacements -- once a warrior dies, that's it!  

* STRATEGIES AND CHALLENGES -- New strategies may be issued for each turn for the 
regular and slow bloodgames, while the mail-in bloodgames will process all ten rounds 
with a single strategy.  The only type of challenge available is a bloodfeud.  

* MISSED TURNS -- All warriors fight each round.  Only the dead may rest.

* ERRORS -- If we make an input error, that warrior will be awarded a win and kill.  
Errors must be reported before the next turn processes.  

* NEWSLETTER -- Warriors are ranked according to their number of kills.  Bloodgames 
Champions may write a column for the newsletter at the end of the games. 

* AWARDS -- The Bloodgames last ten rounds.  The top three living warriors with the 
greatest number of kills, only one of each style, are deemed Bloodgames Champions.  
Win/loss records and, if necessary, recognition points will only be used to determine 
awards if there is a tie.  All three Bloodgames Champions fight for free for six 
months and can issue one Tournament Victor challenge each turn, allowing them to 
challenge with increased priority, also for six months. 

* FEES -- A Bloodgames rollup costs a $10 set-up fee.  Managers may roll up additional 
teams but may fight only one team in each arena.  The fee is $49 for all 10 rounds. 

* AFTERMATH -- Warriors from the Bloodgames may not transfer to any other arena.  Once 
the games are over, the arena and teams will be disbanded.  The fighters have won 
their freedom and will never more be seen in the gladiatorial games.  A special bonus 
will, however, be awarded to the Bloodgames Champions:  Lady Sheila Greywand, of the 
Isle of the Eye, has consented to allow the top three gladiators in each Bloodgames 
admission to the Advanced Duelmasters games.  Any special training required to qualify 
those three warriors for Advanced Duelmasters combat will be conducted before transfer 
into ADM.  Astute managers will note that this means that three warriors that are 
designed from scratch will survive the Bloodgames, win one of the top three places, 
and go on to immortal glory!  One of those warriors could be yours!

         The challenge is yours to take.  The final plans are yours to make.  
          When the dust settles, remember:  To the victor goes the spoils!

               NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS)

For those of you who keep track of such things, a few additional warriors graduated 
from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament. 

                      WICKED WASP (35-4784) SATAN'S SWARM  (418) 
                    TYRANNICAL TICK (35-4786) SATAN'S SWARM  (418) 
                       EMPTY (72-7269) BASH BROS WALLET  (873) 
                    NOBODY HOME (82-53135) ROOKIE PINK 59  (8963) 
                   CAN'T BEAT TUM (84-40978) THE GREAT TMM  (7146) 
                        LINT (84-49584) 4-LETTER DIRT  (8504) 
               JANUARY O. IRONTAIL (84-25625) EVIL EASTER BUNNY  (4553) 
                  SHOULD BE FUN (85-29872) FRANKENSTEIN HUNT  (5482) 

Congrats to the grads. -- Green Eyes