DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 05/06/2009 Duedate: 05/19/2009
DAL SHANG ARENA
DM-65 TURN-444
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
MAN-O-WAR
TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
(65-6810) [17-10-3,103]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
MAN-O-WAR POSITION IS EMPTY
TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
(65-6810) [17-10-3,103]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
MAN-O-WAR LUISENYA
TIL DEATH DO US PART (724) SAND DANCERS (233)
(65-6810) [17-10-3,103] (65-6992) [6-5-1,30]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. MIGHTY DUCKS (720) 38
2. HOUSE OF CARDS (380) 13 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
3. SAND DANCERS (233) 12 Unchartered Team
4. LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384) 4
5. REIGNING DOOM (533) 0 V2 (340)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1- 1 I'M HISTORY (417) 101 50 3 66.9 1/ 1 MIGHTY DUCKS (720) 12 3 0
2- 2 COLD DARK KNIGHTS (455) 65 48 4 57.5 2/ 2 SAND DANCERS (233) 8 6 0
3/ 3 MIGHTY DUCKS (720) 364 311 18 53.9 3- 3 REIGNING DOOM (533) 2 3 1
4- 4 REIGNING DOOM (533) 95 84 10 53.1 4/ 0 TIL DEATH DO US PA (724) 2 3 0
5- 5 HEXACON 99 (678) 35 33 4 51.5 5/ 4 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384) 2 5 0
6- 6 DOOMSDAY4DOOMCORPS (536) 41 40 6 50.6 6/ 5 HOUSE OF CARDS (380) 1 8 0
7/ 0 TIL DEATH DO US PA (724) 324 337 30 49.0 7- 6 TRECK PEOPLE (150) 0 6 0
8/ 8 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384) 85 90 4 48.6 8- 7 HEXACON 99 (678) 0 6 0
9- 7 SPLIT INFINITY (521) 79 84 4 48.5 9- 8 I'M HISTORY (417) 0 5 0
10/ 9 SAND DANCERS (233) 950 %1049 27 47.5 10- 9 COLD DARK KNIGHTS (455) 0 5 0
11-10 TRECK PEOPLE (150) 100 117 10 46.1 11-10 DOOMSDAY4DOOMCORPS (536) 0 4 0
12-11*UNDER THE WHIP (625) 6 8 1 42.9 12-11*SCREAMING EVILS (355) 0 3 0
13-12 BATTERING RAMS (358) 53 73 2 42.1 13-12 ARMOR & WEAPONS (375) 0 3 0
14-13 ARMOR & WEAPONS (375) 94 146 4 39.2 14-13 SPLIT INFINITY (521) 0 3 0
15/14 HOUSE OF CARDS (380) 36 58 2 38.3 15-14*UNDER THE WHIP (625) 0 3 0
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
16-15*SCREAMING EVILS (355) 1 10 0 9.1 16-15 BATTERING RAMS (358) 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
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Til Death Do Us Part ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
"We have been following them for some time." The speaker stood at attention
facing a desk, the three men of his team standing in a line behind him. All were
dressed in the dark clothing of field agents, with the crescent-shaped brooch of the
Clawmoon holding their cloaks and swords strapped to their backs. "They have just
left Ini Palel," the leader continued. "They are heading east toward the old ruins."
The man behind the desk raised an eyebrow. "The ruins... intriguing. How
many?"
"Four total, and I have to add, they didn't look right."
"How so?"
"One has glowing red eyes, one has unnaturally pale skin. And one was bound and
gagged when they left. The last one appeared normal. They are possibly members of
the Saviralodi Society."
"Saviralodi... here in Ini Palel? Curious." The man at the desk made a steeple
of his fingers and bent his head over them in thought. After a moment, he said, "Let
us keep an eye on them. If this is one of their mysterious 'mystical ceremonies', I
want to know about it."
"There is more," the field agent said. "Another group seems to be following
them, four in number also. The two males look like foreigners, possibly from the
north. One female is definitely Sendori, the other may be Adantri. From the looks
of them, I would guess them to be gladiators."
"Gladiators coming to Ini Palel? This has happened in the past, and it has
never been good. Watch them, too. Be careful, be alert. Something is going on, and
I don't like it one bit."
East of Ini Palel, in the old ruins:
"Much bigger than I had expected it to be," Fractured Skull muttered. He leaned
into Savra so she could hear him.
"Strange, too," she answered. "Like that arch--how is it possible that it does
not topple over?" She indicated a very tall structure off to one side. "Half of the
supporting stones that make up the large archway are missing or broken. All the laws
of nature require it to fall, and yet it does not."
"You, a necromancer, find that strange?" Hobgoblin said over his shoulder. "You
who snatch the dead from Ahringol?"
"I only borrow the bodies, which do not concern Him. The souls remain his," she
answered.
"You'd better hope you can do more than just borrow the body when we get where
we're going. I need its soul."
"It is possible," she said. "This Dragon of yours, if it is true that it is not
a part of this world, at least. It might very well have been able to retain its soul
in such a case." She paused for a moment, frowning at their red-eyed leader. "I
just hope you are ready to deal with when I'm done."
"I'm ready, witch. Just see to it that YOU don't fail."
Savra glanced at Fractured Skull with a scowl on her face, as though to say,
'Who does he think he is?'
Ini Palel:
The sun was balanced on the horizon as the four gladiators rode into town. It
wasn't the best time to be strangers in this town, not that any time was a good time.
But night brought out the worst of the worst. They rode silently along the main
street, keeping together and alert to anything that might start trouble.
It wasn't long before they heard yelling and cheering coming from one of the
side streets. Man-O-War thought of ignoring it and just moving on, but curiosity and
the desire to help if someone needed it got the better of him.
"I have to see what's going on." He turned his horse toward the side street.
"Not a good idea," Octavia said.
"Someone may need help," Sitha said, agreeing with Man-O-War.
"Everyone needs help here, Aranthar. Ini Palel is a safe haven for all
criminals, the Beggars' Guild, and it's even rumored that the Clawmoon has
headquarters here," Octavia said. "We should just pass by."
"We are going this way," Man-O-War said. "Besides, we don't know where
Hobgoblin went from here. We might as well follow the sound of fighting. There's a
good chance he'll be there." He moved down the street briskly, with Sitha and Bobika
following closely.
Octavia watched them for a moment, knowing that Aranthar (known in the arena as
Man-O-War) was making a mistake. But also knowing that sitting here in the middle of
this gods-forsaken city at night by herself was a much bigger mistake.
As they drew closer to the yelling, they saw several people leaning on a stone
wall, looking over it and down into a large circular depression. Cheering, laughing,
and yelling bets as they stared and pointed.
Man-O-War pushed his way into the group so that he and Sitha had a clear view of
what was going on.
"Pit fighting," he said, disgust in his voice.
"We should have expected it," Sitha said grimly. "It's common enough here."
The floor of the pit was smaller than that of a standard arena, maybe thirty
feet across. There were two men down there, both armed with dull and battered
shortswords, neither with any armor, and not much in the way of clothing. It was
obvious that neither had any training with their weapons, and the chances of one
making it out of the pit alive were not high.
"I don't want to watch this," Sitha said, turning away. Man-O-War watched for a
few seconds longer, then followed her back out of the crowd.
"What's wrong, missy? Weak stomach?" a burly man jeered as they passed back
through the spectators. They ignored him, which he didn't like. "Hey! I was
talking to you!" He turned, too, and followed them out of the crowd; three others
came with him, adding their catcalls.
"We don't want trouble," Man-O-War said. "Enjoy your fights."
"I wasn't talking to you, piss-ant," the big man said. "I was talking to that
fine piece of meat right there." He pointed at Sitha.
Man-O-War spun around and put his hand on the hilt of his sword. "Watch your
mouth!" he growled.
Sitha put her arms around him from behind, tugging him back toward the main street.
"It's okay, we don't want to get into a fight here," she said.
Bobika and Octavia watched from a few paces back, ready to help if needed.
"What are you gonna do, bleed all over us?" the big man jeered. "She deserves
better than you. She needs a real man like me." He puffed out his chest and started
a series of flexes to show off his muscles.
By now the crowd that had been watching the pit fight had shifted to circle them
and started to chant: "Fight fight fight fight fight--"
"I suggest you just go back to your pit fights and forget you met us," Man-O-War
said, his voice calm and controlled, authoritative.
The crowd grew bigger and the chanting louder by the minute.
Bobika and Octavia stepped closer to their friends. "I told you not to come
down this side road," Octavia muttered.
The big man walked closer, crowding Man-O-War. "And if I don't, little man?" he
asked, cocking his head from side to side. "What are you going to do to stop me?"
"STOP!" A group of armed and armored me pushed their way through the crowd.
"Stop right there!" He walked up to Man-O-War and his opponent and pushed them
apart. "You know the rules, Fuller." He scowled from one to the other. "To the
PIT!"
The crowd roared approval.
The ruins:
Lights where none should be, flickers seen at the corner of the eye, shimmering
will-o-wisps of glowing mist. Sounds that could not be identified, that scraped and
slithered and clicked in the darkness. Whispers that didn't quite form words, and
something that might be sobs or wails.
Hobgoblin led the way through the weirdly shaped, half-destroyed buildings,
following a twisting path that only he could see. These ruins had long had a
reputation for being haunted, and he decided it was true, but this didn't bother him.
In fact, he felt at ease here.
He came to a stop in front of the largest structure and held up his torch to
reveal an entryway scaled for a giant. "This is it," he said. "Let's get started."
He moved his torch along the upper edge of a door that would have dwarfed an
elephant. Though faded, he could make out the symbol etched into the stone. It
matched the symbol etched on the blade of the sword of power, Windsong. He nodded in
satisfaction and turned back to his companions. "Get him down. Let's get moving
here."
Fractured Skull pulled Tennerus off the back of the horse and stood him. The
man's legs shuddered under him as he tried to keep his balance after spending the
better part of the last two weeks bound to the back of a horse. Frac put a hand in
the middle of his back and shoved to get him started walking.
Savra walked silently behind them.
Behind them, the followers hid in the shadows, watching. After a moment, the
leader of the squad said, "Get word back to the Sixth Master. We need to know if we
should act on this."
To be continued....
* }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *
---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===---
Duelmasters
-----------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 617): HEMPEN JIG of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 619): PHILOLAUS of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 613): NECROPALYSE of DARK CREATION (H.P.L. West, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 615): ZIGADENUS of MAXIMUM RESULTS (Coyote, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 613): TIBERIUS of FIELDS OF ELYSIUM (Caesar, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 611): WEE MAN of CUNNING RUNTS (Deep Thought, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 306): OPASAN of PHANTACITY (Omega, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 604): ELVIRA MADIGAN of TRAIL OF TEARS (?, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 303): ANTIOCH of WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 32 ARVAT (turn 601): MADNESS of ANGELS OF PAIN (The Dark One, mgr.)
DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 599): THE MONGOL of RAVAGING LORDS (General Ikillyu)
DM 35 MURSKA (turn 590): POSITION IS EMPTY
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 552): KRYSTAL MEYERS of POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (Zalgor Prigg)
DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 281): JACOB MARLEY of PHANTOM REGIMENT (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 275): NILES of SECOND BANANAS (Manniquin, mgr.)
DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 262): INGLEMORT JULS of MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 480): IN HIDING of YIELD (Jekyll, mgr.)
DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 467): BLACK WIDOW XLIII of DEATH STUDS XII (Death Stud)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 447): ZOE ALDIN of MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 443): GRIZOLPOP of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 211): DEATH SUCKS of BLACKMAIL (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 407): MOKO TEN ZORA of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 401): CORINTHIAN of PARANOID ASYLUM (Jekyll, mgr.)
DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 389): HALGAR SNAGTOOTH of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 505): SISTER X of CULTS-R-US (?, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 617): BLUE MOON (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 619): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 613): STARBASE 5 (Zeus, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 615): PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 613): GLADIATORS (?, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 611): THE MAGNIFICENT MAGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 306): SANGUIS MORI (Toker, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 604): WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (Sporkis, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 303): THE STORMBRINGERS (High Lord Bosk, mgr.)
DM 32 ARVAT (turn 601): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 599): RAVAGING LORDS (General Ikillyu, mgr.)
DM 35 MURSKA (turn 590): LOST CAUSE (Vol, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 552): LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.)
DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 281): MIKES HEROES (Mike?, mgr.)
DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 275): LAND OF OZ (Oz the All Successful, mgr.)
DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 261): LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 480): INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.)
DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 467): RED DOG GANG (Spot, mgr.)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 447): MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 443): MIGHTY DUCKS (Woody, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 211): MIDLE WAY 18 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 407): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 401): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 389): GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 505): REIGNING DOOM et al (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
Recent Graduates
-----------------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 617): HEMPEN JIG of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 619): PHILOLAUS of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 612): AVENGELINA of STARBASE 5 (Zeus, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 615): ZIGADENUS of MAXIMUM RESULTS (Coyote, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 611): WEE MAN of CUNNING RUNTS (Deep Thought, mgr.)
(turn 610): PUBLIUS of IDES OF MARCH (Caesar, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 306): OPASAN of PHANTACITY (Omega, mgr.)
MANKILLER of DODGE BULLETS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 604): ELVIRA MADIGAN of TRAIL OF TEARS (?, mgr.)
(turn 603): DAISY CHAINS of STREET WALKERS (Roadkill, mgr.)
RED BULL of CARDOW HUNTERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 303): THERMOPYLAE of WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
(turn 302): LOWLY WORM of AVENGERS (Huckle Cat, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 552): KRYSTAL MEYERS of POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (Zalgor Prigg)
(turn 551): J'KOROU of THE FAMILY (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 275): NILES of SECOND BANANAS (Manniquin, mgr.)
BLACKENED of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.)
(turn 274): KILLING JOKE of INDIFFERENCE (Jekyll, mgr.)
DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 467): BUSTED NUTS of HIT ME WITH... (PTFT, mgr.)
DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 442): MELOST THE GRAY of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 406): DOLBY KLEE of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 386): SHANNA TWO-KNIVES of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
CHELBAGHEERA of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
Standbys. They tell me you gotta love 'em. I'm not so sure about that. Not
that I mind a win, but one skill is hardly worth getting out of bed for.
Grizolpop
SPY REPORT
You elder fighters surely remember me. The younger ones may call me Olaf
Modeen. I return to DAL SHANG once again! What's with VENGEFUL DUCK? He actually
beat TIL DEATH DO US PART's BOBIKA VHETT, and walked away with 14 more points from
the fight. Laughs were big at MIGHTY DUCKS while they watched VENGEFUL DUCK clobber
BOBIKA VHETT. He lost 13 points and got bruised from objects thrown from the stands.
I can barely restrain my enthusiam for TIL DEATH DO US PART's outstanding member,
Duelmaster MAN-O-WAR. Wouldn't it be nice to have live subjects to practice on? I
hear some team is looking into the uses of convicted prisoners.
No matter the time or place, men will always duel.
There have been some calls to lengthen the time limit. Do you want the fighters
to walk away, or not? How long have I been here? I got people to see, places to
go...
Many other cities have retirement homes for aged warriors. Any plans here? All
work and no play makes Olaf a dull fighter. Work and play no fighter dull Olaf.
Olaffighterwork and no play. Time for my medication, so I'll leave now. Practice,
practice, practice!-- Olaf Modeen
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
MAN-O-WAR 6810 17 10 3 103 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
OCTAVIA 6890 14 5 2 86 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
SORRELISHE 6985 10 5 1 85 SAND DANCERS (233)
GRIZOLPOP 6984 10 5 3 83 SAND DANCERS (233)
-RAGE 5998 11 6 0 70 HEXACON 99 (678)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-OBLIVION 5553 5 5 2 66 REIGNING DOOM (533)
-ABRA CADAVER 5322 7 7 3 63 REIGNING DOOM (533)
CHIANA 6807 13 12 0 60 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
FLIGHTLESS DUCK 6982 8 9 1 59 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
DUCK CUTLETS 6981 14 5 0 56 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
-*HAPPY PHANTOM* 5943 7 2 0 54 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
-BELLADONNA 3062 11 7 1 53 TRECK PEOPLE (150)
-ROMAN GABRIEL 3636 4 5 0 46 BATTERING RAMS (358)
-*CRUCIFY* 5961 6 8 0 44 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
VENGEFUL DUCK 6994 2 8 0 43 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
CHINA 6101 7 4 0 42 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
-BLACK HOOD 5649 2 1 1 42 UNDER THE WHIP (625)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
LAST BEST DUCK 7001 4 0 1 33 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
BOBIKA VHETT 6914 5 6 0 31 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
STUTTER DUCK 7000 4 0 0 31 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
-HELEN DEVINE RAGE 3885 3 7 0 31 ARMOR & WEAPONS (375)
LUISENYA 6992 6 5 1 30 SAND DANCERS (233)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MARC ANTONY 4709 4 1 0 23 I'M HISTORY (417)
CHAEGO SARILDAN 6995 5 4 0 19 SAND DANCERS (233)
-HELEN OF TROY 4756 3 0 0 18 I'M HISTORY (417)
KALLI ELISABETH 7003 1 0 0 13 HOUSE OF CARDS (380)
-PAT HADEN 4013 3 3 0 12 BATTERING RAMS (358)
KARMA 6925 2 5 0 11 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
-JACKAL & HYDRA 5420 1 4 1 8 COLD DARK KNIGHTS (455)
-HIROSHIMA 2 6102 0 2 0 2 DOOMSDAY4DOOMCORPS (536)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
DOOMED DUCK 6963 17 19 4 MIGHTY DUCKS 720 GRIZOLPOP 6984 440 NOT REVENGED
PERSONAL ADS
And another standby to see me off. -- Melost the Gray
P.S. Do you suppose all those old teams are going to keep running?
Kung-Fu Master. Pfui. -- Sorrelishe
Flightless Duck -- I see that you make up for it by floating well? I always did have
my suspicions that those decoys were actually cunning golems. -- Luisenya
Vengeful Duck -- I actually think it might have been an honor to give you that win.
Not that I "gave" it to you. As if! You ripped it away from me with a snarl. Well
done. -- Chaego Sarildan
P.S. But once was enough.
Jaego ten Kerrol -- Ah, for a beginning, I do not plan to go to the Isle. I am in no
way likely to enjoy that or perform any useful service there. I seem to recall that
there was a time when modest grants of land on the borders were given to gladiators
prepared to live on the lands in question and defend the aforesaid border. I'd be
interested in doing that. -- Melost the Gray
29 April 09
Greetings All -- This is Vincent Michaels, "the Rake", mgr. of the Stormbringers out
of DM 33 Niatoli Island, back after a relatively long layoff. I come back to my
arena to find only two other teams there. Terrible! I'm calling on all you managers
out there who have inactive teams in Niatoli to put them back in the game. Also,
anyone else who wants to come check out our little island are welcome. Good food and
a lot of good gambling, and you will have a chance to smack around Gen. GirlPants and
his band of Ravaged Queens. Great fun. Come one, come all!
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
GRIZOLPOP slimly lost to MAN-O-WAR in a 2 minute Title fight.
SORRELISHE devastated CHIANA in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
OCTAVIA handily defeated HELVAN QUICKHAND in a 1 minute one-sided match.
FLIGHTLESS DUCK vanquished SAGAT OF PAIDAN in a popular 1 minute mismatched brawl.
CHINA subdued LUISENYA in a crowd pleasing 2 minute competition.
BOBIKA VHETT lost to VENGEFUL DUCK in a 2 minute fight.
DUCK CUTLETS devastated DENGAN THE TRADER in a 1 minute mismatched match.
LAST BEST DUCK outwaited KARMA in a 10 minute gruesome fight.
STUTTER DUCK won victory over CHAEGO SARILDAN in a 1 minute duel.
KALLI ELISABETH vanquished HERROL TWO-FINGER in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|SLASHING ATTACK 5 PARRY-RIPOSTE 9 - 0 - 1 100 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 SLASHING ATTACK 22 - 25 - 2 47 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 2 LUNGING ATTACK 18 - 22 - 3 45 |
|TOTAL PARRY 2 STRIKING ATTACK 9 - 12 - 0 43 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 2 AIMED BLOW 4 - 8 - 0 33 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 PARRY-STRIKE 7 - 16 - 0 30 |
|BASHING ATTACK 1 TOTAL PARRY 3 - 7 - 0 30 |
|AIMED BLOW 0 PARRY-LUNGE 2 - 7 - 0 22 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 BASHING ATTACK 5 - 18 - 0 22 |
|WALL OF STEEL 0 WALL OF STEEL 0 - 2 - 0 0 |
Turn 444 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-STRIKE 1 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 0 4 SLASHING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 - 0 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 4 LUNGING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK 1 - 0 LUNGING ATTACK 0 - 2 2 STRIKING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK 3 - 2 WALL OF STEEL 0 - 0 1 BASHING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 1
TOTAL PARRY 1 - 1
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
SLASHING ATTACK MAN-O-WAR 6810 17 10 3 103 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
STRIKING ATTACK OCTAVIA 6890 14 5 2 86 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
LUNGING ATTACK GRIZOLPOP 6984 10 5 3 83 SAND DANCERS (233)
TOTAL PARRY CHINA 6101 7 4 0 42 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is MAN-O-WAR 6810. The most popular warrior this turn
was LUISENYA 6992. The ten other most popular fighters were SORRELISHE 6985,
FLIGHTLESS DUCK 6982, VENGEFUL DUCK 6994, LAST BEST DUCK 7001, GRIZOLPOP 6984,
MAN-O-WAR 6810, OCTAVIA 6890, CHINA 6101, STUTTER DUCK 7000, and BOBIKA VHETT 6914.
The least popular fighter this week was KARMA 6925. The other ten least popular
fighters were CHAEGO SARILDAN 6995, CHIANA 6807, KALLI ELISABETH 7003, DUCK CUTLETS
6981, BOBIKA VHETT 6914, STUTTER DUCK 7000, CHINA 6101, OCTAVIA 6890, MAN-O-WAR 6810,
and GRIZOLPOP 6984.
The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:
MAN-O-WAR (65-6810) TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
MAIL-IN TOURNEY XLVII
CONTENDERS TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
BEAN 4972 (67-56-2) 1 4 0 BATTLE SCHOOL
SCARLET HAG 3237 (52-65-1) 1 4 0 ARMOR & WEAPONS
TITANIA 5835 (42-26-0) 1 4 0 SUPERIOR FORCES 3J
ADM TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
DISORDER 6419 (36-19-3) 3 3 0 PARANOIA
DIRT BAG 4832 (40-19-1) 2 3 0 SCUM
HAYWIRE 5413 (23-13-1) 1 3 0 WHO ARMED THEM?
FRESHMEN TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
SHEN 4973 (19-11-0) 2 3 0 BATTLE SCHOOL
DOOMSDAY DEVICE 4854 (19-21-0) 1 3 0 REIGNING DOOM
CHAMPIONS TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
ABRA CADAVER 5322 (7-7-3) 2 3 0 REIGNING DOOM
ADEPTS FOOLS TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
CHINA 6101 (6-3-0) 2 3 0 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES
ROOKIES FOOLS TOURNEY W L K TEAM NAME
KALLI ELISABETH 7003 (0-0-0) 1 3 0 HOUSE OF CARDS