DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 03/03/2005    Duedate: 03/30/2005

DRAGONHEAD ARENA

DM-72    TURN-157

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

ORPHAN
X-POSSE (579)
(72-5463) [14-7-1,132]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

ORPHAN                         THAT'S NO MOON
X-POSSE (579)                  FILM FUN (641)
(72-5463) [14-7-1,132]         (72-5824) [3-1-1,46]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

ORPHAN                         FRANKLY SCARLET
X-POSSE (579)                  FILM FUN (641)
(72-5463) [14-7-1,132]         (72-5823) [2-1-1,31]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

X-POSSE (579)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. X-POSSE (579)               23
2. FILM FUN (641)              15      MURDEROUS CROWS (171)
3. TWISTED SISTERS (644)       15      Unchartered Team
4. MURDEROUS CROWS (171)        1
5. BARBARIAN HORDE (637)        0      FILM FUN (641)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*FILM FUN (641)             9   2  2 81.8   1/ 1 X-POSSE (579)            10  5 0
 2- 2 MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)       22   8  4 73.3   2/ 6*FILM FUN (641)            5  1 1
 3/ 4 MURDEROUS CROWS (171)     39  21  6 65.0   3- 2*BARBARIAN HORDE (637)     4  1 2
 4- 5*EPOCHOLYPSE (588)         21  14  2 60.0   4- 5*SACRED REALM (506)        4  5 1
 5- 6*BARBARIAN HORDE (637)     13   9  3 59.1   5- 7 FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)    3  2 1
 6- 7 FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)   187 147 19 56.0   6/ 8 TWISTED SISTERS (644)     3  4 1
 7/ 9 X-POSSE (579)             59  55  1 51.8   7- 4 MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)       2  0 0
 8-10*SACRED REALM (506)        13  13  3 50.0   8- 3*EPOCHOLYPSE (588)         2  3 0
 9/11 TWISTED SISTERS (644)     20  22  4 47.6   9/14 MURDEROUS CROWS (171)     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

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

                         ---===DELARQUAN REGIONAL NEWS===---

                                     Duelmasters
                                     -----------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 516): DESTINY of SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 402): NELLISTHA of THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 521): SUNBURN of SIMPLY DESSERTS (Sweet Tooth, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 517): SERILIA of BLADES OF MIST (Lord Andarus, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 516): JOHN TYLER of I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 520): SATAN CLAUS of HOLIDAY HORRORS (The Dark One, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 517): GOKU of WASTELAND II (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 512): QUIFF of QUBIT (Sultan, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 504): BULMA of WASTELAND (The Muffin Man, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 502): RONALD REAGAN of SONS OF SATAN (Damion, mgr.)
 DM  36 COSMOWORLD (turn 476): SANDPAPER CONDOM of MEMPHIS MAFIA II (Talon Darkhart)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 467): DARK TYPHLOSION of FIRE DECK (Destitute Noble, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 205): POSITION IS EMPTY
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 454): CRIX BREMOORE of FLAGG'S FIVE (Flagg, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 402): HANNAH of AMAZON ELITE (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 191): DAROSHTAN of TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jinda, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 179): DUFF of ISLANDERS (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 352): HELL STORM of DEVIL'S MAYHEM (Buddy Lee, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 156): ORPHAN of X-POSSE (Savant, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 395): WHIRLING WORD of 4-LETTER WORDS from CAER (TUM, mgr.)

                                      Top Teams
                                      ---------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 516): SWEORDMASTERS (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 402): THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   3 OSKSI (turn 521): OUR HIGHEST HONOR (The Anarchist, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 517): LOTHLORIEN (Mithrandir, mgr.)
 DM   5 KALTOS (turn 516): I'M HISTORY (Zalgor Prigg, mgr.)
 DM   6 TRANSEL (turn 520): HOLIDAY HORRORS (The Dark One, mgr.)
 DM   7 BONSUR (turn 517): UNDER JOLLY ROGER (Huckle Cat, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 512): TERRAPIN STATION (Floyd, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 504): CENTER FOR OLDS (Suave the Silent, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 502): GRIM FANDANGO (Stik, mgr.)
 DM  36 COSMOWORLD (turn 476): HELTER SKELTER (Cosmo, mgr.)
 DM  38 CLIFFHOME (turn 467): JINDA-BAN (Nick, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 205): CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 454): COLOR ME SUAVE (Suave is Silent here too, mgr.)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 402): AMAZON ELITE (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
 DM  54 TROCAR (turn 191): TRADERS OF TROCAR (Jinda, mgr.)
 DM  59 ILLIS (turn 179): SEA DOGS (One-Armed Bandit, mgr.)
 DM  62 VALAMANTIS (turn 352): THE BEARS (Papa Bear, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 156): X-POSSE (Savant, mgr.)
ADM 104 DARKHOLM (turn 395): ODD SQUAD, etc. (Doc Steele, mgr.)

                                   Recent Graduates
                                  -----------------
 DM   1 MORDANT (turn 516): SWALLOWTAIL of MANNEQUIN'S BEST (Mannequin, mgr.)
 DM   2 NIANIA (turn 402): NELLISTHA of THE GOLDEN FISH (Nick, mgr.)
 DM   4 JHELUM (turn 516): DREAMER of DREAMERS (Sleepy, mgr.)
 DM  10 KOLACT (turn 512): QUIFF of QUBIT (Sultan, mgr.)
                           SAVARE of DARK CREATION (Herbert Philip Lovecraft West)
                           LADY DIVAN of SPRINGBORN (Still, mgr.)
 DM  18 TALCAMA (turn 504): CORAL BEAUTY of BIG MEAN FISH (Big Wave Dave, mgr.)
                            ASSUR of ARROGANCE (A-Sop, mgr.)
                (turn 503): LE PAIN DLG of PENTARCHIE-18 (The Pentalque, mgr.)
 DM  21 SUNSET (turn 502): RONALD REAGAN of SONS OF SATAN (Damion, mgr.)
               (turn 501): POISON BEAK (21-5827) CARNAGE CANARIES (147)
 DM  36 COSMOWORLD (turn 475): KERRY BEAR of BLITZKRIEG (Polarius, mgr.)
                   KILL'EM KREPP of ANARKYSTS (Iver, mgr.)
 DM  39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 204): HOMEY CIDE of CRIMINAL ELEMENT (Fizban, mgr.)
 DM  42 RODEKI (turn 453): RONALD MCDONALD of CLOWNING AROUND (Assurnasirbanipal)
 DM  51 TRICORUS (turn 402): HANNAH of AMAZON ELITE (Doc Miracle, mgr.)
 DM  72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 155): CANNONBALL of X-POSSE (Savant, mgr.)

                                      SPY REPORT

     Welcome DRAGONHEAD.  I, Olaf Modeen remember this place well.  Many the fights 
have I fought here.  The celebrations, the disappointments...  Hmmmph!  I always 
thought EPOCHOLYPSE was an over-rated team and they proved it with a 0-0-0!  Up 'n 
down.  Up 'n down.  Rankings always change.  Up 'n down.  I think I'm gonna be...  
Well, MURDEROUS CROWS' 9th moved them up to 0-1-0 place.  What's with SENTINEL-5?  He 
actually beat DRAGONHEAD's PERSISTANT BEGGAR, and walked away with 15 more points 
from the fight.  Laughs were big at DRAGONHEAD while they watched DANGEROUS CRIMINAL 
clobber SENTINEL-3.  He lost 2 points and got bruised from objects thrown from the 
stands.  Try as he might, VENEMOUS CONCUBINE wasn't good enough at persuading ORPHAN 
to step down from the Duelmaster's throne...  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.  DRAGONHEAD thinks MOVIE 
HAMMERZ and their 22-8-4 is too much!  If at first you don't succeed, give up...  
Management must be dealin', as the boys at X-POSSE ain't reelin'!  MOVIE HAMMERZ's 
mad!  How well I know the feeling of being the most challenged warrior, SENTINEL-3!  
Don't make idle boasts, they may come back to haunt you.   
     Warriors of DRAGONHEAD unite.  You have only your games to lose!  Is it my 
imagination, or are fighters getting younger every day?  To die so young, so 
gloriously!   
     Well, I'm pretty much through.  You guys need to get back practicing.  
DRAGONHEAD is a nice place to live, but I don't like to live in nice places.  Time 
for my medication, so I'll leave now.  Practice, practice, practice!-- Olaf Modeen  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ORPHAN 5463                  14   7  1   132       X-POSSE (579)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-LORD EARL GREY 4546          11  12  1    80       FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GRABLE HAMMER 5300            7   2  2    55       MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)
-DAVE THE MANIMAL 5428         6   1  1    53       EPOCHOLYPSE (588)
-FURRY BOX 4314                3   3  0    48       BRIAN LOCK (398)
 THAT'S NO MOON 5824           3   1  1    46       FILM FUN (641)
-ANDERON 5260                  8   9  0    44       FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)
 VENUS DEE MILO 5720          11   5  0    43       X-POSSE (579)
-MORRISON HAMMER 5299          5   1  1    43       MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)
-AKIRA 5353                    4   2  0    43       FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)
-MR. FUNNYPANTS 5427           4   3  1    41       EPOCHOLYPSE (588)
-HENDRIX HAMMER 5297           4   1  0    37       MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)
 SENTINEL-3 5782               6   5  0    35       X-POSSE (579)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MINDQUAKE 5861                5   3  0    31       TWISTED SISTERS (644)
 DRAVEN 5726                   4   7  2    31       MURDEROUS CROWS (171)
 FRANKLY SCARLET 5823          2   1  1    31       FILM FUN (641)
-THE TRUNK MONKEY 5775         4   0  0    30       BARBARIAN HORDE (637)
-THE TAXMAN 5779               3   1  0    29       BARBARIAN HORDE (637)
-ELGINAWA 5424                 4   3  0    28       EPOCHOLYPSE (588)
-ANDAR 5774                    3   1  1    28       BARBARIAN HORDE (637)
 FRENZY 5857                   2   1  1    28       TWISTED SISTERS (644)
-BOGART HAMMER 5296            4   1  1    26       MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-IRON BITCH 5859               4   5  0    24       TWISTED SISTERS (644)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ARTEMI 5515                   3   4  0    23       FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)
 STELLA!!! 5825                4   0  0    22       FILM FUN (641)
-JACK SPARROW 5700             3   1  2    22       FEARSOME LEGENDS (505)
-ART 5438                      2   0  0    21       SACRED REALM (506)
-BONK 5426                     4   3  0    18       EPOCHOLYPSE (588)
-MERLIN 5776                   2   2  1    15       BARBARIAN HORDE (637)
-LADY SARINA 5773              1   3  1    15       BARBARIAN HORDE (637)
 SENTINEL-5 5929               1   0  0    15       X-POSSE (579)
 SENTINEL-4 5917               1   3  0    14       X-POSSE (579)
-GRUMPY OLD BAT 4578           2   4  0    10       SACRED REALM (506)
-JOPLIN HAMMER 5298            2   3  0     9       MOVIE HAMMERZ (577)
-CAMBRIDGE 5926                1   0  0     8       SACRED REALM (506)
-LORD STANLEY 5916             0   1  0     1       SACRED REALM (506)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
DERTH 5753             0  1 0 FREELANCERS 576       MERLIN 5776           153 NOT REVE
MAX 5439               1  1 1 SACRED REALM 506      FRENZY 5857           156         
TWISTED 5928           0  1 0 TWISTED SISTERS 644   SHEWISH GIANT 21      157 NONE    
RAVEN 5856             0  2 0 TWISTED SISTERS 644   LADY SARINA 5773      156         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

5 February 2005
On behalf of the ILLUMINATI Confederation of Alliances (The kLk, CHAOS, Inc. and The
Company of Brothers) I would like to express our sympathies concerning the tragic
loss of Rich Hammes to both the DM community and to the real life world.  Surely our
loss has been Heaven's gain. -- Talon Darkhart, deeply sorrowful
                                kLk God of War, Illuminati Alliance, Puppetmaster

1 March 2005
                                    The Contract
                         [as retold by Hammer the WordSmith]
     What had begun as a contract for swords and armor between a well known name in
the DM community and the former VC Captain/WordSmith and WeaponSmith of the Vendetta
Cartel Tarantula Tribe was destined to impact and altar the landscape of the dueling
community for years to come.
     The following is but a condensed retelling of history in the making.

    Hammer continued sipping his tankard of Elven Tonic as the mysterious hooded
figure quietly seated himself across the table from the Veteran Manager whose back
was against the wall; allowing for a subtle, but effective surveillance of the dimly
lit tavern.
     Recent events in both Illis and North Fork/SCOMSS Swamp Arena had stunned the DM
managerial world with the announcement that Hammer had resigned from his position as
a well respected member of the Vendetta Cartel Alliance.
     Those managers and associates closest to Hammer were shocked and dismayed that
there seemed to be NO Rational Explanation for Hammer making such a seemingly
irrational, hasty and extremely illogical decision; by what seemed to be a spur of
the moment reaction following the Declaration of War by Hammer in the DM 47 P-ads.
     This is what stirred the mysterious hooded figure to seek Hammer with a request
that would change the managerial course of both men; ultimately Rocking the
Managerial World of Alastari as a result of the forthcoming decisions reached by the
two Veterans.
     Time passed swiftly as both Veteran Managers discussed how the landscape of the
DM game on the sands of Alastari had changed over the years both in Basic and Tourney
play; producing a new breed of managers who would of necessity band together in an
alliance with a common goal; waging war against antagonists while improving the
managerial skills of each participating member in their glorious quest for DM
excellence.
     Hammer listened intently as his unexpected guest inquired about the situation in
North Fork/SCOMSS Swamp Arena; revealing his desire to participate in the upcoming
Turf War 4 contest in DM 47 with an alliance that would accept him on a more
permanent basis other than for just fighting together as a TW4 alliance to win fame
and Gift Certs.
     Here was a Veteran Manager, seeking the advice of Hammer regarding an alliance
to join on a permanent basis; plus extending a sword arm of friendship and requesting
that Hammer join him as an alliance mate with those who would welcome their
membership.
     The Iron in the Words of Hammer had produced this opportunity as a result of the
recent conflicts witnessed first hand by the manager seated across the table from
Hammer.  This Veteran Manager had been secretly searching and scouting around
Alastari for someone worth his mettle to fight alongside; someone who would know
where to find the perfect gang of rebels who were unafraid of waging war against
anyone.
     Hammer knew exactly where to look and in a matter of days the two newcomers were
welcomed into the ranks of a group of managers who received them as war waging equals
in an alliance that had joined a Confederation of Alliances for the TW4 contest.
     Fighting under the banner of The Illuminati Confederation of Alliances alongside
members of Chaos Inc, kLk and The Company of Brothers during the TW4 was more than
either of the two Veteran Managers had envisioned a few months ago.
     Hammer was now entering a new journey with a new attitude.
     Perhaps you readers may have noticed that new attitude by now since this
announcement by Hammer is uncharacteristically Exclamation Point Free.
     Except for the famous quote by Hammer at the end of this announcement.
     Now that Hammer and the Mysterious Hooded Figure have agreed to join forces with
an alliance whose members have welcomed them enthusiastically; let those who desire
to be antagonistic be forewarned as to the identities of these newly welcomed wagers
of war:

Tripwire
kLk Bringer of Pain

Hammer
kLk WordSmith and WeaponSmith
Minister of War
Illuminati Idealist

     "May Your Blades Be Sharp and Your Wits Sharper!"

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

TWISTED was barely slain by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
ORPHAN devastated VENEMOUS CONCUBINE in a 1 minute one-sided Title duel.
SENTINEL-3 was overcome by DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a popular 1 minute gruesome match.
VENUS DEE MILO unbelievably bested FRANKLY SCARLET in a popular 7 minute contest.
THAT'S NO MOON overpowered DRAVEN in a 1 minute mismatched match.
STELLA!!! bested SENTINEL-4 in a popular 6 minute duel.
FRENZY devastated MORDANT DESERTER in a 1 minute mismatched match.
SENTINEL-5 handily defeated PERSISTANT BEGGAR in a 1 minute uneven fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -   1 -  0      80  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      2         BASHING ATTACK    14 -   4 -  1      78  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   2         TOTAL PARRY       27 -  20 -  0      57  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         LUNGING ATTACK    54 -  43 -  6      56  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         WALL OF STEEL     19 -  18 -  1      51  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         PARRY-LUNGE        1 -   1 -  0      50  |
|AIMED BLOW                       0         STRIKING ATTACK   14 -  14 -  1      50  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         AIMED BLOW        14 -  16 -  2      47  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         SLASHING ATTACK    7 -   9 -  2      44  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -   3 -  0      25  |

Turn 157 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:

SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  0         5  LUNGING ATTACK 
TOTAL PARRY        2 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         1  BASHING ATTACK 
BASHING ATTACK     3 -  1     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  0         1  AIMED BLOW     
                              PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  0         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
                              LUNGING ATTACK     0 -  2         1  STRIKING ATTACK
                              STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  SLASHING ATTACK
                              WALL OF STEEL      0 -  1         1  TOTAL PARRY    

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
BASHING ATTACK   ORPHAN 5463                14   7  1  132 X-POSSE (579)
SLASHING ATTACK  THAT'S NO MOON 5824         3   1  1   46 FILM FUN (641)
TOTAL PARRY      VENUS DEE MILO 5720        11   5  0   43 X-POSSE (579)
WALL OF STEEL    SENTINEL-3 5782             6   5  0   35 X-POSSE (579)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is ORPHAN 5463.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
FRANKLY SCARLET 5823.  The ten other most popular fighters were SENTINEL-4 5917, 
VENUS DEE MILO 5720, THAT'S NO MOON 5824, ORPHAN 5463, SENTINEL-3 5782, FRENZY 5857, 
TWISTED 5928, SENTINEL-5 5929, DRAVEN 5726, and STELLA!!! 5825.

The least popular fighter this week was STELLA!!! 5825.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were DRAVEN 5726, SENTINEL-5 5929, TWISTED 5928, FRENZY 5857, SENTINEL-3 
5782, ORPHAN 5463, THAT'S NO MOON 5824, VENUS DEE MILO 5720, SENTINEL-4 5917, and 
FRANKLY SCARLET 5823.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

ORPHAN (72-5463) X-POSSE (579)

                                  Name-Change-O-Rama

     The winter tourney brought a lot of people to the Isle who didn't appear there 
normally.  This included Commission employees.  Half a dozen arenamasters regarded 
each other warily in the mirror behind the bar at the Pig in a Haystack.  The Pig was 
obscure and mediocre, drawing few gladiators, which is what they had all been looking 
for.  They saw gladiators every day.  Most arenamaster were convinced that this was 
some kind of punishment.
     You could always pick out the arenamasters in a crowd.  There were superficial 
differences:  One of these had clearly Adantri features, one wore an eye-patch, two 
were female.  But there were, in significant ways, alike.  The same size, the same 
hair-trigger alertness, the same deadliness.
     The one-eyed man broke the ice, raising his beer mug in salute.  "I'm Zrof One-
Eye from Zukal.  Sugar of Arvat--"  One of the women bowed slightly.  "I know Sugar.  
The rest of you...?"
     The Adantri matched his salute.  "Dernal of Dayla Kiv."
     "Daiyla Kiv?  Ah...."
     "No, without the 'I' in it.  These damned bureaucrats can't spell, and they 
thought adding an unnecessary vowel was exotic."  Disgust dripped from his voice.
     "Tell me about it!" another man growled in agreement.  "Khagal of Niatoli, and 
what they do to the spelling of THAT simple word--!"
     "I thought Daiyla, I mean Dayla Kiv had a different name right now," 
Arenamistress Sugar said.  "The arena, at least, because of a contest?"
     "Chavez Ravine."  Dernal's tone was the one that substituted in polite company 
for spitting on the floor.
     Zrof blinked, taken aback by the bitterness.  He wouldn't have minded a contest 
in Zukal, and damn what they called the place.  "It's only temporary, though."
     "Temporary, shmiperary," another man muttered.  He seemed well into his drinking, 
although, like all arenamasters, he carried his liquor well.  "They do it all the time 
in Aradi.  No reshpect.  Go around changing thish, changing that.  I wish I could 
change shome thingsh."  He signalled the bartender for a refill.
     The second woman put her hand over his mug.  "You've had enough, Harkon.  Try the 
coffee, instead."
     "You should be mad, too, Ripplesh," Harkon said.  "They're going to do shtuff 
like that in Jahnsh, aren't they?"
     Ripples Dorrigan shrugged.  All the men paused, some with glasses half raised, to 
watch.  "It's the way things are," she said.  "Not much we can do about it."
     "You know," Khagal of Niatoli said, "maybe we could make a few changes.  Fix the 
spelling of Arena 33, for one, change a few standby titles--"
     "The Commission hates changes."  Dernal of Dayla Kiv topped up his glass and 
drained it gloomily.
     "Yes, but if we disguise it," Sugar of Arvat said, excited, "make it... maybe a 
general Name-Change-O-Rama!  Then we could slip OUR changes through and no one would 
notice or mind."

                  *-------*-------*-------*-------*-------*-------* 

     By popular demand, we are holding a Name-Change-o-Rama during the month of March.
If you wish to change the name of your warriors or teams, please contact RSI Customer 
Service.  The charge for a name change is $1, unless you're in DOOMCorps, in which 
case you take your chances.  (Just kidding, guys! *snicker*)