::on the cover this time, Picture:  <<Before Bador can snap a kick off to
Stof Anders' gut, Stof connects first with a "quickpunch" Jab, for the hit
and win>>
Caption:  "Stof Anders - Perfection? A 10-0-0 new Sapphire..."  

 At the top of the cover in large print, "DUELING TODAY"::

DUELING TODAY  Volume 3, Issue 6

Contents:

Advert for Red Oaks Stable           page 2
Editorial                                          page 3
Advert for Caithness Holidays       page 4
Report on Duel of Magic               page 5
Advert for Falire's Chimney Service          page 6
Plain and Fancies                              page 7
Advert for Gloin's Weapon O-Rama        page 8
Report from the Duel of Swords      page 9
Advert for the Bootery                  page 10
Roughing it in the Outback           page 11
Advert for the White Rose             page 12
Duel of Fists Photospread              page 13
Advert for Garden Day Care          page 14
Blow-by-Blow: Duel of Fists         page 15
Advert for Larana's Love Loft        page 16
Advert for Arelia's Trinkets            page 17


Staff:    Oscar Madison, Founding Editor (DoSEditor)
     Johanna Gutenbergh, Editor (Gutenbergh)
     Hedda Hat, Columnist (HeddaHat)
     Jake Thrash, DoF correspondent (JakeThrash)
     Devon Goral, Roving Reporter (DevonGoral)
     R Lupton, Roving Reporter (RLupton)
     Shannon Colton, Photographs  (ShanniCltn)
     Arrendek, DoM correspondent (ARRENDEK)
     Gnimish Gnimoi, DoS Photographer (Gnimish RW)

*    *    *
page 2

********** RED OAKS STABLE ***********

Full-service stable offering boarding, training, riding lessons

Breeding farm with two stallions on-site and access to two others, reasonable
stud fees. Breeding for pleasure riding, hunter/jumper, dressage and racing.

Horses for sale

Located three miles outside the RhyDin city limits on the North Road.

For more information, contact Rayn deFallon (RaynDF) at Red Oaks Stables

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
((Business with Red Oaks can be conducted via email or by post in the Red
Oaks folder in Red Dragon Innsights))

*    *    *
Page 3

EDITORIAL
by Johanna Gutenbergh

Well, it's a thin issue this time... what with so many folks on vacation.
::grumpily wondering when the editor gets her time off...::

Arrendek is away skiing or something in the Alps... Hedda is snorkling off of
Cancun... Jake is deeply involved with jell-O...  looks like it's just me and
the faithful few.

We do welcome a new feature by Shannon Colton, a "blow-by-blow" analysis of a
Duel of Fists match.

If anyone would be interested in working for Dueling Today as a correspondent
for Duel of
Swords please let me know as soon as possible.

- Jo.

*    *    *
Page 4

SEE IT ALL

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at the same thing?  Come to the Kingdom of New Caithness!  The lush forests
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spend time in pastoral comfort in the rural areas, or step into the bustling
night-life of New Caithness City, second-largest city on the continent!

Use your Caithness Express(TM) card and receive 1% cash back on purchases
made on your vacation!  What a deal!

This advertisement paid for by the Kingdom of New Caithness Tourism Council,
in conjunction with the First Bank of Keepside, providers of the Caithness
Express(TM) card.

*    *    *
page 5

REPORT ON THE DUEL OF MAGIC
by Arrendek
 
(Arrendek is away in the Alps, so his column will resume in the next issue of
Dueling Today)


          <<Advertisement>>

   It's fun! It's exciting! It'll make your hair singe and your brain tingle!
Yes, folks! This is the time to learn the arts of magic! It's easy to start,
with only 6 moves to choose from, but, with experience, the moves expand
quickly! If you think it's fun to be struck with a ton of rock while giving
your opponent a headache, or watch your blades of magical energy go through
someone's magical shield, then the Duel of Magic is for YOU! 
   Conviently located within teleport range on twilight island.


*    *    *
Page 6

 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 7


PLAIN AND FANCIES
    by Hedda Hat
*****************************************************
Love and scandal are the best sweeteners of tea.
     Henry Fielding
     1707-1754
*****************************************************

It has been a delightful Nouvelle Annee, dearies.  I've been traveling to the
Big Apple and Tinsel Town gathering glitter by the yard.  But back here in
Rhydin is the *big* news....

First of all, I know you all join me in sorrow at the death of Siera Redwin.
The beloved
swordswoman died in valiant battle, I'm told.  She was a hero to many women
and some
enlightened men and her Overlordship will go down in historical annals as one
of the most
honorable and lengthy.  

Some interesting "mergers" occurred in the past few months....old friend Mixx
and AmberKtn seemed to be ecstatically in love.  But that was a while
ago...is it still love?  Or another misbegotten and now lost love?  Oh, yes,
dearies -- Resurrection City has disgorged yet another "Desperate for a
Storyline" citizen in the...formerly late, great, and decidedly dead...Kalaya
Madison.  Chaz Orion was squiring her around Rhydin the other night.  I
simply refuse to acknowledge any more walking dead (unless, of course, they
are TRUE zombies).  Perhaps I should give annual Ecore Memorial Awards for
those who come back from The Other Side.  Submit your favorite entries to
me...for the ceremony on Halloween.  You all heard it first here, folks.

And some dissolutions:  Robb Jaxon and Maeve Ross had a rather visible
breakup, I understand, up in Red Star Station, with him abandoning her while
she was mentally ill. Of course, he was flirting with Evesong on the couch
before that...Robb is now cavorting publicly with the seductive MichaMcLd.
Anyone care to place bets on the longevity of that one?  Do I hear two weeks?
Of course, Micha herself says she doesn't know how much of an item they
are...and DoS' own favorite adulterer, Gavilean, has declared his love for
Kestri and been seen cuddling Morgan Fay while still wed to Lady Carrie.
Although the latest news is that he and Jonalyn were openly kissing and
hugging in Duel of Swords.  I can't help but wonder what's in his drinks that
makes him so fickle.  But ladies beware....don't let your men imbibe with
that charming roue!  Of course, the latest rumor is that Carrie is dead.  He
doesn't believe in long mourning periods, I guess.

Speaking of charming but troubled, what is happening with the poor little
rich girl, TaraDMack.  Rumor has it she was locked in her room at one point
and could not get free to attend a party she herself arranged.  Perhaps the
castle bluebloods are worried about her drinking?  Tsk, tsk...

And the light at the Lighthouse isn't so bright these days.  As MikeXXVII
puts it about his and Kreshentia's relationship, "We had some difficulties in
the past and they are being resolved."  Uh huh...sure.  Has anyone SEEN the
lucky lady Kresh lately?  Hmmmm?

Speaking of rare sightings, where's that handsome Race C'mere been the past
few months?  And Kay Anders was seen drinking with an attractive man in Red
Star the other night...Jack McCain, I'm told.  

Well, have to run, loveys.  Down to Bria Thorne's shop...The White Rose in
Rhydin.  Simply delectable goodies!  Til next time....


*    *    *

Page 8

::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"

*    *    *
page 9


REPORT FROM THE DUEL OF SWORDS
by Johanna Gutenbergh

I can't begin to keep the barons straight... First, Lord Hrvst claimed the
seat vacated by
MorganCrow's ascension to the Overlordship when Lord Hrvst won the Warlord
tournament. Then DUKELETO challenged JSVRamirez, and Phlag X challenged Shade
9. Apparently neither baron could make it to a match to defend their rings,
so both LETO and Phlag join Athlstan as barons who won the rank without a
fight. Gee... if I had realized it was so easy, I'd have challenged a baron
myself... oh... I've got to be a warlord first... oh well. The baronial
challenges continue... Tukros, who finished second in the Warlord tournament
and got stuck with a shot that fell short at MorganCrow, challenged Red
zealot, who denied his challenge for reasons not entirely clear to me.
Valmion I then challenged Red zealot himself, only it seems no one told the
Lord of Questrion that the Overlord and barons don't count as peer wins... or
that peer wins have to be different warlords... scratch that challenge. Baron
Athlstan then offered to fight Tukros in Red zealot's place... somebody pass
the Maalox.... If all this wasn't enough, Baron Feadur became "fleeadur" and
returned again to his homeworld, apparently sending his ring back by way of
the masked mammal Procyonn, who has been pretty scarce around the rings
himself. Morgan... what are you going to do with such an unruly pack of
barons?

How about that Hadar Dule? An amazing streak since the start of the year has
seen Hadar's WoL increase by an astounding 35 wins... taking him from "just
another warlord" at 23-4-1 to the sixth ranking wonderlord at a record of
56-2-0. Wow... stay out of the way of that juggernaut!

The inscrutable chimney sweep Falire has had a noteworthy string of wins as
well, improving his WoL by 28 since the beginning of the year. Barons
Daegarth and Athlstan continue their game of tag, each collecting 14 WoL in
the last two fortnights... right now the Pheonix leads with 76 WoL to the
Cleric's 70....

Has anyone been watching the heir of Questrion, Arlingond? The elf prince
joined the ranks of the warlords this past week, having started as a commoner
at the beginning of the year... Other rising stars to keep an eye on: Darrick
II, RJ Wnston, Rochembeau, and The DueIist... each of whom have gone from
commoner to Master at Arms in just 5 weeks.

Best start of the new cycle goes to Kestri... who reached swords*woman* with
a record of 4-2-2 after the end of cycle mercifully wiped away those 8 LoW.
Way to go, sister! ...now if somebody will just send the matrix to Mharinel,
Miss Lura, and HyperZord... or maybe it's that cleric Kestri's been smooching
in the Arena... and didn't he used to fight with a sword named "Chastity"?
Maybe Hedda can clear that one up for us....

Of course the biggest news is the death of Siera Red, who was Overlord the
better part of last year. She will be greatly missed by the dueling
community... and I wish I had known her better. Sisters, it's time one of us
followed her example... we're overdue for another *woman* Overlord.



*    *    *
page 10

BOOTS

Hey!  Tired of all those low cuts tearing your boots to ribbons?  Tired of
your fashion statement becoming a fashion flop after one night's dueling?

Shespeaks has the answer for you.

The Bootery-- serving the Greater RhyDin area

Come down and try on some of Shespeaks' custom designs!  You'll swear you
were walking on air.

Photo:  <<Two feet stick out from the bottom of the photo, clad in what
appears to be long grey fur... Up the slippers, for that's what they are, are
two long ears, touched with tufts of fur at the ends... Beyond those, are two
large eyeballs, that are staring up at the camera... A large mouth on each
slipper, full of sharp teeth, sticks its pinkish tongue out, as the
Orc-slippers seem to sneer in mild disgust>>

Caption: "Shespeaks stole me boots, but I've got these dandy Osric the Orc
slippers... Oh, and me boots are on sale at the Bootery. -BrdwayDan"  Another
satisfied customer!


The Bootery can be found on the message boards in the folder Red Dragon
Innsights under "The Bootery"

 *    *    *

Page 11



ROUGHING IT IN THE OUTBACK

On Wednesday Nights, from 12:30EST to whenever,
I will be in the Outback (Red Dragon's Hall) for
instruction, sparring, or practice work in DoF or
free form fighting.  All welcome, especially those
currently under my tutelage.  No weapons.

Shannon


(It's something I plan to do every week, no set plan.  Maybe just free form
sparring, or DoF spars if enough people show up.  Basically just time that
I'll be in the
Outback, for whatever. :) )



*    *    *
page 12

<<<<--------------------------------------------->>>>            
                           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 13

DUEL OF FISTS PHOTOSPREAD
by ShanniCltn

Photo:  <<KBrande and PalladiaM connect on double Jabs for double points>>
Caption:  "Starting this display off the right way, good clean hits, heavy on
the impact.."

Photo:  <<LordRannos braces an Armblock for a Jab that never comes, as
ShanniCltn slides low with a legsweep>>
Caption:  "For any defense, there is a counter, as displayed here."

Photo:  <<Orvig leaps high, but Goldglo2 extends his reach and Jabs him
down>> Caption:  "Tower, we are declaring Mayday..."

Photo:  <<Tukros takes hold of JennavyveS as she Jabs out, flipping her over
the ropes>> Caption:  "Tukros takes the Flawless Victory with a nicely timed
Flip."

Photo:  <<Wonko sets to Flip Shanni Colton's Hook, but she only feints the
maneuver for dual advantages>>
Caption:  "Strategy comes into play in the final moments of this match, as
Shanni sets to swing a left hook across WonkoDSane's jaw..Wonko prepares to
grab and flip her, but she aborts the manuever, and they both earn positional
advantages.  Shanni combines hers with a previous one, takes the point, and
the 5-4 comeback win.>>

Photo:  <<Newcomer BobbaFetts whirls in a spinning kick, but DoF mainstay
Lord Rannos connects first with a straight-shot snapkick>>
Caption:  "Rannos is working overtime here, straight line beating a circle to
the point."

Photo:  <<Before Bador can snap a kick off to Stof Anders' gut, Stof connects
first with a "quickpunch" Jab, for the hit and win>>
Caption:  "Stof's speed earns him a lot here..the point, the win, a perfect
10-0-0 record, and a new Sapphire ranking!"

Photo:  <<Lord Rannos extends in a jab, but Vigiilante takes advantages and
uses his momentum to powerflip him over one hip>>
Caption:  "Rannos' enthusiasm gets the better of him in this sequence, as his
power is turned against him."

Photo:  <<BobbaFettS swings wide with left hook, but Shanni comes inside with
a chop to take the win>>
Caption:  "Hook has it's uses...this isn't one of them."

Photo:  <<Wide angle:  JakeThrash and RIP Lord reach out to flip GypsySea and
Polydueces respectively, but the intended victims surprise them with
Spinkicks>>
Caption:  "This is a neat example of great minds thinking alike (and fast)"

Photo:  <<Polydueces opens with a legsweep, a sharklike grin on Shanni
Colton's face as her fist comes back for the jab>>
Caption:  "Shanni's patented "Air Raid" Fistdrop takes the opening score in
this bout."




*    *    *
page 14


Tired of the kidlets hanging off of you while you're trying to duel?  Looking
for some daycare even in the middle of the night?  Or perhaps you'd just like
a quiet night with your significant other?

The Garden Daycare Center is now open.  Children of all ages welcome.  We are
a full-service daycare center, with personnel on the grounds 24 hours every
day.  For more information, please contact Aliyanna Stormbringer, proprietor,
at The Garden.


*    *    *
page 15

BLOW-BY-BLOW: DUEL OF FISTS 
by Shannon Colton

Howdy....this new feature this month is one I hope will go over well with
y'all.  I'll be taking a match from Duel of Fists, and taking it apart, going
through it round by round and highlighting the results, and adding some
commentary on what happened, as well as photos for each round.

This month, I picked one of my own. ::grin:: Yes, partly because it's me, but
mostly because it was really an interesting match, and a long one to boot.  

The bout is between myself, and W0NK0DSANE.  Wonko is comparatively new to
DoF, with maybe 6 or so matches under his belt.   Don't be fooled, he's more
tenacious than a rabid terrier, as this match will prove.

Round 1: 
Photo:  <<Shanni moves out in a Fancy Dodge, Wonko trips her up with a
Legsweep>>
It's a solid move, the Fancy Dodge...works on almost anything, and one of my
favorite weapons.  Wonko saw it coming a mile away, though...and countered
perfectly.

Round 2:
Photo:  <<Overextended from a jab attempt, Shanni is caught by Wonko in a
flip>>
Hindsight always 100%...and looking back, I should have figured on something
like this.  The sweep gone, I had more freedom in defense, but I pushed for a
strong point..and Wonko was right on top of that one.  

Round 3: 
Photo:  <<Once again, Wonko's legsweep hits, this time against an attempted
Flip>>
Yet another well-thought move by Wonko here.  With the jab neutralized, his
sweep has a far greater chance to hit...and I was expecting maybe a return
jab, or something similar.  I was unpleasantly surprised. <g>

Round 4:
Photo:  <<Wonko unleashes a Jab, but is countered by a Fancy Dodge by
Shanni>>
It takes time, but I do catch on..<g> I was expecting something like the
second round again, and when he threw the Jab, I was waiting.  It was a
gamble, yes...but that's a big part of duelling.  I felt a little better
here, since I was on the board, even at 1-3.  I do *not* like to be shut out.
;)

Round 5:
Photo:  <<Shanni fires a snapkick out, but Wonko's chop shuts it down fast.>>
This caught me totally offguard.  Having seen one offensive move coming, I
wasn't expecting another so fast, especially not the chop that he brought
out.  That kind of 1-2 punch is risky, but you can see it paid off for him.

The Score after 5:   Wonko 4, Shanni 1

Round 6:
Photo:  <<Wonko drops low into a Legsweep, Shanni moves to Legblock,but
feints it..no score>>
This is what we affectionately (except when *doing* it) call "pulling a
Percy."  I set up a leg block that would stop his sweep cold for the
advantage..but I was suspicious of his move, so I feinted.  Granted, it was a
1-4 situation, and I was nervous about another quick hit.  But in retrospect,
any round you don't get hit in is a good one.

Round 7:
Photo:  <<Wonko rears back for a snapkick, but Shanni shuts it down with
another Fancy Dodge>>
When you see a pattern developing, make use of it.  I saw one here, and with
the sweep neutralized again, I gambled on yet another high offensive attack.
It paid off, and the situation became desperate instead of near hopeless for
me.  

Round 8:
Photo:  <<In a repeat of Round 6, Wonko legsweeps into a Feinted legblock,
again no score.>>
By this time, I was wondering why the *heck* I didn't Fancy those
legblocks...I'd have tied the rotten score! ;D   But I was still one point
away from a loss, caution was foremost on my mind.  I needed a lot of hits to
win..he only needed one.

Round 9:
Photo:  <<Once again, Wonko jabs out, but is countered by Shanni's Fancy
Dodge>>
Well, if we're going to repeat a round, this is more like it. <g> The pattern
again, I was waiting for the offense, and the Fancy Dodge was the most
effective weapon I had to bring into play here.  I could also have flipped,
but it was a judgement call to dodge.  About here I began to feel the
adrenaline start, being only down by 1 point.  But I still wasn't confident,
I knew Wonko still had the upper hand, and could turn things in a second.


Round 10:
Photo:  <<Wonko swings back to the legsweep, and is met in the shoulder by a
Snapkick>>
Hi then lo...I was pretty confident on what would come next by this point, so
I decided to switch from the Feint Legblock over to the kick.  Sure enough,
he began to move low, and I caught him on the downslide.  Tie score, and now
things really get heart-pumping, with the Sudden Death sign going on.

The score after 10:  Wonko 4, Shanni 4

Round 11:
Photo:  <<Shanni wheels to the side, her dodge giving her an advantage
against Wonko's chop attempt>>
I like to mix offense and defense, as anyone in DoF will tell you.  Wonko
came in really fast, but I was anticipating at this point, and got aside just
in time.  The comeback was in full swing here, and I wasn't about to let it
get away from me.  One look at Wonko told me he wasn't gonna give it up
easily either.

Round 12:
Photo:  <<Shanni fires off a left hook, which Wonko moves to Flip.  But she
pulls back in a Feint, and they draw equal advantages>>
Feints are not really well understood in DoF.  But in situations like this,
they are one of the most potent weapons you can ask for.  I only needed an
advantage, and I knew Wonko needed a point.  I knew my best bet was to try
and draw the second advantage, rather than contest a point too.  That's where
the Feint came in...it took what would have been a hit against me, and split
it into dual advantages.  And with my previous one, that's what made the
final difference.

FINAL SCORE:  ShanniCltn 5, W0NK0DSANE 4

Epilogue:  Don't ever try and tell me that *new* means *unskilled*.  W0NK0
has duelled me three times so far, and he's gotten 4 points to my 5 each
time.  What he will be like when he's got more experience under his
belt..well, I don't think I wanna think about that now. <g>  In fact, when
you get down to this match, I don't think skill won it for me at all..because
Wonko displayed equal skill.  I felt it was my experience that made the
difference, especially in the clutch.  All in all, I really enjoyed this
match, both for the thrill of a desperation comeback, and the sheer skill of
a human chessmatch against a worthy opponent.  

Till next time, remember..
"Best block is not be there" :D
~Shannon

*    *    *
page 16

                             ~  Larana's Love Loft  ~

Looking for a romantic present for your spouse, harem, slave or lover?
Seeking out that special gift that keeps on giving? 

Larana's Love Loft offers a wide variety of adult oriented products, services
and entertainment for your purchasing pleasure. Friendly, helpful discreet
service, and a broad spectrum of items that suit every nature and erotic
taste.

An on premise massage parlor, cafe bar, and vast literature and visual
section have something to offer everyone.

Larana's Love Loft, the shoppe that keeps you coming back for more.
 
                              ~  Larana's Love Loft  ~
                                    690 RhyDin Rd.
                                  RhyDin City, RhyDin
                                    Larana MacRoy
                                        Proprietor



** Look for our new summer "Duel of Romance," catalogue, featuring your
favorite thrusters and parriers, and the outstanding art of Amaltea!
Available soon..!

*    *    *
page 17

Need a Sword?

Need a Barrel of Potion's Miracle Salve because dueling's got you bleeding
more than yer share of blood?

Come on down to Arelia's Trinkets today.
Mention this ad for a discount.

::a large photo of the inside of the shoppe (which looks as big as a Super
WalMart) accompanies the ad.  There is no hint of trolls or any of the other
usual lurkers in the picture which makes knowledgable readers wonder if the
photo is a fake::



*    *    *

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

(c) 1996, Dueling Today
Copyrights held by individual contributors.  For information on reproduction
of any or all of this e-zine, contact screen name Gutenbergh@aol.com or
HeddaHat@aol.com.