Athlstan Division: Billy Ray Karnafexx(8) vs. Goon(9)

[Cassius Gaius Maximius]

Billy Ray Karnafexx

Gender: Male

Race: Human, with extraterrestrial DNA. Billy Ray was *not* part alien; the source of his extraterrestrial DNA was the release of a great mass of said DNA over New York City in the late 1940s...around the time of his birth. As such, possessed multiple powers, the most prominent of which was the rapid regeneration of his body from wounds and injuries...while one would suspect that this would be a cardinal advantage in the duels, BRK's healing abilities seem to actually be inferior to those of the Ward of Gondar(multiple scars attest to the fact that his abilities were not 100 percent effective at all times; with very few exceptions, the Ward is). Much more unique to Billy Ray in the rings were his highly enhanced strength, speed, reflexes, and agility: In all of these physical abilities, BRK was slightly ahead of Olympic-champion levels. Certainly, his family appears to have exceptionally good luck flowing through it's veins: At the time of the extraterrestrial DNA explosion, 99 percent of humans who came into contact with it either died or were mutated!

Point of Origin: United States, in a parallel universe with a history which appears to be close to identical with that of the "mainstream" universe's Earth until the aftermath of World War II, when the aforementioned explosion of alien DNA occurred over New York City. While the explosion occurred over New York City, BRK's accent, name, and general history suggest a more Southern origin. Incidentally, current Warlord and Winter 2009 WLT winner Ticallion Carter is also said to hail from an alternate-universe New York...one has to wonder.

Occupation: Formerly a star athlete specializing in college football, BRK was employed as a top-secret agent for the United States federal government after college. He was said to specialize in what could best be terms as "black ops", particularly against known members of his own kind. Even for one of Billy Ray's abilities and temperament, this must have been a highly stressful and dangerous job, and may be the reason that he relocated to Rhydin at some point in the 1990s. In Rhydin, he owned an establishment known as the Dead Nicholas, which was noted for the fresh bodies kept frozen and used as tables!

Incidentally, the moniker "Karnafexx" is a variation of "Carnifex", a Latin term which doubled amongst the ancient Romans for "executioner" and "butcher".

Preferred Weapon: A pair of sap-fisted gloves. These gloves were an excellent example of Billy Ray's general style of "Bend the rules until they seem like they may break, but don't actually break them": They managed to fulfill both his desire to fight utilizing hand-to-hand combat and the requirements of armed dueling. Sap gloves are leather gloves(some versions are made of a synthetic material) with a pouch above the knuckles in which to fill a metallic powder, ball bearings, sand, or even shards of glass! Used by both law enforcement officials and illegal pit fighters, these gloves were actually ideal for both offense and defense: The fillings provided a barrier from swinging swords and staffs. Sap gloves have become associated with Billy Ray Karnafexx that even to this day, duelers who utilize them are generally assumed to be copying or challenging him.

A pair of Billy Ray's gloves were placed on display, but during a hiatus, there were stolen. While there have been rumors as to the identity of the thief(including a prominent current dueler), the mystery has never been solved.

TDL History: 22-12, over five non-consecutive seasons, although one of these only consisted of two duels. BRK dueled for Team Loincloth in the first two seasons of TDL's history(514 and 515), for the Unforgiving in Season 517, and the Shinju Dragons in Season 520 and the start of Season 521. Best season was an astounding 10-1 for SHD in Season 520: In general, BRK was considered one of many top Arena duelists who faltered in TDL until this season.

DoS Titles Held: Former Baron of the 1st, former Baron of the 5th(5 defenses).

Challenge Victories: Raikyo Hideo(Baronial Challenge-5th), Verceterix Gavin Favre--twice(2 Baronial Defenses-5th), Xyclone(Baronial Defense-5th), Zaradda Eltorch(Baronial Defense-5th), G;nort Dragoon Talanador(Baronial Defense-5th)*, Elijah Basia Uhr(OL's Champion in ToW), Ambrosius Skylark(OL's Champion in ToW), Ian MacKenzie(Right of Challenge in ToW, vs. Challenger's Champion), Athlstan(OL's Champion in ToW), Daegarth Mithmellon(Right of Challenge in ToW, vs. Challenger's Champion), WickedDeth(OL'S Champion in ToW), Damon Black(OL's Champion in ToW).

* Zaradda Eltorch, Verceterix Gavin Favre(2nd defense), and G'nort Dragoon Talanador were won as a successive challenge que of three.

Notable Tournament Wins/Placings: Summer 1996 WLT Winner(def. Rennor in the finals, won the vacant 1st Ring as a prize), Winter 1997 WLT Winner(as the undef. bracket winner, split a two duel series with Eros deBurgo in the finals). This was the first Warlord's Tournament in DoS history with a mandatory tie-breaker duel. It was also the first time that a Warlord's Tournament winner declined a prize: Billy Ray refused to accept a Test of Worthiness-free Overlord Challenge out of personal and political loyalty to Overlord Dalamar Ar'Daumon.

DoS Madness History: N/A.


vs.


Goon

Gender: Male

Race: Not quite known. Humanoid in appearance, with an enormous, Hulk-like appearance, mountains of natural muscle on his frame, and an intelligence and naivete which, while technically at a human level, was more akin to that of a child than an adult. While he was a gentle soul who(thankfully)never fully exploited it, Goon was known to possess enormous physical strength: Billy Ray Karnafexx has possibly drawn the only duelist who may be physically stronger than him in the first round!

Point of Origin: Unknown. Regularly frequented the Rhydin Public Library; the local librarian often acted as a spokesperson for Goon in the duels, handling challenge and TDL missives for him. As Baron of the Ninth in the summer of 2004, Goon was competing in a round-robin Tournament of Barons for the vacant Overlordship: Unfortunately, this coincided with a final eruption of the Rift that was opened at the time, and Goon was drawn into the Rift with his Baronial ring. He briefly re-appeared in Rhydin in the spring of 2007, but subsequently disappeared again and has not been seen since. His present whereabouts are unknown.

Occupation: N/A...Goon was a happy-go-lucky wanderer. Worked for a time as an official in the Outback--his first home in the duels--with a very high level of competency, which makes one wonder if his child-like mentality was in fact an elaborate ruse....

Preferred Weapon: Goon's weaponry in the rings of the Arena and the Team Dueling League was actually very similar to that of his All-Time Madness first round opponent. As a long-time partisan of the Duel of Fists, Goon preferred hand-to-hand combat, with his massive hands clad in a pair of steel gauntlets. Like BRK's sap gloves, these gauntlets were actually both offense and defensive in nature: Their very size made them like two bucklers!

TDL History: 55-42 over all eleven seasons of the League's existence, all with Team Fist. For many seasons, Goon served as a very efficient captain for Fist(another hint of hidden genius?). Best seasons were Seasons 518 and 519, at 6-2 each. In general, Goon was competent in TDL but not spectactular.

DoS Titles Held: Former Overlord(2 defenses), former Baron of the 9th. Goon held the 9th Ring for a year, in part due to his tremendous popularity: He was never challenged.

Challenge Victories: Arithon Falessen(OL Challenge), Tasslehofl Momus(OL Defense), Jaycynda Ashleana--twice(OL Defense, Right of Challenge in Intercession, vs. Challenger's Champion).

Notable Tournament Wins/Placings: Spring 2003 WLT Finalist, 2007 DoS Madness Elite Eight.

DoS Madness History: 2007: Seeded 6th in the Gondar Division; def. Brigath Cedran in first round, def. Tony Graziano in second round, def. Kaylin Rumblegutter in dev. semis, lost to Tarl Cabot in div. finals. Elite Eight Showing.



Head to Head: These two have dueled twice in TDL: In Season 514, Goon defeated BRK, 5.5-4 in 12 rounds. In Season 520, BRK def. Goon, 5-4 in 10 rounds..in other words, two very similar duels, and therefore, probably a very good indication of what would happen here. This would be a very fun duel to watch.