DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 11/12/2003    Duedate: 11/25/2003

DAL SHANG ARENA

DM-65    TURN-303

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

KOREEN
REFUGEES (377)
(65-6490) [13-8-1,90]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

KOREEN                         POSITION IS EMPTY
REFUGEES (377)                 
(65-6490) [13-8-1,90]          

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

JEANINE                        KOREEN
TOO GOOD FOR ME (600)          REFUGEES (377)
(65-6467) [12-16-1,59]         (65-6490) [13-8-1,90]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

DARK TOADS (705)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. SAND DANCERS (233)          33
2. REFUGEES (377)              26      DARK TOADS (705)
3. THE IMMORTALS (199)         15      Unchartered Team
4. THE NORSK (304)             12
5. FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)      0      JOKER'S WILD X (397)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1 FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)   28  14  1 66.7   1/ 1 DARK TOADS (705)          9  4 1
 2/ 2 DARK TOADS (705)          63  37  2 63.0   2/ 2 SAND DANCERS (233)        9  6 0
 3- 3 CRUSADE (605)             33  24  0 57.9   3/ 3 REFUGEES (377)            5  7 0
 4/ 4 TOO GOOD FOR ME (600)    109  82  4 57.1   4/ 4 THE IMMORTALS (199)       3  0 0
 5/ 6 THE IMMORTALS (199)      303 270  7 52.9   5- 5 FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)   3  1 1
 6/ 7 REFUGEES (377)           279 352  7 44.2   6/ 7 THE NORSK (304)           2  2 1
 7/ 8 SAND DANCERS (233)       564 746 12 43.1   7/ 8 TOO GOOD FOR ME (600)     0  3 0
 8/ 9 THE NORSK (304)           20  34  1 37.0   8- 9 CRUSADE (605)             0  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

     In one corner of the Norsk guild house, Rand Bresta worked her epee furiously,
parrying the repeated thrust of Gar Reoth's long spear.  Sweat matted her short brown
hair to her head, and her breath came in rapid gasps.  Gar Roeth dropped to a roll
and came up with a wicked thrust from Rand's weak flank, but she was ready for the
ply this time and spun out of the way, the dulled practice blade passing behind her
as she smacked Gar with her thin blade.
     "What do you think of me, that you'd try the same trick twice in one session?"
     Gar rested on his spear shaft and grinned, taking a moment to catch his breath.
"There was a time you would have fallen for it twice in one session.  Just a good
thing you've got the quickness of youth on your side."
     On the other mat, Draumr Vefa and Bal Iss circled each other cautiously.  Both
were skilled fighters, and knew not to take the other's skill too lightly.  Bal Iss
grinned wickedly, goading Draumr, trying to distract her concentration.
     "We all know that the only reason Bitulf chose you as our representative to
return to the arena is because he has a soft spot for you girls."
     Draumr smiled, her twin blades whirling about like a threshing machine.  Bal Iss
fell back slowly, parrying as rapidly as he could, almost regretting his tactic.
     "And how far did you make it in the last tourney?" she shot back.
     "Well, if it's tourney success you admire, you should welcome Svipa's return."
     At the mention of her half-sister's name, Draumr let her iron control slip.  She
redoubled her effort to break through Bal's defense, and that's when she left herself
open.  Bal slid his blade behind her leg and tripped her to the ground, spinning
around and following through with a slash at her throat.  Even though he was only
using a fraction of his speed, Draumr barely got her blade up in time to parry the
blow.
     Watching from the doorway, Bitulf shook his head.  "Lose your head in a real
fight like that, girl, and you'll lose your head for real."
     He walked over and helped her to her feet, smirking at Bal Iss.  "So, you
disagree with my choice for our first fight back?  Think you'd have done better?  The
girl won, got us recognized...isn't that what's important?"
     Bal Iss leaned forward on his blade and shrugged.  He knew that Bitulf was
right, but he wasn't about to give him the satisfaction of admitting it.  Bitulf
grinned.
     "No matter.  You'll get your chance on the sands soon enough.  For now, I've got
a project for you,"  Bitulf motioned toward the door.  "Come in, Magn."
     At six feet tall, the albino Bal Iss was no small man, if somewhat slender, but
the man who walked into the guild was nearly a giant, half a foot again as tall, and
rippling with rock hard muscle.  He carried his maul over one shoulder as casually as
he would a garden tool.
     "Bal Iss, this is Magn Gandr.  You and he will be fighting this turn.  He's
green, so I figure you're a good one to school him on the tricks he's liable to face
in the arena."
     Bitulf grinned as he noted Bal Iss's inward groan.  Bal Iss might have far more
experience than the young goliath, but Bitulf knew that Bal Iss would feel each
parried blow to his heels.  He turned his attention to Rand and Gar, and as he walked
away, he heard Bal bait the bigger man.
     "Come on, then, tiny.  I'll go easy on you."

      * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *

                        *--=== LIRITH KAI REGIONAL NEWS ===--*

                                     Duelmasters
                                 -------------------
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 302): MASOOD of DARK TOADS (TigToad, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAIYLA KIV (turn 275): <COOKIE JONES> of SUPERIOR FORCES ZC (Manager, mgr.)
 DM  75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 270): MARIANNE KIND of THE JUG O'NAUGHTS (Still, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 257): MOONSTONE of ROCK-ETTS II (Pie-Rite, mgr.)
ADM 107 LIRIN KIV (turn 234): STILE of SPLIT INFINITY 2 from DAL SHANG (TigToad)

                                      Top Teams
                                       --------
 DM  65 DAL SHANG (turn 302): DARK TOADS (TigToad, mgr.)
 DM  74 DAIYLA KIV (turn 275): FORCE OF FIVE (Marshal D, mgr.)
 DM  75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 270): DARK TOADS (TigToad, mgr.)
 DM  78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 257): ROCK-ETTS II (Pie-Rite, mgr.)
ADM 107 LIRIN KIV (turn 234): SLYTHERIN HOUSE (Rillion, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM  74 DAIYLA KIV (turn 274): VINCENT CRABBE of SLYTHERIN HOUSE (Salazar Slytherin)

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

Oy.  I really had meant to defend my title to the best of my ability.  I did not,
however, expect that ability to be so fatal for Churro the Hook.  I am quite afraid
that my position as Duelmaster precludes a bloodfeud challenge as well.  Since I
cannot simply step down as the highest ranked warrior in the arena, I hope the
Refugees can make do with an apology.  It was not my intention to kill your fine
warrior and I am sorry to see him go.  TigToad has, in the past, DA'd warriors who
killed when they were not trying to, but in my case he has said he cannot do that.  I
think he still expects good things out of me before my career can come to an end.  My
condolences and I wish whoever fights me for the throne this turn has better luck. --
Masood

                                      SPY REPORT

     The sages err'd not in their foretelling of a god descending upon DAL SHANG, for 
I, Novgorodny Vir, have returned!  SAND DANCERS posted a nice gain, to come in 2nd.  
Everybody loves a winner...  REFUGEES had cause to celebrate, after KOREEN got 24 
points by beating LEPAR.  Win some, lose some.  Speaking of which, KOREEN was 
winsome, after beating LEPAR and seeing him lose 21 points.  What can be a greater 
victory?  KOREEN has taken hers place as the top, as DAL SHANG's new Duelmaster.  So 
who was the warrior seen charging into immovable walls and challenging dead trees?  
Someone's got a basic problem...   
     A Zenmaster once told me, 'Does not the spinning wheel turn?  And do not the 
little birds cry out?'  Any ideas?  To quell some nasty rumors, the guys in REFUGEES 
are not carrying any incurable diseases.  No need to avoid 'em.  As a woman of good 
breeding scorns the "warriors" of DARK TOADS, so did that sorry team shy from 
REFUGEES Is it charming personality?  Conversational abilities?  Good oral hygiene?  
Whatever it is, MARDEN VOSS is the most challenged warrior.   
     The moving sword slashes, and having slashed, moves on...  Alas, poor HUMAN.  We 
all know DARK TOADS' retirement plan isn't the best in the world.  HELVAN QUICKHAND, 
may you be as missed when your time comes.  Ask not for whom the sword slashes; it 
slashes for thee.   
     All good things must come to an end.  As if buffeted by forces of nature beyond 
my control, I must take my leave of this place.  DAL SHANG, I leave you now.  The 
Duelmaster has agreed to foot my bill at The Blazing Unicorn.  'Til next time-- 
Novgorodny Vir  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 KOREEN 6490                  13   8  1    90       REFUGEES (377)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-AMPLITUR 6440                13   3  0   154       DARK TOADS (705)
-DUREENA 5509                 14   7  0   106       CRUSADE (605)
-LION 5464                    10   1  0    91       FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-JAGUAR 5462                  10   5  0    89       FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)
 MARDEN VOSS 6397             19  23  0    80       SAND DANCERS (233)
 MAY-LING SHEN 6485           10  11  0    77       THE IMMORTALS (199)
 DURVAN 6491                  12   9  1    75       SAND DANCERS (233)
 WAIS 6447                    12  13  0    70       DARK TOADS (705)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LEPAR 6512                   10   2  0    69       DARK TOADS (705)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 JESSE TAVAN 6514              9   4  0    61       SAND DANCERS (233)
-TIGER 5460                    7   7  0    60       FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)
 JEANINE 6467                 12  16  1    59       TOO GOOD FOR ME (600)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MING THE TERRIBLE 6482       11  12  0    51       SAND DANCERS (233)
 MURGON 6477                   9  17  0    45       REFUGEES (377)
-JOHN MATHESON 5506            9   8  0    45       CRUSADE (605)
-DRAUMR VEFA 2778              5   3  0    39       THE NORSK (304)
 DILYS TYL KOGAN 6515          6   5  0    38       SAND DANCERS (233)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-RAND BRESTA 2442              4   6  0    33       THE NORSK (304)
 KONGA DILLI 6519              4   6  0    25       REFUGEES (377)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BAL ISS 2438                  3   7  0    16       THE NORSK (304)
-LEOPARD 5461                  1   1  1    14       FEROCIOUS FELINES (596)
 MAGN GANDR 6545               1   0  1    11       THE NORSK (304)
-GAR ROETH 2847                1   1  0    10       THE NORSK (304)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
HIVATSHAM 6543         0  1 0 DARK TOADS 705        STONESHATTER 18       303 NONE    
HUMAN 6471            12  8 0 DARK TOADS 705        HELVAN QUICKHAND 12   303 NONE    
CHURRO THE HOOK 6544   0  1 0 REFUGEES 377          MAGN GANDR 6545       303         
CHURRO THE HOOK 6335  15 40 1 REFUGEES 377          MASOOD 6476           302 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Marden Voss -- That was VERY amphibian of me.  Really.  If you want to learn our
ways, you need to understand that lesson first. -- Human

Li Dan -- Woo hoo.  Big parties sound like fun.  I hope the expectant hangover
doesn't keep us from fighting to our fullest. -- The Dark Toad Gang

Koreen -- I seem to have picked up this learning thing finally.  I started ever so
slowly in my learning.  I'm thinking I am just making up for lost time. -- Wais

Amplitur -- I dunno about the "formidable foes" thing.  I mean, sure, anything could
be hiding under those mounds of bubbles, but could anything stand that heavy floral
scent? -- Marden Voss

May-Leng Shen -- We spend too much time in each other's company.  People are starting
to talk. -- Ming the Terrible

John Matheson -- Wow, you are a real gentleman--the win AND most of the skills!
Great, thanks. -- Jesse Tavan

Amplitur -- Well...if I should have a title, how about "Sir"? -- Marden Voss

Wais -- I'll risk it. -- Jesse Tavan

The Norsk -- Good to see you back! -- Lani, acting manager of the Sand Dancers

Masood -- Damn, I never guessed you were one of those poisonous toads. -- Ghost of
Churro the Hook

Human -- I'm not the teacher some of my teammates are.  I don't have TIME for that
stuff. -- Koreen

Wais -- We really need other people to fight around here. -- Murgon
P.S.  People that are easier to beat.

Draumr Vefa -- Well, you're different, right enough, but I somehow don't think you're
an improvement. -- Konga Dilli

Konga Dilli -- The match up went in my favor, but I appreciate the tune up.  It's
been a long time. -- Draumr Vefa

All -- Heilsa, fellow warriors and managers of Dal Shang.  I am Bitulf, once the
Biting Wolf, now just a grey wolf trying to make his way in this violent world we
live in.  I've taken on the duties of managing a band who go by the name the Norsk.
Some of you were here when we fought here some years ago (a nod to Li Dan--a whole
new stable, eh?).  Just for the record, I'm not a mega-manager; I don't purposely go
for the kills, and I don't downchallenge if I can help it.  I won't avoid a fair
fight, but I'm not so stupid as to let myself become a target.  Any who wish can
contact me directly at bitulf@insight.rr.com, and I'm at the yahoo group Duel.  See
you on the sands. -- Bitulf, manager of the Norsk

31 October 2003
     Come one, come all, to the greatest contest in Alastari!  The Third Annual Turf
War will be in North Fork (DM 47) starting in about 6-7 turns....  C'mon and get your
team some experience, and get declared!
     More info available in North Fork's newsletter.
     Bloody Sands. -- Asmo Dius, TCB

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

HIVATSHAM was butchered by STONESHATTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
HUMAN was butchered by HELVAN QUICKHAND in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
LEPAR was handily defeated by KOREEN in a 2 minute gruesome one-sided Title match.
JEANINE was devastated by DURVAN in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
MARDEN VOSS was savagely defeated by MAY-LING SHEN in a 2 minute master's match.
WAIS vanquished MURGON in a 1 minute mismatched fight.
JESSE TAVAN beat SAGAT OF PAIDAN in a crowd pleasing 1 minute brawl.
MING THE TERRIBLE overpowered KORKA THE HAIRY in a 4 minute gruesome uneven melee.
DILYS TYL KOGAN vanquished BAL ISS in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
KONGA DILLI vanquished FELTAR OF ILLIS in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
CHURRO THE HOOK was assassinated by MAGN GANDR in a 1 minute gory uneven match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         PARRY-LUNGE       14 -   5 -  0      74  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         WALL OF STEEL     10 -   5 -  1      67  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         LUNGING ATTACK    23 -  13 -  0      64  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   2         AIMED BLOW        14 -   8 -  1      64  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         PARRY-STRIKE       3 -   2 -  0      60  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  2         TOTAL PARRY       11 -   9 -  0      55  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         BASHING ATTACK    11 -  11 -  1      50  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         STRIKING ATTACK   17 -  18 -  1      49  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      9 -  13 -  0      41  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         SLASHING ATTACK    4 -   6 -  0      40  |

Turn 303 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 -  0         4  LUNGING ATTACK 
WALL OF STEEL      1 -  0     SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  2         2  TOTAL PARRY    
BASHING ATTACK     3 -  1     STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  AIMED BLOW     
AIMED BLOW         1 -  1                                       1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  1                                       1  PARRY-LUNGE    
LUNGING ATTACK     1 -  1                                       1  BASHING ATTACK 
TOTAL PARRY        1 -  1                                       1  WALL OF STEEL  

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
AIMED BLOW       KOREEN 6490                13   8  1   90 REFUGEES (377)
BASHING ATTACK   DURVAN 6491                12   9  1   75 SAND DANCERS (233)
TOTAL PARRY      LEPAR 6512                 10   2  0   69 DARK TOADS (705)
WALL OF STEEL    JESSE TAVAN 6514            9   4  0   61 SAND DANCERS (233)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is JEANINE 6467.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was KOREEN 6490.  The ten other most popular fighters were MAY-LING SHEN 6485, JESSE 
TAVAN 6514, DURVAN 6491, MARDEN VOSS 6397, WAIS 6447, DILYS TYL KOGAN 6515, KONGA 
DILLI 6519, LEPAR 6512, MAGN GANDR 6545, and HIVATSHAM 6543.

The least popular fighter this week was CHURRO THE HOOK 6544.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were BAL ISS 2438, MING THE TERRIBLE 6482, MURGON 6477, JEANINE 
6467, HUMAN 6471, HIVATSHAM 6543, MAGN GANDR 6545, LEPAR 6512, KONGA DILLI 6519, and 
DILYS TYL KOGAN 6515.

The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn:

AMPLITUR (65-6440) DARK TOADS (705)
CORAL SNAKE (65-5017) ALL THAT SLITHERS (552)

                       TOURNEY FREEZE CHANGE -- ADVANCE NOTICE

     Beginning at the Winter Face-to-Face in Tempe (January 2004), we will implement 
several changes affecting tournaments.  The tournament announcement for the upcoming 
FTF and future tourneys will reflect these changes.
     First, we will eliminate the tourney freeze for all regular DM warrior classes.  
Regular DM warriors will not be classed ahead of the tournament, but instead will 
fight according to their FE on the date of the tourney.  There will still be a freeze 
for the ADM classes, occurring on the same timeline as before, approximately 6 weeks 
before the tournament.
     In addition to the above change, the warrior classes will be slightly altered.  
The new tourney classes will be as follows:

                DM Tourney Classes                 ADM Tourney Classes
              ======================              ======================
                  0 FE:  Rookies                        Freshmen
                1-4 FE:  Apprentices                    ADM
               5-10 FE:  Initiates                      Eligibles
              11-20 FE:  Adepts                      ---induction---
              21-30 FE:  Champions                      Contenders
                31+ FE:  Challengers                    Primus

     All regular DM tourney classes will remain solely FE based.  All ADM classes will 
now be based on warrior characteristics (i.e., the ADM split algorithm), including the 
Freshmen class.
     The Gateway and Primus arenas will be merging before the FTF to form one top 
arena.  These warriors will be split into two tournament classes, the Contenders and 
the Primus classes, again based upon their characteristics.  More information on this 
will be published in the newsletters for those arenas.
     If you have any questions about the above changes, please contact Customer 
Service.  Good luck in your games.

                                          -- Green Eyes and the RSI staff