DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 09/30/1999    Duedate: 10/27/1999

KRILL ARENA

DM-44    TURN-155

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

CILRAG
HOME LIFE (277)
(44-2554) [21-13-0,121]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

CILRAG                         GERTRUDE
HOME LIFE (277)                DARQUE FORCES (306)
(44-2554) [21-13-0,121]        (44-2582) [6-3-0,87]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

ZACHARIAS                      MARILYN
PRAXIS (42)                    DARQUE FORCES (306)
(44-2551) [11-9-1,62]          (44-2753) [2-0-0,14]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

TESTAMENT (287)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. CONVICT'S (321)             40
2. TESTAMENT (287)             23      HOME LIFE (277)
3. DARQUE FORCES (306)         15      Unchartered Team
4. THE ELEMENTS (317)          10
5. HOME LIFE (277)             10      DARQUE FORCES (306)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*DARQUE FORCES (306)       26  19  0 57.8   1/ 1 TESTAMENT (287)           9  6 2
 2/ 3 HOME LIFE (277)          124  95  7 56.6   2/ 2 PRAXIS (42)               7  4 0
 3- 2 LET 'EM BLEED (309)       35  27  4 56.5   3/ 5*DARQUE FORCES (306)       6  4 0
 4/ 4 TESTAMENT (287)          114  88 12 56.4   4- 4 EXHALE INC... (311)       5  2 1
 5- 5 EXHALE INC... (311)       24  19  3 55.8   5/ 6 HOME LIFE (277)           4  1 0
 6/ 6 PRAXIS (42)              229 194  8 54.1   6/ 7 THE ELEMENTS (317)        4 11 0
 7/ 7 THE ELEMENTS (317)        19  41  2 31.7   7- 3 LET 'EM BLEED (309)       3  2 0
 8/ 8*CONVICT'S (321)            3  19  1 13.6   8/ 8*CONVICT'S (321)           2 10 1

    '*'   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[ Convincia #29 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

In the Shewish Forest:

     "Okay, then," Slade said to the Shews and his fellow gladiators, "let's go find 
the ones that captured Nallia and Klexx and kill us some Karnhorns."
     "In good time," the Shewish leader, Hondal, said.  "We have to cross the river 
and locate the trail, first."
     "You have trackers who can do that?" Lawrence asked.
     "Any of us," Hondal answered.  "We're Shews."
     Slade muttered something uncomplimentary, which everybody pretended not to hear.
     "Didn't you say there was a log that spanned the river upstream from the ruined 
bridge?" Lawrence asked.  "That might be the best place to cross--although we could 
swim it again--"
     "No need.  Lead us to this log," Hondal invited.

On the other side of the hills:

     In the pen with the other prisoners, Klexx listened to their talk and kept an eye 
on the cabin into which Nallia and the elf had been taken.  The talk was only 
marginally useful to him--which guards were meaner, what was likely to be on the menu 
tonight, that kind of thing.  Klexx stored it all in his memory, but he was more 
interested in the details of the wall that surrounded the prisoner corral and the 
guards that patrolled this village.  He intended to escape, and the sooner the better.  
But not without Nallia, if possible--after all, she was a comrade.  One did not 
abandon one's comrades.
     The door of the log cabin opened and the guards emerged with the elf...but not 
Nallia.  The elf was taken into another cabin.
     "Well, I guess that's going to be the sacrifice for tonight," the Shewish 
prisoner said.  At Klexx's questioning look, he added, "Any one of us goes into that 
cabin only comes out to go to the altar."
     Klexx nodded to show that he understood but asked, "They sacrifice someone every 
night?"
     "They have as long as I've been here," the Shew answered.  He glanced at the 
other prisoners, and they all nodded confirmation.  "I don't know about your friend, 
though," he went on.  "They don't get many women prisoners, and I've never seen one 
sacrificed, but they disappear."
     "Probably take 'em for their harems," another prisoner said grimly.  "They 
might've rather been killed."

Kati-Tei:

     "We've always had the occasional disappearance, Lady Protector Crystal," 
Arenamaster Jailon said, shrugging.  "The Dark Arena fights let out late, the 
warriors--and the spectators--are on the streets late, there are footpads, there have 
been gargoyles, there might be shipmasters pressing unwilling sailors, whatever.  
Sometimes a man vanishes.  We look, but we don't always find out what happens.  
Lately, though...I don't know, there's been an `off' feeling to things."
     "And you think it might be part of this problem?" Crystal Fireblade asked.
     "It may," the arenamaster said cautiously.
     "It will be looked into," the Lady Protector said.  "But it might take more than 
just me to do it--can you recommend anyone locally?  Someone who knows the area, the 
people, and can be trusted implicitly?"
     "I take it you don't want me to recommend any of my Dark Arena crew?" Jailon 
asked.
     "Better not, for now," she replied.

         + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Andorian League #22 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Andor:

     "We'll leave for Murska tomorrow, to meet with the Satrap Kharijal," Mickeal 
said.  "Your manager has recommended you as a bodyguard, in the absence of Lady Knight 
Crystal Fireblade who filled that role before.  You won't be the only man along to 
guard me," the king said, adding under his breath, "as if I was helpless and incapable 
of self defense."  He sounded indignant but resigned.
     The gladiator's horned head nodded briefly, indicating understanding.
     "Traal Saru, who's the regular head of palace security, has requested the job of 
supervising the, hm, orthodox guards," Mickeal went on.  "I've agreed to this, but I 
have some doubts about the man.  Nothing definite, but I'm uneasy in my mind about 
him.  So you'll keep an eye on him as well as on me."
     Khazakh nodded again.  "I will do so.  Such doubt between a king and his guard is 
corrosive and unacceptable.  It shall be resolved."
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     The Turtle's Eye was not one of the nicer taverns in Andor, but the gladiator 
didn't mind.  He didn't much care for nice taverns, anyway.  And if the girl who had 
been named to work with him didn't like it--then she wasn't the right partner for this 
dirty job.  Ah, there she was now.  A curvy type, which might be a problem down the 
line sometime, but she moved like a fighter.  Which she was, of course, she was a 
graduated gladiator like himself.  He made a slight gesture with his left hand.
     She made the answering sign and slipped into the booth across from him.  "Belana 
Bladesinger," she said, identifying herself.  "You?"
     "B. Llud Pitt.  Call me Llud.  You know what our job is?"
     She shook her head.
     "We're to go underground, become free-lance killers and thieves, and try to get a 
slant on the Guild from below.  We're talking major dangerous here," he added, looking 
at her sharply.
     "I've been in danger before," she responded.  "It doesn't frighten me.  Do you 
have a plan?"

Skaithvarn:

     Bam Bam and the wagon disappeared into the night, returning to Ulmurvin to take 
the Ventan leader's message to the Duke.  Bonner Springs and her manager, Senator 
Dole, walked ahead of the Ventan toward--they hoped--the kidnapped daughter of the 
Duke.
     "He's convinced he's put something over on us," Bonner remarked in a low and 
admiring voice.  "What's your plan, sir?"
     Senator Dole was glad of the darkness, because he actually blushed.  The dear 
girl thought that the two of them becoming additional prisoners of the Ventan was part 
of some subtle plan!  Well, a man did what he had to do, and he couldn't let her down.  
To give himself time to come up with a plan, he said, "I'll tell you a little later.  
I need more details first."

Folks, the holiday seems to have stalled my brain besides messing up my schedule.  
More next time.  Volunteers still being accepted. -- the Scribe

         + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Andorian League #23 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Andor and points east:

     There had been argument about the form of the cavalcade that set out from Andor 
for Murska.  Chancellor Bohr had favored a carriage for the king, another carriage for 
important members of his retinue, a third for luggage, and a substantial escort, say 
forty or fifty men.  Mickeal had stated a preference for a horse for himself and one 
for his bodyguard.  They had compromised, finally, on a single carriage for assorted 
luggage, the king, his minimal retinue, and his bodyguard mounted, and an escort of 
only ten men.  The escort was led by Traal Saru, the head of palace security, at his 
own request.
     The first day's travel was from Andor half way to Fratsfa, a distance of some 
twenty-five miles.  Mickeal would have pushed on to Fratsfa, adding another twenty 
miles to the ride, but Khazakh and Traal Saru both vetoed it on the grounds that it 
would tire him too much, with Khazakh adding that even with relays forty-five miles in 
one day would be too hard on the horses.  They had arranged to stay the night at the 
home of Lord Vanj, just outside the town of Tronsha.
     When Saru rode ahead to locate the turning to Vanj's estate, Khazakh guided his 
mount closer to the king's.  "It is in my mind that Saru intends to try something 
here," the warrior said.  "Do you know anything of this Lord Vanj we will be staying 
with?"
     "Ambitious, but with a rigid sense of honor."  Mickeal hesitated.  Was it this 
Lord Vanj he was thinking of, or...?  But it shouldn't matter; a scion of the ancient 
Van was the same wherever met with.  "He would not be party to anything underhanded or 
traitorous."  Unless Vanj, like a few other men here and there, still believed that 
Mickeal was not the rightful king of the Andorian League.  In that case, aiding Saru 
to kill Mickeal would be an act of loyalty rather than treachery.
     Before he could continue, the minotaur spoke, seeming to pluck Mickeal's thought 
from the air.  "There was a time not so long ago when many men of good faith believed 
you an impostor, and there is no dishonor in removing a usurper from the throne."
     Mickeal glanced over at him, but there was no expression he could interpret on 
the non-human face.  "Do you think I'm an impostor?" he asked.
     "The question does not arise," Khazakh said calmly.  "I have pledged myself to 
defend you."  The corners of his mouth lifted in a rare smile.  "I do not know you 
well, except by reputation, and there are differences in behavior.  This is not 
unheard of in one who has come to the throne unexpectedly and taken up the burden 
without preparation.  You are the king we have, and you're doing a good job.  
Besides...the League might not survive a fight over succession at this time.
     "An honest answer, if not straightforward," Mickeal said wryly.  "I--"
     Khazakh twisted suddenly and thrust the king from his horse, kicking free of his 
own stirrups and leaping to the ground as well.  Mickeal heard the solid thunk of a 
crossbow bolt into a tree as he continued his roll toward the ditch beside the road.

Andor:

     "I don't want to stay in Andor," Llud said out of the corner of his mouth.  He 
was trying to watch in all directions without seeming to do so.  "I graduated here, 
and the wrong people might recognize me.  Besides, I think we'd do better to, uh, 
`play the provinces' first--"
     Belana glanced at the stocky warrior skeptically.  His features were ordinary, 
and she would have classed him as distinctly unmemorable, which was a good thing for a 
criminal to be.  Still, maybe he'd had a following at the arena.  You could never tell 
what the fans would go for.  "Where, then?"
     "The Clanhold seems like a place where things are happening," Llud suggested.
     "I graduated from Aruak City--I'm as likely to be recognized there as you are 
here.  Still...there are other cities in the Clanhold, and I know my way around there.  
Yeah, okay, let's try down that way."

Skaithvarn:

     The Ventan had set up their camp at an abandoned farm, judging by what Senator 
Dole and Bonner Springs could see by lantern-light when they arrived.  Vasvo shouted 
for somebody named Omavo, and when a younger Ventan appeared, instructed him to "put 
these two with the woman."
     "More prisoners?" Omavo asked.  "Will not the Ulmurvians be angered to the point 
of attacking us if we continue to take prisoners?"
     "You're a fool," Vasvo said coldly.  "You have no understanding.  Take them and 
shut them up securely...if you can manage that difficult task."  His tone dripped 
sarcasm.
     Omavo shrugged and gestured for the two Convincians to enter the barn.  A single 
lantern hanging high under the roof lit the space dimly, showing that three of the 
stalls had been converted into cells by the addition of barred doors.  There was a 
young woman in a fine but rumpled gown in one, and another held a man who looked like 
a shepherd.  Omavo opened the last door and waited while Dole and Bonner walked 
through.  Then he closed the gate and laid his hands on it, muttering words that 
neither Convincian could understand.  Magic locking, presumably.
     Dole took those minutes to study the youngster.  At first glance, he looked 
Ventan, but at second glance his appearance seemed slightly off--a little shorter, a 
little sturdier in build, his coloring a little stronger--blond hair instead of milk-
white, healthy color in his skin, and sky blue eyes instead of pale.  Half Ventan, 
perhaps...?  And how would the Ventan treat a hybrid?  If Vasvo's attitude was an 
indication, then this young man might be fertile ground for subversion.  Dole smiled 
to himself.  And who better to persuade a dissatisfied and intelligent young man that 
opportunity lay in daring and disobedience?

          + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ *** **** *** **** *** ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Tarrgir:

     The day was quickly drawing to a close, the sun already set in the western sky.  
The air was filled with the sounds of late summer: crickets chirping loudly, the calls 
of crows searching for a nightly roost, mothers calling children inside for the night.  
The gray color of the sky held no mystery, nor did it inspire thoughts of late summer 
romance.  It simply threatened rain.
     "If I ever see another bright, sunshiny day, it will be too soon," Deadpool 
complained.  He was smiling for the first time in months, since the summer had brought 
heat and bright sunshine he'd been miserable.  "I hope I can get to the Isle soon.  I 
hear it's almost always nice and gray there."
     Cable looked at the warrior sidelong but said nothing.  Ever since Deadpool had 
come back from the dead, winning his way through one of Greywand's Dead Tournaments, 
he'd been like this.  Cable had finally given up trying to convince the man that the 
Isle of the Eye wasn't much different in climate than Tarrgir.  He did have to stifle 
a laugh, however.  Deadpool's mention of the Isle was ironic, for if he managed to be 
invited, he and all his opponents would be immortal.  Since he'd taken up the worship 
of Ahringol, he believed it his solemn duty to send as many people to join the god of 
the dead as possible.
     The two were walking to the Academy, Cable answering a summons from General 
Kyrican, the headmaster there.  He knew what it was all about, and didn't trust the 
Aruaki any further than he'd trust a Rirorni shaman.  He'd brought Deadpool along in 
case anything went wrong.  The warrior was active as a member of the Andorian 
Assassins Guild, and could blend into shadows as well as anyone he'd ever known.
     They continued in silence for several blocks, each lost in his own thoughts.  
Deadpool was anxious to get back to the arena.  He'd been inactive for far too long, 
and was anxious to kill a few new recruits, thus making his god all the more powerful, 
and earning him new enemies to kill.  Cable's thoughts, as seemed typical of late, 
were turned towards that distant Isle, and the children he had there.  It had been 
years since he'd seen them, though news of them, especially his son, reached Tarrgir 
from time to time.  As they neared the Academy gates, Cable turned to Deadpool to 
instruct him to take to the shadows.  He stopped dead in his tracks and glanced 
around, searching the shadowed doorways and roof-tops around him, for Deadpool was 
nowhere to be seen.  Or heard, for that matter.  It was his turn to smile as he 
resumed walking, knowing one of his most trusted, if a bit eccentric, allies was close 
by keeping an eye on his back.
     In the days to come, he was sure that would be needed more than ever.
     -|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
Report from the Academy

     The smell in the cellar hadn't improved in two years.  The smell of blood and 
death would probably never come out, just as the floor remained stained with its 
blackness.
     Kyrican sat easily in the same chair he'd used two years before, the same chair 
he'd been sitting in when his daughter, together with three companions, had managed to 
capture him and brand him a traitor.  Two of those companions he hadn't known at all, 
though he later found them out to be members of the Assassins' Guild.  The final 
member of that group, however, was quickly and quietly becoming his most hated enemy.  
He'd had as much from the upstart as he could take, and the time for swift vengeance 
was drawing near.
     There was a soft knock at the door, bringing the General back to the task at 
hand.  He'd needed to get his hands on some professionals, and this person was 
supposed to have the best line on what he was looking for.  Wordlessly, he nodded to 
the guard at the door, who in turn raised the bar and pulled the door open.
     Standing in the doorway was a cloaked, hooded figure.  Tall, but not so tall as 
to stand out in most crowds, the person's full height could only be guessed.  The 
cloak and hood did much to conceal the features of the new arrival.  Moving with the 
grace of a cat, the cloaked being glided forward, the sound of metal boot heels on the 
stone floor seeming out of place and ugly compared to the smoothness of his or her 
movements.  A table stood between Kyrican and the approaching figure, with a single 
stool on the figure's side.
     Two delicate, leather clad hands raised up, palms outward, from the confines of 
the flowing gray cloak.  Reaching up to the hood, the hands grasped it sides, and with 
deliberate slowness, pulled the hood back revealing a woman's face, her features 
plain, but not unattractive.  Her hair was jet black, but had no sheen or life to it.  
It was cropped shoulder length and worn hanging straight down.  It was just the right 
length that she could do just about anything with it, put it up or pull it back in any 
number of styles.  Her eyes were brown and unremarkable.  She was as "plain-Jane" as 
any woman Kyrican had ever seen.
     She gracefully bowed from the waist, lowering herself to the stool in the 
process.  Her expression didn't change as the two of them sat, staring at each other 
across the table.  Kyrican noted how easily she matched his stare, and worried that it 
was him who first broke eye contact and cleared his throat to speak.
     "I trust..." he began, but was cut off as the woman spoke up, interrupting him.
     "Don't," she replied, her voice husky and soft.
     Not sure he'd heard her correctly, Kyrican once again nodded to the guard at the 
door, who saluted, then left the room, closing the door behind him.  The sound of a 
latch being thrown from the outside echoed through the cavernous room, then all was 
silent once again.
     The woman's expression didn't change as the two resumed their staring.  She had 
to know what was happening here, otherwise she would never get to make that report, 
and THEY wouldn't be happy without it.  Her life could be over soon if she failed.  
But that was the thrill of it for her, the lie and death risk tied to everything she 
did.
     Kyrican decided quickly that he didn't like this woman, but he couldn't seem to 
bring himself to disobey her quiet command.  He became angry with this thought, 
wondering if perhaps magic had been used on him.
     The woman smiled at him as he furrowed his brow, thoroughly enjoying the 
situation.  The more emotional she could get this pompous man to be, the easier it 
would be to figure out the legitimacy of his claims.  Her superior was never one to 
let an opportunity to slip by, and a powerful man like Kyrican would be the best ally 
they could have right now, next to Orn Ohlarin himself.
     "Don't trust, General," she said smoothly, her voice deep and haunting.  Her 
accent was thick, perhaps Caleaman; they often had almost Delarquan accents.  "I 
wasn't worried about the guard overhearing.  If you trust your guards, that's your 
concern, not mine."
     Kyrican wasn't in the mood for banter, and had half a mind to tell her so.  But 
he didn't, and instead pulled a scroll case from his belt and handed it across the 
table to the woman.  "That is to be delivered to an agent in Seam," he said.  "You 
will meet him at the Shaken Hand Inn.  He will be wearing the uniform of a temple 
guard.  The password is "Priam."  Use it in casual conversation.  The response you 
need to hear is "Tahrriena."  Answer back to confirm with "dog days of summer."
     The woman's smile was gone the moment she accepted the case.  She listened to the 
instructions carefully, noting the passwords and committing them to memory.  "I'll 
dispatch this with one of my best men," she said quietly.
     Kyrican raised an eyebrow in surprise at this proclamation.  "I'd thought you'd 
be delivering these yourself?" he said, though it sounded more like a question.  She 
rose to her feet even as he was speaking, keeping her eyes locked with his the entire 
time.
     "My people will be in touch," she said when he finished speaking.  "They wanted 
me to pass on that they are overjoyed to have found someone who also has the best 
interests of the Aruaki in mind.  And to say that it will be a pleasure working with 
you to further the Aruaki interests in the League."
     Kyrican's face took on an even more dour expression as he watched the woman bow 
and turn swiftly away.  Walking towards the door without a sound.  It wasn't until his 
guard had closed the door behind her, securing the latch once again, that he realized 
her boots hadn't made a sound.
     -|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-
ALL:  For those wishing to participate in the upcoming Reports from the Academy, give 
ear and listen!!!  You will need to send your information (warrior census data) and/or 
your permission to me so I can get your warriors involved.  Please send me a diplo, 
personal ad, note, or e-mail (Armalias@aol.com) ASAP.  I'm looking forward to writing 
in Tarrgir again, and these recurring Reports will be of a wider scope than normal, 
spanning multiple cities within the Andorian League and beyond!  So please, come one, 
come all!  Let's make Tarrgir's role-playing presence something to once again be proud 
of.

                                      SPY REPORT

     Thankyouthankyou.  It's great for me, The Unknown Spymaster to be back in KRILL. 
Hope you enjoy the show.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I already got paid!  For every 
winner there is a loser.  Speaking of losers, lets take a look at LET 'EM BLEED, who 
went down to 3rd from 7th.  Life is tough.  Hey everybody, watch out for KINGS II, 
who flew up 25 points in the rankings after mashing ZACHARIAS like a melon.  Keep 
your eye on this guy.  And falling like a basher in the top ten was ZACHARIAS, who 
dropped 21 points after a disappointing (to say the least) bout with KINGS II.  Well, 
everybody's pal CILRAG moved his record to 21-13-0 by defeating GERTRUDE in the 
Duelmaster's Title Bout and gaining 10 recognition points.  Can you believe they are 
paying me 10 gold to deliver this stuff?   
     Let's dig a little deeper into what's happening in the KRILL arena.  Well just 
about everybody wants a piece of CHRONICLES I, who was this week's most challenged 
warrior.  In a touching display by a 'touched' warrior, HYDROGEN went after SAMUEL 
II, who was higher by 21 points.  Well, when the dust settled, HYDROGEN was bested by 
SAMUEL II.   
     Remember that an arena is not always a safe place to be, but it is one of the 
most interesting, though!  Proving again that KRILL is not rated G, SAMUEL I of the 
TESTAMENT slew the warrior BERYLLIUM in a rather bloody bout.  Let's look for a 
bloodfeud.  Big man!  SAMUEL I kills BERYLLIUM.  Who ya gonna fight next, SAMUEL 
I--Minnie Mouse?  I hope THE ELEMENTS has a good enough fighter to beat the snot out 
of SAMUEL I.  Knowing when to use the right tactics at the proper time is a very 
important step on the road to Duelmaster.   
     Well, there's the manager of the KRILL giving me the 'cut' sign (or is that 
'They're going to strangle you in the alley?).  Well, there goes another Spy Report.  
Good luck in next week's fights.  See ya next time I'm on this circuit!-- The Unknown 
Spymaster  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 CILRAG 2554                  21  13  0   121       HOME LIFE (277)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 VLADIMIR 2548                13   7  1   103       PRAXIS (42)
-PAOS 2577                    13   7  2    95       HOME LIFE (277)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SAMUEL I 2617                15  11  2    88       TESTAMENT (287)
 GERTRUDE 2582                 6   3  0    87       DARQUE FORCES (306)
 KINGS II 2677                10   5  1    85       TESTAMENT (287)
 KINGS I 2630                 14   7  0    74       TESTAMENT (287)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-DOOBIE BEAVER 2650            9   0  0    64       EXHALE INC... (311)
 ZACHARIAS 2551               11   9  1    62       PRAXIS (42)
 SAMUEL II 2631               12  10  1    60       TESTAMENT (287)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 JUSTINIAN 2701               11   2  0    50       PRAXIS (42)
-STRAIGHT RAZOR 2615           8   4  2    49       LET 'EM BLEED (309)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 URSULA 2588                   7   1  0    33       DARQUE FORCES (306)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SPARKY 2587                   5   3  0    33       DARQUE FORCES (306)
 HELIUM 2695                   4   8  1    32       THE ELEMENTS (317)
-PIN PRICK 2678                5   2  0    30       LET 'EM BLEED (309)
-STUBBED TOE 2749              2   0  0    30       LET 'EM BLEED (309)
 HYDROGEN 2698                 4   8  0    29       THE ELEMENTS (317)
 WITCHBLADE 2586               3   5  0    28       DARQUE FORCES (306)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-HEAVY-P 2728                  3   1  0    23       EXHALE INC... (311)
-MUTILATOR MOUSE 2690          3   3  0    22       EXHALE INC... (311)
-PAPER KUTZ 2742               2   2  1    22       LET 'EM BLEED (309)
 AL-KATRAZ 2750                2   1  1    21       CONVICT'S (321)
 CHRONICLES I 2735             4   2  0    20       TESTAMENT (287)
-EXACTO SLICE 2679             4   3  0    19       LET 'EM BLEED (309)
-UGLY STICK 2752               2   0  1    18       EXHALE INC... (311)
 MARILYN 2753                  2   0  0    14       DARQUE FORCES (306)
-WAR WOMBAT 2680               3   3  0    12       EXHALE INC... (311)
 BORON 2736                    2   5  0    11       THE ELEMENTS (317)
-MOPPY 2727                    0   1  0     9       HOME LIFE (277)
 JOLLIETTE 2730                0   3  0     3       CONVICT'S (321)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
POLITE BEGGAR 4        0  1 0   1                   AL-KATRAZ 2750        155 NONE    
GENE 2731              0  3 0 CONVICT'S 321         BLACK ORC 20          155 NONE    
QUINTEN 2732           0  5 0 CONVICT'S 321         SHEWISH GIANT 21      155 NONE    
TRACI 2733             1  3 0 CONVICT'S 321         ARENAMASTER RYHIRO 23 155 NONE    
DUSTER 12 2760         0  1 0 THE ELEMENTS 317      BANDIT PRINCE 25      155 NONE    
BERYLLIUM 2714         5  5 1 THE ELEMENTS 317      SAMUEL I 2617         155         
LITHIUM 2712           4  3 0 THE ELEMENTS 317      SAMUEL I 2617         152         
CHIPMUNK HORDE 2648    3  5 1 EXHALE INC... 311     BERYLLIUM 2714        151 REVENGED

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Sparks -- Looks like Gertrude is the only one of my warriors that has any luck against 
you. -- Master Darque

Convicts -- If you need help, just ask!  A wealth of knowledge is in this arena even 
if there are only about 5 of us. -- Master Darque

Samuel I -- Truly unfortunate, I agree.  The bloodfeud begins, but you are way above 
me. -- The King Below

Cilrag -- Congrats on the throne. -- The King Below

Exacto Slice -- Thanks for the learns. -- Hydrogen

Pin Prick -- That may be the best fight of all time.  Congrats. -- Helium

Doobie Beaver -- Heck of a fight.  Congrats on avenging the loss of your fellow 
warrior. -- Beryllium

Mutilator Mouse -- That was...strange. -- Boron

Heavy P. -- Well met.  I hope to meet on the sands again. -- Al-Katraz

All -- Our shame demands our expulsion. -- Gene, Traci & Quinten

     Master Darque -- As soon as I convince the banker that, yes, it was ME saved all 
     those daylight hours and now I'm ready to WITHDRAW them, I'll get a message to 
     you.  Sorry it's taking me so long. -- the Scribe

6 September 1999
LISTEN UP!  YES YOU!  A Carnival tip you "might enjoy."  It's in no way the ARENA.  
Dueling in the PR,PL style.
     A novel.  New in the library or $24 hardcover.
     Published: 1999 Harcourt Brace
     Author:  Arturo Perez-Reverte
     Name:  The Fencing Master
     Year 1848,dangerous times.  A fencing master, long seeking the unstoppable 
tactic, accepts a new student.  A mysterious woman with a small dueling scar.... 
-- Carny

13 September 1999
Hey rookie managers -- Stormcrowe (45) currently has only one unchartered team so 
those awards are practically being given away!  If you think that ;your newbies have 
the stones to face the likes of MHC & Hearts of Oak, Dark Overlord & Descendents of 
Darkness, the Fuhrer & Aryan Assassins, Seamus & Irish Marauders, GraveDiggers and 
many other hardcore teams and managers then by all means bring them on over.  This 
invite is extended to all veteran managers as well, but we figure that you are smart 
enough to avoid our killing grounds.

All -- Spreading the word about PBM 'zines and newsletters:
     Paper Mayhem--has suspended publication.  Dave is selling the magazine (due to 
illness, I've heard).  Looking for someone to assume close to $10k in subscriber debt 
and maybe cash on top of it.
     PBM Report--has a new editor, Chuck Miro, and owner Madhouse USA.  Submissions 
should be sent to: Chuck Miro/ASHRAE
                   1828 L St. NW  suite 906
                   Washington DC 20036-5104
     Submissions may also be emailed (no address available).
     New! Free! Rains Adventure Journal--send submissions or requests to:
         Kyu Seong Lee
         PO Box 979137
         Unit D 29145-037
         Miami, Fl 33197-9137
                                   -- Asmo Dius mgr. the Horsemen DM 47

All Mangers (well the ones that care....) -- Swifty McSwift has died.  That's right 
D-I-E-D.  The poor little guy took his own life after a hellish week of DM turns.  
That's right, you are all rid of him for good.  No more October Rust teams running 
around, no more unending ICQ chat invites, no more annoying PA's.  He had two last 
wishes:  First, Chance takes over Troop 709 and second he had some choice words for 
choice people.
          Chance -- Rock on, bro.
          Crow -- You win.
          Nithril/Lerch -- Thanks for being pals.
          Manager/Soultaker/UC -- Thanks for all the help you gave me.
          R/RR -- Thanks for being such cool guys.
          Troop 709 -- Live on, kill often.
          DOOMcorps -- BITE ME!!!
          RSI -- Thanks for the fun.
          And to anyone else who helped me over the years, I say thank you.
     Well that's all.  Happy Dueling -- RIP Swifty

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

GENE was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
QUINTEN was viciously butchered by SHEWISH GIANT in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena duel.
TRACI was easily killed by ARENAMASTER RYHIRO in a 1 minute Dark Arena match.
DUSTER 12 was assassinated by BANDIT PRINCE in a 2 minute bloody Dark Arena duel.
BERYLLIUM was dealt death by SAMUEL I in a 2 minute gory Bloodfeud fight.
HYDROGEN was demolished by SAMUEL II in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge competition.
HELIUM won victory over CHRONICLES I in a crowd pleasing 3 minute Challenge fight.
CILRAG devastated GERTRUDE in a 1 minute one-sided Title competition.
VLADIMIR handily defeated KINGS I in a action packed 1 minute gruesome uneven melee.
ZACHARIAS was overpowered by KINGS II in a 1 minute uneven duel.
SPARKY was outlasted by JUSTINIAN in a tiresome 14 minute fight.
URSULA overcame CULT MEMBER in a 2 minute bout.
BORON was overpowered by WITCHBLADE in a 1 minute one-sided match.
JOLLIETTE was bested by MARILYN in a exciting 4 minute amateur's conflict.
AL-KATRAZ murdered POLITE BEGGAR in a 1 minute one-sided brawl.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  7         PARRY-LUNGE        2 -   0 -   0    100  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      5         WALL OF STEEL     15 -   6 -   1     71  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         STRIKING ATTACK   39 -  34 -   4     53  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   2         LUNGING ATTACK    29 -  26 -   5     53  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         TOTAL PARRY       16 -  15 -   0     52  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         SLASHING ATTACK   12 -  12 -   0     50  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         AIMED BLOW         8 -  11 -   0     42  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         BASHING ATTACK     7 -  11 -   1     39  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         PARRY-STRIKE       3 -   8 -   1     27  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   4 -   0      0  |

Turn 155 was great if you     not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
LUNGING ATTACK   CILRAG 2554                21  13  0  121 HOME LIFE (277)
STRIKING ATTACK  VLADIMIR 2548              13   7  1  103 PRAXIS (42)
TOTAL PARRY      KINGS I 2630               14   7  0   74 TESTAMENT (287)
BASHING ATTACK   ZACHARIAS 2551             11   9  1   62 PRAXIS (42)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is ZACHARIAS 2551.  The most popular warrior this turn 
was MARILYN 2753.  The ten other most popular fighters were SAMUEL I 2617, HELIUM 
2695, CHRONICLES I 2735, VLADIMIR 2548, SAMUEL II 2631, KINGS II 2677, WITCHBLADE 
2586, CILRAG 2554, KINGS I 2630, and URSULA 2588.

The least popular fighter this week was JUSTINIAN 2701.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were SPARKY 2587, JOLLIETTE 2730, BORON 2736, ZACHARIAS 2551, GERTRUDE 2582, 
HYDROGEN 2698, TRACI 2733, GENE 2731, AL-KATRAZ 2750, and BERYLLIUM 2714.

The following warriors will travel to ADVANCED DUELMASTERS after next turn:

CILRAG (44-2554) HOME LIFE (277)

                          The Dawn Always Follows the Night

It can be easily said that the game of Duelmasters has changed greatly over the past 
decade or so. Many aspects of the game have changed in recent years: the creation of 
Advanced Duelmasters, Primus, regional ADM, Gateway.  Modifications to the game have 
made it very different since the early days. Some for the good and some not no good.

The Dark Circle has been a major driving force in every aspect of Duelmasters since 
very early on. It goes without saying that there is no alliance past or present that 
has matched the accomplishments of the Dark Circle. The list of names that have graced 
the rolls of the Dark Circle has been a who's who of Duelmasters: Scrag, Neon 
Necromancer, Guardian, Papa Bear, mouse, Mr. Animal, Merlin, Sharky, Moriarty, Doc 
Steele, Mongo, Boss Rat, Blood Wizard and many more. The alliance has seen many 
changes in its time, and now it is time for The Dark Circle to make one last "change".

We have decided to hang up our hats and call and end to this fine alliance. We have 
done it all. We can't do any more. The membership of the Dark Circle has done more in 
the learning and teaching of the game than any other group before or since. We have 
been reviled more than almost any other group since the game's inception, mostly by 
those who didn't understand us yet still used what we taught them. We have 
accomplished very much indeed, but we, as an alliance, have nothing more to give to 
the Duelmasters game or community.

The Dark Circle has officially disbanded and its Wardens are now all independent 
managers. With malice towards none and good will towards all, we part company knowing 
we have reached the pinnacle of success. We have nothing left to prove. We part as 
friends going their separate ways. Think of us as the Beatles of Duelmasters. We did 
it right. We did it the way we wanted. We did it in such a way that our 
accomplishments are beyond reproach. We part as winners.

Sincerely,

Scrag
Guardian
Merlin
Mongo
Mr. Animal
Papa Bear
Rhialto
Blood Wizard

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