::on the cover this time, Photo:  <<Challenger Daegarth Mithmellon dispatches Overlord
MorganCrow with a fancy sidestep in the tenth round >> Photo: <<Challenger Athlstan
dispatches Overlord Daegareth Mithmellon with a fancy round parry in the seventeeth round>>
Caption:  "The Blink: Procyonn's Dueling Strategy... or average reign time of the DoS
Overlord?"

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

DUELING TODAY  Volume 3, Issue 8

Contents:

Advert for Red Oaks Stable           page 2
Editorial                                        page 3
Advert for Falire's Chimney Service          page 4
Plain and Fancies                              page 5
Advert for Gloin's Weapon O-Rama        page 6
The Winds of Change in DoS      page 7
Advert for the Bootery                  page 8
Report from the Outback              page 9
Advert for the White Rose             page 10
Advert for Garden Day Care          page 11
Pulling a Percy                               page 12
Advert for Larana's Love Loft        page 13
Advert for Arelia's Trinkets            page 14


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)
    Gnimish Gnimoi, DoS Photographer (Gnimish RW)
    Rennor Christy, DoS correspondent (Rennor111)

*    *    *
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 well... the longer I wait for columns... the quicker the news changes. I do want to welcome
a new staff member to this glorious publication, Rennor Christy, who is serving as the
correspondent for the Duel of Swords. Also, the famous Percival has a few tips on strategy to
share with us in this issue.

POSITION OPEN - Duel of Magic Correspondent

E-mail me at Gutenbergh if you're interested.

    
- Jo.

*    *    *
page 4

 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 5

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

Darling readers, somehow the bad news overwhelms the good news this month.  Topping the list
is the fact that in a closed-door move, lame duck Innkeeper Kairee fired the popular beaver
bartender, Marx.  Many are the reasons surmised...few, nay none, publicly confirmed or denied. 
However, I have used my not inconsiderable ferreting skills to ascertain some of the causes.  I
gather that the beaver was condescending and rude to patrons.  Imagine my surprise at hearing
this was the reason for a summary dismissal, since he's always been that way to me.  And he
even criticizes my clothing, as if a beaver would have a clue on such a sophisticated topic. 
However, I am fully aware that he has been one of the most popular bartenders in Rhydin and so
I have tolerated his poor manners - for the greater good of the masses, you know. Apparently,
other colorful characters are less secure in their own good taste and appearance and complained
bitterly about being criticized by the rodent's sharp teeth, err...tongue.  However, he's always
kind to the obviously clueless and newbies. In fact, recently, Marx performed a wedding for
some characters I'd never seen before and invited me along to get to know them - overcoming
his own dislike for moi.  He has worked to integrate those individuals and groups seeking
integration to Rhydin and thereby enriches the entire experience for us all.  So, I continue my
search for motives.  My years in Tinseltown have taught me to look beneath the obvious
explanations and see what's roiling there.  I lift that rock and what do I find?  A management
shift in Rhydin.  The Red Dragon Inn and other establishments of our beloved, adopted
hometown will soon have a new Innkeeper - Panthr.  So, perhaps, this was the splendiferous
babe's last strike at the vocal creator of Marxland who has harassed and tormented her by - shock
and chagrin - disagreeing with her policies.  Many of Hollywood's cinema czars had the same
autocratic style.  Perhaps it comes with being manager of a fantasy land?  I hope that Panthr will
adopt a more open and conciliatory style.  Well, rather than continue my search with ever more
Oliver Stone-like suppositions of conspiracies, I will conclude with my personal regret that
Rhydin will be bereft of its most charismatic and inspiring citizen and hope that he will surface
in another world, another time.  And that he will have gained some fashion sense by then.

Continuing in the vein of sad reports, I am sorry to acknowledge the probable death of our
beloved Shadowrun.  In a report from Rimworlds News Network which was forwarded to me by
an anonymous fan in that sector, I learned that Fandral Kurgan had been captured and
transported to the Imperial Star Destroyer ISS Subjugator for questioning.  Imperial
interrogation droids are infamous for their methods, and it is highly likely that Bishop will
follow or already has followed Siera Red into the void.  My hat is off to you, dear Bishop.  May
the next world be worthy of you.

In reaction to the firing of Marx, it is my understanding that Merilsa and Natiliya have resigned
their warlordships.  I am sorry to see these talented ladies give up their hard-won ranks and I
respect the values which compelled them to the decision.

In search of stories to lighten your hearts, I find that Lady Lyric has ceased her mourning for
Thargonn and has taken up with that roguish Mallachii.  While I'm sure she could find a more
stalwart partner, I wish her the best in dissolving the remnants of her grief.

Rumor has it that Valmion was seen pricing engagement rings at Arelia's.  Is that on-again, off-
again romance on again?

The recent Red Star Station auction was the highlight of the spring season.  Unfortunately, the
puntmonster has a haute-couture tooth and insisted on sampling my simply divine outfit of the
evening and keeping me in the cave with him for hours.  However, a kind soul shared the
goings-on with me and I'm here to report that a delightful time was had by all and substantial
funds raised for the orphans of Rhydin.  Some interesting purchases were made.  Anne
Nightwolf was sold to Jonigan, Sir Ghost to Glenna Khan, the same Glenna Khan sold to Robb
Jaxon (is there a triangle there?  and what of Robb's demon lover, Micha?), Mharinel to Beckett
McGuire.  Wasn't Queen Mharinel engaged to some Lord or other recently?  These things
change so fast in Rhydin....fickle hearts are the norm.  I'm sad to say that Syn Montegue was
purchased by Moraxian, causing a collective gasp of horror and pity from the other females in
the room who later pooled their money to save additional females from such a dire fate. 
Aliyanna, she of the cleansed past, spent 300 credits to purchase Herio Jones...who chattered on
and on about horses. But then dear Ali is used to that topic, no?  Officer - or is it former officer?
- Jessie Blake was sold to Father Rivera.  I wonder how the church feels about such an activity. 
Stormy Knight was sold to Jessie Blake - another rescue from Moraxian's clutches.  Kay Anders'
brash youngest brother Bane was purchased by Mharinel while MessalinaG - that lady of taste
and discernment - purchased Beckett McGuire.  Kay Anders herself was the emcee
extraordinaire of the evening and was herself sold for the phenomenal sum of 1450 credits by
Soarell.  All present had a delightful time and the partying went on until close to daybreak.

I hear there's a new room for those Inn-mates who prefer a slightly quieter venue for their
activities and conversations:  Mermaids Tale Tavern.  Take a walk to List Rooms, then right into
Available Rooms, then through the doorway of Member Rooms, then Create Room.  Carefully
pronounce or spell Mermaids Tale Tavern (no apostrophe) and you will be there.  Much luck to
Rhydin's pirate Peter Blackthorne with this new business.

Any word from anyone on Jonalyn's engagement to Gavilean?  Is that marriage still likely to
happen?  Or has the delightful lady seen the light through Gav's charming ways?

New overlord Athlstan has a new love, I understand.  Is she just after his title?  And for a
formerly chaste cleric, he has certainly taken to the more wild ways of Rhydin with ease.

Congratulations to Connor, our first and my very favorite ArchMage, who defeated the long-
reigning and honorable Mike XXVII in a challenging Duel of Magic.  It's wonderful to see such
a regal presence on the island again.

In hopes that my next column will be cheerier, I'm off to search the environs of our rapidly
expanding world for ever-more-exciting rumors.  Please feel free to send me any gossip that's fit
to print and I'll let you know if I agree.  Bye, dearies!!



*    *    *

Page 6

::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 7

THE WINDS OF CHANGE IN DOS!!!!!!                        
 by Rennold Christy

After a relatively quiet period in the upper ranks, a veritable tornado has
torn through the Arena, altering the very fabric of the Duel of Swords
hierarchy.

It began with Warlord WickedDeth's successful challenge, unseating absentee
Baron Ian R McKenzie.  But this was only the beginning of what will likely
prove to be a paradigm shift in the DoS world.

Thursday the 28th saw the end of Overlord MorganCrow's reign, as Baron
Daegarth Mithmellon, renegade from Morgan's court, was victorius in his
challenge for the crown!  

Both combatants entered the ring with all of the pomp appropriate for a match
of such great importance.  Baron Daegarth issued the challenge formally to
Overlord Crow, with a packed Arena and famed DoS Official Devon looking on.
Morgan opened strong, sidestepping with a flourish away from Daegarth's
thrust, but Daegarth showed his skill with a dazzling circular parry,
spinning Morgan's thrust harmlessly off target in round two.  Undaunted,
Morgan twirled around, sweeping a screaming low cut at Daegarth's legs.  The
sparks were spectacular as Daegarth's equally forceful low cut crashed into
Morgan's blade.  The two duelists separated, but only for a moment as Morgan
charged in, slashing hard, only to find Daegarth dropping into a stop hit,
presenting a wall of defiance and taking the point.  The fifth round found
both duelists spinning and sidestepping with amazing grace away from each
other, both men wary of the others skill.  Then, in round six, the Overlord
drew first blood, cutting the legs out from under his opponent, despite
Daegarth's spectacular attempt to block the blow with a lateral parry.
Sensing that Morgan was winded, and perhaps vulnerable, Daegarth added insult
to injury by disengaging with a spin away from Morgan's thrust in round seven
and then cutting brutally into fancy stepping Morgan's leg with a low cut in
round eight.  In round nine, Morgan reminded us all that he had earned his
title, skillfully stop hitting Daegarth's well aimed slash.  But it wasn't
enough to turn the tide, in round ten the Overlord spun a beautiful parry
only to have the Baron step around it with the skill of a bull fighter to
score the point and take the crown.

Baron Daegarth defeated Overlord MorganCrow, 5 - 3, in ten rounds,
successfull
in his bid to become the new Overlord!  

(TH/FSS,FCP/TH,LC/LC,SH/SL,FSS/FSS,FLP/LC,FDIS/TH,LC/FSS,SL/SH,FSS/FCP)

But the instability continues.  King of Questrion, Valmion I, now has vowed
to unseat the crimson eyed Baron WickedDeth and banish him from the Arena, or
suffer shameful banishment himself in the trying.  Alais d NS, seeks to put
seldom seen Baroness Red Zealot into the history books with a challenge of
her own.  Former Overlord MorganCrow's loyalist Barons have fractured.  Some
declaring loyal to Overlord Daegarth, and some renegade from Daegarth's
court.  And to heap further chaos onto the pile, the long awaited Warlord's
Tournament will take place the second week of April, giving one skilled
Warlord the unclaimed Baronial ring, while another is granted an unimpeded
shot at Overlord Daegarth's crown!  The Arena is going to be an exciting
place as the winds of change air the place out a bit!

Next Issue!  The Warlord Tournament and personal interviews with Warlord
Valmion I and Baron WickedDeth, and the results of their Grudge Match!!!!!!



*    *    *
page 8

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 9

REPORT FROM THE OUTBACK
by Jake Thrash

   Since the orc took the month of March off to ponder orcish things, we
will catch up on news from the Outback in May.


   
                            ****************  AP *******************
   *** In need of relieving some stress? *** Feel like taking out your
aggressions the old-fashioned way?  Or just enjoy throwing an opponent into
the ropes!  Well, the little town of RhyDin has just the thing for you!  It's
called the Outback!  And there's no holds barred!  Wander in!  Find out why 9
out of 10 duelers say it's the best thing since the invention of band-aids!
Come on down and give it a try!
   And for those who just like watching grown men and women pound each other
senseless, there's plenty of ale for the enjoying, courtesy of the famed Red
Dragon Inn. 
                             ****************  AP ******************


*    *    *
page 10

<<<<--------------------------------------------->>>>            
                           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 12

"Pulling a Percy"
by Percival

I wanted to provide a clarification to a statement that Shanni made in the
February issue, when she referred to a missed feint (DoF) as "pulling a
Percy".  First, for definition, a feint will steal an advantage from one's
opponent only if there is an advantage to be stolen; in her example, her
legblock would have taken the advantage over Wonk's sweep, but she wasn't
seriously blocking and so almost got hit by that sweep, gaining no advantage
from it.  Another way to image it is that Shanni was expecting Wonk to do a
high attack and provided a temptingly open target with the legblock, but he
wasn't fooled and called her bluff with the sweep.

As for the idiom associated with this particular failed strategem, apparently
I had/have a habit of feinting just the wrong move so as to miss my opponent
and muff the point; for example, while the feint hook is usually a very
effective feinted move, I would choose to feint chop instead, thereby
avoiding the potential for him to ruin the feint by dodging into the supposed
hook, but from some quirk of fate my opponent would actually duck and so I
would lose an advantage I might have gained if I'd done almost anything
except the feint chop.  Though this does happen frequently to all duelers in
the DoF, I suppose since I was the first to popularize this faux pas, I
became stuck with the name.

I would also like to add a note about the feint legblock, a very interesting
move first advanced by Shanni, yet which has many in some confusion as to its
operation.  The feint legblock is oft employed as a "Fancy Breaker" in that
near every defensive move that might be fancied misses the legblock, but
would ordinarily gain an advantage anyway from the fancy.  The feint,
however, steals this advantage and gives it to the other player.  For
example, let's say I feint a legblock against Jake's fancy dodge (the orc is
too slow from his huge ale gut to dodge fancily, but we humor him..  :).  I
would steal the advantage from Jake, then he would be faced with the
possibility that I might feint another move, stealing another advantage, and
completing my point (it takes two advantages in a row to score a point in the
DoF, otherwise the advantage is lost).  Jake, being a tricky orc, might try a
counter-feint to nullify my feint, but then I might be expecting this and not
feint...  well, as you can see, there is some depth of strategy in the DoF on
which I have not the space to elaborate at this time.. 

However, I invite all duelist to stop by the Outback and try out the DoF for
a refreshing change, though I fear the same adjective could not be as
appropriately applied to Jake's Red Orc Ale, the only beverage served
there...  :)


*    *    *
page 13


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 14

                             ~  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 15

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.