Welcome to the Top 20, a regular round up of the mortals with the highest scores
who have played within the past 7 days at Viktor Toth's MUD2 site.

	20 December 1998
	1.      Florence    2.        Sonsie    3.        Sirkilalot    4.        Damned    5.        Fishbait    6.        Beermug    7.        Arcady    8.        Mohican    9.        Laura   10.        Angelmist   11.        Zalagar   12.        Rossetti   13.        Carl   14.        Boggy   15.        Rainbow   16.        Incognito   17.        Turin   18.        Blackguard   19.        Noose   20.        Babycakes
Next update: 27 December 1998 Previous update: 13 December 1998

After 9 consecutive weeks at number 1, times change. Sonsie slips one place, vacating the dominant position she's held in the chart since the middle of October. Who has ousted her? Florence! Of course, I'm biased.. but who the hell cares? Go Florence! I rather think that Flo isn't going to exhibit any of the characteristics Sonsie did at the top - this time next week Flo won't be at number 1. She has three options: wizdom, death, or a slip down the chart. Hehe - I just realised Florence is our Christmas Number 1! Keep on hacking'n'slaying Flo, and a huge well done to Sonsie. 11 weeks at the top, 9 weeks in succession, is an astounding record - one I don't think we'll see broken for a long, long time.

Sirkilalot is up one place this week, to number 3. What sort of player is he? Cautious and caring, I'd have said; but, rumours this week from the tearoom suggest that Sirkilalot in fact has a well hidden evil streak. Ming the merciless reported this utterance:

Sirkilalot the mage says "I always feel better making other peoples lives miserable".

In addition, someone was heard telling Boggy that Sirkilalot was "..the most fearsome killer in The Land..". Surely no smoke without fire? I went in search of evidence of Sirkilalot's prowess. Unfortunately, he seemed to be having a bad day. I'm sure he *usually* manages this elementary task without too much difficulty. Wannabe killer, or just plain misunderstood? I'd better leave that judgement to you.

Mentioning high-lives in the wars, I mustn't fail to report two sad losses to the Top 20. First, Scully the warlock. Hitherto, gentle soul. Why the dwarfen guards felt it right to slay her, who knows? But it seems they weren't they only ones after her blood. She was making good progress in the chart, three weeks ago entering at number 17, then last week climbing 3 places to number 14. Her demise must be avenged: I strongly encourage you to deal with the miscreant dwarfs as you see fit!

Our other high life loss this week is also the most noticeable absence of this chart: Hawumph. A mage on a mission. Unfortunately, also a mage no more. Last weekend Hawumph was continuing his strong progress climbing the chart. He had spent 9 weeks in the Top 20, at one point ranked at number 5. His success in The Land hadn't gone unnoticed: Viktor the arch-wizard announced Hawumph had been voted the title "Player of the Month" for November. Nevertheless, the wizzes weren't the only players to notice his rapid climb. Fishbait, rarely seen in The Land, also noticed. He pounced on Hawumph in the burly dwarf guards' room, just north of the King Dwarf's study. Hawumph reached for his potty full of wafers, but to no avail! Fishbait had stolen it! The battle was joined by Yumyum, who used all her magic to help Hawumph thwart the onslaught. Yet, in the distance a bell tolled: the curse on the Player Of The Month was once more witnessed as Hawumph passed on... Fishbait showed no remorse.

Princessca would almost certainly have made it back into the chart this week, had it not been for some appalling luck with the touchstone. In her final attempt this week, I reveal she missed her goal by only 0.1%! However, Damned, Arcady and Rainbow did re-enter at numbers 4, 7 and 15 respectively. Damned seems to be dropping in and out of The Land from week to week, without making too much progress. I heard from one source that he is finding the swamp a lot harder to map now a days, and hence isn't able to make so many points from swamping the crown. I can't say if this is the truth, but it would be nice to see him about again. Arcady and Rainbow have been away for some time, playing mostly as guests recently, but plunged back into The Land this week. Welcome back!

Congratulations to Carl, this week's Highest New Entry at number 13, narrowly beating Boggy to the title. Hope he isn't superstitious: for a couple of months now people have only fallen after being listed in that position. I'm sure he'll buck the trend. Blackguard is also new this week, but pops straight in at number 18. Good luck to all the new entries!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!