DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/17/2005    Duedate: 03/02/2005

CHAVEZ RAVINE ARENA

DM-74    TURN-309

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

RAGING PYROTHAG
GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)
(74-3320) [6-3-0,84]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

RAGING PYROTHAG                JAEN MARTOS
GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)       HUNTERS & PREY (480)
(74-3320) [6-3-0,84]           (74-3630) [3-1-0,26]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

RONSEVAN                       RAGING PYROTHAG
SAND DANCERS (251)             GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)
(74-3866) [9-22-0,55]          (74-3320) [6-3-0,84]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

SAND DANCERS (251)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. STONED (498)                61
2. SAND DANCERS (251)          39      GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)
3. GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)    18      Unchartered Team
4. INSIGNIFICANCE (414)         0
5. ARENA FELINES (461)          0      STONED (498)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 2*LORDS OF VIRTUE (494)      6   1  1 85.7   1/ 1 SAND DANCERS (251)        8  7 0
 2/ 0*STONED (498)               4   1  0 80.0   2/ 2*HUNTERS & PREY (480)      5  4 1
 3- 5 ARENA FELINES (461)       30  22  0 57.7   3/ 0*STONED (498)              4  1 0
 4- 6 INSIGNIFICANCE (414)      68  60  7 53.1   4/ 6 GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)  2  0 0
 5/ 9 GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)  13  14  0 48.1   5- 4 INSIGNIFICANCE (414)      1  2 0
 6/ 8 SAND DANCERS (251)       695 757 29 47.9   6- 9 ARENA FELINES (461)       0  1 0
 7/10*HUNTERS & PREY (480)       6   9  1 40.0   7- 7*LORDS OF VIRTUE (494)     0  1 0

    '*'   Unchartered team                       '-'  Team did not fight this turn
   (###)  Avoid teams by their Team Id          ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     I definitely did not want to be here.  Now I may have to go inactive to avoid
graduation before the Face.  Anyway, can't challenge anyone, so I will see whomever
next turn.

                                                  The Raging One
                                                  Apprentice TC!

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of CHAVEZ RAVINE!  Know me for who I am, Zontani 
Sharp Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  Warriors--remember that glory 
waits always around the corner!  Witness how this week ARENA FELINES went 0-0-0 to 
move up 3 in the rankings.  I could not but notice the fine record for STONED (4-1-0) 
after their first round of combat.  May the gods of war favor you in CHAVEZ RAVINE!  
SYMPATHETIC DEVIL caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial commission as he 
skillfully bested TIRGU JIU and was awarded 15 points in recognition.  In one of the 
week's more notable duels, SYMPATHETIC DEVIL put down TIRGU JIU, causing him to lose 
13 points of recognition in the process.  Not for nothing has RAGING PYROTHAG in the 
past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week he's proven his combat 
skill yet again.  No confirmation, but my sources claim that the top team has gained 
their position using magical aids.  Charmed weapons perhaps?   
     But come now, let us look deeper into the maze of contention and crossed blades 
that is city CHAVEZ RAVINE.  Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those 
below.  GARMON CHANG take warning!  You have more than a few enemies in CHAVEZ 
RAVINE.   
     Vendettas.  Bloodied blades and broken spears.  Indeed the city has seen more 
than its fair share of red in recent times.  Some say a warrior is judged by the way 
he bears arms.  One thing is sure, better a dagger in hand then a sword on the belt!  
     The girls are as pretty in CHAVEZ RAVINE as ever I remembered them....and the 
fighters as ugly!  Don't let your reputation slip!  Sadly warriors, now longer can I 
keep thy company nor savor the ale of thy fine city.  Depart I must and soon!  Till 
next we meet remember - the pen is mightier than the sword, but a maul is a different 
story!-- Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RAGING PYROTHAG 3320          6   3  0    84       GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-LOVE 3919                     5   1  1    77       LORDS OF VIRTUE (494)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GREEN DISEASE 3902            5   2  1    56       INSIGNIFICANCE (414)
 RONSEVAN 3866                 9  22  0    55       SAND DANCERS (251)
 KORBA KLEE 3963               5   3  0    47       SAND DANCERS (251)
-DARTH DECLAWED 3420           7   3  0    46       ARENA FELINES (461)
-CAT STEVENS 3363              6   4  0    36       ARENA FELINES (461)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-SAND CAPPER 3362              5   5  0    30       ARENA FELINES (461)
-FEROCIOUS FELINE 3366         5   5  0    28       ARENA FELINES (461)
 JAEN MARTOS 3630              3   1  0    26       HUNTERS & PREY (480)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 WARCLAW 3633                  2   1  1    21       HUNTERS & PREY (480)
-POLE CAT 3734                 1   1  0    18       ARENA FELINES (461)
-IRON MAIDEN 3317              2   1  0    17       GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)
 SYMPATHETIC DEVIL 3985        1   0  0    15       STONED (498)
 TOOTHLESSBEARDEDHAG 3987      1   0  0    15       STONED (498)
 STREET FIGHTING MAN 3988      1   0  0    15       STONED (498)
 MIDNIGHT RAMBLER 3984         1   0  0    15       STONED (498)
 TESSA TYL KAI 3980            2   1  0    13       SAND DANCERS (251)
 GARMON CHANG 3979             2   1  0    13       SAND DANCERS (251)
-ICE TITAN 3318                3   2  0    12       GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)
-JUSTICE 3920                  1   0  0    10       LORDS OF VIRTUE (494)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CHESSARA 3983                 1   1  0     6       SAND DANCERS (251)
 TIRGU JIU 3632                1   2  0     5       HUNTERS & PREY (480)
 CAXIAS DO SUL 3631            0   3  0     3       HUNTERS & PREY (480)
 QAZ AQ ATYRAU 3634            0   2  0     2       HUNTERS & PREY (480)
 BROWN SUGAR 3986              0   1  0     1       STONED (498)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
JAEGO KLEE 3948        6  6 0 SAND DANCERS 251      LOVE 3919             306         
KINLO TEN ZORN 3961    2  4 0 SAND DANCERS 251      MALAKAI 3964          306         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Garmon Chang -- I hope your hospital stay wasn't too bad.  I'm thinking of using a
bigger weapon.  Maybe even a halberd.  What do you think?  Should be fun. -- Jaen
Martos

Chessara -- My weapon feels right, it just doesn't seem to work well enough.  I guess
I'll try something else. -- Caxias Do Sul

Tessa Tyl Kai -- It was a pleasure to fight against you.  Perhaps we'll do it again.
-- Tirgu Jiu

Shameless Beggar -- One less beggar on the street is a good thing. -- Warclaw

Sand Dancers -- 3-0 against ya.  Not bad upon my return, but I know it won't last. --
Noachian, mgr. Hunters & Prey

Arena Felines -- You're here too?!  Your fighters should be declawed before allowed
on the sands. -- Noachian

Raging Pyrothag -- Odd name.  But then, you're a Dwarf.  What else should I expect,
eh? -- Ronsevan

Green Disease -- So, tell me.  If I could kill houseplants, would I be more
successful against you? -- Korba Klee

Tirgu Jiu -- Confess, you're a cultist!  I can tell! -- Tessa tyl Kai

Caxias do Sul -- Oh, excellent!  That is definitely the way my first fight should go!
Well, first formal match, I've been fighting with people all my life, and this
despite being sociable.  Ah, well. -- Chessara

Jaen Martos -- I always thought red hair would be garish, but on you it looks good.
-- Garmon Chang

31 January 2005
     My fellow duelists I come before you bearing a sad and unfortunate message.
Several months ago our group, the Vendetta Cartel, had lost contact with one of our
friends.  Since he was in contact or correspondence on an almost daily basis there
was concern amongst us.  With some research two of our members discovered why contact
was lost with him.
     On November 10, 2004, Richard Hammes was taken from us in a senseless act of
violence during a robbery attempt at a friend's store where he sometimes worked.  He
was watching the store so his friend could go home to tend to his son who had taken
ill.  You may have known Rich as Abarsis, The Slaughter Priest ; richh10 on the RT;
or gameogre on the Duel2 messageboard.  You may not have known that he spent 13 years
serving the United States in the Navy.
     Rich dearly loved this game and all it encompassed.  He may not have been the
best or most experienced manager but he loved to interact with others and was quick
to offer advice whenever anyone asked for help.  He was always kind and gracious and
tried to strengthen our game, often by helping new players feel welcome or give them
a chance to compete.  With his prolific posting I know that I am simply speaking the
obvious about what he did for our game.  Many, like me, were drawn to him, perhaps
for his kind nature or his sense of humor, and it appears he lived his life as he
played this game.  Always willing to help or do right by others.
     I realize that he had many friends outside the VC so I will include the link to
the news story in case any of his other friends would like to know more of what
happened.  We're all dealt a hand in life but it's not the strength of the hand
you're dealt but rather how you play it that really matters.  Rich played his hand to
the very best of his human ability and for this I admire him greatly.  I know we all
choose to like or dislike managers but I believe deep down we are all good and
decent, in this game, and will drop party (alliance) lines and will show the proper
respect.
     http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20041112/news_7m12clerk.html
     Rich was taken from us all to soon and with so much left to offer the community
around him.  He spoke of a desire to run a contest on the Duel2 site which I hope to
uphold in his name.  Some of the people I have spoken with think it would be a nice
gesture to do one final good act in Rich's name, though it could never match what he
would've done within his community, for his community of San Diego.  I hope that with
this contest we might raise a little money to donate to an appropriate charity within
San Diego in his name.
     In conclusion I send a message to Rich:
     "Rich, though I'm sure you gathered this I never really told you how much I
admired you and what a friend I considered you.  I thank you for being my voice of
reason and always reminding me of why we both loved this game so much!  You have
taught me one final valuable lesson in learning more of you.  There are things far
more valuable in life than material possessions such as character and kindness.  That
nothing going on in your life means that you cannot find a way to be kind and giving
to others.  We always spoke of meeting someday and until we finally do know that you
will live on in with me and the rest of your brothers and sisters in the Cartel:
Master Darque, Kat, Bum, Sensei Jan, Maximillian, Hammer, Fizban, Firehawk, Phat
Phat.  You increased all of our enjoyment of this game, you were a true ambassador of
Duelmasters, and the game will not be quite the same without you.  A farewell battle
cry from the ZalCon:  'Confusion to our enemies'.  May your soul rest in peace, my
friend."
     Should anyone wish to correspond about Rich feel free to contact myself, or
anyone else within the Vendetta Cartel.
     Street Legal
     Jeff Bura
     The Death Squad(63) in Tobir or triumph1971@hotmail.com

31 January 2005
     Be it known throughout Alastari that Hammer is no longer a member of the
Vendetta Cartel alliance.
     A difference of opinion with another highly respected member of the VC due to my
recent vocal actions in DM 47 can only be resolved by my resignation from the VC as
of January 29, 2005.
     I leave of my own accord, in good standing with all members and with no hard
feelings towards anyone in the Vendetta Cartel.
     There was a time when I felt that my membership in the VC made the alliance
stronger.  I know that my resignation today makes the Vendetta Cartel a stronger
alliance with my absence. -- Hammer

1 February 2005
                           St. Valentine's Massacre update
My apologies, the Kill Contest starting on turn 476 in Jhans will run for 10 (ten)
turns ending on turn number 486.
                                                                   Azrael

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

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

QAZ AQ ATYRAU was devastated by GARMON CHANG in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
CAXIAS DO SUL was vanquished by TESSA TYL KAI in a 1 minute uneven Challenge battle.
RAGING PYROTHAG demolished PELIS THE OLD in a 1 minute uneven Title fight.
KORBA KLEE overpowered DIRTY RUFFIAN in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
RONSEVAN devastated DIRTY RUFFIAN in a popular 1 minute bloody uneven brawl.
JAEN MARTOS overpowered BROWN SUGAR in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
TIRGU JIU was defeated by SYMPATHETIC DEVIL in a 2 minute beginner's melee.
WARCLAW won victory over CHESSARA in a 2 minute gory beginner's duel.
MIDNIGHT RAMBLER vanquished SHAMELESS BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
TOOTHLESSBEARDEDHAG overpowered SHAMELESS BEGGAR in a 1 minute uneven match.
STREET FIGHTING MAN beat LALVO OF THE PEN in a 2 minute novice's fight.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|WALL OF STEEL                    3         PARRY-STRIKE       4 -   0 -  1     100  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         LUNGING ATTACK    18 -   9 -  2      67  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         STRIKING ATTACK    8 -   5 -  0      62  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  2         PARRY-LUNGE        3 -   2 -  0      60  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         SLASHING ATTACK   10 -   7 -  1      59  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         BASHING ATTACK     6 -   5 -  0      55  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         AIMED BLOW         6 -   6 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         WALL OF STEEL      8 -  11 -  1      42  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -   2 -  0      33  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      0         TOTAL PARRY        0 -   1 -  0       0  |

Turn 309 was great if you     Not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
SLASHING ATTACK  RAGING PYROTHAG 3320        6   3  0   84 GEMSTONE CREATIONS (434)
BASHING ATTACK   KORBA KLEE 3963             5   3  0   47 SAND DANCERS (251)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is RONSEVAN 3866.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was RAGING PYROTHAG 3320.  The ten other most popular fighters were RONSEVAN 3866, 
SYMPATHETIC DEVIL 3985, WARCLAW 3633, CHESSARA 3983, GARMON CHANG 3979, TESSA TYL KAI 
3980, KORBA KLEE 3963, MIDNIGHT RAMBLER 3984, TOOTHLESSBEARDEDHAG 3987, and STREET 
FIGHTING MAN 3988.

The least popular fighter this week was BROWN SUGAR 3986.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were CAXIAS DO SUL 3631, QAZ AQ ATYRAU 3634, TIRGU JIU 3632, JAEN 
MARTOS 3630, STREET FIGHTING MAN 3988, TOOTHLESSBEARDEDHAG 3987, MIDNIGHT RAMBLER 
3984, KORBA KLEE 3963, TESSA TYL KAI 3980, and GARMON CHANG 3979.

                                  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*)