DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 10/01/1999    Duedate: 10/28/1999

TROCAR ARENA

DM-54    TURN-121

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

JOHN DIFOOL
THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)
(54-1650) [19-11-1,92]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

JOHN DIFOOL                    BETTIZON
THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)        FEMIZONS (246)
(54-1650) [19-11-1,92]         (54-2343) [3-1-1,31]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

THE ALPHABARON                 CAXTON
THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)        WE HAPPY FEW (160)
(54-2227) [13-14-0,68]         (54-2319) [4-12-1,30]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

STUBBY'S STABLE (171)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. FEMIZONS (246)              32
2. THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)     21      THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)
3. WE HAPPY FEW (160)          16      Unchartered Team
4. STUBBY'S STABLE (171)       15
5. DEATH'S LEGION (248)        12      FEMIZONS (246)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*FEMIZONS (246)            13   7  1 65.0   1/ 1 STUBBY'S STABLE (171)     7  8 1
 2- 2 WATCH OUT! (2)           202 142  9 58.7   2/ 4 THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)   7  8 0
 3- 4 THE WHITE COMPANY (201)   66  55  4 54.5   3/ 3 WE HAPPY FEW (160)        6  3 0
 4/ 3 THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)   86  73  6 54.1   4- 2 THE BLACK COMPANY (185)   5  5 0
 5/ 6 WE HAPPY FEW (160)       203 204 14 49.9   5/ 0*FEMIZONS (246)            4  1 1
 6/ 5 DEATH'S LEGION (248)      27  28  4 49.1   6- 7 WATCH OUT! (2)            3  1 0
 7- 7 THE BLACK COMPANY (185)   76  92  2 45.2   7- 8 THE WHITE COMPANY (201)   2  2 0
 8/ 8 STUBBY'S STABLE (171)    117 205 10 36.3   8/ 6 DEATH'S LEGION (248)      2  8 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

       + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Delarquan Federation #23 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Tsaumarn:

     Ultraist pulled on his clothes, which someone had placed outside the tent, and 
then stepped out to see what Barkab was shouting about.
     "Time to get moving," the Orc leader said.  "Come, sword-brother, we will assault 
the fortress of the Defender of Tsaumarn!"  For a man who had been drinking hard a few 
hours ago, Barkab seemed annoyingly cheerful.
     Ultraist looked at the sky, which was still pitch-dark.  The city of Tsaumarn, he 
recalled, was walled, and the gates had guards on duty.  It seemed probable that the 
gates would be closed at night, or why have any?  But he supposed the Orc knew what 
they would facing--he hoped the Orc knew.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     The attacking party consisted of Ultraist, Barkab, two other young Orc 
males...and the woman with whom the manager had just spent a satisfying few hours; her 
name was Saureza.  They had rope ladders attached to grapples and scaled the city wall 
that way; a guard on the sentry walk looked the other way as they came over the 
battlements.
     Barkab, a handful of coins clinking musically, walked over to the guard and hit 
him on the head, stuffed the coins into the man's belt pouch, then bound and gagged 
him.  "He agreed to let us enter, for a suitable fee, but I don't trust him not to 
betray us afterwards," the Orc said.  "So we will play it safe--as safe as we can, 
anyway.  Now, down these stairs, and keep quiet if you value your lives; there are 
other guards about, and some of them are honest."
     They crept down the stairs and out into the benighted streets of the city.  There 
were few lights along the main streets, none at all on the side streets and twisting 
alleys.  Windows were tightly shuttered, although chinks of light and the muffled 
sounds of music and laughter indicated that not everyone slept.  In fact, there was a 
feeling of other people present, of motion in the shadows, and constant coming and 
going on the dark streets.  The five of them were simply one more group in near-silent 
motion through the night.
     Eventually they stopped under a looming wall.  "The fortress," Barkab whispered.  
"There may be magical watches and wards, so go very carefully indeed along here."
     The woman Saureza put out her hand and touched the wall with her fingertips.  
"Old magic," she murmured.  "Very old, layer on layer...."
     "This way," Barkab hissed, leading off again.
     They followed the wall around a corner, and another corner.  The spot where they 
stopped was not apparently any different from other sections of the wall.  Barkab 
huddled against the stones, shielding his actions with his body, though that was 
hardly necessary in the darkness, which here was complete.  Ultraist had a sense that 
they stood on a narrow pathway between the wall and a steep drop, a feeling of some 
open and empty gulf beside them.  It would be a bad place to fight.

Delarq Tor:

     "Not a matter I'd want to bring up before the full Crown Council," Holonvarnes of 
Mordant said, "at least, not until we have more facts.  But...what about the Andorian-
Karnhorn treaty?  Is it on, is it off, is it being renegotiated, what's happening?"
     "None of our agents can give us any kind of certainty," Sonfaldun of Osksi 
admitted.  "It seems most likely that there is no certainty, even in Andor and 
Zuwayza."
     "Then now is the time to set our agents to work," Alyenthe of Xochithlan 
suggested.  "A treaty there is certainly of no benefit to us.  Now is the time to 
apply whatever influence we can."
     "The Federation's treasury is in no condition to be making substantial bribes," 
Chrysanth protested.  "It's still not up to pre-War levels."
     "No, but bribery won't get us as far as we might hope for, anyway.  A pox on 
these one-man governments," Sonfaldun said.  "If you can't reach the man at the top, 
there's a limit to the usefulness of bribery in such a matter.  Of course, if you can 
reach that one man...."  He drummed his fingers on the table, then shook his head.  
"No, neither Mickeal of Andor nor Kharijal of Zuwayza are likely to shape their 
national policy because of bribery."
     "Their advisors?" Holonvarnes suggested.
     "Our efforts would be better spent," Alyenthe said, "in so arranging things that 
neither side wants to renew the treaty."
     All looked at the elf respectfully.  In matters of delicate and subtle influence, 
he was without peer.
     "We already hear rumors of tension, strife, disagreement on critical points," 
Alyenthe mused.  "If these little problems were to become big problems...."
     "They're still at odds over the slavery issue," Chrysanth observed.  "And 
religion."  She wrinkled her nose in disgust.  "How anyone can worship that demon--!"
     "It's what you're born to, I suppose," Sonfaldun said with a shrug, "but the only 
way they can hope to convert is by the sword.  Intolerable."
     "The Andorians likely find it so, too.  They must be encouraged to see all the 
foulness of that worship," Alyenthe said.  "To see that the Karnhorns will not cease 
from pressing the Foul One on all they meet, nor will they cease to keep slaves.  I 
would judge, in the present temper of the Andorians, that this would be enough to 
weaken any possible treaty."
     "And the Karnhorns are having problems of their own," Holonvarnes added 
thoughtfully.  "They won't be in a position to press for a treaty."
     "What problems?" Sonfaldun demanded.  As he himself was considered the most 
knowledgeable about Skaithvarn, and Alyenthe most in touch with events in the Andorian 
League, so Holonvarnes was the specialist in Karnhorn events and politics.
     Holonvarnes smiled narrowly.  "Unless I miss my guess, they are going to have a 
civil war on their hands in short order."
     "This `Western Secession' I've heard of?" Alyenthe asked dubiously.  "It seems to 
be mostly talk...."
     "Talk may lead to action, but there are other stresses, too--a religious war in 
the making, as it turns out that many of the peasants, especially the farmers, give 
the Foul One no more than lip service while worshipping an aspect of Ruvian."
     "Splendid!  For say what you will, the peasants are the foundation of any state."  
Sonfaldun paused and frowned.  "And what of this invasion that seems to be on 
everyone's mind?"
     "It's a real threat, and an immediate one," Chrysanth said promptly.  Seeing the 
startled looks of her companions, she went on rather smugly, "I've been in touch with 
people of influence in the Charter Cities and Chimlevtal.  They're expecting to find 
the Easterners on their doorstep any day now."
     "That could work to our advantage, by focusing Karnhorn energies eastward," 
Holonvarnes said after a moment's thought.
     "Or to our disadvantage by causing them to seek allies," Sonfaldun finished.
     "And speaking of allies," Chrysanth said, "I think we--the Federation as a 
whole--should be ready to aid the Charter Cities in repelling this invasion."
     "No such thing!" Holonvarnes said.  "Even if the invaders should succeed, by the 
time they get anywhere near our borders, they'll be exhausted and easily defeated.  
Then the whole Charter Cities area will lie open to our conquest."
     "That's probably what the Frafrejans said when they invited the Serva Pirates to 
help fight the Shews," Chrysanth noted.  "Maybe even what the Andorians said when the 
Serevadan priestly clique came and took over the Serva--and founded the Karnhorn 
Empire.  We've got enough home-grown trouble; there's no need to encourage foreigners 
to bring their problems here."

In Valamantis Bay:

     It went hard against the grain to leave two of their own behind to face the 
killers on the island, but what else could they do? Tiddle asked himself.  The 
gladiators had been outnumbered too completely to have had a chance of success, and 
poor old Pharfrum had gone all to pieces, and Bannor....  He shook his head.  If he'd 
ever seen a man with the death-mark on him, it was Bannor.  He couldn't grudge the 
gladiator a chance to go out fighting, if that's what he wanted.  Abby Normal, 
Pharfrum's sister, was just in front of him, and he could hear her crying, but she 
kept going, too.
     Tiddle ran a quick eye over his group, checking to make sure that everyone else 
was there and traveling okay.  Even though it was Honey who'd talked him into this, 
he felt like he was in charge.  Team captain, or something.  Squint Eye was in the 
lead and doing fine; he might not be the brainiest man to step into an arena, but 
there was nothing wrong with ol' Squint's memory.  He said he remembered the safe 
route through the marsh, and Tiddle believed him.  Port-a John had put Honey down, 
and was helping her along.  Maybe a little more than strictly necessary, but who 
wouldn't?  The Death Duck was weaving back and forth across the trail; if it'd been 
possible for the Duck to be drunk...but it wasn't.  Maybe he was just loopy.  Abby 
looked okay.
     Tiddle risked a glance over his shoulder, but the camp and the battle where 
Bannor and Pharfrum had stayed behind were out of sight.  Not out of hearing, though.  
Even if Pharfrum had come out of his shock to help fight, that must be quite a battle 
going on.  He was tempted to go back and help--maybe Bannor would be able to--  No, 
he'd heard the Valamantan singing his death song, and warrior didn't do that casually.  
Bannor had smelled his death on the wind and accepted it.  It was because he had no 
expectation of surviving that he'd been able to put up that wild fight.  A man who 
hoped to live would be in the way.
     A mis-step that landed him in water up to his armpits jerked Tiddle's attention 
back to the matter at hand: getting away.  He floundered out of the hole and slogged 
on behind the others.

Kaltos:

     "So we snuck up on Telga's Rock by wading the shallows," Tiddle reported, "and 
we found the raiders all right.  Kjarran-worshippers," he said, his voice dropping 
into disgust.
     "The only Kjarran-worshippers on this side of the Daggerspines are gladiators, 
mostly in the Andorian League," Lord Lindharrow pointed out.
     Tiddle shrugged, a little uneasily.  The thought had occurred to him; he'd heard 
there were a lot of Karnhorn gladiators up in Andoria who made no secret of their 
religion.  It surprised him the Andorians tolerated it, them being such sweetness-
and-light types and all, but he never claimed to understand politics.  "I don't think 
they were gladiators," he offered, then hoped that the Protector of Kaltos wouldn't 
ask for reasons, because it was just a feeling he had.
     "Whether they are or not, they must be stopped," Lindharrow stated.  "An 
expedition...."  He drummed his fingers on the desk as he thought.  "Ships and 
marines, and best, maybe, to have more than just Kaltese on it--Transel, Valamantis, 
even Ardivent--everyone directly affected by the raids and their impact on shipping."

       + ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ The Delarquan Federation #24 ]H[ + ---:--- + ]H[ +

Tsaumarn:

     After a time that probably seemed longer than it was, there was a soft click from 
where Barkab was huddled against the wall, then a groan of stone moving ponderously on 
stone.  Presently it stopped.  An opening was faintly visible in the gloom, a grayer 
shade in the absolute darkness of the wall.  Somewhere inside, there was a light, but 
not close by.
     "Absolute silence from here on," Barkab whispered.  "Follow me and watch for my 
signals."
     "We likely to meet any guards?" Ultraist asked.
     "Probably.  Kill them.  We've no friends in here, except in the dungeons."
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     The silence inside the fortress, and the absence of activity--no guards, nobody 
moving around in the areas they traversed, only the occasional lantern illuminating 
nothing in particular--was eerie.  They crossed a small oblong courtyard, passed under 
an archway, traversed a long passage that turned several times, crossed another 
courtyard, on and on.  Other directions offered, side passages, other exits from 
courtyards, but Barkab never hesitated.
     Ultraist, bringing up the rear of their small group, felt the hairs on the back 
of his neck rise like a hackle and had to maintain a constant control over himself not 
to change to his lion form and go racing away.  The place seemed to be a maze, and an 
uninhabited one.  All his instincts said that this was some kind of trap.  Maybe not 
for them, specifically, but it could be a trap for any intruders.
     They came to a small round courtyard or roofless room and Barkab stopped, staring 
at each of the two passage mouths ahead.  There was nothing to distinguish one from 
the other, except for being on the right or left hand of the approaching party.  Not 
much to go by, but it should have been enough.  Now, however, the Orc leader seemed 
uncertain.  Finally he indicated that the party should split, with himself and the two 
young Orcs going one way, and Ultraist and Saureza going the other.
     To the manager, this seemed like a bad plan.  If they met with trouble--well, the 
group was small enough to begin with.  He had come this far on the assumption that 
Barkab knew what he was doing, but now the question began to look doubtful.  Since the 
Orc was still adamant about silence, Ultraist gestured his unwillingness to divide the 
party.
     Barkab's gestures were insistent.  Saureza touched Ultraist's arm to get his 
attention and indicated support for the division.  Reluctantly, the manager gave way 
and allowed her to lead him down the right-hand passage while Barkab entered the left.
     This passage was short and gently curving, finally ending at yet another 
courtyard, this one large and unlike the others they'd passed through in that it was 
floored with beaten earth instead of stone.  There was an indefinable air about it 
which suggested that it was `in use', as the others had not been.  It curved away out 
of sight around a massive pile of stone that might be the working part of the 
fortress.  The keep, most likely.  There were torches rather than lanterns to light 
it.
     Saureza stopped him just short of the archway that would give entry to the 
courtyard and indicated they had now to wait.  For what, gestures couldn't tell.  
Ultraist didn't like the idea of waiting.  The longer they hung around inside this 
fortress, the greater the risk of discovery.  Could the whole expedition be some kind 
of elaborate trap?
     There was a noise--a lot of noise, on the far side of the building, out of sight 
from their own location.  An alarm bell, Ultraist decided, and shouts, and soon the 
sound of battle cries and weapons clashing that drowned out everything else.  At that, 
Saureza plunged forward through their own archway.  Another alarm bell rang, but 
probably few of the defenders heard it over the noise of Barkab's party--for such it 
must be--fighting the defenders of the keep.
     Saureza led the way straight to a small door in the back of the keep.  It was 
locked or barred, secured from within.  She laid her hands flat on the wood and her 
mouth shaped words, but still without sound.  The panels of the door splintered and 
crumbled.

Delarq Tor:

     "I don't see why this emergency session was called," Sonfaldun whispered to 
Holonvarnes.  The statement was accompanied by a questioning look, as everyone knew 
that Holonvarnes was close to the Princess personally, and so might have some extra 
clue to her thoughts.
     The Mordanti shrugged.  "I don't know anything about it, either," he said.
     The clock at the back of the chamber chimed the hour, and Chrysanth tapped on her 
desk to call the Crown Council to order.  "I have received a message from the south," 
she said without preamble.  "The gladiator Zeus, a worthy Delarquan of this city, has 
sent word from Tsaumarn--"
     "What's he doing there?" one of the lesser representatives asked.
     "He is on a mission of some importance for the Federation," Chrysanth said.  "You 
do not need to know more about it at this time.  What you--all of you--need to know is 
that Zeus reports a dangerous situation brewing in the land of the Rirorni.  The nomad 
tribes have a new Great Khan, and there are disquieting rumors of forces being 
gathered for another assault on southern Alastari."
     "They haven't the strength to take us," Sonfaldun said, but there was a note of 
uncertainty in his voice.
     "I, for one, am not prepared to give them a chance to try," Alyenthen of 
Xochithlan declared.  "Nor will King Feyen wait tamely while they ride on us again."  
The elf was silent for a moment, then went on, "It is a peculiarity of the Rirorni 
system that when a leader dies, any coalitions he has formed immediately disintegrate.  
I would judge our best course is to send assassins to locate and remove this threat to 
our peace and prosperity."

                                      SPY REPORT

     Well, what are you looking at, TROCAR?  Ain't you never seen Snide Clemens 
before?  Ah, shaddup and listen to my news.  Of course, we're all terribly impressed 
to see BRANDON win a fight and gain 18 points, terribly.  Tsk, tsk, GET SHORTY beat 
EMMOTT and EMMOTT lost 10 points.  You're breakin' my heart.  And if variety is the 
spice of life, TROCAR may be getting bland, as JOHN DIFOOL stays top dog in the city. 
I'm not in a very good mood today, but why am I telling you this?  You want to know 
what's new, don't you, TROCAR?   
     Well, let's take a look at some more misdeeds of you miserable sword-boys.  
What's the big D?  THE BLACK COMPANY was the most avoided team?  Bunch of lily 
livered... grumble... mumble... curse...  And it looks like STUBBY'S STABLE avoided 
them the most this turn.  What a pack of would be losers, if you ask me.  Hmph.  
EMMOTT was challenged more times this turn than the Duelmaster.  Now was the DM 
insulted or feared?  Heh, heh.  I guess I can give a little credit to AL of THE 
INEXPUNGABLES for challenging up by 20 to HIT ME AGAIN.  AL lost to get 33 points of 
recognition.   
     Some people like volunteer work in the hospitals.  I volunteer for TROCAR's 
morgue.  More variety.  It's about time OMINUS BRUTUS got beat for picking on 
warriors like THE ALPHABARON.  Bravo, THE INEXPUNGABLES.  See you at The Dripping 
Blade.  We're all going to die in the end, so why worry if the fate catches up with 
you sooner that later?   
     There's got to be a better place in TROCAR to get a drink than The Dripping 
Blade!  Any suggestions?  Phlllt!  Just had to do that before I leave the fine city 
of TROCAR.  I feel much better now.  I see the crowds are getting restless, I must 
leave now-- Snide Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 JOHN DIFOOL 1650             19  11  1    92       THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-BIRAN 1927                   11   4  0    97       THE WHITE COMPANY (201)

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 GET SHORTY 2124              12   7  1    88       STUBBY'S STABLE (171)
-MERGEN 1899                  12   9  1    85       THE BLACK COMPANY (185)
 BRANDON 2285                 15   9  0    80       WE HAPPY FEW (160)
-CROAKER 1898                  9  12  0    79       THE BLACK COMPANY (185)
 MASTER SIN-LOU 2357           8   3  0    73       DEATH'S LEGION (248)
 THE ALPHABARON 2227          13  14  0    68       THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 EMMOTT 2260                  15  11  0    65       WE HAPPY FEW (160)
-ZENITH 2288                   7   3  0    60       WATCH OUT! (2)
-JOURNEY 1900                 12   9  0    59       THE BLACK COMPANY (185)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-CERTINA 2287                  6   4  0    56       WATCH OUT! (2)
-THE LIMPER 1844              13   8  0    55       THE WHITE COMPANY (201)
 HIT ME AGAIN 2253             5   1  0    55       STUBBY'S STABLE (171)
 WARLORD 2356                  7   4  2    52       DEATH'S LEGION (248)
-INEZ 2217                     4   8  0    49       WATCH OUT! (2)
-GUL 2215                      6   5  1    48       WATCH OUT! (2)
 CANNON FODDER 2112           10  11  0    41       STUBBY'S STABLE (171)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 AL 2388                       2   1  0    33       THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)
 BETTIZON 2343                 3   1  1    31       FEMIZONS (246)
 CAXTON 2319                   4  12  1    30       WE HAPPY FEW (160)
 LORD MAR-NAR 2355             6   5  0    29       DEATH'S LEGION (248)
 OMINUS BRUTUS 2249            2   5  1    29       STUBBY'S STABLE (171)
-SCUM III 2034                 8   2  0    26       THE BLACK COMPANY (185)

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TOGAR MANSLAYER 2358          4   7  2    25       DEATH'S LEGION (248)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-SAHARA 2387                   1   1  0    23       THE BLACK COMPANY (185)
 JANIZON 2342                  2   2  0    18       FEMIZONS (246)
 BARBAZON 2341                 3   1  0    16       FEMIZONS (246)
 RHONDAZON 2340                3   1  0    13       FEMIZONS (246)
-LONGINES 2371                 2   0  0    11       WATCH OUT! (2)
-CHANCE PEDRO 2385             1   0  0    10       THE WHITE COMPANY (201)
 KAMIZON 2344                  2   2  0     9       FEMIZONS (246)
-ANIAKIN 2386                  0   1  0     1       THE WHITE COMPANY (201)
 SHERLOCK 2391                 0   1  0     1       THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?
MAGE'S APPRENTICE 5    0  1 0   1                   BETTIZON 2343         121 NONE    
MASTER RY-SO CHE 2384  1  3 0 DEATH'S LEGION 248    PRIEST OF AHRINGOL 20 121 NONE    
LEFTLEG 2392           0  1 0 THE INEXPUNGABLES 198 MASTER JARETH OKAR 23 121 NONE    
SANKUKAI 2339          5  4 1 THE INEXPUNGABLES 198 WARLORD 2356          118 REVENGED
GODFREDO 2361          5  4 0 THE INEXPUNGABLES 198 OMINUS BRUTUS 2249    120 JUST REV
CANIS LUPUS 2389       1  1 0 STUBBY'S STABLE 171   MAINAKHA-TE ASSASS 22 121 NONE    

                                     PERSONAL ADS

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

MASTER RY-SO CHEN was dealt death by PRIEST OF AHRINGOL in a 1 minute fight.
CANIS LUPUS was murdered by MAINAKHA-TE ASSASSIN in a 1 minute Dark Arena melee.
LEFTLEG was murdered by MASTER JARETH OKARRA in a 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
THE ALPHABARON vanquished OMINUS BRUTUS in a 1 minute mismatched Bloodfeud brawl.
GET SHORTY overpowered EMMOTT in a 2 minute bloody one-sided Challenge fight.
AL slimly lost to HIT ME AGAIN in a slow 13 minute bloody Challenge duel.
JOHN DIFOOL beat MASTER SIN-LOU in a popular 1 minute mismatched Title brawl.
BRANDON handily defeated WARRIOR-MAGE in a action packed 1 minute uneven melee.
CANNON FODDER lost to WARLORD in a 2 minute fight.
LORD MAR-NAR was vanquished by AMBITIOUS GUARD in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
TOGAR MANSLAYER was overpowered by LAKE PATROL in a 1 minute uneven match.
CAXTON savagely defeated RHONDAZON in a 2 minute veteran vs. novice fight.
BETTIZON butchered MAGE'S APPRENTICE in a 1 minute one-sided battle.
JANIZON bested MAGE'S APPRENTICE in a 3 minute amateur's bout.
BARBAZON handily defeated SHERLOCK in a 1 minute uneven fight.
KAMIZON defeated TROLLBAIT in a 5 minute beginner's struggle.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY                      5         SLASHING ATTACK   13 -  11 -   1     54  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   5         PARRY-LUNGE       15 -  13 -   2     54  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         LUNGING ATTACK    18 -  16 -   0     53  |
|AIMED BLOW                       3         BASHING ATTACK    24 -  22 -   4     52  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         AIMED BLOW        15 -  14 -   0     52  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      1         PARRY-STRIKE       6 -   6 -   0     50  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    1         STRIKING ATTACK   12 -  12 -   0     50  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         WALL OF STEEL     12 -  13 -   0     48  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  1         TOTAL PARRY       17 -  19 -   0     47  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         PARRY-RIPOSTE      7 -   8 -   0     47  |

Turn 121 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     BASHING ATTACK     2 -  3         3  BASHING ATTACK 
PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  0     AIMED BLOW         0 -  3         1  PARRY-STRIKE   
LUNGING ATTACK     3 -  0     SLASHING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  PARRY-RIPOSTE  
TOTAL PARRY        3 -  2     STRIKING ATTACK    0 -  1         1  STRIKING ATTACK
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  1     WALL OF STEEL      0 -  1         1  LUNGING ATTACK 
                                                                1  AIMED BLOW     
                                                                1  WALL OF STEEL  
                                                                1  PARRY-LUNGE    
                                                                1  TOTAL PARRY    

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
PARRY-STRIKE     JOHN DIFOOL 1650           19  11  1   92 THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    GET SHORTY 2124            12   7  1   88 STUBBY'S STABLE (171)
LUNGING ATTACK   BRANDON 2285               15   9  0   80 WE HAPPY FEW (160)
AIMED BLOW       MASTER SIN-LOU 2357         8   3  0   73 DEATH'S LEGION (248)
WALL OF STEEL    EMMOTT 2260                15  11  0   65 WE HAPPY FEW (160)
TOTAL PARRY      HIT ME AGAIN 2253           5   1  0   55 STUBBY'S STABLE (171)
PARRY-LUNGE      WARLORD 2356                7   4  2   52 DEATH'S LEGION (248)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is THE ALPHABARON 2227.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was CAXTON 2319.  The ten other most popular fighters were GET SHORTY 2124, 
WARLORD 2356, MASTER RY-SO CHEN 2384, BRANDON 2285, THE ALPHABARON 2227, AL 2388, 
JOHN DIFOOL 1650, MASTER SIN-LOU 2357, BARBAZON 2341, and CANNON FODDER 2112.

The least popular fighter this week was HIT ME AGAIN 2253.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were KAMIZON 2344, SHERLOCK 2391, TOGAR MANSLAYER 2358, LORD MAR-NAR 
2355, EMMOTT 2260, OMINUS BRUTUS 2249, LEFTLEG 2392, CANIS LUPUS 2389, JANIZON 2342, 
and BETTIZON 2343.

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

JOHN DIFOOL (54-1650) THE INEXPUNGABLES (198)

                          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

Main Rules Contents Order a Setup

Reality Simulations, Inc.
P.O. Box 22400 Tempe, AZ 85285
(602) 967-7979 fax (602) 894-2028

GPO Box 1066 Brisbane, QLD 4001
(07) 3899 8612 fax (07) 3899 8613

internet: RSI@reality.com