::on the cover this week, Shadowrun's eyes glitter brightly, his crysknife held with the blade in the
palm of his hand as he thrusts into Aspendale's circular parry.  A glob of blood is caught in the
photo dripping toward the floor from the Bishop's hand.  Beyond them RDI Keeper is clear in the
photo, looking up at them with bright eyes from the Ref's table.  Beyond her, the back of Gloin's
head can be seen and Feadur high cutting as Roustam low cuts are blurs in the extreme
background.  Over this reads DOS TODAY::

*    *    *

DoS TODAY   Volume 2,  Issue 7

Contents:

Letters to the Editor              page 2
Advert for Gloin's Weapon O-Rama   page 3
Advert for Arelia's Trinkets       page 3
Editorial                page 4
Advert for Music is Magic Nightclub     page 5
Ask Dr. Stupid           page 6
Advert for The White Rose          page 7
Simini's Swords               page 8
Advert for Guytar's Gore      page 10
Report on Duel of Fists       page 11
Advert for Falire's Chimney Service     page 13
Photo Spread                  page 14
Report on the Baron Tourney   page 16

Staff:    Oscar Madison, Editor in chief (DoSEditor)
     Broadway Dan, Associate Editor (BrdwayDan)
     Hedda Hat, Columnist (HeddaHat)
     Simini, Columnist (Simini x)
     Dr. Stupid, Advice Columnist (DrStupidMD)
     Jake Thrash, DoF correspondent (JakeThrash)

*    *    *
page 2

Editor,

  This is a quote from my interview with Hedda:
  "HeddaHat:  Do you think the apprentice who fought Connor was a fool?
  WizSlinger:  A fool? No, I do not think that person knew where Connor was....and, recalling a
duel of Connor's I think that person would not have dueled him" I would like to make two points
here, one is that I said I think, because I was not there, and two I recalled a duel where after
finding out that Connor was a Mage where he said something along the lines of, "You're a
Mage!?!?!?!?!?" I do not recall exactly what he said though.
  I would like Connor to make an open apology to me for accusing me of "tarnishing of the Arch
MageShip"

Thank you for your time,
Wiz

*    *    *
page 3

::a small ad appears on the next page::
Gloin's Weapon-O-rama
 Servicing the greater RhyDIn area for over 146 years
       Sharpening and Cleaning Service
       New and Used Weapons Sales
       Consignments Negotiable
       No job too small
       Specializing in Swords and Axes
       Ask about our exclusive "Tempered Mithril" coating process  

"Shop conveniently located 3 doors south of the Red Dragon Inn"

=======================================================

::white roses with red spots circle the ad::

@    @    @    @


ARELIA'S TRINKETS

for all your dueling needs...

If she can't make it, it can't be made.

Exclusive supplier of Potion's Miracle Salve-- Cuts, burns or punctures healed in moments. 
Those with a heavy demand get a 10% discount.  Come down all you beaten-to-a-pulp
commoners and feel relief fast.

Now featuring the latest in Leather Fashions, Eye Protection, and Scatterguns in honor of the
Overlord.

Also selling "I'm Bad cause I'm a Baron" buttons, and vanity plates for those new Cadillacs the
Overlord promised.

The shop is located conveniently next door to the Red Dragon Inn and the dueling basement.


@    @    @    @

*    *    *
page 4

Excitement in the Air... or is that just sweat?

  The basement the past couple of weeks has been a stagnant pit of angst and silence.  That
coupled with the very mundane problem of reporting intruding folks to TOS has made the duels a
chore at best.  The callers dealt with it as best they could, but the good old basement was a good
old zoo on numerous occasions the past two weekends.  Kudos to Siera Red for coming to assist
on Friday evening, there should be more of this generous assistance in my humble opinion.  Kudos
to Gloin for keeping things moving right along Saturday night in his usual brisk and efficient
manner.  Hats off also to the dwarf for keeping a great account of the standings.  I don't know if
you folks remember the complaints made in the past, but the problem has been solved.
  But... the boards all week have been tinged with an excitement that I frankly thought was gone
from the duels.  Challenge mania!  The new Baron rank has apparently been seen by the masses
and approved wholeheartedly.  The Warlords have gone into a challenge frenzy and it does this
old columnist's heart good to see a little life in the duels again.  Challenges made this week
include:
Queen Luthien challenging Halbarad for his position (Halbarad has not answered and so forfeits)
Roustam challenging Vixxenish for her position
Shadowrun challenging Falire for his position
MidnyteBlue challenging Ecore008 for his Baron seat
SharTal challenging Kalamere for his Baron seat
Falon's lawyers challenging Phylos for his position
FantasyRC challenging SlothShamn for his position
AND....
First Ranked Xenograg challenging the Overlord MadMadMax who has announced this morning
that he feels the warlord unworthy, and spoke of his intention to let a Loyal Baron duel in his
stead.  Who will he pick?  Only time will tell.  But believe you me, readers, the duel will be a
grand one.
  Let's just hope the grandeur of these fair challenges will ease the bickering and nonsense of the
basement once and for all.  The duel's the thing.  All else is irrelevant.
But then that's just my opinion...  ~Ed.

CONTEST RESULTS:

  People who answered the "Name that Quote" question in the last issue correctly in order: 
Richenda, PrinceFyre, Rand alTan.
  Congratulations to them all!  Their prize is mention in the magazine.  Yeah I know, it's a cheap
prize, but this is a cheap magazine.
  And the correct answer was:  "You can talk, you can talk, you can bicker, you can talk" was
from the beginning of "The Music Man" by Meredith Willson, the scene in the train.  Rand even
went so far as to give the rest of that little quote.

*    *    *
page 5

The Music is Magic Nightclub, for the best music, food and drink in RhyDin.

Regardless of your dueling preference (swords, magic, fists or spectator), and your musical
preferences, the Music is Magic Nightclub has something for almost everyone.  Stop by, sit back,
and relax after a hard evening of dueling.  Enjoy the relaxed ambience of the most successful
nightclub in RhyDin.  Stop by our gift shop where you can get a variety of music-related items,
and help out the RhyDin Orphanage and the Halfway House at the same time.  (A portion of the
proceeds goes to these two establishments.)

Unless otherwise specified, a portion of every evening is under an "open mike" policy. 
Impromptu performances are always welcome, as long as they are within the bounds of propriety. 
(No TOSables).

(Music is Magic Nightclub, message board in From the Dragon's Mouth)

*    *    *
page 6

Ask Dr. Stupid, DoS Today's Advice Column
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Dear Dr. Stupid,
Do you think that dueling can come between friendships?
-Wondering

Dear Wondering,
That depends on whether the friends duel using nerf swords, whipped cream, or really sharp
blades.
-Dr. Nerf Puncture, crM.D.

Dear Dr. Stupid,
Some of your answers are very short. You should be more polite and elaborate.  You catch more
flies with honey than with vinegar, you know.
-A. Common Reader

Dear Mr. Reader,
Yes, but raw meat catches even more of them.
-Dr. Stupid

Dear Dr. Stupid,
What does a love sick War Lord of DoS do to clear her mind before the up coming Tourney?
-Warlord in Love

Dear Warlord,
I usually think about baseball.
-Dr. Stupid

(Editor's note: DoSToday does not advocate thinking about baseball in any way, shape, or form.)

To reach Dr. Stupid with a comment, question, or problem to solve, send mail by way of
BrdwayDan who will pass it on to him, until Dr. Stupid stops being such a deadbeat and gets his
own account.  (Late bulletin!  E-mail questions to DrStupidMD.  Dan finally got sick of him and
threw him out.  ~Ed.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

*    *    *
page 7


<<<<------------------------------------------>>>>            
                           THE WHITE ROSE                      

               Catering and other hands on activities.

               Centrally located in DownTown Rhydin
               between the Red Dragon Inn and the
               StarsEnd Bar and Grill.

            Walk-ins welcome, appointments appreciated.

      ---/--\-%{@  Bria Thorne, owner and proprietress

<<<<--------------------------------------------->>>>

*    *    *
page 8

Raven... the AceoSwords

   The following is the second of an ongoing series of articles featuring various duelers and their
weapons. If you would like to see the story of your blade (broomstick, dagger, submachine gun,
etc)  appear here, please get in touch with Simini x via email...

   Walking into the study of the Tower, the copper-crowned reporter looks about her as her
gracious host fusses with details such as food, comfort and such other things that pale from the
mind when one sits in a room such as this... there are couches and chairs scattered around its
comfortable interior.  There is a bar along one wall and a bookcase filled with hundreds of scrolls
and books along another.  In one window can be seen framed a gently misting waterfall and out
another the whole of the vale where the Tower is located can be viewed moving down the
mountain. 
   Simini seats herself comfortably in a couch, crosses her legs and sets her pad and pen on her
knee. Smiling at Raven with crystal blue eyes, she slips into her easy businesslike questioning.
   "Tell me about your weapons, my friend," she says, smiling.
   He grins at her, "Ifen ye mean me Trusty Broom Stick...  Well... tis a broom stick." He shrugs.
"I' ha' no name as such... tis jus' a broom stick.  Ifen ye mean my Sword... well, tis named
Ithilmigil..." Which... loosely translated means... Sword of Light.  For obvious reasons I thin'."
   Smiling, she reaches forward and grabs an hors d'oeuvre. Munching, she grins at Lord Raven,
"Mmmmm...this is great! My compliments to the cook!"  
   The Ace of Swords grins back, and offers her some more. She raises her hand, and chuckles.
"Gotta watch the figure, Raven. Now... tell me about the creation of your weapons..." She grins.
"The broomstick AND the sword, if you don't mind." She poises her pen ready.
   "I believe tha' my Broom stick was firs' grown in the woods aroun' me Tower," he says with a
smile. "I whittled it down from a tree branch meself....  Hmm.... Aroun' a year or so ago. 
   "Ithilmigil was forged somewhere around a thousan' years ago... I forged I'myself under the
guidance of the Blue Lady and with aid of the Elemental Lord of Light.  It took me 6 months of
constan' wor' in the forgin' and Enchantin'.  I' was forged in me Tower which then resided in the
County of Merilynn on the world called Enthinar."   
   Simini looks up to regard him with crystalline eyes. "Tell me about Enthinar, Raven."
   He looks at her with an impassive face. "I' ye wish to more, I suggest ye see the folder "Raven's
Tower", located in From the Dragon's Mouth."
   She nods, perceiving his reluctance to speak. "Alright then, let's move along." She smiles
reassuringly. "May I see the blade? I don't need to see the broomstick," she says, chuckling.
   He smiles and stands. "I'thought ye might ask tha'." He turns and walks to the mantelpiece,
lifting something from it, and turns back to her. It is Ithilmigil's scabbard, leather woven with
silver wire and hundreds of tiny sapphires. Lovingly, he slowly pulls the blade from its sheath, and
a flash of Elemental Light washes over them both. 
  "Oh, Raven, she's gorgeous," Simini proclaims as she passes a hand over the 4' blade without
touching it. Her voice drops to a respectful whisper. "What is she made of?"
   "Hmmm...tis made of a material called Silima," he replies as she closely examines the glowing
white metal. 
   "I love the way the whiteness of the... silima... contrasts with the hilt!" Carefully pronouncing
the new word, she points to the raven and sapphire hilt. "She's just gorgeous, Raven," she says
again, grinning as the Lord of the Tower resheathes his blade.
   "It weighs aroun' 8 poun's or so... an in me han' I' is as easy to handle as me own arm... I woul'
na recommen' anyone else drawin' it... she does na li' strangers to draw her," he warns, with a soft
smile.
   "Does she have any special powers?"
   "Aye... she does," he smiles. "Bu' ye'll forgive me I'm sure ifen I don' wan' those published for
all and sundry to read abou'... let's jus' say tha' Ithilmigil has the Elemental power of Light boun'
into her... An' more..."
   Simini settles back into her "reporter's stance" on the couch as Raven returns the sword to its
place on the mantelpiece. "Tell me about some of the battles she's seen."
   "Goddess... some of the battles...do ye wan' me to go on fer a year?" he answers with a sigh, the
weight of a thousand years of war in his eyes. He sits heavily in his chair. "Let's jus' say tha' there
is much tha' this blade has seen and done by my will and tha' I do na wish to tal' of i'....."
   Nodding, she tactfully smiles and asks, "And the broom?"
   He returns her smile warmly. "The Broom Stick has only seen duels."
   "Hmmm... don't care to indulge any of those stories, either, eh?"
   His only response is a chuckle and the continued grin.


*    *    *
page 10

::the page opens on a photo of halfling Guytar standing with one hand on the hilt of his sword, the
tip of which is on the ground.  The runes on the sword are stained with bits of red.  He is wearing
his elven armor with a large button on it.  In his other hand he is holding out a bag full of amber
fluid.::

Buy my bag o' gore!
Have you ever been to a match with is completely made of defensive moves or where the
opponents just dance a lot?
Here is your solution!
You can throw it at a friend!
Juggle it!
Or for that special vampire in your life... it is guaranteed pure and safe to ingest.
It's only two gold pieces a bag... (the stuff o' life)

Are you a commoner?
Do you get sick of being put upon by warlords?
Do you see all those "Amaltea for Overlord" buttons and wish you had a button?
Well now for the very first time, you can buy my "I'm a future warlord" button.
That's right.  Let them know!
Show them that you are no common commoner!
Just one copper!
Buttons of all sorts made upon request!
For all this neat stuff and more, come see GUYTAR or if he's not around you may see Crodo foe.
I would like to give credit to Dare Ltan for showing me that there is a market out there for my
stuff.

*    *    *
page 11

FISTS

  There was a lot of excitement over in the duel of fists this weekend.  They welcomed newcomer
Calalyn to the duels.

   Matches:
   SlackSteve over Calalyn  6-5  
   Skathrak over SlackSteve  5-2
   PrinceFyre over JakeThrash  5-3  <---  :(  Fyre likes beating up orcs
   Skathrak over Calalyn  5-0      <--- what a brute Skathrak is...
   SlackSteve over Dallara  7-6 <--- Steve seems to like long matches

  There was also unofficial duels run after hours:
  Skathrak over Dallara  5-3  (called by PrinceFyre)
      and
   Dallara over the dreaded Dark Axe  5-4  (called by JakeThrash) in the evening's most "stylish"
(read Fancied) match.

  And a bit of a rumor...  word out of the rings is that PrinceFyre is itching to challenge
Diamond-Ranked Dark Axe.  Is the prince unhappy seeing that diamond on Ulath instead of him? 
Only time will tell.

  If you're getting a bit tired of the same old crash of swords, why not try a nice old fashioned fist
fight?  Duel of Fists runs every Saturday beginning at 10:30 pm EST.  There is a calmer
atmosphere and a heightened level of challenge.  Try it soon.

*    *    *
page 13


   Tired of climbing up your chimney and emerging covered in soot?  

   Tired of going for a romantic slide down your chimney with your sweetheart and tasting sooty
lips at the bottom? (Or maybe on the way down if you're an expert.) 

    Then give me a call at 1-800-CHIMNEY.  Our operators are standing by (mainly me, and I'm
not fully operational), waiting to hear your pleas for help and come rushing to the rescue.  And
we're cheap!  In fact, we usually forget to collect payment...

    So be the first in your neighborhood to have a clean chimney.  That neighbor may always beat
you in the yearly Xmas lawn decorations contest, but you'll be damned if his chimney's cleaner! 
Remember, 1-800-CHIMNEY.  Call now.  Or later, just call!

(Paid for by a grubby old man that just wanted to be left alone.)

(In case there's any confusion... the preceding was from everyone's favorite chimney sweep,
Falire)

*    *    *
page 14

DoS Today's Extra-bloody Double-Double Cut-Cut Photospread!  All photos by Dan :)

Picture: <Kiergan's sword creates waves of blood streaming from the forehead of Kato Heian,
who chops Kiergan's feet out from under him>
Caption: Kiergan goes high, Kato goes low, and the room goes for the Air Sickness Bags.

Picture: <Kiergan's sword drives deeper into the previous cut, exposing grey bone, as Kato does
likewise to his shin, slicing through the muscle into the tibia.>
Caption: Talk about deja vu! Again, Kiergan hits high and Kato hits low!

Picture: <BrdwayDan saws at Merilsa's ankle with his battle axe, as she does the same to his
temple>
Caption: Meri goes high, Dan goes low, and both go down.

Picture: <Teleperien slices a jagged cut in Aspendale's pointy ear, as he slices a jagged cut in
Tele's thigh>
Caption: Hard to tell he's an elf now, huh?

Picture: <CryptKickr bends forward to cut low into Jonalyn's leg, and manages to get the rogue's
sword upside the head>
Caption: Cut for him, cut for her, it's just a double-cut fest!

*    *    *
page 16

BARONIAL  ACTION

  In a busy night last Thursday, the Duel of Swords saw the emergence of Nine Barons to take
their place around the Overlord.  An elite spot to be sure.  To those new to the sport and to those
not so new but confused, a list of the baron's duties and obligations are in the new rules posted in
the games area on the RDI message board.  Keyword RDI --> FFGF News and Info --> Gaming
Information ---> Duel of Swords Rules.

  First to emerge from the fights and be counted a Baron were Grimjk and DarkAxe.  They won
almost simultaneously, followed closely by Rookie of the year Aspendale, who came up against
the very tough Bishop in the first round and then drew the equally tough Valmion in the second.

The calls:

::a photo of RC and DA exchanging cuts, the blood clearly visible flying in all directions::
DarkAxe        FantasyRC
fancy duck          high cut
fancy sidestep      stop hit
thrust              fancy circular parry
low cut        high cut
fancy sidestep      fancy sidestep
stop hit       stop hit
fancy duck          fancy circular parry
low cut        stop hit
thrust              high cut


::a photo of mutual thrusts, Blue's midriff plainly visible and covered with blood as she and Grimjk
are pressed up against each other in the bloody dance::
Grimjk         MidnyteBlue
thrust              low cut
fancy lateral parry thrust
high cut       stop hit
fancy lateral parry fancy sidestep
thrust              thrust
low cut        low cut
thrust              fancy duck


::a photo of mutual high cuts the blades crashing together in a shower of blue sparks::
Aspendale      Valmion
sidestep       fancy duck
fancy circular parry     stop hit
high cut       high cut
low cut        stop hit
high cut       fancy sidestep
fancy circular parry     thrust
thrust              low cut
low cut        fancy duck

A SHUT OUT!  Quite amazing for one so recently come to dueling.

The next three to rise up into the ranks were Kalamere, LordZephyr and Ecore008.

The calls:
::a photo of Kalamere going high as Yasafel goes low and again the blood arcs over the ring in a
red rain of pain:: (Oh those Cub Reporters... they have to rhyme all the time.  ~Ed...)
Kalamere       Shar Tal (Yasafel)
circular parry      lateral parry
low cut        sidestep
fancy circular parry     stop hit
thrust              fancy sidestep
high cut       low cut
fancy duck          high cut
fancy sidestep      thrust
high cut       fancy lateral parry
thrust              fancy sidestep
fancy lateral parry high cut


::photo of Zephyr's sword arcing over the Doctor's head as he thrusts underneath for the hit::
Lord Zephyr         The Doctor
low cut        disengage
thrust              fancy sidestep
fancy lateral parry low cut
sidestep       thrust
low cut        circular parry
high cut       thrust
fancy duck          stop hit
thrust              high cut
high cut       fancy sidestep
slash               fancy circular parry
low cut        sidestep


::photo of mutual high cuts raining blue sparks down over both of them, their bodies gleaming
with sweat and concentration ((obviously the second dual high cut))::
Ecore008       Amaltea
high cut       high cut
fancy circular parry     fancy circular parry
thrust              stop hit
fancy circular parry     high cut
fancy sidestep      thrust
fancy duck          fancy lateral parry
low cut        stop hit
fancy circular parry     fancy sidestep
(yes folks that was five fancies)
thrust              thrust
high cut       high cut
(the announcement is made regarding Ecore's problem with fancies.  At this time Ecore
announced to the room that he slashed.  Amaltea could have easily done the dishonorable thing
and changed her move as she then knew her move as no good.  She did not.  Ecore announced
that he would forfeit.  Keeper called the final round.)
slash               fancy circular parry
(Ecore discovered he won and all thought of forfeiture was gone.)


And finally the last wave of duels were called in which GldnSword, Halo, and SieraRed advanced
to Baron slots.

the calls:

::photo of dual low cuts the sparks arcing up into the grim faces of both opponents::
Alkron         Luthien
high cut       thrust
fancy duck          fancy sidestep
lateral parry       thrust
low cut        fancy sidestep
high cut       thrust
low cut        fancy sidestep
thrust              fancy lateral parry
fancy lateral parry slash
low cut        low cut
fancy lateral parry      high cut
fancy sidestep      thrust
high cut       stop hit


::photo of Halo cutting high as Xeno is stooping to cut low.  A vampire in the corner is just
visible licking his lips::
Halo           Xenograg
high cut       fancy sidestep
fancy circular parry     fancy circular parry
stop hit       fancy sidestep
fancy circular parry     thrust
high cut       low cut
fancy duck          high cut
low cut        fancy lateral parry


And finally the most heart rending duel of the evening:

Swordsiblings draw each other to duel.  It was bad enough that Shadowrun and Aspendale had to
duel each other, and yet as the evening waned and there was but one seat to fill, it came down to
Siera Red and Feadur to duel each other.  The room was very grim at the moment they realized
what was to happen.

the call:

::photo of a thrust quivering in her cleavage courtesy of RDI Keeper:: ((all the cubs being too
scared to take a picture of Red))
Siera Red      Feadur
low cut        sidestep
fancy duck          slash
circular parry      thrust
low cut        low cut
slash               thrust
low cut        fancy duck
high cut       fancy sidestep
circular parry      thrust
thrust              fancy lateral parry
high cut       circular parry

  And at the duel's end, Siera Red dropped Bane in disgust.  Never has there been so
heartbreaking a duel in this reporter's memory.

  At the end of this duel there was a minor disturbance as a stranger came in and decapitated one
of the newly won Barons.  Ecore as a matter of fact.  This would have been more of a story,
except that Ecore never really left as he immediately became a ghost, and that plans are already
underway for his resurrection.  Ah well such is life.  In cyberland anyway.

  After all that happened it was time to announce the alignments:

Aspendale declared himself Loyal to the Overlord
Grimjk declared himself Renegade
Ulath (DarkAxe) declared himself Renegade
Kalamere later declared himself Loyal as he was unable to stay for the whole event.
Lord Zephyr declared himself Loyal to the Overlord
The pseudo-ghost of Ecore008 declared himself Loyal to the Overlord
Halo declared herself Renegade 
Alkron (GldenSword) declared himself Loyal to the Overlord
Siera Red after thinking it over declared herself Loyal to the Overlord


Phew... what a night!  And was it my imagination or did 7 of the nine Barons fancy duck?  Whoa.

  But folks it doesn't stop there.  This just in...
First Ranked Warlord Xenograg has challenged Overlord MadMadMax for his title!  Max has
declared Xeno "unworthy" and has so named Loyalist Baron Siera Red to fight in his stead!

Xeno's reaction:
     "There is no base upon which it can be said that I am not worthy to regain my former title."
     "I expected the Overlord would (and will) call forth one of his loyal barons to block my
challenge.  It is his right.  I myself have used a champion in my homeland, so the new structure of
DoS is quite familiar to me."
      "I am prepared for whichever baron accepts the Overlord's call.  Which will do so should
prove interesting."
  Did he expect that it would be Siera Red however?  Rumored to have stood as *his* champion
in past fights?
  How will this affect Red's treatment by the other warlords?  Will tongues continue to wag?  Will
the Warlords continue to be up in arms?  Only time will tell!!  Watch your mailbox for the next
thrilling installment of DOSTODAY!

*    *    *

To contact the staff:
Oscar Madison - email DoSEditor
Hedda Hat - email HeddaHat
Broadway Dan - email BrdwayDan
Simini - email Simini x
Dr. Stupid - email DrStupidMD
For info about DoF write to either JakeThrash Orc-extraordinaire or DoSEditor.

General letters and comments or new ideas should be sent to DoSEditor.

Happy dueling :)

*    *    *

Disclaimer:
 
DoS Today is an independently produced magazine in no way affiliated with the official DOS
game, the Free Form Gaming Forum, or AOL.  The information herein should not be considered
the views of AOL or its staff.
Thank you.