DUELMASTERS NEWSLETTER

Date   : 09/02/1999    Duedate: 09/15/1999

JADE MOUNTAIN ARENA

DM-75    TURN-164

This Weeks Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

TREE
SAND DANCERS (67)
(75-2095) [18-10-0,71]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

TREE                           PARTY'S OVER
SAND DANCERS (67)              EASTERN HORDE (199)
(75-2095) [18-10-0,71]         (75-2179) [4-1-0,58]

Popularity Leader              This Weeks Favorite

TREE                           QUICKSAND
SAND DANCERS (67)              FORCE OF NATURE (163)
(75-2095) [18-10-0,71]         (75-2100) [1-1-0,12]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

FORCE OF NATURE (163)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. FORCE OF NATURE (163)       30
2. SUPERIOR FORCES (80)        25      FORCE OF NATURE (163)
3. EASTERN HORDE (199)         13      Unchartered Team
4. ARCHANGELS (202)             0
5. SAND DANCERS (67)          -34      EASTERN HORDE (199)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 0*EASTERN HORDE (199)        4   1  0 80.0   1/ 2 FORCE OF NATURE (163)     9  3 0
 2/ 1 FORCE OF NATURE (163)    138  78  4 63.9   2/ 1 SAND DANCERS (67)         7  8 0
 3/ 3 SUPERIOR FORCES (80)     160 122 10 56.7   3/ 4 SUPERIOR FORCES (80)      5  1 0
 4/ 5 SAND DANCERS (67)        343 465 11 42.5   4/ 0*EASTERN HORDE (199)       1  0 0
 5- 6*ARCHANGELS (202)           0   5  0  0.0   5- 6*ARCHANGELS (202)          0  5 0

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

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

     He wasn't sure exactly how it had come about, but Tree found himself sitting 
across a table at the expensive Garden of the Twelve Perfections from the exotic young 
woman, listening to her make outrageous statements.
     "This humble one," she said in her soft musical voice, "was an insignificant 
witness to the horrifying events of days past.  Though I shrink from putting my 
unimportant self forward in a most vulgar and unseemly manner, yet the inexorable 
progression of events has made this necessary.  For I cannot hear--though being so 
lowly a person, what has reached your illustrious ears may have escaped mine?--that 
any steps have been taken to correct the flagrant abuses of his position by our 
otherwise no doubt estimable Arenamaster."
     Tree could feel himself starting to sweat.  He knew that there had been some kind 
of trouble over the way in which Arenamaster Kendar had become the head of his family 
and ruler of this district and that the Lord Governor of the province was still 
watching him closely--why else would there be so many temple knights just `passing 
through' Jade Mountain?  It wasn't like the town was on the road to anywhere.  But he 
didn't know any details, and he didn't want to know any details.  Lord Kendar was 
scary.  Lorana said he didn't used to be, but that the death of his wife of a few 
months had turned him cold.  Tree didn't care what had done it, he just didn't want 
anything to do with the man.  The young woman was watching him expectantly.  What the 
heck was he supposed to say?  "Er...ah, it was a long time ago," he offered somewhat 
lamely.  "Years, miss...?"
     "In number, three years," she agreed.  "Yet even one so ignorant as myself is 
aware that some dark deeds are so grave that they do not fade with time."  Till now, 
she had kept her eyes modestly lowered, but now she looked up, meeting his gaze 
squarely.  "Murder," she said.
     The word hung in the air between them.
                       ***     *****     ***     *****     ***
     Tree wiped the sweat from his face.  "That's what she said," he reported.  "I 
didn't know what to say to her, Lorana.  I mean, well, she's right about murder not 
fading, but....  Well, the Arenamaster?  I mean, he's such a, well, such a stickler 
for honor and stuff...."  He looked at his manager hopefully.  "And the Lord Governor 
wouldn't have just let it slide, would he?"
     "I heard Chiana had come back to Jade Mountain," Lorana growled.  "It didn't take 
her long to start making trouble."
     "You know that young woman?"
     "Lao-Mei Chiana," Lorana said.  "She's a graduate of this team.  And she was here 
during the...trouble.  I suppose she might even have seen something, have some 
evidence, that wasn't brought out when the Lord Governor demanded an accounting."
     "But the case is settled!  Isn't it?"
     Lorana shook her head grimly.  "Suspended, not settled.  For lack of conclusive 
evidence.  Kendar could still lose his head for it, if she has new evidence.  Did she 
give you any hint as to what she might know, or claim to know, that would compel a 
reopening of the case?"
     Tree shook his head.  "No, she didn't say....  Oh, but she gave me this."  He 
fished a small paper packet out of his sash and handed it to his manager.
     Lorana opened it, revealing a square of sheer linen embroidered with a delicate 
flowering vine and the daochan, the symbol for a long and fruitful life.  She touched 
one of the tiny flowers, a fanciful thing that never grew on any living plant.  "This 
was--is Eponine's," she whispered.  "Kendar's wife....  What did she say about this?" 
Lorana demanded.
     "Just to give it to you," Tree said.  "That there was some kind of story in it 
that she could tell to you, if you wanted to hear it."

                                      SPY REPORT

     Busy, busy, busy, lots of things happening in JADE MOUNTAIN this turn, and let's 
start with a look at some of the teams.  It seems the training can make the 
difference, as SAND DANCERS is pushed out of top team by FORCE OF NATURE, who came 
from 2nd with a 4-1-0 this turn.  The SUPERIOR FORCES guild has had a 3-0-0 turn and 
deserves to be watched in the future.  You never know where this kind of thing can 
lead.  And let's see, PARTY'S OVER fought STONE and gained 13 points and contributed 
to EASTERN HORDE's 1-0-0.  TER'ZELINFAR'SO has lost to SPENCER, falling 10 points, 
while helping make SAND DANCERS a 0-5-0 turn.  Our Duelmaster has lost, folks, lost 
to TO-FU BACKSTABBER, BUT TREE is still the Duelmaster because he has the most 
recognition points!  Tell me, is nothing sacred?  I have heard from unimpeachable 
sources that The Green Axe uses trolls in their stew.  Talk about gristle!   
     Oriental wise man once say, 'Hiding behind shields prevents proper sun tanning.' 
Inscrutable, but true.  I also notice that the SUPERIOR FORCES stable was the most 
avoided team this turn.  Come on JADE MOUNTAIN, what are you afraid of?  And guess 
who avoided SUPERIOR FORCES stable the most?  Believe it or not, it was FORCE OF 
NATURE.  Anyone surprised?  Well, sports fans, take notice that COBBY from SAND 
DANCERS was JADE MOUNTAIN's most challenged warrior this turn.   
     We only live a short time in this world, so why not take a sharp blade, and 
shave it close?  We'd like to remind certain teams not to rob the graves of their 
enemies.  You know who you are; and it's considered rude.   
     I like this place, JADE MOUNTAIN, the taverns have old wine, and young serving 
girls.  Who could ask for more?  Well, I'm burning daylight here in JADE MOUNTAIN and 
I've a long road ahead of me.  Happy Trails.  Until the sun next rises and my pen 
sets to paper-- Alarond the Scribe  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TREE 2095                    18  10  0    71       SAND DANCERS (67)

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-VICTORY 757                   7   7  1   113       SUPERIOR FORCES (80)

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MAELSTROM 2202               10   2  0    65       FORCE OF NATURE (163)
 PARTY'S OVER 2179             4   1  0    58       EASTERN HORDE (199)

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 DELIANA 2170                  7   9  0    51       SAND DANCERS (67)
 SPENCER 1139                  8   5  0    50       SUPERIOR FORCES (80)
 STONE 2057                    8  26  0    50       SAND DANCERS (67)
 TER'ZELINFAR'SO 2147          8  12  0    41       SAND DANCERS (67)

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 AVALANCHE 2213                2   1  0    21       FORCE OF NATURE (163)
 TSUNAMI 2214                  2   0  0    19       FORCE OF NATURE (163)
 ST. MIRIAM 2208               2   0  0    19       SUPERIOR FORCES (80)
 LODESTONE 2207                2   0  0    18       SUPERIOR FORCES (80)
 MUDSLIDE 2212                 3   1  0    16       FORCE OF NATURE (163)
 QUICKSAND 2100                1   1  0    12       FORCE OF NATURE (163)
 COBBY 2230                    1   1  0     7       SAND DANCERS (67)
-CASSIEL 2227                  0   1  0     1       ARCHANGELS (202)
-IAOTH 2225                    0   1  0     1       ARCHANGELS (202)
-ARAQUEL 2228                  0   1  0     1       ARCHANGELS (202)
-ANAEL 2226                    0   1  0     1       ARCHANGELS (202)
-CAMAEL 2229                   0   1  0     1       ARCHANGELS (202)

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

THE DEAD               W  L K TEAM NAME             SLAIN BY             TURN Revenge?

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Victory -- Aw, man, why couldn't you live up to your name?  Do you realize this means 
I have to write a duelmaster's column again?  I hate doing that. -- Tree

Maelstrom -- Well done, as expected. -- Stone

Well, we can beat standbys.  That's something, though not much. -- Deliana and 
Ter'zelinfar'so

Camael -- Hey!  Thanks for the great start. -- Cobby

Archangels -- Welcome to Jade Mountain. -- Lorana, Sand Dancers

Superior Forces -- Welcome back. -- Lorana

     Ivy, Manager, and Lucifer (is that you?) -- Are your warriors available to look 
     into the mysteries that gather around Arenamaster Kendar, Jade Mountain arena, 
     and indeed, the whole town? -- the Scribe

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

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

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

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

MUDSLIDE bested COBBY in a 2 minute amateur's Challenge fight.
TREE was vanquished by TO-FU BACKSTABBER in a 1 minute uneven Title battle.
MAELSTROM subdued DELIANA in a 1 minute gruesome fight.
TER'ZELINFAR'SO was outwaited by SPENCER in a 8 minute contest.
STONE was overpowered by PARTY'S OVER in a 2 minute bloody one-sided fight.
QUICKSAND was bested by LODESTONE in a popular 5 minute duel.
AVALANCHE viciously subdued SHIVERING BONZE in a crowd pleasing 1 minute bloody match.
TSUNAMI overpowered LIGHTFINGER LU in a 1 minute uneven melee.
ST. MIRIAM vanquished GUARDSMAN TAN in a 1 minute uneven duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                   3         WALL OF STEEL      3 -   1 -   0     75  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         LUNGING ATTACK    15 -   5 -   0     75  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         SLASHING ATTACK    8 -   5 -   1     62  |
|AIMED BLOW                       2         STRIKING ATTACK   17 -  11 -   0     61  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         TOTAL PARRY       19 -  20 -   0     49  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     1         AIMED BLOW        12 -  13 -   0     48  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         BASHING ATTACK     9 -  10 -   0     47  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-LUNGE        3 -   4 -   0     43  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    0         PARRY-STRIKE       8 -  14 -   0     36  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  0         PARRY-RIPOSTE      0 -   0 -   0      0  |

Turn 164 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  TREE 2095                  18  10  0   71 SAND DANCERS (67)
LUNGING ATTACK   MAELSTROM 2202             10   2  0   65 FORCE OF NATURE (163)
AIMED BLOW       PARTY'S OVER 2179           4   1  0   58 EASTERN HORDE (199)
TOTAL PARRY      SPENCER 1139                8   5  0   50 SUPERIOR FORCES (80)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is TREE 2095.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
QUICKSAND 2100.  The ten other most popular fighters were TER'ZELINFAR'SO 2147, 
PARTY'S OVER 2179, AVALANCHE 2213, COBBY 2230, MAELSTROM 2202, MUDSLIDE 2212, TSUNAMI 
2214, SPENCER 1139, LODESTONE 2207, and ST. MIRIAM 2208.

The least popular fighter this week was STONE 2057.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were DELIANA 2170, TREE 2095, ST. MIRIAM 2208, LODESTONE 2207, SPENCER 1139, 
TSUNAMI 2214, MUDSLIDE 2212, MAELSTROM 2202, COBBY 2230, and AVALANCHE 2213.

                          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