DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 06/23/2009 Duedate: 07/20/2009 TELORINTHE ARENA DM-83 TURN-28 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS CONFESSION OLDIES (5) (83-47) [24-4-1,122] Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader CONFESSION POSITION IS EMPTY OLDIES (5) (83-47) [24-4-1,122] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite PARALDOXIA MORWEL ZEITGEIST (18) DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) (83-112) [11-16-0,103] (83-210) [10-13-0,69] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM OLDIES (5) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. OLDIES (5) 69 2. BAD SIGNS (24) 41 BAD SIGNS (24) 3. ZEITGEIST (18) 35 Unchartered Team 4. OLLIS HEROES (27) 33 5. THE ASCENDANTS (10) 4 FORGOTTEN REALMS (36) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1 BAD SIGNS (24) 92 43 4 68.1 1/ 3 OLDIES (5) 11 4 0 2/ 2 OLDIES (5) 91 49 3 65.0 2/ 2 BAD SIGNS (24) 9 6 1 3/ 3 THE ASCENDANTS (10) 56 33 0 62.9 3/ 1 INVIDIOTS (16) 8 7 0 4/ 4 INVIDIOTS (16) 83 52 6 61.5 4/ 7 THE ASCENDANTS (10) 7 3 0 5- 5 ACRONYMS (38) 25 24 5 51.0 5/ 5 ZEITGEIST (18) 6 9 0 6/ 6 OLLIS HEROES (27) 66 72 2 47.8 6/ 8 OLLIS HEROES (27) 5 9 0 7/ 7 ZEITGEIST (18) 58 77 2 43.0 7/ 4 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) 5 10 0 8/ 8 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) 54 86 1 38.6 8- 6 ACRONYMS (38) 2 3 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+-----]|%{ * Part 1 "Absolutely not!" Michael was about a decibel short of shouting. "You've brought this matter up numerous times in the past, Ebonariex, and the answer is still the same!" "Perhaps he has, but I have not." Azaziel swirled the last of his wine slowly. "Your nature has always been a bit of an enigma to me, Michael, but if what the dragon says is true...." Michael slammed the palm of his left hand down hard enough to split the black oak paneling of his desk. "It does not matter. I paid a price for centuries, and I will not willingly give up all that I have striven for in those intervening years for something so fleeting as power." Ebonariex sneered. "Oh, really, and what good is your knowledge without the power to utilize it to its fullest capacity, Michael?" He crossed his massive arms and leaned back against the wall. "Thanks to you, Michael, my arcane skills far outstrip the complexity of any natural born dragon, but without the draconic might I possess to fuel those intricate formulae, that knowledge would be USELESS!" Michael sighed. "Your case is unique, Ebon--" "No, I tend to agree with the dragon's statement there, Michael," Azaziel interrupted. "Your arcane knowledge is far more broad than my own, and you certainly have access to matters which would confound even my immortal mind," he ran a finger across the rim of his glass, creating an eerie hum, "but many of the theories you pose are just that, Michael--powerless theories." Michael slowly lowered himself into his chair. "Azaziel, you have known me for some time, but Ebonariex knew me when my curse was still fully in control." His sentium hand curled into a tight fist. "As such, he should know how much I dread the loss of control that curse brings with it." Before Ebonariex could interject, he continued, "You know a thing or two about the 'Curse of Cain', Azaziel." He paused to allow Azaziel to acknowledge the fact. "In the world of darkness from which I hail, the Curse is a far more involved matter. There are numerous clans and bloodlines, each with their own strengths and, in some cases, weaknesses." He paused a moment in contemplation. "My sire's clan was of the worst sort, Baal. His blood gave me access to many unusual powers, but also instilled within me an almost uncontrollable urge to commit vile acts. "Now, in all truth, the first portion of my unnatural existence was almost completely under the control of my sire anyhow. He sought to corrupt me by force." Michael smiled thinly. "That did not, however, work out in his favor. I stole his greatest masterpiece, and with it claimed his power and his very soul." Michael chuckled a bit ruefully. "I did not fully comprehend the nature of the artifact I had claimed, and for my ignorance I paid a very heavy price. For centuries, I was compelled to hunt down demons and their kin to fuel the unnatural power of the weapon. Otherwise, my sire's soul, which I had later learned was WITHIN the blade, would be freed and would likely take control of my own body. "The weapon was insidious, and over time its influence over me grew. It gnawed at the edges of my sanity, and I spent decades completely in its thrall. I remember little of those years, aside from the memory of bloodshed and pain. In the end, it was the love and sorcery of a youngling that allowed me to regain my dominance, though the world as I knew it would end before I truly managed to free myself from its influence. "More by accident than plan, I found myself cast into an alternate reality when the Armageddon struck. It was in that new world that I met Ebonariex, and also that I purged my father's soul once and for all. Most of my advanced arcana was derived from those years of newly gained clarity. Most amazing of all, though, was the fact that it appeared my final act of sacrifice in my home world had severed my bloodline curse. I no longer suffered beneath the light of day and the blood craving that could never be completely denied was gone. I still needed blood to fuel the most potent of my powers, but I no longer required it to live. "And now you, both of you, are asking me to replace the chains I striven for centuries to break." Michael shook his head slowly. "I can't do that. No, I WON'T do that!" Silence held court for a ten-count before Ebonariex spoke. "Michael, I know first hand what you went through, but you yourself said that you have never tapped the powers of your sire's bloodline since the fall of your world. Can you still even access those powers?" "It's a pointless question, since I won't attempt to." Michael shrugged. "Besides, what would it matter if I could?" Ebonariex became a bit more animated as he dived into his point. "If you COULD tap those powers, then I would concur with what you've stated regarding your curse. But if you CANNOT, and that is what I believe, that you cannot, then it would prove the validity of MY point. You are being foolish, Michael. Your reality has collapsed, and with it the laws that bound you to it. You know the nature of such things better than I, as you are the one who TAUGHT me. And yet you sit here and argue around the obvious: the Curse you speak of does not exist in this reality, and therefore you have nothing to fear!" Michael seemed to be gathering himself for a response, but Azaziel, who had quite literally faded into the woodwork, spoke first. "He's right, you know. I myself am constrained by the laws of my own reality, and as such possess LESS power outside my own realm. If my own realm were to collapse, and I was to somehow survive, I would no longer be able to access a great deal of the power derived from that existence." Azaziel smirked. "A simple matter of logic, as I believe you would say, Michael." Michael stared at his hands. The one, immortal flesh and blood, the other a sentient magical metal. 'Could it be? Have I been so determined to deny the old ways that I have blinded myself to a simple fact?' Deep inside, he sought, tentatively, for the unique power that his sire's bloodline had gifted him. 'Nothing.' Michael stood and met his friends' eyes. "I believe you may be right...." He held up a hand to cut off any statements. "However, I am still hesitant to tap into the forces of which you speak so freely. Remember, I DO understand their nature, and even if the Curse no longer has a hold on me, it will not change who I am and how I operate. Ruthless, I can do. Bloodthirsty, I am not." Azaziel laughed. "Why, Michael, I don't believe there's a 'ruthless' bone in your body, but I've been wrong before. Needless to say, our allies in the Dread Naughts will be pleased to know that you're willing to give it a try." Ebonariex maintained a stony expression. "I could care less about the current alliance. There are those who want you destroyed, Michael. You know it as well as I." He summoned a magic globe above his left palm. "Remember them, Michael, for they've not forgotten you or me, and when they come, it is I who will once again need your help. I can't have you falter in the face of those forces, and I will kill you myself to prevent them from finding me alone." Michael stared into the summoned globe for some time before responding. "I've not forgotten, Ebonariex, and I'll not fail you when that time comes." He stepped around his desk and clasped the globe in his left hand, crystallizing it with a whispered phrase. "Let us concern ourselves with the present for now, and I will consider what can be done about the past in the days to come." He pocketed the globe and keyed open his laboratory's exotic 'door'. "I've learned much about the nature of Ghea's laws, so it is ironic that I must be reminded of such basic matters as those we have wasted time discussing. But come now, let me show you Morngrym's latest contraption. It should prove to be immensely useful in the months to come." As Michael and his guests departed the study, a small horned creature appeared atop the desk in a puff of acrid smoke. It quickly glanced about the room to be sure no one remained, and then went about rummaging through the desk drawers. "You'd think a half-dead scribbler would at least keep some interesting snacks lying around!" A second cloud of smoke appeared just to the rear of the first, and the newly arrived imp swiftly kicked the other square in the rump. "If you don't get out of the scribbler's stuff, I'M going to tell Azaziel!" The first looked up from the floor in disgust. "Come on, we're supposed to be checking in on The Fallen." With that, the two disappeared with a simultaneous BAMPH! Elsewhere The deathly chill of these hyperborean peaks was nothing in comparison to the dead chill of Hel's realm; nevertheless, it was far from any normal civilization. Outside the shallow cave carved into the side of a matterhorn-like peak, slicing winds whipped ice flecks the size of shurikens at deadly speed. Nothing natural lived for long at these heights, and for that reason, among others, Eliphas Tragoruss had chosen it. His passage through Hel's realm had been excruciating, and had taxed his powers to their limits. The breach he'd followed had been guarded well, and he'd had to take extraordinary precautions to avoid detection. The current arrangements were far from comfortable, but with a few minor magical wards, he could survive indefinitely. The important thing was that it was highly unlikely that Michael would ever direct his attention to this forlorn portion of the globe, and the dragon didn't particularly care for this sort of climate, either. As for the 'new' arrival... that one could pose problems, but as long as he refrained from certain activities, there should be no reason for THAT one's attention to fall on him. Carefully arranging the last of his elaborate preparations, he turned to a large frosted mirror he'd recently procured from a former 'dabbler'. The hedge wizard had no idea just how valuable an artifact his grandmother had passed down to him. It was an ancient scrying mirror, engraved with numerous archaic runes along its filigreed edge. Many of those runs were not even of this world, but, of course, the hack who'd formerly possessed it had thought it only capable of seeing into the past and sometimes the present. What he hadn't known was that it could do far more than SEE into the past or present... it could reach out to them. And if the arcanist was skilled enough, perhaps even reach INTO them. Oh, Michael thought him long dead, and that damnable alchemically altered drake, too, but he had found a way out in those fleeting final moments. He was no fool; Michael and his allies were too powerful to attack head on. Which was why he was about to secure the perfect bait. Muttering words of power unheard in this realm for centuries, Eliphas ignited the sigils of the mirror one after the other. As each came to life, images began to coalesce; first indefinite, and then with more clarity. When all but the final sigil had been awakened, he paused. Clearly envisioning the one he sought, and bringing to mind the exact moment when Michael would have last seen her, he uttered the final invocation. A human female of indeterminate age came into focus. Her waist length raven hair was in disarray, and a small garnet teardrop was embedded in her left cheek just below the eye. The ravaged condition of both her clothing and her body confirmed the accuracy of his timing, as did the small silver pendant she wore--a perfect replica of Solomon's Seal. The medallion seemed to be smoking slightly, and for a moment Eliphas paused. He knew well the power behind that charm. It was more than the replica it seemed, and if his information was correct, it had been given to Michael by the Keepers of the Key themselves in honor of some bumbling favor he'd accomplished for them. He shook off his momentary dread and continued with the process necessary to breach the confines of reverse chronology. Of course, the process would probably not be possible if her realm still existed, but it had terminated and therefore only existed in theory, without concrete law. Where law had failed, power could prevail. With a final guttural series of phrases, and a vicious wrenching motion, the vision became reality. As Eliphas staggered back from the crumpled form of Crystaltear to catch his balance in the sudden ebb of magical force, he smiled. And as the wind wailed its horror across the ravaged peaks, Eliphas Tragoruss laughed. DUELMASTER'S COLUMN Notes from the arena champ. The coach says write a DM Column or I don't start. So, I shall write a DM Column. Yep. You all know me as that Reconciliation guy. The man behind the curtain. But did you know that? 1. I started with 21 Will. 2. I'm 6-0 vs. BA, WS, TP, PS. 3. 5-1-1 vs Rippers. (Yes, a kill.) 4. 11-1 vs. Lungers. 5. Hate Aimers! 1-2. 6. Am smart enough to have learned 3 skills in one fight. 7. Love to keep you in the dark. Too much information? Well, then, beat up on me, win the Crown, and write your own doggone column. Criminy! Confession, Duelmaster SPY REPORT It's me, The Unknown Spymaster, back to give you this week's Spy Report. Sit back in your seats and we'll have more fun than a barrel of Zontanis. We now have a new top team for all of you guys to dogpile on. OLDIES now holds the crown and they are betting they can keep it. Coming up with a solid 3-2-0 outing, THE ASCENDANTS has advanced 3 places in the rankings. It looks like the guys(?) at OLDIES had a good week as they went 5-0-0 to put them in 1st place. I guess steroids help! Hey everybody, watch out for CUSTODIAN, who flew up 24 points in the rankings after mashing GENERICKY like a melon. Keep your eye on this guy. And falling like a basher in the top ten was GENERICKY, who dropped 20 points after a disappointing (to say the least) bout with CUSTODIAN. Unlike most arenas, CONFESSION managed to get its challenge off against the 11-15-0 PARALDOXIA. Our battling duelmaster CONFESSION has managed to hold the title, fending off PARALDOXIA's none too subtle advances. Better luck next time, ZEITGEIST. Can you believe they are paying me 10 gold to deliver this stuff? Here is other news that is of note. Did you hear that ZEITGEIST was most avoided team this week? Well, knowing the personal hygiene of ZEITGEIST's warriors, I'm not surprised! And you guys like to boo me? Well, unsling your rasberries, cause DEATH'S CHOSEN beats feet every time ZEITGEIST smiles at them. Try farming, eh? Well just about everybody wants a piece of TORPORTLY, who was this week's most challenged warrior. In a touching display by a 'touched' warrior, CYCLIDIA went after TRAKE, who was higher by 19 points. Well, when the dust settled, CYCLIDIA was bested by TRAKE. Being a spy is great--other people die and you spend the rest of the day drinking to their memory. Better tanked than dead! Ask not the elves for counsel, for they will say both yes and no. Silly buggers, eh? Well, there's the manager of the TELORINTHE giving me the 'cut' sign (or is that 'They're going to strangle you in the alley?). Well, there goes another Spy Report. Good luck in next week's fights. Its been real, and its been fun, but it hasn't been real fun...-- The Unknown Spymaster DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME CONFESSION 47 24 4 1 122 OLDIES (5) CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME GUSHAN 222 12 8 0 115 ZEITGEIST (18) TORPORTLY 102 17 10 2 110 INVIDIOTS (16) PARALDOXIA 112 11 16 0 103 ZEITGEIST (18) LETTER SWEATER 43 17 11 2 96 OLDIES (5) CUSTODIAN 215 12 9 0 93 OLDIES (5) GOSSIPID 99 18 9 2 91 INVIDIOTS (16) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME STEAL HOME 138 21 6 1 88 BAD SIGNS (24) PEP RALLY 46 15 13 0 82 OLDIES (5) TRAKE 72 14 4 0 82 THE ASCENDANTS (10) LOTUS-EATER 193 16 9 2 78 INVIDIOTS (16) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME RIZZYN 104 10 18 0 77 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) DRAGGIN' MAIN 44 20 8 0 74 OLDIES (5) GENERICKY 100 16 11 0 70 INVIDIOTS (16) MORWEL 210 10 13 0 69 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME VODI 158 12 16 1 66 OLLIS HEROES (27) CYCLIDIA 111 12 15 1 65 ZEITGEIST (18) TOA JALLER 183 10 16 0 64 OLLIS HEROES (27) KALLOR 69 10 8 0 61 THE ASCENDANTS (10) SIMPLETONGUE 194 16 9 0 58 INVIDIOTS (16) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME REVENANT 213 9 13 0 53 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) HELGA HOARFROST 237 9 8 0 48 ZEITGEIST (18) -ROFLMAO 259 7 3 1 48 ACRONYMS (38) ISHTAR 184 9 18 0 45 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) OUT FOR A DUCK 275 5 1 0 45 BAD SIGNS (24) WASNIS 224 10 9 0 43 OLLIS HEROES (27) LUMP 269 7 3 0 43 BAD SIGNS (24) FENER 68 10 8 0 38 THE ASCENDANTS (10) -IITYWTMWYBMAD 260 4 6 2 38 ACRONYMS (38) ILEOSA 263 5 7 0 34 DEATH'S CHOSEN (17) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -BOGOF 272 3 2 1 30 ACRONYMS (38) YODA 274 3 4 0 30 OLLIS HEROES (27) TREACH 218 8 3 0 27 THE ASCENDANTS (10) MENDOZA LINE 278 3 1 0 26 BAD SIGNS (24) MELANCHOLIA 239 5 10 0 25 ZEITGEIST (18) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -GOOML 264 4 5 0 17 ACRONYMS (38) -LOMBARD 279 1 1 1 13 ACRONYMS (38) COTILLION 282 1 0 0 10 THE ASCENDANTS (10) AVATAR 283 0 1 0 1 OLLIS HEROES (27) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? DELAYED FLIGHT 280 1 2 1 BAD SIGNS 24 ARENAMASTER 28 NONE QUADRUPLE BOGEY 241 5 4 0 BAD SIGNS 24 VODI 158 24 REVENGED YIELD 276 1 2 0 BAD SIGNS 24 LOMBARD 279 25 REVENGED PRINS RIKARD 232 8 7 1 OLLIS HEROES 27 TORPORTLY 102 25 TOGG 234 4 3 0 THE ASCENDANTS 10 DELAYED FLIGHT 280 27 PERSONAL ADS Paraldoxia-- For your penance, sing tip toe through The Tulips ten times. -- Confession Individiots -- Did you catch our signs? That was 2-0 you were against us downing Letter Sweater and Pep Rally. Pshaw! -- Coach Gossipid -- You hurt, but you taught well. -- Letter Sweater Rizzyn -- I challenged?! My bad. -- Draggin' Main Wasnis -- How about THAT defense? -- Custodian Good luck to all.... -- Coach, Oldies All -- It was great to be back in one of my favorite arenas. A 4-1 turn was a great welcome as well. The one loss was a death but I guess things do happen. I Hope to be sticking around for a while now. -- Wretch Delayed Flight -- I guess Togg had too much rust on him after that long layoff. He will be missed but we aren't overly upset by his passing. We may or may not seek you out for causing his death. You will have to wait and see I guess. -- Wretch Coach -- I see you are doing The Consortium proud. I am honoured to do battle against a great example of that extraordinary group of managers. -- Wretch Helga Hoarfrost -- I don't know what was so unbelievable about that fight. Yes I won and that's the way its supposed to be. -- Fener Yoda -- It seems your age has finally caught up with you. You did make it 10 exciting minutes though. Come to think of it I don't remember much being that entertaining but I was fighting the view from the stand must have been very different. -- Treach Cyclidia -- My last 2 fights have been against you. There was a large span between the fights but the result was still the same. It's great to be back. -- Trake Ileosa -- A nice little fight for my return to the arena. I thank you for the warm welcome even if it didn't turn out so well for you. -- Kallor Confession -- I confess, I'm bald, like women, and have a foot fetish. NOW will you let me win?! -- Paraldoxia Genericky -- I think I could get used to this weapon. Thanks for the practice. -- Gushan Draggin' Main -- Recumbant bike that, chump! -- Cyclidia Gooml -- I really do despise your sort. -- Helga Hoarfrost Bogof -- Oh joy, I've reached the point where even a sound thrashing earns me recognition. -- Melancholia All -- I seem to be having HAL input problems, so if my statements spool out oddly, please note that. *wry grin* Please note that I concur with Jorja about no-tourney "contests." I'm just throwing ideas around. Personally, I LIKE the format, but we seem to be a minority. Perhaps the TW has leeched some who will return. Regardless, I stay. -- Michael Eldritch, mgr. Zeitgeist P.S. I have a diplo for you Scribe... the R.P.G. writers aspect intrigues me. All -- I was just offering a suggestion, which, by the way, is more than either of you have done (i.e., Coach, Dark Oracle). As it is, though, I tend to agree with Jorja. It just seems that most of the "missing" stables are caused by various contests around Alastari. As for the "greatness" of the No-Tourney arena, I was one of the first to champion the concept. As you can see, I've been here since the start! So, now that the dialog has begun, why don't we all hear less crying and more suggestions that way we can find the "right" solution and not only save Telorinthe but help it grow! -- Azaziel, mgr. Death's Chosen, Dark Angel of Shadow P.S. Michael, your thoughts would be appreciated and always the wise Jorja shall we continue. Lotus Eater -- Yuk! How do you stomach those things? -- Morwell IITYWTMYBMAD -- I wasn't really going to rip your face off. -- Revenant Out for a Duck -- In for a dollar! -- Ileosa Gossipid -- I always wanted to be talked about. Just not like that. -- Rizzyn Custodian -- You must belong to a union! Especially the way you treat such a harmless little girl such as myself. -- Ishtar LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS DELAYED FLIGHT was butchered by ARENAMASTER in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight. VODI was viciously subdued by TORPORTLY in a 3 minute veteran's Bloodfeud duel. CONFESSION defeated PARALDOXIA in a 3 minute master's Challenge Title duel. GUSHAN overpowered GOSSIPID in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight. STEAL HOME bested LOTUS-EATER in a 1 minute expert's Challenge brawl. CYCLIDIA was defeated by TRAKE in a 3 minute Challenge struggle. DRAGGIN' MAIN luckily beat MORWEL in a popular 4 minute master's Challenge brawl. LUMP outwaited FENER in a crowd boring 18 minute Challenge duel. WASNIS won victory over ILEOSA in a 2 minute Challenge fight. TOA JALLER won victory over REVENANT in a 2 minute veteran's Challenge duel. OUT FOR A DUCK overpowered TREACH in a 2 minute gory uneven Challenge match. GENERICKY was overpowered by CUSTODIAN in a 1 minute one-sided match. SIMPLETONGUE was devastated by PEP RALLY in a 1 minute mismatched conflict. RIZZYN was demolished by LETTER SWEATER in a popular 1 minute mismatched match. KALLOR handily defeated MENDOZA LINE in a 3 minute one-sided conflict. ISHTAR was viciously subdued by HELGA HOARFROST in a crowd pleasing 1 minute bout. MELANCHOLIA was handily defeated by YODA in a 2 minute bloody mismatched bout. COTILLION devastated AVATAR in a 1 minute one-sided fight. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |LUNGING ATTACK 6 WALL OF STEEL 8 - 2 - 0 80 | |TOTAL PARRY 5 PARRY-RIPOSTE 16 - 8 - 1 67 | |SLASHING ATTACK 5 TOTAL PARRY 28 - 15 - 0 65 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 4 STRIKING ATTACK 29 - 22 - 2 57 | |PARRY-LUNGE 3 BASHING ATTACK 21 - 16 - 1 57 | |STRIKING ATTACK 3 LUNGING ATTACK 42 - 40 - 3 51 | |BASHING ATTACK 3 PARRY-STRIKE 10 - 11 - 2 48 | |PARRY-STRIKE 3 AIMED BLOW 7 - 10 - 0 41 | |AIMED BLOW 2 PARRY-LUNGE 11 - 16 - 0 41 | |WALL OF STEEL 1 SLASHING ATTACK 23 - 38 - 1 38 | Turn 28 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: WALL OF STEEL 1 - 0 LUNGING ATTACK 2 - 4 3 LUNGING ATTACK PARRY-RIPOSTE 3 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 1 - 4 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE PARRY-LUNGE 2 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 3 1 TOTAL PARRY STRIKING ATTACK 2 - 1 1 STRIKING ATTACK BASHING ATTACK 2 - 1 1 SLASHING ATTACK TOTAL PARRY 3 - 2 1 BASHING ATTACK AIMED BLOW 1 - 1 1 WALL OF STEEL 1 PARRY-STRIKE TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME TOTAL PARRY CONFESSION 47 24 4 1 122 OLDIES (5) STRIKING ATTACK GUSHAN 222 12 8 0 115 ZEITGEIST (18) LUNGING ATTACK TORPORTLY 102 17 10 2 110 INVIDIOTS (16) SLASHING ATTACK LETTER SWEATER 43 17 11 2 96 OLDIES (5) FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME BASHING ATTACK CUSTODIAN 215 12 9 0 93 OLDIES (5) PARRY-RIPOSTE GOSSIPID 99 18 9 2 91 INVIDIOTS (16) WALL OF STEEL STEAL HOME 138 21 6 1 88 BAD SIGNS (24) PARRY-STRIKE LOTUS-EATER 193 16 9 2 78 INVIDIOTS (16) PARRY-LUNGE SIMPLETONGUE 194 16 9 0 58 INVIDIOTS (16) AIMED BLOW OUT FOR A DUCK 275 5 1 0 45 BAD SIGNS (24) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is PARALDOXIA 112. The most popular warrior this turn was MORWEL 210. The ten other most popular fighters were PARALDOXIA 112, TORPORTLY 102, OUT FOR A DUCK 275, TRAKE 72, HELGA HOARFROST 237, YODA 274, CYCLIDIA 111, DRAGGIN' MAIN 44, ILEOSA 263, and TOA JALLER 183. The least popular fighter this week was LUMP 269. The other ten least popular fighters were FENER 68, ISHTAR 184, SIMPLETONGUE 194, GENERICKY 100, TREACH 218, LOTUS-EATER 193, GOSSIPID 99, DELAYED FLIGHT 280, AVATAR 283, and MELANCHOLIA 239. The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn: GOSSIPID (83-99) INVIDIOTS (16) SUMMER FACE-TO-FACE IN CLEVELAND! Our summer FTF will be an eastern one this time, located in Cleveland, Ohio on July 17-19, 2009. It will be held at the Holiday Inn in Strongsville, OH, at 15471 Royalton Rd (440-238-8800). Rooms are only $95.00 per night, 1-2 occupancy. There is a free shuttle from the airport, free parking, and free high-speed wireless internet in all guestrooms ($3/day in public space). The hotel has an indoor pool, pool table, and hockey, and a fitness center. The hotel is located 1/2 mile from the largest mall in Northeast Ohio, with indoor minigolf and pottery painting, and right next door to Iceland Arena, which offers open skate and skate rental. They also have four bikes on property available for checkout, as the Metro parks are next door as well. The rooms are blocked--ask for the "Reality Simulations" room block. There are many restaurants and nightspots nearby and at the Mall, as well as a cafe in the hotel. The tournament information sheet will be out imminently. We hope you're all looking forward to the tournament and that we will see you there! Daydream Believer You once thought of me, As a white knight on a steed. Now you know how happy I can be... It's true. I'm gone. I've punched my ticket to Immortality and I'm off to the Isle. I know a lot of you are wondering what it is about me that has made me so successful. I wish I knew for sure. I think it has more to do with intangibles (knack) than it does with design, bonuses and favorites. I'll let you decide. Daydream Believer (PR) 17-14-4-17-7-8-17 Poor Endurance--Good Damage I -- 8 (+1) R -- 13 A -- 14 (+4) P -- 14 (+4) Df - 8 Dc - 6 (+3) I know what you're thinking, "WTF, that guy looks like a 98 lb weakling!" Sigh...I prefer to think my physical characteristics are ideally suited for a finesse style. As for my bases, I know they aren't much to look at. After all, I am a PR. I'm fortunate to be blessed where I need it the most--attack and parry. Okay, so I've got nice bases with bonuses in the right spots. What about favorites? Did I know them in advance or did I change them? The answer is no, I had no idea what they were for sure until I recieved my graduation announcement. I would be happy to tell you what my favorites are but I don't think my clone, Jumpinjack Flash, would be very happy with me if I did. Let's just say that from the moment I stepped on the sands as a Rookie I used the same strategy in EVERY fight. The only thing I ever changed was armor (early on vs. TP's) and attack/defend locations. That should give those of you who have faced me more than once something to think about. You may be interested to know that I am all natural. I haven't had a prize of any type used on me. I'm a freak of nature. It just goes to show you never know when a guy like me will walk into your guildhouse looking for work as a gladiator. It's up to you to spot the potential and nuture it along. I'm going to list my tourney results and records versus each style. It isn't meant to be a brag--I just thought you might find it interesting and a lot easier than looking it up yourself. Enjoy! Tourneys: Rookies: 15-1-3 TC. Initiates: 15-3-3 TV. Adepts: 16-2 TC. Champs: 13-1-1 TC. Rookies--Champs record: 59-7-7 (.894) Challengers: 9-3 TV. Challengers: 15-1-1 TC. Challengers: 13-3 TV -- Runner-up (Marv-AB) Challengers: 13-3 TV -- Runner-up (Teevella-LU) Challengers: 7-3 Challengers: 11-3-2 TV Challengers: 11-3-1 TV Challengers: 13-3 TV -- Runner-up (Marv-AB) Challengers: 12-3 TV. Challengers record: 104-25-4 (.806). Career Tourney record: 163-32-11 (.836) TC's: 4 TVs: 8 (3 Runner-ups) Arena record: 5-0-1 Grudge matches: 3-0 Total record: 171-32-12 (.842) Tourney record vs all styles: AB: 7-11 BA: 6-0-1 LU: 46-9-4 PL: 5-1-1 PR: 2-0 PS: --- SL: 9-2 ST: 51-5-2 TP: 35-4-3 WS: 2-0 As you can see, the only style I had trouble with is the ABs. I think that has more to do with which ABs I fought rather than the style as a whole. I was 3-1 vs ABs early on (Rookies-Champs) and 4-10 in Challengers. I was 1-5 vs Marv, 0-1 vs Marv Jr and 0-3 vs Soulsnare. I am going to make an educated guess and assume they all had skills or prizes added to them to make them competetive at the Challenger level where so few ABs are. I could be wrong, though I doubt it. See you on the Isle, Daydream Believer