DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 10/13/1999    Duedate: 10/26/1999

IAYE ARENA

DM-30    TURN-355

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

PVT. PIEDMONT
LENPROS (145)
(30-3774) [19-5-0,92]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

PVT. PIEDMONT                  RUDESPEAKER
LENPROS (145)                  WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)
(30-3774) [19-5-0,92]          (30-3987) [3-0-0,60]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

GILLIS                         PEACHY
RED DOG GANG (356)             RED DOG GANG (356)
(30-3741) [17-20-1,91]         (30-3856) [4-7-0,23]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

FORE (377)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. RATHER BE SAILING (375)     42
2. WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)      32      LENPROS (145)
3. RED DOG GANG (356)          20      Unchartered Team
4. LENPROS (145)               16
5. WILD OATS (301)             10      RATHER BE SAILING (375)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*RATHER BE SAILING (375)    1   0  1  100   1/ 2*FORE (377)                8  6 1
 2- 2*30TH BRIGADE (383)         4   1  1 80.0   2/ 3*WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)    7  2 1
 3/ 1*WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)     7   2  1 77.8   3/ 1 THE WOWBAGGERS (43)       7  8 1
 4- 4 I TRAINED THEM (331)     128  70  5 64.6   4/ 9 LENPROS (145)             5  4 0
 5/ 5 LENPROS (145)            663 455 15 59.3   5/ 5 RED DOG GANG (356)        5 10 0
 6/ 3*FORE (377)                 8   6  1 57.1   6- 6*30TH BRIGADE (383)        4  1 1
 7/ 8 WILD OATS (301)           11   9  1 55.0   7- 4 I TRAINED THEM (331)      3  2 0
 8/ 7 THE WOWBAGGERS (43)       92  79  6 53.8   8/10 DARING DEVIATES (340)     3  4 0
 9/10 DARING DEVIATES (340)     46  55  2 45.5   9- 8*DELTA BLUES (374)         2  3 0
10-11*DELTA BLUES (374)          2   3  0 40.0  10/ 0*RATHER BE SAILING (375)   1  0 1
11/12 RED DOG GANG (356)        80 130  1 38.1  11/12 WILD OATS (301)           1  1 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

         + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Peninsular Cities #14 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

     Funky Elvis, clinging to the whalesnake's back spikes, managed to turn far enough 
to say to his teammate, "I think we're in trouble here, PD.  With our manager 
inactive, who's going to notice or care if we become sacrifices to an authorish desire 
for blood?"
     "No way," Purple Donkey gasped, one hand slipping and then scrabbling for a new 
hold.  "We've got comrades, and they won't abandon us.  What I don't get is why this 
critter doesn't simply turn its head around and eat us.  Its damned neck is certainly 
long enough."
     "Don't give it ideas!" Elvis said quickly.  "Can you see any chink in its armor 
where we might stab it?"
     "What if it dives?"
     "We're still wearing our `breathe under water' amulets," Elvis reminded him.
     "Yeah, but--"
     Old Doc Circ, Muggins, and Truthful Politician had managed, either by luck or the 
desire of the whalesnake, to come along side it in their rowboat.
     "If you were to jump into the water," Old Doc said, balancing carefully on his 
feet and resting one hand against the whalesnake's scaly side, "I believe we could 
retrieve you."
     The creature made a sort of swishy motion with its body and tail, causing the 
rowboat to bob up and down and nearly swamping it with waves.  Old Doc sat down more 
quickly and less gracefully than he had intended, which caused the boat to wallow 
dangerously.  With unmistakable deliberation, the whalesnake turned, peered down at 
the rowboat, and then, ignoring the blows rained on its snout, gripped the front of 
the little boat in its teeth and pulled it down under the water.  The gladiators 
thrashed around getting their bearings in the water.
     Muggins threw his arms around the whalesnake's neck, hanging on with the 
desperation of a non-swimmer.  "Now what?" he wailed.
     It was the whalesnake who provided the answer, twisting its body suddenly and 
submerging.  Muggins, Elvis, and Donkey perforce went with it, their amulets kicking 
in as soon as their heads went below the surface.  The three air bubbles clinging to 
it seemed to interfere with the creature's smooth dive, but it was stubborn and 
determined.  As the tail rose toward the surface, balancing the downthrust of the 
body, Old Doc and Truthful caught hold of that.

         + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Andorian League #24 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

     Deadpool watched from above as Cable marched into the office of General Kyrican.  
His former manager-turned-friend had a blank look on his face, as if being there 
didn't concern him in the least.  Kyrican rose from behind his desk as the larger man 
entered, Deadpool was enjoying the vantage that the Crow's hidden passages provided.  
Kyrican smiled disarmingly as he took Cable's hand and they exchanged the time honored 
test of strength with a brief handshake.  Deadpool noted Cable's reaction to Kyrican's 
strong grip more than he noticed Kyrican's reaction.  Deadpool knew how strong Cable 
was...sometimes he thought he'd known it too well.
     Cable took a seat across the Aruaki headmaster's desk when Kyrican offered.  He 
nodded in thanks, but didn't speak.  The large man was doing his level best to appear 
disinterested, and Deadpool was himself almost convinced.  Deadpool felt a bit of 
jealousy as Kyrican offered Cable a fine cigar from a dark wood case.  Imported from 
the Karnhorn Empire, from the look of the decorative box.  Cable accepted and lit the 
stogie with one of the dwarven matches he always carried.
     Kyrican appeared calm, and even friendly, as Cable lit the cigar.  The Aruaki 
took his seat in the large chair behind his desk, molding easily into its familiar 
confines.  Deadpool thought he looked too comfortable for a traitor, for that is what 
Cable still suspected of the man who had once conspired with Rirorni against King 
Mickael.  Deadpool had no reason not to believe in his friend's assessment, but that 
was why they were really here.  They needed to find out what was going on with Kyrican 
and the rest of Tarrgir's council.  The best way, near as Cable could figure, would be 
to get a position ON that council.  Deadpool chuckled inwardly and had to stifle a 
laugh at the thought of the stiff necked Cable in the role of politician.
     "Welcome once again, Nathan Dayspring," Kyrican said, breaking the silence, but 
not the tension.  "It has been many years since last I saw you here, in the walls of 
my Academy.  They have been kind to you."
     "I'm happy to be here, General Kyrican," Cable replied, taking a long draw off 
his cigar.  A light flashed in Cable's eye, a sure sign to Deadpool that he wasn't 
pleased to be here.
     Kyrican smiled, a warm smile that was somehow condescending.  "Your son's 
graduation, I believe, was...."
     "I'd really rather not talk about that, if you don't mind," Cable said, cutting 
in on Kyrican's pleasantries.  "I'm a busy man, and I have a campaign to be running, 
as you well know.  Please, get to the point, as I'm sure you have pressing matters as 
well."
     Deadpool winced at Cable's lack of diplomacy, which was exactly what he'd feared 
in "Nathan Dayspring, Politician".  He wasn't alone in discomfort, as Kyrican's ears 
had turned red and his eyes were narrowed.  "Very well, Nathan," Kyrican replied, his 
voice dripping with venom.
     "And it's Lord Dayspring, General," Cable interjected, interrupting once again.
     Kyrican was fairly fuming now, his ears and cheeks heavily red and his voice a 
little bit shaky.  "My apologies, milord," he said with the slightest nod of his head.  
"I meant no offence, and will come to the point."
     Deadpool tensed as he felt a presence behind him.  Spinning silently, he drew a 
dagger from a wrist sheath and held it back along his forearm. There, below his 
vantage from a small shelf above the bookcase access door, stood a woman, tall and 
slender, wearing the blacks and grays of an assassin.  Deadpool recognized her as one 
of his superiors in the Guild, but what was she doing here?

         + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Andorian League #25 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Near Tronsha, halfway between Andor and Fratsfa:

     Mickeal was glad the ditch wasn't muddy.   He rolled up onto one knee, drawing 
his sword and raising his head slowly to peer through the tangled grasses that edged 
the ditch.   There was no one in sight--Khazakh had taken cover somewhere, probably 
close by, and the sniper was not visible.  Their horses had wandered a little way on 
down the road, and the rest of his party was not in sight; they'd fallen behind, but 
he didn't know how far.
     Now what?
     His own impulse was to go after the sniper.  He hadn't been paying close 
attention but thought the ditch had run along the road for some distance, and there 
was a curve not too far back that would make it possible to get to the other side of 
the road without exposing himself....  Of course, the sniper might be moving, too.  
And, of course, pursuing assassins was not supposed to be part of the king's job.  
Even when it was the king who was attacked.  This wouldn't be the first time he'd 
found his job irksome.
     Where was Khazakh?
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Khazakh was belly down in the grasses in an area where no reasonable man would 
try to conceal himself.  There didn't appear to be cover enough for a rabbit.  Which 
just showed how little most people knew about concealment.  His clothing was of a 
color and pattern that would blend in with nearly anything, his slow, careful 
movements those of a man who had successfully hunted the extremely wary winter-wolves 
of his homeland.
     The sniper had been behind a clump of wild berry canes at the roadside, but 
Khzakh was not so foolish as to suppose the man had stayed there.  Still, he had 
assessed the probable routes of escape--to the front, onto the road, was clearly out, 
and to the rear, so far as he could tell from here, there were more brambles, possibly 
an impenetrable wall of them, from the look of things.  To the sniper's right was an 
open area on the bank of a small stream.  The left, back along the road, was the most 
logical way for the man to move.  Also, the curve of the road there would allow the 
sniper to get to their side of the road unseen, and if he planned to try again, that 
would be a good move on his part.
     He wanted to pursue the man, catch him and ask him questions, but his primary job 
was defending the king.  He began to edge toward the ditch.

Skaithvarn:

     "Your name is Omavo?" Senator Dole asked.  At the Ventan's startled nod, he went 
on, "And you're our jailer?"
     The young Ventan shrugged.  "I guess," he muttered.  His gaze, which had wandered 
to Bonner Springs, was definitely admiring.
     "Rather quiet out here--"
     "Vasvo's going to be the death of us!" the young man exclaimed suddenly.  It was 
as though the Senator's sympathetic presence had pulled a cork or unlocked a door.  
Words poured from him as he told of the Ventan leader's insistence that all non-Ventan 
were enemies, of his policy of petty theft (or major theft if the chance offered) in 
the villages they passed through, of the intimidation of farmers with hints at curses, 
and even of real curses sometimes laid on those who annoyed the leader.  "We never 
have a chance to settle down, never get to be friends with anyone," Omavo finished, 
"not even other Ventan!  Everyone's an enemy to Vasvo."
     "Things are otherwise in the world at large," the Senator said, as though musing 
to himself.  "Oh, there is trouble, there are enemies, but there are friends and good 
times, too.  Educational opportunities...chances for young men to meet young women and 
get friendly...chances for a young man to choose his own road and walk it freely...."
     "Chances for others, maybe," Omavo said bitterly, "but not for a Ventan."
     "Chances for a Ventan, too, perhaps," the Senator said, his voice soft and 
insinuating, "if he were to leave those who confine his life and had a friend or two 
to introduce him into new circles.  I know a lot of people who would welcome a young 
man of promise...."
     "Omavo!  Omavo, where are you?  What's taking you so long?"  The voice was 
Vasvo's, and at the sound of it approaching the barn door, the young man jumped, then 
turned away quickly, hurrying to meet his leader just outside the barn.  The prisoners 
couldn't hear what words were exchanged, but Vasvo's bullying, complaining, critical 
tone was clear.
     "He may listen to your blandishments," the woman in the next stall said quietly.
     "Lady Elida of Ulmurvian, I presume?" Senator Dole said, bowing courteously.  "I 
am Senator Dole of Amen-Tei in the Andorian League, and this is my assistant, Lady 
Protector Bonner Springs.  We've come to rescue you."
     "By getting yourselves captured?" she asked in a tone between laughing and 
crying.
     "Whatever it takes to do the job, fair lady," the manager said.  "There are many 
options open to us, and young Omavo is only one of them."

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     It is a complete surprise to be here, especially with so few points.  I'd like to 
thank my mother and my father and my agent.  Without them, this upset would not have 
been possible.
                    Pvt. Piedmont

                                      SPY REPORT

     Hail and well met warriors of IAYE!  Know me for who I am, Zontani Sharp Eyes, 
Spymaster extraordinaire of all Alastari.  Former top team THE WOWBAGGERS was 
unseated this week as FORE moved up from 2nd ranking to take the top spot with a 
1-3-0 record for the round.  Warriors--remember that glory waits always around the 
corner!  Witness how this week LENPROS went 3-0-0 to move up 5 in the rankings.  
AWESOME caught the eye of many in the gladiatorial commission as he skillfully bested 
JACK and was awarded 42 points in recognition.  In one of the week's more notable 
duels, SHARLA put down AGRAJAG, causing him to lose 9 points of recognition in the 
process.  Most watched of the fights this week, the spotlight was on BOZO as he bore 
arms against the Bloodfeud of reigning Duelmaster PVT. PIEDMONT.  Not for nothing has 
PVT. PIEDMONT in the past laid claim to the Duelmaster's throne, and this week he's 
proven his combat skill yet again.  Informants "close" to the city champion have told 
me that he never fights without pantyhose on beneath his armor.  Watch out!   
     I have been in deep conclave with my spies who watched all that has recently 
transpired.  Indeed there is much I would report.  My inside sources tell me that the 
team to beat in IAYE these days is DELTA BLUES.  At least, most blades in town are 
looking to avoid them.  Apparently the stalwarts of LENPROS are catching the bulk of 
jests down at the challenging board for their large share of the avoids.  Loose talk 
at the arena has reached my ears and it but confirms the knowledge that many fighters 
are after MUGGINS.  Watch your back!   
     What warrior does not hone his years, impatiently waiting for the moment of his 
foe's mortality?  My hearty congratulations PVT. PIEDMONT, for thy revenge upon BOZO, 
slayer of thy fallen comrade.  Next time he will know better, eh?  PAYNE must hold 
silent, for this week he was humbled in the arena by a successful Bloodfeud won by 
DAMON of DARING DEVIATES.  Hail DAMON for thy victory!  Dark alleys may hide both 
secrets and assassins.  In the arena there is only the brightness of steel.  Keep 
vigil always!   
     The girls are as pretty in IAYE as ever I remembered them....and the fighters as 
ugly!  Don't let your reputation slip!  Ahh, but I can hear the spires of a far off 
city calling to me.  I must away!  Till next we meet remember:  a fool flies into a 
rage quickly and often.  The wise are angered by the same thing only once.  Zontani 
Sharp Eyes  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PVT. PIEDMONT 3774           19   5  0    92       LENPROS (145)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-FATHER 3614                  13   8  0    92       I TRAINED THEM (331)
 GILLIS 3741                  17  20  1    91       RED DOG GANG (356)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SWEET CHEEKS 2989            11   9  1    88       WILD OATS (301)
 MUGGINS 3716                 17  25  0    76       RED DOG GANG (356)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DAMON 3466                   13   9  1    60       DARING DEVIATES (340)
-CORP. VIC 3842                6   3  0    60       LENPROS (145)
 RUDESPEAKER 3987              3   0  0    60       WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)
-MANAGER 3643                 14   4  0    58       I TRAINED THEM (331)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BOZO 3989                     2   1  1    56       WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)
 KATE 3990                     2   1  0    52       WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)
 SHARLA 3845                   9   6  0    49       RED DOG GANG (356)
 PAYNE 3936                    2   1  1    49       FORE (377)
-MISTRESS 3799                 9   4  0    48       DARING DEVIATES (340)
 JULIUS 3933                   3   0  0    43       FORE (377)
 AWESOME 3922                  1   0  1    42       RATHER BE SAILING (375)
-STAPLE GUN 3836               6   0  1    41       I TRAINED THEM (331)
 HESTER 3773                   6  21  0    39       RED DOG GANG (356)
-MAJOR MANCHESTER 3790         4   5  1    38       LENPROS (145)
-ALAPAROS 4011                 1   0  1    38       30TH BRIGADE (383)
-XISUTHROS 4014                1   0  0    35       30TH BRIGADE (383)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BLISTER 992                   5  11  0    32       THE WOWBAGGERS (43)
 AGRAJAG 699                   8   7  0    31       THE WOWBAGGERS (43)
-MEMPHIS SLIM 3909             1   0  0    31       DELTA BLUES (374)
-LOREENA JENTEAL 3846          5   2  0    30       DARING DEVIATES (340)
 FLABBERGASTER 3861            4   4  1    28       THE WOWBAGGERS (43)
-CHARLIE PATTON 3911           1   0  0    27       DELTA BLUES (374)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PEACHY 3856                   4   7  0    23       RED DOG GANG (356)
 DR. ONSLAUGHT 3884            3   3  0    23       THE WOWBAGGERS (43)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-BYRON 3932                    2   0  0    23       FORE (377)
-ALOROS 4003                   1   0  0    21       30TH BRIGADE (383)
-MANISH TU SHU 4015            0   1  0    13       30TH BRIGADE (383)
 LEE 3934                      0   3  0    11       FORE (377)
-PALOR 4000                    1   0  0    10       30TH BRIGADE (383)
 EL TURRIALBA 4128             1   1  0    10       LENPROS (145)
-IVY 3857                      2   3  0     9       I TRAINED THEM (331)
-SONNY TERRYS 3912             0   1  0     9       DELTA BLUES (374)
-MAD MAX 3874                  0   2  0     8       I TRAINED THEM (331)
 DUCHESS OF AVA 3877           1   1  0     6       LENPROS (145)
-JADE SHADOWBLADE 3862         1   2  0     5       DARING DEVIATES (340)
-SON HOUSE 3904                0   1  0     3       DELTA BLUES (374)
 TRAUMATIZER 4129              0   1  0     1       THE WOWBAGGERS (43)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
ANNA LINGUS 4126       0  1 0 DARING DEVIATES 340   PAYNE 3936            353 JUST REV
JACK 3931              1  2 0 FORE 377              AWESOME 3922          355         
DUKE ADIRONDACK 4125   0  1 0 LENPROS 145           BOZO 3989             353 JUST REV
ENOS SLAUGHTER 3894    1  2 0 THE WOWBAGGERS 43     ALAPAROS 4011         354         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Julius -- You know, with that carroty hair, you could call yourself "Orange" Julius 
and really throw people for a loop.  I'm glad to have even ONE more skill, but I still 
have to dig myself out of this sandtrap.  Ouch! -- Hester

Pvt. Piedmont -- Heck.  Darn.  Rats.  Ouch. -- Gillis

Sweet Cheeks -- (blushing slightly)  Sorry about that, ma'am, but it was just the way 
things go.  I really didn't mean to go, er, prodding you THERE with my longspear. -- 
Muggins

Agrajag -- Somehow or other, I wasn't surprised by the outcome of that one. -- Peachy

Rude Speaker -- Oh, gods, laugh.  I surely deserve it for doing that poorly against a 
warrior with so much less experience. -- Sharla
P.S.  Unless you've been to a tourney?  Say you have and restore my self respect.

Mistress -- And a lovely tongue it is, too.  I can think of fun things to do with 
it.... -- Gillis, ever hopeful

Payne -- Not bad, tourney guy. -- MFG

Dr. Onslaught -- No thanks. -- Jade

Flabbergaster -- <curtsy> -- Loreena Jenteal

Gillis -- I'm not interested in gazing upon your "longsword," at least any time in the 
near future.  However, if you would be so kind as to shave your entire body (I'm 
talking silky smooth), I have some very sensual lingerie (imported at great expense 
from Earth, no less) that I would have you model for me.  And if I find you "pleasing" 
I might just show you my own sword!  It is quite attractive, I assure you.  Its pommel 
is thick for a firm grip and the extended blade is well-buffed to a lustrous shine.  
My sword is made of the finest steel and is quite rigid.  And my gem-encrusted, virgin 
leather harness straps around my petite waist for a SINsuously tight fit (to better 
wield my magnificent weapon)! <wickedly suggestive grin> -- Mistress (a.k.a. MFG)
P.S.  Really.  Are you blonde perhaps?

Kats -- Are you here? -- MFG

Peachy, the ever-curious -- You're curious as to how I deviate, eh?  Gosh, that's a 
rather personal question that bears pondering a bit before I answer, I believe.  I 
don't exactly know you well and...well, perhaps we should go out for dinner a time or 
two and get to know one another a little better first?  (After I've respectfully 
mourned my girlfriend's death in the arena, of course!) -- Damon
P.S.  If you curiosity has the best of you however, read MFG's personal to Gillis....
P.P.S.  I'm MFG's personal stud/wench/lover/slave.  My duties include wearing 5" spike 
heels, fishnet stockings and a tight-fitting Bonsurian maid's uniform (inside our 
guildhouse only) and I am the keeper of Mistress Foot Goddess's sacred harness and 
longsword. <blush>

Pvt. Piedmont -- Congrats on capturing the throne! -- Mistress Foot Goddess

K.A.A. Alliance -- Welcome to Iaye. -- Mistress Foot Goddess, loyal Andorian and not 
above downchallenging in a bloodfeud

The sands of Iaye are becoming as bloody as the one they call "The Arena of the Red 
Sands," Ardivent. -- Lenpro

Bozo -- I must give you great credit, chap.  Well fought. -- Major Manchester

Peachy -- Maybe you should try a different weapon. -- Agrajag

Great.  A kill from a Fratsfan Noble.  Well, in 20 turns, I'll still have a kill on my 
record and no one will be the wiser. -- Flabbergaster

Lee -- Apparently I still blow.  I shouldn't have that much trouble with someone on 
their second fight. -- Blister

Alaparos -- All that stuff I wrote about my history, uh, never mind.  By the way, I 
only had a four constitution.  The first halberd blow to the abdomen was quite enough.  
You didn't need to rub it in by whacking me on the forehead, groin, groin, and chest.  
And then offering me your hand!  Such insensitivity. -- Enos Slaughtered

11 October 1999
All -- Talon Volksie has finally entered the 90's on the verge of the millenium.  I 
have e-mail.  You may email me at TalonVolksie@aol.com. -- Talon V.

     Everyone now knows that DM-33 is one of the "Fiercest & Best Free Blades Arena" 
around.  The Hammer and others have done wonderful things for that arena.  With 50 or 
so teams, DM-33 is fun, challenging and a joy to play in.  However, I am not here to 
talk about DM-33.  I want to talk to you about DM-43, Veastian.
     DM-43 is not a large arena, we have only 8 teams here right now.  It is small, 
and not the greatest arena around...yet.  We need YOU to help make this a great 
arena.  Since it's so small, this is your chance to get in on the ground floor and 
become a cornerstone of this arena.  Not many have this chance.  DM-33 is great, but 
it is crowded.  Here in DM-43 you will not be one of the many, you will be one of the 
best.  For all of you Noblish Island managers, this is your chance to transfer your 
team to an arena where you will have an immediate impact on the game.  This is an 
arena where you can continue to hone your skills and be a contender for the 
Duelmastership.  Veteran managers...do you want to make Duelmasters the best it can 
be?  Help newbies and make an arena of your own?
     This is a wonderful chance for everyone.  For the newer players to make a 
serious impact on an arena and veteran players to be a "founder" of an arena.  
Managers like Don John, Mutt Lange, The Rake and myself want you to help make DM-43 
the best arena out there.  We don't want just "anyone" to come here, we want managers 
who want to play hard and have fun.  If that is you, then come to DM-43, Veastian.
     If anyone has any questions at all, please diplo me and I will reply as soon as 
possible.  Now is your chance, now is the time.  DM-43. -- Apollo Maximillious, mgr. 
Cult of the Dragon (339), DM-43

All -- By Seefe's name, am I tired of looking at such team names as Inyo Eye and 
Eggnog Warriors.  Please, in the name of all that is decent on the face of Ghea, give 
your teams and fighters APPROPRIATE names!!  I know it can be challenging and 
demanding to make up TRULY GOOD names like Boneshredders and Aerie Fire, but please, 
don't call your guys something that causes me to dirge in disgust!!  It really hurts 
your (and my) gaming experience when my warriors have to stand against someone named 
"Underwear Gnomes".  After all, I can come up with ten names like Bust-a-Plumber and 
Chococroc in a single minute, but why don't I do it? -- Shadowfire, mgr. of 
Dragonslayers (636) in Solven (DM 22)

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

PVT. PIEDMONT bested BOZO in a crowd pleasing 6 minute Bloodfeud Title fight.
DAMON viciously subdued PAYNE in a action packed 1 minute brutal Bloodfeud battle.
SWEET CHEEKS overpowered MUGGINS in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge duel.
LEE was devastated by DR. ONSLAUGHT in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
BLISTER subdued PEACHY in a crowd pleasing 5 minute gruesome Challenge competition.
GILLIS overpowered VIRGINAL CONCUBINE in a 1 minute one-sided struggle.
AGRAJAG was devastated by SHARLA in a action packed 1 minute one-sided competition.
RUDESPEAKER vanquished FLABBERGASTER in a 1 minute uneven duel.
HESTER lost to JULIUS in a 2 minute fight.
KATE vanquished RUTHLESS JAYWALKER in a popular 1 minute brutal one-sided duel.
JACK was easily killed by AWESOME in a 2 minute brutal one-sided bout.
DUCHESS OF AVA subdued TRAUMATIZER in a 4 minute amateur's competition.
EL TURRIALBA bested POLITE BEGGAR in a unpopular 4 minute novice's battle.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|PARRY-LUNGE                      6         TOTAL PARRY       40 -  21 -   0     66  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    4         WALL OF STEEL     16 -  13 -   0     55  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         PARRY-LUNGE       17 -  14 -   3     55  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  3         BASHING ATTACK    18 -  16 -   2     53  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         STRIKING ATTACK   18 -  17 -   1     51  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   2         PARRY-RIPOSTE      2 -   2 -   0     50  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  2         SLASHING ATTACK   19 -  20 -   0     49  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         AIMED BLOW         6 -   9 -   1     40  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         LUNGING ATTACK    22 -  37 -   0     37  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -   0 -   0      0  |

Turn 355 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      PVT. PIEDMONT 3774         19   5  0   92 LENPROS (145)
PARRY-LUNGE      SWEET CHEEKS 2989          11   9  1   88 WILD OATS (301)
LUNGING ATTACK   DAMON 3466                 13   9  1   60 DARING DEVIATES (340)
WALL OF STEEL    KATE 3990                   2   1  0   52 WOUNDED WARRIORS (382)
SLASHING ATTACK  SHARLA 3845                 9   6  0   49 RED DOG GANG (356)
AIMED BLOW       AWESOME 3922                1   0  1   42 RATHER BE SAILING (375)

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is GILLIS 3741.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
PEACHY 3856.  The ten other most popular fighters were BOZO 3989, TRAUMATIZER 4129, 
DAMON 3466, BLISTER 992, SHARLA 3845, DR. ONSLAUGHT 3884, GILLIS 3741, HESTER 3773, 
KATE 3990, and SWEET CHEEKS 2989.

The least popular fighter this week was EL TURRIALBA 4128.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were DUCHESS OF AVA 3877, AGRAJAG 699, LEE 3934, MUGGINS 3716, PAYNE 
3936, JACK 3931, FLABBERGASTER 3861, PVT. PIEDMONT 3774, AWESOME 3922, and JULIUS 
3933.

                    JESSIE'S GUIDE TO A GOOD BASHER (2nd Edition)

     Greetings.  This is a 2nd edition of "Jessie's guide to a good BASHER."  I have 
had a little more time to upgrade my first article to give you some more info 
regarding my favorite style.  The major changes are in the weapons and strategies 
section.  But read the whole thing; I've made other changes as well.  Also, this 
article doesn't discuss the SCUM basher or other mutant variations of this style.  It 
deals mainly with ones meant to last past 10-15 fights.
     Most new mangers or managers that don't run bashers that much, don't understand 
how to make a good basher.  Needless to say, they don't run them right either.  Even 
with the my horde of bashers, each one varies somewhat.
     The 4 MOST important things to a basher are DECISE skills, ATTACK skills, DAMAGE 
bonus, and maintaining the INITIATIVE.  This is also the order of importance as well.  
Bashers also learn ATTACK, DECISE and INITIATIVE skills faster than other skills.  
They are very similar to slashers in many ways.  

1. DECISE SKILLS:  A basher needs to strike first, this is why his number of Decise 
skills must be high.  His bigger size will give him bonus DECISE skills, as well as 
bonus INITIATIVE skills.  Bashers have poor defense and parrying abilities, this is 
why they need to gain the initiative.  A BASHER'S best defense is a good OFFENSE.  
Speed also gives decise skills.  But, I don't add to speed, cause speed isn't vital to 
a basher or his performance.

2. ATTACK:  After gaining the initiative, the number of attack skills will determine 
whether he hits or not.  Bashers need to hit what they swing at, 'cause they may not 
get another chance to swing.  I recommend a 10+ base in attack for a basher.  This 
means he should have a HIGH ORDER WIT statement for attack.  The higher the attack 
rating, the easier it will be to get through the parries and dodges of the opponent.  
If you check the WIT statement chart, and he doesn't have HIGH ORDER attack, he may 
not do well.

3. DAMAGE:  This is a MUST for any basher.  I would recommend a no less than a GOOD 
DAMAGE rating.  I prefer GREAT DAMAGE for my bashers, or more.  A basher must be able 
to do A LOT of damage when he hits, because he is trying to bring his opponent down 
fast.  He can't afford to let his opponent attack back with the low defensive 
abilities the basher has.  That is why he needs to make every hit count.

4. INITIATIVE:  He needs to start with at least a LOW ORDER initiative WIT statement.  
He needs to maintain his attacks to get enough hits to bring his opponent down, so 
there is no counter attack.  It does no good to strike first if he can't maintain his 
initiative.  Big size, High WIT, and high DEFTNESS will give your basher extra 
starting INITIATIVE skills.

     Designing a good basher doesn't take a rocket scientist.  If you've been 
wondering what to do with big guys, BASHER is the answer.  Bashers make excellent 
BASIC warriors.  And if you get one that has some defensive abilities as well as 
offense, he might be good at the higher levels of the game.  Smaller bashers that have 
higher skill bases, fare better at higher levels of the game than bigger ones with 
less skill.  The only problem with small ones is surviving BASIC.  'Cause they don't 
have the DAMAGE or HIT POINTS the big ones have.

Strength:  10-17  Don't skimp, you need the damage.  But WIT is the first concern.  
Strength is number 3 in the priority race.  You might need a little higher if you have 
a small warrior.  Remember, you want to at least get a GOOD DAMAGE rating.  You can 
also train strength later, so don't worry about starting with it too high.  I always 
try to get odd numbers on strength, 'cause that's where most of the strength 
requirements are for basher weapons.  15, 17, 21 STR also give extra skills.

Constitution:  6+   Try to get it to a least 6.  If you already have it above 6, don't 
add points here.  This is low priority for adding points.

Size: 9+ is recommended, but I wouldn't go below 6 unless you got at least a 15 
strength.  If you have a size 15+, then you can go as low as 10 on the strength.  A QS 
only needs an 11 strength to wield.  You can use it till you get a 12 or more strength 
to wield the basher's best weapon, the WARHAMMER.  Don't forget big sizes, 12+, get 
bonus HIT POINTS, DECISE SKILLS, and INITIATIVE SKILLS.  But they also get a penalty 
in their starting DEFENSE skills.  Smaller ones, 8 or less, get bonus defense, but 
fewer hit points.  They also get hosed on their DAMAGE bonus.  But the smaller ones 
usually start out with more skills than the bigger ones.

Wit: 15, 17 or 21.  Since a basher starts out with lower skill bases than most styles, 
he needs to learn fast.  Even if he is only an average basher, he can make up for it 
by learning fast.  Having a high WIT will help him learn fast.  If you have a slow-
learning basher, he won't be competitive after about 10 to 15 fights. The reason is 
that the other styles that start with more skills than a basher will pass him up in 
the skills department.  This will cause many losses and even death.  This is a number 
ONE priority when adding points.

WILL: If you can't get 15, 17, or 21, don't add points here.  WILL is not a basher 
priority.  If you want your basher to go to ADM, you need at least a 15 WILL.  Bashers 
are low endurance burn, and don't need high endurance.  But it is nice to have.  Some 
of the best short term bashers have low wills.

Speed:  5+.  Speed is not a basher priority.  Don't add points here.  I don't like 3 
speeds, I believe there is a voodoo curse that penalizes you too much.

DEFTNESS:  Many managers skimp here.  DON'T SKIMP on deftness.  I see many managers 
see that a roll up has low deftness and automatically say, "Make it a basher."  That 
greatly damages your basher.  For a lunger or slasher who already have A LOT of skills 
to start out with, it's okay to have a low deftness.  But not a basher who doesn't 
have those skills.  Deftness is where most of the bonus skills come from.  Don't ROB 
your basher of the skills, he needs all he can get.  I recommend 13+.  11 is okay if 
you have a 17 or 21 WIT.  I never go below 9 Deftness, period.

BASHER WEAPONS:  After experimenting with all of the basher weapons extensively, I 
have more info in this area to give.

Basher Weapon Requirements :

Warhammer:  STR 13, SZ 3, WIT 9, DEF 7

Mace:  STR 13, SZ 3, WIT 7, DEF 5

Morning Star:  STR 13, SZE 3, WIT 9, DEF 13

War Flail:  STR 11, SZE 3, WIT 7, DEF 7

Quarter Staff: STR 11, SZE 9, WIT 11, DEF 11

Great Axe: STR 13, SZE 3, WIT 9, DEF 11

Greatsword: STR 15, SZE 9, WIT 11, DEF 11

Maul: STR 15, SZE 9, WIT 5, DEF 7

Halberd: STR 17, SZE 9, WIT 11, DEF 11

     Those weapons above are well suited to the Basher.  Also, weapons that are 
marginally suitable are battle axe, broadsword, and fist.  You do get a little penalty 
for using marginally suitable weapons, but not enough to notice.  Your basher's 
favorite weapon can only be a well suited one.
     Besides strength, other important factors that determine what weapon you equip 
your basher with are ENDURANCE and current ATTACK skill level.
     If your basher has an ENDURANCE problem, use the QS or WH.  Or if he is fighting 
against a heavy armored defensive style, these weapons are the best choice.  Warhammer 
is good against plate.  Don't use a ML or HL with an endurance problem, 'cause he 
won't last past round one.
     If your basher hasn't gained enough skill yet, and is being parried most of the 
time, use BIGGER weapons.  If you have the strength and endurance, use the ML or HL.  
Using these weapons will increase the damage you do, making each hit count.  In basic, 
when weapon speed its a major factor, big weapons aren't really that slow.
     Another tactic I use often with great success is using big weapons for light 
armor and lighter ones for heavy armor.  Most offenses in basic wear lighter armor and 
have fewer hit points.  Offensive styles are more deadly to bashers than defensive 
styles.  Therefore, you need to bring them down as quickly as possible.  Using a HL or 
ML against scale armor or less usually only takes one or 2 hits to bring an offensive 
style down.  Defensive styles parry and dodge a lot of your attacks, so you need a 
lighter weapon so you won't tire out quickly.  Using a warhammer for chainmail and 
above will let you last long enough to bring a defensive style down.  Warhammer also 
does very well against heavy armor.

WARHAMMER: 13 ST required.  This is the BEST weapon for a basher without a doubt.  Its 
light weight and speed are unchallenged against all the other basher weapons.  It also 
does a surprising amount of damage.  Can be used against all armors with great 
success.  This weapon rarely breaks.

MACE: 13 ST required.  This is an okay weapon, but doesn't compare to the WARHAMMER.  
It has problems inflicting damage.

Morningstar: 13 ST and DF required.  Does good damage, but is slow and heavy.  Isn't 
worth the endurance burn.

War Flail: 11 STR required.  The is the WORST weapon in the game.  DON'T USE IT!!!!!  
Damage for this weapon is very lame and I have see it bounce off of ALE and NO ARMOR 
opponents.  I believe daggers and fist do more damage!

Quarterstaff: 11 ST and DF required.  This two-handed weapon is light weight, quick 
and good against all armors.  This is a basher's second best weapon.  This weapon's 
main problem it breaks too much.  I use the fist as a backup when I use the QS, so 
when it breaks he doesn't have to draw a backup weapon.  Offensive styles may not give 
you a chance to draw your backup weapon.  With a fist back-up you will continue 
attacking after your weapon has broken, maintaining the initiative.

Great Axe: 13 ST and 11 DF required.  This is also much like the QS, but weighs a 
little more.  Does more damage than a QS.  It will tire your basher faster.  This 
weapon also breaks a lot.

Maul:  15 ST required.  Does massive damage, but is very heavy and tiresome.  This 
weapon is a better all-around weapon between it and the halberd.  This is the 3rd best 
bashing weapon.

Halberd: 17 ST required.  Does the most damage in the game.  This weapon also is only 
for those warriors who have the strength and the endurance for it. This is a bashers 
4th best weapon.

Greatsword: 15 STR required.  See WAR FLAIL.  This weapon also breaks a lot.

Shields:  Are well suited to bashers, but don't ever use one.  They do hardly any 
damage.  Don't ever use a shield and any other weapon in a basher's off-hand.  They 
rarely use their off-hand to parry and when they do use it to attack with you're doing 
less damage.  When the computer gets to the part in the program where it selects which 
hand to use, you want him to use his PRIMARY weapon to do the most DAMAGE.  Not to 
pick an off-hand weapon that does lesser damage.  Also you get an attack bonus for 
using 2 hands with many weapons.

Bashers favorite weapon:  Well out of 78 Basher ADM graduates, the following is a list 
of their favorite weapons.

MS(7), MA(14), GA(4), GS(8), ML(8), WF(8), HL(7), WH(7), QS(9)

     You have to try each of them if you want to guess which one it is.  If you're 
lucky and get the WH, then praise the gods!!
     15 of the 78 bashers got the BASH tactic as their favorite tactic.  But, I 
wouldn't use the BASH tactic, but the DECISE tactic is awesome for a BASHER.  I use it 
with all my bashers.  One basher got DECISE as a favorite tactic.  Bash is only good 
to use against strong defensive styles after round one.  I have used the DEFENSE or 
PARRY tactics in DESP. with great success.  I will chose the one that the basher has a 
WIT statement in.  IE: If he has a DEFENSE statement I use DODGE tactic in DESP. If a 
parry statement then PARRY in DESP.  If neither, then PARRY 'cause it's almost always 
higher than DEFENSE for a basher.  

Basher armor:  ALE/S or H to start.  If he doesn't seem to get the jump on most of his 
opponents, then go to heavy armor.  You can 'sponge' your opponents, by taking hits 
and hope to get to hit them when they're tired.  But if they do too much damage to you 
first, you will lose.

Favorite Rhythms:  Offense effort should be between 8-10 the first minute and 5-8 
thereafter.  In DESP. 5-10.  Activity Level should be 5-10 in the first minute and 1-3 
thereafter.  IN DESP between 1-10.  KD between 5-7 all rounds.

Typical Strategy:

MIN:  1    2    3    4    5    6    DESP
========================================
OFF. 10    8    5    5    5    5     10
----------------------------------------
AVT. 10    3    1    1    1    1      6
----------------------------------------
KD.   7    6    6    6    6    6      6
----------------------------------------
Att. RA   RA   RA   RA   RA   RA     RA
----------------------------------------
Pro. HE   HE   HE   HE   HE   HE     HE 
----------------------------------------
TAC. DECISE in minute one.  Bash in later minutes against scum or heavy defensive 
styles.  Defense or parry in DESP.

     If you aim for the limbs, you can take your opponent down quickly.  Bashers tend 
to hit the upper half of the body more anyhow.
     Well, that's a wrap.  If you would like to chat, get charts, or learn all the 
stuff RSI doesn't tell you, drop me a line.  You can diplo me at DM 75, "The Joker's 
WILD 2" or any one of my others teams that are too long to list. Also, you can EMAIL 
me at 103260.3347@compuserve.com

Ta-Ta,
Sir Jessie Jest
The Basher Guy

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