DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER Date : 01/03/2012 Duedate: 01/30/2012 TELORINTHE ARENA DM-83 TURN-61 This Weeks Top Honors THE DUELMASTER IS POSITION IS EMPTY Chartered Recognition LeaderUnchartered Recognition Leader POSITION IS EMPTY ALMENDRAS BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) (83-353) [3-1-0,40] Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite MORIS NAHR BERTHOLD MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) (83-291) [21-19-1,105] (83-314) [19-7-2,105] THE CURRENT TOP TEAM SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team 1. BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) 39 2. SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) 15 OLDIES (5) 3. MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) 10 Unchartered Team 4. OLDIES (5) 0 5. OLLIS HEROES (27) 0 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) The Top Teams Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K 1/ 1 OLDIES (5) 209 96 8 68.5 1/ 2 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) 9 3 0 2/ 3*BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) 18 11 2 62.1 2/ 1 OLDIES (5) 9 6 1 3/ 2 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) 62 42 2 59.6 3/ 3*BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) 8 7 2 4/ 4 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) 99 101 4 49.5 4/ 4 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) 7 8 0 5- 5 OLLIS HEROES (27) 114 119 5 48.9 5- 5 OLLIS HEROES (27) 3 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+-----]|%{ * ---===SLOW ARENA NEWS===--- Duelmasters ----------- DM 8 ARKERS (turn 343): NORM QUESHA of MIDDLE WAY 11 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 340): PYRITE of STEEL AND SILK (Michael Eldritch, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 338): PANCAKES of KAOS II (Grimm, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 294): THE FALLEN ONE of DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 316): ROSELYN of DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 47 TEMPLE OF ABARSIS (turn 310): EUREKA PRIDE of ALASKAN PIPELINE (Storm Lord) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 297): 4-H of LIFE IMPACTS (Coach, mgr.) DM 52 FRATSFA (turn 291): ZOUM LA BOUSE of BLOOD AND GUTS! (Le Pentarque, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 275): WERE BEAR of FERAL LEGION (Seraphim, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 268): HARVEY of IMPROVED ILLUSION (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 71 KYR'TERR (turn 244): DIANGELIQUE of DARQUE FORCES V (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 245): NAEFAN ORDH of MIDDLE WAY 9 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 245): BBIAB of H8 2 TXT (Sherlock, mgr.) DM 83 TELORINTHE (turn 60): VODI of OLLIS HEROES (Omega, mgr.) DM 106 CRYSALIS (turn 243): DUTCH TREAT of WORLDWIDE GORE (Crip, mgr.) Top Teams --------- DM 8 ARKERS (turn 343): MIDDLE WAY 11 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 28 MORYA (turn 340): DODGE BULLETS (Jorja, mgr.) DM 31 CHIMLEVTAL (turn 338): AVENGERS (Huckle Cat?, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 294): DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 45 STORMCROWE (turn 316): DARQUE FORCES (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 47 TEMPLE OF ABARSIS (turn 310): PALINDROMES (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 297): THE MYRMIDONS (Sigurd Fafnisbane, mgr.) DM 52 FRATSFA (turn 291): PYROMANIA (Marma Duke, mgr.) DM 54 TROCAR (turn 275): FERAL LEGION (Seraphim, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 268): IMPROVED ILLUSION (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 71 KYR'TERR (turn 244): THE ZOO (Jorja, mgr.) DM 72 DRAGONHEAD (turn 245): MIDDLE WAY 9 (Jorja, mgr.) DM 73 ERINIKA (turn 245): H8 2 TXT (Sherlock, mgr.) DM 83 TELORINTHE (turn 60): OLDIES (Coach, mgr.) DM 106 CRYSALIS (turn 243): SPARF! et al (Crip, mgrs.) Recent Graduates ---------------- DM 28 MORYA (turn 340): PYRITE of STEEL AND SILK (Michael Eldritch, mgr.) DM 39 XOCHITHLAN (turn 294): THE FALLEN ONE of DARQUE ANGELS (Master Darque, mgr.) DM 47 TEMPLE OF ABARSIS (turn 310): RACECAR of PALINDROMES (Assurnasirbanipal) AGOSERIS of WARHAMMERS (Coyote, mgr) (turn 309): TNT of PALINDROMES (Assurnasirbanipal, mgr.) DM 50 SNOWBOUND (turn 297): BULLDOG of LIFE IMPACTS (Coach, mgr.) DM 52 FRATSFA (turn 291): 451 DEGREES of PYROMANIA (Marma Duke, mgr.) (turn 290): HOT STUFF of PYROMANIA (Marma Duke, mgr.) DM 59 ILLIS (turn 267): UNCLE FESTUS of TALL TALES (A-Sop, mgr.) SPY REPORT Busy, busy, busy, lots of things happening in TELORINTHE this turn, and let's start with a look at some of the teams. It seems the training can make the difference, as OLDIES is pushed out of top team by SUDDENLY, THE VAN, who came from 2nd with a 3-1-0 this turn. The BLACK LIGHTNING II guild has had a 4-1-2 turn and deserves to be watched in the future. You never know where this kind of thing can lead. And let's see, ROSANA SABEL fought CUSTODIAN and gained 14 points and contributed to MIDDLE WAY 21's 2-3-0. CUSTODIAN has lost to ROSANA SABEL, falling 12 points, while helping make OLDIES a 3-2-0 turn. Due to his absence and inability to defend the throne, VODI has lost the title of Duelmaster. Can someone confirm a rumor for me? I hear the top team makes their losing fighters do dishes at The Warty Toad until they win. Maybe? The crowd's roar, the smell of iron and leather, mixed with sweat, what more could a warrior ask of life? Well, besides that. I also notice that the OLLIS HEROES stable was the most avoided team this turn. Come on TELORINTHE, what are you afraid of? And guess who avoided OLLIS HEROES stable the most? Believe it or not, it was OLDIES. Anyone surprised? Well, sports fans, take notice that MORIS NAHR from MIDDLE WAY 21 was TELORINTHE's most challenged warrior this turn. We only live a short time in this world, so why not take a sharp blade, and shave it close? We'd like to remind certain teams not to rob the graves of their enemies. You know who you are; and it's considered rude. Remember, blood on the purple robe does not change it from a purple robe. Dare to fight bravely. It's been nice chatting with you, until we meet again, keep your swords sharp and your hammers heavy. Until the sun next rises and my pen sets to paper-- Alarond the Scribe CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -VODI 158 22 25 1 118 OLLIS HEROES (27) MORIS NAHR 291 21 19 1 105 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) BERTHOLD 314 19 7 2 105 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) SVEN 309 15 11 0 92 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME CRACKER JACKS 303 10 10 1 88 OLDIES (5) SANGER 315 17 9 0 86 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) SAM TALL 293 18 22 0 83 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -YODA 274 10 16 0 66 OLLIS HEROES (27) CONTRACT BRIDGE 308 11 5 1 64 OLDIES (5) ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME ERIC 311 7 9 0 49 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) ALMENDRAS 353 3 1 0 40 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) -INDIANA JONES 297 6 7 0 37 OLLIS HEROES (27) LIFE SCOUT 316 10 5 0 36 OLDIES (5) CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME ROSANA SABEL 326 4 6 0 30 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) BOOLUUGY 333 4 2 1 27 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) CIRCLE K 354 2 0 0 26 OLDIES (5) MELANIE OBERN 324 6 5 1 24 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME -BEN10 306 4 1 2 22 OLLIS HEROES (27) SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT 336 4 2 1 22 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) FABER CASTELL 335 4 2 0 22 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) SOUTHBOUND 334 3 3 0 22 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) CUSTODIAN 325 3 7 0 20 OLDIES (5) PETRO SALM 337 4 5 0 17 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) -HARRY POTTER 317 0 2 0 2 OLLIS HEROES (27) '-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn. THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge? CONVICTED THIEF 0 0 0 BOOLUUGY 333 61 NONE CULT MEMBER 0 0 0 SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT 336 61 NONE PERSONAL ADS Congratulations to Vodi for making Duelmaster. -- Coach Rosana Sabel -- I remember when we fought back at your 3-1 record. I guess I am the cause of your slide and I am sorry for it. -- Life Scout Melanie Obers -- What a relief! The end game trick worked. -- Contract Bridge Slight Adjustment -- Maybe it should have been a bigger one? -- Custodian Berthold -- You and your teammates are, and continue to be, too much for me. But somehow I keep trying. It must be the peanuts. -- Cracker Jacks Faber Castell -- I am not sure how I did that, but I surely will take it. Thanks! -- Circle K Sven -- We all enjoyed your DM Column. You should write more. Eek! -- Coach and The Oldies You heard it here, and for the laughs and scorn they may just acquire, here are a few of my Bowl Game predictions (posted 12-8-11): Alabama 17 LSU 10 Clemson 37 West Virginia 28 Oklahoma St 35 Stanford 31 Wisconsin 28 Oregon 17 South Carolina 20 Nebraska 13 Happy New Year. Coach Just a note: Suddenly the Van have moved, and their lightning pigeons have not come home to roost yet. So no personals from them. -- Jorja P.S. You can't expect 'em to do personals EARLY, you know. Is it the done thing to salute non-graduated tourney participants here? Although since they're all dead and didn't manage to get themselves resurrected, maybe it's moot. If a salute is in order, consider that we've given it. -- Jorja and the Middle Way Contract Bridge -- I always take my pappy's advice when it comes to cards. When in doubt, cheat. -- Moris Nahr Custodian -- You clean things well, though. -- Melanie Obern Coach -- Maybe we should recruit Assurnasirbanipal, so as to get some bashers? -- Jorja Sanger -- Oh, sure. They all say that. -- Sam Tall Yoda -- You were a tough little squirt, but still, a squirt. -- Sam Tall Sanger -- Ah, you fit the general image of a blonde perfectly. -- Moris Nahr P.S. Except that you learned too many skills. Contract Bridge -- Contracts? Wow, I thought all I had to do was pay a toll and cross. I dunno about this whole "contract" business. I'd better get my lawyer to read it. -- Melanie Obern Life Scout -- These announcers! If *I* had "bested" *you*, that would have been unbelievable. -- Rosana Sabel That Thief's just a kid. What's up with this? -- Petro Salm LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS CRACKER JACKS was bested by MORIS NAHR in a crowd pleasing 1 minute Challenge fight. BERTHOLD viciously subdued SAM TALL in a exciting 3 minute gory expert's battle. SANGER vanquished M. CHARDINEE in a 1 minute mismatched brawl. SVEN savagely defeated CONVICTED ASSASSIN in a 6 minute brutal fight. CONTRACT BRIDGE bested ERIC in a action packed 1 minute brawl. LIFE SCOUT savagely defeated SOUTHBOUND in a tiresome 6 minute bloody struggle. MELANIE OBERN was handily defeated by ALMENDRAS in a 1 minute uneven fight. CUSTODIAN lost to ROSANA SABEL in a 2 minute duel. FABER CASTELL vanquished CARLOI NOBLE in a action packed 1 minute one-sided duel. SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT dispatched CULT MEMBER in a 1 minute fight. BOOLUUGY assassinated CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute uneven match. PETRO SALM was beaten by CIRCLE K in a exciting 1 minute fight. BATTLE REPORT MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS |FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT| |SLASHING ATTACK 3 AIMED BLOW 7 - 3 - 0 70 | |STRIKING ATTACK 3 PARRY-RIPOSTE 4 - 2 - 1 67 | |TOTAL PARRY 3 STRIKING ATTACK 25 - 13 - 1 66 | |WALL OF STEEL 2 PARRY-LUNGE 8 - 5 - 0 62 | |AIMED BLOW 2 PARRY-STRIKE 9 - 6 - 0 60 | |PARRY-STRIKE 2 WALL OF STEEL 12 - 8 - 0 60 | |LUNGING ATTACK 2 TOTAL PARRY 19 - 13 - 0 59 | |PARRY-LUNGE 1 SLASHING ATTACK 14 - 13 - 2 52 | |PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 LUNGING ATTACK 8 - 13 - 0 38 | |BASHING ATTACK 0 BASHING ATTACK 0 - 2 - 0 0 | Turn 61 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 LUNGING ATTACK 0 - 2 3 PARRY-STRIKE PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 0 BASHING ATTACK 0 - 0 2 TOTAL PARRY WALL OF STEEL 2 - 0 2 STRIKING ATTACK SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 1 2 PARRY-LUNGE STRIKING ATTACK 2 - 1 1 SLASHING ATTACK TOTAL PARRY 2 - 1 1 WALL OF STEEL AIMED BLOW 1 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 1 - 1 TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME SLASHING ATTACK MORIS NAHR 291 21 19 1 105 MIDDLE WAY 21 (40) WALL OF STEEL BERTHOLD 314 19 7 2 105 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) TOTAL PARRY SVEN 309 15 11 0 92 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) PARRY-LUNGE SANGER 315 17 9 0 86 SUDDENLY, THE VAN (41) STRIKING ATTACK CONTRACT BRIDGE 308 11 5 1 64 OLDIES (5) PARRY-STRIKE ALMENDRAS 353 3 1 0 40 BLACK LIGHTNING II (44) Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above. The overall popularity leader is MORIS NAHR 291. The most popular warrior this turn was BERTHOLD 314. The ten other most popular fighters were CONTRACT BRIDGE 308, ROSANA SABEL 326, FABER CASTELL 335, SVEN 309, CUSTODIAN 325, CIRCLE K 354, CRACKER JACKS 303, MORIS NAHR 291, SANGER 315, and ALMENDRAS 353. The least popular fighter this week was SOUTHBOUND 334. The other ten least popular fighters were LIFE SCOUT 316, MELANIE OBERN 324, ERIC 311, SAM TALL 293, PETRO SALM 337, BOOLUUGY 333, SLIGHT ADJUSTMENT 336, ALMENDRAS 353, SANGER 315, and MORIS NAHR 291. NEW GRADUATES--FROM ALL ARENAS (INCLUDING CLOSED ARENAS) For those of you who keep track of such things, several additional warriors graduated from regular DM arenas (including closed arenas) since the last tournament. CIRBANE (3-3841) SORCERY COVENANT (52) MADE A COMBO (62-3896) WON AT POOL (401) TAKANOHANA (77-2569) SUMO BASHO (369) PAIN PART 1 (82-11616) LUROCIANS XIV (1687) 1101 (82-17779) MEDAL OF HONOR AA1 (2722) PUD 135 (82-22036) PUDS AGAIN 8 (3496) AMISTUM (82-26415) LBA: SPEILBURG FANS2 (4268) MORE COWBELL! (82-29315) BLAH TEAM 8 (4781) SILVER (82-30503) SUPERIOR FORCES 7402 (5001) HYPERMUX (82-32647) 121604Q (5387) BOND, JAMES BOND (82-36725) A VIEW TO A KILL (6066) R'AKA (82-37859) THE DREADLANDS (6285) PRISONER 007 (82-41051) DUNGEON CELL (6855) SPARKLY (82-41405) 012006E (6911) SEATTLE SLEW (82-41468) SUPERIOR HORSES II (6923) CATHARI (82-42267) 4604 SUPERIOR FORCES (7065) COFFEE GROUNDS (82-45801) ABSTRACTION (7691) Congrats to the grads. -- Green Eyes NAME CHANGE-O-RAMA The crowd was surprisingly orderly, but it was still a crowd, and the Commission clerk, Algernon, looked at it uneasily. Whenever this many people came together to petition for something, it meant trouble. For him, anyway. Records to be altered. Altering records was Bad. It made Extra Work. His assistant clerk leaned close and whispered, "If it weren't for gladiators, we wouldn't have jobs. Smile at them and ask what they want." Algernon closed his eyes briefly. Looking at this crowd made him dizzy. They were all wearing black and white stripes. Like a herd of zebras, except that zebras didn't carry swords. Then he took a deep breath and managed a smile. "What... ah, what can I do for you?" "We want new names," the first gladiator said. There was a number on the front of his shirt: 0381. He thumped the number with his thumb. "This here isn't a name--" "We want REAL names!" That voice came from farther back in the crowd. "Yeah! We've paid our dues," another shouted, "and we've EARNED real names!" One from the very back yelled, "I want to be called Tom." All the others turned to look at him. Algernon couldn't see him, but apparently those looks were accusing. Well, he could understand that, "Tom" was such a... common name. "My mom called me Tom," the voice in the back protested. "It's a good name." "It isn't the name you put on the petition," 0381 said. "We talked about this. We got our manager's agreement. You get the name on the petition." "But--!" Algernon didn't really want to keep staring at all these stripes while they argued. He picked up the petition. "These names are the ones you want?" 0381 turned back. "Yes." "It's a lot of trouble, and when other people see that YOU are getting name changes, THEY are going to want them--" Seeing the gladiators beginning to frown... and finger their weapons, he went on quickly, "So I figure we might as well make it a complete deal. A Name-Change-O-Rama. Everyone who wants a name change can petition for it. Get it all over with at once." He glanced at the petition, shuddered slightly, and passed it to his clerk. "We'll announce it, proclaim it, even, and you will get the names on this petition. And others will get the names THEY think they should have had, too." He paused. "And I think I'll get a new name, I'm tired of being an Algernon...." * * * * * Warrior and team name changes will be accepted during the month of February. If you have names you want to change, please contact Customer Service. -- RSI "DARK ARENA" -- The Novel For centuries, the Shagornan Elves have been forced to live underground. Human invaders, the Delarquans, burned their forests, sparking a war of elven annihilation. The elders told tales that when the Delarquans marched to war against the elves, the land itself bled as they passed. Since the war, the elves have dwindled with every passing year, while the humans multiply like rodents across the land of Alastari. Now, the Delarquans have disappeared. Some say they departed, others indicate it.s a ruse, but there have been whispered rumors of another greater threat looming in the region. Khyron of the Shagornan Elves has been tasked to determine the cause, realizing that failure is probable and at the end of the road death could be the only reward. Khyron has known only the safety of the caves, but now he must journey to the world above...the World with No Ceiling. Throughout the years, many fine writers have played Duelmasters/Duel II and have contributed greatly to the history and background of the world of Alastari. One very intense period, during the early '90's, was during the Rocanis War, when authors from both the Delarquan and Free Blades arenas collaborated on writing the history of the invasion of the arena-city of Rocanis. Mark Manley (aka Grimwood) is a long-time manager in Rocanis, and was one of the writers who contributed so much to this history. Over the subsequent years, he has worked to bring his novelization to life and make the story of the War and the preceding events which led to it available to the greater public. Many Rocanis legends appear in the book: Itoz Trollbane, Sandstorm, and others. The novel is a treat to read--even more so if you are familiar with the game! If you're interested in purchasing a copy of the book, here are links: Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Arena-Mark-G- Manley/dp/1936127598/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1319631863&sr=1-2 Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dark-arena-mark- manley/1105609584?ean=2940011494659&itm=2&usri=dark%2barena Treble Heart Books: http://www.trebleheartbooks.com/WDManley.html Mark Manley is planning to attend the upcoming Winter Face-to-Face in Tempe, and has offered a special prize to the winner of the Rookies and Primus tournaments: An autographed copy of Dark Arena, autographed by the author, the artist, and the RSI staff! In addition, as a special prize, the top up-and-coming tournament manager will also receive an autographed copy! Mark will have copies of Dark Arena available at the tournament, and as a special bonus, each copy of Dark Arena sold at the FTF will include one new team rollup! We hope that many of you can venture to Tempe to participate in the Face-to-Face, compete in the tournament, and congratulate Mark in person on his achievement!