ADVANCED DUELMASTERS
Date : 10/18/1999 Duedate: 10/30/1999
ANDORAK
DM-105 TURN-255
RANK TEAMS W L K % RANK TEAMS W L K %
1 THE LAST STRAW 6/747 12 2 0 85.7 21-THE NUTCASES 23/382 159 162 0 49.5
2 WILD CARDS 60/403 221 134 2 62.3 22 X-FORCE 66/415 252 263 2 48.9
MIGHTY BIG SHNAPPS 53/574 RUBY DRAGONS 48/605
3-MY WIFE 30/719 584 396 12 59.6 SCARLET KNIGHTS 53/518
DEATH STUDS IV 60/467 X-FORCE II 66/624
BLACK MAGIC 53/395 SCARLET KNIGHTS 61/594
SWEET SILK 41/720 PEGICORN 71/643
4 MUSIC IMMORTALS 53/721 245 178 4 57.9 23 ACK 24/122 165 173 3 48.8
NATURAL DISASTERS 60/383 EXCALIBUR 24/735
5 VENOM 26/540 84 64 0 56.8 EXCALIBUR 14/182
FRAG 'EM ALL! 66/584 24 METAL MECH 20/565 17 18 0 48.6
6 DIVINE COLONY 9/762 15 12 0 55.6 25 ALDUR'S ORB 66/420 95 102 1 48.2
TRAUMATOPHOBIA 48/758 26 DAZED & CONFUSE 53/689 29 34 2 46.0
7 CRUSADERS 14/30 197 160 2 55.2 27 FACES OF DEATH 23/125 111 133 2 45.5
8-DUELING FOR DOL 25/765 6 5 0 54.5 CLAN STEELHAMMER 57/521
9 MODERN TRIBE 63/571 59 51 0 53.6 FACES OF DEATH 25/179
10 THE DARK ORDER 30/292 207 180 1 53.5 DEN OF THIEVES 48/159
11 MAGICK 60/772 950 836 8 53.2 28-MURDER INC 60/496 256 331 2 43.6
DOG DAY AFTERNOON 30/534 ILLUMINATION 46/257
POISONOUS DEMISE 53/134 ILLUMINATION 25/670
BOOK OF THE DEAD 57/687 29 MORDYKR KEEP 57/728 135 175 2 43.5
NAME YOUR POISON 22/663 TUFT TUGGERS 11/597
CALL OF THE WILD 68/785 30 BULLDOGS 11/123 97 131 0 42.5
12 HELL'S ZEROES 53/340 288 253 4 53.2 DEMONS OF DEATH 40/319
13 SUPERIOR FORCES 40/538 165 145 0 53.2 31 BEASTMEN II 30/617 36 52 0 40.9
SUPERIOR FORCES 2A 71/773 32-TILT?!? 60/783 55 81 0 40.4
SUPERIOR FORCES II 60/686 ARCHAIC INFINITY 66/507
14 UNDERDOGS 60/320 541 488 6 52.6 33 THE EXILED ONES 63/354 34 53 0 39.1
SECOND BANANAS 68/775 34 THE FORCE 53/160 9 14 0 39.1
LACKEY'S FRIENDS 26/626 35-WIMPS OF DEATH 60/251 72 116 1 38.3
DEATHTONGUE 46/111 36-CARNIVAL 25/21 35 60 1 36.8
15 THE CHAMPS 27/541 565 517 8 52.2 37 DEATH CIRCUS 14/515 133 245 6 35.2
THE CHAMPIONS 66/405 OUTLAND INC. 22/708
16 THE CODA 71/786 110 103 0 51.6 38 ANNOYANCE 14/717 71 132 2 35.0
MERCENARY WARCKERS 8/715 PAIN SUPPRESSORS 25/716
INCARNATIONS 52/711 BLAZE N' BLADES 22/718
WARCKERS 26/587 BIRDS OF PREY 63/724
17 OUT OF THE FOG 24/759 41 39 1 51.3 39 MAROON MIDGET 66/766 19 38 0 33.3
18 THUNDER 68/641 401 384 8 51.1 GOOD VIBRATIONS 68/770
CAR AND DRIVER 63/470 40 WAYFARERS 63/782 87 176 1 33.1
FARFIGNEWTONS 68/640 COPYRITENFRINGMNTS 57/781
19 CABC 68/760 267 264 2 50.3 KRILL CAVALRY 24/780
HOME LIFE 44/667 CHAN CHI MONASTERY 63/616
UNHOLY ALLIANCE 26/477 CHAN CHI MONASTERY 41/611
HUNTERS 99/754 GOLDEN CANYON 26/741
UNHOLY ALLIANCE 60/745 41-FOURTH REICH 27/54 15 37 0 28.8
FORCE OF ARMS 52/763 THE WOWBAGGERS 30/55
UNHOLY ALLIANCE 8/734 42 STARS 48/743 33 95 0 25.8
20-MOUTHPIECES 53/238 270 274 3 49.6 DESILOU 23/738
DRAGONRIDERS 57/246 FISHING BUDDIES 41/742
MOTTE & BAILEY 22/639 WEIRD AL 22/774
PAPER CHASE 68/438 43-THE FIERCE FIVE 22/422 1 1 0 50.0
'##/###' Avoid teams by their Team Id '-' Team did not fight this turn
WARRIOR SPOTLIGHT
Shatterstar couldn't make out anything in the haze that seemed to cover his eyes.
He brushed his hands lightly across the bridge of his nose, realizing he had a
terrible headache as he did so, and dug at the corners of his eyes with fingertips he
could barely feel. The landscape he was in, as it appeared to him now, was as bleak
as anything he'd ever imagined. There were trees along the road, but they were
leafless and still, their branches so spindly and rotten that even the slightest of
breezes might separate them from the trunk. The sprawling grasslands around him were
covered in gray-green blades, knee high and looking as full of life as a battlefield
covered in the blades of the fallen. The world was devoid of life and cheer, and all
he wanted to do was go home.
"Where is home?" he asked no one in particular, for the road was more empty than
the lands it sliced through. He noted with some hope that it was well traveled and
well maintained, many of the stones paving the way were worn with use, or chipped here
and there from a shod horse's hoof. Or even newly cut and laid, replacing a stone
which too worn to be repaired. He wondered absently where it lead and why he was
walking and not riding.
The way was straight and even, with no change in the landscape to let a traveler
know how far he'd come, or how far he had to go. There was no slope to the road at
all, no hills to wonder what lurked beyond, no streams to pick a way across while
trying to stay dry. Nothing of interest lay ahead or behind, or to either side.
Except those blades of grass that looked so much like the blades of weapons he'd spent
years training how to use.
"Where does this road lead?" he asked himself. He felt like he'd walked for
hours, but there was no sun with which to judge time. The sky was gray, but didn't
move like clouds would...just a constant color spreading like a heavy blanket. The
air was oppressive and he could feel panic starting to build inside him as he felt as
if the world was closing in around him, pressing against him, crushing the life right
out of him.
"Errodan help me, I'm dying," he gasped. He stumbled to his knees in the road,
and could feel sudden, terrible pain in his right leg, just below the knee. He rolled
to the side and looked down and was astonished to see his leg was gone from about six
inches below the knee. There was no blood; just pain and a feeling of pins and
needles along the length of what should have been his calf and foot.
The gray was shattered, its misty consistency parting like a wound opening around
a sword blade, fighting to push the intruding object back out. A wash of color bathed
him in its light, making him realize for the first time that he was, indeed, dying.
It had happened to him before, and in each case Lady Greywand or one of her servants
had resurrected him. In all of the previous instances, that bright light had come
with the pain of healing injuries and the warm light of candles, the sweet scent of
spices and other spell components that the wizards of the Stronghold Academy held so
dear. He could imagine Domino, Sunspot, or perhaps even Samarra standing above him,
smiling at his soul's return to the body it had errantly fled. Not so this time. The
light was growing brighter, and the pain in his leg getting worse instead of fading
away. A tall figure stepped through the light, knee-length golden hair sweeping
behind. High cheek bones graced the remarkable face, with eyes of cobalt showing both
the spirit of youth and the wisdom of ages. The ears turned up in pronounced points,
leaving no doubt as to the race of the man who now stood over Shatterstar. He held a
longspear in his right hand, its shaft burnished mahogany and its blade the silver of
mithril. He wore a coat and kilt of finest scales, also shining with the reflective
brilliance of elf-steel, as it was called by some, pure-silver by others. On his hip
was a longsword of unsurpassed beauty, its pommel and cross-guard bright gold and
carved delicately in the shape of an eagle, wings spread in defiance.
"Errodan save me," Shatterstar whispered to himself.
The tall elf simply smiled down at him.
*** *** ***
Sammy awoke with a start. The night was long over and the morning wearing away. Shatterstar lay beside her on the bed, his breath coming in irregular gasps, as if he was struggling to breathe. She shook him gently, calling out his name a few times
Rising from the bed, she set her feet on the floor, noticing how cold the floor
felt on her bare skin. It was already autumn and winter was fast approaching,
following right on fall's heels. The dog days of summer had come and gone, with
unusually comfortable weather. She supposed it was only fitting that winter would be
upon them so quickly; the summer had just been too nice. Especially for the Governor
of Andorak, who'd had the best time she'd ever had, spending all her free time with
her new husband.
She washed her face and neck, deciding that bathing would need to wait until
later, maybe not until Benjimane awoke. The cold water felt good on her skin,
tightening the pores and refreshing her. Making her feel more awake and alive, which
she needed after the fitful night she'd had. Her Benji had mumbled a few words...her
name, Errodan (she found this particularly interesting), and a few other
unintelligible syllables. But he'd not opened his eyes at all...not even once.
She was almost finished drying her face and the little spots in her hair when she
heard a crash in the next room. Towel in hand, she rushed back into the bedchamber
proper. There lay Shatterstar in a heap, his body lying beside the bed, a small
nightstand crushed beneath his weight. He'd obviously been trying to stand, and the
fresh blood on his bandages left little doubt his leg couldn't yet support his full
weight. She rushed to his side, worried she might lose him to Ahringol yet. She
dropped to her knees and lifted his head into her lap, running her fingers through his
thick blonde hair, smoothing it back from his face. She felt her heart in her throat
as she saw how much strain the previous day had put on her husband; his features
looked so much more human on days like these, when he was physically and emotionally
exhausted.
As she continued to stare down at Shattestar, her sorrow turned to curiosity as
she realized his hair was blonde. Not the strawberry-blonde it had always been, nor
was it red anymore, like it had been the night before. With a gasp of astonishment,
she realized this wasn't her Benjimane at all, but a human man who looked just like
him.
At that moment, the man decided to open his eyes.
*** *** ***
Armalias had spent days composing poems and a new song, searching his cellar for
the best bottles of elverquist and evermead, and his own firewine. He'd gone all the
way to the market in Mazgourrah, shopping for the finest silks to make a new jacket
and pants. He'd gone hunting in the swamps near Mordant, a city in a country where he
was not very well liked, searching for an elusive reptile to make a pair of black
boots out of. He'd cancelled appointment after appointment, making preparations for
their first date. And then the Lady Greywand didn't show.
The poems would be fine standing alone, he'd only used them as inspiration to
write a song for Sheila anyway. The song should keep, unless she wasn't all that
interested but wouldn't tell him. The fruits he'd purchased in Mazgourrah and Mordant
wouldn't last the day, so he'd had to set them out to dry. The silks had been
purchased, cut, and sewn, the new clothes as stylish as anything he already owned.
He'd forgotten his repellant-slave and had dealt with all manner of biting and
stinging insect before finding a fighting a huge specimen, getting not only enough
hide for a pair of boots, but new claw and tooth scars as well. The beast had been
quite unhappy about the loss of hide, but even after all the damage it had done, he
didn't want to just kill it. Of course, he'd had to use his last healing potion on it
instead of himself, so it could survive to regrow the stolen patch. And he was sure
he'd missed volunteers for Shatterstar's rescue by being so busy elsewhere.
The room was well lit by sunlight, streaming in through a skylight Armalias had
installed for just that purpose. Candles and oil-lamps provided adequate light, but
were not wise items to have in a training facility. The day was neither hot nor cold,
the air warm enough and a breeze cool enough to keep just about anyone happy, it
seemed. Armalias sat in a chair at one end of the room, with bench seating for ten or
so warriors spaced evenly in front of him. He was waiting anxiously for more people
to show, as only five spaces were currently filled. He'd been expecting standing room
only for the party to rescue the popular Shatterstar.
Instead, he had a precious few to send into the (probably) waiting jaws of
Blackwand. Phantazia and Domino were the only two from his own stable going. His
son, Anikan, was still assigned to guard the Karnhorn Prince, Zarhed, and couldn't get
away. His old-timers, the Scarlet Knights, were all on Gate Duty, helping guard those
Chaos Gates that Lady Greywand felt could be a threat. Charinida and Amber were both
involved in missions for the Andorian Assassins Guild, and so were unavailable. Not
that Charinida would have helped anyway. Jubilee and Warlock were too inexperienced,
and Spellsinger was currently spending a lot of time training them in use of the
scimitar, so he was out too. He'd even considered making the journey himself, but
decided against it. He couldn't be sure how his magic would react in Blackwand's
Alastari, and couldn't risk getting one of the others killed with an errant spell.
Plus he was needed on this end as backup, a reserve, rear-guard of those journeying
forth.
From the rest of Andorak, only three gladiators had volunteered. The most
prominent was Dachshund, a former king's Sentinel who had wanted to rescue Shatterstar
right after the others had gotten back. She was a pretty woman, and very athletic,
her frame much thicker than normal for a woman, even a gladiator. Armalias, with
genuine respect, thought she was probably the most highly conditioned gladiator in all
of Andorak. He was glad to have that kind of experienced warrior on this mission.
Then there was this young man, Carcytar "Huntinghorn" Featherfoot, a short man
that Armalias thought might be half dwarf. He wore plain, but fine clothing and
carried only a scimitar, bow, and a quiver of arrows. The man had introduced himself
with a sweeping bow and offered his services as an incomparable swordsman. Armalias
had tested this by having him spar with Spellsinger, and while the man wasn't bad, he
was far from incomparable. Armalias had been about to turn him away, for his own sake,
when Domino and Phantazia had come into the practice yard with a member of the Tower
Guard who was looking for Carcytar to repay him money he'd lost to the man earlier
that day. It seems the Huntinghorn was quite the bowman, and had out-shot two members
of the elite Guard. He'd used five arrows, they'd used five apiece, and he'd not only
beaten them, he'd never missed the bull's eye. Armalias asked him to take some shots,
and couldn't remember the last time he'd seen a human so in touch with a bow. He
immediately dismissed the theory that he was half-dwarf and welcomed him to the
mission, providing him a quiver of magical arrows for the journey.
Watching him now he noted that it was indeed the bow that rested easily in
Corcytar's hands. The scimitar on his hip seemed somehow out of place and awkward.
Armalias noted the way the man held the bow, cradling it in his relaxed hands, not
holding the wood too tight, nor risking dropping it; but holding a grip that was an
outward expression of inward calm. At least he wasn't nervous.
And last to arrive was Arcus. Armalias was shocked to see the former Cadre
warrior, who had killed his X-Force warrior Darke Magik years before, walk slowly into
the room. Armalias quickly noted the exchanged looks between Arcus and Phantazia, and
could feel the blood drain from his face. Phantazia had been the warrior to seek
revenge for Arcus' deed. She'd also been Magik's best friend. He'd have to head this
off now, before it had a chance to get out of control.
He rose to his feet and began to speak, but was interrupted before he could
start.
Phantazia was on her feet, preparing to yell at the latest arrival when he held
up a hand, palm outward, he expression begging for silence. His ears were red and
obviously burning from having to speak to a woman. Phantazia, to her credit, somehow
held her tongue while he spoke.
"Phantazia," he began, his voice quiet, "I want to go along this trip, in hope
that helping rescue your brother might help soothe the old wound and ease the loss
that I brought on you and your team."
Phantazia looked like she was about to burst apart at the edges, her face red
with fury, her body coiled like a snake, tensed and ready to strike. Before she could
respond, Arcus turned and laid his weapon at Armalias feet. "I will serve my brother
in arms until I can no longer do so or you find someone to do better."
Armalias lifted the weapon, and after a quick examination, returned it to Arcus
with his blessing. "Rise and serve your fellow man, then," Armalias replied with easy
grace. Arcus turned and bowed to Phantazia before taking a seat near the front of the
room.
Armalias sighed before he began his briefing. A ragtag bunch to be sure, he
thought to himself, but still a force to be reckoned with. That is, as long as there
wasn't any infighting or backstabbing going on, then all bets were off.
+ ]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.
THE GUARDIAN'S FORUM
Reflections by the King's Sentinel
Hello again Andorak! Title defense number one is out of the way now I can
concentrate on trying to keep the throne until they force me off to Primus. I hope
all of you noticed that I snuck an up challenge past Doc Steele to go after Cherry
Hill. I wanted to make sure my first title defense seemed fair to all of you. This
time however I was not so lucky although I did manage to persuade Doc not to TV way
down to the bottom of the CCs. So my challenges went to top 11 warriors. Someone
else will probably get through this time I bet though. Good luck to whoever I face
this round.
Ordered Chaos, the King's Sentinel
Delarquan Ambassador
Legion5
REPORT FROM WITHIN THE TOWER
They talked for hours, about everything and all things. She was from another
dimension, lost and lonely and confused in a world where her counterpart had long ago
died and her family's mourning was long over--that was a feeling he well understood.
The short walk home ended with them standing on the porch, sharing more than they'd
meant to as they talked. Meyk leaned on the porch rail and listened as Siryn poured
her heart out, then she listened while he talked. The shared both comfortable
silences and heart-felt rushes of speech before the chill made Meyk look up, toward
the east, and comment, "Morning is coming."
"Come inside," said Siryn. "We'll have coffee."
Meyk agreed without objection. Tired but not sleepy, he followed her into the
back of house, where her kitchen was warmed by the banked embers in the cookstove that
she stirred to a full blaze and set the coffee on to brew. He took in a deep breath.
"That's the imported stuff. Expensive."
"Did you always care about the expense of good coffee?"
He smiled. "When I had to keep my own budget I did," he replied. "I don't think
I ever realized while I was going through all that stuff that I was who I was. I just
knew it, didn't have to think about it, didn't have to do anything about it. I got
out on my own and did what was practical, not what I was used to. I guess that's why
I've been able to adapt."
Siryn filled a bowl with crisp crackers and laid out a carving board with cheese
and fresh apples. Meyk sat down and took a handful of the crackers while he waited
for the coffee. "I'll be able to adapt. In fact, I think it should be distressingly
easy. Although I know there have been--patrols, before, from Blackwand's world, come
here to find refugees. I'm not the first, you know."
"I know."
"I mean besides him," she sat down close to him. He liked that, and edged his
own chair nearer hers. "Other warriors. Some were caught. Taken back. I saw one,
once. He'd made Lord Protector on this side, with his counterpart. It was a new
life, and he was living it to the full. Then one of her patrols caught him and took
him back. He'd been a handsome man, once; I saw him. His eyes were violet--imagine
that. Violet eyes. They plucked them out. Those beautiful eyes, torn out of his
handsome face and crushed. He was a writer. They tore up all of his manuscripts, and
forbade anyone to teach him to read with his fingers, or write down anything for him--
an educated, literate man reduced to illiteracy--then they turned him out onto the
streets. All for trying to find a better life here."
Meyk shuddered. "I think I remember him, on this side," he said in a low voice.
"Free Blade, was he?"
"Yes." Siryn cut one of the apples into neat slices and ate one, alternating
with a slice of cheese. "Meyk, let's stop talking about sad things. We've done
enough of that tonight."
"This morning," he countered. "Maybe we focus too much on sad things because
we've both had so much of that recently, hmmm?"
"Aye," she replied, and put a hand over his. "If evil comes back to Andorak,
we'll fight it as it comes. Right now, let's forget about it."
He smiled. It was a real smile, one that made his green eyes sparkle brightly,
and it made her smile back at him. "Your eyes are almost violet," he said, reaching
out a hand to lightly trace it down her cheek. "Pretty eyes. I noticed them right
away."
She blushed. It was extraordinarily attractive. "Thank you," she said. He
didn't move his fingers. It felt very nice, a gentle caress on a woman's face. It
had been many, many years--in and out of this dimension--since he had been attracted
to anyone but one single woman. But he had best face facts; that one woman was out of
his life forever. The fates had decreed it so, and she was beyond his reach. All
these years and all the tears, forever staying loyal to that memory--it did nothing
for his living, breathing spirit.
"So," he said, softly, his eyes drinking in every nuance of her face, "how might
you feel about a nobody like me?"
"Oh, you're not nobody," she whispered. "What you are is on every inch of your
face, in every angle of your body, every movement you make. It shines so brightly I
have to shade my eyes when I look at you, and wonder at the blindness of people who
can't see it stamped on your face. But what you are is not half so important as who
you are, and that, too, is too strong to hide behind a bartender's apron. Your
personality slaps one in the face the moment they walk into that bar. Such pride,"
now she was caressing his face, her fingers strong but soft. Meyk closed his eyes a
moment, leaning into the touch. "It's amazing. You command attention even when
you're hiding. It makes you what you are, not glitter and titles. You know that,
don't you? Any man can call himself a king."
"It takes something more to be one," he replied, knowing where she was going.
"I've already done that. We're back to sad things. I propose we stop right now." He
moved forward quickly, before he changed his mind, cupping her head with the back of
his hand and drawing her mouth to his. When their lips parted, she was gasping
slightly, and turned those remarkable eyes up to him.
"Oh, that's much better," she said.
"Much, much better," he replied, and kissed her again.
*** *** ***
Well, gang--is there anything changed? Hmmm. 43 Managers. The Last Straw sits
on the top. Ordered Chaos is King's Sentinel. Arguing in the personals. Nope, still
looks the same to me. I'm half tempted to run last turn's spy report and see if
anyone notices the difference. {wicked grin}
Golden Boy challenged for the top spot and, obviously, if you read the last
paragraph, you know he lost. Tunney remains most popular, Ordered Chaos was most
challenged, The Champions were most avoided, Superior Forceswas most avoiding.
This much repetition is hard on the spirit. Go ye, and read a good book. Enjoy
the nice autumn weather.
See ya on All Saint's.
Meyk
THE KING'S SENTINEL W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
ORDERED CHAOS 6-3679 49 19 1 297 THE LAST STRAW (747) TRANSEL
GRAND CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
LEONARD 66-2609 64 62 1 321 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
GERMAN SHEPHERD 30-2605 75 60 1 312 DOG DAY AFTERNOON (534) IAYE
-BLOODSTONE 53-3870 74 39 1 308 BLACK MAGIC (395) KHALHUMS
ELSPETH 26-3446 63 37 2 294 LACKEY'S FRIENDS (626) CALEAM
JAANA 40-2046 71 55 2 276 SUPERIOR FORCES (538) ZENSU
JACK JOHNSON 66-2893 58 35 3 268 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
KOJI SHIKERU 40-2619 56 36 0 256 SUPERIOR FORCES (538) ZENSU
-LITTLE GUY 25-2619 45 37 3 251 ILLUMINATION (670) LYRATILAN
PIGMY RATTLESNAKE 22-4214 52 54 1 247 NAME YOUR POISON (663) SOLVEN
GRAND CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
-CAMISOLE 41-2553 68 52 0 245 SWEET SILK (720) KATI-TEI
PIZZA SAINT 60-3286 50 37 0 239 SUPERIOR FORCES II (686) ARADI
SLAPS-YOUR-FACE 63-1578 78 60 1 237 MODERN TRIBE (571) AMEN-TEI
-TORENE 57-3769 39 23 1 230 DRAGONRIDERS (246) ANDOR
SNAKES 14-2559 70 83 3 228 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
BLENDER 44-2271 58 36 1 228 HOME LIFE (667) KRILL
-QUICKSILVER XXIV 60-1983 72 42 3 226 DEATH STUDS IV (467) ARADI
SUPERIOR 8 40-2352 71 34 0 225 SUPERIOR FORCES (538) ZENSU
HOLMES 27-3470 47 31 0 224 THE CHAMPS (541) POINT
MASHER 22-5176 34 32 2 224 BLAZE N' BLADES (718) SOLVEN
KRENDIG 66-2349 52 56 0 223 ALDUR'S ORB (420) TARRGIR
AMON LEOPOLD GOETH 53-5335 59 55 1 221 HELL'S ZEROES (340) KHALHUMS
SIR PSYCHO SHNAPP 53-4819 62 40 1 220 MIGHTY BIG SHNAPPS (574) KHALHUMS
TORNADO 60-2264 81 40 0 219 NATURAL DISASTERS (383) ARADI
RAGE FOR ORDER 30-1771 64 71 1 217 THE DARK ORDER (292) IAYE
CORBETT 66-2834 54 50 2 217 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
SHATTERSTAR 66-334 94 76 1 216 X-FORCE (415) TARRGIR
FOREMAN 66-2647 71 51 4 215 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
LAMANITE 26-3491 38 42 0 215 UNHOLY ALLIANCE (477) CALEAM
GARTH 63-174 39 23 2 214 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
-WHIFFLE 60-351 35 32 0 214 WIMPS OF DEATH (251) ARADI
-LADY JACQUELINE 46-2062 29 35 0 214 ILLUMINATION (257) ARDIVENT
MAREN 14-1817 52 43 1 213 EXCALIBUR (182) TOBIR
HARRY SHNAPP 60-2051 60 28 1 212 WILD CARDS (403) ARADI
-HISSY FIT 30-3308 37 32 0 212 MY WIFE (719) IAYE
RIN TIN TIN 11-3620 29 19 0 212 BULLDOGS (123) ARUAK CITY
GRAND CHAMPIONS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
MARS 52-2609 38 28 0 210 INCARNATIONS (711) FRATSFA
MARCIANO 27-2519 63 77 0 209 THE CHAMPS (541) POINT
ANIKAN SILVERHAWK 61-1263 42 50 4 209 SCARLET KNIGHTS (594) JURINE
MUDKICKER 14-1934 50 40 1 208 EXCALIBUR (182) TOBIR
VARATESH 60-3433 39 23 1 208 UNHOLY ALLIANCE (745) ARADI
HANGMAN 23-1076 39 23 1 208 FACES OF DEATH (125) TI
-JETHRO 60-899 53 71 1 207 MURDER INC (496) ARADI
RATTLER 26-2628 53 29 1 206 VENOM (540) CALEAM
CHERRY HILL 53-4999 71 42 2 205 MUSIC IMMORTALS (721) KHALHUMS
DALAMARA 24-1112 63 66 6 204 ACK (122) ZORPUNT
SNOWY MILKWEED 53-5327 47 62 0 204 POISONOUS DEMISE (134) KHALHUMS
PARIS GREEN 53-5465 48 64 0 203 POISONOUS DEMISE (134) KHALHUMS
DACHSHUND 30-2473 96 50 0 202 DOG DAY AFTERNOON (534) IAYE
PHANTAZIA 66-2083 40 41 1 202 X-FORCE (415) TARRGIR
SWERVE 24-1350 65 49 1 201 ACK (122) ZORPUNT
FELON 48-1035 28 24 0 201 DEN OF THIEVES (159) CAER
EARTHQUAKE 60-1468 94 60 1 200 NATURAL DISASTERS (383) ARADI
-KNUCKLES 53-3851 32 14 1 200 BLACK MAGIC (395) KHALHUMS
EZZARD CHARLES 66-2574 70 64 2 199 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
GOLDEN BOY 60-2856 58 21 0 199 WILD CARDS (403) ARADI
BRITNY 14-1646 57 43 2 199 EXCALIBUR (182) TOBIR
SIR ANDORIG 66-1953 42 39 1 199 ALDUR'S ORB (420) TARRGIR
HIRSHFELDER 53-5960 48 40 2 198 DAZED & CONFUSED (689) KHALHUMS
PEREGRINE 63-1916 39 27 0 198 BIRDS OF PREY (724) AMEN-TEI
ARMORED SAINT 30-1912 84 63 1 197 THE DARK ORDER (292) IAYE
CONTAINER 26-3445 53 37 1 197 WARCKERS (587) CALEAM
STALACTITE 8-3349 43 27 1 197 MERCENARY WARCKERS (715) ARKERS
-LESSA 57-3077 37 44 2 197 DRAGONRIDERS (246) ANDOR
HORYS 63-1434 32 29 0 197 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
PRIMUS BOUND 40-2996 29 16 0 197 SUPERIOR FORCES (538) ZENSU
GOO GOO DOLLS 68-5163 50 38 3 196 THUNDER (641) FIREHOLD
TUNNEY 66-2018 105 68 2 195 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
LEWIS 66-263 91 92 2 195 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
CUTTER JOHN 46-2606 58 45 2 195 DEATHTONGUE (111) ARDIVENT
-MANDAMUS 68-2859 30 41 2 195 PAPER CHASE (438) FIREHOLD
GRAND CHAMPIONS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
SPHYGMOMANOMETER 53-5903 51 31 0 194 HELL'S ZEROES (340) KHALHUMS
-RES JUDICATA 68-1494 48 48 2 194 PAPER CHASE (438) FIREHOLD
CONN 66-3195 45 29 2 194 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
-SILK SHEETS 41-2556 62 59 3 193 SWEET SILK (720) KATI-TEI
LISPER 66-3267 35 25 2 193 MAROON MIDGET (766) TARRGIR
CHARINIDA 71-1462 31 41 2 193 PEGICORN (643) KYR'TERR
DOMINO 66-2867 44 48 0 192 X-FORCE (415) TARRGIR
OSIRIS 57-626 43 46 0 192 BOOK OF THE DEAD (687) ANDOR
FIREEATER 14-2614 63 85 3 191 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
STEPPER 44-2477 34 27 3 191 HOME LIFE (667) KRILL
AVENGER 63-1686 27 14 2 191 CAR AND DRIVER (470) AMEN-TEI
BLACK ECLIPSE 63-1854 44 34 3 190 CAR AND DRIVER (470) AMEN-TEI
-MASSEUSE 41-3092 31 15 2 190 SWEET SILK (720) KATI-TEI
SPELLSINGER 53-4742 33 32 0 189 SCARLET KNIGHTS (518) KHALHUMS
LISTON 27-2818 78 55 1 188 THE CHAMPS (541) POINT
-MILQUETOAST 60-855 27 34 0 188 WIMPS OF DEATH (251) ARADI
KAT 66-3269 27 32 0 188 MAROON MIDGET (766) TARRGIR
LADY HAWKE 30-2951 51 63 1 187 BEASTMEN II (617) IAYE
BARON BLOOD 25-1396 41 27 4 187 FACES OF DEATH (179) LYRATILAN
ERIKA 20-2768 39 35 1 187 METAL MECH (565) SEAM
SIRYN 66-2357 32 14 0 187 X-FORCE II (624) TARRGIR
BRAK 57-3163 27 18 2 187 CLAN STEELHAMMER (521) ANDOR
RYNIL WOLFE 53-182 24 20 0 187 THE FORCE (160) KHALHUMS
NATAS 26-3658 43 28 2 186 UNHOLY ALLIANCE (477) CALEAM
-NEBISH 60-1172 29 33 1 186 WIMPS OF DEATH (251) ARADI
-CORAMERIC 46-1232 49 82 1 185 ILLUMINATION (257) ARDIVENT
ERGOT 53-5009 49 79 2 184 POISONOUS DEMISE (134) KHALHUMS
KNIFE THROWER 14-3140 44 47 1 184 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
MEJIS THE MAGICIAN 14-3394 33 22 0 184 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
-HARLEQUIN 23-2831 59 54 0 183 THE NUTCASES (382) TI
GROMACK 63-1304 33 39 1 183 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
EBON WRAITH 14-3008 33 21 1 182 CRUSADERS (30) TOBIR
GRAND CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
ROC 63-173 33 30 2 180 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
NUMBYA 25-3580 28 24 3 180 PAIN SUPPRESSORS (716) LYRATILAN
DD MASS 68-7735 21 18 2 180 CABC (760) FIREHOLD
SHIVAA 26-3523 47 36 0 179 WARCKERS (587) CALEAM
-KOTTONKANDY 25-1062 42 41 0 179 CARNIVAL (21) LYRATILAN
-LUCKY SAVAGE 60-352 37 34 3 178 WIMPS OF DEATH (251) ARADI
-ARCUS 66-2078 33 37 2 178 ARCHAIC INFINITY (507) TARRGIR
HEADACHE 14-3257 30 45 1 176 ANNOYANCE (717) TOBIR
NYQUIL 25-3529 30 23 1 176 PAIN SUPPRESSORS (716) LYRATILAN
-TWIT 60-1463 26 23 1 172 WIMPS OF DEATH (251) ARADI
-WARWICK 22-3566 31 33 0 171 MOTTE & BAILEY (639) SOLVEN
AMISH PARADISE 22-5170 36 30 3 170 WEIRD AL (774) SOLVEN
-WHEEL OF FORTUNE 25-2529 34 16 2 168 DUELING FOR DOLLARS (765) LYRATILAN
JUBILEE 66-2535 24 20 0 167 X-FORCE (415) TARRGIR
AZURE CAVALIER 14-3159 28 15 6 166 CRUSADERS (30) TOBIR
TSIRC 52-2850 26 11 1 164 FORCE OF ARMS (763) FRATSFA
JIM 41-2562 52 73 1 163 FISHING BUDDIES (742) KATI-TEI
SHANIA SILVERSTAR 57-3977 29 14 0 162 MORDYKR KEEP (728) ANDOR
GRAZIANO 66-3411 34 16 2 161 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
WARLOCK 66-2473 29 20 1 161 X-FORCE (415) TARRGIR
-POOF 60-349 39 32 2 159 WIMPS OF DEATH (251) ARADI
BATTLESTONE 66-2980 23 18 0 159 FRAG 'EM ALL! (584) TARRGIR
RIVIR 26-2611 23 25 2 158 GOLDEN CANYON (741) CALEAM
PURPLE BUTTERFLY 68-6859 29 29 1 157 GOOD VIBRATIONS (770) FIREHOLD
BROTHER CHU 63-1387 27 37 0 157 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
SALUKI 30-3253 30 23 1 155 DOG DAY AFTERNOON (534) IAYE
ABLUTOPHOBIA 48-2406 36 13 0 154 TRAUMATOPHOBIA (758) CAER
-ADVOCATE 68-4922 25 29 2 154 PAPER CHASE (438) FIREHOLD
GRAND CHALLENGER ADEPTS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
ETHEL 23-3290 55 70 2 152 DESILOU (738) TI
GRAND ADEPTS W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
IDLE HEAVEN 9-2861 24 21 2 150 DIVINE COLONY (762) ZUKAL
KHAZAKH 11-3611 33 18 3 146 TUFT TUGGERS (597) ARUAK CITY
BOWLINE 63-1476 50 93 0 145 CHAN CHI MONASTERY (616) AMEN-TEI
LEETA STORMRIDER 24-3849 31 21 0 145 KRILL CAVALRY (780) ZORPUNT
TV'S FRANK 68-7372 24 10 0 141 SECOND BANANAS (775) FIREHOLD
ELMO 26-3823 28 14 0 136 WARCKERS (587) CALEAM
BLACK STALLION 68-6450 27 31 0 134 GOOD VIBRATIONS (770) FIREHOLD
NEGATIVE 26-3654 36 26 0 133 WARCKERS (587) CALEAM
JOE 41-2560 44 81 2 132 CHAN CHI MONASTERY (611) KATI-TEI
-PRAK 30-231 35 16 1 132 THE WOWBAGGERS (55) IAYE
-ARENAMASTER 27-476 29 28 0 132 FOURTH REICH (54) POINT
GLUTTONY 40-2911 31 11 0 131 DEMONS OF DEATH (319) ZENSU
POSITIVE 26-3633 44 25 0 128 WARCKERS (587) CALEAM
B. LLUD PITT 57-1171 26 26 0 128 COPYRITENFRINGMNTS (781) ANDOR
MRS TRUMBULL 23-3287 55 68 2 126 DESILOU (738) TI
CORCYTAR 11-3728 25 18 0 122 TUFT TUGGERS (597) ARUAK CITY
LENDOTH 26-2459 25 30 0 121 GOLDEN CANYON (741) CALEAM
BELLASARIO 63-1576 27 23 0 119 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
VIRULENT 24-3771 35 19 0 117 EXCALIBUR (735) ZORPUNT
JEETER 60-3323 23 17 1 117 UNDERDOGS (320) ARADI
BLACK KETTLE 8-3346 25 39 0 114 UNHOLY ALLIANCE (734) ARKERS
CLOD PUNTER 66-3309 26 26 3 112 MAROON MIDGET (766) TARRGIR
-MASKED TUMBLES 25-3759 21 15 1 112 CARNIVAL (21) LYRATILAN
SEVERED HEART 26-2651 26 14 1 107 GOLDEN CANYON (741) CALEAM
AMBER BLACKWOLF 48-2909 20 8 2 106 RUBY DRAGONS (605) CAER
NAIMT BACKRUB 68-7192 23 10 0 103 FARFIGNEWTONS (640) FIREHOLD
GRAND CHALLENGER INITIATES W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
-SHAGRAT 27-689 25 17 0 100 FOURTH REICH (54) POINT
HUMAN 99-780 18 10 5 100 HUNTERS (754) SOUTH RIDGE
LOADED GUN 71-2247 19 7 0 99 SUPERIOR FORCES 2A (773) KYR'TERR
-CALAMARION II 22-2283 24 26 0 98 THE FIERCE FIVE (422) SOLVEN
MARC 48-3427 31 34 1 97 STARS (743) CAER
-WONKO THE SANE 27-477 25 14 0 95 FOURTH REICH (54) POINT
MASERATI 63-2053 18 15 1 95 CAR AND DRIVER (470) AMEN-TEI
MUCOUS 71-2277 21 9 2 94 THE CODA (786) KYR'TERR
SHOES FOR INDUSTRY 24-3868 27 25 0 93 OUT OF THE FOG (759) ZORPUNT
GRAND INITIATES W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
HEATHER 48-3062 45 79 5 86 STARS (743) CAER
NUFSANUF 22-5212 23 30 0 86 BLAZE N' BLADES (718) SOLVEN
-V. ERY VISCIOUS 22-2476 23 12 2 84 THE FIERCE FIVE (422) SOLVEN
EMERALD DRAGONFLY 60-2586 22 23 1 84 MAGICK (772) ARADI
AKITA 30-3403 21 23 3 84 DOG DAY AFTERNOON (534) IAYE
TIMBER WOLF 68-9138 14 8 1 82 CALL OF THE WILD (785) FIREHOLD
JERSEY JOE 66-3318 27 31 2 80 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
SANTEE 63-1977 24 30 0 80 WAYFARERS (782) AMEN-TEI
-SCRYB SPRITE 60-4003 21 15 0 77 MAGICK (772) ARADI
-ALAN DERSHOWITZ 53-5157 24 28 1 75 MOUTHPIECES (238) KHALHUMS
-HAIRY KRSNA 30-401 17 21 3 75 THE WOWBAGGERS (55) IAYE
-TESS TURBO 46-3120 22 7 0 73 DEATHTONGUE (111) ARDIVENT
-GLEEMAN 25-3775 17 17 1 64 CARNIVAL (21) LYRATILAN
TETRIANO 63-175 26 29 0 63 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
ROBINSON 27-3672 20 16 2 63 THE CHAMPS (541) POINT
-PUFF ADDER 26-3828 19 19 1 62 VENOM (540) CALEAM
BLANK PAGE 22-4764 47 74 1 61 OUTLAND INC. (708) SOLVEN
HELL OPIATE 9-2860 21 19 2 60 DIVINE COLONY (762) ZUKAL
RORY 48-3425 29 36 1 59 STARS (743) CAER
BOJO THE CLOWN 14-3141 24 67 1 52 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
SWORD INDIGESTION 14-2560 69 84 2 51 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
GRAND INITIATES W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
HORATIO 63-1386 19 13 1 50 THE EXILED ONES (354) AMEN-TEI
-CYCLONE 60-2306 19 9 1 50 TILT?!? (783) ARADI
'-' denotes a warrior who did not fight this turn.
THE DEAD W L K TEAM NAME SLAIN BY TURN
PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE
Timber Wolf -- All I kin do is shake me head that I lost that fight. -- Tetriano
Khazakh -- I appreciate your note. I do understand it was nothing personal. You
should not apologize for superior skill, though. -- Brother Chu
Kat -- That was a close fight. You fought quite well. -- Garth
Nusanuf -- My record would improve if I actually attacked like the master I am rated
as. Argh! -- Horatio
Ethel -- Looks like the old war-horse has a few victories in him still, eh? -- Roc
TV Frank -- A good challenge for you. You made it look easy. My congrats. --
Bellasario
Jubilee -- I figured we had such a good match last time (all those learns) that I
would try you again. I promise to leave you alone for a while though if you wish me
to. -- Horys
Rage for Order -- Looks like you're top dog amongst us bashers again. As well you
should be. Congrats. I'll be dropping you a diplo note next turn, in return for the
one you sent my manager, Darklock, earlier. -- Gromack
Darklock -- HAL tried to put these in Andor (57) rather than Andorak. Didja put
the arena number in the subject line? If not, you probably ought to; HAL
confuses easily. If you did, then I'M confused, which is also pretty easy these
days. -- Ed.
Pizza Saint -- Thanks for the TV Challenge. I didn't know you cared. -- Gromack
(rolling his eyes, and adjusting his bandages)
Amon Leopold Goethe -- Fate, it seems, does not always smile upon the most skilled
warrior, nor their weapons. You made an excellent return. Well done. -- Khazakh
Amish Paradise -- Tired? You might have thought I was the opposite of my style. --
Shania
Black Kettle -- You know, you Unholy dudes teach awesomely! Thank you. One last turn
here, and I think I might actually do well in the tourney. -- Corcytar
Stories, tales, and legends. The art of literature definitely has not been lost on
those authors who inspire and entertain the people of this great arena. Well done. --
Adie
Ordered Chaos -- Congratulations on winning the Sentinel's position. I must admit
that I've been very interested in you and your manager's conversations, for I have
never met him. I'd heard various things through the years, most of which I can not
remember now. But it matters little, for it is best to measure a being in the first
person. Now that I have seen your manager in action, I admit that I enjoy his
camaraderie and openness. Truly, Doc Steele brings his knowledge, experience, and
character to Andorak as an asset. I hope you both remain.... Welcome. -- Adie, Mgr.
Tuft Tuggers
Technogeek -- Hey, what do you expect from a priestess of the god of the sun. In
battle, may the sun always blind your warriors versus mine. -- Adie
P.S. Better?
Kennelworth -- Your ability to spar with words is beyond any arena performance I have
seen your warriors enact. And that, truly, is a great feat. I am humbled. -- Adie
Foreman -- Not this time, old timer! -- Cutter John
Bellasario -- Skills and a win, life is good! -- TV's Frank
Lamanite -- You're still a good workout, but my endurance has improved! -- Elspeth
Hell Opiate -- Now that's a strange name.... -- Jeeter
Quicksilver -- Funny how you could not help but resist a little shot at Doc's
challenging patterns in your defeated personal ad. Here's the news, former champion.
Doc has come into a very hostile environment alone with one warrior and taken the
number one team and the King's Sentinel from you all. Your complaints sound a whole
lot like excuses. -- Ordered Chaos
Sentinel -- "Keeper of the Steele," I like it. -- Doc Steele
The Sentinel -- Your philosophy is the same as mine; I just go further with it. I
will take advantage of every legal angle because I know that there is always at least
one of my peers doing the same thing. I would be the first to sign a petition to the
Commission to make avoids and down challenges illegal. As long as the playing field
is even, I am content. Until that day though, I must play the way I do to ensure that
even playing field. Those of you that do not just give away an advantage. -- Doc
Steele
Talon -- Thanks, I think. -- Doc Steele
Kennelworth -- I should have known it was one of the many personalities of the
Consortium. Here's a thought for you. I left the Dark Circle many years ago. The
Dark Circle has recently actually been disbanded. Let it go man, you'll feel better.
-- Doc Steele
Soultaker -- Nothing like a good old fair up challenge. <chuckle> -- Doc Steele
Positive -- Negatory. -- Rivir
Battlestone -- Ouch! How'm I gonna go dancing after that? -- Bowline
Bowline -- Who'd dance with YOU? -- Rivir
Uh...Gluttony would! Nobody does a barbeque as good as me. -- Bowline
Gluttony -- Good heavens, woman, after seeing you eat, I expected you to weigh TWICE
what I do--not THREE times as much! Have you considered sumo wrestling? -- Leeta
P.S. For your, er, build, you're amazingly graceful and light on your feet, though.
Elmo -- Hey, great rating! Just what I needed. -- Lendoth
DD Mass -- Aw, man, I didn't WANT to be humbled! I got an adventure to run. I need
wins, tons of skills, a positive image--these author types are so impressionable, you
know. -- B. Llud Pitt
Naimt Backrub -- (hiss of disgust) A Dwarf! -- Santee
Emerald Dragonfly -- (cold smile) You will make a colorful and graceful trophy. Come
over to my quarters so I can see where you will look best. On the couch? On top of
the bookshelves? In my bed...? -- S. Heart
Natas -- Well fought, great Aruaki Werecat. Perhaps this dog wasn't well prepared to
take on a wildcat? -- Rin Tin Tin
Leeta Stormrider -- Apparently you didn't stuff yourself as well as I had wished. --
Gluttony
The Sentinel -- What a kind offer concerning Galena. Perhaps we shall discuss this
situation in Tempe? -- Senator Bob Dole
Purple Butterfly -- Now what did you go and do that for? I mean, I appreciate killing
you and all, and certainly the skill is nice, but now I'm all the way up in the grand
champions and I'm nowhere near that skill yet. -- Avenger
Earthquake -- I was waiting to break your last weapon. -- Goo Goo Dolls
Mudkicker -- Ahh, defense! Thank goodness for defense. -- Black Eclipse
Manager -- BTW, you got your wish...I am off to Primus. -- Black Eclipse
Heather -- Thank you thank you thank you thank you thank YOU! -- Maserati
Doc Steele -- See what I mean? At least 1/4 if not more of the ads in last turns
personals were to or about you. I haven't seen personal ad participation like this
since Swift was still with us as spyreporter. -- Talon
All -- The one way this whole downchallenge debate can be handled is to simply not
challenge at all. I, for the most part, do not challenge unless it's for the throne.
Only if I am constantly challenged by another warrior/team to I challenge. -- Talon
Volksie
All -- If any warriors want to downchallenge any of my warriors and TEACH them
anything, please feel free to do it! I'll take skills and stat trains over wins any
day! -- Talon Volksie
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
GOLDEN BOY was devastated by ORDERED CHAOS in a 2 minute Challenge Title fight.
PIZZA SAINT handily defeated LISPER in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge match.
KOJI SHIKERU devastated CUTTER JOHN in a popular 1 minute one-sided Challenge contest.
EZZARD CHARLES was demolished by SUPERIOR 8 in a 1 minute Challenge competition.
SHIVAA was vanquished by ANIKAN SILVERHAWK in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge fight.
PRIMUS BOUND was viciously subdued by MASHER in a 3 minute Challenge fight.
HORYS lost to RIN TIN TIN in a action packed 2 minute Challenge duel.
GARTH overpowered AVENGER in a 1 minute uneven Challenge duel.
CONN narrowly defeated KAT in a exciting 4 minute gruesome Challenge fight.
CORBETT overpowered DOMINO in a 2 minute one-sided Challenge fight.
GROMACK was demolished by PARIS GREEN in a 1 minute mismatched Challenge competition.
ROC viciously subdued JUBILEE in a exciting 7 minute bloody Challenge battle.
GRAZIANO was beaten by STEPPER in a crowd pleasing 1 minute gory Challenge conflict.
BROTHER CHU slimly lost to SHANIA SILVERSTAR in a 3 minute Challenge bout.
PURPLE BUTTERFLY was vanquished by MARCIANO in a 4 minute one-sided Challenge fray.
POSITIVE bested MRS TRUMBULL in a popular 2 minute Challenge brawl.
ELMO was beaten by RIVIR in a exciting 1 minute Challenge match.
BELLASARIO was luckily beaten by NEGATIVE in a popular 5 minute Challenge match.
CLOD PUNTER was devastated by JIM in a popular 1 minute one-sided Challenge contest.
JEETER vanquished MARC in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge match.
BLACK STALLION was handily defeated by SALUKI in a 1 minute uneven Challenge duel.
TV'S FRANK overpowered LENDOTH in a popular 5 minute one-sided Challenge match.
LOADED GUN was luckily beaten by BLACK KETTLE in a 3 minute Challenge fight.
MUCOUS savagely defeated NUFSANUF in a exciting 1 minute gruesome Challenge bout.
ROBINSON savagely defeated SWORD INDIGESTION in a 3 minute Challenge duel.
TETRIANO was overcome by EMERALD DRAGONFLY in a 1 minute Challenge bout.
HORATIO was vanquished by HEATHER in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge bout.
SLAPS-YOUR-FACE overpowered LEWIS in a 1 minute uneven duel.
GOO GOO DOLLS was defeated by MARS in a exciting 3 minute match.
JACK JOHNSON savagely defeated DACHSHUND in a exciting 8 minute brutal fight.
SIR ANDORIG was savagely defeated by AMON LEOPOLD GOETHE in a exciting 8 minute fray.
TUNNEY was vanquished by GERMAN SHEPHERD in a exciting 3 minute mismatched fight.
PIGMY RATTLESNAKE devastated BLACK ECLIPSE in a popular 1 minute uneven bout.
SPHYGMOMANOMETER was demolished by SIR PSYCHO SHNAPP in a 1 minute mismatched match.
STALACTITE was vanquished by ELSPETH in a action packed 1 minute one-sided bout.
CONTAINER was overpowered by TORNADO in a 3 minute one-sided competition.
LEONARD overpowered ERGOT in a action packed 1 minute one-sided fight.
NATAS was vanquished by MAREN in a 2 minute bloody one-sided struggle.
BLENDER vanquished SPELLSINGER in a crowd pleasing 1 minute one-sided conflict.
JAANA overpowered BRAK in a crowd pleasing 1 minute brutal uneven competition.
HOLMES savagely defeated RYNIL WOLFE in a exciting 3 minute gory fight.
ARMORED SAINT was viciously subdued by FOREMAN in a popular 4 minute gruesome bout.
RAGE FOR ORDER defeated MEJIS THE MAGICIAN in a action packed 2 minute competition.
LADY HAWKE was demolished by MUDKICKER in a exciting 2 minute brutal mismatched match.
LISTON was demolished by KRENDIG in a crowd pleasing 4 minute bloody one-sided fight.
HANGMAN viciously subdued PHANTAZIA in a crowd pleasing 6 minute brutal match.
FELON luckily beat MEYK in a popular 1 minute brawl.
LAMANITE unbelievably bested HIRSHFELDER in a exciting 4 minute bloody match.
RATTLER devastated FIREEATER in a action packed 1 minute bloody one-sided bout.
CHARINIDA was narrowly defeated by EARTHQUAKE in a crowd pleasing 3 minute fight.
CHERRY HILL devastated NYQUIL in a 1 minute one-sided bout.
SNOWY MILKWEED savagely defeated AZURE CAVALIER in a exciting 2 minute bloody duel.
OSIRIS was subdued by VARATESH in a popular 6 minute conflict.
BRITNY bested TSIRC in a 2 minute fight.
SIRYN beat HEADACHE in a 2 minute brawl.
HARRY SHNAPP demolished NUMBYA in a popular 1 minute uneven duel.
ERIKA overpowered IDLE HEAVEN in a action packed 1 minute one-sided fight.
BARON BLOOD was vanquished by SNAKES in a exciting 1 minute gruesome one-sided match.
SHATTERSTAR savagely defeated SWERVE in a crowd pleasing 4 minute brutal fight.
EBON WRAITH lost to DALAMARA in a exciting 3 minute contest.
PEREGRINE outlasted DD MASS in a popular 8 minute match.
KNIFE THROWER defeated BATTLESTONE in a popular 1 minute fight.
KHAZAKH was unbelievably bested by WARLOCK in a crowd pleasing 4 minute brutal duel.
LEETA STORMRIDER was handily defeated by AMISH PARADISE in a 1 minute one-sided match.
ETHEL devastated B. LLUD PITT in a 1 minute one-sided battle.
VIRULENT defeated HUMAN in a 2 minute duel.
CORCYTAR was overcome by BOWLINE in a 3 minute match.
GLUTTONY was viciously subdued by ABLUTOPHOBIA in a monotonous 39 minute melee.
JOE was defeated by BUTTERHEAD in a crowd pleasing 1 minute bout.
SHOES FOR INDUSTRY was subdued by NAIMT BACKRUB in a 2 minute fray.
SEVERED HEART handily defeated AKITA in a exciting 1 minute one-sided duel.
AMBER BLACKWOLF devastated JERSEY JOE in a 1 minute mismatched match.
BLANK PAGE was overpowered by TIMBER WOLF in a action packed 1 minute one-sided match.
RORY was overpowered by SANTEE in a 1 minute uneven match.
HELL OPIATE was demolished by MASERATI in a 1 minute one-sided contest.
BOJO THE CLOWN was demolished by YOGONITH in a action packed 1 minute uneven bout.
BATTLE REPORT
MOST POPULAR RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS
|FIGHTING STYLE FIGHTS FIGHTING STYLE W - L - K PERCENT|
|TOTAL PARRY 28 PARRY-RIPOSTE 45 - 29 - 0 61 |
|SLASHING ATTACK 23 AIMED BLOW 45 - 30 - 1 60 |
|LUNGING ATTACK 21 PARRY-LUNGE 87 - 61 - 2 59 |
|WALL OF STEEL 16 PARRY-STRIKE 49 - 42 - 2 54 |
|PARRY-LUNGE 14 SLASHING ATTACK 130 - 127 - 3 51 |
|STRIKING ATTACK 13 TOTAL PARRY 138 - 145 - 2 49 |
|BASHING ATTACK 12 LUNGING ATTACK 124 - 131 - 2 49 |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE 8 WALL OF STEEL 98 - 111 - 1 47 |
|AIMED BLOW 7 STRIKING ATTACK 67 - 76 - 1 47 |
|PARRY-STRIKE 7 BASHING ATTACK 50 - 78 - 0 39 |
Turn 255 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-RIPOSTE 7 - 1 TOTAL PARRY 13 - 15 5 LUNGING ATTACK
PARRY-LUNGE 8 - 6 WALL OF STEEL 7 - 9 2 PARRY-LUNGE
STRIKING ATTACK 7 - 6 AIMED BLOW 3 - 4 2 SLASHING ATTACK
LUNGING ATTACK 11 - 10 PARRY-STRIKE 3 - 4 1 PARRY-RIPOSTE
BASHING ATTACK 6 - 6 SLASHING ATTACK 9 - 14 1 WALL OF STEEL
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE
FIGHTING STYLE WARRIOR W L K PNTS TEAM NAME
LUNGING ATTACK ORDERED CHAOS 6-3679 49 19 1 297 THE LAST STRAW (747)
PARRY-LUNGE LEONARD 66-2609 64 62 1 321 THE CHAMPIONS (405)
PARRY-RIPOSTE JAANA 40-2046 71 55 2 276 SUPERIOR FORCES (538)
SLASHING ATTACK KOJI SHIKERU 40-2619 56 36 0 256 SUPERIOR FORCES (538)
AIMED BLOW SLAPS-YOUR-FACE 63-1578 78 60 1 237 MODERN TRIBE (571)
WALL OF STEEL BLENDER 44-2271 58 36 1 228 HOME LIFE (667)
TOTAL PARRY SUPERIOR 8 40-2352 71 34 0 225 SUPERIOR FORCES (538)
STRIKING ATTACK KRENDIG 66-2349 52 56 0 223 ALDUR'S ORB (420)
PARRY-STRIKE AMON LEOPOLD GOET 53-5335 59 55 1 221 HELL'S ZEROES (340)
BASHING ATTACK RAGE FOR ORDER 30-1771 64 71 1 217 THE DARK ORDER (292)
The overall popularity leader is TUNNEY 66-2018. The most popular warrior this turn
was DD MASS 68-7735. The ten other most popular fighters were ROC 63-173, JACK
JOHNSON 66-2893, FOREMAN 66-2647, HIRSHFELDER 53-5960, SHATTERSTAR 66-334, CHARINIDA
71-1462, BELLASARIO 63-1576, KHAZAKH 11-3611, AMON LEOPOLD GOETHE 53-5335, and
ROBINSON 27-3672.
The least popular fighter this week was GLUTTONY 40-2911. The other ten least
popular fighters were ABLUTOPHOBIA 48-2406, HELL OPIATE 9-2860, BLANK PAGE 22-4764,
FIREEATER 14-2614, BLACK ECLIPSE 63-1854, LEWIS 66-263, HORATIO 63-1386, LENDOTH
26-2459, BLACK STALLION 68-6450, and MARC 48-3427.
Arena(Number) W L K Arena(Number) W L K Arena(Number) W L K
TRANSEL(6) 1 0 0 CALEAM(26) 7 5 0 KHALHUMS(53) 5 5 0
ARKERS(8) 1 1 0 POINT(27) 3 1 0 ANDOR(57) 1 3 0
ZUKAL(9) 0 2 0 IAYE(30) 3 4 0 ARADI(60) 7 1 0
ARUAK CITY(11) 1 2 0 ZENSU(40) 3 2 0 JURINE(61) 1 0 0
TOBIR(14) 5 7 0 KATI-TEI(41) 1 1 0 AMEN-TEI(63) 7 8 0
SEAM(20) 1 0 0 KRILL(44) 2 0 0 TARRGIR(66) 9 13 0
SOLVEN(22) 3 2 0 ARDIVENT(46) 0 1 0 FIREHOLD(68) 3 4 0
TI(23) 2 1 0 CAER(48) 4 2 0 KYR'TERR(71) 1 2 0
ZORPUNT(24) 2 3 0 FRATSFA(52) 1 1 0 SOUTH RIDGE(99) 0 1 0
LYRATILAN(25) 0 3 0
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH ARENA W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
ORDERED CHAOS 6-3679 49 19 1 297 THE LAST STRAW (747) TRANSEL
TOP WARRIOR OF EACH ARENA W L K PNTS TEAM NAME CITY
STALACTITE 8-3349 43 27 1 197 MERCENARY WARCKERS (715) ARKERS
IDLE HEAVEN 9-2861 24 21 2 150 DIVINE COLONY (762) ZUKAL
RIN TIN TIN 11-3620 29 19 0 212 BULLDOGS (123) ARUAK CITY
SNAKES 14-2559 70 83 3 228 DEATH CIRCUS (515) TOBIR
ERIKA 20-2768 39 35 1 187 METAL MECH (565) SEAM
PIGMY RATTLESNAKE 22-4214 52 54 1 247 NAME YOUR POISON (663) SOLVEN
HANGMAN 23-1076 39 23 1 208 FACES OF DEATH (125) TI
DALAMARA 24-1112 63 66 6 204 ACK (122) ZORPUNT
BARON BLOOD 25-1396 41 27 4 187 FACES OF DEATH (179) LYRATILAN
ELSPETH 26-3446 63 37 2 294 LACKEY'S FRIENDS (626) CALEAM
HOLMES 27-3470 47 31 0 224 THE CHAMPS (541) POINT
GERMAN SHEPHERD 30-2605 75 60 1 312 DOG DAY AFTERNOON (534) IAYE
JAANA 40-2046 71 55 2 276 SUPERIOR FORCES (538) ZENSU
JIM 41-2562 52 73 1 163 FISHING BUDDIES (742) KATI-TEI
BLENDER 44-2271 58 36 1 228 HOME LIFE (667) KRILL
CUTTER JOHN 46-2606 58 45 2 195 DEATHTONGUE (111) ARDIVENT
FELON 48-1035 28 24 0 201 DEN OF THIEVES (159) CAER
MARS 52-2609 38 28 0 210 INCARNATIONS (711) FRATSFA
AMON LEOPOLD GOETH 53-5335 59 55 1 221 HELL'S ZEROES (340) KHALHUMS
OSIRIS 57-626 43 46 0 192 BOOK OF THE DEAD (687) ANDOR
PIZZA SAINT 60-3286 50 37 0 239 SUPERIOR FORCES II (686) ARADI
ANIKAN SILVERHAWK 61-1263 42 50 4 209 SCARLET KNIGHTS (594) JURINE
SLAPS-YOUR-FACE 63-1578 78 60 1 237 MODERN TRIBE (571) AMEN-TEI
LEONARD 66-2609 64 62 1 321 THE CHAMPIONS (405) TARRGIR
GOO GOO DOLLS 68-5163 50 38 3 196 THUNDER (641) FIREHOLD
CHARINIDA 71-1462 31 41 2 193 PEGICORN (643) KYR'TERR
HUMAN 99-780 18 10 5 100 HUNTERS (754) SOUTH RIDGE
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