RhyDin Sports
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/57423440.jpg Sports Columnist: Peter Pham
The Swords List 2010: Overlords this Past Year August 19, 2010
When it comes to dueling in RhyDin, a year seems like a very short amount of time.
This isn't necessarily because of the blows you take to the cranium that distort your perception of the passage of time" though that certainly may factor into it. No, the light-speed progression of hours and days can only be attributed to the on-again-off-again rotation of titles. It seems as though every other week famous and talented duelists are being put to the test. Challenge after challenge is issued without cessation, bringing RhyDin's dueling elite to the brink of their ability, capacity, and sanity, until finally someone loses a title.
Then the process starts up all over again.
Mind you, this does not make for an unpleasant experience. Quite the opposite; by being kept on their toes, title holders are able to constantly hone their abilities, adapt new, up-and-coming techniques, and scout the latest talent RhyDin has to offer.
The Duel of Swords title of Overlord is one of the most prestigious titles among all three sports of dueling. Not unlike the Archmage status in the Duel of Magic or the Diamond status in the Duel of Fists, the Overlord title is both won and earned by RhyDin's elite. Popularity (or notoriety) is earned through hard work and dedication to the art of swords. Circumstance is won - quite literally - through a high placement in the Warlord's Tournament.* Once the challenge has been won, an Overlord may keep his or her title only as long as he or she is able to defend" which, as we have seen time and again, is rather constant.
In honor of the Post's anniversary this month and National Dueling Month fast approaching, the RhyDin Post Sports Center has decided to take a look at the Overlords (and ladies) this past year. What truly does it take to be a winner in this day and age"
Tasslehofl Momus 81st Overlord Reign: July 2009 - September 2009
Perhaps it is fitting that so eccentric and entertaining a duelist as Tasslehofl Momus began his career as Overlord with an equally eccentric and entertaining dueling event.
After issuing a formal and traditional challenge to Tormay Eludes, the two engaged in a diverting tangle of gunfire, verbal assaults, and good-natured stabbing. July the tenth saw a new and arguably comical method of fighting with pistols, necessitating the intervention of Neo Eternity, who instituted a magic barrier that prohibited any stray gunfire from wounding intrigued audience members and passersby. The single, Terranized duel was followed closely by two traditional swords duels, and in the end, Momus triumphed over Eludes to become the eighty-first Overlord.
"Momus fights like he lives," argued Brian Welsh, Post sports commentator. "Spontaneously, thoroughly, and without shame."
The thoroughness of Momus's fighting style is undoubtedly attributed to years of practice and impeccable patience. With an impressive record of 58 wins and two Baronies under his belt, Momus has no doubt perfected the art of composure and vigilance within the ring.
"Not once in his career have I seen Momus get agitated or frustrated while dueling," said Welsh. "And that works to his advantage. He refuses to be impatient, and he doesn't allow himself to be antagonized, no matter what the circumstances."
Those circumstances would ultimately bring only two challenges to Momus's Overlordship. The first was issued by Cassius Maximius, who was defeated in a best-of-three format on August twelfth. The second was issued by Teagan Rielea, a Warlord Tournament prize holder, who ultimately defeated Momus in single-match format.
"If experience tells us anything, I'd like to keep on hoping that Momus's spontaneity will bring him back to the Overlord's doorstep," added Welsh. "Lord knows the sport needs a little bit of calm now and again."
Teagan Rielea 82nd Overlady Reign: September 2009 - November 2009
Though Rielea's ascension to Overlady was unorthodox at best, that is nothing to her history as a dueling veteran.
"I'm in love with Rielea," said Chris Reed, former duelist and co-host for the RhyDin Post Sports Center program. "She has an astonishing amount of pizzazz inside the ring, and her record is nothing to thumb your nose at. Plus she's <censored> hot when she stabs people."
Having held three of the current seven Baronies, Rielea's talent is inherent in her ruthlessly aggressive offensive technique" both inside and outside the ring. By marrying her bold personality and fearlessness with a style of fighting just the same, Rielea managed to earn the Overlordship in single format from Tasslehofl Momus on September 28, 2009, becoming the first woman to hold the title in two years, since Aurora Blackmane.
"If I had to say one thing about Rielea, I would say she has an unexpected talent for misdirection," mentioned William Zephra, writer for Inside Dueling. "Her mouth runs constantly during matches, and while most duelists shouldn't let that bother them, it does. She's unforgiving enough to not permit her opponents second chances when she steals a lead from them, and she uses every advantage she can get. And when I say every advantage, I mean every advantage."
During a relatively short reign, Rielea was challenged once by Anubis Karos and was forced to surrender the mantle, despite intercession by Aurora Blackmane on her behalf. Since then, Rielea has kept herself busy by maintaining and defending the Barony of Dragon's Gate and issuing several challenges to current Overlords.
Anubis Karos 83rd Overlord Reign: November 2009 - December 2009
"Whether or not you agree with his methods, you cannot deny the tremendous and sometimes daunting skill of Anubis Karos."
These words, spoken by renowned duel historian and analysis expert Gregory Marshall, grace the first page of the October 2009 edition of the RhyDin Sports Illustrator. Karos, though oftentimes unpopular with most duelists, remains extremely popular with sports analysts everywhere for his graceful yet brutal sword fighting methods.
"As my colleague said once, Karos practically dances with a weapon," offered Dan Sherman, RhyDin Post sports columnist. "It doesn't matter the size. Whether he chooses a set of daggers, a shortsword, a longsword, a broadsword" he still executes his maneuvers with flawless, brutal efficiency. He doesn't hold back."
Indeed, while Karos's skill does not stem mostly from brute force, those duelists who have faced him have not left the ring winded. Much of his former career has been obscure, but the Egyptian's professional ability in the art of swords is certainly anything but short-lived. His title in November was only one of three reigns as Overlord, and he has held four of the current seven Baronies individually. That is not to mention his extensive record in the Duel of Fists, as well.
Though challenged only twice in his reign, Karos managed to have a hand in the making of history during the challenge issued by Tormay Eludes on November 23. After a dizzying game of musical rings, Karos's champion Deathlord was pitted against then-Renegade-Baron Rena A. Cronin, who lost her intercession by a margin of three points. After triumphing once more against Eludes in Karos's stead, Deathlord (a Commoner at the time) was granted the ability to challenge Eludes for his Barony, which he promptly won thereafter.
It is true. Whether or not you agree with his methods, Karos has an uncanny ability to ensure that progress favors him under any conditions. Though the second challenge of his reign was lost to Ticallion Carter in three matches, Karos has not yet exhibited any discouragement from the sport.
"It is almost as though he knows what is going to happen. Like every bit of this is just a part of his master plan," added Sherman.
Back in April, Karos expressed interest in holding the Triple Crown. He will make history again if those plans are realized.
Ticallion Carter 84th Overlord Reign: December 2009 - April 2010
Out of the ring, Ticallion Carter is the perfect image of what RhyDinians hope an Overlord should be. He is outgoing, but he is not arrogant. He is precise, but he is not blunt. And while he is what some would consider a very popular gentleman in everyday life, inside the ring, Carter is not one to be trifled with.
Originally, much of Carter's experience and expertise seems to stem from his career in the Wrecking Crew, a Team Dueling League group that won the TDL Cup in Season 523. It was during that stretch that Carter likely picked up a few tricks from the Grazianos - namely, the sheer importance of rationing strength during a competition.
"I've always liked Carter, if only for his ingenuity," said Chris Reed, former duelist and co-host for the RhyDin Post Sports Center program. "He has a tendency to turtle, not because he's feeling intimidated, but because he knows when it is the right and the wrong time to expend energy in a well-timed thrust or slash. I call him the Defending Demon. D.D."
Defending Demon that he is, Carter was issued only two challenges in his Overlordship, one of which was rescinded. The second ended his four-month career, when he was bested in two bouts by Commoner and Talon of Redwin winner Imp.
Imp 85th Overlord Reign: April 2009 - Present
Undoubtedly Imp has made the most history of the five. After winning the prestigious Talon of Redwin, Imp, still only at the Commoner rank in the Duel of Swords, issued challenge to Overlord Carter on March 15 in an unorthodox and what some would call an entertaining fashion. It took only two out of three matches on the sixteenth of April for the little blue swordsman to trump Carter, winning by a margin of two full points on both occasions.
Immediately following the challenge, four Barons declared themselves renegade to the new Overlord Imp. Some attribute this to a lack of respect because of his low rank, while others argue that his ostentatious, modern, and sometimes vulgar behavior in and out of the ring can be discomfiting in a sport that is largely based on tradition and convention. True or not, Imp has already managed to live and defend through five challenges, with a sixth fast approaching. Despite his size and demeanor, all matches have been won by a margin of 1.5 or higher, with several being ended in fewer than six rounds. How does he do it' Clearly his skill hasn't much to do with raw strength, but many of our sports analysts have attributed Imp's staggering number of wins to his cunning.
"The fact is Imp's line of sight is sharper than a heck of a lot of other duelists we have out there these days," said Brian Welsh, Post sports commentator. "He exploits openings like you wouldn't believe by utilizing wily imp abilities. Totally legal, by the way - I would know; I looked it up!"
Will his craftiness be enough to make him last through another barrage of challenges" Find out August 20th, when he takes on Rand alTan!
*Renegade Barons are entitled to issue challenges to standing Overlords without participating in the Warlord Tournament. If there is a majority of Renegade Barons on the Entire Barons Council, an active Warlord may issue challenge without receiving permission from a Baron. If the Overlord has a majority of Loyal Barons, a Warlord must have permission of a Renegade Baron in order to challenge.**
DoS Histories. Thank you!]] Source.]]
http://i738.photobucket.com/albums/xx21/dfenner_photo/57423440.jpg Sports Columnist: Peter Pham
The Swords List 2010: Overlords this Past Year August 19, 2010
When it comes to dueling in RhyDin, a year seems like a very short amount of time.
This isn't necessarily because of the blows you take to the cranium that distort your perception of the passage of time" though that certainly may factor into it. No, the light-speed progression of hours and days can only be attributed to the on-again-off-again rotation of titles. It seems as though every other week famous and talented duelists are being put to the test. Challenge after challenge is issued without cessation, bringing RhyDin's dueling elite to the brink of their ability, capacity, and sanity, until finally someone loses a title.
Then the process starts up all over again.
Mind you, this does not make for an unpleasant experience. Quite the opposite; by being kept on their toes, title holders are able to constantly hone their abilities, adapt new, up-and-coming techniques, and scout the latest talent RhyDin has to offer.
The Duel of Swords title of Overlord is one of the most prestigious titles among all three sports of dueling. Not unlike the Archmage status in the Duel of Magic or the Diamond status in the Duel of Fists, the Overlord title is both won and earned by RhyDin's elite. Popularity (or notoriety) is earned through hard work and dedication to the art of swords. Circumstance is won - quite literally - through a high placement in the Warlord's Tournament.* Once the challenge has been won, an Overlord may keep his or her title only as long as he or she is able to defend" which, as we have seen time and again, is rather constant.
In honor of the Post's anniversary this month and National Dueling Month fast approaching, the RhyDin Post Sports Center has decided to take a look at the Overlords (and ladies) this past year. What truly does it take to be a winner in this day and age"
Tasslehofl Momus 81st Overlord Reign: July 2009 - September 2009
Perhaps it is fitting that so eccentric and entertaining a duelist as Tasslehofl Momus began his career as Overlord with an equally eccentric and entertaining dueling event.
After issuing a formal and traditional challenge to Tormay Eludes, the two engaged in a diverting tangle of gunfire, verbal assaults, and good-natured stabbing. July the tenth saw a new and arguably comical method of fighting with pistols, necessitating the intervention of Neo Eternity, who instituted a magic barrier that prohibited any stray gunfire from wounding intrigued audience members and passersby. The single, Terranized duel was followed closely by two traditional swords duels, and in the end, Momus triumphed over Eludes to become the eighty-first Overlord.
"Momus fights like he lives," argued Brian Welsh, Post sports commentator. "Spontaneously, thoroughly, and without shame."
The thoroughness of Momus's fighting style is undoubtedly attributed to years of practice and impeccable patience. With an impressive record of 58 wins and two Baronies under his belt, Momus has no doubt perfected the art of composure and vigilance within the ring.
"Not once in his career have I seen Momus get agitated or frustrated while dueling," said Welsh. "And that works to his advantage. He refuses to be impatient, and he doesn't allow himself to be antagonized, no matter what the circumstances."
Those circumstances would ultimately bring only two challenges to Momus's Overlordship. The first was issued by Cassius Maximius, who was defeated in a best-of-three format on August twelfth. The second was issued by Teagan Rielea, a Warlord Tournament prize holder, who ultimately defeated Momus in single-match format.
"If experience tells us anything, I'd like to keep on hoping that Momus's spontaneity will bring him back to the Overlord's doorstep," added Welsh. "Lord knows the sport needs a little bit of calm now and again."
Teagan Rielea 82nd Overlady Reign: September 2009 - November 2009
Though Rielea's ascension to Overlady was unorthodox at best, that is nothing to her history as a dueling veteran.
"I'm in love with Rielea," said Chris Reed, former duelist and co-host for the RhyDin Post Sports Center program. "She has an astonishing amount of pizzazz inside the ring, and her record is nothing to thumb your nose at. Plus she's <censored> hot when she stabs people."
Having held three of the current seven Baronies, Rielea's talent is inherent in her ruthlessly aggressive offensive technique" both inside and outside the ring. By marrying her bold personality and fearlessness with a style of fighting just the same, Rielea managed to earn the Overlordship in single format from Tasslehofl Momus on September 28, 2009, becoming the first woman to hold the title in two years, since Aurora Blackmane.
"If I had to say one thing about Rielea, I would say she has an unexpected talent for misdirection," mentioned William Zephra, writer for Inside Dueling. "Her mouth runs constantly during matches, and while most duelists shouldn't let that bother them, it does. She's unforgiving enough to not permit her opponents second chances when she steals a lead from them, and she uses every advantage she can get. And when I say every advantage, I mean every advantage."
During a relatively short reign, Rielea was challenged once by Anubis Karos and was forced to surrender the mantle, despite intercession by Aurora Blackmane on her behalf. Since then, Rielea has kept herself busy by maintaining and defending the Barony of Dragon's Gate and issuing several challenges to current Overlords.
Anubis Karos 83rd Overlord Reign: November 2009 - December 2009
"Whether or not you agree with his methods, you cannot deny the tremendous and sometimes daunting skill of Anubis Karos."
These words, spoken by renowned duel historian and analysis expert Gregory Marshall, grace the first page of the October 2009 edition of the RhyDin Sports Illustrator. Karos, though oftentimes unpopular with most duelists, remains extremely popular with sports analysts everywhere for his graceful yet brutal sword fighting methods.
"As my colleague said once, Karos practically dances with a weapon," offered Dan Sherman, RhyDin Post sports columnist. "It doesn't matter the size. Whether he chooses a set of daggers, a shortsword, a longsword, a broadsword" he still executes his maneuvers with flawless, brutal efficiency. He doesn't hold back."
Indeed, while Karos's skill does not stem mostly from brute force, those duelists who have faced him have not left the ring winded. Much of his former career has been obscure, but the Egyptian's professional ability in the art of swords is certainly anything but short-lived. His title in November was only one of three reigns as Overlord, and he has held four of the current seven Baronies individually. That is not to mention his extensive record in the Duel of Fists, as well.
Though challenged only twice in his reign, Karos managed to have a hand in the making of history during the challenge issued by Tormay Eludes on November 23. After a dizzying game of musical rings, Karos's champion Deathlord was pitted against then-Renegade-Baron Rena A. Cronin, who lost her intercession by a margin of three points. After triumphing once more against Eludes in Karos's stead, Deathlord (a Commoner at the time) was granted the ability to challenge Eludes for his Barony, which he promptly won thereafter.
It is true. Whether or not you agree with his methods, Karos has an uncanny ability to ensure that progress favors him under any conditions. Though the second challenge of his reign was lost to Ticallion Carter in three matches, Karos has not yet exhibited any discouragement from the sport.
"It is almost as though he knows what is going to happen. Like every bit of this is just a part of his master plan," added Sherman.
Back in April, Karos expressed interest in holding the Triple Crown. He will make history again if those plans are realized.
Ticallion Carter 84th Overlord Reign: December 2009 - April 2010
Out of the ring, Ticallion Carter is the perfect image of what RhyDinians hope an Overlord should be. He is outgoing, but he is not arrogant. He is precise, but he is not blunt. And while he is what some would consider a very popular gentleman in everyday life, inside the ring, Carter is not one to be trifled with.
Originally, much of Carter's experience and expertise seems to stem from his career in the Wrecking Crew, a Team Dueling League group that won the TDL Cup in Season 523. It was during that stretch that Carter likely picked up a few tricks from the Grazianos - namely, the sheer importance of rationing strength during a competition.
"I've always liked Carter, if only for his ingenuity," said Chris Reed, former duelist and co-host for the RhyDin Post Sports Center program. "He has a tendency to turtle, not because he's feeling intimidated, but because he knows when it is the right and the wrong time to expend energy in a well-timed thrust or slash. I call him the Defending Demon. D.D."
Defending Demon that he is, Carter was issued only two challenges in his Overlordship, one of which was rescinded. The second ended his four-month career, when he was bested in two bouts by Commoner and Talon of Redwin winner Imp.
Imp 85th Overlord Reign: April 2009 - Present
Undoubtedly Imp has made the most history of the five. After winning the prestigious Talon of Redwin, Imp, still only at the Commoner rank in the Duel of Swords, issued challenge to Overlord Carter on March 15 in an unorthodox and what some would call an entertaining fashion. It took only two out of three matches on the sixteenth of April for the little blue swordsman to trump Carter, winning by a margin of two full points on both occasions.
Immediately following the challenge, four Barons declared themselves renegade to the new Overlord Imp. Some attribute this to a lack of respect because of his low rank, while others argue that his ostentatious, modern, and sometimes vulgar behavior in and out of the ring can be discomfiting in a sport that is largely based on tradition and convention. True or not, Imp has already managed to live and defend through five challenges, with a sixth fast approaching. Despite his size and demeanor, all matches have been won by a margin of 1.5 or higher, with several being ended in fewer than six rounds. How does he do it' Clearly his skill hasn't much to do with raw strength, but many of our sports analysts have attributed Imp's staggering number of wins to his cunning.
"The fact is Imp's line of sight is sharper than a heck of a lot of other duelists we have out there these days," said Brian Welsh, Post sports commentator. "He exploits openings like you wouldn't believe by utilizing wily imp abilities. Totally legal, by the way - I would know; I looked it up!"
Will his craftiness be enough to make him last through another barrage of challenges" Find out August 20th, when he takes on Rand alTan!
*Renegade Barons are entitled to issue challenges to standing Overlords without participating in the Warlord Tournament. If there is a majority of Renegade Barons on the Entire Barons Council, an active Warlord may issue challenge without receiving permission from a Baron. If the Overlord has a majority of Loyal Barons, a Warlord must have permission of a Renegade Baron in order to challenge.**
DoS Histories. Thank you!]] Source.]]