DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER
Date : 10/19/1999 Duedate: 11/01/1999
KATI-TEI ARENA
DM-41 TURN-315
This Weeks Top Honors
THE DUELMASTER IS
KILLER B
FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
(41-2206) [27-13-0,115]
Chartered Recognition Leader Unchartered Recognition Leader
KLEXX SELENE
FIST OF FIVE (325) LADY OF THE MOON (330)
(41-3614) [11-6-1,139] (41-3676) [2-1-0,25]
Popularity Leader This Weeks Favorite
SPITFIRE RAMBLIN' ROSE
FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187) WANDERERS (329)
(41-2203) [21-20-1,108] (41-3692) [1-2-0,14]
THE CURRENT TOP TEAM
41ST BRIGADE (250)
TEAMS ON THE MOVE TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name Point Gain Chartered Team
1. WANDERERS (329) 48
2. FIST OF FIVE (325) 42 41ST BRIGADE (250)
3. FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187) 22 Unchartered Team
4. BILL'S TOO (241) 19
5. SWEET SILK (213) 11 LADY OF THE MOON (330)
The Top Teams
Career Win-Loss Record W L K % Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns W L K
1- 2*ACTION TOYS (322) 6 2 1 75.0 1/ 1 41ST BRIGADE (250) 9 5 0
2/ 3 41ST BRIGADE (250) 220 172 10 56.1 2/ 2 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187) 8 7 1
3/ 1*LADY OF THE MOON (330) 5 4 0 55.6 3/ 8 WANDERERS (329) 8 7 0
4/ 4 FIST OF FIVE (325) 45 37 5 54.9 4/ 6 BILL'S TOO (241) 7 7 0
5/ 5 BILL'S TOO (241) 172 147 12 53.9 5/ 5 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232) 7 8 0
6/ 6 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187) 107 97 8 52.5 6/ 3 FIST OF FIVE (325) 6 6 2
7/ 7 SWEET SILK (213) 221 222 9 49.9 7/ 4*LADY OF THE MOON (330) 5 4 0
8/ 8 MY TEAMS (272) 96 106 2 47.5 8- 7*ACTION TOYS (322) 4 0 1
9/10 WANDERERS (329) 22 27 0 44.9 9/ 9 SWEET SILK (213) 3 11 0
10/ 9 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232) 88 122 9 41.9 10/10 MY TEAMS (272) 1 2 0
11-11 DARK BLADES (324) 10 35 0 22.2 11-11 DARK BLADES (324) 1 4 0
12-12*IRON DRAGON (327) 5 18 1 21.7 12-12*IRON DRAGON (327) 0 3 0
'*' Unchartered team '-' Team did not fight this turn
(###) Avoid teams by their Team Id ##/## This turn's/Last turn's rank
TEAM SPOTLIGHT
Fist of Five
It was a good day for dueling in Kati-Tei. Stik relaxed in his manager's seat
and looked up from the sands, where between fight entertainment was keeping the crowd
amused, to the skies above the massive arena. They shown a clear blue, although there
was a breeze coming in off the inlet which gave the air a chill. Summer was on its
way out again, and fall had arrived, definitely. He thought back over the summer. It
had been a good one for him and his team here, having quickly vaulted to the top of
the rankings. Fist of Five, along with several other new teams, and some older
veterans who had sparked to life, had re-energized the competition. While they still
had a ways to go to bring back the glory years, the arena was once again near to
capacity with a swelling and surprisingly bloodthirsty crowd each week. Betting was
heavy, the action fast and furious, and the city was once again in love with the game.
He gave a brief nod to Slade as the gladiator strutted down the aisle and threw
himself into one of the seats in their box, freshly bathed and back in street clothes
after his successful duel earlier in the afternoon. Only one small bandage on his
upper forehead gave away a hint of injury, this week he had been the one doing the
injuring. Stik chuckled to himself, still remembering the black look Wild Bill had
given him moments after the challenge duel had ended as he left his box to hurry to
the infirmary.
Kirrigi had also fought and won, but there was no sign of him now. He disdained
associating with the team whenever he could, preferring to be alone, mostly. He
seemed to be developing a careful friendship, though, with the little Mirani parry-
riposte, Dontere. They had some things in common, both being foreigners in a strange
northern city, and both thinking themselves somewhat above it all as well.
Stik brought his attention back to the sands as the jugglers and acrobats cleared
the sands and Arenamaster Jailon came out to announce the next duel, which he knew
would be Dontere's. It was to be a random match up, and even the managers didn't know
who it would be until announced. The arena quieted as Jailon's voice rose to reach
the far corners.
"Announcing gladiators for match number nine, match nine today! Stepping into
the squared circle, on this side, with a record of 6-7-0, Dontere of Fists of Five!"
Jailon held his arm out to indicate one of the side doors spaced around the arena
wall, through which the wiry Mirani strode.
The crowd rose to a small roar as he entered, clad in a suit of resplendent
scalemail armor that glinted blindingly in the afternoon sun, and carrying a similarly
gilded helm under one arm. Stik knew he had sunk his last several paynotes and put a
lien on the next few to have that armor specially made by some of the city's best
blacksmiths. This was the first duel he had to show it off, and he preened under the
crowd's attention. Donning his helm, he drew his longsword and flourished it about
expertly, showing off its deadly gleam to the delight of the crowd, particularly the
ladies. Although he held a losing record and was generally a bad bet, he had remained
a popular draw because of his personal panache and his odd fighting style, which
people seemed fascinated to watch. He spotted his newest female interest, Selatina, a
fellow gladiator, in the crowd and kissed his blade and blew it to her off the razor
sharp point, at which she grinned and the other women in the crowd gasped or swooned.
Next to Stik, Slade shook his head and muttered something under his breath.
Jailon motioned for the crowd to be quiet and continued. "And on this side,
stepping onto the sands of Kati-Tei for the first time, the Ambitious Guard!"
The reaction from the crowd was mixed, for they knew this was a stand-in fighter
who had volunteered and not another arena favorite they wanted to see. The fight
would most likely be a one-sided victory for the experienced gladiator, but there was
also an air of mystery surrounding the unknown brave soul who had dared enter the
arena....
Unknown he was, covered in a plain, brutal looking full helm and a suit of
dulled, slightly rusted chainmail. An unadorned medium shield, much like Dontere's
own, was strapped to his left arm, while in his right he carried an aged warhammer
that looked as though it might break at the first strike.
He stalked to the middle of the arena, ignoring the crowd, and assumed a wary
fighting stance well before Jailon was ready to call the fight, which Dontere
mockingly jumped into an imitation of, drawing a burst of laughter from the crowd.
Stik frowned.
The Arenamaster drew the two opponents together and brusquely stated the dueling
rules to them. Dontere grinned insolently at the guard, bringing his sword tip up
languidly to prod at him. The Guard knocked it away with his warhammer and Dontere
feigned fear, looking around at the crowd to draw a reaction.
At last Jailon stepped back and looked up to the Duelmaster's throne, where he
received a nod from the reigning champion, who looked down at the proceedings, having
yet to fight. He raised his arm and both gladiators now tensed for real as the crowd
began to whip itself into a frenzy of anticipation, the roar building quickly. Stik
could feel his own stomach tighten and the adrenaline began to pump as Jailon's hand
dropped and he watched his prodigy assume his odd high-guard stance, inviting the
opponent to attack.
And attack he did. The Guard moved with unexpected, frightening speed, executing
a strong overhead bash with his warhammer immediately. Dontere wisely sidestepped
rather than parry, and avoided the blow by a margin of inches. It was obvious he,
along with the crowd, had underestimated the Guard's skill level. As his opponent's
momentum carried him past, the cocky Mirani ignored a perfect opportunity to riposte,
instead glancing up an Selatina in the crowd, who leaned forward worriedly against the
rail.
He didn't even see the next blow coming. For Stik, the following moments seemed
to drift in slow motion, a disastrous and coldly beautiful ballet he could only watch
helplessly.
The Guard had spun and recovered faster than Dontere had thought possible, and
swept his hammer in a vicious side arc at the back of the Mirani gladiator's head,
where it landed with a crunch of metal on metal, sending him stumbling forward and
almost falling before he recovered and spun to his own defense. Instead of reassuming
his standard fighting stance and sticking to the fight strategy, he seized the
initiative and barreled forward with his shield. Stik rose from his seat, his mouth
framing a "NO!" that was lost in the screams of the thousands now on their feet,
sensing the blood in the air. Dontere feinted high, the guard bit, and he went low,
smashing the edge of his iron-rimmed shield into the Gard's exposed left ankle. But
even as he did so, the Guard's warhammer, suddenly transformed from rusty relic into a
horrifying instrument of death, rose up and came crashing down into the Mirani's helm.
Somehow Dontere kept from falling, but the force of the blow tore his helm off as he
stumbled away, his black hair already matting with blood.
The crowd was now out of control, energized by the unexpected action and its
outcome, smelling the death blow. The air was alive with the bloodthirsty screams of
thousands, some calling eagerly for the death blow, others frantic with fear for their
favored warrior's life.
Dontere hung on by a thread. Stik was too far away to see his eyes, but he knew
the look that was in them, just from the little gladiator's stance. He wobbled
unsteadily, his shield and longsword hanging forgotten in his hands. Stik saw the
Guard glance up at him once, quickly, then he launched his final attack. The
warhammer almost whistled with its velocity as it sunk its spike deep into Dontere's
neck. Stik thankfully couldn't hear the sound it made, but he could see the blood
splatter in all directions as Dontere's body was tossed back like a rag doll from the
impact. Writhing on the ground, he clutched once futilely at the gushing wound, then
lay still.
Stik suddenly realized the arena was silent. The moment hung on an instant
longer, then Jailon was at the Guard's side, raising his arm in victory and the crowd
exploded louder than at any time that day. Stik sank back in his seat, drained.
Months of recruiting, training, hard work, gone in a heartbeat. It never got any
easier. His eyes came back up and found the Ambitious Guard who had taken his
warrior's life. He had finally removed his helm and was holding his warhammer
triumphantly over his head, drunk on the rush of battle and the roar of the crowd.
It was Jarim Ghed, the guard who had met the team that first day at the city
gates.
As Jarim came off the sands and back into the catacombs below the arena, many of
the city's gladiators were there to greet him and give him hearty congratulations.
Stik shouldered through the throne, and took him by one mailed arm.
"Boy, you and I have a lot to discuss. I seem to have an opening on my
stable...."
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ Convincia #31 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
In the Shewish Forest, east of Convincia:
"I didn't know the Karnhorn border was so close," Slade said.
"It isn't," one of the Shews grunted. "They're pushing it. They would."
"And we'll stop them," Hondal, the Shewish leader added. "Here and now."
Lawrence, who had been drawing maps in his head, now said, "If this is Karnhorn
territory, or an extension of it, the province involved would be Veastian, wouldn't
it?"
"I reckon," Hondal agreed.
"So what?" Slade added.
"Well, the governor of Veastian's Kyreses, and he's supposed to be friendly,
isn't he?" the Kansan asked.
"That's what I hear," Hondal acknowledged, "but this sure doesn't look like it!"
"He may not know anything about this place," Lawrence suggested.
"So what?" Slade asked again.
"I was wondering if--"
The clamor of a huge gong cut across Lawrence's speculations and drowned out all
sound in the area for several minutes.
One of the Shewish hunters, who had been--incredible as it seemed for someone so
large--high up a tree, came down now with a rush that was nearly a fall. "Something
going on," he gasped. "Priests--sacrifice--we've got to act now!"
Kati-Tei:
The Pozemon was tied up at the farthest end of the harbor, by itself at a
decrepit dock. There was nothing overtly odd about it, and yet... Were the masts
just a little too tall, thin as needles and white as bone? You couldn't positively
say so. The sails, hanging limply--and why hadn't they been properly furled, or
whatever it was that one did to sails?--the sails were certainly a peculiar greenish-
gray color, but it must surely be a freak of the light and the wind that made those
drooping panels seem to quiver and ripple as though they were alive. The proportions
of the hull... was it shallower and broader than the norm? The eye painted on the
near side of the black prow had such a knowing look, and it seemed to follow their
approach.
The nearer the gladiators got, the more slowly they walked.
"I don't like it!" Selatina said suddenly. "It's a... it's a wicked ship! Only
evil people could have anything to do with it!"
"Steady on," Raef cautioned her. "We don't actually know that--"
Crystal Fireblade paused, frowning into the twilight. "I was a paladin in
another life," she said quietly, "and some of that remains with me--I can sense the
`wrongness' of that ship, as I could smell evil on the crew members we saw entering
the arena. But... that doesn't mean that these people, this ship, are what we're
looking for. After all," she added with an attempt at humor, "one could find the same
flavor of the Dark around many managers!"
"But you do think that's where-- That the Pozemon's crew is-- That they're the
body-snatchers?" Selatina asked.
"It would appear to be indicated," Lady Protector Crytal said doubtfully.
"This is too easy," Raef cut in. "It's either a decoy, or a trap."
"That is possible," the Lady Protector agreed, "but we still have to check it
out."
Krill:
"Something more?" the Harbormaster asked, dismayed.
"Worse?" the fisherman demanded.
"I did not say it would be worse," Master Darque pointed out coolly. "Only that
something else will happen. And it begins now," he added, pointing out across the
harbor.
There was a light mist over the surface of the water, and the watchers could now
see something moving within it. Masts, unnaturally tall, rose above the billowing
mist--it was hard to imagine a tree tall enough to make such masts. No sails adorned
them, although there was a vague, cobwebby grayness that seemed to trail from the
spars. And they came nearer; below them, the shadow of a hull took form in the mist,
but taller and narrower than any ship that had sailed the Trier in living memory. As
it approached the docks, the mist behind it gathered and thickened, rising up like a
wall or a hood, arched over, and then descended softly onto the city, bringing a chill
and untimely twilight.
"Fascinating," Master Darque murmured.
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Andorian League #26 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Report from the Academy
"And to what do I owe this honor?" Deadpool said through clenched teeth. He was
voicing a question but it sounded more like an accusation. He slipped silently down
form the ledge, and landed between the woman and the hidden door behind Kyrican's
large bookshelf. He still held his dagger at the ready, but worried over having left
his sword at home. The woman was wearing her warhammer easily on her belt, and he'd
heard horror stories about how well she wielded it.
"You're working Kyrican?" she replied evenly. Her accent was smoothly
Convincian, though Deadpool had known her to sound Elvish or Delarquan when needed.
She was a master of disguise, though he had no idea what she really looked like. Her
only truly identifying feature was the intricately woven raven that appeared somewhere
in all her clothing. His trained eye had spotted it immediately, even in the dimness
of the secret halls of the Academy.
Deadpool shifted uneasily under her careful scrutiny, unsure if he was supposed
to answer. One raised eyebrow from the woman known only as Raven was indication
enough for him. "Ever since the Crow went back to work directly out of the Guild,
I've been here," he answered.
Raven smiled at him, a warm smile designed to set aside his defenses and lower
his guard. It didn't work, but he made it look as if it had, sheathing his dagger and
leaning casually against the wall. He kept his legs ready to spring away if
necessary. He hoped it wouldn't be.
"I'm here to relieve you of that duty," she said with the same smile, her
expression not changing in the slightest. "You are being reassigned on escort duty.
There is a letter to be taken to a courier south of here. I want you escorting the
courier from Tarrgir to the meeting place, and then you are to tail the second courier
once he has the dispatch. I want you to make sure he meets a gruesome end just
outside Aruak City. Very public, but do not be seen. The note must arrive at the
Gates, but the courier must be killed to set an example of our intentions."
Deadpool looked at Raven in silence. It occurred to him that perhaps she was
setting him up, and he didn't like that feeling. He'd been a member of the AAG since
well before he became a gladiator, and without exception he'd always been able to
trust his superiors. For the first time in his career, he did not trust a superior;
he was, in fact, afraid of a superior. That bothered him more than he realized. "Why
me?" he dared to ask.
Raven continued smiling, as it had been obvious to her that she'd brought doubt
into Deadpool's mind. Deadpool shifted uncomfortably beneath her scrutiny, moving
from one foot to the other, obviously nervous about this new assignment. "Because you
are here, and so is the letter in question," she said easily. "The warrior called
Bullwhip will be the courier. He's bright enough, and a former instructor at the
Academy, so he makes the perfect Pigeon. That's his code name, by the way."
"Real subtle," Deadpool said dryly. "I suppose you want him to take the blame,
as well then...the Fall Pigeon, as it were...."
Raven's smile didn't change, which unnerved Deadpool further. Not even a
brightening in the eyes at his lighthearted banter. "Keep him alive at all costs,
until the deed is done. The courier in Seam is officially sanctioned by the Guild.
You have you orders, fulfill them and you shall be rewarded beyond your wildest
dreams."
Deadpool was once again taken aback by her words; Guild members were paid, but on
salary, not bonuses and certainly not commissions. Their work was for the Crown
alone, and not for hire. He bowed to hide the confusion he was sure stood plainly
evident upon his face. "I live only to serve Ahringol and my King, milady, and you as
his majesty's agent," he replied smoothly.
When he rose from his bow, Raven was gone. A single black feather floated gently
to the floor, but Deadpool himself was gone by the time it touched down. He had a lot
to think about before he found Bullwhip the Pigeon and set out for Seam.
Too many things were changing to quickly for his liking.
+ ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Andorian League #27 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +
Near Tronsha, halfway between Andor and Fratsfa:
Minutes trickled by, slow as fate. Crouched in the leafy ditch, Mickeal began to
get angry. Really angry. There should be people around--farmers, travelers, his
escort. This was not a howling wilderness! Khazakh he was not worried about; the
gladiator's loyalty and competence were not in doubt. But the prolonged absence of
the escort that should have been with him and had still not appeared was suspicious.
More than suspicious--
A crackling of leaves behind him made him turn. Standing above him on the far
bank of the ditch was Traal Saru, head of Palace Security in Andor, and he was flanked
by two members of the Royal Guard.
"Behold the Warrior King," Saru said in a voice of savage mockery, "hiding in a
ditch!"
Now that the waiting had passed and the time for action arrived, Mickeal's anger
dropped from him. He stood, genuinely calm now, and brushed leaves from his clothing.
"So you are the traitor," he said conversationally. "How brave of you to come after
me with only two men to back you up."
Saru paled. "You think I don't dare face you?" he demanded. With a sweep of his
arms, he drove the two Guardsmen back, then drew his sword. "I fear no hothouse
flower!"
"A fool as well as a traitor, I see," Mickeal said calmly. He moved toward the
edge of the ditch to climb up to Saru's level.
*** ***** *** ***** ***
Khazakh crouched beside a thin bush. He had heard Mickeal's challenge with
approval and turned his attention to the two soldiers. If they attempted to intervene
beside their treacherous leader, he would kill them. But in Mickeal's challenge he
saw a man worthy of respect, and in a duel between Mickeal and Saru, an evenly matched
pair of men, he would be merely an observer. He would not insult the king by
intruding...unless Saru attempted further treachery--
As Mickeal reached for an exposed root to hoist himself to ground level, while
his head was still even with Saru's knees, the traitor suddenly lunged forward, his
sword sweeping out. Khazakh half rose, his own blade springing into his grip. But
Mickeal might have been expecting the move, so quickly did he respond. He ducked
under the whistling blade and grabbed Saru's sword wrist, pulling the man--already off
balance with his lunge--down into the ditch.
"Treacherous in one thing, treacherous in all," Mickeal said with satisfaction as
Saru scrambled to his feet and backed away. "You do your side no service by exposing
your cowardice and lack of honor."
A glance at the two soldiers, who looked surprised and disapproving, assured
Khazakh that this was so. It seemed unlikely that they would now even think of
cutting in to aid Saru, unless they were traitors themselves...and he didn't believe
they were. Misled by a plausible man in authority over them, more likely.
Mickeal had drawn his sword now and was advancing along the ditch bottom toward
Saru. The gladiator's eyebrows rose. This was not the same sword Mickeal had carried
in Andor, though the scabbard was the same and the hilts nearly identical. Adantri
work, he thought: at least, the blade was of dark metal inlaid with symbols in silver,
after the Adantri style. There was a shimmer like starshine on the steel. As well if
it should be a magic blade, the minotaur realized, frowning, for Saru's blade, too,
had an abnormal aspect. It looked oily, with rainbow gleams running up and down the
flat and a strange glitter along the edges.
Skaithvarn:
"Well, then, what do we do?" the S'varni woman asked. She indicated the barred
gates that turned the stalls into cells. "How do we get out? And when we're out,
what then? Vasvo may sound like a ranting fool, but he's a Ventan. Magic is his
natural element, and he will have spells to stop us, or track us, or--"
"Vasvo may be a magician," Senator Dole said. "I don't argue that, but he's a
man first. And men...can be defeated." He smiled blandly and glanced at Bonner
Springs.
She flushed with embarrassment and annoyance. "Oh, no! Really, Senator, I
couldn't--!"
"You will need to do nothing at all," he assured her. "The whole thing will
happen in Vasvo's mind, my dear."
*** ***** *** ***** ***
Not too far from the abandoned farm, a flying carpet, wobbling out of control,
dumped its three passengers into a field overgrown with brambles. Freed of its
burden, the carpet flapped a couple of times in mid air, then collapsed.
"What the hell?" demanded a Shew as he picked himself up out of the thorny canes.
"The twists of Fate are beyond human comprehension," a woman observed
breathlessly, picking leaves out of her hair.
"Our carpet was following the wrong wizard's signal," Tynileaus Shadowwood
stated. He looked around and spotted the carpet draped over a clump of brambles.
"Shall we try it agi--"
"No," the Shew, Dillan the Dog said firmly. "I begin to understand why Zathrus
wanted nothing further to do with it. Let's try walking for a while; it's safer."
"It might be interesting to explore the immediate vicinity," Tynileaus agreed.
"I would like to know what the carpet homed in on. There must be a wizard, or
something strongly magical, in the immediate vicinity."
Somewhere in the Karnhorn Empire:
Tankesh crawled farther under the bush, then turned to look out at the rain-
dripping day. He could no longer hear the patrol they were evading--or hoped they
were evading--but he had no doubt the Karnhorns were out there somewhere. He glanced
around, hoping to spot the High Priestess of Serimna, but couldn't see her. Probably
she was under another bush. If he'd realized that being the Champion of Serimna was
going to mean spending so much time on his belly in the mud under one or another
bush--it felt as though he'd been under every bush in the Karnhorn Empire--he might
have.... No, he wouldn't have refused the job. Any job that Tankesh Dushanbe
couldn't handle was beyond mortal ability by a long shot.
It would be interesting, in an academic sort of way, to know where he was right
now. Somewhere north of the road connecting Murska with Zuwayza, he was pretty sure,
but beyond that.... He just hoped the guides which the High Prietess kept finding
knew where they were! And where they wanted to go.
Somewhere in the Aruaki Clanhold:
The inn was called The Dancing Mare, and it was, to put it mildly, low. Llud and
Belana found themselves in the company of as fine a collection of thieves and
cutthroats as the Aruaki Clanhold could offer. The two gladiators had settled in
without difficulty, unless you counted a few trifling incidents such as when Llud
caught a man going through their possessions and threw him out the second story window
of their room--without opening the window first, or when Belana beat up two men who
thought she was a light woman, killing one (she broke his neck) and maiming the other.
But the company at The Dancing Mare took these incidents in stride and welcomed Llud
and Belana as worthy companions.
The most important of the outlaws was a man called Galpur, and after the last
incident (which involved Llud hanging the innkeeper by his heels over the stair
railing while Belana went through the man's pockets, due to a disagreement as to the
price of a room in the Mare), Galpur invited the two to join him at his private table
for a drink and a meal.
"My treat," Galpur said expansively, and smiled, showing several gold teeth.
"Now, you're a fine pair, you are. Coming here and fitting right in, as they say.
You might be just the pair I need. I," he added, with some pride, "am what you might
call the King of the Thieves hereabouts."
"King of Thieves in Harn?" Llud asked sarcastically. Harn was the name of the
village where the Mare was located, with a population of some six hundred people; it
was about ten miles east of Aruak City. "There's an honor!"
Galpur flushed but kept his smile, now rather fixed and fierce. "The director
always stands back from the action," he said. "Maybe you're too young to know that
yet. I have a job I think you two can handle--a little matter of a man who's outlived
his life, as you might say--"
"What about the Assassins' Guild?" Belana asked. "I've heard they don't like
free-lancers."
"This is a sanctioned kill," Galpur said coldly. "You'll take the job, and
you'll do it right. See that man over by the fireplace?" He gestured slightly, and
one of the loungers near the fireplace sketched a half-bow. "He'll be your conductor
--you can call him Shurry. He'll supply you with whatever you need in the way of
information or tools--"
"What if we don't take the job?" Llud asked.
"Then he'll kill you."
DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
Notes from the arena champ.
Nightlights, thanks for trying. I'm glad to see not everyone here is yellow. As
I look down again, I see my clan, two warriors I have just beaten and one about to
travel. Well, I guess one of you can try again. I wonder what is the most wins for a
warrior before ADM? Maybe I can try for that. As is usual, I will accept any
challenges. Just wait till I finish my stein.
Killer B (2206)
SPY REPORT
It is I, Novgorodny Vir, Spymaster of Spymasters. Look on my work, ye mighty,
and despair! Nothing works for a team like victory (How's that for a perceptive
observation?) as WANDERERS can attest... Say what you will about blind luck and
dirty fighting, but BILL'S TOO will tell you 172-147-12 is nothing to laugh at...
FIST OF FIVE had cause to celebrate, after KLEXX got 44 points by beating MISS U NOT.
NIGHTLIGHTS certainly had a baffled expression on its face, after losing to SPITFIRE
and losing 12 points in the process! KILLER B successfully staved off a grab for the
roses by BILLABONG of BILL'S TOO. Does KATI-TEI have no one talented enough to
dethrone him? So who's the team that's been walking into taverns last week and
ordering milk? Sounds like a PR stunt to me.
So much to report, so little time! Perhaps the warriors of 41ST BRIGADE should
take up some hobbies, as they are the most avoided team... The warriors of 41ST
BRIGADE found their efforts at combat frustrated as CLAN BATTLEAXE apparently had
more important things to do than fight. Is it charming personality? Conversational
abilities? Good oral hygiene? Whatever it is, NEMESIS is the most challenged
warrior. KIRRIGI challenged COAR! Who says FIST OF FIVE are just a bunch of wimps!
KIRRIGI of FIST OF FIVE kept his wits as he was overcame by COAR.
Ah, the duel! The roar of the oppenent, the smell of the crowd! KLEXX of FIST
OF FIVE spared MISS U NOT (24-17-2) from having to lose any more fights. What's your
next plan, FLASH O' LIGHTNING? Questions are being raised about the disposing of
severed body parts in the arena. A certain tavern in KATI-TEI would I avoid!
Leave me now, you base fools! More important duties call me. Like a mixed
metaphor, and an overtaxed simile, I now bid KATI-TEI farewell-- Novgorodny Vir
DUELMASTER W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KILLER B 2206 27 13 0 115 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
KLEXX 3614 11 6 1 139 FIST OF FIVE (325)
CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SPITFIRE 2203 21 20 1 108 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
CHAMPIONS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
SLADE 3610 11 6 2 89 FIST OF FIVE (325)
-SILK 3467 11 21 0 88 SWEET SILK (213)
NIGHTLIGHTS 3510 20 21 0 86 MY TEAMS (272)
BILLABONG 3587 11 8 0 79 BILL'S TOO (241)
COAR 3630 8 2 0 71 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232)
EVILBILL 3634 10 3 2 69 BILL'S TOO (241)
ADEPTS W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
BIG BILL 3588 12 7 0 52 BILL'S TOO (241)
LAN-SHI 3655 7 3 1 45 41ST BRIGADE (250)
RAEF 3611 9 8 1 44 FIST OF FIVE (325)
KIAR JUN 3656 6 0 0 41 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232)
KIRRIGI 3628 7 7 0 39 FIST OF FIVE (325)
RUSTAM 3654 7 3 0 39 41ST BRIGADE (250)
CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
RAK KKARN 3658 3 3 0 33 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232)
SELATINA 3651 5 6 0 32 WANDERERS (329)
NEMESIS 2767 4 10 2 32 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
DEVILDOG 2882 5 4 0 30 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
PAO-LIN 3665 4 2 2 25 41ST BRIGADE (250)
SELENE 3676 2 1 0 25 LADY OF THE MOON (330)
-ZEBRAWOOD 3595 2 0 0 24 ACTION TOYS (322)
INITIATES W L K POINTS TEAM NAME
ANOTHER BILL 3669 3 2 1 22 BILL'S TOO (241)
-SHIMMER 3596 2 0 0 22 ACTION TOYS (322)
AFTERNOON DELIGHT 3699 1 1 0 22 SWEET SILK (213)
ARTEMIS 3675 2 1 0 21 LADY OF THE MOON (330)
-SHADE 3598 1 0 1 20 ACTION TOYS (322)
-DUST BUNNY 3616 1 0 0 19 ACTION TOYS (322)
GYPSY JOE 3694 2 1 0 18 WANDERERS (329)
-SLAYER 3627 4 4 0 16 DARK BLADES (324)
-EHLONNA 3636 2 2 1 16 IRON DRAGON (327)
LASCARUS 3693 2 1 0 14 WANDERERS (329)
RAMBLIN' ROSE 3692 1 2 0 14 WANDERERS (329)
CHEN-CHI 3672 2 3 0 9 41ST BRIGADE (250)
-LAZZARUS 3638 2 3 0 9 IRON DRAGON (327)
-WINDI 3682 1 0 0 9 DARK BLADES (324)
MARINER 3695 1 2 0 8 WANDERERS (329)
DIANA 3674 1 2 0 5 LADY OF THE MOON (330)
SWAY 3698 1 1 0 4 SWEET SILK (213)
AGONY 3691 0 3 0 3 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232)
-BAMBI 3681 0 1 0 1 DARK BLADES (324)
-SPYDER 3678 0 1 0 1 IRON DRAGON (327)
-KAM 3680 0 1 0 1 DARK BLADES (324)
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN Revenge?
BRUTECHOPPER 3707 0 1 0 CLAN BATTLEAXE 232 MOUNTAIN TROLL 18 315 NONE
DORR-NORR 3662 0 2 0 DARK BLADES 324 SHADE 3598 314
MISS U NOT 2204 24 17 2 FLASH O' LIGHTNIN 187 KLEXX 3614 315
DIE, HIGH ELF! 3706 0 1 0 SWEET SILK 213 BANDIT PRINCE 25 315 NONE
SUCCUBUS 3688 1 2 0 SWEET SILK 213 NEMESIS 2767 315
DARK EYES 3530 10 11 0 SWEET SILK 213 SLADE 3610 313
MARCO 3648 1 6 0 WANDERERS 329 PAO-LIN 3665 311 NOT REVE
TORABA 3649 3 5 0 WANDERERS 329 LAN-SHI 3655 312
KARANDEL 3650 5 3 0 WANDERERS 329 NEMESIS 2767 312
PERSONAL ADS
Diana -- A pretty little girl like you shouldn't be doing things like that. -- Mariner
P.S. I could tell you a very sad story about someone just like you who got too
violent. Killed an albatross, she did. It brought down a great curse, so you want to
watch out for things like that.
Agony -- My goodness, do you find it agonizing to learn like that? -- Selatina
Shimmer -- It makes my head ache just to LOOK at you. -- Rose
Dust Bunny -- No fair making me sneeze! -- Lascarus
Kam -- Gosh, that was terribly exciting! Thanks for the win. Don't despair at losing
your first fight, either. After all, *I* did, and look at me now! -- Gypsy Joe
Stik -- Have you read the book on which the Thirteenth Warrior is loosely based?
_Eaters of the Dead_, by Michael Crichton. Very good. Try to get the edition that's
illustrated by Ian Miller, which is even better. -- Sonya
Well, once again the hungry, cavernous void that is the US Postal Service appears to
have swallowed my turn. I hate fighting blind.... -- Stik
I'm sending in a team spotlight this turn, hopefully it'll make it in. I hope
everybody enjoys it! -- Stik
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)
16 October 1999
To anyone starting a new team -- No good sales pitch or gimmicks (yet). If you're
adding a team, please put it in Jurine, DM-61. We only have one unchartered team and
eight teams total. So why come to Jurine? Simply put; WE ARE BEGGING YOU!!! --
Wardancer, mgr. War Party
LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS
BRUTECHOPPER was butchered by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
DIE, HIGH ELF! was viciously butchered by BANDIT PRINCE in a 3 minute Dark Arena duel.
AFTERNOON DELIGHT was overcome by SLADE in a 1 minute Bloodfeud match.
KLEXX delivered the death blow upon MISS U NOT in a 4 minute Challenge contest.
SPITFIRE demolished NIGHTLIGHTS in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge competition.
RAEF was vanquished by EVILBILL in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
KIRRIGI was overpowered by COAR in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge brawl.
RAK KKARN was defeated by BIG BILL in a action packed 1 minute Challenge melee.
SWAY was vanquished by DEVILDOG in a 1 minute gory uneven Challenge duel.
SUCCUBUS was slaughtered by NEMESIS in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
KILLER B outlasted BILLABONG in a tiring 13 minute gory expert's Title match.
KIAR JUN outlasted PAO-LIN in a unpopular 8 minute match.
LAN-SHI viciously subdued AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute brutal contest.
RUSTAM subdued SELENE in a 4 minute gory brawl.
ARTEMIS was overcome by SELATINA in a popular 4 minute novice vs. expert conflict.
DIANA lost to ANOTHER BILL in a 2 minute bloody novice's fray.
CHEN-CHI was bested by LASCARUS in a 2 minute novice's brawl.
AGONY was beaten by MARINER in a exciting 1 minute novice's match.
RAMBLIN' ROSE savagely defeated POLITE BEGGAR in a 3 minute amateur's fight.
GYPSY JOE overpowered SHIFTYEYED VOLUNTEER in a 1 minute uneven fight.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK 13 TOTAL PARRY 23 - 12 - 2 66 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 5 PARRY-LUNGE 15 - 13 - 4 54 |
|TOTAL PARRY 4 LUNGING ATTACK 53 - 51 - 4 51 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 3 WALL OF STEEL 19 - 20 - 0 49 |
|WALL OF STEEL 3 SLASHING ATTACK 26 - 29 - 1 47 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 2 PARRY-RIPOSTE 18 - 21 - 0 46 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 2 PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 5 - 0 38 |
|AIMED BLOW 1 BASHING ATTACK 6 - 14 - 1 30 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 1 AIMED BLOW 6 - 15 - 0 29 |
|BASHING ATTACK 1 STRIKING ATTACK 7 - 18 - 1 28 |
Turn 315 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:
AIMED BLOW 1 - 0 LUNGING ATTACK 6 - 7 5 LUNGING ATTACK
TOTAL PARRY 3 - 1 SLASHING ATTACK 2 - 3 2 TOTAL PARRY
PARRY-LUNGE 2 - 1 PARRY-STRIKE 0 - 1 2 SLASHING ATTACK
WALL OF STEEL 2 - 1 BASHING ATTACK 0 - 1 1 WALL OF STEEL
PARRY-RIPOSTE 1 - 1 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE
STRIKING ATTACK 1 - 1
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
TOTAL PARRY KILLER B 2206 27 13 0 115 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
LUNGING ATTACK SPITFIRE 2203 21 20 1 108 FLASH O' LIGHTNING (187)
PARRY-RIPOSTE BILLABONG 3587 11 8 0 79 BILL'S TOO (241)
SLASHING ATTACK COAR 3630 8 2 0 71 CLAN BATTLEAXE (232)
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 SPITFIRE 2203. The most popular warrior this turn
was MISS U NOT 2204. The ten other most popular fighters were RAMBLIN' ROSE 3692,
ARTEMIS 3675, SELATINA 3651, SELENE 3676, ANOTHER BILL 3669, SLADE 3610, SPITFIRE
2203, BIG BILL 3588, DEVILDOG 2882, and LAN-SHI 3655.
The least popular fighter this week was KIAR JUN 3656. The other ten least popular
fighters were KILLER B 2206, PAO-LIN 3665, SUCCUBUS 3688, SWAY 3698, KIRRIGI 3628,
RAEF 3611, NIGHTLIGHTS 3510, AFTERNOON DELIGHT 3699, DIE, HIGH ELF! 3706, and
BRUTECHOPPER 3707.
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