DUEL 2 NEWSLETTER

Date   : 08/21/2026    Duedate: 09/03/2026

LIN TIRIAN ARENA

DM 78    TURN 837

This Week's Top Honors

THE DUELMASTER IS

SILVER STUD
HOWLIN CASE (352)
(78-3678) [15-5-0,137]

Chartered Recognition Leader   Unchartered Recognition Leader

SILVER STUD                    COSTANZA
HOWLIN CASE (352)              SHRIN KAGE RYU (403)
(78-3678) [15-5-0,137]         (78-3771) [3-0-0,69]

Popularity Leader              This Week's Favorite

TIKI                           TIKI
ALASD (171)                    ALASD (171)
(78-3752) [9-7-0,89]           (78-3752) [9-7-0,89]

THE CURRENT TOP TEAM

CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)

          TEAMS ON THE MOVE            TOP CAREER HONORS
Team Name                  Point Gain  Chartered Team
1. CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)          43 
2. PERRY COUNTY (374)            21    PERRY COUNTY (374)
3. SHRIN KAGE RYU (403)          10    Unchartered Team
4. HOWLIN CASE (352)             6  
5. ALASD (171)                   5     CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)

The Top Teams

Career Win-Loss Record           W   L  K    %  Win-Loss Record Last 3 Turns    W  L K
 1/ 1*CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)      10   0  0 100.   1/ 1*CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)     10  0 0
 2/ 2*SHRIN KAGE RYU (403)       3   0  0 100.   2/ 2 PERRY COUNTY (374)        5  5 0
 3/ 3 PERRY COUNTY (374)       295 159  9 65.0   3/ 5*SHRIN KAGE RYU (403)      3  0 0
 4/ 4 HOWLIN CASE (352)        249 171  9 59.3   4/ 3 ALASD (171)               3  0 0
 5/ 5 ALASD (171)               13  14  0 48.1   5/ 4 HOWLIN CASE (352)         3  1 0
 6/ 6 SAND DANCERS (68)        1614 1951 48 45.3   6/ 6 SAND DANCERS (68)         0  3 0

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

                                    TEAM SPOTLIGHT

                                   ~Circle of Fire~

The white-haired Sendori woman stared out the second-floor window from her quarters 
onto the street of Lin Tirian, pondering how many paths her life had followed in its 
short span. She had been a child slave in Ini'Palel and then an illegal pit fighter 
there: Slavery was illegal in the empire, but in that city rules had been soft. Then 
she was "rescued" to professional arena fighting in Daiyla Kiv, and on failing at that 
became a farmer in Illis, then a soldier in the south, then a caretaker for an elderly 
woman in K'Hon Tine and Simtakka. Now... she was a duelist once again in yet another 
city. She could see the arena across the river from here: This wasn't remarkable as 
the layered design of the City of Lights gave that view to half its population, but 
this branch of the Circle Armory had a particular centered view of it. The streets 
were bustling at this hour, filled enough that some elves from the surrounding Red 
Forest could even be seen in the throng. Of course, if she wanted to deal with elves 
she had only to go downstairs.

                                        * * *

"It is true I tell you! The baker's art was first mastered in the ovens of the 
Tzaltakan and no others have ever risen to that level." The speaker was thickly built 
with broad flat features, and other than his dark complexion and colorful vests 
resembled an ancient relief statue. "Our techniques were stolen and imitated, but 
poorly." 

The blond elven woman in a flowing white dress smiled at him bemusedly, poking fun at 
him as she often did, "So Melzitar, let me get this straight. When the crowd shouts 
'Melgreth! Melgreth!' after one of your victories in the arena, what they *should* be 
doing instead is hoping you bake them a pastry?"

"They would be well to do that. One day, Kelnitza willing, 'Kazmet's-son's Bakery' 
will be the talk of Lin Tirian, and beyond, and none will question the skills my 
father taught me."

The woman stifled a giggle, the man's earnestness always amusing her. "Alright you 
have me convinced. Do the Tzaltakans have anything like a croissant? I'm sure our 
guest would like one." She pointed to a small elven boy peering up from behind a 
chair, who immediately ducked low. Then she yelled down the hallway "H'Rad, will you 
please tell your son to stop skulking."

A slightly darker skinned elf appeared with tree-brown hair and dark green hunting 
paint spread across his face. "The dwellers of the Red Forest do not skulk tyl Roon. 
We practice stealth." He tried to come off as serious, but knew it would only be 
turned against him.

"In a kitchen?"

"Everywhere."

"Well maybe he could tone it down or Melgreth won't know he is there to be fed."

The boy squeaked and popped his head back into view, just in time to witness the white 
haired woman descending the stairs nearby, sniff the air, and ask if somebody was 
baking.

                                        * * *

Two Adantri, one Mirani and one Palani, stood in the armory proper. The clean-shaven 
Palani had a sheen of sweat as he worked the forge, but otherwise radiated only clean 
precision. The other man was the opposite, swarthy unkempt and unshaven with a 
dangling mustache, a weather-beaten hat, and clothes that had seen better years.

The blacksmith chuckled "So you are serious Sir Rancid? Dokar just drove you out here 
by coach, tossed you the keys, and rode off?"

The other man curled his fingers and frowned, causing the lines of his face to get 
even more pronounced till they resembled a troll's scales. "Stop calling me that. And 
no it wasn't so... abrupt. He said he wanted me to see the new hall, judge the 
warriors for training as I had done in Daiyla Kiv. Then when we got here, after I had 
only met the... chef... he announced that he had decided because of my earlier efforts 
he wanted me to relocate here and assume control of his local holdings, to no longer 
just be a trainer."

The other man paused his forgework and nodded "Sorry... Pete. So it is then that he 
tossed you the keys and rode off?"

'Rancid' Pete aka Barl sighed, "Yes. He isn't one to mince words."

"Well, congratulations on your new position. Hopefully we will not disappoint. And 
you've met the elves and the Tzaltakan, and me. So... what about the crazy one? Have 
you met and judged her capabilities yet?"

The swarthy man turned his head facing deeper into the building, "I knew Irry already. 
Trained her a little when she first was employed by Dokar. Then she worked on my 
family farm for a time, and took care of my mother after it burned. And she isn't as 
crazy as she lets on. It's mostly for show and out of habit these days. She has just 
had an ugly life."

"Haven't we all, Sir Rancid. Haven't we all?"

                                      SPY REPORT

     Much has changed in LIN TIRIAN since last I was here.  Never fear, Olaf Modeen 
adapts to many situations, as do all successful fighters.  What's with APALONA?  She 
actually beat LIN TIRIAN's M. CHARDINEE, and walked away with 12 more points from the 
fight.  Try as he might, VENEMOUS CONCUBINE wasn't good enough at persuading SILVER 
STUD to step down from the Duelmaster's throne...  I suppose you want to hear some 
rumors and dirty gossip about your fellow fighters?  Tough!   
     If at first you don't succeed, avoid.  That'll get you in the Spyreports.  How 
well I know the feeling of being in the most avoided team!  Don't fall out of 
practive, PERRY COUNTY!  In my day, no team with a 293-158-9 would scare me off!  
What's the problem, CIRCLE OF FIRE?  What do people see in BIG ONE?  His 10-51-2?  
SAND DANCERS ain't talkin', but he's got 83 points.   
     There have been some calls to lengthen the time limit.  Do you want the fighters 
to walk away, or not?  Is it my imagination, or are fighters getting younger every 
day?  To die so young, so gloriously!   
     Well, I'm pretty much through.  You guys need to get back practicing.  All work 
and no play makes Olaf a dull fighter.  Work and play no fighter dull Olaf.  
Olaffighterwork and no play.  Remember--a good fighter needs both good skills and 
good luck.  Until next time,-- Olaf Modeen  

DUELMASTER                     W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 SILVER STUD 3678             15   5  0 137         HOWLIN CASE (352)         

CHALLENGER CHAMPIONS           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
-BRISTOW 3707                 14   5  2  94         PERRY COUNTY (374)        

CHAMPIONS                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 TIKI 3752                     9   7  0  89         ALASD (171)               
-SIBERIA 3718                 11   2  0  85         PERRY COUNTY (374)        
 BIG ONE 3666                 10  51  2  83         SAND DANCERS (68)         
 APALONA 3724                 12   6  0  71         PERRY COUNTY (374)        
 COSTANZA 3771                 3   0  0  69         SHRIN KAGE RYU (403)      

ADEPTS                         W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 BANDON 3743                  12   5  0  52         PERRY COUNTY (374)        

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 FENNHAVEN 3709               13  11  0  50         PERRY COUNTY (374)        

CHALLENGER INITIATES           W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 ANAMI TYL ROON 2471           2   0  0  24         CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)      

INITIATES                      W   L  K POINTS      TEAM NAME                  
 MORIN KEL DARG 2475           2   0  0  22         CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)      
 IRRY 2472                     2   0  0  22         CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)      
 H'RAD FEN BARL 2474           2   0  0  22         CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)      
 MELGRETH 2473                 2   0  0  19         CIRCLE OF FIRE (288)      

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

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

                                     PERSONAL ADS

Congrats to Silver Stud, Duelmaster of Lin Tirian. He and his manager are worthy 
Champions. -- Smitty

Health. Humility. Honor. Perry County, a land of weak internet, minimal prospects, and 
impoverished fellows, but freedom and beauty and optimistic friendships. -- Smitty

                                  LAST WEEK'S FIGHTS

TIKI bested BIG ONE in a crowd pleasing 1 minute Challenge fight.
SILVER STUD vanquished VENEMOUS CONCUBINE in a 1 minute uneven Title battle.
COSTANZA demolished FENNHAVEN in a 2 minute bloody uneven fight.
APALONA outwaited M. CHARDINEE in a popular 11 minute brutal fight.
BANDON unbelievably bested DANGEROUS CRIMINAL in a 3 minute brawl.
H'RAD FEN BARL vanquished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute mismatched fight.
MORIN KEL DARG beat EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 1 minute amateur's brawl.
MELGRETH defeated EMBEZZLING SCRIBE in a 3 minute gruesome beginner's melee.
IRRY vanquished CONVICTED THIEF in a 1 minute one-sided duel.
ANAMI TYL ROON vanquished PERSISTANT BEGGAR in a slow 3 minute one-sided duel.

                                    BATTLE REPORT

             MOST POPULAR                        RECORD DURING THE LAST 10 TURNS     
|FIGHTING STYLE               FIGHTS        FIGHTING STYLE     W -   L -  K   PERCENT|
|STRIKING ATTACK                  3         WALL OF STEEL      2 -   0 -  0     100  |
|TOTAL PARRY                      3         AIMED BLOW         2 -   0 -  0     100  |
|PARRY-RIPOSTE                    2         BASHING ATTACK     2 -   0 -  0     100  |
|AIMED BLOW                       1         PARRY-RIPOSTE     10 -   1 -  1      91  |
|SLASHING ATTACK                  1         SLASHING ATTACK   11 -   6 -  0      65  |
|BASHING ATTACK                   1         TOTAL PARRY       16 -  13 -  0      55  |
|WALL OF STEEL                    1         STRIKING ATTACK   17 -  20 -  0      46  |
|PARRY-LUNGE                      0         PARRY-STRIKE       0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|PARRY-STRIKE                     0         PARRY-LUNGE        0 -   0 -  0       0  |
|LUNGING ATTACK                   0         LUNGING ATTACK     0 -   0 -  0       0  |

Turn 837 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:

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

                               TOP WARRIOR OF EACH STYLE

FIGHTING STYLE   WARRIOR                     W   L  K PNTS TEAM NAME                  
STRIKING ATTACK  SILVER STUD 3678           15   5  0  137 HOWLIN CASE (352)
SLASHING ATTACK  TIKI 3752                   9   7  0   89 ALASD (171)
TOTAL PARRY      APALONA 3724               12   6  0   71 PERRY COUNTY (374)
PARRY-RIPOSTE    COSTANZA 3771               3   0  0   69 SHRIN KAGE RYU (403)
Note: Warriors have a winning record and are an Adept or Above.

The overall popularity leader is TIKI 3752.  The most popular warrior this turn was 
TIKI 3752.  The ten other most popular fighters were SILVER STUD 3678, COSTANZA 3771, 
MORIN KEL DARG 2475, MELGRETH 2473, BIG ONE 3666, BANDON 3743, H'RAD FEN BARL 2474, 
IRRY 2472, FENNHAVEN 3709, and ANAMI TYL ROON 2471.

The least popular fighter this week was APALONA 3724.  The other ten least popular 
fighters were ANAMI TYL ROON 2471, FENNHAVEN 3709, IRRY 2472, H'RAD FEN BARL 2474, 
BANDON 3743, BIG ONE 3666, MELGRETH 2473, MORIN KEL DARG 2475, COSTANZA 3771, and 
SILVER STUD 3678.

The following warriors will travel to AD after next turn:

SILVER STUD (78-3678) HOWLIN CASE (352)

                         BLOODGAMES 2026 -- corrected (dates)

Back by popular demand, we will be hosting a new slow Bloodgames mailed arena 
beginning in September. We also plan our usual Bloodgames arenas at the winter and 
summer Face-to-Face tournaments.  

For those of you who always wanted the chance to manage the last warrior standing 
alive upon the arena sands, your day has come.  The Bloodgames are coming! 

At the end of the ten turns, even though several warriors, bruised and scarred, MAY 
yet live, only one will be crowned Champion of the Bloodgames.  And in this game mere 
survival counts for little.  A great general once said, "The object of battle is not 
to die for your cause, but to make your enemy die for his."  This general would have 
greatly enjoyed the Duelmasters Bloodgames.  Here are the particulars: 

  Face-to-Face style Bloodgames  Turn 1 is due by Fri at 9pm at the hotel
  (Winter: DM 96, Summer: DM 98) Turns process with the tournament 
                                 Strategy changes allowed, bloodfeud challenges only 

  Mail-in style Bloodgames       Turn 1 is by Sat at 9pm at the hotel
  (Winter: DM 97, Summer: DM 99) All turns process overnight, mail-in style.
                                 No strategy changes; all ten rounds process one
                                 after the other and results will be out Sun morning.
 
  Slow Bloodgames (DM 95):       Turn 1 is due Weds September 23 
                                 Turns process every 28 days
	                         Strategy changes allowed, bloodfeud challenges only 
          
Gameplay proceeds according to standard DM rules, except for a few notable exceptions: 

BLOODGAMES ROLLUP --  Your Bloodgames team is ten warriors, one of each fighting 
style, each warrior designed from scratch!  (All are DYOs (design your owns) with 84 
points, 3-21, as usual.) To submit your rollup, just write/type them up and send them 
in.  We'll mail or email your overviews and you can write up your strategies. Your 
warriors must be created and have strategies entered by the first due date. 

DEATH -- As the name implies, the Bloodgames will leave the arena sands somewhat 
darker before they're over.  It's a dangerous sport intended only for the tough and 
spirited.  The Arenamaster will be less likely to intercede on behalf of a dying 
warrior.  Even at a 1 kill desire, kill attempts will occur.

REPLACEMENTS AND ROLLUPS -- There will be no replacement characters.  

CHALLENGES AND STRATEGIES -- In the turn-based bloodgames, there are no regular 
challenges, only bloodfeuds.  There will be no DA challenges in any of the bloodgames 
arenas.

MISSED TURNS -- All warriors fight each round.  Only the dead may rest.

ERRORS -- If we make an input error, that warrior will be awarded a win and kill.  
Errors must be reported before the next turn processes.  

NEWSLETTER -- Warriors are ranked according to their number of kills.  Champions of 
Bloodgames may write a column for the newsletter at the end of the games. 

FEES -- A Bloodgames rollup costs a $10 set-up fee.  Managers may roll up more than 
one team but may run only one team in each arena.  The fee for all ten rounds is $49. 

AWARDS -- The Bloodgames last ten rounds.  Only warriors who survive to the end of 
Turn 10 will be eligible for an award.  However, a consolation award of a Bloodgames 
T-shirt will be awarded to the dead warrior with the most kills.

The living warrior with the greatest number of kills will be the Bloodgames Champion.  
Bloodgames Victor titles, 2nd and 3rd place will be awarded to those living warriors 
with the greatest number of kills at the end of Turn 10, with one other important 
consideration:  Each of these three warriors must be of a different fighting style.  
Win/loss records and, if necessary, recognition points will only be used to determine 
awards if there is a tie.  

The Bloodgames Champion fights for free in Advanced Duelmasters, and all Champions and 
Victors earn Tournament Victor status, which allows them to challenge once per turn 
with increased priority.  These awards last for six months.  The manager of the 
Bloodgames Champion and Victors will receive Bloodgames T-shirts.

A Bloodgames T-shirt will be awarded to the manager of the team with the most kills.  
T-shirts will only happen if someone gives us a nice design. One shirt per person.

AFTERMATH -- Warriors from the Bloodgames may not transfer to any other arena.  Once 
the games are over, the arena and teams will be disbanded.  The fighters have won 
their freedom and will never more be seen in the gladiatorial games.  A special bonus 
will, however, be awarded to the 1st through 3rd place warriors.  Lady Sheila 
Greywand, of the Isle of the Eye, has consented to allow the top three gladiators in 
each Bloodgames admission to the Advanced Duelmasters games.  Any special training 
required to qualify those three warriors for Advanced Duelmasters combat will be 
conducted before transfer into ADM.  Astute managers will note that this means that 
three warriors that are designed from scratch will survive the Bloodgames, win one of 
the top three places, and go on to immortal glory!  One of those warriors could be 
yours!

         The challenge is yours to take.  The final plans are yours to make.  
           When the dust settles, remember:  To the victor goes the spoils!