ADVANCED DUELMASTERS

Date   : 03/20/1997    Duedate: 04/02/1997

Gateway

DM-108    TURN-34

RANK TEAMS                    W   L K    %  RANK TEAMS                    W   L K    %
  1 KILL HUMANOIDS 37/58    31   2  0 93.9      THE GUARDIANS 19/35                   
  2 ANGELS OF PAIN 9/23     29   4 27 87.9      MYTH AND MIGHT 2/10                   
  3 MAD SCIENTISTS 18/34    24  13  1 64.9      THE RED REAVERS 28/47                 
  4 CCE 60/76              330 231 13 58.8   11 TEAM$(150) 1/77         17  17  2 50.0
    ZIG ZAG 1/5                              12 WOLVERINES 18/99        13  13  0 50.0
    GOLDEN HOSTE 6/16                           THUNDR + LITENING 18/100              
    HACK AND SLASH 24/44                     13 THE HURT 36/103         96 107  0 47.3
    NOMADS 14/29                                THE BEARS 48/70                       
    ZIG ZAG 37/59                               THE BEARS 46/69                       
    ZIG ZAG 5/14                                THE BEARS 42/66                       
  5-WAYNE'S WORLD 20/101    41  33  7 55.4   14-UNDERDOGS 60/75         67  77  1 46.5
    ABOUNDING AGONY II 29/48                 15 JACKSON FIVE 17/30      39  49  7 44.3
    BIBLE BROTHERS 38/64                        FIRE FIGHTERS 41/65                   
    WOLFRAVEN REAVERS 43/104                    BOOB TUBE RUBES 33/91                 
    WOLFRAVEN REAVERS 10/24                  16 FROG PRINCES 18/33      15  19  0 44.1
  6 RAT PAK 41/82           83  68  2 55.0   17 DEADLY SHADOWS 46/96    27  36  0 42.9
    RAT PAK 19/80                               ENGINES OF DOOM 43/95                 
  7 ROMAN HEROES 32/53      42  37 15 53.2   18 TRIBAL COUNCIL 4/83     12  18  0 40.0
    MISCELLANEOUS II 38/62                   19-CELESTIALS 23/42         3   6  1 33.3
  8 DEATH MASTERS 7/18      77  69  2 52.7   20 THE BRIGADE 23/90        3  10  0 23.1
    NINJA TURTLES 22/40                      21 THE DAMNED 30/52        21 107  5 16.4
    INFERNAL LEGION 9/22                        EXCELLENT 'VENTURE 13/26              
  9 BRITERON BY 8/20        30  27  2 52.6      PUT UP YOUR DUKES 29/50               
    PRETTY THINGS 52/93                         YELLOW SUBMARINE 17/31                
 10 DARK GUARDIANS 1/8     117 107  1 52.2   22 RIFTWAR MASTERS 18/78    4  21  0 16.0

    '##/###' Avoid teams by their Team Id     '-'  Team did not fight this turn

                                  WARRIOR SPOTLIGHT

                         All Alastari Manager's Choice Awards
                                         1997

     Ladies and Gentlemen, I am Baraba Altwars, crack journalist for the Alastari News 
and for the second year in a row I've been honored with the duty of opening the 
telecast of the All-Alastari Manager's Choice Awards.  Last year I had the honor to 
interview that arena great, Teetotaler, but this year I have an even more important 
duty.  As a special service to the Gladiatorial Commission, we have taken down a list 
of the top changes the managers of Alastari would like made and we are going to 
discuss many of these here today.  Ran Dather, the well-known arena consultant, will 
help to translate these requests into language we can all understand.
     Before we begin, the ballot collector and ceremony host, the Dark One, would like 
me to mention that despite clear notification, several... extremely clever 
individuals... did not print their name on their ballots.  These ballots, three in 
number, were discarded.  In addition, there were several illegible nominations, which 
will be spoken more of later.  Finally, this taping is, according to some bizarre, 
otherworldly calendar, being records on March 4, 1997.  Any ballots received after 
this date will obviously not be counted.
     That noted, let us begin.
     Baraba Altwars: Ran, what is the first suggestion?
     Ran Dather:  Well, Baraba, in keeping with the notice of illegible nominees 
above, the first suggestion is somewhat fitting.  It reads, "Leave more space on the 
ballots next time!"  Not an earthshattering request, but one certainly doable.
     BA:  I'm surprised that ranked as a major concern, but I'll pass it on to our 
esteemed host.  Next??
     RD:  The next suggestion is that "each tournament be held at different city, like 
the Olympics.  The first in Mordant, the second in Arvat, etc."  It's a roleplaying 
issue, but might be fun to organize.  I guess that's up to the spyreporters.
     BA:  Mmmm, not a bad idea, but not at all controversial.  What else do we have?
     RD:  It's a two-parter.  This one's involving rates and postage.  "No charges for 
faxes/phone-ins and optional two-day mailing of turn results, charged to the 
customer."  Haven't we heard this before?
     BA:  The commission isn't about to allow free faxes, etc., except in situation 
involving late turns, but the optional two-day idea seems sound.  They could tack on a 
slight fee, but it might still be worth it to managers with poor mail service.
     RD:  Oops.  This next one is an insult.  We'll do the editors a favor and cut it 
out for right now and move on.  This one looks good.  "1. Mandatory Gateway induction 
for multiple TCs!  2. Free transfer of ADM warriors to any non-impacted (i.e., full) 
regional arena.  3. print Archmasters on fight reports."
     BA:  The first one is certainly controversial.  As one manager has said, this 
wouldn't be necessary if they can police themselves, but...
     RD:  I'm personally still against it.
     BA:  Let's see how the other managers feel.  Point #2 seems to be pointless.  
After all, why have regionals if you can go whereever you want?  And there's always 
Talahya.
     RD:  But why restrict managers?  There doesn't seem to be a logical reason for 
restriction.
     BA:  But... I thought managers could switch arenas if they want.
     RD:  Good point.  Point 3.  Archmasters should be printed on the fight report.  
Well, that's a given.  Send that one along to the Commission and red tag it!  The next 
suggestion is, "Hall of Fame retirement plan."  Not real descriptive, but we can grasp 
the meaning.  The Commission has already indicated that mandatory retirement is not an 
option, given strong opposition and the simple fact that any compensation that might 
induce a manager to agree would (i.e., a team of DYOs, etc.) unbalance the game.
     BA:  And it seems that entering the Gate is the ultimate retirement.  This is an 
idea that has been well discussed and rejected.  Still, at least it's an opinion and 
many managers seem to have declined to list any of theirs.
     RD:  This one is emphatic: "Raise stats above 25!!!"  An interesting idea.  
They'd have to get new training facilities, but it could be done and it might cause 
some temporary changes in Gateway.
     BA:  But it wouldn't do much to change the long-term picture... Might be fun to 
hear about all those new ratings that would pop up, though.
     RD:  I'm not about to read this whole suggestion.  The gist of it is that Sheila 
Greywand clone Gateway warriors and use them as Primus NPCs.  This would stop warriors 
who don't challenge from being "rewarded" with easy NPC wins and also make for some 
amusing fights.  "Oh, no!  I drew Donatello as a matchup!"  Sounds fun to me.  It 
could easily be done.
     BA:  I think the warrior's manager might have something to say about that!  Both 
the manager of the cloned warrior and the one who fights him.
     RD:  The next manager writes, "The Primus eligibility system is clearly 
unbalanced.  Record has too much to do with it, skills and experience too little.  A 
look at this system would keep inexperienced fighters from those 1-14 bouts in Primus 
and keep the tournaments more competitive.  Also, prohibiting sandbaggers from 
fighting in the Freshman tournament is of considerable importance.  These warriors who 
ruin the fun of everyone in the champions now just hope up to the next level and get 3 
or 4 cracks at it.  They should go directly to the ADM tourney."  Wordy, ain't he?  
But some of these others are worse.
     BA:  I don't think anyone would object to a renovation of the Primus eligibility 
system.  The second part... well, the sandbaggers managers would like it, but others 
might.
     RD:  Here's what I call the "anti-whining" proposal.  "A fee should be imposed on 
managers who complain about the same thing more than once: $1 for the first offense, 
doubling every time the complaint is submitted."  Would stop some of those people with 
too much time and too narrow a mind.
     BA:  As long as the complaints aren't about something that should be taken care 
of and isn't.  Certainly people should have the right to stand up and be heard if 
things aren't being handled right...
     RD:  Baraba, I think this was meant as a joke.
     BA:  Oh.
     RD:  This guy listed 11 different changes.
     BA:  You're not serious.
     RD:  Uh huh.
     BA:  Well, list them, we've got time.
     RD:  Okaaaay... I'll comment briefly on each as we go to conserve energy.  1. Two 
Primus TCs is automatic Gateway induction.  (That's a second vote for induction--
again, self-management, in my opinion, is a better option.)  2. New critical attacks 
and dodges.  (Submit some, the Commission might make some changes.  But no idiotic 
"look at the pretty stars," PLEASE!)  3. New weapons (doesn't seem likely).  4.  Bring 
back "howls like a maddened beast!" statement.  (Commission?)  5. New TC prizes, like 
potions of two damage increase.  6. More arena prizes for free play.  (Any 
suggestions?)  7. Top 5 in Bloodgames to AD.  8. Reform eligibles tourney--keep on an 
equal footing.  (A second vote for that.)  9. 7-3 in tourney gets TV status (you're 
dreaming, here...).  10.  Increase training percentage.  11. MOST IMPORTANTLY: 
Warriors should automatically draw backups after a second attempt.  Being hotly 
engaged for two minutes is @$%#$@!  (I don't think a single manager will disagree with 
that one!)
     BA:  Let's storm the Commission offices!!!  Only kidding.
     RD:  Next.  "Two Primus wins = Gateway, two Gateways wins = mandatory 
retirement."  This one's gotta be a new Primus manager.  This is one extreme measure.
     BA:  Looking up from the bottom is must seem a LOOOONG way to the top.
     RD:  There's another long one.  And controversial, too.  I'll do what I can.  1. 
Forced Gateway induction after three TCs (vote #3, by the way, this includes a well-
worded attack on a certain Primus warrior which I will not read due to likely 
censoring), 2. New crits (vote #2), 3. Fix "too hotly engaged but."  (Vote #2.)  4.  
Fix breakage rates on GS and GA--are they made of balsa wood?  5. Help bashers out 
some.  Upgrade basher weapons and don't penalize defense so much.
     BA:  The bashing style was hurt by the damage increase bug, which helped them a 
great deal.  Maybe something should be given back.
     RD:  Breakage rate, through?  That would require a lot of effort.
     BA:  Let me read one: "Fix eligibility program!  Consolidate eligibles, ADM and 
Freshmen into one tournament and give the five fight elimination system.  Warriors 
could the work through this mega-class, getting a fair amount of fights until they hit 
the runoffs (where they get a lot of fights and can gain some on Primus warriors) then 
when they TV twice or reach a set number of skills, they get inducted."  This isn't as 
weird as it first sounds--at the very least it's another vote for changing the 
eligibility program.
     RD:  And here's another vote for raising stats to 30.  The writer also proposes 
team vs. team combat.
     BA:  And interesting idea.  The next writer suggests a minimum fight equivalent 
of 75-100 fights for Primus induction and a mandatory Gateway induction at 300 FE.  
Again the Gateway induction issue.  Here's a fresh idea which I think is excellent: 
"Consolidate some of the all but dead arenas.  What city is going to support an arena 
with five teams?  Just like in real sports, the arena would close and the team would 
move.  RSI should cut the number of arenas by 25% and open three fresh arenas to give 
managers the chance to be there on turn one.  To help bring the census up on existing 
arenas, allow a one-time transfer opportunity to allow teams in transfer arneas to 
move to regular arenas."  This would take some work, but the arenas would be much more 
profitable and active.
     RD:  Regional lines would have to be respected, but it sounds reasonable.  Now, 
I'm taking back my job, if you don't mind.  Here's a good one: "Improve Gateway 
(better skills and learns) to make it more attractive or Gateway Induction will be 
needed."
     BA:  That's poretty good logic.
     RD:  The next one wants the parry strike style updated to make it competitive.  
The changes made to the style hurt it and removed it from contention.  Baraba, I 
remember when parry strikers ruled the arena--Khorga Khan, Jake the Snake, Olaf 
Bonesnap... many others.  Now there aren't any prominent warirors left of that style.
     BA:  Ran do I have to reveal to our audience that you have an old Khorga Khan 
poster on your bedroom wall?
     RD:  Ahem.  On with the list.  There are only a few left.  "Redo induction 
criteria."  Short but sweet.  This seems to be a hot topic.
     BA:  What else do we have?
     RD:  "Add two things to Gateway: 1. the improved learning rate that was promised.  
2. A `beast scouting system.'  Each turn list a number of beasts that are going to 
attack the fortress.  Include a list of abilities or a scouting report.  Warriors can 
challenge/avoid the ones they want.  Beasts which `get through,' i.e., are not 
challenged, fight as random NPCs and slaughter `the innocent.'  There could be lull 
turns where a few beasts attack and `battle' turns when a hoarde of them attacks."
     BA:  That sounds interesting.  At least it's different.  The `Mega-Primus' 
atmosphere certainly needs change.
     RD:  Something could be done.
     That's all for our pre-show discussion.  We at Alastari News hope that both the 
Commission and the managers pay heed.  The future of the world is in their hands.  
Good night, we're watching.
                          ***            ***            ***
     Bondar T'sekiel here bidding you a warm welcome to the 1997 All-Alastari 
Manager's choice awards!!!  Since I did such a spectacular job last year, I was chosen 
to return and do it all over again.  So, without further ado, on with the show.
     I will begin with the Hall of Fame, then go backwards through the awards, ending 
with the coveted Best Manager award.  For your reference, 32 ballots were collected, 
of which two were invalidated.  Please note that not all managers voted in every 
category.  Our moderators have removed all votes for warriors/managers not in Primus 
save for the Up and Coming categories, where such may be valid.  Finally, all those 
who received more than one vote are considered "nominees" and will be mentioned.  To 
keep my typist from going insane, we are not going to mention those with one vote, 
except in passing if there is a reason for it.  Are you ready?  I certainly am.  On 
that note...
     The Managers Hall of Fame is the newest addition and the ultimate honor.  
Previous members are Mirage and Phido.  Only two of the hundreds of managers to 
participate in Duelmasters.  To gain entry to this exclusive club, a managers must be 
listed on 50% of all valid ballots for a given year.  This is exceptionally difficult 
and only the very best will be inducted.  This year, the managers receiving votes 
were: Genghis Jhan, Scrag, Carapace, Doc LeGrand, Tex, the Dark One and Arch Savant.  
Our top vote getters were Scrag and Carapace, who each got 7.  That amounts to 23% of 
the ballots, thus there will be no entrants inducted this year.
     The Warrior Hall of Fame induction met a similar difficulty.  Our top three vote 
getters were Falstaff, Dee Dee, and Teetotaller, but none of them received an average 
of 6 points per ballot.  Falstaff had the most at 3.8 points per ballot, Dee Dee had 
3.5 and Teetotaler had 3.2.  Many managers voice concern with these particular 
contestants and refused to put them on their ballots at all, thus bringing their point 
totals way down.  Falstaff and Teetotaler are adopted warriors, which is a problem for 
some managers and many managers felt, quite strongly, in fact, that Dee Dee should be 
in Gateway.  31 warriors received votes, with 8 warriors receiving first place votes.  
Dee Dee had the most first place votes with 8.  There will be no inductee this year.
     Our first category is Greatest Underachiever.  The nominees are: Bullfrog and 
Mrs. Butterworth.  10 other warirors received one vote each.  And the winner is... 
Bullfrog.  He of the massive ratings and 1-4 tournaments.  He received seven votes 
while Mrs. Butterworth got two.
     Next is Greatest Overachiever.  Here eight warriors received two or more votes.  
They are: Daniel Webster, Dee Dee, Teddy Brewster, Numinor, Akira, Fireball, Jalon, 
and Jimi.  And the winner is... Dee Dee.  She got 4 votes.  Teddy Brewster received 
three for second place.
     Least Favorite Style had nine different styles listed.  But the winner, with 7 
votes, is the lunging attack.  Bashing attack was second with six.
     Most Favorite Style only had eight different style and was much less close.  The 
winner is wall of steel with 8.5 votes.  Aimed blow was second with five.  No wonder 
lunger was most hated style with all these aimer managers!
     Best DM Arena is the next category with 17 seperate arenas being beloved.  Of 
these, Aradi, Talcama, Malcorn, Sunset, and Aljafir were our nominees.  And the winner 
is... Talcama with five votes.  Sunset and Aradi were second with three apiece.
     Best ADM arena had each of the different arenas getting at least one vote.  And 
the winner is... Darkholm in a landslide... 10.5 votes to 5.5 over Andorak!
     Ugliest Warrior is the next category.  The nominees are Mrs. Butterworth, Louise 
the Lip (inactive, but still in Primus), Gouge and Rabid Moose.  Numerous others 
received one vote each.  And the winner (and STILL champion of heinousness) is... 
Louise the Lip!  Her nastiness got five votes, Rabid Moose was second with four.
     On the other side of the scale, we have Best Looking Warrior.  19 warriors 
received one vote, leaving the sole warrior with 3, Bliss the Magnificent, as this 
year's Best Looking.  Can I have a date?
     Our next award is for the Worst/Laziest Spyreporter.  The nominees are Seahawk, 
Swift, Ironwit (guys, he's retired...) and NAIMT.  A handful of others received one 
vote apiece.  And the winner is... Seahawk.  His five votes win out over NAIMT's 
three.  No accounting for some people's tastes!
     Best Spyreporter was a LANDSLIDE!  Those with more than one vote were NAIMT, 
Swift, the Watcher, and Ironwit (?).  The winner is... NAIMT.  With a whopping 13 
votes, the result was never in doubt.  The Watcher was second with four.
     The next award signifies the Best Writer and/or Roleplayer around.  The nominees 
are: Tex, Manager, and the Dark One.  Seven other managers each received one vote.  
And the winner is... Tex!  With 8.5 votes, Tex remains the champion.  The Dark One was 
second with four.  Manager got two.
     Ah!  The Most Vile and Hated Warrior award.  The lowest of the low, scummiest of 
the scum.  Our nominees are... well, only one warrior got more than one vote.  Dee 
Dee, our winner, got 14 votes.  Numinor, Cyanide, Frank-N-Furter, Churchill and Marduk 
each got one.
     The nominees for most vile and hated manager are: Scrag, the Dark One, Guardian, 
Miles, and Boss Rat.  And the winner is... Scrag.  His nine votes beat out the Dark 
One's four and Guardian's three.
     On the opposite side of the spectrum, we have most Respected Manager.  This one 
is close!  Nominees are Guardian, Carapace, TUM, Shark, and The Sentinel.  Seven 
others got one vote each.  And the winner is... a tie!  Carapace and TUM got five 
votes each and share the award.  The Sentinel and Guardian each got four votes for 
second.
     Oh, boy, the most creative name awards!  These ballots are so crammed full, it's 
hard to figure out where they end!  Nominees for Most Creative Team Name are: Death 
Studs IV, Illegible (this is for all those the ballot counters couldn't read), Sis 
Boom Baa and Satan's Deli.  And the winner is... Satan's Deli!  Three votes to two (to 
two... to two...).  Lotsa others got one each!
     Nominees for Most Creative Warrior Name are... Rabid Moose, Maca-Raunchy Salad, 
Blutch, Burrito Mussolini and Solder of Fortune.  And the winner is... Rabid Moose, 
for the third year in a row.  He got six votes, Solder of Fortune was second with 
three.
     Best Up and Coming Warrior is next.  The Nominees are Dark Prophet, Bullfrog, 
Hitman, and Burrito Mussolini.  And the winner is Dark Prophet.  He received four 
votes while the others received two apiece.
     Best Up and Coming Manager is one of those were "up and coming" is determined by 
individual manager. Those on our list have had some pretty impressive accomplishments.  
The nominees are... Hoffa, The Sentinel, Mad Max and Doc Steele... and the winner is 
Doc Steele.  His three votes were enough for the win!
     The Most Feared Alliance category is next.  We have four nominees, well, three, 
really, since the fourth is "Alliances Suck."  And that's more a state of mind than an 
alliance.  They are... the Ivory League, the Midnight Foundation, and the Dark Circle.  
And the winner is... the Dark Circle.  10 to 4 over the Ivory League.  Curiously, the 
"alliances suck" platform got three and beat out the Midnight Foundation's two.
     Most Feared Warrior is next.  While nine warriors (eight if you discount the vote 
for Dangerous Criminal) received votes, we have only 4 nominees for the most fearsome 
foe in Primus.  They are Dee Dee, Marduk, Akira, and Spearman.  And the winner is... 
Spearman.  He got six votes to beat out Dee Dee's four.  The others got two.
     Most Feared Manager was definitely a tight one.  In fact, the results came down 
to the last ballot tallied (Crip's, if anyone really wants to know).  The Nominees 
are... Soultaker, Doc Steele, PUG, the Dark One and Carapace.  And the winner is... 
another tie!  Carapace and the Dark One each received five votes to win while Doc 
Steele's four placed him in third.
     As we wind down, we come to the style awards.  These were much tighter than in 
recent years, at least in many cases.  This does not, however, apply to the next 
category, which was a surprise landslide.  The category is Best TP and the nominees 
are Rogue Hawk, Gouge, and Lint.  And the winner is Rogue Hawk.  Rogue Hawk got 16(!) 
as compared to two for the others.
     Best AB, however, was tight and came down to the last few votes.  The nominees 
are Drat, Dark Guardian (the AB, not the LU), Alain and Jalon.  And the winner is.. 
Dark Guardian, 8 to 6 over Drat.
     Parry Riposte.  Need I say more?  Dee Dee won with 22 votes.  Fats Warning was 
second with two protest votes.
     Best PS looked for a while like it would be close before our winner pulled away 
for good.  The Nominees are... Bible Basher and Sore.  Four others (including Haman 
Khan, a PL, got 1).  And the winner is... Bible Basher.  12 to 4 over Sore.
     Talk about tight contests!  The award for Best PL came down to the final vote as 
well, before a three-way tie was confirmed!  The three best parry lungers in Primus 
are, in alphabetical order, Cousin Itt, Rabid Moose, and Surgeon General.  They each 
received six votes.  Teddy Brewster was the other to get more than one, and he got 
three.
     Next up is Best Lunger.  The nominees were Spearman, Akira and Cyanide.  Three 
others got one each.  And the winner is... Spearman.  15 votes to 4 over Akira.  
Cyanide got two.
     The Best Striker award was also not much of a surprise, as Marduk took home the 
win with 22 votes, typing him with Dee Dee for most decisive victor of the awards.  
That isn't entirely surprising, considering the style.  Illegible, Asp and Askelon 
(who was a lunger last I checked... but who knows with all these style-switch prizes 
running around...).  Each got one vote.
     Best Slasher was more fun.   The Nominees are... Lylan, Arious Al'Vere, Patrick, 
Elisa, and Gaston. And the winner is... another tie!  Lylan and Gaston each received 
five votes.  Arious got four and Patrick three.  Congrats to Tex for the "coming of 
age" of his slasher crew.
     Best Basher.  The nominees are Pile Driver and David.  Three others tallied one 
vote each.  And the winner, in a slugfest (and with bashers, that's what you expect) 
is... Pile Driver, 17 to 7.
     Best Wall of Steel proved fairly cose as the lead changed twice before our winner 
pulled away for good.  The nominees are... Pallida Mors and Churchill.  And the winner 
is... the ancient one (originally from Arvat, for those of you into ancient history) 
Churchill, 15 to 7 final score.
     Best Team.  There were six nominees: What's Up Doc, Thundr and Litening, Anime 
Legends, Night Hawks, Erdman Brothers, and Satan's Kingdom.  And the winner is... 
What's Up Doc with 9 votes.  Anime Legends was second with six, Erdman Brothers and 
Thundr and Litening tallied three apiece.
     Down to the last two, we have Best Warrior.  Votegetters were Dee Dee, Surgeon 
General, Spearman, A Satin Talon, Marduk and Akira.  Of these, the nominees are Dee 
Dee and Spearman.  Our winner is... Dee Dee.  Her 17 votes (some of them awarded with 
opinions attached) more than doubled Spearman's six.
     Finally, the award we have all been waiting for, Best Manager in Duelmasters!  We 
will list all managers as nominees, because just one vote is a big deal in this 
category.  They are... The Dark One, Guardian, Doc Steele, Lady Hawk, Carapace, 
Moriarty, Inferno, The Sentinel, and Scrag.  Inferno, Scrag, and The Sentinel got one 
vote each; Lady Hawk and Moriarty got two.  Doc Steele got three.  Guardian took home 
five and a third place.  The Dark One got seven and a second place finish, leaving our 
champion, Carapace, with 9!!!
     Congratulations to all our winners, condolences to our losers and we'll see you 
next year!!!

=====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====
     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====
=====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====     =====

To the Bold,

     Once more into the breach we went, blades bared and spirits high.  Following the 
plan which took months of preparation and numerous painful deaths to achieve the 
proper information, we skirted the perimeter of the region known as the "Devil's 
Claw," and marched out into the Jaguar Swamp.
     Teetotaler and I, the only two of our number skilled enough for this deadly 
mission, slipped like shadows through the warped, otherworldly equivalent of cypress 
and mangroves, alert for any sign of twisted Chaos-life.  For ten hours we marched 
without rest, then, as the sun began to rise, slipped under the protection of a fallen 
tree and rested.  As we did so, I took out the letter I had begun as my report to the 
Gray Lady and which would pass over to the other side when the dimensional walls drew 
close for the tournament.
                          ***            ***            ***

My Lady,

     When we first arrived, neither of us were prepared for the incredible abilities 
of the enemy, nor were we able to move amongst them without being noticed.  That took 
long days of practice, learning the ways of the wasteland and mastering the subtle 
magicks of the Chaos artifacts we barely escaped with.  This new skill did not come 
without a price, however.
     For in using the dark powers, we had to give ourselves over to it.  The physics 
of the Chaos World are such that all life which spends time there becomes warped to 
suit it.  It is rumored that the Chaos Spawn are but criminals from a very advanced 
world who were imprisoned here long ago.  As time passed, they absorbed the dark 
powers and were warped into the hideous creatures they are today.  Through a program 
of interbreeding and magical enhancement, some of the truly hideous creatures were 
born.  What happened to the men of this race long ago is precisely what is happening 
to us now.  The Keep offers some protection, as the magic used to create it keeps out 
the innate, mutating magic, but some seeps through.  Teetotaler and myself are being 
affected more than the others, since we spend the most time out in the unprotected 
wilderness.  In Tee it has taken the form of scaly armor creeping across his body, 
while of late, my eyes have become extreme sensitive to light and I prefer to be out 
at night.  Also, ther are what appear to be new appendages sprouting from my back.  It 
was, at first, disconcerting, but as time has passed, we have grown used to the idea.  
These adaptations will prepare us for the long task ahead.

                                             Yours, 
                                                  Vengeance

                          ***            ***            ***
     When we awoke, darkness was upon us.  Again, we rose and began our march.  
Several times something flew overhead, screeching a challenge to any who would offer 
it battle.  A dragon?  A phoenix bird?  Or one of the wingless worms that are 
worshipped in the temples?  The source was unimportant.  All that mattered was that it 
passed without spotting us and uncovering our foray.  It did.
     As midnight came, we found what we had sought.  A huge mound of packed mud and 
twigs rising up out of the swamp.  It was the nest of the great lizard-bird called 
K'ketuuan by the Chaos spawn and the Roc by the Keep defenders.  This massive creature 
was forever hiding its nest to that the Chaos spoawn could not find it and steal the 
eggs.  These they would transform into some of the most hideous specimens of their 
kind and which provided the backbone of the Chaos Horde.  If we could prevent them 
from claiming the eggs this time, it would not only prevent them from hatching a new 
brood of horrors this year (since the Rocs only lay eggs once per year), we might be 
able to study the eggs and learn a great deal about the physiology of those exposed to 
the magic of this plane for long periods of time.
     The we saw them.  Two shapes silent as shadows moving from the opposite side of 
the clearing.  The enemy had sent their own mission and it was just a step ahead of 
us.  Before they spotted us, we charged.  Since the parental Rocs were not about, 
there was no reason not to act at once.  We engaged them.
     Tee reached his target first and attacked, howling a war-cry.  The demon he faced 
was known as Itsorkarri, I had faced it before and had briefed the Companions.  Its 
primary attribute was that it could take an incredible amount of damage and keep 
coming.  Like all the Prime Demons, the elite corps of Chaos minions, Itsorkarri was 
immortal.  It regenerated any damage done to it over a period of time.  The last time 
I had killed the bastard, we burned the corpse to ashes, but clearly, even this 
measure had little effect.  As I closed with the other, it howled its name.
     "Totatiz!  Totatiz shall drink your blood!"
     It was clearly a priest of the Dark.  It wore blood-stained leather armor and 
bore a quarterstaff of black wood in its right hand and a wicked machete in its left.  
As it drew near, I noted that it loomed above me, towering at a height of seven feet.  
While most everyone looms above me, this monstrosity was truly huge.
     We circled, and I watched as Tee swing three huge attacks with his scimitar.  
Three times the amazing force struck the demon in the chest, but somehow, it not only 
remained alive, but it parried his next blow and struck back!  Half of the creature's 
chest was sliced away, but it kept coming.  A fierce sequence of attacks and parried 
followed, then Tee landed three more blows, sending black ichor spraying.  The beast 
went down.  Then, incredibly, it was up again!  It swung a vicious attack!  But 
Teetotaler parried and riposted, thrusting his scimitar through the demon's abdomen.  
At last, it was over, but my own battle was just beginning.
     I lunged.  Totatiz dodged and thrust its quarterstaff at me.  I leaped back in 
time, then lunged again.  It parried with its machete, then attacked again with the 
black staff, which had begun to buzz and hum.  It was clearly a magical weapon of some 
sort.  I was determined not to be struck by it if at all possible.
     Back and forth we went, until, at last, my longsword lashed out and caught the 
demon priest on the cheekbone.  He collapsed, then leaped up, ready for more.  We 
traded blows once more, then, perhaps three minutes into the melee, I landed again, 
this time to the abdomen.  That seemed to do it as after that Totatiz' defenses 
crumbled and I landed blow after blow until it was down for good.
     Gasping for air, we quickly climbed the nest, lest the Roc hear the sounds of 
battle and return.  To our surprise, three eggs the size of a man's head rested 
within.  We claimed them and headed into the night.

     Three days later we sat within the Keep, rested and healed.  Skek was pleased 
with the find and even more pleased with our idea to raise the young Rocs and train 
them to serve as airbourne scouts or even steeds.  Though they will likely grow 
slowly, this addition to the armament of our foces will lend us much advancement.  
Though this was just one minor victory in the fight against the darkness, a victory it 
was.  And many more are to come.

                                                  Vengeance

                            RAMBLINGS FROM WITHIN THE KEEP

     Dear friendssss, I come to you again as your spy reporter.  I have not asss many 
interesssting things to say as I had lassst cycle, but hopefully there will be 
something that someone will find of worth in this page.  
     To the Companions--excellent work, my friendssss!  I applaud your work againssst 
our enemiesss.  My Lords, both of you, I have, at great risk and with some drain of 
energy on myssself and the strain on the Gate, opened a communications mirror to 
Alasssstari and spoken to Green-Eyes herssself, direct.  Her explanation has left me, 
I am afraid, sssomewhat lessss than clear, however, it had to do with "how binaries 
work" and the number of "zeroes and ones" and "bits that the program counts," and it 
comessss to when you reach 16 skills, something called the "program" runs out of 
onesss and drops one back to zero.  Thus, when Captain Vengeance reaches sixteen again 
(or 32), he will also drop to zero.  The illustrioussss Green-Eyesss informs me that 
the Commission isssss working on the problem and in the meantime, make sure you keep 
track of your killsssss yourself.  As I say in the perssssonals, imagine that they are 
the medals of honor that, as your chest fillssss, you have to keep SSSSOME of them in 
a drawer...
     In any cassse, my dear friendssss, we have had another cycle here in the Keep.  
Asss most of you will have noted, the "sssplit" will not come for several weeksss as 
yet--the due date is 4/28--ssso we must muddle on until the Gate is opened and we can 
venture into the middle world, and greet incoming comrades as well as thosssse who 
remain behind in Alasssstari.  And ssso!  On to the cycle of fightssss that took place 
within and without the Keep.
     Donatello remains our Gate Commander, holding off Falstaff in a random matchup.  
Teetotaler was brought back to me by Vengeance; a survivor and one not so lucky--with 
what kill I have I have placed the Lieutenant back on hisssss feet.  Psycho 
Ssscientist sought battle with Rage and won victory; too, did Tawny challenge 
Executioner, but lost.  Crystal Dove challenged Dlom Emils and found defeat.  
     I have little more to relay, dear friendssss, so until next I am called 
to report to you, I am humbly yourssss,

                                                                 Skek

THE GATE COMMANDER               W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
  1) DONATELLO 22-366           208  43  2  NINJA TURTLES (40)         SOLVEN

THE CAPTAINS OF THE GATE          W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
  2) VENGEANCE 9-2052           138  33 14  ANGELS OF PAIN (23)        ZUKAL
  3) EXECUTIONER 43-1035        104  65  1  ENGINES OF DOOM (95)       VEASTIAN
  4) DELBAETH 6-978             143  82  2  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
  5) TEETOTALER 38-326          163  74  0  MISCELLANEOUS II (62)      CLIFFHOME
  6) OPUS 1-1526                140  75  4  ZIG ZAG (5)                MORDANT
  7) FALSTAFF 37-899            138  68  4  ZIG ZAG (59)               SIBIKHAS
  8) DON JUAN 24-849            118  99  4  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
  9) TAGAN 6-1226               137  65  1  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 10)-JESSE JACKSON 38-747       103  70  3  BIBLE BROTHERS (64)        CLIFFHOME
 11) PSYCHO SCIENTIST 18-697    111  80  4  MAD SCIENTISTS (34)        TALCAMA

LIEUTENENTS OF THE GATE           W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 12) PAPA BEAR 46-1340           77  50  1  THE BEARS (69)             ARDIVENT
 13) RAGE 48-906                 97  85  3  THE BEARS (70)             CAER
 14) TAWNY 24-1369              111  74  0  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 15)-HANGOVER 29-638            145  69  9  ABOUNDING AGONY II (48)    LAPUR
 16) REEBOK-RAT 41-432          122  63  2  RAT PAK (82)               KATI-TEI
 17) TA'RA 24-1088              111  92  3  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 18) DANGEROUS 43-842            93  88  2  ENGINES OF DOOM (95)       VEASTIAN
 19) LEONARDO 22-205            174  81  6  NINJA TURTLES (40)         SOLVEN
 20) 3066 14-1351                91  57  1  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 21) FURIOUS IMPALER 37-762      85  34  1  KILL HUMANOIDS (58)        SIBIKHAS
 22) NAMELESS TOOK 1-3195        93  39  2  DARK GUARDIANS (8)         MORDANT
 23) WHIPLASH 19-1221           110  64  1  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 24) NODONN 6-866               132  91  0  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 25) HAWK 46-554                 94  98  0  DEADLY SHADOWS (96)        ARDIVENT
 26) MAIMED 36-2213              74  46  4  THE HURT (103)             JHANS
 27) DOOMED 36-1547              84  61  5  THE HURT (103)             JHANS
 28) GOLDEN BEAR 42-757          86  75  0  THE BEARS (66)             RODEKI
 29) ALICIA 24-1551             107  66  2  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 30) QUICKSILVER 14-857         130  98  4  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 31) FIRE DONBELOW 41-101       111  98  2  FIRE FIGHTERS (65)         KATI-TEI

DEFENDERS OF THE KEEP             W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 32) REGGIE JACKSON 17-1339     114  84  7  JACKSON FIVE (30)          ALJAFIR
 33)-FERNDOK 60-607              82  55  2  UNDERDOGS (75)             ARADI
 34) NECRON-99 7-565            155  68  2  DEATH MASTERS (18)         BONSUR
 35) BILLY THE KID 13-1386      101  87  3  EXCELLENT 'VENTURE (26)    DULLENS
 36) LAZAR WOLF 4-1169           61  49  1  TRIBAL COUNCIL (83)        JHELUM
 37) FER DE LANCE 5-1938         87  74  1  ZIG ZAG (14)               KALTOS
 38) NOELLE 14-2005              78  50  2  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 39) TREBONIUS 32-604           105  71  7  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 40) CHAR$(3008) 1-3008          90  76  2  TEAM$(150) (77)            MORDANT
 41) BHURAK 60-1081              75  54  3  CCE (76)                   ARADI
 42) EUSEBIO 6-1456              73  47  1  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 43) MARIONETTE 1-4093           62  66  0  DARK GUARDIANS (8)         MORDANT

DEFENDERS OF THE KEEP             W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 44) SLY 18-68                  114  52  3  WOLVERINES (99)            TALCAMA
 45) MOLLY RINGWALD 52-520       79  51  4  PRETTY THINGS (93)         FRATSFA
 46) NICODEMUS 8-1729            76  50  3  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
 47) HYPER-RAT 19-1170          100  63  3  RAT PAK (80)               ZUWAYZA
 48)-UNZASTER DIZASTER 10-1424   90  67  1  WOLFRAVEN REAVERS (24)     KOLACT
 49) SABRE TOOTH 28-1193         86  53  0  THE RED REAVERS (47)       MORYA
 50) URSA 48-1678                70  63  2  THE BEARS (70)             CAER
 51) THANATOS 9-1069            135  89  0  INFERNAL LEGION (22)       ZUKAL
 52)-GAMMENON 23-1670            75  69  3  CELESTIALS (42)            TI
 53) MAYNARD G KREBS 33-2098     76  60  4  BOOB TUBE RUBES (91)       NIYTYOLE ISLAND
 54) SUGAR BEAR 42-811           82  69  2  THE BEARS (66)             RODEKI
 55) AJAX 23-804                 57  30  0  THE BRIGADE (90)           TI
 56)-JASON CULLINANE 19-1241     77  76  3  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 57) ELLEGON 19-1723             82  50  1  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 58) STEEL DWARF 2-1955          76  54  0  MYTH AND MIGHT (10)        NIANIA
 59) SHAWN THORNTON 29-1359      79 107  5  PUT UP YOUR DUKES (50)     LAPUR
 60) GOLDILOCKS 18-470           88  83  1  FROG PRINCES (33)          TALCAMA
 61) JIMMY THE HAND 18-1044      49  43  1  RIFTWAR MASTERS (78)       TALCAMA

GUARDIANS OF THE WALL             W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 62) SGT SLAUGHTER 7-541        161  65  0  DEATH MASTERS (18)         BONSUR
 63) FARUM 8-1697                65  45  4  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
 64) LOUIS 30-1370               83  97  4  THE DAMNED (52)            IAYE
 65) LIVIUS 32-880               64  40  4  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 66) DARIUS 32-688              106  81  2  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 67) DLOM EMILS 5-1857           76  92  2  ZIG ZAG (14)               KALTOS
 68) MASH 14-1528                78  87  0  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 69)-WASTE OF STEEL 43-1521      76  39  1  WOLFRAVEN REAVERS (104)    VEASTIAN
 70) JEREMY 17-1642              81  92  4  YELLOW SUBMARINE (31)      ALJAFIR
 71) CRYSTAL DOVE 18-4139        38  21  2  THUNDR + LITENING (100)    TALCAMA
 72)-JOHN WAYNE 20-1763          42  35  1  WAYNE'S WORLD (101)        SEAM

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

THE DEAD                   W  L K TEAM NAME              SLAIN BY                 TURN
TOTATIZ 108-20             0  1 0 CHAOS SPAWN 0          VENGEANCE 9-2052           34
TEETOTALER 38-326        163 74 0 MISCELLANEOUS II 62    GORGOROTHOR 108-48         34

                               PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

Vengeance -- When are you going to come out of your Ivory tower and compete with the 
rest of us?  You protect your precious ranking by going to fight Gate monsters every 
turn.  It was truly a shame that you and I did not meet in the last tournament.  
Perhaps in the next I will get the opportunity to show you what a pretender you are. 
-- Psycho Scientist, Paladin of the Dark Circle

Falstaff -- As soon as I find a way to beat you, I'll work my way up and take that 
throne from you.  Don't get too comfy, because it won't be that long. -- Psycho 
Scientist

A very interesting list published by Skek last turn.  Only 8 warriors with at least 3 
Archmaster ratings, yet 12 with all six Grandmasters (or above).  And, still but a 
single Blademaster.  (Not for long, though.)  Most interesting, though, is 
establishing a correlation between ratings and performance.  For instance, in the last 
tourney, Psycho Scientist (1GM/3AM) beat Delbaeth (4/2), Opus (1/5) and Nodonn (4/2).  
Obviously, there is much more to a warrior, even at this level, than ratings. -- Neon 
Necromancer, Warden of the Dark Circle

Papa Bear -- It is great to hear that you are on the mend.  Your presence here would 
have been sorely missed.  Everyone talks about bringing home the gold in our tourneys, 
but you brought home the gold in the real contest called life.  We all look forward to 
seeing you in Connecticut this summer. -- Scrag

Papa Bear -- I couldn't have said it better myself. -- Neon Necromancer

I have to object to changing the ranking system.  It certainly isn't perfect, but it 
works really well.  The best warriors will rise to the top.  Seven of the top nine 
skills warriors are in the top 10, with exceptions of Psycho Scientist (14), and 
Reggie Jackson (Dark Arena losses).  Of the warriors with one or more Archmasters, 
most are ranked in the top 30 with a handful reaching down into the Defenders of the 
Keep.

The current system was adopted because it works so much better than the old 
recognition point system.  You only move up when you beat someone above you and only 
move down when you lose to someone below you.  The only real complaint is that the 
system is subject to above, allowing warriors to hold an artificially low position, 
boosting their wins (Epitaph, Furious Impaler).  To this, I say, "So what!?" -- 
Goldilocks

Spymaster -- I suggest a recognition point system using thousands, rather than 
hundreds, of points.  Extra points for defending the Gate (win or lose) would be nice.  
This would enable semi-retired Gate types (like Vengeance, Teetotaler, and any future 
additions to the Companions) to sit back and rack up thousands of points for all 
eternity.  Kind of a reason to continue existing.  I personally have never been fond 
of the present ranking system, both here and when it was first enacted in Primus.  
It's boring and restricts movement in the rankings.  Simply put: it's stale and 
boring!  What would it take to change the ranking system here in Gateway?  (Not 
Primus, I don't want to create an uproar or anything.  A change like I have suggested 
would be easy and painless in a small arena like Gateway).  Let's hear what the others 
here (and you Commission folks) think. -- Caesar

     Caesar -- I have taken your commentssss on advissory and will pressssent them to 
     the Commissssion when the Gate is opened at the tourney.  However, until then, we 
     can discussss thisss here, amongssst ourselvessss.  Already there is another who 
     is against your proposssal. -- Skek

Gladiatorial Commission Bigwigs -- Where did all sixteen of my hard-earned kills go?  
I want them back NOW!!!  What's the problem? -- Lieutenant Teetotaler
P.S.  And Captain Vengeance should have twenty-nine.  Where are his?

     Lieutenant -- Is not the knowledge that you have accomplished this great goal 
     enough for you?  Must the medals also be pinned to your chesssst?  I sssshall 
     inquire, but I believe that is hasss something to do with sssomething called 
     "program problems with kills over double digits." -- Skek

3/2/97
The CEO of Phoenix Enterprises, Miles, recently had an unfortunate encounter with the 
Macaroni of Evil in Aradi and was tranformed into a demon.  We, the Board of Phoenix 
Enterprises, do not find the demon Beelzemiles to be an acceptable representative of 
our interests, and are invoking the Morality Clause of his contract and terminating 
his employment.  Seizing this as an opportunity to reorganize our operations, we have 
appointed Xenia tyl Loran as the Executive Officer of Lirith Kai operations and The 
Red Knight as XO of all other interests, effective 03/01/97. -- The Board of Phoenix 
Enterprises

03/05/97
The CONFEDERATION of INDEPENDENT MANAGERS ASSOCIATION is looking for independent 
managers wanting to improve their game and enjoy fellowship with other managers in the 
game.  CIMA is the largest organization ever to be formed in the world of Duelmasters.  
This isn't an alliance, but rather a club where you get the benefits of an alliance 
but retain your independent managers status.  If you're an independent manager that 
hasn't registered with CIMA, you're missing out on a whole lot of fun and information 
about the game.

There are no rules, titles, political or ethical problems at CIMA to encumber the 
independent minds of our members.

CIMA members receive a monthly newsletter with CIMA and DM information in it.  New 
members will receive a new member kit that will have information about CIMA, as well 
as help hints; charts of weapons, skills, endurance; and other stuff to help you get 
started in your arena as a newer player.  We will also have an in-depth CIMA handbook 
that explain in detail much of how the game works.

We offer an extensive training program with 7 DM CIMA training centers for RSI 
members, and 3 CIMA Training centers for RSE (our EuroDM branch) members.  If you're 
an experienced manager you can volunteer to been a CIMA trainer if you wish, or for 
newer players, a trainer will be assigned to you if you choose.

CIMA has a web page and an on-line email list which CIMA members can get involved in 
daily discussions and the like.  To sign up for CIMA via email, send the request to 
"JessieJest@compuserve.com".

The CIMA web site is http://ourworld.compuserve.com./homepages/jessiejest/homepage.htm

For more information or to register for The Confederation of Independent Managers 
Association, you can write to the follow: (RSI requests) Bruce Marcom, 9396 Richmond 
Ave. #273, Houston, TX  77063.  (RSE requests) Mark Spencer 102 West Street, Henley-on 
Thames, Oxfordshire, RG9 2EA, England.

03/18/97
ATTN: All CIMA Members please send your full name and address to to me DIRECTLY as 
soon as possible.  Do not Diplo me.  All persons inquiring about CIMA please send 
letters of inquiry directly to me or use email if you have access to a computer.  It 
has been brought to my attention that CIMA dipos are flooding RSI in a large 
quanities.  DO NOT DIPLO!  Send to me directly to Bruce Marcom, CIMA Operations 
Coordinator, 9396 Richmond #273, Houston Tx. 77063, (713) 784-0126.  Please include 
your mailing address as well.  EMAIL: is JessieJest@compuserve.com 

I will be sending the CIMA monthly newsletters directly to all members, and new member 
packets will be sent directly to the new members.  Thank you for your cooperation, and 
good luck at Duelmasters! -- Sir Jessie Jest, Founder of the CONFEDERATION of 
INDEPENDENT MANAGERS ASSOCIATION

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

TEETOTALER was butchered by GORGOROTHOR in a violent 1 minute Gateway fight.
VENGEANCE murdered TOTATIZ in a fierce 4 minute gory Gateway melee.
PSYCHO SCIENTIST viciously subdued RAGE in a crowd pleasing 2 minute Challenge brawl.
MAIMED was defeated by LEONARDO in a crowd pleasing 1 minute Challenge match.
DOOMED devastated QUICKSILVER in a crowd pleasing 2 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
TAWNY was narrowly defeated by EXECUTIONER in a 2 minute Challenge brawl.
FURIOUS IMPALER overpowered ALICIA in an action packed 1 minute uneven Challenge melee.
GOLDEN BEAR lost to WHIPLASH in a 2 minute gory Challenge duel.
SUGAR BEAR lost to NICODEMUS in a popular 4 minute gory Challenge duel.
SLY narrowly defeated THANATOS in a popular 4 minute gory Challenge melee.
TREBONIUS demolished AJAX in a crowd pleasing 4 minute mismatched Challenge match.
LAZAR WOLF subdued EUSEBIO in a crowd pleasing 2 minute Challenge match.
CRYSTAL DOVE was overpowered by DLOM EMILS in a 1 minute Challenge conflict.
GOLDILOCKS was vanquished by SHAWN THORNTON in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge bout.
LIVIUS was overcome by JIMMY THE HAND in a 2 minute Challenge bout.
FALSTAFF was bested by DONATELLO in a crowd pleasing 2 minute Title brawl.
TAGAN defeated REEBOK-RAT in an exciting 1 minute bout.
DELBAETH overpowered PAPA BEAR in a popular 1 minute one-sided bout.
DON JUAN overcame NAMELESS TOOK in a crowd pleasing 2 minute gory competition.
OPUS overpowered DANGEROUS in a 2 minute gory one-sided duel.
3066 viciously subdued ELLEGON in an action packed 3 minute bloody duel.
HAWK was savagely defeated by TA'RA in a popular 3 minute gory match.
NODONN won victory over SABRE TOOTH in a popular 2 minute match.
HYPER-RAT won victory over LOUIS in a popular 1 minute brutal fight.
CHAR$(3008) was viciously subdued by FIRE DONBELOW in an action packed 3 minute bout.
MAYNARD G KREBS overpowered DARIUS in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided fray.
MARIONETTE was beaten by REGGIE JACKSON in a 2 minute gory fight.
NOELLE viciously subdued URSA in a popular 1 minute brutal fray.
MASH was demolished by BILLY THE KID in an exciting 1 minute brutal one-sided fight.
BHURAK overpowered JEREMY in a crowd pleasing 1 minute gruesome one-sided fray.
MOLLY RINGWALD overpowered STEEL DWARF in an exciting 1 minute one-sided struggle.
NECRON-99 slimly won victory over FER DE LANCE in an action packed 3 minute gory bout.
SGT SLAUGHTER subdued FARUM in a crowd pleasing 1 minute match.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                 25          AIMED BLOW        21 -  13 -  0      62  |
|WALL OF STEEL                  10          PARRY-LUNGE       56 -  38 -  0      60  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                     9          WALL OF STEEL     65 -  54 -  5      55  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                 5          LUNGING ATTACK   137 - 130 - 11      51  |
|TOTAL PARRY                     4          PARRY-STRIKE      12 -  12 -  0      50  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                   3          PARRY-RIPOSTE     20 -  20 -  0      50  |
|AIMED BLOW                      3          TOTAL PARRY       28 -  30 -  0      48  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                    2          STRIKING ATTACK   21 -  32 -  1      40  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                 2          SLASHING ATTACK    5 -  19 -  0      21  |
|BASHING ATTACK                  1          BASHING ATTACK     3 -  12 -  0      20  |

Turn  34 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-STRIKE       2 -  0     LUNGING ATTACK    12 - 13         5  LUNGING ATTACK 
PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -  1     PARRY-LUNGE        4 -  5         3  PARRY-LUNGE    
STRIKING ATTACK    3 -  2     AIMED BLOW         1 -  2         2  WALL OF STEEL  
SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  1     BASHING ATTACK     0 -  1         1  STRIKING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY        2 -  2     
WALL OF STEEL      5 -  5     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   RANK WARRIOR                     W   L  K TEAM NAME                  
PARRY-LUNGE        1) DONATELLO 22-366          208  43  2 NINJA TURTLES (40)
LUNGING ATTACK     2) VENGEANCE 9-2052          138  33 14 ANGELS OF PAIN (23)
WALL OF STEEL      4) DELBAETH 6-978            143  82  2 GOLDEN HOSTE (16)
STRIKING ATTACK    6) OPUS 1-1526               140  75  4 ZIG ZAG (5)
AIMED BLOW        14) TAWNY 24-1369             111  74  0 HACK AND SLASH (44)
PARRY-RIPOSTE     17) TA'RA 24-1088             111  92  3 HACK AND SLASH (44)
PARRY-STRIKE      19) LEONARDO 22-205           174  81  6 NINJA TURTLES (40)
TOTAL PARRY       22) NAMELESS TOOK 1-3195       93  39  2 DARK GUARDIANS (8)
SLASHING ATTACK   35) BILLY THE KID 13-1386     101  87  3 EXCELLENT 'VENTURE (26)
BASHING ATTACK    64) LOUIS 30-1370              83  97  4 THE DAMNED (52)

The overall popularity leader is THANATOS 9-1069.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was SUGAR BEAR 42-811.  The ten other most popular fighters were VENGEANCE 9-2052, 
TREBONIUS 32-604, NICODEMUS 8-1729, SLY 18-68, FIRE DONBELOW 41-101, PSYCHO SCIENTIST 
18-697, THANATOS 9-1069, NECRON-99 7-565, EXECUTIONER 43-1035, and 3066 14-1351.

The least popular fighter this week was PAPA BEAR 46-1340.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were GOLDILOCKS 18-470, CRYSTAL DOVE 18-4139, STEEL DWARF 2-1955, 
JEREMY 17-1642, DARIUS 32-688, LOUIS 30-1370, LIVIUS 32-880, TEETOTALER 38-326, FARUM 
8-1697, and BHURAK 60-1081.

Arena(Number)        W  L K  Arena(Number)        W  L K  Arena(Number)        W  L K  
MORDANT(1)           1  3 0  TALCAMA(18)          3  2 0  JHANS(36)            1  1 0  
NIANIA(2)            0  1 0  ZUWAYZA(19)          2  1 0  SIBIKHAS(37)         1  1 0  
JHELUM(4)            1  0 0  SOLVEN(22)           2  0 0  CLIFFHOME(38)        0  1 0  
KALTOS(5)            1  1 0  TI(23)               0  1 0  KATI-TEI(41)         1  1 0  
TRANSEL(6)           3  1 0  ZORPUNT(24)          2  2 0  RODEKI(42)           0  2 0  
BONSUR(7)            2  0 0  MORYA(28)            0  1 0  VEASTIAN(43)         1  1 0  
ARKERS(8)            1  1 0  LAPUR(29)            1  0 0  ARDIVENT(46)         0  2 0  
ZUKAL(9)             1  1 1  IAYE(30)             0  1 0  CAER(48)             0  2 0  
DULLENS(13)          1  0 0  ARVAT(32)            1  2 0  FRATSFA(52)          1  0 0  
TOBIR(14)            2  2 0  NIYTYOLE ISLAND(33)  1  0 0  ARADI(60)            1  0 0  
ALJAFIR(17)          1  1 0  

TOP WARRIOR OF EACH ARENA         W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
  6) OPUS 1-1526                140  75  4  ZIG ZAG (5)                MORDANT
 58) STEEL DWARF 2-1955          76  54  0  MYTH AND MIGHT (10)        NIANIA
 36) LAZAR WOLF 4-1169           61  49  1  TRIBAL COUNCIL (83)        JHELUM
 37) FER DE LANCE 5-1938         87  74  1  ZIG ZAG (14)               KALTOS
  4) DELBAETH 6-978             143  82  2  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 34) NECRON-99 7-565            155  68  2  DEATH MASTERS (18)         BONSUR
 46) NICODEMUS 8-1729            76  50  3  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
  2) VENGEANCE 9-2052           138  33 14  ANGELS OF PAIN (23)        ZUKAL
 35) BILLY THE KID 13-1386      101  87  3  EXCELLENT 'VENTURE (26)    DULLENS
 20) 3066 14-1351                91  57  1  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 32) REGGIE JACKSON 17-1339     114  84  7  JACKSON FIVE (30)          ALJAFIR
 11) PSYCHO SCIENTIST 18-697    111  80  4  MAD SCIENTISTS (34)        TALCAMA
 23) WHIPLASH 19-1221           110  64  1  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
  1) DONATELLO 22-366           208  43  2  NINJA TURTLES (40)         SOLVEN
 55) AJAX 23-804                 57  30  0  THE BRIGADE (90)           TI
  8) DON JUAN 24-849            118  99  4  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 49) SABRE TOOTH 28-1193         86  53  0  THE RED REAVERS (47)       MORYA
 59) SHAWN THORNTON 29-1359      79 107  5  PUT UP YOUR DUKES (50)     LAPUR
 64) LOUIS 30-1370               83  97  4  THE DAMNED (52)            IAYE
 39) TREBONIUS 32-604           105  71  7  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 53) MAYNARD G KREBS 33-2098     76  60  4  BOOB TUBE RUBES (91)       NIYTYOLE ISLAND
 26) MAIMED 36-2213              74  46  4  THE HURT (103)             JHANS
  7) FALSTAFF 37-899            138  68  4  ZIG ZAG (59)               SIBIKHAS
  5) TEETOTALER 38-326          163  74  0  MISCELLANEOUS II (62)      CLIFFHOME
 16) REEBOK-RAT 41-432          122  63  2  RAT PAK (82)               KATI-TEI
 28) GOLDEN BEAR 42-757          86  75  0  THE BEARS (66)             RODEKI
  3) EXECUTIONER 43-1035        104  65  1  ENGINES OF DOOM (95)       VEASTIAN
 12) PAPA BEAR 46-1340           77  50  1  THE BEARS (69)             ARDIVENT
 13) RAGE 48-906                 97  85  3  THE BEARS (70)             CAER
 45) MOLLY RINGWALD 52-520       79  51  4  PRETTY THINGS (93)         FRATSFA
 41) BHURAK 60-1081              75  54  3  CCE (76)                   ARADI

                        ATTENTION OWNERS OF TOURNEY PRIZES!!!

     It's come to the Commission's attention that there are a number of tournament 
prizes many years old which have not been used.  While we're willing to stretch the 
six-month limit occasionally, the situation has become ridiculous.  We are therefore 
requiring that ALL UNUSED TOURNAMENT PRIZES FROM 1996 AND EARLIER BE USED BY JUNE 1, 
1997 OR BECOME NULL AND VOID.  Please notify Customer Service of how you wish to use 
your prize as soon as possible.

                                        The Gladiatorial Commission

                             THE ALLIANCES OF DUELMASTERS

     Greetings, joy and happiness to all.  With the growing number of alliances in the 
world of DM, I decided to write an article about this subject and the effect it has on 
the game as a whole.  Keep in mind that these only my opinions and observations.
     Alliances are formed from many different reasons ranging from friendship, 
protection, fun, power, etc. etc.   Whatever the reason that an alliance is formed 
for, it will have a major impact in the arena where a lot of its members are.  Most of 
the time alliances will literally destroy an arena making it becoming a vacant ghost 
town.  There are a few exceptions but those are few and far between.
     The reason that alliances have a major impact on an arena whether formed in one 
arena or spread out to many arenas is because the members of some alliances will gang 
up on non-members consistantlly until it drives them all away leaving it empty accept 
for the alliance members.  This is particularly true of power-based alliances.  Some 
of the friends-based alliances that play more friendly toward non-members will have a 
healthy mix of all types of managers, and even other alliances present in their chosen 
arena.   This adds more character and competition to the given arena, and a healthy 
playing environment.
     If you're in an alliance of any kind you will face all the alliance politics that 
come with being an alliance.  This is because each alliance has their own views about 
playing style, goals, along with long and short term objectives.  This causes a lot of 
warfare between the alliances, and sometimes the independant manager gets squashed in 
between their fighting.  And these wars are other thing that will destroy even large 
arenas.
     But, there are a few good things about alliances.  You can meet new friends, and 
have a freindship that lasts for many years.  Also, you can exchange information about 
the game, opponents, and many other things.  Protection is another benefit of 
alliances; if some is giving you a hard time you can always call on help.
     Listed below are some of the know alliances from my archives, and a few comments 
about some of them. (my opinions only)

FONZ -- A frends-based alliance that basically keeps to themselves.

The Midnight Foundation -- A small alliance that doesn't appear to be very friendly.

The Ruling Council -- A small alliance of mega-manager giants that are basically in 
the upper ranks of the game. 

NCA (Number Cruchers Alliance) -- A small group of elite managers that are also mostly 
in the upper ranks of the game.

CRAM -- Small group of up and coming mgrs with strong ADM ties.

The Delarquan Rebel Confederation -- Think about a bunch of guys drinking on a Friday 
night rasing Cain and that about describes this alliance.  They have about 5 or 6 
members.  They can be friendly or hostile depending on the stituation.

LBA -- They have about 5 or 6 members.  They objectives are unknown, and the members 
are just as unsure of their purpose.  Seem to be neutral in most people's eyes.

The HomeLand Alliance -- They have about 6 members.  They are very friendly and a fun 
to play alongside.

The Ivory League -- Are a bunch of friends that follow a strict code of honor in 
combat, and do not exploit the game's rules for any reason.  They also concentrate a 
lot on the roleplaying and building friendships.  This is one of the major alliances, 
and can be found largely in Andorian and Lirith Kai arenas.  They are in Andorak (ADM 
105) and Lirin Kiv (ADM 107) ADM arenas but have a representatives in every ADM arena 
including Primus (ADM 102).

GAPPA -- This alliance has an usual mix of managers of vary managing styles.  They a 
largely found in Delarquan arenas and Darkholm.  They can be hostile or friendly 
depending on the mgr.  This is another major alliance.

The Dark Circle -- The alliance is based on power and experience of its managers.  
They have a complicated rank structure that members use to climb as one of their 
objectives.  The managers are Delarquan mostly, and have almost complete control over 
Darkholm (ADM 104).  They are friendly only if your are not in the way of their goals 
or objectives.  If you are, then they will crush you if they can.  They also train 
newer members to become better managers.  (Although fighting within the ranks is not 
uncommon.)  This is another major alliance.  They have managers on every level of the 
game.

IT -- A small group of guys that play more independant than other alliances.

Knight of the Covenant -- This is a newer alliance that not much is known about.

     There is also a club for Independant Managers to affilliate with to meet other 
independant mgrs.  Its called The Confederation of Independant Mgrs Association or 
CIMA.  This is also a good source to get game information for the independant mgr.
     Well that's about all for now.  Good Luck, and may fortune be with you.  If you 
wish to contact me regarding DM, diplo me at The Joker's Wild 2 in ADM 107 or email me 
at 103260.3347@compuserve.com.  I also have a web site at 
http://ourworld/compuserve.com/homepages/jessiejest/homepage.htm

Cheers,
Sir Jessie Jest,
Member of The Confederation of Independant Managers Association