DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 01/21/2026    Duedate: 02/17/2026

STORMCROWE ARENA

DM 45    TURN 498

This Week's Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SHIELDGORE
DARQUE FORCES (428)
(45-5756) [29-12-0,110]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SHIELDGORE                     BEULAH BALBRICKER
DARQUE FORCES (428)            MISFIT TOYS K (505)
(45-5756) [29-12-0,110]        (45-4410) [4-2-0,61]

Popularity Leader              This Week's Favorite

THE BRUTE SQUAD                A'MAIMING GRACE
AVID FANS (65)                 DARQUE FORCES (428)
(45-5326) [20-39-2,101]        (45-5834) [8-10-0,34]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

UNIQUIE ONE (593)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. PHILANTHROPISTS (603)         66 
2. MISFIT TOYS K (505)           49    DARQUE FORCES (428)
3. CRAMBUS CLONES (601)          35    Unchartered Team
4. RAT PAK (79)                  32 
5. OF WOLF & GIANT (589)         31    FAR TRAVELERS 2512 (592)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1- 1*DRACO (594)                4   0  0 100.   1/ 1*UNIQUIE ONE (593)         7  1 0
 2/ 2*FAR TRAVELERS 2512 (592)   6   2  0 75.0   2/ 7 AVID FANS (65)            7  5 0
 3/ 3*UNIQUIE ONE (593)         11   5  0 68.8   3/ 3 DARQUE FORCES (428)       7  8 0
 4/ 4 DARQUE FORCES (428)      800 540 42 59.7   4/ 2 OF WOLF & GIANT (589)     7  8 0
 5/ 0*MISFIT TOYS K (505)       17  12  1 58.6   5/ 4*FAR TRAVELERS 2512 (592)  5  0 0
 6/ 5 OF WOLF & GIANT (589)     34  27  4 55.7   6/10 DEAD SILENCE (581)        5 10 1
 7/ 8 GOING BERSERK (527)      193 161 12 54.5   7- 5*DRACO (594)               4  0 0
 8/ 7 HOWLIN SLAUGHTER (563)    88  75  4 54.0   8/ 0*PHILANTHROPISTS (603)     4  1 0
 9/ 6 FAVORITE SAYINGS 7 (569)  47  41  2 53.4   9/ 0*MISFIT TOYS K (505)       4  1 0
10/ 9 AVID FANS (65)           335 310 26 51.9  10/ 9*BUSHWOOD '25 (596)        4  5 0
11/10 RAT PAK (79)              87  84  3 50.9  11/ 0*MMM BEER 1 (599)          4  6 0
12/ 0*PHILANTHROPISTS (603)      4   4  0 50.0  12/ 6 GOING BERSERK (527)       3  3 0
13/ 0 DEAD POETS (548)          71  76  3 48.3  13/13*CRAMBUS CLONES (601)      3  7 0
14-12 TIME STALLYANS (547)      95 112 11 45.9  14/19 RAT PAK (79)              2  5 0
15/13*BUSHWOOD '25 (596)         7   9  0 43.7  15- 8*WARRIOR CATS (598)        2  6 0
16-14 BATTLE SHIPS (552)        54  74  2 42.2  16/ 0*VAULT OF BROKEN HAN (607) 1  3 0
17/ 0 SIMPLETONS (424)          41  58  1 41.4  17-16 BATTLE SHIPS (552)        1  3 0
18-15*WARRIOR CATS (598)         8  13  0 38.1  18/ 0 DEAD POETS (548)          1  4 0

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
19/16 ABATTOIR 5 BLADES (535)   60 104  3 36.6  19-15 TIME STALLYANS (547)      1  4 0
20/17 DEAD SILENCE (581)        51  94  2 35.2  20/18 ABATTOIR 5 BLADES (535)   1  5 0
21/18*CRAMBUS CLONES (601)       3   7  0 30.0  21/17 HOWLIN SLAUGHTER (563)    0  6 0
22/ 0*MMM BEER 1 (599)           4  11  0 26.7  22/20 FAVORITE SAYINGS 7 (569)  0  4 0
23/ 0*VAULT OF BROKEN HAN (607)  1   3  0 25.0  23/ 0 SIMPLETONS (424)          0  1 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

I had intended to write an Issue of Stormy Scribbles, but I just was not motivated to 
do so!

The plan was to write about my Newest Warrior just being Okay enough to send to the 
Tempe Tourney!

In fact, I was intending to order all 5 of my Abattoir 5 Blades Warriors to journey to 
the Tempe Facer; that is, if they had enough Wit and Skills to even find the Tempe 
Tourney!

This was also their opportunity to audition for consideration to be Anointed as the 
Masked Mystery Warrior for the Darque-Hosted Contest that begins in February!

Stormm Krow, the beautiful battle-worn Shagornan Elf, Lady Mandalorian and I are still 
conferring among ourselves as to which Warrior is to be Anointed for that Honor!

If these Abattoir 5 Blades Warriors have enough Wit and Skills to find their way back 
to Stormcrowe Arena in time to fight their first fight on the DM 45 Sands, before the 
Contest begins in February, then perhaps we will make our choice shortly thereafter!

This is My Advice as the Veteran Manager known far and wide as Hammer:

May Your Blades Be Sharp and Your Wits Sharper! -- Hammer, Minister of War

***---------*---------*---------*---------**---------*---------*---------*---------***

     The native girl gave Orv a surprised smile.  "You have some herb lore, do you?"
     "You could say that," the little spirit replied with an answering smile.  "I'm a 
land healer.  When we're done with the monsters, I will heal the poisoned land here 
before I go home."
     "I'll pass the word.  Maybe some farmers will come and say which fields need 
help."
     The group of adventurers moved on down the flower-lined road, toward the forest 
with the dark and foggy spot in the middle.
     Vengeance said, "This chaos gate, is it a big visible stone gate, like when we 
fought in Gateway Arena?"
     Orv shook his, or her, or its head.  "It is a wound in Ghea, which has festered 
through the volcanic flow Sheila Greywand used to try and seal it.  The world beyond 
that breach is as poisonous to our world as our world is to that world."  Shaking its 
head, it spat to the side, as though tasting something vile.  "The breach is under the 
polluted water and I don't recommend going through to the other side.  It's likely 
that the enemy will be on this side, maybe in the water as the poison comforts them.  
In case you have to enter the water, I'll make you a salve to protect your bodies and 
your equipment, but that won't last more than an hour."
     Tortured Trout frowned as he strode down the road.  "Sounds like it would be best 
to lure them out of the water.  What can we do to really piss them off?"
     Orv gasped a surprised laugh, sounding as innocent as a child -- a child with 
mischief on its mind.  "I don't know them well, but I'd guess these invaders are 
fanatics who take themselves very seriously.  If they think you are making fun of 
them..."
     Marduk nodded.  "So, we pants them."
     Teetotaler shook his head.  "Nnn... ah.  We're talking about making them come out 
of the water to fight us.  How would that work?"
     "I could make an illusion," Trout suggested, rubbing his bearded chin.
     Teddy Brewster shrugged.  "When we see them, we should simply charge!"
     "We hide in the trees," said Vengeance.  "Trout makes an illusion of a farmer 
pantsing one of the poison weasels.  They get offended and come ashore to deal with 
it.  THEN we charge.  Hmm.  There are six of us, and seven of them.  Orv, do you 
fight?"
     The little spirit shook its head, then said, "Well... it depends.  You can see 
that I'm not as big and strong as all of you."
     "But you are of Ghea," said Tortured Trout.  "Can you poison those things with a 
touch?"
     "Oh.  Yes, I suppose so.  But if I am slain, I can't heal the land."
     "We won't include you in the fighting line, then.  Or Trout, either.  You guys 
are support.  The five of us can take those evil weasels."
     They had been walking rapidly as they made their plans.  Now, they were in the 
forest, which looked sick.  It was mostly oak and maple and sycamore trees, which 
should have had green leaves on this warm island, but all the leaves were shriveled 
and black, and curled up on the ground.  The tree skeletons looked twisted, as though 
they were in pain.  The group of fighters walked up a small rise in the land, and 
looked down upon a swamp, pools of bubbling yellowish water that stank of sulfur and 
rot.
     Vengeance looked at Orv.  "Can you tell where they are?"
     The nature spirit stretched out its arm, pointing at a particularly large pool.  
"Four of them.  The other three might still be in their own world."
     Teddy Brewster shifted his feet, hefted his sword, and snorted.  "Let's just 
charge."

                                 DUELMASTER'S COLUMN
                             Notes from the arena champ.

I'm sure you're all wondering how I did it.  How did I make it to the height of 
success in Stormcrowe and even achieve immortality, while maintaining a healthy work / 
life balance, enjoying an active social life and a happy family? 

I'll tell you. 

I hadn't seen or spoken with my family all year, until Thanksgiving.  That made both 
of us happy.  Even Thanksgiving dinner (my brother's new wife is vegan, and she's 
always trying to spread the disease) couldn't ruin the immaculate vibes a little space 
(not to mention silence) provided.  I'm probably pushing my luck going back for 
Christmas but that's me; I like to live on the edge.

An active social life is easy when you're as much fun as I am.  It's a gift; I can't 
teach it.  I can't turn it off.

As for my success on the sands, well... That. Is. A. Mystery. Hitting 50 FE with 
enough Political Points put me over the top.  To say that I started from humble 
beginnings would be an insult to humble beginnings.  You might say I just kept showing 
up, not dying, and (most importantly) not complaining.  My reward: a single Expert in 
Parry.  It's a rarely used strategy for success.  Maybe I should write a book? 17(1)-
15(1)-8-8(3)-21(1)-11-11(1) Tremendous endurance / Good damage, Broadsword fav; LO / 
LO rhythm; Attack favorite learn.  Which is ironic, since I started a -3 base.  When 
my opponents taunted for me not "not knowing nothin' 'bout Attacking" it hurt.  It 
really hurt!  I aspired to not knowing nothing!

I'm sure Abalech-Re is grinding her teeth right now, wondering how she ever lost 
(three times!) to me.  I mean, she was trying really hard to win.  If I'm honest, I 
did feel a little bit bad about defeating her.  But losing would have felt worse.

I'm off to the Dark Arena and then retirement.  I'm so old I thought about re-starting 
my blog but the company apparently went out of business.  I've heard there's this 
thing called Tik Tok; maybe I'll try that.  How hard can it be?

Toodles!  

                                      -- Ride or Die, your once and forever Duelmaster

                                      SPY REPORT

     If you were disturbed from your beauty rest only to have to watch a bunch of 
STORMCROWE brutes like you, you'd be grouchy, too.  If this keeps up, WARRIOR CATS, 
you'll have to shine swords instead of use them.  A drop of 7 in the rankings?  AVID 
FANS turned their 3-1-0 turn into a 2nd place rank in the listings this turn.  Any 
better than this, and you get put on hit lists.  Of course, we're all terribly 
impressed to see BARKS ALOT win a fight and gain 25 points, terribly.  Tsk, tsk, 
BEULAH BALBRICKER beat EXPOSE and EXPOSE lost 12 points.  You're breakin' my heart.  
Looks like STORMCROWE has some guts at least, SHIELDGORE the Duelmaster was this 
turn's most-challenged warrior.  THE BRUTE SQUAD challenged STORMCROWE's Duelmaster 
for a shot at the throne.  And if variety is the spice of life, STORMCROWE may be 
getting bland, as SHIELDGORE 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, 
STORMCROWE?   
     My mother always told me, 'If you don't have anything nice to say, start 
talking.' I loved that woman.  What's the big D?  DARQUE FORCES was the most avoided 
team?  Bunch of lily livered... grumble... mumble... curse...  And who led the way in 
this mass act of cowardice?  Let's see, well, whatcha know?  It was AVID FANS.  Ha ha 
ha ha!  And we have PROFOUND in a TV challenge, going down 12 points for the fight.  
Guess what?  I thought PROFOUND showed great skill and promise when it subdued LONG 
BALL.  All right, so I slept through it!  Big deal!   
     Ah, now we come to my favorite part, where we see all the guys who are dead and 
gone, and get to see if their team cared.  Gee, DEAD POETS, ain't it past due for 
sending SYLVIA PLATH Dark Arena?  What took ol' '8-4-0' so long?  Hope?  Ha ha aha 
ha!  And sending SYLVIA PLATH to the Dark Arena was supposed to be one of your better 
ideas, DEAD POETS?  I could say I saw this coming, but so could anyone else.  Anyway, 
this turn it came.  ARISTOPHANES' 4-8-0 has earned him the Dark Arena.  Honor is like 
a chainmail shirt, it only shines through use.  Certain nameless cowards will 
doubtless rebuke me on this one.   
     There's got to be a better place in STORMCROWE to get a drink than The Shadow's 
Fountain!  Any suggestions?  Well, I've had enough of this drivel, and I'm sure you 
have too.  Off like a dirty shirt of padded leather.  Glad to see the back of this 
place-- Snide Clemens  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SHIELDGORE 5756           TP 29  12  0 110         DARQUE FORCES (428)       

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-YAMATO 5083               PL 16  14  0 111         BATTLE SHIPS (552)        
 HORRACH 5806              ST 10  12  0 103         DEAD SILENCE (581)        
 THE BRUTE SQUAD 5326      BA 20  39  2 101         AVID FANS (65)            
 PEANUT SALESMAN 5676      LU 18  15  0  96         AVID FANS (65)            

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MAULY TOV 5837            BA 10   7  1  90         DARQUE FORCES (428)       
 LUSCIOUS MALFOY 5824      SL 11   9  1  80         DARQUE FORCES (428)       
 BULLS 5758                AB 10   5  0  67         GOING BERSERK (527)       

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BEULAH BALBRICKER 4410    ST  4   2  0  61         MISFIT TOYS K (505)       
 GATE KEEPER 5811          TP  9   3  0  59         AVID FANS (65)            

CHALLENGER ADEPTS              W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 PRIMAL CUT 5633           AB 12   9  2  57         HOWLIN SLAUGHTER (563)    

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MIA-RAT 5569              PL  9  13  0  56         RAT PAK (79)              
 DENNORUS 5763             WS 12  15  1  52         DEAD SILENCE (581)        
 MOSAG 5855                WS  9   5  2  47         OF WOLF & GIANT (589)     
 EXPOSE 5455               SL  9  10  1  44         FAVORITE SAYINGS 7 (569)  
 REV. BUBBA FLAVEL 4411    TP  5   0  0  44         MISFIT TOYS K (505)       
-SPLATTER 5881             BA  3   0  0  44         FAR TRAVELERS 2512 (592)  
 KEY MASTER 5825           TP  7   5  0  38         AVID FANS (65)            
 A'MAIMING GRACE 5834      LU  8  10  0  34         DARQUE FORCES (428)       
 CHAUDRY 5880                  3   0  0  34         FAR TRAVELERS 2512 (592)                 [AB-LU-ST-WS]

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-FLAKE 5904                    3   0  0  33         UNIQUIE ONE (593)                        [AB-LU-WS]
 PROFOUND 5953             TP  4   0  0  30         UNIQUIE ONE (593)         
 PBR 5947                  ST  3   0  0  26         MMM BEER 1 (599)          
 OVID 5333                 LU  4   1  0  25         DEAD POETS (548)          
 MR. CARTER 4414           LU  3   3  0  25         MISFIT TOYS K (505)       
 BARKS ALOT 6020               1   0  0  25         PHILANTHROPISTS (603)                    [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 UKTOR 5955                AB  2   2  0  20         OF WOLF & GIANT (589)     
 COKE BOTTLE 5993              2   0  0  20         CRAMBUS CLONES (601)                     [AB-LU-ST-WS]
 LONG BALL 5932            TP  1   1  0  18         BUSHWOOD '25 (596)        
-SANDSTORM 5943            LU  1   2  0  18         WARRIOR CATS (598)        
 MALDRIM 5896              AB  3   4  0  17         DEAD SILENCE (581)        
 HARRY SCARY 6019              1   0  0  17         PHILANTHROPISTS (603)                    [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 OFFENSIVE DOLL 5784           2   2  0  16         MISFIT TOYS K (505)                      [LU-ST]
-ODDITY 5967               AB  1   0  0  16         UNIQUIE ONE (593)         
 ANGG 6005                     1   0  0  16         MMM BEER 1 (599)                         [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
-CHESTY 5902               BA  1   1  0  16         UNIQUIE ONE (593)         
 LATIVEN 6016                  1   0  0  15         PHILANTHROPISTS (603)                    [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 TASTY LACEY 5968              1   0  0  15         BUSHWOOD '25 (596)                       [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 LOOPER 5931                   3   1  0  14         BUSHWOOD '25 (596)                       [AB-LU-TP-WS]
-ELTANIN 5915              LU  2   0  0  14         DRACO (594)               
 LOTCHUCK 5888             BA  2   7  0  13         DEAD SILENCE (581)        
-RAVENPAW 5939             AB  3   2  0  11         WARRIOR CATS (598)        
-FIRESTAR 5941             SL  3   2  0  11         WARRIOR CATS (598)        
 MRS. MORRIS 4412          SL  2   4  1  11         MISFIT TOYS K (505)       
 SHAKESPEARE 5356              2   1  0  11         DEAD POETS (548)                         [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
-RASTABAN 5918                 1   0  0  11         DRACO (594)                              [AB-LU-ST-WS]
 KOKILA 6027                   1   0  0  11         OF WOLF & GIANT (589)                [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 HOMER 5689                    1   1  0  10         DEAD POETS (548)                         [PR-TP]
 BOKATOR 6047                  1   0  0  10         VAULT OF BROKEN HAND (607)               [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 BOXCUTTER-RAT 5766            1   0  0  10         RAT PAK (79)                             [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 BACK NINE 5999                1   0  0  10         BUSHWOOD '25 (596)                       [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 NYSTOR 6034                   1   0  0  10         GOING BERSERK (527)                      [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
-FROLIC 5905                   2   1  0   9         UNIQUIE ONE (593)                        [AB-LU-SL-WS]
-BLUESTAR 5942             TP  1   4  0   9         WARRIOR CATS (598)        
-THUBAN 5916               WS  1   0  0   9         DRACO (594)               
 PINK DRAGON BLADE 5926    TP  1   0  0   9         ABATTOIR 5 BLADES (535)   
 LAMPERT MAN 6051              1   0  0   9         CRAMBUS CLONES (601)                     [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 COLD DRAGON BLADE 5898        0   1  0   9         ABATTOIR 5 BLADES (535)                  [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 HURTS FLIES 6015              1   0  0   7         PHILANTHROPISTS (603)                    [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
-DELILAH SWORD-DANCER 5912     1   0  0   7         TIME STALLYANS (547)                     [AB-LU-ST-WS]
 JURAXIS 6026                  1   0  0   7         OF WOLF & GIANT (589)                [AB-LU-PR-PS-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 SUPERSTITION 5998             0   1  0   7         FAVORITE SAYINGS 7 (569)                 [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 LOIN RANGER 5914          PR  1   3  0   6         HOWLIN SLAUGHTER (563)    
 DINAH MITE 5958           SL  0   5  0   5         DARQUE FORCES (428)       
 OOLA DRAGON BLADE 5928        0   1  0   5         ABATTOIR 5 BLADES (535)                  [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 OKAY DRAGON BLADE 6033        0   1  0   5         ABATTOIR 5 BLADES (535)                  [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 OLEWAIN 5981              PS  0   3  0   3         DEAD SILENCE (581)        

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 RUSTY NAIL 5893               0   1  0   3         FAVORITE SAYINGS 7 (569)                 [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 GOOD WOOD 5980                0   2  0   2         BUSHWOOD '25 (596)                       [AB-BA-LU-SL-ST-WS]
-SANDTIGER 5911            SL  0   2  0   2         TIME STALLYANS (547)      
 THUNDER-RAT 5747              0   2  0   2         RAT PAK (79)                             [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 RAYARD 6013                   0   1  0   2         PHILANTHROPISTS (603)                    [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 SITAL TUA 6043                0   1  0   1         VAULT OF BROKEN HAND (607)               [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 VOLCANO-RAT 6032              0   1  0   1         RAT PAK (79)                             [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 TSUNAMI-RAT 6031              0   1  0   1         RAT PAK (79)                             [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 XIMAG 6057                    0   1  0   1         OF WOLF & GIANT (589)                [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 CRANDAL GEIN 6053             0   1  0   1         CRAMBUS CLONES (601)                     [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 BANSHAY 6046                  0   1  0   1         VAULT OF BROKEN HAND (607)               [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]
 1 6054                        0   1  0   1         CRAMBUS CLONES (601)                     [AB-BA-LU-PL-PR-SL-ST-TP-WS]

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

THE DEAD                W  L K TEAM NAME            SLAIN BY              TURN Revenge?
FRONT NINE 5933         1  1 0 BUSHWOOD '25 596     MOSAG 5855             495  
2 6052                  0  1 0 CRAMBUS CLONES 601   ARENAMASTER NHOR       498 NONE
ARISTOPHANES 5103       4  9 0 DEAD POETS 548       ARENAMASTER NHOR       498 NONE
SYLVIA PLATH 5008       8  5 0 DEAD POETS 548       WURM KIN               498 NONE
NASH 5925               0  3 0 DEAD SILENCE 581     BOOLB 5956             495 REVENGED
A 6049                  0  1 0 HOWLIN SLAUGHTER 563 ARENAMASTER NHOR       498 NONE
BYE 6035                0  1 0 MMM BEER 1 599       MOUNTAIN TROLL         498 NONE
SEE YA 6036             0  1 0 MMM BEER 1 599       STONE GOLEM            498 NONE
BOOLB 5956              1  1 1 OF WOLF & GIANT 589  DENNORUS 5763          496  
GONE 6056               0  1 0 SIMPLETONS 424       ARENAMASTER NHOR       498 NONE
SLAP FIGHT 6045         0  1 0 VAULT OF BROKEN  607 BLACK ORC              498 NONE

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Storm Swords -- I sent a team of 5 warriors to the Tempe Tourney to gain skills! We 
shall see how many survived the experience! Then we shall see how many survive their 
first fight in the Stormcrowe Arena, before they are to begin the Darque-Hosted 
Contest that begins in February! -- Hammer, Minister of War, mgr of Abattoir 5 Blades
P.S. Abattoir 5 Blades is Officially Entering the Contest in the DM 45 Arena! I have 
contacted the RSI Gladiatorial Commission to Apply the 2 Gift Certs Entry Fee! I am as 
yet Undecided as to which Warrior to Anoint as the Abattoir 5 Blades Masked Mystery 
Warrior! I will inform Darque of my choice before the Contest begins!

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

SYLVIA PLATH was butchered by WURM KIN in a crowd pleasing 1 minute Dark Arena fight.
ARISTOPHANES was murdered by ARENAMASTER NHOR in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena melee.
BYE was assassinated by MOUNTAIN TROLL in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
SLAP FIGHT was butchered by BLACK ORC in a 1 minute gory Dark Arena contest.
A was assassinated by ARENAMASTER NHOR in a 1 minute bloody Dark Arena match.
SEE YA was butchered by STONE GOLEM in a 1 minute Dark Arena duel.
GONE was assassinated by ARENAMASTER NHOR in a 1 minute brutal Dark Arena struggle.
2 was butchered by ARENAMASTER NHOR in a 1 minute gory Dark Arena competition.
PROFOUND slimly won victory over LONG BALL in a 12 minute Challenge melee.
THE BRUTE SQUAD slimly lost to SHIELDGORE in a 6 minute Challenge Title fight.
KEY MASTER unbelievably bested A'MAIMING GRACE in a popular 5 minute Challenge fight.
COKE BOTTLE handily defeated OLEWAIN in a 1 minute one-sided Challenge bout.
HORRACH demolished LUSCIOUS MALFOY in a 1 minute bloody mismatched match.
PEANUT SALESMAN viciously subdued VETERAN MERCENARY in a 2 minute brutal battle.
MAULY TOV devastated BULLS in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
PRIMAL CUT was viciously subdued by MIA-RAT in a 3 minute gory expert's fight.
GATE KEEPER outwaited MOSAG in a 8 minute duel.
BEULAH BALBRICKER handily defeated EXPOSE in a 1 minute mismatched bout.
DENNORUS was unbelievably bested by REV. BUBBA FLAVEL in a 6 minute gory brawl.
CHAUDRY savagely defeated LOOPER in a 2 minute brutal match.
PBR overpowered MRS. MORRIS in a 1 minute one-sided match.
UKTOR viciously subdued GOOD WOOD in a crowd pleasing 2 minute gory competition.
MR. CARTER overpowered THUNDER-RAT in a popular 1 minute one-sided duel.
LOTCHUCK overcame DINAH MITE in a 1 minute duel.
MALDRIM viciously subdued LOIN RANGER in a 4 minute gory contest.
OFFENSIVE DOLL demolished 1 in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
HOMER was viciously subdued by HARRY SCARY in a 3 minute gory match.
OVID won victory over RAYARD in a exciting 1 minute novice's fight.
SHAKESPEARE lost to ANGG in a 3 minute beginner's bout.
SUPERSTITION was viciously subdued by JURAXIS in a 2 minute brutal beginner's bout.
BACK NINE handily defeated SITAL TUA in a 2 minute one-sided duel.
TASTY LACEY overpowered OKAY DRAGON BLADE in a 1 minute uneven fight.
HURTS FLIES viciously subdued BANSHAY in a 3 minute brutal novice's fight.
LATIVEN overpowered XIMAG in a exciting 1 minute one-sided fight.
BARKS ALOT savagely defeated TSUNAMI-RAT in a 3 minute veteran vs. amateur fray.
KOKILA narrowly defeated COLD DRAGON BLADE in a 2 minute novice's struggle.
RUSTY NAIL was demolished by BOKATOR in a 1 minute one-sided struggle.
OOLA DRAGON BLADE was handily defeated by NYSTOR in a 1 minute one-sided fight.
PINK DRAGON BLADE demolished VOLCANO-RAT in a 5 minute one-sided conflict.
LAMPERT MAN won victory over POLITE BEGGAR in a crowd boring 5 minute novice's bout.
CRANDAL GEIN was overpowered by BOXCUTTER-RAT in a 1 minute one-sided competition.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|LUNGING ATTACK                  11         TOTAL PARRY       33 -  23 -  0      59  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                 11         LUNGING ATTACK    41 -  43 -  0      49  |
|TOTAL PARRY                     10         PARRY-LUNGE        4 -   5 -  0      44  |
|STRIKING ATTACK                 10         AIMED BLOW        27 -  38 -  0      42  |
|AIMED BLOW                       8         WALL OF STEEL     16 -  23 -  4      41  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    8         STRIKING ATTACK   20 -  29 -  0      41  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    6         SLASHING ATTACK   15 -  32 -  1      32  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   4         BASHING ATTACK    19 -  42 -  0      31  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      2         PARRY-RIPOSTE      3 -   8 -  0      27  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     2         PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  11 -  0       8  |

Turn 498 was great if you     Not so great if you used      The fighting styles of the
used the fighting styles:     the fighting styles:          top eleven warriors are:

TOTAL PARRY        8 -  2     LUNGING ATTACK     5 -  6         3  BASHING ATTACK 
AIMED BLOW         5 -  3     WALL OF STEEL      2 -  6         3  LUNGING ATTACK 
STRIKING ATTACK    6 -  4     SLASHING ATTACK    2 -  9         2  STRIKING ATTACK
PARRY-LUNGE        1 -  1     PARRY-RIPOSTE      1 -  5         1  TOTAL PARRY    
PARRY-STRIKE       1 -  1                                       1  PARRY-LUNGE    
BASHING ATTACK     2 -  2                                       1  SLASHING ATTACK

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
TOTAL PARRY      SHIELDGORE 5756            29  12  0  110 DARQUE FORCES (428)
LUNGING ATTACK   PEANUT SALESMAN 5676       18  15  0   96 AVID FANS (65)
BASHING ATTACK   MAULY TOV 5837             10   7  1   90 DARQUE FORCES (428)
SLASHING ATTACK  LUSCIOUS MALFOY 5824       11   9  1   80 DARQUE FORCES (428)
AIMED BLOW       BULLS 5758                 10   5  0   67 GOING BERSERK (527)
STRIKING ATTACK  BEULAH BALBRICKER 4410      4   2  0   61 MISFIT TOYS K (505)
WALL OF STEEL    MOSAG 5855                  9   5  2   47 OF WOLF & GIANT (589)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is THE BRUTE SQUAD 5326.  The most popular warrior this 
turn was A'MAIMING GRACE 5834.  The ten other most popular fighters were LONG BALL 
5932, UKTOR 5955, MIA-RAT 5569, MALDRIM 5896, SHAKESPEARE 5356, HURTS FLIES 6015, THE 
BRUTE SQUAD 5326, PEANUT SALESMAN 5676, DENNORUS 5763, and CHAUDRY 5880.

The least popular fighter this week was GATE KEEPER 5811.  The other ten least 
popular fighters were LAMPERT MAN 6051, PROFOUND 5953, PINK DRAGON BLADE 5926, REV. 
BUBBA FLAVEL 4411, OOLA DRAGON BLADE 5928, RUSTY NAIL 5893, BANSHAY 6046, OKAY DRAGON 
BLADE 6033, 1 6054, and LOIN RANGER 5914.