::on the cover is a photo of two unidentified ladies covered in mud-- a gobbet of mud caught in
mid flight as it arcs toward the shorter of the two.  Both of them are fairly undressed but because
of the mud, no one could tell.  In the background RDI Gidra, Sam, and Hymie are giving the girls
a good look with all six eyes.  Several spectators are laughing as well.  Over this is the title DOS
TODAY::

*    *    *

DoS TODAY  Volume 1, Issue 4

Contents:

Letters to the Editor                   page 2
Special photos                page 4
Editorial on fancies                    page 6
Ad for Gryphonwing                 page 7
Schools around RhyDin              page 8
Ad for Ulath's lessons                  page 10
Ad for Gaijin's Shopping Network        page 11
This week in dueling                    page 12
Ad for Chanson's Day Care               page 13
Challenges                         page 14
Ad for Ulath's Armor cologne       page 15

*    *    *
page 2

 Editor,
 So far I've really enjoyed your magazine, and am quite happy that it is available to us, however I
have a bit of creative criticism for you, and please understand that none of this is meant to offend
personally you, or any of the staff of this magazine in general.

 I really liked what you said about honor on the third page... wait.. I have no problem with that..
never mind.

 I believe that Dan did a excellent job on the article on DoM, however I believe he got a bit of his
information slightly incorrect. Though, at one time, the Duel of Fists ~was~ a matrix system
based, more or less, on that of the Duel of Swords, it has changed quite a bit from then to now.
 There are now a good deal more moves within the DoF matrix, and therefore more options. As
well, the matrix is not as balanced as that in DoS. (I won't mention DoM because of yet I have not
been there) Though of course, what you meant to say was I'm sure, was that DoM was quite
different than DoS, unlike the ~original~ DoF which seemed almost a copy of DoS, it is quite
different.

 My apologies for being so drastic, however DoF is doing quite badly as it is, and though what
you say was true at one time, it is no longer, and such bad publicity cannot be good for us
die-hards who are trying to keep it alive.
 For your notes, this is the section in which I found error- From reading about it ahead of time, I
would have thought that it would be a very close copy of Duel of Swords, as the Duel of Fists
turned out to be. However, it is only loosely based on the same system, and is more new than old.
 As I mentioned earlier, it is not a "very close copy" there are new modifiers, different moves, and
a quite different matrix.. and though definitely it is not as original as DoM undoubtedly is, it is no
longer a very close copy.
 More to the point I also noticed something quite disturbing... BrdwayDan is not in the current
DoF standings, which he has never fought, or if he has it has not been for sometime... perhaps it is
just me, but should he not participate before making a statement so judgmental? As the old saying
goes, "Seeing is not knowing... to be sure, you must feel."
 Also, I would enjoy it if you would mention DoF more often in your magazine.... such as DoS is
(of course-I have no problem with this, either) the main, and you are doing whole articles on 
DoM, but I have heard DoF mentioned only in passing.

 As well, I would like to take this time to ask a question of you. You have spent much of your
time going deeply into detail about the warlords... what about the underdogs? You know what I
mean.... those M@A's that never made warlord, but can make a good deal of them wet their pants
in fear. They deserve such recognition as others... if not more so.
 Thank you for your time,
                                Darieyl L'tan


Dan's Response:

  Darieyl, while it is true that I am not on the current standings list, I have dueled within the Duel
of Fists, and was there at the very beginning of its entry into the RDI.
  You are quite right, in that the matrix has changed for Duel of Fists, from the original, pushing it
farther from Duel of Swords. However, that doesn't say much, as it was very close to Duel of
Swords from the start. In matrix, as well as action, DoF and DoS are close, whereas Duel of
Magic is removed.
  The thoughts behind the Duels of Swords and Fists are the same: they both basically work out
fights on a pure physical level, just that one is blades, and one is fists.
  I feel that the reason that Duel of Fists hasn't caught on so well is a combination of its lack of
several Referees, multiple time slots, and the fact that it's held out of the way in Dreamweaver's.
Also, the fact that Duel of Swords has all of these, makes DoF kind of superfluous. Duel of
Magic,
however, might catch on better, especially among the Mages within RhyDIn, and those for whom
the Duel of Swords is too physical.

-Dan

Further note:  Now that the game has a room of its own, this may change.  Also... DOS TODAY
plans to do an article about the game in an upcoming issue as soon as this editor can give the
game a try, and BlkPanther is interviewed.   Any others with opinions and ideas about the DoF
please feel free to e-mail me.  ~Ed.


Dear Editor,
    Your magazine is some of the most entertaining reading out there.  The
articles are well written, the interviews are insightful, and the camera work
is excellent.  I do think more photos with blood in them, whether on the
duelers, or flying about the room, would add something to your magazine.  For
instance, a large, full page, color photograph of a muscular swordsman, blood
dripping down his chest from a gaping wound, his own blade covered in his
opponent's blood, would be nice.  Just a suggestion. I've enjoyed all your
magazines so far, but I especially loved your third issue...I'd like to see
more photos of that delicious Dark Axe in the future.  

Sincerely,
Angelique Katarina Mechant

For Katarina and all you other blood lovers out there Dos Today offers the following pictorial:

*    *    *
pages 4 & 5

::the pages open to a collage of photos of various duelers of various ranks, all of them with one
thing in common... a lot of blood.  Crysknife in a man's hand, dripping with red gore, as his
forehead is beaded with it.  A pointed stick in another man's hand is knocked to the side as a
woman has thrust him through, the droplets of blood flying in all directions.  The crowd leaping to
its feet and cheering as two ladies impale each other on their wicked blades--blood runs down
both ladies' blouses and drips from the points of their swords.  Dual cuts grace the next photo, as
one man takes out the legs of his opponent while he is going for the head-- again the flying
gobbets of blood are caught in mid-flight, red pearls gleaming wetly in the bright lighting of the
basement.  And finally a familiar woman walking down the stairs dragging the gory carcass of a
puntbeast behind her, leaving it at the feet of Gidra as Sam looks on hungrily.::

*    *    *
page 6

Well... isn't that *fancy*~

  With the announcement this week of a interesting rule change, the dueling community is up in
arms again.  The change, to be implemented tomorrow as the last cycle ends and the new cycle
begins, entails a slight adjustment to how fancies are scored.  Throughout this cycle which will
end at the end of November, fancies will only be awarded if the user is successful in his maneuver. 
For example:  If a person were to sidestep a lateral parry... the person would get an advantage.  If
the person were to use a fancy in this instance the score would bump up to a hit as it has always
worked.  But... and here's the neat part... if a person does a low cut, and their opponent does a
fancy lateral parry, the scoring would remain 1-0.  The fancy would be worthless because the
opponent MISSED.  This editor applauds the efforts of Kairee and the RDIs to change this rule in
this way.  It makes dueling logical again, and makes wins defined by who dueled best as opposed
to who was most fancy.  The lower ranks should be doubly glad of this rule, because not only will
they be able to duel warlords and have a chance, they should also have more fun at it.  To
warlords this rule should be a challenge to you to use your fancies wisely.  No longer may you
just mindlessly slap a fancy on any defensive move and get an automatic half-point.  To those that
do not care to think so hard when dueling, well, perhaps it is time you did.  You didn't earn the
rank of warlord just so you could sit back and drink ale did you?
  As always that's just my opinion.....    ~Ed.

*    *    *
page 7

 To all the commoners currently tearing their hair out over every duel they
fight:

 Yes! We know who you are! We know all about your plight!
 
-Are you tired of losing continually to people who seem to be able to predict
you like a Weather Channel meteorologist?

-Are you tired of watching people use fancy after fancy when you can't seem
to get even ONE, no matter how hard you try?

-Are you tired of getting condescending remarks from Warlords when you ask
them for assistance?

-Do you want to gain skill at the sport that so many people you know and love
seem to take for granted?

We have the solution!

Gryphonwing Dueling Academy!

The newest addition to the Castle Gryphonwing, a practice dojo of immense
proportions, will be erected shortly! Don't miss out on this wonderful
opportunity to study the art of dueling through intense personal training and
Socratic discussion with Warlords and former Overlords such as Amaltea and
PsiMystic!

Join the Gryphonwing Academy today! Classes are presently scheduled for
Wednesdays, 9-11 P.M., Eastern Standard Time.

To enroll yourself in Gryphonwing Dueling Academy, you need only send a short
Email to Amaltea, or Suzielle. (Two i's at the end of Suzielle! :> )

Thanks bunches to Suzielle for letting us use her castle!

See you soon!

~Mysticate "Psi" Anjere
~Amaltea thu-Darelir
~Suzielle the Amazon brat!

*    *    *
page 8

::the page opens with a photo of Alkron (GldenSword) in a dueling stance showing a fellow
dueler a particularly effective move::

Learning to Duel...

  There are several schools around RhyDin where people can learn the finer points of dueling. 
This editor interviewed a few people involved in the schools to see what sorts of things they
involve. 
  First stop was the Dojo Darelir run by long-time dueler and former overlord Xenograg.  Some of
his more well known students are former Overlord Amaltea, Dark Axe, GldenSword and many
others.  Xenograg's main focus is to try and teach his students to learn to teach themselves.  To
read their opponent and learn to recognize patterns.  But Xeno's time has been taken away these
days in other endeavors, and so some of his students have branched out to take students of their
own.
  Most notably is PsiMystic, Amaltea, and Suzielle's joint venture into the teaching world. 
According to a report by Psi and also a roving reporter for the magazine, the first night of their
school went very well.  Many tips were passed along, and a good practice session was held in
which the instructors gave tips to the duels in progress.  There was also a good turnout for the
event and the students seemed genuinely interested in learning.  Gryphonwing as advertised above
is still accepting new students.
  Another choice is the school run by Valmion and Alaisia, the Knights of the Red Dragon.  While
teaching you the basics, their school also stresses the importance of honor within dueling.  As
stated last week, this editor is all for more honor in the ring, and many of the duelers today could
well benefit from the lessons Valmion has written up on the subject.
  There are reputedly several other schools lurking about here in RhyDin.  One run by LordofDale
for instance, but this editor was not able to interview them as yet.
  Along with the larger schools, individuals have long taken a student or two under their wing for
instruction.  Siera Redwin is rumored to have taught Yasafel, and Gray Max taught the current
Lady Overlord Vixxenish, as well as Merilsa, although both Red and Max are reluctant to teach
anyone.  Dark Axe is willing to take on students as per his advertisement.  And GldenSword has
been entertaining the idea of starting a new school.
  So there are a lot of outlets for the struggling newcomer.  If you feel you would like help with
your dueling, look up these people for some assistance.  Don't be shy because of the "big names"
from my experience, they are all genuinely interested in helping people become better duelers.

*    *    *
page 10

:: the page opens to a full length photo of Dark Axe, posed in a dueling stance, wearing a light
leather dueling vest, leather trousers, his long tawny hair held in the back by a single silver clasp. 
A large sign is seen in the background, it reads 'Come today! Join Ulath's dueling lessons Inc.! 
Drop a note to Ulath for details!' ::

*    *    *
page 11

::a photo taking up the top third of the page--GypsyLynx and GaijinMage toasting with steaming
mugs of tea::

::a magical implant on the page makes the invigorating, heady fragrance waft out of the magazine,
filling the air and tempting the taste buds::


*******************************************************
          GypsyLynx's Miracle Tea™
     Now Available at The RhyDin Shopping Network

*******************************************************
After you're finished with your grueling duelling, don't reach for any old grog or ale... revitalize
with GypsyLynx's Miracle Tea™!  

Restore your strength after swordfighting or fisticuffs!  Bring your magic back after a mage
match!

Great hot or iced, this exotic blend will refresh you and put the spring back in your step.  Great
for serving the kids as ice-pops!

                          AVAILABLE ***EXCLUSIVELY***
                         at the RhyDin Shopping Network

                   8X cut along dotted lines 8X
-------------------------------------------------------------------
|                                 COUPON                 |
|         Free sample of GypsyLynx's Miracle Tea™   |
|                           with any purchase                 |
|                                    |
|                                     or                      |
|            25% off the economy pack of 500 bags   |
|                 in a lovely Duel of Swords crystal     |
|                      commemorative decanter            |
|    redeemable ONLY at the RhyDin Shopping Network    |
|------------------------------------------------------------------| 
                   X8 cut along dotted line X8

                       ::the decanter springs into view as a hologram::
             ::beveled engraved crystal with crossed swords in the center::
                         ::painstaking carvings of tiny figures dueling::
   
Coming soon the Duel of Fists commemorative decanter and the Duel of Magic commemorative
decanter

Duel of Fists and Duel of Magic merchandise also available, along with our fine selection of
Puntmonster leather Duel of Swords accessories and equipment.

Conveniently located in RhyDin Square, Two blocks West of the Red Dragon Inn.  Stop by soon!


                                    Proud to serve the finest
                                      clientele in Rhy-Din!

*    *    *
page 12

THIS WEEK IN DUELING

  It was relatively quiet this week with the exception of the furor over the fancy rule change. 
Tempers were flaring on the Basement Bulletin Board as several duelers spoke out against the
change.  Others were in favor and still others were dubious.  Time will tell as with all things. 
Dueling-wise, there were no changes for warlord rank this week (unless some of you folks
neglected to tell me something... ::sour look::), apart from a couple of newcomers to the warlord
ranks such as SlothShamn, Kalamere, and NickOvTyme, before Nick's departure that is.  The
usual duels went on over the weekend as people scrambled to make their rank before the change
of cycle.  For those unfamiliar with the cycle change, when this month ends, Scorekeeper
Xenograg will take all of your losses, and subtract them from your wins.  So if your losses exceed
your wins you go back to a record of 0-0-0.  Any wins you have over your losses will be retained,
all ties are taken away.  For example... a person with a record of 10-5-2, will come out of the
cycle change with the record of 5-0-0.  A person with the record of 9-10-3 will come out with 0-
0-0.

*    *    *
page 13

::the page opens to a full page photo of a large, relaxed-looking crowd in a nightclub, watching a
band onstage perform.::

"Music is Magic Nightclub, where music is a way of life.  Whether you simply want a night out on
the town, or whether you need to unwind (or celebrate) after an evening of dueling, stop by, meet
our friendly staff, and see performers that are world-famous both in RhyDin and back on Earth.

Also announcing a Saturday afternoon special -- Children's afternoon. Got a tough duel lined up
for Saturday night?  Need a little peace from the children, or just some practice time.  Bring your
child to the Music is Magic Children's Afternoon, where your child(ren) will be able not only to
listen to their favorites, but also perform them.  Refreshments to be provided. Donations go
towards a RhyDin halfway house for orphans, runaways, and those in trouble.

The Music is Magic Nightclub is located in the From the Dragons Mouth message board."

*    *    *
Page 14

CHALLENGES

  Several Challenges were issued last week in and amongst the furor.
  Siera Redwin Challenged MidnytBlue for her place in the ranks.  The time set for the Challenge
is 10:00 p.m. EDT October 2.
  Gray Max challenged Phylos for his place in the ranks.  The time and choice of weapons have
yet to be determined.
  Valmion challenged Lady Overlord Vixxenish.  The time and place also yet to be determined, but
sometime after the start of the month.  As the reporter was led to understand, Lady Vixxenish,
and all newly appointed Overlords, has a two week grace period in which to decorate the
Basement as she sees fit.
  QnLuthien challenged ConnorMcld, but as Connor has decided to retire in protest of the rule
change, she was able to move up without any bloodshed.  The lady seemed quite happy about this
when seen recently in the inn.

*    *    *
page 15

::this page opens onto a full page black and white photo of Dark Axe laying on his back in the
DoS room, an arm propping his head up.  His upper body bare, glistened with water droplets,
covering the entire page, bronze skin gleaming with the reflection of the light.. on the top, in large
bold letters "Duel of Sword's Armor.... a refreshing new fragrance.".. at the bottom of the page is
a flap that when opened reveals a strong whiff of cologne, and a long yellow tab, with instructions
to rub a wrist on the tab and pick up the refreshing fragrance of Armor::

*    *    *
Page 16
Latebreaking news...

  NickOvTime, well-liked dueler was forced to leave last week because of, yech..., reality.  There's
a lot of that going around.  This reporter wishes him well and hopes we'll see him around again
soon.

*    *    *
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.


Happy Dueling  :)