DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER
Date : 05/20/2009 Duedate: 06/02/2009
DAL SHANG ARENA
DM-65 TURN-445
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
GRIZOLPOP
SAND DANCERS (233)
(65-6984) [11-5-4,128]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
GRIZOLPOP POSITION IS EMPTY
SAND DANCERS (233)
(65-6984) [11-5-4,128]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
GRIZOLPOP KALLI ELISABETH
SAND DANCERS (233) HOUSE OF CARDS (380)
(65-6984) [11-5-4,128] (65-7003) [2-0-0,20]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. SAND DANCERS (233) 73
2. TIL DEATH DO US PART (724) 19 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
3. HOUSE OF CARDS (380) 7 Unchartered Team
4. HEXACON 99 (678) 0
5. LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384) 0 HITLIST 37 (640)
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) 11 4 0
2- 2 COLD DARK KNIGHTS (455) 65 48 4 57.5 2/ 2 SAND DANCERS (233) 8 6 1
3/ 3 MIGHTY DUCKS (720) 365 315 18 53.7 3/ 4 TIL DEATH DO US PA (724) 5 5 0
4- 4 REIGNING DOOM (533) 95 84 10 53.1 4/ 6 HOUSE OF CARDS (380) 2 3 0
5- 5 HEXACON 99 (678) 35 33 4 51.5 5- 5 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384) 1 3 0
6- 6 DOOMSDAY4DOOMCORPS (536) 41 40 6 50.6 6- 8 HEXACON 99 (678) 0 3 0
7/ 7 TIL DEATH DO US PA (724) 327 339 30 49.1 7- 7 TRECK PEOPLE (150) 0 2 0
8- 8 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384) 85 90 4 48.6 8- 9 I'M HISTORY (417) 0 2 0
9/10 SAND DANCERS (233) 954 %1050 28 47.6 9-10 COLD DARK KNIGHTS (455) 0 2 0
10-11 TRECK PEOPLE (150) 100 117 10 46.1 10- 3 REIGNING DOOM (533) 0 2 0
11/15 HOUSE OF CARDS (380) 37 58 2 38.9 11-11 DOOMSDAY4DOOMCORPS (536) 0 1 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+-----]|%{ * }%|[ Til Death Do Us Part ]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *
Ini Palel:
The guard looked him up and down. "Lose the armor, the shirt, and your boots,"
he said, "you can use your own sword or you may feel free to use one of our weapons."
He pointed to a weapon rack. Old battered swords, spears, daggers, you name it and
it was there.
The room was a small one. The floor was packed dirt, as were the walls. They
had come in through one door, a second was the door out into the pit, and a third no
doubt led to the prison cells where most of the participants in these pit fights were
kept. The weapon rack filled the fourth wall.
"This doesn't have to happen," Man-O-War said, shaking his head as he pulled off
his boots. "We were just passing through."
The guard shrugged. "I really don't care," he said. "Win the fight and you can
go on just passing through." He watched Man-O-War place his belongings in a cupboard
next to the weapon rack.
"Fine. I'll use my own sword," Man-O-War said. He drew the blade Angelfire and
placed the scabbard in with his other belongings.
"Nice sword," the guard said. "Let's hope you know how to use it, because I
know damned well that Fuller knows how to use his. He's a regular here in the Pit."
He motioned the gladiator to the pit door. "What's your name?"
"Aranthar." He bounced a little on his toes, shifted his shoulders back and
forth. He was ready.
"That's boring. Can't you come up with something flashier?"
Man-O-War looked at him for a long moment, then shrugged. "Call me Man-O-War,
then."
"Well... that'll work, I guess," the guard said. He opened the door and
motioned the gladiator through. At the same time, a door was opening on the other
side of the pit, and the other man was coming out.
The crowd around the edge of the pit was noisy, and the guard scowled at them.
"ATTENTION!"
Man-O-War looked around at the people, some laughing, some yelling insults, many
passing money back and forth as they placed bets on this fight. All of them
disgusted him. People said that the arena was "like" the pit-fights here. It was
not at all like it. These people disgusted him. They weren't here to see skill, all
they cared about was blood.
After a few minutes, the sound ebbed to the point where the guard could be
heard. "Okay, we're about ready, so pay attention. Here we have the outsider, Man-
O-War!" The crowd booed and jeered. "And over there, the mighty Fuller the Brute!"
The crowd erupted into cheers. "It's a fight to the death, no time limit, no breaks.
NO MERCY!" The guard backed away to the edge. "Begin fighting!"
Fuller charged, his large sword a blur as he swept it in front of himself in a
series of criss-crosses. It would be intimidating--to someone who hadn't had years
in the arena to get used to such an attack. Man-O-War gripped the handle of
Angelfire firmly, shifting his weight back and forth a little, ready to react.
*** ***** *** ***** ***
The guard shut the door of the ready-room behind himself. He'd been doing this
for a long time, and the thrill of watching the fights had left him. Now it was just
another tedious job. He looked over at the cupboard that held the stranger's gear,
then looked down at his feet. "I could use some new boots...."
"Then visit the cobbler!" Sitha said from the outer doorway. "Leave his alone,"
she finished as she was pushed the rest of the way into the room by another guard.
"Ahh... our next contestant." The guard smiled at her.
"Careful, Hector, she is a feisty one!" the second guard said.
"Good. Now, lose the armor, the shirt, and your boots, and you can use your own
sword or you may feel free to use one of our weapons," he pointed to the weapons
rack.
The old ruins east of Ini Palel:
Fractured Skull didn't like the place or the time. The torchlight flickering on
the walls formed monstrous shapes and weird faces that he saw out of the corner of
his eyes. When he looked toward them, they disappeared. He tried to tell himself
that it was just a trick of the light, but... what if it wasn't? These underground
hallways smelled of mold and decay, a thick, choking, dusty smell. It was hard to
breathe. Maybe that was just him, but something seemed wrong with the air. He
didn't want to be here, and he couldn't wait till it was over.
He looked at Hobgoblin, then at Savra. Neithr of them seemed to be bothered by
this place. He didn't want to think what kind of life those two had lived that this
could seem "normal" to them. His eyes moved to Tennerus, who looked terrified, and
with good reason.
"Ah... good," Hobgoblin said finally. He pointed his torch at one of the large
floor stones, which appeared not much different from all the other large stones that
made up the floor. "A trap!"
Fractured Skull blinked in confusion. "That's good?"
"Of course. The fact that it hasn't been sprung is good. No looters. Probably
too scared to come this far in." Hobgoblin looked around.
Fractured Skull nodded. That actually made sense, and often Hobgoblin didn't.
He'd know Hobgoblin for a very long time, even before he'd joined the team
Bodily Harm back in Simtakka. The two had met on a mission up north of Lirith Kai
that had involved eliminating some foreign king's daughter. Each had their own
contacts and contracts, and Fractured Skull had barely beaten him to the critical
part of the job. Ever since then, he'd been connected to Hobgoblin somehow. He
didn't know why the other kept calling on him. Every other person that had dealings
with Hobgoblin ended up dead or something worse. Now that he was a Lord Protector,
Frac didn't have to worry about death. It was the "something worse" that got to him.
Hobgoblin picked something up off the floor, it looked like a chunk of stone or
brick broken from the walls, and said, "Get against the wall, everyone." When they
had obeyed, he tossed it onto the pressure stone he had identified.
At first, nothing happened.
"So much for the tra--" Savra began.
A volley of crossbow bolts whizzed by. She'd have been hit if Frac hadn't
pushed her back.
She looked at him and nodded slightly. "Thanks.
Ini Palel:
"I don't know who you guys think you are!" Sitha stood with her hands planted
on her hips. "We didn't do anything."
The guard scowled at her. "Look, I don't know anything about what you did or
didn't do, and to be totally honest with you, I really don't care. My job is to get
you ready for the next fight, one way or another." He waved over the two guards from
the doorway behind her. "Now, remove your armor, the shirt, and your boots, then
pick up a sword. We don't have all night for this!"
A new voice cut across his annoyance. "Leave your shirt on. Hector, take your
friends and leave me alone with this one."
Hector didn't know the man who was suddenly there in the room with them, but he
recognized the crescent-shaped brooch on the shoulder of the man's tunic. He nodded
quickly and left.
"Who are you?" Sitha demanded, turning to frown at him.
"You don't need to know that. I'm going to ask you some questions, and you're
going to answer them--one way or another. And if you're lucky, you and your friends
just might survive. Or not."
In the pit:
Fuller the Brute struck, but Man-O-War jumped back out of the way. Fuller
slashed, and Man-O-War blocked it. Everything Fuller tried to do, Man-O-War
countered, but he never struck back. This made Fuller even more angry, and the crowd
didn't like it either.
Man-O-War took a few steps back to put more space between them.
"Fight back, you wimp!" Fuller growled.
"You don't want that. Just go back to your cave and re-think the whole thing."
"Never, worm! I'm gonna squash you!" He charged again.
Man-O-War took a defensive stance. This time he could feel something different.
Angelfire felt... warm. REALLY warm, but it didn't burn him; it felt right. Fuller
took a swing, and Man-O-War parried. Angelfire cut through Fuller's sword as though
it had been paper. Fuller jerked backward and fell, then srambled back without
rising, his eyes on the sword. Man-O-War worked the blade back and forth. It had a
soft red glow to it.
"Go back to your cave, Fuller!" Man-O-War repeated.
This time, Fuller pulled himself to his feet and ran for the exit. The crowd
was laughing.
In the ready-room:
"So he is in the Ruins, now?" Sitha asked. She could hear the crowd outside
cheering and laughing, wanted to know what had happened, but she didn't dare take her
attention off this dangerous man.
"That's right. This Hobgoblin, he is not human?" The Clawmoon agent ignored
the noise from outside.
"He was once. We aren't really sure what he is now. I know he died in an arena
fight years ago."
"And the others with him?"
"I don't know. Look, I get it that you don't like strangers poking around in
your city. I don't want to be here, either. But Hobgoblin has to be stopped,
whatever it is he's doing."
The outer door from the pit opened, and Man-O-War walked in. Sitha ran up and
hugged him. "This is a good sword," he said.
The old ruins east of Ini Palel:
Hobgoblin stopped and stared. The passage they were walking down ended abruptly
at a wall where there should not have been one. There were symbols cut into the
stone, and a quick comparison showed that they were the same ones that were etched on
Windsong's blade. Hobgoblin studied it for a few minutes, tracing some of the
symbols with his fingertips. Finally he nodded and motioned for Tennerus to come
forward.
Fractured Skull pushed the man forward until he was face to face with Hobgoblin.
"Give me your hand." Hobgoblin held out his.
With obvious reluctance, Tennerus placed his hand on his captor's.
Hobgoblin turned it palm up, and with a quick slash sliced it open.
Tennerus screamed.
"Shut up!" Hobgoblin grabbed the man's wrist and dragged him closer, pressing
the bloody hand against the center of the wall. When the heavy grinding noise began,
he released Tennerus and pushed in back for Fractured Skull to take care of.
Slowly, the wall split down the middle and began to pull apart. Fractured Skull
and Savra stood back and watched.
Hobgoblin's red eyes burned as he watched. Beyond the door were bones, pure
black, like finely polished onyx stones. A dragon's bones, and the beast had been
enormous.
"YESSSS!" He spun around to look at his three companions and smiled, his jagged
teeth glistening in the torchlight. "Now the fun will start." Fire danced in his
eyes. "HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
* }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ * }%|[-----+O+-----]|%{ *
---===FREE BLADES REGIONAL NEWS===---
Duelmasters
-----------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 618): KEEL HAULER of SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 620): CARLOTTA of SWEET MAGIC (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 614): NECROPALYSE of DARK CREATION (H.P.L. West, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 616): MAREY D'NUIT of PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 614): TIBERIUS of FIELDS OF ELYSIUM (Caesar, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 612): WHITE CHOCOLATE of WALI'S FINEST (?, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 306): OPASAN of PHANTACITY (Omega, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 605): LITERNIUS of EQUESTORS (Spartacus, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 304): ULL HARDHAMMER of THE STORMBRINGERS (High Lord Bosk)
DM 32 ARVAT (turn 602): MADNESS of ANGELS OF PAIN (The Dark One, mgr.)
DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 600): PITT of STORM BRINGERS (The Rake, mgr.)
DM 35 MURSKA (turn 591): SLOWGO of LOST CAUSE (Vol, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 553): HAWK NELSON of POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (Zalgor Prigg)
DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 281): JACOB MARLEY of PHANTOM REGIMENT (Nomad, mgr.)
DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 276): JUSTICE FOR ALL of OF WOLF AND MAN (Tripwire, mgr.)
DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 262): INGLEMORT JULS of MIDDLE WAY 6 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 481): SPLAT of THEM (Papa Bear, mgr.)
DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 468): ACIDULOUS of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 448): ZOE ALDIN of MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 444): MAN-O-WAR of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 211): DEATH SUCKS of BLACKMAIL (The Mun, mgr.)
DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 408): MORO TEN ZORA of SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 401): CORINTHIAN of PARANOID ASYLUM (Jekyll, mgr.)
DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 390): GABRIELLE REESE of GIRLS X3 (NON, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 506): NATAS of DO IT AGAIN (Dark One, mgr.)
Top Teams
---------
DM 9 ZUKAL (turn 618): SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
DM 12 RIZTAB (turn 620): DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
DM 15 MALCORN (turn 614): DARK CREATION (H.P.L. West, mgr.)
DM 16 WILLAF (turn 616): PUNNY ANIMALS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 614): FIELDS OF ELYSIUM (Caesar, mgr.)
DM 19 ZUWAYZA (turn 612): THE MAGNIFICENT MAGS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 28 MORYA (turn 306): SANGUIS MORI (Toker, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 605): WILL DUEL 4 MEAD (Sporkis, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 304): WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 32 ARVAT (turn 602): DEVIL ADVOCATES (Dark One, mgr.)
DM 33 NIATOLI ISLAND (turn 600): RAVAGING LORDS (General Ikillyu, mgr.)
DM 35 MURSKA (turn 591): LOST CAUSE (Vol, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 553): LUROCIAN ROYALTY (The Greek Guy, mgr.)
DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 281): MIKES HEROES (Mike?, mgr.)
DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 276): LAND OF OZ (Oz the All Successful, mgr.)
DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 261): LIFE IMPACTS (Smitty, mgr.)
DM 56 ROCANIS (turn 481): INCONSISTENT FURY (Banthius, mgr.)
DM 60 COLLUSION COVE (turn 468): RED DOG GANG (Spot, mgr.)
DM 61 JURINE (turn 448): MIDDLE WAY 16 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 444): MIGHTY DUCKS (Woody, mgr.)
DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 211): MIDLE WAY 18 (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 74 DAYLA KIV (turn 408): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 75 JADE MOUNTAIN (turn 401): SAND DANCERS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 78 LIN TIRIAN (turn 390): GIRLS X3 (Non, mgr.)
ADM 103 FREE BLADES (turn 506): I'M HISTORY 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 16 WILLAF (turn 615): ZIGADENUS of MAXIMUM RESULTS (Coyote, mgr.)
DM 17 ALJAFIR (turn 614): QUINTUS 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.)
MANKILLER of DODGE BULLETS (Jorja, mgr.)
DM 29 LAPUR (turn 604): ELVIRA MADIGAN of TRAIL OF TEARS (?, mgr.)
DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 303): THERMOPYLAE of WAR (Mannequin, mgr.)
DM 43 VEASTIAN (turn 552): KRYSTAL MEYERS of POSITIVE ALTERNATIVE (Zalgor Prigg)
DM 47 DOUBLE X (turn 276): NIKKO of LAND OF OZ (Oz the Successful, mgr.)
(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 468): ACIDULOUS of ELOQUENT KNIGHTS (Soultaker, mgr.)
(turn 467): BUSTED NUTS of HIT ME WITH... (PTFT, mgr.)
DM 65 DAL SHANG (turn 444): MAN-O-WAR of TIL DEATH DO US PART (Killjoy, mgr.)
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
"Well, this was a very very long journey. A lot of crazy things have happened
along the way." Man-o-War paused to accept the applause. "It wasnt easy starting
life again, things are very different here in Dal Shang and Simtakka then they are
for me up in my home land of Kekoral, but everyone really helped me fit right in. I
would have never have made it if it wasnt for my manager Killjoy and the love of my
life, Sitha." He smiled at the two women standing off to his right. Joy smiled back
and Sitha mouthed the words, "I love you, too," back to him. "Well, though I wish I
could have spent more time in this wonderful chair here, it is time that I move
forward. I plan to fight a few turns on the Isle, then Im off to Shadowspire to,
with luck, lead a fresh new group of Karians to glory. Thank you, Dal Shang, may
your swords stay sharp and your armor stay clean. Farewell." He stepped down
towards the two women. "So how was that?"
"You did great," Sitha said with a huge hug.
"Very good, Lord Protector. Congratulations," Killjoy said.
SPY REPORT
Good day, friends and fiends, welcome to your friendly neighborhood spyreport.
I doubt DAL SHANG will ever be the same. Now keep the taverns open late tonight, for
there are sorrows to drown for REIGNING DOOM, whose 0-0-0 this turn dropped them by 7
into 10th. The SAND DANCERS guild has had a 4-1-1 turn and deserves to be watched in
the future. You never know where this kind of thing can lead. And let's see, BOBIKA
VHETT fought DUCK CUTLETS and gained 25 points and contributed to TIL DEATH DO US
PART's 3-2-0. DUCK CUTLETS has lost to BOBIKA VHETT, falling 8 points, while helping
make MIGHTY DUCKS a 1-4-0 turn. Somebody's not going to like this, (then again,
somebody will), but our Duelmaster, MAN-O-WAR, has died, and GRIZOLPOP has killed
him. By the way, was that our Duelmaster that I saw last night, cramped under the
table at The Blazing Unicorn?
He who challenges well, fights well. He who avoids without cause, shall lose
for good reasons. My mama told me that one.
A coward dies a thousand deaths, a brave man only once. Wise men know this to
be true. A brave warrior does not carry a red shield, he has nothing to cover or
hide when the fight is over. Consider well.
Remember, blood on the purple robe does not change it from a purple robe. Dare
to fight bravely. It's been nice chatting with you, until we meet again, keep your
swords sharp and your hammers heavy. Until you see my quill in DAL SHANG again,
farewell-- Alarond the Scribe
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
GRIZOLPOP 6984 11 5 4 128 SAND DANCERS (233)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
OCTAVIA 6890 15 5 2 92 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SORRELISHE 6985 11 5 1 89 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)
CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-ABRA CADAVER 5322 7 7 3 63 REIGNING DOOM (533)
CHIANA 6807 14 12 0 62 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
FLIGHTLESS DUCK 6982 8 10 1 58 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BOBIKA VHETT 6914 6 6 0 56 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
-*HAPPY PHANTOM* 5943 7 2 0 54 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
-BELLADONNA 3062 11 7 1 53 TRECK PEOPLE (150)
DUCK CUTLETS 6981 14 6 0 48 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
-*CRUCIFY* 5961 6 8 0 44 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
VENGEFUL DUCK 6994 2 9 0 43 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
-CHINA 6101 7 4 0 42 LITTLE EARTHQUAKES (384)
LUISENYA 6992 7 5 1 40 SAND DANCERS (233)
STUTTER DUCK 7000 5 0 0 39 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
LAST BEST DUCK 7001 4 1 1 27 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
-MARC ANTONY 4709 4 1 0 23 I'M HISTORY (417)
CHAEGO SARILDAN 6995 5 5 0 20 SAND DANCERS (233)
KALLI ELISABETH 7003 2 0 0 20 HOUSE OF CARDS (380)
-HELEN OF TROY 4756 3 0 0 18 I'M HISTORY (417)
LOEKER SMITH 7022 1 0 0 13 SAND DANCERS (233)
KARMA 6925 2 6 0 12 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?
MAN-O-WAR 6810 17 11 3 TIL DEATH DO US 724 GRIZOLPOP 6984 445
PERSONAL ADS
Man-O-War -- Works for me, and I can see it works really well for you.
Congratulations and good luck. -- Grizolpop
Chiana -- Ah, new faces! Excellent. -- Sorrelishe
China -- Hmm, that could be confusing! -- Luisenya
Stutter Duck -- Er. Ah, good fight? And ttthat's all folks? No, wait, that was a
rabbit, wasn't it? -- Chaego Sarildan
Our congratulations to Man-O-War; we know it's been a long road for you. -- Jorja and
the Sand Dancers
A salute to all who participated in the tourney. -- Jorja and the Sand Dancers
Grizolpop -- Wooah. I didn't expect a title fight on my first turn back. Great
fight by the way. You had me worried there for a minute. -- Man-O-War
Last Best Duck -- Looks like I still have work to do. If I'm not better then the
last best... then where is the Middle Okay Duck at? I wan to fight that one. --
Karma
Sorralishe -- Did they say go yet? -- Chiana
Vengeful Duck -- Sheesh... what did I do? -- Bobika
Man-O-War -- Is there any reason why we should give you some present above and beyond
the boon of agelessness and guaranteed resurrection? So you have graduated to the
Advanced Games. Lots of people do that. Then they leave. I will admit there have
been some that we were GLAD to see leave and to whom we would have given many gifts
to insure it, but times are tight. You want gifts, you give us a better reason than
your graduation, okay? What's in it for Dal Shang? -- Jaeko ten Kerrol, arena
steward
P.S. Besides, we hear you are leaving town shortly anyway, either for your homeland,
or to manage a team yourself over in one of those far eastern places. Have a good
trip.
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
MAN-O-WAR was viciously butchered by GRIZOLPOP in a 1 minute bloody Title fight.
SORRELISHE vanquished FLIGHTLESS DUCK in a 1 minute uneven battle.
OCTAVIA demolished HELVAN QUICKHAND in a 1 minute bloody uneven fight.
CHIANA bested VENGEFUL DUCK in a popular 1 minute fight.
DUCK CUTLETS was demolished by BOBIKA VHETT in a 1 minute mismatched competition.
LAST BEST DUCK was bested by LUISENYA in a 1 minute amateur vs. master match.
STUTTER DUCK overpowered CHAEGO SARILDAN in a 1 minute uneven melee.
KARMA was outwaited by KALLI ELISABETH in a action packed 7 minute gory duel.
LOEKER SMITH 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 6 PARRY-RIPOSTE 11 - 1 - 1 92 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 SLASHING ATTACK 25 - 24 - 2 51 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 2 LUNGING ATTACK 17 - 21 - 4 45 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 2 STRIKING ATTACK 10 - 13 - 0 43 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 AIMED BLOW 3 - 7 - 0 30 |
|BASHING ATTACK 1 TOTAL PARRY 3 - 8 - 0 27 |
|TOTAL PARRY 1 PARRY-STRIKE 6 - 16 - 0 27 |
|AIMED BLOW 0 PARRY-LUNGE 2 - 6 - 0 25 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 0 BASHING ATTACK 4 - 19 - 0 17 |
|WALL OF STEEL 0 WALL OF STEEL 0 - 2 - 0 0 |
Turn 445 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:
LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 0 AIMED BLOW 0 - 0 5 LUNGING ATTACK
PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 - 1 PARRY-LUNGE 0 - 0 3 SLASHING ATTACK
SLASHING ATTACK 4 - 2 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 2 STRIKING ATTACK
STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 1 BASHING ATTACK 0 - 1 1 BASHING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 0 - 1
WALL OF STEEL 0 - 0
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
LUNGING ATTACK GRIZOLPOP 6984 11 5 4 128 SAND DANCERS (233)
STRIKING ATTACK OCTAVIA 6890 15 5 2 92 TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)
SLASHING ATTACK SORRELISHE 6985 11 5 1 89 SAND DANCERS (233)
PARRY-RIPOSTE STUTTER DUCK 7000 5 0 0 39 MIGHTY DUCKS (720)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.
The overall popularity leader is GRIZOLPOP 6984. The most popular warrior this turn
was KALLI ELISABETH 7003. The ten other most popular fighters were GRIZOLPOP 6984,
SORRELISHE 6985, CHIANA 6807, BOBIKA VHETT 6914, LUISENYA 6992, OCTAVIA 6890, STUTTER
DUCK 7000, LOEKER SMITH 7022, VENGEFUL DUCK 6994, and DUCK CUTLETS 6981.
The least popular fighter this week was KARMA 6925. The other ten least popular
fighters were CHAEGO SARILDAN 6995, LAST BEST DUCK 7001, FLIGHTLESS DUCK 6982, DUCK
CUTLETS 6981, VENGEFUL DUCK 6994, LOEKER SMITH 7022, STUTTER DUCK 7000, OCTAVIA 6890,
LUISENYA 6992, and BOBIKA VHETT 6914.
The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:
MAN-O-WAR (65-6810) TIL DEATH DO US PART (724)