DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 10/18/1999    Duedate: 10/30/1999

ARDIVENT ARENA

DM-46    TURN-307

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

ZCMI
REND SETTERS (262)
(46-2864) [14-11-1,114]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

ZCMI                           TAL
REND SETTERS (262)             WE GOT GAME (289)
(46-2864) [14-11-1,114]        (46-3106) [6-1-0,59]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

BARAK COLLIN                   MIKE BINKLY
BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)        DEATHTONGUE (89)
(46-492) [15-20-1,81]          (46-3255) [3-3-0,28]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

DEATHTONGUE (89)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. FANDILS (75)                44
2. INFERNAL LORDS (8)          35      INFERNAL LORDS (8)
3. DEATHTONGUE (89)            33      Unchartered Team
4. WE GOT GAME (289)           20
5. TOKORI BANDITS (263)        19      WE GOT GAME (289)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*WE GOT GAME (289)         16   5  0 76.2   1/ 3 DEATHTONGUE (89)          9  4 0
 2- 2*MADE OF TECHNETIUM (305)  18  11  4 62.1   2/ 1*WE GOT GAME (289)         8  1 0
 3/ 3 INFERNAL LORDS (8)       122  93  9 56.7   3/ 4 FANDILS (75)              8  7 0
 4/ 4 FANDILS (75)             625 517 22 54.7   4/ 6 TOKORI BANDITS (263)      6  4 2
 5/ 5 DEATHTONGUE (89)         632 553 33 53.3   5/ 7 REND SETTERS (262)        6  4 0
 6- 6 ILLUMINATION (135)       316 304 25 51.0   6/ 2 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)   6  6 1
 7/ 7 TOKORI BANDITS (263)      88 113 15 43.8   7/ 9 INFERNAL LORDS (8)        5  7 0
 8/ 8 REND SETTERS (262)        65  85  5 43.3   8- 8*MADE OF TECHNETIUM (305)  3  1 0
 9/12*LORD OF THE HUNT (307)     2   3  0 40.0   9- 5 ILLUMINATION (135)        2  1 0
10- 9 CIRCLE HUNTERS (282)      75 114  6 39.7  10/11*LORD OF THE HUNT (307)    2  3 0
11/10 BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)   56  92  3 37.8  11/12 THE BACROF CLAN (280)     1  9 0
12/11 THE BACROF CLAN (280)     18  43  1 29.5  12-10 CIRCLE HUNTERS (282)      0  4 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

     "Newseoul, did you see Pete this last round?" asked Blunk.
     "Yes, I did," answered Newseoul.  "He's more than he seems.  The precise attacks 
were very...surgical."
     "Exactly.  Two strokes, both carotid arteries...gone.  Bleeding out can be the 
only result."
     After a moment, Blunk continued.  "The eerie part was when Pete congratulated 
Newshound for being a fine opponent as he lay there gasping as his lifeblood squirted 
onto the sand."
     "Should we voice our concerns to Joe?" asked Adashi.
     "Well...if he isn't already aware, he's in on whatever is happening.  I suggest 
we wait and see what develops."
                          ***            ***            ***
     "Pete, I can't have you doing what you did last week," said Joe.
     "Bossman, gotta keep my skills sharp...heehee...for the real job.  That's what 
Master said."
     Tin Can Pete sat, rattling his can with one hand and flipping a dagger with his 
other.  General Joe was amazed at this display of dexterity while at the same time 
dismayed with Pete's obvious insanity.  If not for the fact that Pete was here on a 
more sinister mission, (not to mention being one of about a handful of people capable 
of doing the deed) Joe would not have to deal with him.  The only question was whether 
the need to dispatch a certain individual would arise.
     "Just keep things low key.  If you kill again, do it a little bit messier, okay?" 
asked Joe.
     "No problem, bossman," said Pete.  "Messy...got it...heh heh....  Messy and 
painful...suffering...."

         + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Ardivent Barony #30 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Ardivent:

     Stepharoo tightened the buckles on her armor and tried to still the butterflies 
in her stomach.  Master Cho had made no difficulties about the illusion, but somehow, 
Steph had expected it to be....  She'd expected to feel different, and she didn't.  
She glanced out at the torchlit arena, then across the room at the Dark Champion, who 
was making his own preparations.  It was one thing to go out to fight knowing she 
might get hurt.  Every gladiator did that.  It was another to go out like this, 
knowing that she would get hurt, knowing that she could prevent it but must not.  
If only the Dark Champion's longsword over there didn't seem so very long, and sharp, 
and deadly....  She had refused the Arenamistress's offer of a drug, but now she 
regretted that.
     "It's tough, facing the Dark Arena," someone said sympathetically.  "Even when 
you know your manager's set it up for you to get out alive and retire."
     She turned to smile nervously at him.  He was no one she'd seen before, at 
least, no one that she could remember seeing.
     "P. Far Side," he said by way of introduction.  "I'm from Caer, here in Ardivent 
on business for my manager.  And since there's nothing to do in the boarding house at 
night, I ended up here...."  He shrugged slightly and smiled.  One of his eyes was 
set crookedly in his face, which looked almost sinister until he smiled.  "Feeling 
nervous?" he asked.  "Mouth dry?"
     She nodded.
     He pulled out a pocket flask and passed it to her.  "That'll put the hair on 
your chest.  Er, figuratively speaking.  Don't take too much, though--we don't want 
you going out there drunk!"
     Stepharoo took a couple of swallows of the brandy and then handed the flask back 
with her thanks.  Arenamistress Fandette was calling the fight, and she had no 
further time to think and fret.  She stepped forward, walking beside the Dark 
Champion.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     The fight seemed to have been going on for hours.  Stepharoo could feel the 
sweat running down inside her armor, and her breath burned in her throat.  The Dark 
Champion was playing with her, luring her into taking wild swings that left her 
exposed to his blows, then just pricking her instead of delivering the killing stroke 
she was expecting.  Teasing her into burning her energies recklessly, tripping her--  
She stumbled and staggered several steps before she could recover her balance.  He 
hadn't been anywhere near her that time.  A haze of exhaustion blurred her vision, 
and she tried to blink it away.  Tried to raise her arm to wipe the sweat from her 
eyes and found that the arm was too heavy to lift that far.  She stumbled again.
     The Dark Champion caught her by a hand around her throat.  His face was 
completely hidden by the visor of his helm, he might have been a golem for all she 
could tell.  "Sweet dreams," he whispered, and laughed.  She didn't see his other 
hand move, but suddenly there was pain, an explosion of pain in her belly that spread 
quickly to fill her whole body.  And then darkness.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Darkness and pain.  She couldn't move, couldn't even open her eyes.  Or maybe 
they were open already, and she was dead; that would explain why she couldn't see 
anything.  But the dead don't feel pain.  Do they?  Voices nearby.
     "Your cat-and-mouse games are not appreciated," a raspy whisper said.  "One day 
you will damage a body beyond the point of easy repair, and then we will leave you to 
pay the price!"
     "This one isn't badly hurt," a second voice said.  It was smooth and dangerous, 
like oiled steel.  She thought it might be the Dark Champion.
     "Except for your finishing blow," Raspy Voice said.  "A clean blow to the heart 
would be much preferable to this...butchery."
     "You're a fine one to criticize butchery!" Steel Voice said.
     "In its place," the other replied.  There were several small sounds that she 
couldn't place.  "If it hadn't been for the drug that ensured she would enter a state 
of suspended animation, instead of dying--!  Well, I think the body's stabilized now 
and ready for transport `to the Isle'."  There was laughter, low and mean.  A metal 
jingle.
     "What do you do with the bodies?" Steel Voice asked.
     There was a very dead silence for several minutes.  "You don't really need to 
know that, do you?" Raspy Voice said.
     There was another silence, and then footsteps walking away.  Then other sounds, 
grunts and bumps and footsteps and shuffling sounds.  Through it all, she felt 
nothing, but she guessed that she was being loaded into one of the coffins she'd seen 
in the arena's morgue.  Warriors who died on their last fight after Invitation were 
loaded into those coffins for easy transport to the Isle.  So it must be that she was 
going to leave Ardivent `normally' and disappear somewhere on the way.

Near the coast:

     Sissy stumbled into a tree and stopped to lean against it and catch her breath.  
The beach and the raiders were far behind her now, and that was good.  They'd been 
scary.  But Barak Collin and Mime, who'd been with her, were also far behind, and 
that was bad.  Because she wanted someone to tell her everything was all right now, 
and which way to go to get home, and things like that.  Most of all, she wanted Wise 
Old Fandil.
     There were sounds of breaking brush near at hand, and Sissy realized that she 
had been listening to them approach for a long time.  Maybe there were bears in this 
woods!  She pressed herself harder against the tree and looked around it fearfully.
     There was a man coming through the woods, a stranger to her.
     He had seen her and was coming toward her.
     Sissy smiled.  "Can you tell me how to find the road?" she asked.  "And, you know, the city?"
     The man looked blinked at her, but she was sure he would help her.  Men always 
did.  "I don't know," he said.  He had an accent that made him hard for her to 
understand.  "I think...that way."  He gestured.
     Sissy smiled some more.  "I get, like, lost, you know?  Could you take me 
there?"
     "I'm not going to the city," the man said.  "I'm carrying a message and must not 
delay.  You may come with me, if you wish?"
     "Okay."

Ardivent:

     "What the hell is going on?" Tess Turbo demanded.  "Why should I go to Khalhums 
with you?  Why should I go anywhere with you?"
     "Because we need your assistance in solving a mystery," Scarlet Fever said, her 
patience thinning.
     "You want to solve a mystery, solve this one," the gladiator from Deathtongue 
said, shoving an arena newsletter toward the visitor.  "This says I went to the Dark 
Arena and died.  Not true!  And an insult, besides.  I could have beaten that Dark 
Champion guy with one hand tied behind my back."
     "You may get a chance to do so, because he is part of the problem."
     "Well, good.  Why Khalhums?"
     Scarlet Fever shrugged.  "I don't know, but Arenamistress Fandette suggested 
it."

         + ]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."

         + ]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.

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     Aaah!  Back on the throne!  And with no one from Death Tongue around I might hang 
onto it for more than one turn.  
     Welcome back, General Arizona!  Funny how as soon as you show up, somebody dies.  
The Setters and I have missed you and The Bandits tremendously.  If you're going to 
stay, maybe a spotlight is in order?  As for the rest of you, the Rend Setters have 
regrouped and are ready for war....
     Bring it on!  You bashers need not apply.

                                             ZCMI, your high flyin' guy

                                      SPY REPORT

     Thankyouthankyou.  It's great for me, The Unknown Spymaster to be back in 
ARDIVENT.  Hope you enjoy the show.  Oh, who am I kidding?  I already got paid!  We 
now have a new top team for all of you guys to dogpile on.  DEATHTONGUE now holds the 
crown and they are betting they can keep it.  A stormcloud is brewing over the 
BLUVALLEY WARRIORS guildhouse.  Rumor says any more weeks like this ones 1-3-0 may 
send the team to the Dark Arena.  FANDILS is no joke as it posted a 4-1-0 week 
advancing from 4th place to 3rd place.  Hey everybody, watch out for NINE TOEZ 
WILLIE, who flew up 29 points in the rankings after mashing ALYSSA BACROF like a 
melon.  Keep your eye on this guy.  Ya know, some days it doesn't pay to walk out on 
the sands.  BARAK COLLIN was subdued by BLUNK and drops 13 points.  Going for the 
gusto and coming up with aught but bloody knuckles was ARDIVENT's M. CHARDINEE, who 
was turned away from the Duelmastership by ZCMI.  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 ARDIVENT arena.  Did you 
hear that TOKORI BANDITS was most avoided team this week?  Well, knowing the personal 
hygiene of TOKORI BANDITS' warriors, I'm not surprised!  Okay, so I may not be funny, 
but catch REND SETTERS' act in the arena.  Those acrobats seem to be fairly deft at 
running from TOKORI BANDITS.  Well just about everybody wants a piece of DUCK, who 
was this week's most challenged warrior.  In a mismatch, our friend EARLSON of 
FANDILS got heroic notions and challenged NEWSEOUL ADASHI.  What did it get him?  A 
20-11-0 record, that's what.  I heard EARLSON laughed all the way to the inn as his 
new point total of 95 was posted in the arena.  I guess beating NEWSEOUL ADASHI 
really pays!   
     Remember that an arena is not always a safe place to be, but it is one of the 
most interesting, though!  It's not often when you see a 6-4-1 warrior like ALYSSA 
BACROF kick the bucket.  I wonder if THE BACROF CLAN will recover from the blow.  
Congrats to DUCK for revenging the death of his teammate (but more importantly, 
feeding TIN CAN PETE a bit of dirt).  Remember:  alliances are great, but try and 
take your ally in the arena with you and see what happens.   
     Well, that wasn't too bad; Alarond told me that the people in ARDIVENT have no 
sense of humor.  Or maybe that they were senseless.  Okay, so I may not be the 
world's best comedian, but then you guys aren't the world's best warriors.  Its been 
real, and its been fun, but it hasn't been real fun...-- The Unknown Spymaster  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ZCMI 2864                    14  11  1   114       REND SETTERS (262)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-AVENGER 3102                 10   9  1   100       ILLUMINATION (135)
 BLUNK 3145                   14   4  0    99       TOKORI BANDITS (263)
 DARK MISTRESS 401            17  15  1    98       INFERNAL LORDS (8)
 EARLSON 3119                 20  11  0    95       FANDILS (75)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-SKATE 2998                   16  24  2    90       CIRCLE HUNTERS (282)
-BLADE XORG 2999              20  20  3    89       CIRCLE HUNTERS (282)
 NEWSEOUL ADASHI 3083         14  12  3    88       TOKORI BANDITS (263)
-MICKEY 2715                  10   5  0    88       ILLUMINATION (135)
 SIMON DEATH 2833             17   9  3    86       REND SETTERS (262)
 CANTEX 3098                  15   7  0    84       FANDILS (75)
 BARAK COLLIN 492             15  20  1    81       BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
 DUCK 3196                    13   3  0    68       DEATHTONGUE (89)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-NEVIN NOX 3090               14  13  0    66       CIRCLE HUNTERS (282)
-ELYSIA ELIRAE 3002           11  29  0    64       CIRCLE HUNTERS (282)
 NINE TOEZ WILLIE 3190         6   6  4    64       TOKORI BANDITS (263)
-IMMERSION STATIC 3232         5   1  2    60       MADE OF TECHNETIUM (305)
 CLARA 3080                   13   9  1    59       FANDILS (75)
 S.T. MICHAELS 3176           12   9  0    59       FANDILS (75)
-ANOMAS 3064                  10   5  0    59       ILLUMINATION (135)
 TAL 3106                      6   1  0    59       WE GOT GAME (289)
-BLIND WILLIE 3166             5   1  0    59       ILLUMINATION (135)
 TEASER OF NOD 2747           10  23  0    57       REND SETTERS (262)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-ST. GEORGE 3132               6   0  1    55       ILLUMINATION (135)
-VORTEX BEYOND 3234            3   3  1    52       MADE OF TECHNETIUM (305)
 ECO-GUERILLA 3251             5   2  0    41       DEATHTONGUE (89)
 WAX 3084                     10   7  0    39       REND SETTERS (262)
 SMITHERS 3223                 6   3  0    36       FANDILS (75)
 CAPABLANCA 3105               5   2  0    35       WE GOT GAME (289)
 HAMMIR 3213                   8   8  0    34       BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 LIMEKILLER 3252               5   2  0    33       DEATHTONGUE (89)
-QUATERMASSPHENOMENA 3233      4   2  0    33       MADE OF TECHNETIUM (305)
 KASPAROV 3104                 5   2  0    29       WE GOT GAME (289)
 8-BALL 996                    4  10  0    28       INFERNAL LORDS (8)
 MIKE BINKLY 3255              3   3  0    28       DEATHTONGUE (89)
 AZGUD 3253                    3   3  0    27       INFERNAL LORDS (8)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SKRAWL 3254                   2   3  0    25       INFERNAL LORDS (8)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TIN CAN PETE 3230             3   3  1    23       TOKORI BANDITS (263)
-MUZAKFORCYBERNETICS 3235      5   1  1    21       MADE OF TECHNETIUM (305)
 THE HORNED ONE 3258           1   2  0    21       LORD OF THE HUNT (307)
 PAT COLLIN 3246               5   5  0    20       BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
 WYANDA 3243                   4   7  1    20       BLUVALLEY WARRIORS (74)
 JARED BACROF 2989             3  10  0    19       THE BACROF CLAN (280)
 WITCH HUNTER 3256             1   2  0    19       REND SETTERS (262)
 ALOYSIUS BACROF 2985          2  11  0    17       THE BACROF CLAN (280)
 FADE BLACKWAND 3229           3   3  0    16       TOKORI BANDITS (263)
 GROUPIE 3263                  1   0  0    14       DEATHTONGUE (89)
 ALDEN BACROF 3019             2   7  0    13       THE BACROF CLAN (280)
 BJORN BACROF 3069             1   2  0     5       THE BACROF CLAN (280)
-BLACK REIN 995                1   1  0     4       INFERNAL LORDS (8)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
ALYSSA BACROF 3009     6  4 1 THE BACROF CLAN 280   NINE TOEZ WILLIE 3190 307         
NEWSHOUND 3262         0  1 0 DEATHTONGUE 89        TIN CAN PETE 3230     306 JUST REV
THE GREEN MAN 3259     1  1 0 LORD OF THE HUNT 307  WYANDA 3243           306         

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Capablanca -- Well fought.  You beat the Smith out of me! -- Smithers

Infernal Lords -- Just because I am female does not mean that I am not skilled and 
capable of sending the 8-ball into the corner pocket. -- Clara

Newseoul -- Your defensive skill was awesome.  I must salute your fine move. -- Cantex

Barak Collin -- You were not the match I was hoping for. -- Earlson

Anomas -- You were more than I could handle. -- S.T. Michaels

Angel feathers in Ardivent? -- Fandil the Wise (enjoying the storyline immensely)

Vortex Beyond -- Despite the printing, my name is Clara. -- Clara

ZCMI -- Congratulations!  May you serve The Red Sands well as Duelmaster. -- Fandil 
the Wise

D.I. -- Forgive?  The Fandils are honored. -- W.O.F.

Good luck to all Ardiventians in the Halloween Free-For-All. -- Fandil the Wise

The Horned One -- I always enjoy a rematch.  I believe my preparations outdid yours, 
however.  I opened with a less conventional approach, and seemingly caught you 
unawares.  I'm sure we will meet again.  I hope so, as I have an entirely different 
method planned for you. -- Kasparov, who always enjoys a good game

Pat Collin -- Whew!  You are fast!  But you one-trick ponies always miss the point--
it's position, not ferocity, that decides the day.  I noticed your weight was a little 
too far forward on your lead foot as you were warming up for our match, and it proved 
the decisive factor in the match.  I can show you how to fix that, if you'd like. -- 
Tal, not usually a counter-fighter

Smithers -- I'm becoming something of a regular in these Fandils matches, aren't I?  
They are always good fights! -- Capablanca

Skrawl -- Now THAT was brave (not to mention stupid). -- Eco-Guerilla

Jared -- Blimey, give it up kid. -- Limekiller

Bjorn -- Hey, thanks for the skills! -- Mike Binkly

Wyanda -- NO CLOTHES!!!!  Dear lady, I wear a loincloth when I fight. -- Mike Binkly

Tin Can Pete -- Oh well, prepare to be scummed for a round. -- Technogeek

Ardivent -- Just a quick note to everyone to say that I am limiting my number of 
personals in an effort to help RSI save costs in paper and mailing increasingly heavy 
envelopes.  Just look at these newsletters!  They're getting out of control!  
Everybody's just writing and chatting and placing ads and carrying on with little 
regard to the poor, underpaid, overworked typist who's slowly getting more and more 
nearsighted trying to read your scribble.  You know RSI has been very good to us by 
providing increasingly more entertaining services without raising game costs and we 
should show their staff a little more courtesy.  One more thing, Simon Death wanted me 
to add that it wasn't him that sent a personal ad to himself on turn 304, but someone 
who must have mistakenly used his name.  We suspect it was a babe with a kiltie... 
which narrows it down a bit.  Then again, it could have been a mistake made by our 
aforementioned overworked typist friend. -- Jimmy "What!?  No kills Ardivent?!  
C'mon!!" Slayer

     Ya know, I don't even know where to begin commenting on this one.... -- Merciless 
     Typist

     Well I, for one, am all choked up by this consideration for us! *grin* -- Ed.

ZCMI -- Wow!! You sure can swing a mean scimitar! -- Dark Mistress

Ed. or Scribe -- How do I go about changing Dark Mistress's gender? -- DeGotti

     I've passed your request on to Customer Service.  Next turn, Dark Mistress should 
     really be a mistress. -- Ed.

Smithers -- Why you!!!  I oughta.... -- 8-Ball

Technogeek -- You HAVE NO WARRIORS?  Then what the HELL have I been losing to the last 
several turns? -- DeGotti

     Cosmeticians. -- Ed.

Oh BTW, the first Duelmaster of Ardivent, Blackbird of Airborne Attack on turn #2. --
DeGotti

Limekiller -- (indignantly)  It takes brains to teach.  That lets me out. -- Hammir

Nevin -- Hey, lighten up!  Laugh already!  We need all the pleasure we can get in this 
world, and there's nothing so amusing as a warrior with a drastically losing record. 
-- Barak, not too worried about it

Tal -- Hm, you don't have any false squeamishness, do you?  Wham, bam, you poke me a 
couple of times with that very nasty weapon of yours, and then you're off for a cool 
brew while I'm still wondering if my insurance will cover everything. -- Pat

The Green Man -- I was, uh, practicing for the harvest.  I'm, um, going to be reaping 
wheat...with a scythe, you know?  And you being green and all, I just got carried 
away. -- Wyanda

Earlson -- I always make it a point to beat tall guys when I get the chance.  Nothing 
personal, just feeling vertically challenged. -- Barak

Alyssa Bacrof -- I couldn't hit a lady.  (sigh)  You're so beautiful.... -- Hammir

Cantex -- You are no Flash.  (Thank the gods!) -- Adashi

Avenger -- I'm no Flash.  You should thank your gods! -- Blonk

Alden Bacrof -- The Clan is very generous.  Thanks. -- Willie

Death Tongue -- Sorry.  (rattle, rattle)  Spare a copper? -- Pete

Witch Hunter -- Knowing Jimmy, you better do something to improve...or else it's the 
D.A. -- Fade

W.O.F. -- Luckily, a Flash only comes around every so often.  I learn from my losses. 
-- Adashi

Fandils & Death Tongue -- It's about time you guys made some room at the top for other 
teams.  I gotta take advantage before you guys take the top spots again. -- Joe

ZCMI -- A Render at the top again!  That's twice.  We may be headed along the same 
route.  A meeting might be unavoidable. -- Adashi

Jimmy -- I'm back.  Send me a diplo w/your address and Ph #.  We have some planning to 
do. -- Joe
P.S.  Where are the alliances?

We Got Game & Blue Valley -- Wow!  Fortunes change, huh?  Enjoy it while it lasts, 
'cause I'm back! -- Joe

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

DUCK unbelievably bested TIN CAN PETE in a crowd pleasing 7 minute Bloodfeud fight.
CANTEX lost to DARK MISTRESS in a 1 minute expert's Challenge battle.
EARLSON luckily beat NEWSEOUL ADASHI in a 5 minute expert's Challenge fight.
BLUNK overpowered BARAK COLLIN in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
TAL devastated WAX in a 1 minute uneven Challenge brawl.
ECO-GUERILLA overpowered 8-BALL in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge struggle.
SMITHERS unbelievably bested MIKE BINKLY in a popular 6 minute Challenge competition.
AZGUD won victory over FADE BLACKWAND in a 2 minute Challenge duel.
SKRAWL vanquished PAT COLLIN in a action packed 1 minute one-sided Challenge duel.
ZCMI vanquished M. CHARDINEE in a exciting 1 minute one-sided Title fight.
SIMON DEATH viciously subdued KHALHUMS DWARF in a exciting 1 minute veteran's bout.
TEASER OF NOD was unbelievably bested by S.T. MICHAELS in a 12 minute conflict.
CAPABLANCA was devastated by CLARA in a 2 minute mismatched bout.
ALYSSA BACROF was easily killed by NINE TOEZ WILLIE in a 1 minute uneven fight.
HAMMIR defeated JARED BACROF in a 2 minute struggle.
LIMEKILLER vanquished WYANDA in a 1 minute one-sided fray.
KASPAROV devastated ALDEN BACROF in a 1 minute mismatched brawl.
ALOYSIUS BACROF was overpowered by WITCH HUNTER in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
BJORN BACROF was overpowered by GROUPIE in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
THE HORNED ONE overpowered TRUSTWORTHY SCRIBE in a 1 minute mismatched conflict.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  8         TOTAL PARRY       27 -  13 -   0     68  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   6         WALL OF STEEL     17 -   9 -   0     65  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  5         LUNGING ATTACK    39 -  28 -   5     58  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   5         STRIKING ATTACK   31 -  27 -   1     53  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      4         AIMED BLOW        19 -  18 -   0     51  |
|AIMED BLOW                       4         BASHING ATTACK    14 -  17 -   0     45  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      2         SLASHING ATTACK   18 -  24 -   2     43  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    2         PARRY-LUNGE        7 -  22 -   0     24  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -   4 -   0     20  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -   2 -   0      0  |

Turn 307 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  ZCMI 2864                  14  11  1  114 REND SETTERS (262)
BASHING ATTACK   BLUNK 3145                 14   4  0   99 TOKORI BANDITS (263)
TOTAL PARRY      EARLSON 3119               20  11  0   95 FANDILS (75)
LUNGING ATTACK   NEWSEOUL ADASHI 3083       14  12  3   88 TOKORI BANDITS (263)
SLASHING ATTACK  SIMON DEATH 2833           17   9  3   86 REND SETTERS (262)
WALL OF STEEL    S.T. MICHAELS 3176         12   9  0   59 FANDILS (75)
AIMED BLOW       ECO-GUERILLA 3251           5   2  0   41 DEATHTONGUE (89)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is BARAK COLLIN 492.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was MIKE BINKLY 3255.  The ten other most popular fighters were TIN CAN PETE 
3230, NEWSEOUL ADASHI 3083, HAMMIR 3213, FADE BLACKWAND 3229, SIMON DEATH 2833, 
SKRAWL 3254, ZCMI 2864, CLARA 3080, KASPAROV 3104, and DARK MISTRESS 401.

The least popular fighter this week was S.T. MICHAELS 3176.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were TEASER OF NOD 2747, BJORN BACROF 3069, ALOYSIUS BACROF 2985, 
ALDEN BACROF 3019, WYANDA 3243, JARED BACROF 2989, 8-BALL 996, WAX 3084, BARAK COLLIN 
492, and NINE TOEZ WILLIE 3190.

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