DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 02/06/2020    Duedate: 02/19/2020

JADE MOUNTAIN ARENA

DM-75    TURN-675

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

GRUNGE GRRRL
ROCK CLUB (339)
(75-3851) [10-1-0,99]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

GRUNGE GRRRL                   GAMMA SAGITTAE
ROCK CLUB (339)                SAGITTA (337)
(75-3851) [10-1-0,99]          (75-3832) [5-1-0,50]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

HAI CHI                        ERIC THE RED
SAND DANCERS (67)              JADED WARRIORS (335)
(75-3842) [15-17-0,85]         (75-3857) [8-5-1,61]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

SAND DANCERS (67)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. JADED WARRIORS (335)        24
2. HOLIDAY HELLIONS (342)      19      ROCK CLUB (339)
3. SAND DANCERS (67)           14      Unchartered Team
4. APOKOLIPS (321)             10
5. ROCK CLUB (339)              4      HOLIDAY HELLIONS (342)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*HOLIDAY HELLIONS (342)     1   0  0  100   1/ 1 SAND DANCERS (67)         9  6 1
 2/ 1 ROCK CLUB (339)           11   1  0 91.7   2/ 2 JADED WARRIORS (335)      6  3 0
 3/ 2 JADED WARRIORS (335)     110  46  7 70.5   3/ 5 APOKOLIPS (321)           3  6 0
 4- 3 CRITICALS (13)           311 184 25 62.8   4/ 4 ROCK CLUB (339)           2  0 0
 5/ 0*SAGITTA (337)             18  17  0 51.4   5- 3 CRITICALS (13)            2  1 0
 6/ 4 APOKOLIPS (321)           96 121  6 44.2   6/ 0*SAGITTA (337)             2  3 0
 7/ 5 SAND DANCERS (67)        %1381 %1877 42 42.4   7/ 0*HOLIDAY HELLIONS (342)    1  0 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                                    Dark Stoicism

The giant sword cut a furrow into the dirt. The night's light reflected from a few 
patches on its slowly rusting blade, which rose out through an upturned mouth. The 
ricasso head stretched past a crossguard of outstretched hands. The stylized fighter 
handle stood on a pommel skull. Two beefy hands grasped the figure's body. The sword 
was massive, like the warrior holding it, called Stoic. The sword was sleek and 
battle-worn, the warrior was bloated and uncertain. Towering though he was, even under 
plates of armor, fat rolls peeked out. One might wonder if the cook decided to go to 
war while the soldiers stayed in the kitchen.

Stoic looked back. His manager, memory, had been there just a moment ago, but the tree 
line had misted over, obscuring the entrance. He shrugged under the weight of the 
armor and looked through his helmet. The moonlight was bright on a clearing in the 
forest. All was deadly quiet, night mist roiling. His sollrets clunking through patchy 
grass occasionally broke the silence. It would be serene, but he could feel eyes 
everywhere and the promise of death. This was not a quiet forest and certainly not the 
boisterous and sandy arena he normally fought in. This was the Dark Arena, final 
resting spot of the failed gladiator. 

                                        * * *

"I can do better. I can! Please!" Stoic pleaded but memory was unmoved. "My decision 
is final. You don't have the desire to live a life of war. You have not grown into the 
gladiator name I gave you." Stoic was on his knees, begging, searching memory's 
unseeing eyes for hope. Memory's mouth tightened as he let out an almost imperceptible 
sigh. He pulled the hood of his tight black cloak over his head, turned, and drifted 
away. 

"Wyvern, please. Surely you can save me?" The trainer put a hand on his shoulder. With 
Stoic on his knees, he and the diminutive trainer were eye to eye. An immortal warrior 
with many years and many deaths behind her, she did not harbor his fear of the 
unknown. "Today's fight is over. Tomorrow we will train for the next." She locked eyes 
with him, passing on some of her inner resolve. "Come," she bade, as she led him from 
the infirmary back to their training hall.

                                        * * * 

A biting pain seared through an exposed flap of skin on his stomach. His mind had 
wandered away from the fight. His opponent, a Dark Arena champion, had entered 
silently. An elf stood before him, two feet shorter, but standing tall and towering 
above Stoic by confidence and bearing if not physical height. He might have been a 
glimmering angel, moonbeams dancing on exquisite silver mail. The elf brought his 
needle-thin sword up, hilt to face, blade skyward, in honorable warrior salute. He was 
sure he had won, and everyone knew it. He had time to honor the walking dead. 

                                        * * * 

Old Wyvern snaked a short spear under his guard, stopping just short of cutting. She 
always used her deadly spear, even in training, such was her skill and control. He had 
a greatsword, blunted for training, but massive. "I can barely move it. How can I 
train or fight if it's too heavy?" He felt a familiar and painful whack from the blunt 
end of Wyvern's spear. "Don't blame the sword. Desire victory and the sword will 
move." She struck again and he moved to the side, not moving the sword so much as 
standing it in the path of the attack. The parry was unorthodox but successful. 
"That'll do. Now strike!"

                                        * * * 

Stoic tried to recall his training as the fight continued. It wasn't working. He was 
bleeding profusely. He fell back on his reserves of strength and willpower. Slash, 
cut, smash... the elf was striking every weak spot in his armor, inflicting damage at 
will. Circle, stab, circle, slash, circle, cut. Stoic had been on the ground twice 
before struggling to his feet, stumbling and throwing up defenses with little success. 
He felt frustrated and clumsy but kept defending. Maybe the attacks were coming more 
slowly...

                                        * * * 

The arena crowd was restless, only moderately attentive to the morning's rookie 
warriors. The sand worked its way between his toes. He was just a boy. His parents did 
not love their son so much as an arena bounty. Stoic was scared and slow and the man 
in front of him wished him harm. And harm he did. Stoic cowered behind his shield, 
without even a weapon. "It's better this way. Rely on your hands. I want to see what 
you can do," memory had said. Stoic was bruised and bleeding. His opponent was more 
tired than injured, exhausted, really. Under a slowly diminishing rain of blows, Stoic 
heard calls from his teammates. "Now strike!" They were yelling frantically. He peered 
over his shield to see his opponent, sweating, breathing heavily, grip loosening on 
his sword. The attacking gladiator overextended above his head, ready to deliver 
another hacking, unopposed blow. Stoic roared upward to his full height, at the same 
time sending his shield through the surprised gladiator's face. Blood spattered, he 
flipped once and landed face down with a thud, sword flying end over end to land ten 
feet away. The crowd gasped for a moment then roared. His team roared. He looked to 
see memory, gazing forward blindly as always, but clearly smiling at him.

                                        * * * 

Back in the night mist, he was tired and hurt. After a long fight, minutes under this 
barrage. It must happen soon. Stoic knew he would die. But he wasn't dead yet. He saw 
the elf circling, waiting for another attack. He saw the moonlight and the trees. He 
felt the watching eyes. He felt memory and old Wyvern and his team. He knew they could 
see. He felt his opponents and all the gladiators in him for this moment. He felt his 
parents, who only saw in him a mouth to feed. He saw the high elf, still glistening, 
now with sweat -- still looking down on Stoic -- looking down not with haughty 
indignation as before, but the desperation of a man trying to chop down a stone tower 
and just realizing his error. Stoic saw not confidence but desperation. For the first 
time, resignation gave way to fury. "Strike Now," he heard in his mind.

The elf leapt forward, blade flashing. Stoic spun to his right, pulling the massive 
blade in his wake. The elf and his blade shot through the spot Stoic had been, then 
turned back in disbelief at the unexpected life in his easy quarry. "Strike Now," 
Stoic thought, as he continued his spin, continued his fury, pulling the blade full 
circle, letting out a roar that called all the judging eyes to witness.

The blade felt warm in his hand. He struggled to catch his breath. The arc of the 
blade had pulled him another half circle away from his opponent. He looked back at the 
elf, ready for the next attack. The elf's body stood, head lying on its shoulder, neck 
detached entirely where the blade had hewn through. The head's eyes were still open, 
judging differently now, askew. Immortal these Dark Arena champions were, and 
immortality makes death an odd thing. Stoic fell to his knees, sobbing. The fight was 
over. And it might never end. 

                                          -- memory

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of JADE MOUNTAIN!  Know me for who I am, Zontani 
Sharp Eyes, Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  BAD SANTA caught the eye of 
many in the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested ZETA SAGITTAE and was 
awarded 19 points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable duels, BAD SANTA 
put down ZETA SAGITTAE, causing her to lose 11 points of recognition in the process.  
This time out NAPOLEON made his bid for the throne as he challenged ENCANTADORA in an 
all out contest of skill for possession of the title!  Not for nothing has 
ENCANTADORA in the past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week she's 
proven hers combat skill yet again.  No confirmation, but my sources claim that the 
top team has gained their position using magical aids.  Charmed weapons perhaps?   
     Many and various are the arts of battle.  In JADE MOUNTAIN "art" is a word that 
has long since passed from the language!  JADE MOUNTAIN, city of gladiators!  Mighty 
among the names of thy guilds is SAND DANCERS, a guild shunned and avoided by many in 
the weekly duels.  Methinks more than a few here could name the guild it was that 
spent the better part of last week avoiding SAND DANCERS.  Indeed it was JADED 
WARRIORS.  Mighty fighters cannot but expect competition from those below.  JO MING 
take warning!  You have more than a few enemies in JADE MOUNTAIN.  Give ERIC THE RED 
credit for his courage.  Did you note how he challenged JO MING despite the 26 point 
difference in their rankings?  The JADED WARRIORS stable will be up late tonight, for 
indeed it was ERIC THE RED who claimed victory in the contest, ascending 21 in 
recognition!   
     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!  
     If it were not for my skills as a spy I would have been mugged three times 
already in JADE MOUNTAIN.  Nice atmosphere you have here!  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:  a fool flies into a rage quickly and often.  The wise 
are angered by the same thing only once.  Zontani Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GRUNGE GRRRL 3851            10   1  0    99       ROCK CLUB (339)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-GLEAMING BLADE 3761          12   6  0   111       CRITICALS (13)
 NAPOLEON 3843                13   9  0    95       JADED WARRIORS (335)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-MENACING FURY 3859            4   2  1    89       CRITICALS (13)
 EGGCRACKER 3834              20  20  0    88       SAND DANCERS (67)
 HAI CHI 3842                 15  17  0    85       SAND DANCERS (67)
 LADY SMOKE 3633              15  31  2    78       APOKOLIPS (321)
-HANNIBAL 3849                13   4  0    77       JADED WARRIORS (335)
-FELLING POWER 3825            8   4  1    73       CRITICALS (13)
 JO MING 3841                 14  25  0    67       SAND DANCERS (67)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GENGHIS KHAN 3870             7   2  0    63       JADED WARRIORS (335)
 ERIC THE RED 3857             8   5  1    61       JADED WARRIORS (335)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-VLAD THE IMPALER 3862         5   1  0    55       JADED WARRIORS (335)
 GAMMA SAGITTAE 3832           5   1  0    50       SAGITTA (337)
 BETA SAGITTAE 3831            4   5  0    39       SAGITTA (337)
-RUBY TORTELLINI 3826          3   1  0    39       CRITICALS (13)
 ALPHA SAGITTAE 3830           6   2  0    34       SAGITTA (337)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 EDDIE GORDO 3733              6   9  0    31       APOKOLIPS (321)
 STONECUTTER 3879              3   0  0    31       SAND DANCERS (67)
 YOAKUM BEDE 3858              5  10  1    26       SAND DANCERS (67)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BAD SANTA 3883                1   0  0    19       HOLIDAY HELLIONS (342)
-CHERRY BABE 3853              1   0  0    13       ROCK CLUB (339)
 ZETA SAGITTAE 3847            1   3  0     6       SAGITTA (337)

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
DELTA SAGITTOE 3869     0  1 0 SAGITTA 337          CHAO-SO TALLTREE      675  NONE

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Encantadora, get ready. Your death is being arranged. -- Cleopatra

That is my spot, and my throne, and my title, Encantadora, you peasant thief, you. -- 
Napoleon

Captain Mondinor, who gave you that title? You fight like a private. -- Hannibal

Why, thank you, Jorja, -- Cleopatra

Jo Ming, grrr! That did it! I shall now come sailing not only after you, but after 
your dynasty! -- Eric The Red

Eddie Gordon, that was quite enjoyable. (Like the first two times.) -- Genghis Khan

Jaded is as jaded does. Jaded does what jaded wants. -- Cleopatra

Encantadora -- We congratulate you on your graduation.  And I commend you for your 
win. -- Hai Chi

Lady Smoke -- Good try with a difficult style. -- Eggcracker

Eric the Red -- Red indeed, but not your hands. -- Jo Ming

A win over a standby is as good as any other win. -- Yoakum Bede

Quite true. -- Stonecutter

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

DELTA SAGITTOE was butchered by CHAO-SO TALLTREE in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
NAPOLEON was bested by ENCANTADORA in a 1 minute veteran's Challenge duel.
ERIC THE RED subdued JO MING in a action packed 2 minute bloody Challenge fight.
GRUNGE GRRRL bested HAI CHI in a popular 4 minute Title fight.
EGGCRACKER subdued LADY SMOKE in a 2 minute master's competition.
GENGHIS KHAN vanquished BETA SAGITTAE in a 1 minute mismatched fight.
GAMMA SAGITTAE overpowered EDDIE GORDO in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
ALPHA SAGITTAE defeated YOAKUM BEDE in a 2 minute melee.
ZETA SAGITTAE was vanquished by BAD SANTA in a 3 minute uneven duel.
STONECUTTER vanquished TALK-TO-DEATH 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|
|TOTAL PARRY                      4         WALL OF STEEL      4 -   0 -  0     100  |
|AIMED BLOW                       4         LUNGING ATTACK     8 -   3 -  0      73  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         SLASHING ATTACK    5 -   2 -  0      71  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         TOTAL PARRY       18 -   9 -  0      67  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK     4 -   3 -  0      57  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         STRIKING ATTACK   21 -  16 -  1      57  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         AIMED BLOW        10 -  17 -  1      37  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  10 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   1 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 675 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     1 -  0     STRIKING ATTACK    1 -  2         4  TOTAL PARRY    
SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  0     AIMED BLOW         1 -  3         3  STRIKING ATTACK
BASHING ATTACK     1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        0 -  0         2  AIMED BLOW     
WALL OF STEEL      2 -  0     PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  1         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
TOTAL PARRY        2 -  2     PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -  1         1  SLASHING ATTACK

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      GRUNGE GRRRL 3851          10   1  0   99 ROCK CLUB (339)
STRIKING ATTACK  NAPOLEON 3843              13   9  0   95 JADED WARRIORS (335)
SLASHING ATTACK  GENGHIS KHAN 3870           7   2  0   63 JADED WARRIORS (335)
BASHING ATTACK   ERIC THE RED 3857           8   5  1   61 JADED WARRIORS (335)
AIMED BLOW       GAMMA SAGITTAE 3832         5   1  0   50 SAGITTA (337)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is HAI CHI 3842.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was ERIC THE RED 3857.  The ten other most popular fighters were GRUNGE GRRRL 3851, 
HAI CHI 3842, EGGCRACKER 3834, ALPHA SAGITTAE 3830, YOAKUM BEDE 3858, ZETA SAGITTAE 
3847, NAPOLEON 3843, JO MING 3841, LADY SMOKE 3633, and GENGHIS KHAN 3870.

The least popular fighter this week was EDDIE GORDO 3733.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were BETA SAGITTAE 3831, DELTA SAGITTOE 3869, STONECUTTER 3879, 
GAMMA SAGITTAE 3832, BAD SANTA 3883, GENGHIS KHAN 3870, LADY SMOKE 3633, JO MING 
3841, NAPOLEON 3843, and ZETA SAGITTAE 3847.

The following warriors have traveled to AD after fighting this turn:

ENCANTADORA (75-3620) APOKOLIPS (321)