ADVANCED DUELMASTERS

Date   : 08/21/1997    Duedate: 09/03/1997

Gateway

DM-108    TURN-45

RANK TEAMS                    W   L K    %  RANK TEAMS                    W   L K    %
  1 KILLER ABORIGINE 37/58  39   5  1 88.6   12-UNDERDOGS 60/75         97 105  1 48.0
  2 ANGELS OF PAIN 9/23     37   7 35 84.1      BIRDS OF PREY 23/41                   
  3 WOLVERINES 18/99        53  22  2 70.7      WILD CARDS 57/73                      
    MAD SCIENTISTS 18/34                        DEATHTONGUE 46/68                     
  4 CCE 60/76              438 310 20 58.6   13 DEADLY SHADOWS 46/96    46  50  2 47.9
    ZIG ZAG 37/59                               ENGINES OF DOOM 43/95                 
    GOLDEN HOSTE 6/16                        14 FROG PRINCES 18/33      21  24  0 46.7
    HACK AND SLASH 24/44                     15-DARK ELVES 36/114       11  13  0 45.8
    NOMADS 14/29                             16 SUPERIOR FORCES 1/120    9  11  2 45.0
    ZIG ZAG 1/5                                 SUPERIOR FORCES 29/113                
    ZIG ZAG 5/14                             17 THUNDR + LITENI 18/100   9  11  0 45.0
  5 RAT PAK 41/82          100  73  2 57.8   18 THEM 21/89             130 160  1 44.8
    RAT PAK 19/80                               THE BEARS 42/66                       
  6 ROMAN HEROES 32/53      69  54 21 56.1      THE HURT 36/103                       
    MISCELLANEOUS II 38/62                      THE BEARS 46/69                       
  7-DEATH MASTERS 7/18     106  90  3 54.1      THE BEARS 43/67                       
    NINJA TURTLES 22/40                         THE BEARS 48/70                       
    INFERNAL LEGION 9/22                     19 JACKSON FIVE 17/30      58  76  8 43.3
  8 DARK GUARDIANS 1/8     156 139  5 52.9      FIRE FIGHTERS 41/65                   
    THE GUARDIANS 19/35                         BOOB TUBE RUBES 33/91                 
    THE RED REAVERS 28/47                       DOCTORS OF DUEL 10/88                 
    MYTH AND MIGHT 2/10                      20 TRIBAL COUNCIL 4/83     16  25  0 39.0
  9 POWERAGE 52/105         58  54  9 51.8   21 BRITERON BY 8/20        45  72  2 38.5
    ABOUNDING AGONY II 29/48                    PRETTY THINGS 52/93                   
    WOLFRAVEN REAVERS 10/24                  22 ILLUMINATION 46/116      1   2  0 33.3
    WAYNE'S WORLD 20/101                     23-MOLES 63/118             4  10  1 28.6
    WOLFRAVEN REAVERS 43/104                    CREW MONIKER 76/119                   
    BIBLE BROTHERS 38/64                     24 WARLORDS 11/110          9  24  0 27.3
 10 TEAM$(150) 1/77         23  22  3 51.1      THE BRIGADE 23/90                     
 11-CHEEZ'S CHUMPS 45/92     9   9  0 50.0   25 THOSE WHO RULE 1/121     1   4  0 20.0
    CHEEZ'S SLEAZS 15/111                 

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

                                  WARRIOR SPOTLIGHT

Results from last turn:

                Lord Protectors records against the Chaos Spawn: 24-19
     
                Record of Top 11 Warriors: 8-1
                Record of Lieutenants of the Gate: 8-0
                Record of Defenders of the Keep: 5-7
                Record of Guardians of the Wall: 3-11

                Record of top 1/2 of rankings: 20-2
                Record of bottom 1/2 of rankings: 4-17

     These results prove that the current ranking system works pretty well.  You can 
almost draw a line in the rankings and see which warriors will win and which will lose 
in the Gate.  Luck plays a huge part in many fights, but luck averages out.  And the 
only luck I see appears to be with Donny losing and the 4 bottom warriors winning.  
Congratulations to those few lucky warriors -- Darius, Complete Check, Patience and 
Toe Jam. -- Frog Princess

-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|--|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-

             (This note was found posted next to the bar in the Keep Inn)

I can't believe this.

I'm NOT supposed to be here.  I TOLD them when they came to escort me through the 
gate, "This is all a mistake, just ask Mirage!"  But, as usual, Mirage was nowhere to 
be found.  But no one told me I had to fight after I went through, so I figured I'd 
just continue my retirement in more... colorful... surroundings.  I figured it'd be 
easier to pick up babes at tournaments if I told them I was from "Through The GATE."

Well, my luck hasn't been too bad--until now.  I've taken a few stints as fight 
announcer, worked in the bar a little, drank in the bar... well... a lot, I guess, 
tried my hand at farming some of the strange stuff we've found here.  You know, 
generally relaxed.

But that seems to be at an end for the moment.  

After Skek brought Donny back from the dead, he's been a raving lunatic.  He's had to 
be physically restrained from wiping out all the Captured Spawn.  "HOW DID THEY KNOW?" 
and "WHO LET THEM IN?" he's been shouting at the top of his lungs.  Seems he's really 
steamed that the assault was while he was Captain of the Gate, and that they managed 
to kill him to take it.  

He's ordered all Mirage's warriors to accompany him into the jungle on a patrol, 
following the path Vengeance and Teetotaller took trying to track them down, and that 
we're not to return without the key.  Unfortunately, he does have the right to make 
that order, much as I may dislike it.  My hope, at the moment, is that we don't all 
get ambushed and die in such a way that no one can find us, and we never return...

Wish me luck...

Raphael

P.S. I hope you babes appreciate the efforts I'm going to for your safety.

                            RAMBLINGS FROM WITHIN THE KEEP

     Oh, Boy!  I do so love to see Sheila breathe fire.  It really is a rather 
interesting special effect.  Too bad she only does it when she's really pissed.

     For those of you who haven't gotten all the details, she came storming through 
the gate earlier today (which has a really odd effect on the gate itself, if you watch 
closely.  I'm sure there's an interesting story in that, somewhere).  She grabbed Opus 
by the ears (an amusing sight in other circumstances), and said:

     "How dare you worthless idiots lose the key I made for you?!?  Once I leave, 
     NO ONE will be permitted through that gate until you retrieve the key.  For 
     ANY reason.  If it isn't found before tourney time, tough!  I leave you 
     lame-brains with this to help you:  Twirl this javelin in the air and it 
     will point in the current direction of the key.  GoodBYE."

     So, you heard it.  Who's up for a road trip?  Er, maybe not road...  Trail trip?  
Backpacking trip?  That sounds better.

     Oh, and count me out. 

                                          -- Oscar

CAPTAIN OF THE GATE               W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
  1) OPUS 1-1526                150  76  5  ZIG ZAG (5)                MORDANT

THE GATE COMMANDERS               W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
  2) VENGEANCE 9-2052           146  37 22  ANGELS OF PAIN (23)        ZUKAL
  3) FALSTAFF 37-899            145  72  5  ZIG ZAG (59)               SIBIKHAS
  4) EXECUTIONER 43-1035        111  69  2  ENGINES OF DOOM (95)       VEASTIAN
  5) TAWNY 24-1369              119  77  1  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
  6) JESSE JACKSON 38-747       108  73  4  BIBLE BROTHERS (64)        CLIFFHOME
  7) QUICKSILVER 14-857         137 102  4  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
  8) TAGAN 6-1226               146  67  1  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
  9)-DONATELLO 22-366           216  45  2  NINJA TURTLES (40)         SOLVEN
 10) DELBAETH 6-978             153  83  2  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 11) HAWK 46-554                102 101  1  DEADLY SHADOWS (96)        ARDIVENT

LIEUTENANTS OF THE GATE           W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 12) PSYCHO SCIENTIST 18-697    118  84  4  MAD SCIENTISTS (34)        TALCAMA
 13)-LEONARDO 22-205            179  86  7  NINJA TURTLES (40)         SOLVEN
 14) REGGIE JACKSON 17-1339     121  88  7  JACKSON FIVE (30)          ALJAFIR
 15) ELLEGON 19-1723             92  51  2  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 16) FURIOUS IMPALER 37-762      93  37  2  KILLER ABORIGINE (58)      SIBIKHAS
 17) 3066 14-1351                98  61  1  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 18) TEETOTALER 38-326          168  80 23  MISCELLANEOUS II (62)      CLIFFHOME
 19) HANGOVER 29-638            147  75  9  ABOUNDING AGONY II (48)    LAPUR
 20) NODONN 6-866               137  97  0  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 21) TA'RA 24-1088              117  97  5  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 22) HYPER-RAT 19-1170          110  64  3  RAT PAK (80)               ZUWAYZA
 23) EUSEBIO 6-1456              80  51  2  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 24)-SGT SLAUGHTER 7-541        166  70  0  DEATH MASTERS (18)         BONSUR
 25) ALICIA 24-1551             113  69  2  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 26) REEBOK-RAT 41-432          129  67  2  RAT PAK (82)               KATI-TEI
 27) FIRE DONBELOW 41-101       118 102  3  FIRE FIGHTERS (65)         KATI-TEI
 28) RAGE 48-906                105  88  4  THE BEARS (70)             CAER
 29) CHAR$(3008) 1-3008          96  81  3  TEAM$(150) (77)            MORDANT
 30) NOELLE 14-2005              85  54  2  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 31)-NECRON-99 7-565            163  70  2  DEATH MASTERS (18)         BONSUR

DEFENDERS OF THE KEEP             W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 32) WHIPLASH 19-1221           117  68  1  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 33) DON JUAN 24-849            121 107  5  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 34) SABRE TOOTH 28-1193         93  57  1  THE RED REAVERS (47)       MORYA
 35) UNZASTER DIZASTER 10-1424   96  69  2  WOLFRAVEN REAVERS (24)     KOLACT
 36) MARIONETTE 1-4093           68  71  1  DARK GUARDIANS (8)         MORDANT
 37) DOOMED 36-1547              90  66  5  THE HURT (103)             JHANS
 38)-FERNDOK 60-607              88  59  2  UNDERDOGS (75)             ARADI
 39) SLY 18-68                  125  52  4  WOLVERINES (99)            TALCAMA
 40) NAMELESS TOOK 1-3195        99  44  3  DARK GUARDIANS (8)         MORDANT
 41) BHURAK 60-1081              81  59  3  CCE (76)                   ARADI
 42)-SUGAR BEAR 42-811           88  72  2  THE BEARS (66)             RODEKI
 43) DANGEROUS 43-842            97  95  2  ENGINES OF DOOM (95)       VEASTIAN
 44) MAMMA 43-1602               68  58  1  THE BEARS (67)             VEASTIAN
 45) MAIMED 36-2213              75  56  4  THE HURT (103)             JHANS
 46)-GOLDEN BEAR 42-757          88  82  0  THE BEARS (66)             RODEKI
 47)-RAVEN 23-1526               75  74  0  BIRDS OF PREY (41)         TI
 48) TREBONIUS 32-604           114  73  7  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 49) URSA 48-1678                74  70  2  THE BEARS (70)             CAER
 50) FER DE LANCE 5-1938         91  81  1  ZIG ZAG (14)               KALTOS
 51)-THUNDERBIRD 23-2317         77  56  4  BIRDS OF PREY (41)         TI
 52) DARIUS 32-688              114  84  3  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 53) STEEL DWARF 2-1955          79  62  0  MYTH AND MIGHT (10)        NIANIA
 54) AJAX 23-804                 63  35  0  THE BRIGADE (90)           TI
 55) ALVARON 8-522              117  81  1  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
 56)-WRAITH 57-2615              74  50  0  WILD CARDS (73)            ANDOR
 57) NICODEMUS 8-1729            81  56  3  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS

DEFENDERS OF THE KEEP             W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 58)-THANATOS 9-1069            138  96  0  INFERNAL LEGION (22)       ZUKAL
 59) MAYNARD G KREBS 33-2098     79  68  4  BOOB TUBE RUBES (91)       NIYTYOLE ISLAND
 60) LAZAR WOLF 4-1169           65  56  1  TRIBAL COUNCIL (83)        JHELUM
 61) MOLLY RINGWALD 52-520       81  60  4  PRETTY THINGS (93)         FRATSFA

GUARDIANS OF THE WALL             W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 62) FARUM 8-1697                70  51  4  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
 63)-BILL THE CAT 46-699         89  83  2  DEATHTONGUE (68)           ARDIVENT
 64)-LAZY DRAGON 57-2050         95  59  1  WILD CARDS (73)            ANDOR
 65)-COMPLETE CHECK 76-756       68  36  2  CREW MONIKER (119)         SIMTAKKA
 66)-PUPPY CHOW 45-1360          63  32  0  CHEEZ'S CHUMPS (92)        STORMCROWE
 67) GOLDILOCKS 18-470           94  88  1  FROG PRINCES (33)          TALCAMA
 68)-EDWINA 60-517               71  49  2  UNDERDOGS (75)             ARADI
 69) MASH 14-1528                82  94  0  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 70) WASTE OF STEEL 43-1521      77  42  1  WOLFRAVEN REAVERS (104)    VEASTIAN
 71) DLOM EMILS 5-1857           78 101  2  ZIG ZAG (14)               KALTOS
 72) JOHN WAYNE 20-1763          43  37  1  WAYNE'S WORLD (101)        SEAM
 73) LIVIUS 32-880               69  46  4  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 74) PAPA BEAR 46-1340           80  58  1  THE BEARS (69)             ARDIVENT
 75) G.I. JOE 29-723             78  65  3  SUPERIOR FORCES (113)      LAPUR
 76) AMRA 10-1459                64  47  1  WOLFRAVEN REAVERS (24)     KOLACT
 77) PATIENCE 1-2619             61  40  1  SUPERIOR FORCES (120)      MORDANT
 78)-RELONAR 36-1257             59  25  3  DARK ELVES (114)           JHANS
 79) SKYBREAKER 52-756           58  31  1  POWERAGE (105)             FRATSFA
 80) TARAD 18-181               109  70  5  THUNDR + LITENING (100)    TALCAMA
 81) TOE JAM 1-3433              33  21  1  SUPERIOR FORCES (120)      MORDANT
 82)-EEE 15-1223                 78  46  1  CHEEZ'S SLEAZS (111)       MALCORN
 83) SAMONA 46-1469              63  23  0  ILLUMINATION (116)         ARDIVENT
 84) BREAK 8-599                114  80  0  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
 85)-HAWKEYE 10-940             104  75  2  DOCTORS OF DUEL (88)       KOLACT
 86)-J 10-939                    97  79  1  DOCTORS OF DUEL (88)       KOLACT
 87)-THE VISITOR 21-1404         77  50  5  THEM (89)                  SUNSET
 88)-JASON CULLINANE 19-1241     77  81  3  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 89)-JUANITA 63-1482             52  38  2  MOLES (118)                AMEN-TEI
 90) HASDRUBAL 11-1339           49  33  1  WARLORDS (110)             ARUAK CITY
 91) PUTT 8-518                  83  88  1  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
 92) STORMBRINGER 1-318         133  43  0  THOSE WHO RULE (121)       MORDANT

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

THE DEAD                    W   L  K TEAM NAME              SLAIN BY              TURN
ZITHORIXAN 108-70           0   1  0 DARK ARENA 0           VENGEANCE 9-2052        45
TEETOTALER 38-326         168  80 23 MISCELLANEOUS II 62    KILORRI 108-60          45

                               PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE

What the hell happened to the rankings???  How do you drop out of the top ten by 
losing to the 7th ranked warrior?  What, did Zontani think that the rankings had 
become a bit stagnant?  Giving the arena "character" is one thing.  Messing with game 
mechanics is another.  "The Gate" is no excuse for this. -- Neon Necromancer

    *What*?  How'd you get through the Gate?  Oh, Sheila... 

    I apologize if the results of the assault by the local denizens last cycle has 
    confused you.  It was decided that, to the best of our ability to discern from the 
    aftermath, we would attempt to consider some of the melee from the assault in the 
    same way we do for the bounties on those locals and penalties for needing 
    resurrection, now. -- Oscar
    P.S. Zontani IS missing.  I don't know how to contact him at this time.     

Tagan -- One for you in what I'm sure will be the first of many Blademaster-vs-
Blademaster fights.  I will be avenged!! -- Psycho Scientist

Congratulations to all those outstanding performers in our recent tournament!  It only 
gets better! -- Neon One

    Well said.  

Hey, Zontani!  How about running another one of those summaries of warrior ratings?  
You know, the one that shows how many Archmasters and Grandmasters everyone has?  It 
should be very interesting to compare with the previous list. -- Neon Necromancer

    These ratings are normally posted at split time.  Remind me when that time comes 
    and I will endeavor to get you that information. -- Oscar

    All, especially Frog Princes -- My sincere regrets if you are upset at the 
    audacity of the locals in assaulting our stronghold.  We cannot ever forget, 
    however, that Sheila sent us here with a task.  If you had not been willing to 
    shoulder that burden, you should not have stepped through the gate. However, as 
    you yourself pointed out, it was informative to both you the warriors, and those 
    behind the scenes.  It is my definitive hope that those locals will not attack 
    again soon, and with diligence we can keep them too afraid and busy to attack here 
    ever again.  -- Oscar
    P.S. If you would like to give discuss this with me more, or participate inj some 
    experiments we will be trying against these fiends, please send a note to 
    Oscar@reality.com, or mail it in to my attention.

    Caesar -- Apologies for taking so long to respond to your question.  As you can 
    probably tell, I've been fairly busy of late.  Your statement was incorrect.  It 
    is true that Quetzuquatl was encountered two turns in a row--if we don't kill 
    them, they're going to keep coming back!  They're determined to get through the 
    gate!  There are many different creatures out there--a Shadow Being is a rather 
    different creature from a Shadow Demon, despite their similar names.  I, who have 
    never fought or even seen much of these foul beasts, am far less qualified to tell 
    you of their strengths and weaknesses than those who have encountered and slain 
    them.  Teetotaller and Vengeance would seem far better authorities than I in 
    cataloging them.  
         Rather than spin tales about these monsters myself (though I hope last turn's 
    endeavour was entertaining), I think that your own activities and tales should do 
    the telling, and the near future should make this easier. -- Oscar

    All, especially Caesar -- If there is more interest in the records of the Gate 
    monsters against warriors, and if no one of you is interested in the task, I will 
    undertake it.  As a scribe, not a statistician, this is not my forte.  But, as 
    many of you are being asked to do things over and above your usual duties, it 
    would not be inappropriate for me to do so also.  Any specifics on how you would 
    like this data broken down? -- Oscar

7/18/97
Merlin has a Webpage! John Merlino and his wife, Laurel, have got their own
bit of self-indulgent silliness on the web. Apart from Duelmasters-related
items (such as my recent article entitled "The Zen of Putting Your Opponents
Six Feet Under", "The Sibikhan Hall of Remembrance", and a link to The Dark
Circle website), you'll find my Required Listening List, my wife's Required
Reading List, and lots of pictures of me and my friends. There's also an easy
way to mail us back, as well as a guestbook for anybody to sign and leave
their own pithy comments in (beware: we censor).

Just point your browser to http://merlino.netcrafters.com. I hope you enjoy
it!

Merlin, Warden of the Dark Circle

7/24/97
All you e-mail fiends -- The Duelmasters mailing list is still going, but it's not 
hosted by Primenet any longer.  If you wish to subscribe to the list, send e-mail to 
listserv@ambience.com.au with the message text of
          subscribe duel-l Your Name
If you're feeling like being silly, remember to substitute your real, honest-to-
goodness, on-your-tax-return name for the words your name.

7/24/97
Attention all you brand new immortality prize winners:  I would like to purchase your 
prize if you don't intend to use it.  Please contact me via diplo -- Team name 
POISONOUS DEMISE in arena 105 or 102.  Thanks.

8/5/97
For all you lucky people with WWW access, the current Duelmasters newsletters are 
online.  They can be found at:
          http://www.reality.com/dmnews.htm
Note, these are current newsletters only, no archives.  They are updated 2-3 days 
after the arenas run.

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

VENGEANCE butchered ZITHORIXAN in a crowd pleasing 2 minute gruesome Dark Arena fight.
TEETOTALER was murdered by KILORRI in a exciting 1 minute gory Dark Arena melee.
TAWNY was vanquished by EXECUTIONER in a popular 3 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
3066 was defeated by HAWK in a crowd pleasing 3 minute bloody Challenge match.
JESSE JACKSON was vanquished by OPUS in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge Title fight.
ALICIA viciously subdued CHAR$(3008) in a popular 3 minute Challenge competition.
NODONN was viciously subdued by ELLEGON in a action packed 4 minute Challenge duel.
FURIOUS IMPALER overpowered NOELLE in a popular 1 minute uneven Challenge duel.
EUSEBIO was overpowered by HYPER-RAT in a popular 2 minute uneven Challenge match.
DARIUS subdued LAZAR WOLF in a crowd pleasing 2 minute Challenge match.
FER DE LANCE viciously subdued STEEL DWARF in a exciting 2 minute Challenge contest.
DANGEROUS slimly lost to FIRE DONBELOW in a crowd pleasing 2 minute Challenge bout.
TREBONIUS overcame MOLLY RINGWALD in a action packed 2 minute Challenge fight.
BHURAK was savagely defeated by NAMELESS TOOK in a 3 minute Challenge struggle.
DON JUAN was overpowered by WHIPLASH in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
FARUM overpowered LIVIUS in a exciting 2 minute one-sided Challenge bout.
TARAD beat TOE JAM in a popular 4 minute bloody Challenge match.
DLOM EMILS was viciously subdued by GOLDILOCKS in a 2 minute Challenge contest.
RAGE was viciously subdued by QUICKSILVER in a popular 2 minute gruesome match.
TAGAN won victory over PSYCHO SCIENTIST in a crowd pleasing 3 minute gory fray.
DELBAETH savagely defeated HANGOVER in a popular 3 minute gruesome fight.
FALSTAFF overpowered REGGIE JACKSON in a popular 2 minute gory uneven fight.
REEBOK-RAT demolished AJAX in a action packed 1 minute gruesome one-sided melee.
TA'RA savagely defeated MAYNARD G KREBS in a exciting 3 minute bloody fray.
PAPA BEAR was unbelievably bested by ALVARON in a popular 3 minute gory bout.
SABRE TOOTH vanquished PUTT in a exciting 1 minute one-sided fray.
SLY savagely defeated NICODEMUS in a popular 6 minute brutal fight.
URSA overpowered AMRA in a exciting 1 minute bloody uneven bout.
UNZASTER DIZASTER vanquished MAMMA in a exciting 1 minute mismatched fight.
DOOMED savagely defeated PATIENCE in a exciting 3 minute gruesome struggle.
MAIMED savagely defeated WASTE OF STEEL in a exciting 4 minute bloody match.
MARIONETTE savagely defeated HASDRUBAL in a popular 3 minute gory duel.
STORMBRINGER lost to MASH in a crowd pleasing 1 minute bout.
G.I. JOE subdued SKYBREAKER in a action packed 1 minute competition.
JOHN WAYNE overpowered BREAK in a action packed 1 minute gruesome one-sided fight.
SAMONA outwaited CAPTURED PHOENIXBIRD in a crowd pleasing 8 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        28 -  12 -   2     70  |
|WALL OF STEEL                   14         PARRY-RIPOSTE     25 -  18 -   4     58  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      9         PARRY-LUNGE       59 -  47 -   5     56  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  6         WALL OF STEEL     90 -  82 -   6     52  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      6         LUNGING ATTACK   147 - 137 -  13     52  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    5         PARRY-STRIKE       8 -  10 -   1     44  |
|AIMED BLOW                       3         TOTAL PARRY       27 -  37 -   3     42  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         STRIKING ATTACK   20 -  39 -   1     34  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         BASHING ATTACK     1 -   2 -   0     33  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   0         SLASHING ATTACK    8 -  19 -   1     30  |

Turn  45 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:

SLASHING ATTACK    1 -  0     PARRY-LUNGE        4 -  5         5  LUNGING ATTACK 
LUNGING ATTACK    17 -  8     PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -  3         3  PARRY-LUNGE    
AIMED BLOW         2 -  1     WALL OF STEEL      5 -  9         1  STRIKING ATTACK
                              STRIKING ATTACK    2 -  4         1  AIMED BLOW     
                              TOTAL PARRY        2 -  4         1  WALL OF STEEL  
                              PARRY-STRIKE       0 -  0     
                              BASHING ATTACK     0 -  0     

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   RANK WARRIOR                     W   L  K TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK    1) OPUS 1-1526               150  76  5 ZIG ZAG (5)
LUNGING ATTACK     2) VENGEANCE 9-2052          146  37 22 ANGELS OF PAIN (23)
PARRY-LUNGE        3) FALSTAFF 37-899           145  72  5 ZIG ZAG (59)
AIMED BLOW         5) TAWNY 24-1369             119  77  1 HACK AND SLASH (44)
WALL OF STEEL     10) DELBAETH 6-978            153  83  2 GOLDEN HOSTE (16)
PARRY-RIPOSTE     21) TA'RA 24-1088             117  97  5 HACK AND SLASH (44)
SLASHING ATTACK   36) MARIONETTE 1-4093          68  71  1 DARK GUARDIANS (8)
TOTAL PARRY       40) NAMELESS TOOK 1-3195       99  44  3 DARK GUARDIANS (8)

The overall popularity leader is NICODEMUS 8-1729.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was ELLEGON 19-1723.  The ten other most popular fighters were SLY 18-68, DOOMED 
36-1547, MAIMED 36-2213, PAPA BEAR 46-1340, NICODEMUS 8-1729, NODONN 6-866, DELBAETH 
6-978, MARIONETTE 1-4093, ALICIA 24-1551, and GOLDILOCKS 18-470.

The least popular fighter this week was BREAK 8-599.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were MAMMA 43-1602, AMRA 10-1459, PUTT 8-518, LIVIUS 32-880, JESSE JACKSON 
38-747, STORMBRINGER 1-318, AJAX 23-804, TEETOTALER 38-326, MASH 14-1528, and 
UNZASTER DIZASTER 10-1424.

Arena(Number)        W  L K  Arena(Number)        W  L K  Arena(Number)        W  L K  
MORDANT(1)           3  4 0  ALJAFIR(17)          0  1 0  JHANS(36)            2  0 0  
NIANIA(2)            0  1 0  TALCAMA(18)          3  1 0  SIBIKHAS(37)         2  0 0  
JHELUM(4)            0  1 0  ZUWAYZA(19)          3  0 0  CLIFFHOME(38)        0  2 0  
KALTOS(5)            1  1 0  SEAM(20)             1  0 0  KATI-TEI(41)         2  0 0  
TRANSEL(6)           2  2 0  TI(23)               0  1 0  VEASTIAN(43)         1  3 0  
ARKERS(8)            2  3 0  ZORPUNT(24)          2  2 0  ARDIVENT(46)         2  1 0  
ZUKAL(9)             1  0 1  MORYA(28)            1  0 0  CAER(48)             1  1 0  
KOLACT(10)           1  1 0  LAPUR(29)            1  1 0  FRATSFA(52)          0  2 0  
ARUAK CITY(11)       0  1 0  ARVAT(32)            2  1 0  ARADI(60)            0  1 0  
TOBIR(14)            2  2 0  NIYTYOLE ISLAND(33)  0  1 0  

TOP WARRIOR OF EACH ARENA         W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
  1) OPUS 1-1526                150  76  5  ZIG ZAG (5)                MORDANT
 53) STEEL DWARF 2-1955          79  62  0  MYTH AND MIGHT (10)        NIANIA

TOP WARRIOR OF EACH ARENA         W   L  K  TEAM NAME                  CITY           
 60) LAZAR WOLF 4-1169           65  56  1  TRIBAL COUNCIL (83)        JHELUM
 50) FER DE LANCE 5-1938         91  81  1  ZIG ZAG (14)               KALTOS
  8) TAGAN 6-1226               146  67  1  GOLDEN HOSTE (16)          TRANSEL
 55) ALVARON 8-522              117  81  1  BRITERON BY (20)           ARKERS
  2) VENGEANCE 9-2052           146  37 22  ANGELS OF PAIN (23)        ZUKAL
 35) UNZASTER DIZASTER 10-1424   96  69  2  WOLFRAVEN REAVERS (24)     KOLACT
 90) HASDRUBAL 11-1339           49  33  1  WARLORDS (110)             ARUAK CITY
  7) QUICKSILVER 14-857         137 102  4  NOMADS (29)                TOBIR
 14) REGGIE JACKSON 17-1339     121  88  7  JACKSON FIVE (30)          ALJAFIR
 12) PSYCHO SCIENTIST 18-697    118  84  4  MAD SCIENTISTS (34)        TALCAMA
 15) ELLEGON 19-1723             92  51  2  THE GUARDIANS (35)         ZUWAYZA
 72) JOHN WAYNE 20-1763          43  37  1  WAYNE'S WORLD (101)        SEAM
 54) AJAX 23-804                 63  35  0  THE BRIGADE (90)           TI
  5) TAWNY 24-1369              119  77  1  HACK AND SLASH (44)        ZORPUNT
 34) SABRE TOOTH 28-1193         93  57  1  THE RED REAVERS (47)       MORYA
 19) HANGOVER 29-638            147  75  9  ABOUNDING AGONY II (48)    LAPUR
 48) TREBONIUS 32-604           114  73  7  ROMAN HEROES (53)          ARVAT
 59) MAYNARD G KREBS 33-2098     79  68  4  BOOB TUBE RUBES (91)       NIYTYOLE ISLAND
 37) DOOMED 36-1547              90  66  5  THE HURT (103)             JHANS
  3) FALSTAFF 37-899            145  72  5  ZIG ZAG (59)               SIBIKHAS
  6) JESSE JACKSON 38-747       108  73  4  BIBLE BROTHERS (64)        CLIFFHOME
 26) REEBOK-RAT 41-432          129  67  2  RAT PAK (82)               KATI-TEI
  4) EXECUTIONER 43-1035        111  69  2  ENGINES OF DOOM (95)       VEASTIAN
 11) HAWK 46-554                102 101  1  DEADLY SHADOWS (96)        ARDIVENT
 28) RAGE 48-906                105  88  4  THE BEARS (70)             CAER
 61) MOLLY RINGWALD 52-520       81  60  4  PRETTY THINGS (93)         FRATSFA
 41) BHURAK 60-1081              81  59  3  CCE (76)                   ARADI

                                  THE HUMANS OF GHEA

     The human races of Ghea are divided into several broad categories by scholars, 
and Alastari is home to many of them.  For the edification of the traveller, we shall 
describe these races in broad terms in the following article. One should remember, of 
course, that these are generalizations: one will certainly run into dark-haired 
Fratsfans and blonde Kannari now and again--and in some areas even so clear-cut a 
division as that between human and elf grows hazy.  

Sevaeni 
     
     This category includes those races which we believe to have originated in the far 
north of Ghea.  Their ancient homelands are the dark pine forests north of the Trier, 
as far south as the Khriatrin Mountains and the plains of northern Lirith Kai.  They 
tend to be very fair, with hair which is blond or red, usually straight and fine.  
They have blue or grey eyes.  They tend to be tall, with spare, rangy builds, long 
faces and jaws and sharply chiselled features.  In many cases this tendency has 
obviously been enhanced by intermarriages with the Araoi of Alfhame and Fratsfa 
(although the elves of Alfhame, at least, deny this hotly, the evidence is plain to 
see.)
     In Alastari, the representative Northron race is the Fratsfans.  In some areas of 
Andoria, notably near the cities of Iaye and Point, there are also families who also 
trace their descent from another Northron people, the ancient rulers of Krael.  Both 
the Kraellians and the Fratsfans are descendants of the the ancient Van, who were 
largely destroyed in the last Chaos War. 
     Other Northron peoples include the Siniar, who are found to the west of Alastari, 
across the Trier Sea, and the Ikrada, the fierce sea-raiders of the Ikhazdur Coast to 
the north of Alastari.

Khriani
 
     These are the peoples who originated in the temperate vales and hills of what is 
now the Tien-Khrisu Valley, the Twisted Lands and the Alastarian isthmus.  Their 
coloring ranges from moderately fair to tanned.  The most common hair colors are 
shades of brown, but blonds, redheads, and dark brown or black hair is not unknown.  
Curly or wavy hair is common.  The most common eye color is brown, but blue, grey, 
green, and hazel are found as well.  They tend to an average height and build, and 
have somewhat rounder, broader faces than is common in the far north.  In many areas, 
where there has been much intermarriage with the Kyan elves, these people tend to be 
small and slight, with pointed ears and slanting eyes.
     The most populous of these peoples in Alastari are the Harkeny, whose ancient 
stronghold is the Shewish Forest, but who can be found all over the Free Cities and 
into the Delarquan Federation and the Andorian League as well.  The isolated 
Raltumans, and the Convincians of Andoria, are of this stock as well; indeed, though 
their ancestors arrived from the far side of the Trier, the Convincians are so like 
the Harkeny in face and feature that few can look at a stranger of either race and 
tell for certain which one he claims.
     The adepts of Skaithvarn, and many of the myriad races of northern Lirith Kai 
also fall into this broad grouping.

Savradese

     This third broad category includes various peoples who inhabit the lands east of 
the Storm Sea as far south as the Nhirivin Forest.  Their coloring ranges from tan to 
dark copper, and they have dark hair and eyes, ranging from brown to black.  Curly 
hair is uncommon.  They are of medium height, lean and graceful, with sharp features.  
The men of this race often grow little or no beard.
     In Alastari the primary representative of this race is the Karnhorns of the 
northern Free Cities.  Across the Storm Sea, the parent kingdom of the Karnhorns, 
Serevada, and their neighbors and rivals to the south, Ferencia, are also of this 
stock.  Several Karnhorn cities (notably Zuwayza, the capital) were originally 
Ferencian colonies, and there remains a strong Ferencian strain in the populace to 
this day.
     The Kannari of southern Alastari are, so most scholars believe, the result of 
centuries of interbreeding between the southern Ferencians and the northern Rirorni; 
the Kannari themselves, having suffered greatly from Rirorni incursions in recent 
years, hold themselves to be a new people entirely, yet many Rirorni features are 
still found in their population.  The Kannari are the primary race of the Delarquan 
Federation, and are a large protion of the population in the southern Free Cities as 
well.

Rirot

     Rirot is the term for several related races which come from the broad Rirorni 
Plains and the delta of the An-Kiu River.  Olive skin, straight, rather coarse black 
hair, and dark eyes are characteristic of these peoples.  They are often shorter and 
sturdier than the average northerner, with broad, high cheekbones, flat noses, and 
epicanthic folds.  The prototypical Rirot are the Rirorni horsemen, which inhabit the 
Rirorni Plains and (when they can) various areas around the fringes of the plains.  
Further south, the Ratani inhabit the lands west of the Drakenfell Mountains.  Even 
further west are the Sendori and the Jadir of Lirith Kai.
     Other minor Rirot races are the Sangarans (probably a Rirorni offshoot), the 
Tzatakans (cousins of the Sendori) and the Aruaki (originally Ratani, they 
intermarried with the Kannari during their migration to northern Alastari, and are 
slight darker than the average Rirot in consequence.  They are also distinguished by 
having golden eyes.)

Lubanese

     The final grouping is not much seen in Alastari, or even in Lirith Kai, as it 
originates far to the south and west of either kingdom.  Little is known about the 
various tribes and peoples which comprise this group, but more information will be 
forthcoming.  The Lubanese are very dark, with black eyes and black hair, which ranges 
from straight to curly to kinky in different areas.  The Gladiatorial Commision has 
considered opening an arena in Naowei, one of the Lubanese kingdoms, but so far 
nothing has come of the plan; if it ever comes to fruition, we will doubtless learn 
more about these distant peoples.

                                 OTHER RACES OF GHEA

     As is well known, the world of Ghea is home to many strange and singular 
creatures, many of whom arrived here through the Chaos Gates at one point or another.  
So far as scholars can determine, the original inhabitants of this globe were humans.  
Yet certain races have been here for so many thousands of years, and have become so 
populous and well-known that at this point we may as well speak of them as native to 
Ghea.  This article describes the characteristics of these various peoples.

Elves
     There are two main races of elves on Ghea, the Araoi and the Kyan.  They share a 
slender build, sharp features, pointed ears and slanting eyes.  The Araoi are by far 
the less common; they live, for the most part, in the kingdom of Alfhame, to the 
northwest of Alastari.  They are an ancient people, tall and fair.  They are known to 
be masters of wizardry, and have a reputation for pride and indifference to other 
races.  In these late years, it is reputation only, for the lords of Alfhame have not 
ventured out of their northern fastness for many hundress of years, secluding 
themselves since the devastation of the last Chaos Wars.  
     There are several Araoi colonies which were left adrift after the main kingdom 
closed its doors five hundred years ago--Monuntial is the most insular of these, still 
ruled and inhabited largely by elves.  The Araoi of Fratsfa have for the most part 
interbred with the Fratsfans; few of pure blood remain; and the same may be said of 
the Karian Araoi in Lirith Kai.  
     The Kyan are smaller, often shorter than neighboring humans, and darker in 
coloring, ranging from the middling-fair Ardiventi to the dark-skinned Shagornan 
elves.  They are less apt to magic than the Araoi, but quick and fierce in battle.  
Unlike the Araoi, the Kyan often intermarry with humans, and in some places, such as 
the Ardeventi Barony, there is little to distinguish elf from human.

Dwarves
     The dwarves are less well-documented then the elves.  They lived originally in 
the Molen-Tei Mountains of Ikhazdur.  A religious and political schism split the 
Ikhazdur kingdom some fifteen hundred years ago; many dwarves migrated south to 
Alastari.  The largest colony lives under the Daggerspine Mountains, having outposts 
all the way from Arkers to Rodeki, but smaller groups are known to live in Murska and 
Lapur. 
     Dwarves are shorter than elves or humans, averaging four to five feet in height; 
they are heavily built and strong for their height.  They have large heads, with 
strong jaws and large noses.  Many dwarves are bearded, but this is not invariable.  
Female dwarves do not have beards, contrary to popular rumor.  They are middling fair-
complexioned, with hair colors ranging from black to brown.  They ususally have dark 
eyes, but blue or grey isn't unknown.  Redheads are common but blond dwarves are rare.
     While it is possible for a dwarf and a human to produce offspring, dwarves and 
humans do not find each other attractive all that often, so half-dwarves are extremely 
rare.

Orcs
     Orcs are fairly common in northern Alastari, Serevada, and Ferencia; their 
original homeland appears to have been to the south, in Urhaurek.  They are very 
similar in appearence to the humans which inhabit these lands--middling dark, with 
black hair and eyes.  They tend to be taller and more heavily built than the average 
human, but the main difference is in the jaw.  Orcs have large heavy jaws with 
elongated canine teeth, comparable with a gorilla's.  The tusks are larger in males 
and seem to have evolved for sexual display rather than any dietary need.  Orcs and 
humans can and very often do produce offspring; in many areas, such as Stormcrowe, 
there are so many humans with orc blood and vice versa it's difficult to seperate the 
two races.

Giants
     The Shewish Giants live, unsurprisingly, in the Shewish Forest.  The are 
indisinguishable from their Harkeny neighbors in every respect save height; Shews 
average seven to eight feet tall.  Shews and humans can interbreed; in fact, some 
scholars claim that Shews are simply a tribe of very tall humans and ought not be 
classed as a seperate species at all.

Karragit
     Karragit are a small, secretive people who prefer to dwell in marshes and along 
seacoasts.  They are seldom more than five feet in height, with lank, grey-green hair 
and greyish skin.  They have large, round eyes which may be pale green, yellow, or 
blue.  They have webbed fingers and long, webbed toes.  They are sometimes referred to 
as golbins, but this is considered insulting.  They are reputed to have an uncanny 
connection with the marshes they live in, and tales credit them with all sorts of 
nebulous magical abilities.  They are superb swimmers and divers.
     Unlike the other races so far discussed, karragit cannot breed with humans 
without magical intervention.  Some mages in times past made the experiment, for there 
are humans in northern Alastari, notably Stormecrowe and North Fork, with karragit 
blood.

Trolls
     Trolls are large, vaguely gorilla-like bipeds of dubious intelligence.  They are 
not mammalian, but not exactly reptilian either; they are warm-blooded, with tough, 
pebbly hide and sparse, coarse hair.  They have formidable fangs and enormous 
strength.  They do not turn to stone in daylight.  They appear to be right on the 
borderline of sentience; they can be taught language, but they do not possess it 
themselves.  They cannot interbreed with any of the other races.

Pridefolk
     Rare in Alastari, the Pridefolk are a species of intelligent bipedal felines who 
live to the south on the Rirorni plains.  They look rather like upright cougars and 
are nomadic hunters and herders.  They cannot interbreed with any of the other races.

Northwights
     Northwights are a reclusive species of humanoid adapted to extreme cold.  They 
live far to the north, on the glaciers, and feel uncomfortable at temperatures much 
above freezing.  Save for their bluish-grey skin they look very human, but they are 
very different internally; they cannot interbreed with any of the other intelligent 
species.

                                 RACES IN LIRITH KAI

     You'll be seeing, on some of your fights, lines up at the 
top which indicate that a warrior belongs to this or that race.  
Some of those races you'll recognize, and some you won't.  (We're 
getting together a census questionaire by means of which you can 
correct the Commission's occasional mis-assignments.)  These are 
the races common in Lirith Kai:
     According to the Imperial Office of Population Enumeration, 
all Adantri are human.  While not strictly accurate (exceptions 
will be noted below), it's close.  Almost all Adantri are human, 
but these humans come in numerous racial variations.  The 
commonest, most widespread ones are:
     Arveda -- These are a race of the northern half of the 
Western Slope, the land to the west of the great Han Torra Khang.  
They are concentrated in the Simtakka Valley (near arena DM 76).  
Arvedas are the result of seven hundred years of interbreeding 
between the Northen Adantri (Palani, see below) and Hallani (a 
minor race indigenous to the Simtakka Valley, also described 
below) and the Plainsmen (nomads living farther west, on down 
this list).  The Arveda tend to be of medium height or a little 
taller, but not outstandingly tall, and sturdily built.  Their 
skin is generally fair; hair may be black but is more likely to 
be brown, and blond is not unheard of; eyes are generally 
hazel/light brown, or blue and `round' (Caucasian) in shape.  The 
Arveda tend to be adventurous and are great travelers.  Because 
they live in an area where extremes of temperature are normal, 
the Arveda dress in layered, loose clothing--loose pants, a 
smock-like shirt over the high-collared kichai of the central 
Empire, and a hooded robe over all.
     Hallani -- This is the aboriginal race of the Simtakka 
Valley (DM 76).  The Commission has not assigned this race to any 
gladiators, because most of them are not warriors, but there may 
be a few Simtakkan gladiators of Hallani stock.  They are of 
medium height or shorter and tend to be somewhat stocky in build, 
their faces are round and unremarkable, and in coloring they are 
tan: tan skin, medium brown hair, hazel eyes.  Mostly they are 
farmers and pacifists.  The commonest dress is loose pants and a 
smock for men, or a smock over an ankle-length skirt for women.
     Jadir -- This is the commonest racial type in the Jade 
Panther Hills (including Jade Mountain, DM 75); it is similar to 
and partly overlaps the Sendori racial type (see below) to which 
it is related.  Jadir are of medium height, with coppery to 
bronze skin and straight black hair; their eyes are usually 
black, also.  In feature, they are mostly `oriental', with 
almond-shaped eyes set at a slight angle and high, broad 
cheekbones.  As a race, the Jadir are considered clannish and 
suspicious of strangers.  They usually top the typical loose 
pants and high-collared kichai with a colorful vest.
     Jathkar -- The people of the An-Kiu Delta and the Isles of 
the South.  The Commission has not assigned this race to any 
warrior, because the Jathkar are seldom seen in the central and 
northern parts of Lirith Kai, where the arenas are found.  They 
tend to be short and slim, very lithe and graceful, with very 
markedly `oriental' features; in coloring they have dark golden 
skin, black hair, and generally dark eyes.  The Jathkar are an 
extremely courteous people who hold grudges for generations.  In 
their hot and humid climate, both men and women of the Jathkar 
wear a sarong-like kilt, sometimes topping this with a loose, 
caftan-like garment.
     Lubanese -- The general term for the people of the southern 
end of the Western Slope, in the jungles of Naowei.  Although the 
word `Lubanese' is used for all, the people of the jungles belong 
to many diverse tribes, united primarily in being very dark-
skinned.  They come in all shades of brown to black, their hair 
is always black and may be straight or curly to any degree, and 
their eyes are usually (but not always) black or brown.  Because 
the Lubanese are actually members of many diverse races, tribes, 
and cultures, to characterize them as a group is automatically to 
be mostly wrong.  However, the other races of Lirith Kai, seeing 
few Lubanese, habitually do this; the tendency is to expect all 
Lubanese to be `savages' and surprise is often expressed when 
this turns out not to be the case.  The dress of the Lubanese 
varies as much as their appreance and culture, but there is a 
general resemblance to that of the Jathkar, born of the similar 
climate.
     Mirani -- The race that is commonly referred to as Southern 
Adantri.  These are the people of the southern An-Kiu Valley (but 
not the Delta area--that's a different race, the Jathkar).  The 
Mirani are of medium height to a little shorter, slender and 
graceful, with golden skin, black hair, hazel eyes, and markedly 
`oriental' features, including slanted, almond-shaped eyes.  They 
are common in the vicinity of Miroi Chang (DM 79).  The Mirani 
are considered by their neighbors to be subtle to the point of 
deviousness, ceremonious, and overly concerned with genealogy.  
The Mirani are the fashion leaders of Lirith Kai, scorning the 
styles of other races and areas as `old-fashioned', 
`conservative', or `rustic'.  Mirani fashion is generally snug-
fitting and figure-flattering (if you have a figure to flatter); 
details come into style and go out at a great rate.
     Palani -- The race that is commonly referred to as Northern 
Adantri.  These are the people of the northern An-Kiu Valley.  
They tend to be tall and sturdy, light-skinned (although seldom 
really pale), with brown or black hair and blue or gray eyes.  
This race is common in the vicinity of arenas 65 (Dal Shang), 74 
(Daiyla Kiv), and 78 (Lyn Tirian).  Their features are generally 
what we would call Caucasian or `European'; they tend toward 
aquiline noses and very stubborn chins.  The Palani are 
considered by their neighbors to be blunt to the point of 
rudeness, conservative, and aggressive.  The common styles of the 
Palani are layered, suitable for their northern climate, and 
loose, to give freedom of movement.  Generally men wear loose 
pants and women divided skirts, both with the high-necked kichai 
and layers (more or fewer as temperature or formality decrees) of 
the kimono-like kichanas.
     Plainsmen -- Although most are not residents of Lirith Kai, 
the Plainsmen of the West are important to the Empire.  These 
tall, blond nomads are a common sight in Simtakka (DM 76), and 
there is a tendency in other parts of Lirith Kai to assume that 
any tall blond is a Plains nomad.  They are usually described as 
stoic, emotional (the two are contradictory, but then, people are 
contradictory), barbaric, violent, and totally loyal.  When 
moving among the people of Lirith Kai, the Plainsmen generally 
wear the same type of clothing as the Palani.
     Ratani -- The people of Ratan, and more specifically, of 
Mazgourrah (DM 77).  They are of medium height and lithe build, 
with olive skin and black hair and eyes which are usually but not 
always black; there is a slight tendency to have slanted, almond-
shaped eyes, and a strongly hooked nose is usually described (by 
Adantri) as a `Ratani' nose.  (Note that the Aruaki of Alastari 
are a Ratani racial type when in human form.)  The Coastal Ratani 
are a distinct variant which may be deserving of separate race 
status; they are produced by the interbreeding of inland Ratani 
and Jathkar.  They are smaller than the inlanders, with a more 
golden skin tone and slanted eyes; green and gold eyes are 
surprisingly common in this group.  The stereotypical Ratani is 
the merchant hawking his wares; as a race they are considered to 
be quarrelsome (mostly with their fellow Ratani, which is 
suggested as the reason for Ratani disunity), clever, and always 
having their eye on the main chance.  The common clothing of 
Ratan is vaguely `turkish' in style--loose pants gathered at the 
ankle, loose shirts with tight vests, sashes, slippers with 
curled toes.  Some Ratani wear turbans or pillbox hats with 
turban-like rolls of cloth around the edge, and some wear an 
`arab-like' headcloth.
     Sangarans -- The aboriginal people of the Trier Coast, 
common in the Dal Shang (DM 65) area.  They are short and sturdy 
with round, rather flat faces (but not slanted eyes) and coppery 
skin.  The Sangarans are considered (condescendingly) to be 
`simple peasants'; they have strong family ties and are superb 
sailors.  Before the coming of the Adantri, the Sangarans wore 
breachcloths and ponchos held shut with sashes; now they wear 
whatever the people around them are wearing.
     Sendori -- The people of the central Han Torra Khang, the 
great mountain range to the west of the An-Kiu Valley.  They are 
of medium height and build, with coppery skin and `oriental' 
features.  Great traders and travelers, they may be found all 
over Lirith Kai, although most will call some place back in the 
mountains `home'.  The Sendori are regarded as being 
`inscrutable', even sneaky, but very loyal--good friends and bad 
enemies.  When traveling among other people in the Empire, they 
dress as those around them dress, but at home, their clothing has 
a flavor we would call `Chinese', more or less.
     Siniar -- A race of the far northwestern part of Lirith Kai.  
The Commission has not picked this as the racial type of any 
gladiators because, though they are warriors to the bone, they 
are uninterested in such `games'; a Siniar gladiator is extremely 
unlikely.  They are tall and lean, fair-skinned, with blond hair 
and blue or gray eyes.  The Siniar are warriors and desire to be 
nothing else; one on one or in command of armies they are 
extremely competent.  In character they tend to be tactless 
honest, loyal, and unforgiving.  The Siniar dress in the same 
style as the Palani.
     Tzaltakan -- A minor race of the Simtakka (DM 76) area.  
Mostly they have ignored the arena, and the Commission has 
retaliated by ignoring them; you will find no warriors assigned 
to this race, although a few have entered the gladiatorial 
system.  The average Tzaltakan is on the short side of medium 
height but broadly built, with a broad, flat face and distinctive 
fleshy features (have you ever seen pictures of the Olmec heads 
of Mexico?).  Their skin is dark bronze and their hair and narrow 
eyes are black.  The other people of the Simtakka Valley 
characterize them as being secretive, vindictive, and blood-
thirsty.  The Tzaltakans dress much as their neighbors the Arveda 
do, though in darker colors; the primary difference is that in 
place of the Arvedan smock-like overshirt, they wear vests, 
sometimes as many as three at once, which adds to their 
appearance of broad solidity.
     Zarlani -- A race which is now very limited in distribution 
but was once more important; they are found in the triangle 
formed by Daiyla Kiv (DM 74), Dal Shang (DM 65), and the Twisted 
Lands.  Like the Palani, they are tall and sturdy, tan-skinned, 
with Caucasian features, but they have a tendency to produce red 
to red-brown hair; their eyes may be hazel, green, or blue.  It 
is believed that the sometimes redheaded Harinzans, a relatively 
short, swarthy people who live south of the Twisted Lands and 
east of Miroi Chang (DM 79), are the result of interbreeding 
between the Zarlani and the Rirorni or Ratani.  Zarlani are 
generally felt to be hot-headed and stubborn and prone to rash 
acts, but loyal.  They dress in the typical Northern Adantri or 
Palani style.

Non-Humans in Lirith Kai
     Non-humans here are very, very rare, and usually foreign.  
However, one may encounter the occasional elf in the northern 
provinces; for example, around Lyn Tirian (DM 78) and Dal Shang 
(DM 65).  These elves are Itrilians, or people having their 
homeland along the Bay of Itril; they are generally on the short 
side and slimly graceful, with olive skin, dark hair and eyes, 
and the `typically elven' features of slanted eyes and pointed 
ears.  They are regarded with mild suspicion by most human 
Adantri and characterized as hedonistic, incomprehensible, 
unreasonably fond of magic (which is illegal), and probably 
treacherous.  The Commission has assumed that any elf claiming 
Lirith Kai origin is Itrilian.
     There are two minor races within the Imperial boundaries 
which are, the Population Enumeration Office assures us, human, 
not elven--they don't have pointed ears, after all, so how can 
they be elves?  There is, however, some grounds for suspicion...
     The Hanra of the southern An-Kiu Valley are a secretive 
people of small stature with fair skin, brown hair, copper-
colored eyes, and distinctive, triangular faces.  Scholars 
suggest that if they are not an outright elven race, they have a 
strong portion of elven blood.  It is unlikely that a Hanro would 
become a gladiator, but not impossible.
     The Zinjarans of the forested mountains south of Korvan 
Saleh on the Western Slope are the other questionable case.  Even 
more secretive than the Hanra, they are short and swarthy with 
curly black hair and strongly slanged blue eyes.  Again, it is 
unlikely that a Zinjaran would become a gladiator, but it is not 
beyond possibility.

                    THE BLOODGAMES AT THE NINETEENTH FACE-TO-FACE

Hear ye, Hear ye!

The winner of the 1997 Bloodgames held at Face-to-Face XIX in Hartford, CT, is 
Terminus of Despair, managed by none other than Guardian.  Terminus seems to
be a man of few words--this is what he had to say about the 1997 Bloodgames:

     "My name is Terminus and I will terminate you, with my bare hands if 
     neccessary--as a couple of my opponents found out in the most recent
     Bloodgames." -- Terminus

Terminus led the pack with 5 kills and an impressive 9-1-5 record.  For this honor, 
Terminus has been granted admission into Advanced Duelmasters and will fight for free 
for six months.  Terminus has also received a TV challenge.  Very well done, Terminus 
and Guardian!

Coming in second and third respectively were Xedwad of Lerk's Jerks (managed by Lerk) 
and Small Rooms of The Hastings (managed by Uncle Charlie).  These two warriors have 
also received their AD invites and will also receive TV challenges for six months.  

The three runners-up were Lodi Rennon, also of Lerk's Jerks, GTE-INS of Teletech, and 
Vapid Moose of The Knockoffs (managed by Papa Bear).  

The team with the top number of kills was Lerk's Jerks, with an impressive 12 kills 
out of 31 fights fought.  Wow!  They easily beat out Uncommon Rage with 8 kills.  

Hoffa, manager of Fore!, received the unfortunate distinction of having the dead 
warrior with the most kills--Duncan Hills was 5-3-3 when he fell lifeless to the 
sands.  Better luck next time, Hoffa.

All these managers have received a Bloodgames T-shirt for their achievement.  
Congratulations to the winners of the Bloodgames!

                                          -- Green Eyes and the RSI staff