CharmingCavalier

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 20 Season 1 TWO MORE WEEKS AND ITS CLOSER THAN EVER! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week the Saints became the second Western Conference team to clinch a playoff position and join the Crows at the top of the heap. As for the rest of the west, it is getting intense. The Krugs scored a vital victory over the Dragons this week and the Foxes shot past them as they beat the Rabbits with over twenty points to spare for their surplus. As a result, we may be seeing the Krugs and the Berserkers clinch their positions next week but we also might see these teams falter and miss their chance. It only takes one mistake. Speaking of mistakes, the Vigilants still have not clinched their playoff opportunity in the Eastern Conference, losing this week to the Purifiers. Although unlikely, if the Purifiers win their next two games and the Vigilants lose during those weeks it will come down to whoever has the larger point surplus. For Provy fans we can only hope that isn't the case, but for now they will sit with white-knuckles as they wait to hear each week's results, and hence the fate of their over-paid team. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Du Loc Flames - Freeport Pigeons Gib and Gulmon were back out on the court this week as they headed to Freeport to face the Pigeons. The dynamic duo quickly racked up a combined total of thirty two points before the half, and fifty one by the end of the night. Mister Caw of the Pigeons was last seen sobbing after the game before being told that he was fired and being replaced with a young, more fit, Mister Albatross. This massive bird could be quite the impediment to any foe, but it comes too far into the season to be any actual help. The Flames have already clinched a playoff spot so they do not have much to worry about either. Haelun'or Purifiers - Kal'Darakaan Miners The Purifiers hosted the Miners this week on the Silver Isle and the results ended with an upset victory for the high elves. During the game the Miners travel cheering section, known now as the Hornblowers, were unable to phase the ear-muff wearing high elves. Did both teams look silly? Yes. Were both teams dead silent and using hand signals instead of focusing on the game? Yes. But in the end the Miners not having their horns or the Dwarven Ball Tap put them behind enough to lose. However, it doesn't impact their standings as they have clinched a playoff position and the Flames are still a game behind. For the Purifiers though this represents a second breath of life into their playoff dreams. If they can beat the Flames next week and they have an easy week against the Pigeons next. And if the Vigilants lose both their games they have a real shot as being the fourth seed for the East. Fakhr Dunes - Providence Vigilants As for the Vigilants, they had to hike down to the oasis this week and play on one of the greatest arenas in the ABA. The Dunes have already clinched their playoff position but the Vigilants need one more win to clinch theirs. They didn't find it in the sand this week, and Hakim and Qamar ran circles around the older, but rich, Erik Othaman and Susa Boys. This has caused the standings to come down to the wire here, as the Vigilants now need a win against the resurgent Druids next week or the Rabbits the week after. Either way, leaving it to the last two weeks of the season is hardly 'winning it' as Vigilant fans have claimed for the past couple of weeks. Talus Grove Druids - Karosgrad Crows The Druids hosted the reigning Western leaders, the Crows, this week. Arthur Galbraith and Rosemary Gendik proved hard hitting foes for the Crows, who came into this game expect an easier time and substituting out their best players early on. However, thanks to the last second arch rush by Carlos Mendez we saw the Crows scrap a victory away and prevent the Saints from being tied with them. Both of these team's fates are sealed: The Crows are playoff bound and the Druids are not. However, the Druids do have room to improve now after the firing of Alexander Antler, which has clearly boosted their morale. Rozania Rabbits - Elysium Foxes The Rabbits found a stable outside of Du Loc to play their game this week, before being chased off minutes before the game ended. Nonetheless, the refs called the game 'essentially over' and finalized the score. The Foxes, led by twenty four points from Atasul'Ceru, tidily cleaned up the failing Rabbits and kept themselves in contention for a playoff position in the Western Conference. Now only one game behind the Krugs, they will need to win their next two games against the Berserkers and the Bucks to make the cut. Varhelm Berserkers - Vortice Krakens The Berserkers have yet to clinch their playoff spot but came one step closer this week with a win over the Krakens. Dominating the court, Ragnvald Eiriksson and Vykk Volaren were dominating on the faltering defense of the Krakens. For the Krakens, Head Coach Johannus understands that this season has been rough but next season could be marginally more successful as they merge with the Rabbits and get stellar picks in the draft. For the Berserkers, their next game is against the Foxes. Winning it will be crucial to their playoff bid, and losing it would put them down to the last week where they play the even more challenging Crows. Elvenesse Bucks - San Luciano Saints The Saints won this week over the Bucks and with this win clinched the second playoff position in the Western Conference. Herakles and Istvan were seen gleefully celebrating after the game by burning a few trees in the forests around Elvenesse. On the other hand, the High Prince was seen ordering an extra training session after the game to 'motivate' his fledgling team. Despite being the second worse team by their record, the end of the season has gone surprisingly well for the Bucks. With the Krakens merging with the Rabbits there is little doubt now that the Bucks will get the first pick in the first ABA draft, maybe boosting their skills even more! Yong Ping Dragons - Iron Uzg Krugs The match everyone was looking for, the Dragons had to take on the Krugs this week. Both teams were flirting with the playoffs and are desperately trying to secure a spot. Lanqui did not seem in the game this week as much as he has been. The Dragons claim this was due to a pink-haired woman manipulating them from the stands but the referees did not even see a woman that matched that description. As for the Krugs, the Yarrow Climb worked exceptionally well as Yarrow scurried up the post multiple times tonight to assist the lofty shots in. Standings wise, the loss this week sets the Dragons down to an undeserved sixth spot in the hyper-competitive Western Conference. They will now need wins in their next two games, or one win and the Krugs losing both of their games, to secure the spot. And the match against the Saints next week will be challenging. As for the Krugs, they will need to win both of their next games or have the Foxes and the Dragons lose one of theirs to clinch the final spot. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Karosgrad Crows 32 20 16 4 145 2 San Luciano Saints 30 20 15 5 136 3 Varhelm Beserkers 26 20 13 7 165 4 Iron Uzg Krugs 24 20 12 8 98 5 Elysium Foxes 22 20 11 9 73 6 Yong Ping Dragons 22 20 11 9 -7 7 Elvenesse Bucks 10 20 5 15 -113 8 Vortice Krakens 4 20 2 18 -311 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 28 20 14 6 154 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 26 20 13 7 110 3 Du Loc Flames 24 20 12 8 96 4 Providence Vigilants 20 20 10 10 -9 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 16 20 8 12 -37 6 Talus Grove Druids 12 20 6 14 -126 7 Freeport Pigeons 12 20 6 14 -145 8 Rozania Rabbits 12 20 6 14 -229 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizzards - Valwyck Bears 73 - 80 Halcourt Eagles - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 75 - 88 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 36 20 18 2 151 2 Valwyck Bears 26 20 13 7 77 3 Fennic Blizzards 16 20 8 12 24 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 20 1 19 -258 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 19 Season 1 THREE WEEKS TO GO, WEST STILL TOSSUP! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. After this week there are only three more weeks until the ABA playoffs. While the East has pretty much cemented its finalists the West is stuck with the Saints, Foxes, Dragons, Krugs, and Berserkers still battling it out to see who will advance. Only three of these teams can make it, as the Crows are already clinched, but we wish they all could. Some of these teams are genuinely interested in the sports, but between you and me I think the Krugs just like that they get the diversity of beating up different people. It gets so boring when its just the random traveler or some high elf. You gotta switch it up, go for a halfling and then maybe a dark elf. It makes it more entertaining. Anyways - Ignore my tangent. The West is still undecided and a lot of these teams are facing off against easier teams next week so it may come down to the very last two weeks to find out who is gonna make it, and who ain't! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Kal'Darakaan Miners - Du Flames The Miners and Flames may have already clinched their playoffs positions but they still had to play each other this week. To much surprise, the Miners did not bench many of their starting lineup while the Flames took the more traditional route and put their substitutes in for the majority of the game. While these players are good, Jon Metson and Dharas were extremely distracted during multiple plays by the stun horns used by the Miners fans in Kal'Darakaan. All the Miners players used hand signals during the game because it appears they had stuffed their ears with wax to avoid the effects of the horns. Regardless, this win is just a statistic and the playoffs is where this score will be settled. Providence Vigilants - Haelun'or Purifiers The Vigilants were left to bleed this week as the Purifiers, for some reason, became distinctly enthusiastic about the game. Erik Othaman, and aged man, did not perform up to what his team needed to tonight. The Susa Boys double defense and offensive plays worked at the beginning of the season but we have not seen much evolution out of the best paid team in the ABA. Winning by a single point, this tough loss means the Vigilants have still not clinched a playoff spot and the Purifiers, if they win the last three games of the season may actually clinch it instead. However, as they are going to face the Miners next week this plot is unlikely. Karosgrad Crows - Fakhr Dunes The Dunes once again decided to rest their players as they sit on top of the Eastern Conference and have clinched a playoff spot. Going up against the Crows was, of course, a tough challenge for the Dunes' subs, but they were not horribly defeated by any measure of the word. Grigory Grubb was seen on the sidelines livid at his one game suspension for beating a fan but it was needed rest for the little whippersnapper. As for Head Coach Murad of the Dunes he made it clear that the most important thing is preparing for the playoffs, both mentally and physically. Elysium Foxes - Talus Grove Druids The Foxes faced off this week against the Druids. Hours before the game began the Druids announced that they will be letting go to Alexander Antler at the end of the season, letting him ride into free agency. Supposedly, the Fennic Blizzards and Haelun'or Purifiers have made advances towards the now disgraced star but only time will tell where he lands. As for the game, the Foxes has Sulturr'Ceru scoring in multiple arch rushes that players like Arthurt Galbraith and Rosemary Gendik could not compare with. Standings wise, the Foxes have managed to cling onto a shot at the playoffs, to the disappointment of the Krugs and Dragons. The Druids are out of the playoffs but definitely rebuilding and maybe moving at the end of the season. Vortice Krakens - Rozania Rabbits The crowds went wild this week in Vortice as this is their first win in thirteen weeks. Rather it was because of the efforts of Paris Langren in the corners or the fact that the homeless and hungry Rabbits were bribed with cookies if they lost, the Krakens won this game and became ecstatic. It is reported that the after party lasted three straight days, during which many of the Rabbits committed themselves to merging with the Krakens after this season, saving them from relegation. For once, amazingly, bucketball showed that teams can work together for a good cause. Both teams are out of the playoffs, but not out of the ABA. San Luciano Saints - Varhelm Berserkers With the second game in the first double-header in ABA history the Saints managed to sweep the two game series with another close win against the Berserkers. Wisely, the Saints played the game far away from San Luciano this week in an effort to contain the violence from Berserkermania. Despite a few burnt farms, some pillaged food stores, and one decapitated squirrel named Richard the casualties post game were minimal. During the game though, Herakles Mareno was rushed off of the court following a violence collision with Alric Edvardsson. Some have speculated it is nothing while others say the corner prodigy may have injured his wrist. Next week the Saints head to face the Bucks, which they can most likely win without Herakles. Both of these teams have not clinched a playoff spot as of yet but are scheduled for easier games next week they are expected to win. Iron Uzg Krugs - Elvenesse Bucks Someone hide the poor High Prince, the Krugs are coming to town! These types of calls echoed throughout the arena this week as the Krugs decidedly massacred the few Bucks that did show up. With the playoffs hanging in the balance the Krugs left nothing to chance and wanted to secure a profitable point surplus this game. They succeeded despite the bloodlust in their veins and only took to damaged property and lives after the final whistle from the monks. Yarrow, one of their fastest players, has developed a newer move which has been called the Yarrow Climb. His more limber form allowed him to climb the bucketball pole and grab flying balls, placing them into the bucket directly. We will have to see if this can be countered next week as they head to face the Dragons, who are on their heels. Freeport Pigeons - Yong Ping Dragons The Pigeons managed to narrowly lose to the Dragons this week. The rough conditions at sea made the boat on which the Pigeons play highly volatile. It did not help that the Pigeons' fans had scattered trash, seagull dung, and various crates all along the court to detract from the very clean courts of Yong Ping. Lanqui adapted to the game but really was limited on the field, as he is not as agile. With this win the Dragons secure fifth place in the West but still have not clinched, trailing behind the Krugs. Whichever one of these teams loses first may be in a terrible position. And next week they face off, so we will see the results very shortly. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Karosgrad Crows 30 19 15 4 144 2 San Luciano Saints 28 19 14 5 121 3 Varhelm Beserkers 24 19 12 7 133 4 Iron Uzg Krugs 22 19 11 8 85 5 Yong Ping Dragons 22 19 11 8 6 6 Elysium Foxes 20 19 10 9 35 7 Elvenesse Bucks 10 19 5 14 -98 8 Vortice Krakens 4 19 2 17 -279 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 26 19 13 6 146 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 26 19 13 6 125 3 Du Loc Flames 22 19 11 8 80 4 Providence Vigilants 20 19 10 9 -1 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 14 19 7 12 -52 6 Talus Grove Druids 12 19 6 13 -125 7 Freeport Pigeons 12 19 6 13 -129 8 Rozania Rabbits 12 19 6 13 -191 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizzards - Halcourt Eagles 87 - 72 Valwyck Bears - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 90 - 85 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 34 19 17 2 138 2 Valwyck Bears 24 19 12 7 70 3 Fennic Blizzards 16 19 8 11 31 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 19 1 18 -245 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 18 Season 1 LOCK DOWN IN THE EAST, BATTLES IN THE WEST! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week we saw the Eastern Conference lock down their playoff picks, with two teams clinching the remaining positions. Congratulations to the Flames and Miners on their success this season, and hopefully in the playoffs! As for the West, only the Crows managed to secure a spot. The Saints, Dragons, Krugs, and Berserkers are stilling lingering just outside of the magic numbers. The Vigilants have been struggling and have sank to fourth in the East, the only team not to clinch so far. However, they are almost guaranteed a spot because the Purifiers, Druids, Rabbits, or Pigeons would have to win their last four games of the season. But the question on everyone's mind is what will the playoffs look like? Who is gonna win this all? I'm asking myself the same questions boy'os! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Varhelm Berserkers - San Luciano Saints The Saints headed up to Varhelm this week to take on the Berserkers. This is actually the first double-header in ABA history as these two teams will be facing off again next week. Both teams were tied by wins for second place in the Eastern Conference but by the end only one could claim the title. Although extremely close, a final uncharacteristic arch rush by Saint's star Herakles Mareno sealed the deal and pushed the Saints a single point over the Berserkers. Despite this, neither team has clinched a spot as the Krugs, Dragons, and Foxes still vie for a playoff position. If the Saints can manage to beat the Berserkers again, next week, then they have clinched a playoff positions and thrown the Berserkers into a precarious position among the squabbling fourth place teams. If the Berserkers win both team's fate are not sealed. Iron Uzg Krugs - Vortice Krakens The Krugs came into this game angry and left, well, angry. Their bloodlust has been satiated in the week's past, but it did not mean they would not murder a Kraken this time around. The game was relatively average and the highlights, for the most part, came after the game. Nero Medii'la, a Kraken, was seen trying to reason with an orc to put down a water boy they had found. The exchange of the elite Elysium cookies for the boy was approved but, for some reason, all the Krugs rushed to the outhouses mid-way to their journey back to the Iron Uzg. Must've been some good cookies! Yong Ping Dragons - Elysium Foxes These two competitive teams from the Eastern Conference squared up this week and the results were not in the favor of Yong Ping. Sitting in fourth, this loss slips them down into fifth and just shy of the playoffs. With only four weeks remaining, and the Foxes and Krugs also facing easier matches next week, the times are tight. For the game, Lanqui did his best to circumvent the heavy double man coverage but was tackled on multiple occasions, or even tripped, by Eugeo de Astra. His defense saved the Foxes from a loss here that may have put their playoff ambitions to bed, but now they are as alive as ever. Elvenesse Bucks - Karosgrad Crows The Crows, with a win against the Bucks, are the first team to clinch a playoff position in the Eastern Conference. With easier games in the last few weeks they have managed to sneak their way past the battling Saints and Berserkers to secure a position at the top. Meanwhile, the Bucks have definitively not clinched a spot in the playoffs but seem to be developing for a run at the playoffs next year. The late season introduction of High Prince Evar'tir Oranor has not only boosted their confidence but their points overall. Grigory Grubb, as usual, was able to act hyper aggressive in this game but was caught using a bludgeon on a loud-mouthed Bucks fan after the game and is facing a week suspension as a result. Freeport Pigeons - Providence Vigilants In the biggest upset of the week, the Vigilants lost to the Pigeons and are now the only one of the top four teams in the West to have not clinched a playoff position. The game was quite odd, involving the Pigeons replacing their entire avian team with men in black cloaks. Although Trainer Ledicort d'Azor protested against the last minute change of a lineup, he was dismissed by the monks. The new team showed off their prowess but disappeared after the game with no time for an ABA interview. Next week they are hoping to beat the Purifiers, but they really need a win or they may even be surpassed by the unenthusiastic high elves. Head Coach of the Pigeons, Mister Beaker, has made it clear that this is a rebuilding year for the Pigeons after faltering from their good start. Deaths by their team of birds to the Krugs and Flames significantly set back their progress as a franchise, but nonetheless they hope to return next season with some non-avian players. Rozania Rabbits - Kal'Darakaan Miners Rabbit's fans have had a rough season, and the Miners knew this. As a result they utterly annihilated the homeless rabbits in a field that was set up as a cornmaze this week. Despite the Rabbits' ingenious plan to make the field of the court into a maze they forgot that corn is not as sturdy as the fists of a dwarf. Easily picking their way through the maze and using new 'jump' boots that work on some type of mechanisms that I'm too stupid to understand the Miners decisively defeated the Rabbits and clinched a playoff position. I am sure the Grand King is happy, even if they aren't first... yet? Talus Grove Druids - Du Loc Flames The Flames ventured down to face the almost entirely non-druid team of the Druids. Alexander Antler, still benched, was seen laughing at his supposed teammates this week as the Flames brutally bisected their defense. The team's olog took two trees and used them as segmenting features on the field, hitting those back to their side if they tried to climb over. While brilliant, ologs don't make for the smartest defenders and Pyrin and other Druids managed to slip through and score on a few occassions. With this win the Flames clinched a playoff position. However, the Druids are not officially out. If they are to win their next four games they can still make the playoffs. But they are facing the Foxes next week, so we can only wish them luck! Fakhr Dunes - Haelun'or Purifiers The Dunes didn't need to even try during this game but they still managed a win against the high elves. Assistant Coaches Zahra Al-Hattan and Marah Al-Hattan both took the field this week as they did not need to worry about excessive physical violence from the Purifiers. They both managed ten points and really got to understand how the game works, especially when people are trying to tackle you for the ball. Hakim the Brick Wall sat out this week to preserve himself for the playoffs, and this is an excellent strategy. The Dunes have positioned themselves, as the first to clinch, as the ones with the most time to prepare for whatever the playoffs bring. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Karosgrad Crows 28 18 14 4 137 2 San Luciano Saints 26 18 13 5 119 3 Varhelm Beserkers 24 18 12 6 135 4 Iron Uzg Krugs 20 18 10 8 49 5 Yong Ping Dragons 20 18 10 8 5 6 Elysium Foxes 18 18 9 9 32 7 Elvenesse Bucks 10 18 5 13 -62 8 Vortice Krakens 2 18 1 17 -287 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 26 18 13 5 153 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 24 18 12 6 105 3 Du Loc Flames 22 18 11 7 100 4 Providence Vigilants 20 18 10 8 0 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 12 18 6 12 -53 6 Talus Grove Druids 12 18 6 12 -122 7 Freeport Pigeons 12 18 6 12 -128 8 Rozania Rabbits 12 18 6 12 -183 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Fennic Blizzards 101 - 76 Valwyck Bears - Halcourt Eagles 80 - 70 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 34 18 17 1 143 2 Valwyck Bears 22 18 11 7 65 3 Fennic Blizzards 14 18 7 10 16 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 18 1 17 -230 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 17 Season 1 FIVE WEEKS LEFT, DUNES CLINCH IT! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week the big news is we have the first clinch of a playoff position in ABA history. The Dunes, with a win over the Foxes this week, are now guaranteed a spot in the playoffs for the Eastern Conference. In the Western Conference the heat is far more intense. Dragons, Krugs, Saints, Berserkers, Crows, and Foxes fans still hold on to the hope that their team may make it. With only five weeks remaining in the first season of bucketball we will be amazed to see how this develops and then how the playoffs are going to work. All we know is that the games are a best of five series, with the winner of three games advancing. Additionally, the ABA has yet to announce where the championship game will be played, more to come on this in the weeks to come. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Kal'Darakaan Miners - Freeport Pigeons The Grand King made it very clear that he would not accept another loss and the Miners pulled through, beating the Pigeons with their classical defensive maneuvers. Although the Dwarven Ball Tap has faded in recent weeks, with most teams buying some type of hardened loin protection, they nonetheless tricked many of the bird brained Pigeons into difficult shots on the bucket or simply overpowering them with number. The win this week leaves the Miners in an excellent position to overtake the Dunes in a few weeks time, barring any major defeats. Meanwhile, the Pigeons continue to struggle and sit near the bottom of the Eastern Conference. If it wasn't for the Krakens they would be heading for relegation, but they may be heading for a merger with another, more successful team, if one becomes available. Du Loc Flames - Providence Vigilants After last week's blow up against the Crows, the Flames hosted the Vigilants in Du Loc and crushed them with the usual flair associated with the Flamers. Gib and Gulmon were still suffering from a week suspension but amazingly Fib and Fulmon, two identical players to the dark elves, were drafted to the team last night and played. This win places them above the Vigilants and staving off the idea of not heading to the playoffs, or worse yet heading in as the fourth-placed seed. The Vigilants, as of now, will have that honor. Haelun'or Purifiers - Karosgrad Crows The Crows headed to the Silver Isle to face the unenthusiastic Purifiers. This match equated to another easy win for the Crows, cementing their position above the Berserkers for now. Carlos Mendez showed off his handling skills this week by pushing right past the Purifiers in the arch on multiple rushes and scoring a total of twenty eight points. Head Coach Feodor May has expressed his pride at Karosgrad's return to the top of the West but made it clear that this is just the beginning and they are prepared for the playoffs. If the Crows win two more wins they clinch a playoff position in the very competitive Western Conference but next week the Bucks may prove a new obstacle to this dream. Fakhr Dunes - Elysium Foxes Head Coach Murad Al-Hamad was seen characteristically dancing this week after the Dunes beat the Foxes and are officially the first ABA team to clinch a playoff position. Despite Eugeo de Astra's best attempts this week in the corners the Dunes managed to have a better defensive set up, with Hakim coming in clutch in the arch and field. On top of that the Foxes' ploys this week did not pan out. The Foxes were caught trying to rub the bucketball with some type of oil, most likely pig's fat, but the monks simply replaced the ball after noticing it during the initial tip off. These new monks are a little more observant than the old ones. Next week the Dunes have a game against the Purifiers, but at this point they are playing for statistics and avoiding injuries for the playoffs. On the other hand, the Foxes sit just out of reach of the playoffs and behind the imposing Krugs. With only five weeks left it will be a challenge, but not an impossible one. Talus Grove Druids - Vortice Krakens The Druids have been slowly clawing their way back up the standings this season, but are only one loss away from being locked out of the playoffs. This doesn't bode well for them as they are set to take on the Flames next week. With five weeks left the Krakens are sure to be relegated, if it were not for the Rabbits offering a merger at the end of the season. ABA officials have officially confirmed that this is a deal that exists and will most likely be signed. As for the game, Gusiam Jusmia of the Krakens demonstrated excellent control in the field but wasn't able to fully counter Ervan's defense for the Druids. It was a close game that came down to two arch rushes failing the Krakens in the last minutes of the game. Rozania Rabbits - San Luciano Saints The Rabbits ended up hosting the Saints in a cave this week, as their fields were wholly destroyed by the Krugs last week. In that cave the Saints took to systematically destroying the Rabbit's defense who played far too close to the bucket. Corner shots from Herakles and arch rushes from Obasi sealed the deal and the fate of the Rabbits. The Saints have not clinched a playoff position and sit in third, but may very well jump to second as they face off with the second-place Berserkers next week. Varhelm Berserkers - Iron Uzg Krugs In a matchup that almost forced the Krugs out of the playoff running, the Berserkers hosted them in Varhelm this week. The game was exceptionally brutal, seeing six waterlads killed by angry players. Nonetheless, the teams focused on arch rushes and deprioritized the corners. This led to Ahng scoring a neat twenty four points in the field. Varhelm fans were, of course, set to rioting after the game but this time joined by the Krugs in what amounted to a mutual celebration of frustrations? The Krugs need to see the Dragons lose next week against the Foxes if they want in the playoff position come week eighteen. As for the Berserkers, they face off against the Saints next week but have some buffer space between them and missing the playoffs. Best they can hope for is a close game regardless of a win or a loss. Elvenesse Bucks - Yong Ping Dragons The Bucks faced off against the Dragons this week. High Prince Evar'tir Oranor was seen shooting from the field but sat on the bench after half-time following what some have described as a "stomach bug." This depravation of one of their greatest talents saw the Bucks lose to the Dragons by ten points, from a fifteen point lead going into the half. Unless a miracle happens the Bucks have most likely missed the playoffs but will be in a preferable spot for the draft moving into next season. The Dragons, on the other hand, are still clinging on to a fourth place spot but another loss could put them out of the running. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Karosgrad Crows 26 17 13 4 128 2 Varhelm Beserkers 24 17 12 5 136 3 San Luciano Saints 24 17 12 5 118 4 Yong Ping Dragons 20 17 10 7 12 5 Iron Uzg Krugs 18 17 9 8 29 6 Elysium Foxes 16 17 8 9 25 7 Elvenesse Bucks 10 17 5 12 -53 8 Vortice Krakens 2 17 1 16 -267 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 24 17 12 5 151 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 22 17 11 6 88 3 Du Loc Flames 20 17 10 7 65 4 Providence Vigilants 20 17 10 7 6 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 12 17 6 11 -51 6 Talus Grove Druids 12 17 6 11 -87 7 Rozania Rabbits 12 17 6 11 -166 8 Freeport Pigeons 10 17 5 12 -134 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Halcourt Eagles 80 - 71 Valwyck Bears - Fennic Blizzards 89 - 69 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 32 17 16 1 118 2 Valwyck Bears 20 17 10 7 55 3 Fennic Blizzards 14 17 7 9 41 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 17 1 16 -220 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 16 Season 1 RETURN OF THE MONKS! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week the ABA Commissioners announced a deal with the Monk Referee Union (MRU) in which they would be provided extra padding for their official robes, fines given to players who assault referees, and very lucrative life insurance policies in exchange for being less biased and holding a strict code of zero bribing, which the ABA concluded with bribing the MRU to accept the clauses of the contract. In other news, the Western Conference continues to shock as the Krugs, Foxes, and Dragons all battle to not be eliminated from the playoffs in six weeks. With week twenty two around the corner many teams are thinking about where they will be next season and what the first ABA playoffs will be like. I'll let you know when I figure out what it will be like! Anyways, on to this week's games: (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Providence Vigilants - Kal'Darakaan Miners In a rematch from week thirteen, the Miners headed to Providence to square off against the Vigilants. These two teams, battling it out for second place in the Eastern Conference started off relatively evenly. However, Grimdal Irongut was tripped early on during an arch rush by an unnamed wig wearing spectator. The man gleefully ran off and from the point the mojo of the Miners was off. Erik Othaman, an elderly man, managed to work his way around Agnar Ireheart because Druin Hammerforge was playing out of position for the second half. This win though, while a boost to the struggling Vigilants, is not amazing news. They still stall behind the Miners in the standings and face the Flames next week. Meanwhile, the Miners get what equates to a week off as they travel to face the pitiful Freeport Pigeons. Karosgrad Crows - Du Loc Flames The Flames managed to travel up to Karosgrad this week and were not too happy when they found the return of the regular monk referees. Within the first half both Gib and Gulmon, the dark elves of the Flames, were ejected for unsportsmanlike conduct, a thing we didn't even know you could be ejected for! The ensuing argument saw Coach Mantequilla ejected and a brawl start between the Crows and the Flames right before the end of the game. Emotions got wrapped up here this week and it distracted the Flames from their goal of scoring and winning. Elysium Foxes - Haelun'or Purifiers The Foxes paid host to silver-haired Purifiers this week in what equated to one of the most average games we've seen in a while. There was little tomfoolery, a lot of shoving and tackling, and some decent scoring in the field. Head Coach Velu'Asath of the Foxes has made it clear that they are interested in playing some good, clean bucketball and not messing around with finding craft ways to win. In addition to this, the Foxes were seen again being frequented by a goblin with various glass tubes and bottles this week. Their head coach refused to comment on what he referred to as the "team's medical staff." Vortice Krakens - Fakhr Dunes Head Coach Lenora Jusima of the Krakens tried her best to get her team back on track this week but ended up faltering to the Eastern Conference leaders. Dunes' star, Hakim the Brick Wall, managed to shut down multiple attempts at arch rushes by simply clotheslining the rusher. Mehreen Al-Hattan also demonstrated amazing range this week, going up with thirty-five points from the corners. Looking forward, the Dunes are going to face down against the imposing Foxes next week in a bid to keep their lead over the Vigilants and the Miners. Meanwhile, the Krakens are gonna try to see if they can best the developing Druids. San Luciano Saints - Talus Grove Druids San Luciano celebrated a revivalist victory against the Druids in what has been coined as their turning point for the season. Istvan and, more importantly, Herakles seem to be back in fighting form and ready to score. The latter went forty from the corners and even managed three field shots as well. This puts them back into striking distance against the Crows and Berserkers. The Druids, on the other hand, did not do poorly and managed to hold a relatively close game the entire time. Head Coach Pyrin does not have to hang his head over this loss. Next week, to add to their happiness, the Saints are facing off against the homeless Rabbits in what Head Coach Joseph Brandt has described as a "training exercise." Iron Uzg Krugs - Rozania Rabbits After a riot at the Druid's last week the Krugs came into this game hyped for combat. Rushing down the homeless Rabbits was easy prey and Ulug showed off some of his fancy footwork by taking a halfling member of the Rabbits' team and dunking him with one hand, the ball going in right after. In what most people would call a slaughter, the Krugs managed to put down four members of the Rabbits and tore the limbs off of the assistant coach and water boy after the game because they 'felt like it' according to Head Coach Ar-Borok of Mog. The Krugs now have to come up against the Berserkers next week and time will only tell if their rage will carry on. Yong Ping Dragons - Varhelm Berserkers In almost a repeat of their first matchup in week nine, these two teams faced off again and the overpowering rage of Berserkermania overwhelmed more moderate players like Lanqui. Skjord Svardssen, despite being on par with Lanqui in height, managed to be dominate in the arch and even in the field, scoring over twenty-five points. Next week, the Berserkers have to face the Krugs though so we know their aggression will come out, and probably some people's blood too. As for the Dragons they are heading off to face the Bucks and seek a victory to stave off the Foxes and Krugs who wish to take away their playoff position in the West. Elvenesse Bucks - Freeport Pigeons High Prince Evar'tir Oranor has clearly made a difference with the Bucks, though this game was against the Pigeons who are notably one of the worst teams in the ABA nowadays. This game saw the High Prince tidily wrap up thirty-three points in the field and four from the arch. Pigeon star Mister Caw was devastated during this game when he saw his friend, Mister Beaker, run over by an advancing Buck player. Another loss for bucketball and the Pigeons this year. Anyways, next week the Bucks are heading off to face the Dragons and the Pigeons are clash against the Miners. Both teams are not favored to win their next matches so we wish them the best of luck. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 24 16 12 4 140 2 Karosgrad Crows 24 16 12 4 110 3 San Luciano Saints 22 16 11 5 83 4 Yong Ping Dragons 18 16 9 7 2 5 Elysium Foxes 16 16 8 8 36 6 Iron Uzg Krugs 16 16 8 8 25 7 Elvenesse Bucks 10 16 5 11 -43 8 Vortice Krakens 2 16 1 15 -264 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 22 16 11 5 140 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 20 16 10 6 74 3 Providence Vigilants 20 16 10 6 32 4 Du Loc Flames 18 16 9 7 39 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 12 16 6 10 -33 6 Rozania Rabbits 12 16 6 10 -131 7 Talus Grove Druids 10 16 5 11 -90 8 Freeport Pigeons 10 16 5 11 -120 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Valwyck Bears 86 - 88 Fennic Blizzards - Halcourt Eagles 82 - 65 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 30 16 15 1 109 2 Valwyck Bears 18 16 9 7 35 3 Fennic Blizzards 14 16 7 8 61 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 16 1 15 -211 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 15 Season 1 UPSETTING UPSETS?! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week was choked full of unsuspecting upsets and some very violent reactions. To add to the fires, literally, the monks that usually referee ABA games are still on strike. The ABA Commissioners are actively trying to reach a new contract with them but the biggest concern is over their safety, which the ABA cannot guarantee and is not liable for. Hopefully, by next week, they will be back and the bad calls we are seeing this week will go away. In other news, Rozania and Vortice have been in formal talks to merge the teams following this season to avoid relegation of the latter. This would also allow for them to keep their developing team of players out of the ABAD. But, that aside, let's get on to this week in the ABA, upsets and all! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Providence Vigilants - Freeport Pigeons Starting off this week we saw Providence in shock as the Vigilants lost to a team of literal birds. The Pigeons, with their first win in three weeks, managed to score three arch rushes, pushing past the elderly Erik Othaman. What can we really say besides the fact that Providence has a well-paid team but their talent is slowly declining. New faces are gonna need to be brought on besides Erik and the Susa Boys. They still cling on to fourth place, but that could change if these losses continue. As for the Pigeons, this win doesn't do too much for them. Their game against the Bucks next week will set the pace for how they do towards the end of the season. Kal'Darakaan Miners - Karosgrad Crows Reeling from their lost last week against the mischievous Foxes, the Miners went into this game to face off against a stalwart team in the Crows. The game was relatively even across the first half, with Agnar Ireheart being countered pretty heavily by Klaus Barclay. Nonetheless, the Miners seem to have been thrown off by a stellar performance of the Marching Crows, the Crows' marching band. With an empowering song, the Crows managed to inspire their team and score a last second field shot from Rhys Ruthern. The Grand King could be heard throwing things in the locker room after the game, but the Crows spent the night drinking in wagons bound back north. This leaves both teams in second place in their respective conferences and tied for first. Du Loc Flames - Elysium Foxes In a last second move, the Foxes tried to convince the stand-in referees to move the game to the Cloud Temple because of impractical weather conditions in Du Loc. Despite their best arguments, the monks actually did know there are no weather restrictions in bucketball and let the game commence. It was close throughout the showing, but Isaac Jebediah stood apart from the other Flames as he racked up a solid twenty-seven points in the field and under intense coverage in the arch. Despite the loss for the Foxes, they are ahead of the Krugs by points. But a win for the Krugs and a loss for them could spell the end of their playoff run. The Flames, on the other hand, sit tidily above the Vigilants in the East and look to clinch a spot in the playoffs. Haelun'or Purifiers - Vortice Krakens The Krakens have replaced their Head Coach with Lenora Jusima and the growing pains appear to be starting. While training up the team to try and avoid relegation, the Krakens drained a lot of their energy for this week's game on the Silver Isle. There, the Purifiers managed to walk around most of the usually decent players, including Nero Medii'la. However, rumors still exist that the Krakens may buy out or merge with the Rabbits to avoid relegation and maintain most of their developing talent. Next week the Krakens have the face the first-place Dunes so it isn't looking much better, but at least they do not have to worry much about relegation if this Rozanian deal goes through the Commissioners. Fakhr Dunes - San Luciano Saints The Saints took a short trip down to the oasis this week and came back with a narrow victory. However, some Dune fans are arguing that the replacement referees made terrible mistakes throughout the game, including calling four corner shots out of bounds, and hence invalidating them. Head Coach Murad was seen protesting these calls before being ejected by the quarrelsome ABAD referees. The Saints, with Herakles and Istvan leading, managed to sneak out a win as Istvan blocked a layup arch rush by Zaina Al-Hamad. Despite the loss the Dunes retain their first position, just now the Miners stand poised to take it from them. The Saints, on the other hand, are in third in their conference and hoping to cling on long enough for the playoffs in seven weeks. Talus Grove Druids - Iron Uzg Krugs The Krugs were not so amused after last week's loss to the Dunes, and their blind rage was not short-lived. This week they came into a close game against the Druids which went into an overtime period of fifteen minutes. From there the referees bungled several calls and even missed an entire bucket scored by the orcish players. After the period had expired, and the Krugs had lost by one, all constraints were off. Krugs' players and fans took to rioting and even managed to burn down the Druids' bucket and field. Next week the Krugs' horde will arrive at wherever the Rabbits are playing and we can only hope for their safety and a Krug win, or else it might be another bloody match. Regardless, the Krugs have time to recover but it will be close to see if they make it to the playoffs. Rozania Rabbits - Yong Ping Dragons The Rabbits have invented an interesting strategy this week. It is what they called 'Beg and Buy.' Rabbits players took to begging on the streets of cities and then brought back the funds to buy mercenaries to pad their ranks this week. The tactic actually did payoff as the mercenaries were enough of a brutal force to topple Lanqui multiple times throughout the game. Rather the Dragons thought this week would be easier or if they wasted so much of their energy just trying to find the random field Rozania calls home these days, either way they ended up with a tough loss and stand only two more losses away from dropping out of the playoff pool position. Doubly unlucky, they are facing the Beserkers next week. Varhelm Beserkers - Elvenesse Bucks The Berserkers tipped off against the Bucks this week and an upsetting upset caused Berserkermania to put their fourth loss of the season on their record. It is amazing to think that they had a nine game win streak going, the longest in ABA history for sure. However, High Prince Evar'tir Oranor made it clear at the beginning of the game that a loss for the Bucks would be unacceptable. He put an impressive thirty-three points in the field and in the corners but left the more aggressive arch to his other players. The Beserkers seemed dazed by the onslaught of the weaker team and were caught off guard. Now, the only thing standing between them and the Crows is less than a twenty point surplus. Next week they head to Yong Ping to see if they can retain their first place spot in the West. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 22 15 11 4 123 2 Karosgrad Crows 22 15 11 4 105 3 San Luciano Saints 20 15 10 5 73 4 Yong Ping Dragons 18 15 9 6 19 5 Elysium Foxes 14 15 7 8 32 6 Iron Uzg Krugs 14 15 7 8 10 7 Elvenesse Bucks 8 15 4 11 -70 8 Vortice Krakens 2 15 1 14 -244 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 20 15 10 5 120 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 20 15 10 5 84 3 Du Loc Flames 18 15 9 6 44 4 Providence Vigilants 18 15 9 6 22 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 12 15 6 9 -29 6 Rozania Rabbits 12 15 6 9 -116 7 Talus Grove Druids 10 15 5 10 -80 8 Freeport Pigeons 10 15 5 10 -93 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Fennic Blizzards 79 - 75 Valwyck Bears - Halcourt Eagles 102 - 90 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 30 15 15 0 111 2 Valwyck Bears 16 15 8 7 33 3 Fennic Blizzards 12 15 6 8 44 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 15 1 14 -194 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 14 Season 1 MONKS ON STRIKE & CHAOS IN THE EAST! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week kicked off to an interesting start as the monk referees of the ABA announced a strike because of what they called 'unsafe working conditions.' As a result, the ABA Commissioners had to frantically call up several ABAD referees in training and even some non-professional referees to keep the games moving. This has, of course, made the rules even harder to enforce as these refs are either too observant or oblivious to infractions. On top of that, the Eastern Conference saw its first new leader this week as the Dunes flew to the top following their staggering point surplus last week and losses this week for the other tied teams. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Karosgrad Crows - Providence Vigilants The most anticipated game for humanity has come as the Crows and the Vigilants battled it out in Karosgrad this week. Amidst the chaos of the monk lockout, the less experienced referees have been unable to keep players from bringing weapons onto the field in a week many have nicknamed the "wound week." Crow and Vigilant fans clashed after the game over Grigory Grubb's supposed use of a concealed club multiple times, including once on Erik Othaman who has filed a formal complaint with the Senior Citizen Society of Oren (SCSO). The ABA has yet to comment on those discussions. As for the rest of the game, the Susa Boys seemed almost directionless with a coaching staff in the air and very few name-worthy players on the field. This just goes to show, you can't buy a team, it must be forged on the bucket court! Elysium Foxes - Kal'Darakaan Miners This cross-conference game between the reigning Eastern Conference leaders, the Miners, and the emerging Foxes saw some staggering new tactics. Despite the Miners creating mugs for their mid-game whiskey breaks, it was preparing for the wrong tactic. The Foxes did not attempt to use drugs this week, instead countering the dominating Dwarven Ball Tap (DBT) by wearing steel protective devices over their crotches. This wasn't discovered until Durin Hammerforge went to perform the move and was ushered off court to have his mangled hand inspected after punching directly into a reinforced nether region. What a move by the Foxes! So it came down to the shooting and the Foxes just managed to distract the Miners enough with the loss of their primary special move, the DBT, to win by two shots from the field by arch guard Sulturr'Ceru. Vortice Krakens - Du Loc Flames Is it just me or is it getting hot in here?! The Flames managed to distance themselves even more from the Purifiers as the East turns into a jockeying for position more than a test of who is going to the playoffs. The Krakens, on the other hand, cannot catch a break. Going up against some of the best teams in the ABA has not been easy for them, but their snacks still reign supreme. In the game there were some excellent shots by the dark elf duo of Gib and Gulmon. Gib's ball possession in the field and getting the ball to the corners has done exceptionally well, next week they will get to test it out on the Foxes too. May the best team win there. Haelun'or Purifiers - San Luciano Saints The Saints were on the road again this week, heading to the Silver Isle. In their first home game since the odd disappearance of their team, the Purifiers had a particularly bad showing. Not adapting to Herakles or Istvan's styles, they played a defense focused on the field instead of concentrated on the stars. It cost them in the end. This helped the Saints claw their way back into third place, past the Dragons. Next week they hope to take on the top-ranked Dunes in the desert and we can only wish them the best of luck. As for the Purifiers, they may lose to the Krakens next week, which would be wonderful for the ill-fated Krakens. Fakhr Dunes - Iron Uzg Krugs This game saw the brutal Krugs face off against the finesse-based Dunes in the desert. Known for their stadium's unforgiving climate, the Dunes cornered the Krugs into a loss which then ultimately ended up forcing them into sixth position, the lowest they have been all season. This recent trend of facing the more competent teams will be mellowed out as the next five games for the orcs are against lower-ranked teams, except for one week. We expect to see a comeback from the Krugs. As for the Dunes though, Head Coach Murad Al-Hamad was seen doing a culturally appropriate dance on the sidelines after the game yesterday, as a barrel of red wine was thrown over him. This win puts the Dunes on top of the Eastern Conference, ahead of the Miners and the Vigilants. If they can hold out next week against the Saints they may even keep it. Yong Ping Dragons - Talus Grove Druids The Druids, after their first win in a while last week, ended up losing to the Dragons. Head Coach Pyrin, also a player now, was decisive in keeping the game a low-scoring game. They have defined themselves as a prominent, and tall, arch guard. However, that did not stop the field shooting of Lanqui and other notable Yong Pingers. With this win the Dragons now hang on firmly to the fourth slot in the Western Conference, fending off the approaching Foxes and Krugs. Meanwhile, the Druids hover just slightly above the Pigeons and out of relegation territory. Next week they face off against the Krugs and can only hope for a less energized orcish team, or another loss may be in store. Elvenesse Bucks - Rozania Rabbits The Bucks had some changes in their lineup this week, including the introduction of High Prince Evar'tir Oranor. However, the High Prince was ejected only a few minutes into the first half as one of the replacement monks said he was clearly using magic. Other Bucks took to arguing with the stand in referee before being ejected as well, forcing the Elvenesi to dive into their bench. The Rabbits, although homeless and seen begging for food scraps from the sidelines, managed to score a tidy win over the subs of the Bucks. Freeport Pigeons - Varhelm Beserkers The Pigeons were soundly defeated by the Berserkers this week, and without the usual monk referees to control the Beserkermania, they truly rocked the boat arena of Freeport. The last time these two teams faced off, the Berserkers managed to mortally wound several of the avian players. This time, they brought shortened crossbows and other weapons onto the field, even hitting the substitute referees with them after half-time when they were down by fifteen points. This losing rage 'inspired' the Berserkers to win, said Head Coach Freysson. By the end of the second half, most everyone was terrified of the Berserkers or dead because they weren't. They were the only players left alive from the starting lineup and even took several of the avian Pigeons' players with them to defeather and roast back home... STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 22 14 11 3 140 2 Karosgrad Crows 20 14 10 4 102 3 San Luciano Saints 18 14 9 5 71 4 Yong Ping Dragons 18 14 9 5 20 5 Elysium Foxes 14 14 7 7 36 6 Iron Uzg Krugs 14 14 7 7 11 7 Elvenesse Bucks 6 14 3 11 -87 8 Vortice Krakens 2 14 1 13 -218 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 20 14 10 4 122 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 20 14 10 4 87 3 Providence Vigilants 18 14 9 5 28 4 Du Loc Flames 16 14 8 6 40 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 10 14 5 9 -55 6 Rozania Rabbits 10 14 5 9 -117 7 Talus Grove Druids 8 14 4 10 -81 8 Freeport Pigeons 8 14 4 10 -99 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Halcourt Eagles - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 70 - 75 Valwyck Bears - Fennic Blizzards 87 - 88 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 28 14 14 0 107 2 Valwyck Bears 14 14 7 7 21 3 Fennic Blizzards 12 14 6 8 48 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 14 1 13 -182 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 13 Season 1 HIGH SCORES AND HIGH HOPES! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week we sawtwo games go over one hundred points! That is the first time that has happened in ABA history. Both netted the Dunes and the Flames exceptional surpluses. The Krugs, with a surprising loss this week, ended up slipping out of the top four for the first time this season. As for the Eastern Conference, the Vigilants' loss pushed them below the Dunes thanks to the Dunes' remarkable point surplus addition this week. So far no one has clinched a spot in the playoffs but the Miners and Beserkers are getting closer every week, and both teams have over a seventy-six percent win rate. Regardless of the strategic talk, let's get onto this week's results. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Vortice Krakens - San Luciano Saints The Saints have finally broken their losing streak as they traveled this week to Vortice to face off against the Krakens. Herakles was back in form this week as he scored a whopping thirty-five points from the corners. The Saints' cheerleaders, also known as the Aengul Girls, cheered on Istvan and Obasi to a slaughter in the field this week as we saw Feilks Jusmia of the Krakens get blocked in all but four arch rushes this game. Head Coach Johannus has made it clear that the Krakens are a developing team and speculation confirms this, as some say Rozania may merge with the Krakens after this season is over. Iron Uzg Krugs - Elysium Foxes Off of a loss last week against the Purifiers, the Krugs hoped this week would be easier. However, it appears that underhanded tactics used by the Foxes cost them this game. ABA investigators have found additives were placed inside the Krugs' water containers that are suspected of making them weaker, slower, and less prone to violence. Ulug was seen clumsily rushing the arch multiple times tonight and Rakothurz was even spotted passing out towards the end of the game. Despite no one being permanently injured, the Foxes have denied involvement. Head Coach Velu-Asath has said that whoever did it was "totally unprofessional and not interested in the best game of bucketball." This loss cost the Krugs their position in the top four, but I have a feeling they will be coming back with more anger issues next match against the Dunes. Karosgrad Crows - Yong Ping Dragons Low scores, but close scores. The Dragons just missed when facing the Crows in Karosgrad this week. Klaus Barclay came in immense help this week as his corner play scored twenty points in total. Do we have another long-range team developing from the Crows? This win put the Crows back into second position behind the Beserkers, as they eye up a return to the top. Meanwhile, the Dragons are in fourth but with dwindling point surpluses. One bad game could spell their slide into the bottom four. Next week the Crows go up against their human rivals, the Vigilants and the Dragons are hosting the unique Druids. Elvenesse Bucks - Varhelm Beserkers Beserkermania continued this week as the Varhelmites crushed the Bucks. Lindhardt Faretto was able to use his teammates effectively with one of the best passing games we've seen all season. It doesn't help that the Bucks lack many known players, have a weak bench, and a new coaching staff. The only thing saving them from relegation at the end of this season is the fact the Krakens have two less wins. The Bucks face off against the Rabbits next week, in their best chance at a win in a long time. Likewise, the Beserkers now head off to face the Pigeons next week in what experts expect to be another blow out. Kal'Darakaan Miners - Providence Vigilants The Clash of the East happened this week as the first-place Miners took on the second-place Vigilants. Boy, was it a toss up the whole game. The Susa Boys showed exceptional coordination but even they are not immune from the Dwarven Ball Tap. Grimdal Irongut was seen enjoying himself in the arch and in the field this week, managing a modest fifteen points in total. On the other hand, Lulubelle Starbreaker may need to be accessed for an injury after tripping near the bucket in the latter half of the game. With this loss the Vigilants sunk behind the Dunes again and the Flames are now eyeing them as a potential next target. Meanwhile, the Miners are expecting an easy win next week against the Foxes but that may be put on hold as the Foxes have recently become resurgent. Du Loc Flames - Rozania Rabbits I don't think I have ever seen such a slaughter in my life. Going into halftime the score was 54-21 and the Rabbits were not only exhausted from sleeping in fields on the side of the road but begging from the Flames to let them give up. They didn't though, and Gulmon and Gib even took off the Rabbits' jerseys and played for them to practice for their next game against the Krakens. The homeless Rabbits on the other hand are heading to face off against the Bucks and it really is anyone's game since both teams are not favored by the fortunes. Haelun'or Purifiers - Talus Grove Druids The Purifiers were back this week, after disappearing following last week's upset against the Flames. However, they seemed to be a totally different team, back to their subpar selves. The Druids changed up their lineup this week and scored a victory. Head Coach Pyrin took the field this week as an arch guard and managed to score very essential rebounds for their team. On top of this, Alexander Antler has been benched and sadly the team cohesion seems to be doing better. This diva is looking for a new team to take him on since the Druids appear to be over his play. Perhaps the Rabbits or Krakens would consider a trade? Fakhr Dunes - Freeport Pigeons The Dunes were back this week and ready to play against the Pigeons. In a fifty-six point lead, they managed to flaunt their talent in the desert. Being all the way in the south must've scared the avian players of the Pigeons, many of which are seagulls or some type of water fowl. Their performance spoke to this as Zaina Al-Hamad was able to run circles around the flailing birds, scoring an astounding total of forty-five points on their own. With this massive points surplus the Dunes surged ahead of the Vigilants and into the second-seeded position. Now it is a matter of holding onto it. As they head to face the Krugs next week we can only hope they will bring the same menacing heat as they did this week in the desert. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 20 13 10 3 131 2 Karosgrad Crows 18 13 9 4 60 3 San Luciano Saints 16 13 8 5 44 4 Yong Ping Dragons 16 13 8 5 6 5 Iron Uzg Krugs 14 13 7 6 22 6 Elysium Foxes 12 13 6 7 30 7 Elvenesse Bucks 6 13 3 10 -69 8 Vortice Krakens 2 13 1 12 -211 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 20 13 10 3 93 2 Fakhr Dunes 18 13 9 4 111 3 Providence Vigilants 18 13 9 4 70 4 Du Loc Flames 14 13 7 6 33 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 10 13 5 8 -28 6 Talus Grove Druids 8 13 4 9 -67 7 Freeport Pigeons 8 13 4 9 -90 8 Rozania Rabbits 8 13 4 9 -135 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Halcourt Eagles - Valwyck Bears 57 - 81 Fennic Blizzards - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 69 - 83 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 26 13 13 0 102 2 Valwyck Bears 14 13 7 6 22 3 Fennic Blizzards 10 13 5 8 47 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 13 1 12 -177 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

LA VUE La Vue is a publication from Louis L’Enfant in which he examined the quality of service, cuisine, atmosphere, sophistication, and consistency at various locations across Almaris. His thoughts are published for public consumption and to raise awareness to the taverns, bakeries, and restaurants of Almaris. Additionally, the prominent chef offers recipes for his readers to try on their own. At the end of every La Vue, Chef Louis L’Enfant may be pleased enough with a certain establishment to award them one, two, or three stars. However, this is not guaranteed and contingent on the review. THE RECIPE OF THE YEAR LA RAPIDE - Yong Ping Fusion and A Fast Breakfast Ingredients 1 cup cooked rice ½ pound raw fish 2 eggs 2 pickled or hard-boiled eggs (quail’s eggs preferred) 4 spoons of butter ½ cup milk 1 cup creme ⅓ spoon of an earthy-spice ⅓ spoon of salt 3 pinches of parsley Methods Debone and descale fish. Poach fish in milk. Cut fish into bite-sized chunks. Whisk eggs together in a bowl. Run your hands through the rice to avoid lumps. Melt your butter in a pan over direct flame. Add the rice to the pan. Lightly brown the rice and remove from the direct flame. Add fish to pan, fold with rice. Add salt, an earthy spice, eggs, and creme. Serve in a bowl with the pickled eggs halved on top. Garnish with parsley. THE L’ENFANT STAR RATINGS The L’Enfant Star is an award coveted by every notable culinarian in the world but only bestowed upon a select few who demonstrate supreme excellence in the culinary or pastry arts. An establishment that is awarded a L’Enfant star are definitive experts in their craft, show passion for the talent, and offer reliably outstanding cuisine and service. ONE STAR - Denotes excellent local cuisine which is uniquely prepared. TWO STARS - Denotes high quality presentation, service, and product. THREE STARS - Denotes only the most prodigious of establishments and a mastery of flavor and techniques. SCHEDULE YOUR REVIEW TODAY Chef Louis L’Enfant is eagerly awaiting requests from taverns, restaurants, and bakeries to review their products and write about his findings. This can be a massive boon to any business as this widely-read pamphlet is distributed across Almaris. If you believe your establishment is capable of handling a service and review from the chef please write us a bird here at La Vue (CharmingCavalier#7089) to schedule a review.

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 12 Season 1 OVER HALF WAY TO THE PLAYOFFS! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. Week twelve is upon us, and we are now more than half way to the playoffs. The Miners and Beserkers seem primed to clinch their spots, rather as top seed or not, but for the rest there is a lot of room for failure still. Looking to the Saints, their performance has been rapidly deteriorating despite the great cheers of crowd favorites like Selvia de Orsella. This mostly comes as a result of new tactics to counter their long-range play. We see this as well with the Dunes, Dragons, and Druids. Targeting the most powerful player on a team leaves a lot of these teams drastically hurting for points. Regardless, it doesn't matter how many games you win so long as you make it into the top half of your conference. So, without any more of my babbling, let's head over and look at the results of this week. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Karosgrad Crows - Freeport Pigeons In an absolutely blowout, the Crows crushed the Pigeons in Karosgrad this week. This over forty point surplus surged the Crows into second place in the Western Conference. The Pigeons now stand tied with the Rabbits by games but only slightly ahead on points from earlier this season. It reminds me of the first week of the ABA when the Crows lost by over forty points to the Beserkers. Look how far they've come! Carlos Mendez came with some arch plays that I haven't seen this season, really shaking up the game. Next week though will decide a lot for the Crows as they face off against the Dragons, who are nipping at their heels in the standings. Providence Vigilants - Elysium Foxes The Vigilants managed to squeak out a win against the Foxes this week, with the Foxes now in a two game losing streak. Their best bet is going to be to hold on and try to sneak into the final four, but with the competitive Western Conference brewing this may be quite the challenge. As for the Vigilants, this win leaves them tied in games with the Miners but losing by points. And next week there is a showdown between the two to decide who will claim Eastern Conference dominance. Will the Susa Boys and Ledicort d'Azor have the prowess to compete with the Grand King's boys? Will it go into overtime or be a blow out? Only fate knows now... Kal'Darakaan Miners - Vortice Krakens The Miners didn't pull ahead against the Krakens as much as they would've liked, but a win is a win. Durin Hammerforge was seen playing the field like he owned it tonight and and Dwarven Ball Taps from Grogg the Golem seriously sealed the deal in the latter half of this game. Kraken's fans have had a rough season, and next week the face the dominate Saints so it may not be looking better for them. However, the cookies after this game against the dwarves were especially amazing. Packed full of foreign chocolates and this one was spiced pumpkin! Cookies to die for! Now to bring their cookie game and turn it into ball game. They'd be the best team in the ABA if that happened. Du Loc Flames - San Luciano Saints This loss against the Flames makes the Saints have their longest losing streak of the season. Three games in a row they have been presented with some of the hardest teams in the ABA, but moving into next week they should be better matched with the Krakens. The Flames finally got out of their losing streak with this win and Father Mantequilla was seen jumping for joy after the game. Some sources say there were tears of joy down his face, but those cannot be confirmed at this time. Gill'riik of the Flames was decisive against the corner game of Herakles. For the third game in a row this allstar has been hard covered in the field and the corners. The Saints will have to work on how to counter this two-man coverage we are seeing. Haelun'or Purifiers - Iron Uzg Krugs I didn't know we were fishing this week because this game smelt very fishy if you ask me! It began after half-time, when the Purifiers were down by thirty points. They emerged from their locker room in totally different garbs than before, black hooded gowns in fact. The Krugs' players didn't seem moved, especially the giant Mal'acatch. But he was quickly felled and removed from the field with one flying kick from the Purifier's reinvigorated players. The Purifiers came back to win by over ten points in one of the greatest comebacks of ABA history. However, none of the players stuck around for post-game interviews. To be honest, no one has seen them since this match at all. If the ABA finds out magic was in play there could be some serious penalties for the Purifiers. Fakhr Dunes - Yong Ping Dragons What a game! The Dunes lost in a very close match against the Dragons this week. A last minute field shot from Lanqui managed to be enough to seal the deal here. On top of that, the Dunes lost their first place position in the East as a result and the Dragons shot into third for the first time this season! This triumphal comeback may be short lived though, as the Dragons take on the Crows next week. Meanwhile, the Dunes go up against the Pigeons and with Hakim back in action after taking the week off to recover we expect a big win out of the menaces of the south! Talus Grove Druids - Elvenesse Bucks The switch in the Druid's lineup did help a bit, seeing Arthur Galbraith managing to stop several of the Bucks arch pushes. Nonetheless, Alexander Antler's performance in the field was suboptimal this week and it cost the Druids their first shot at a win in a while. Next week the Druids hope to use their developing players against the Purifiers, but we will have to see if they are up to the task. Meanwhile, the Bucks look to take on the Beserkers. All we can wish them is good luck and a donation to pay for the medical expenses. Rozania Rabbits - Varhelm Beserkers Beserkermania lives on as the Rozania Rabbits hosted the vicious Varhelm Besekers in a plowed crop field this week. Several Rabbit's players, including the now traded Codak'lak from the Krugs, were seen throwing manure from the field into the Beserker's faces. This was their one chance, but after several Beserker players team up to break some Rabbits' players hands, they seemed to be less interested in this tactic. A close game, though the Beserkers pulled ahead after half-time and scored a big win, stabilizing their spot atop the Western Conference. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 18 12 9 3 115 2 Karosgrad Crows 16 12 8 4 59 3 Yong Ping Dragons 16 12 8 4 7 4 Iron Uzg Krugs 14 12 7 5 29 5 San Luciano Saints 14 12 7 5 11 6 Elysium Foxes 10 12 5 7 23 7 Elvenesse Bucks 6 12 3 9 -53 8 Vortice Krakens 2 12 1 11 -178 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 18 12 9 3 86 2 Providence Vigilants 18 12 9 3 77 3 Fakhr Dunes 16 12 8 4 55 4 Du Loc Flames 12 12 6 6 -14 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 10 12 5 7 -22 6 Freeport Pigeons 8 12 4 8 -34 7 Rozania Rabbits 8 12 4 8 -88 8 Talus Grove Druids 6 12 3 9 -73 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Valwyck Bears - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 81 - 86 Fennic Blizzards - Halcourt Eagles 80 - 64 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 24 12 12 0 88 2 Valwyck Bears 12 12 6 6 -2 3 Fennic Blizzards 10 12 5 7 61 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 12 1 11 -153 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 11 Season 1 TIES IN THE EAST, BESERKERS IN THE WEST! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. Another week has passed and we just have to be amazed at how far this game has come. The Beserkers have managed to slink their way back to the top amongst a very competitive Western Conference. Meanwhile, in the East, There is a three-way tie for first and next week's games will determine how that Conference will look moving forward. In other news, there have been mysterious reports among fans of instigators starting riots after games or throwing thing onto the court. While the ABA does not condone this behavior, I mean come on we all can't be the Beserkers and riot after every game, it may be impossible to control how passionate some people are. Anyways, on to this week's games, riots, and more! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Elysium Foxes - Karosgrad Crows On the road this week, the Crows managed to pick up another win which kept them in contention for the playoffs. Rhys Ruthern has certainly done an excellent job in recent weeks and playing in the field and in the arch. We know Coach May has to be overjoyed at his performance and development throughout this season. This game was relatively mild and well-matched but the Foxes were seen to be displaying signs of being under the effect of some type of magic or drugs the whole game. But that doesn't matter, because our good monk referees were totally oblivious. The Foxes hope to scratch a win out of the Vigilants next week and at least knock them down a peg in their Conference. Vortice Krakens - Providence Vigilants The Vigilants, lead by the Susa Brothers and a strong bench with Erik Othaman, have come back from their beginning of the season rut to second place in the Eastern Conference. Undoubtedly, this massive point surplus this game scored them the edge over the Dunes who haven't had that break out yet. Despite this, the Krakens have now developed a receptions as having the best after-game receptions of any team. Even stars like Coach d'Azor commented that the cookies had to be magic because he couldn't think of a way they could taste that good! San Luciano Saints - Kal'Darakaan Miners In a long-awaited matchup, the San Luciano Sants lost to the Kal'Darakaan Miners in what many expected to be a closer match. Herakles and his team, include all the Marenos, seem to not be as invincible as many had predicted. Their long-rage game has suffered as Miner's stars like Grogg the Golem played constant coverage in the corners, even managing to swipe out Herakles' legs four times tonight and steal back the ball. To add fire to a fresh wound, the Saints are heading up against the Flames next week in what many expect to be a close competition. Will they get their magic back? Iron Uzg Krugs - Du Loc Flames Sometimes there is no answer to raw aggression, and that is what we saw this week as the Krugs managed to dunk on the Flames over ten times! Father Mantequilla was seen on the sidelines slamming his fist into anything he could get a hold of, obviously upset by the overpowering strength of the orcish horde. Despite the speed of the Flames, their weakness does appear to be a fair game. Both Gib and Gulmon were ejected less than fifteen minutes into the game for carrying concealed weapons. The only thing the Flames have to look forward to is hosting the Saints next week at their brand new arena. This bucketball court is supposedly well rigged for "ample playing space" and "totally up to regulations." More to come on that next week. Yong Ping Dragons - Haelun'or Purifiers The Dragons managed to beat out the Purifiers in an expected outcome this week. The thing that was not expected was by the amount of points this secured them. Pushing them into a points surplus instead of a deficit for the first real time this season, the Dragons now stand poised to take a shot at moving the Crows or the Saints out of the advancing range. Meanwhile, the return of Lanqui, the Yong Ping Giant, has helped as he put up over twenty-five points this game. His dominate arch play is continuing but training up his corner shot is going to be integral to future success for the Yong Pingers. Elvenesse Bucks - Fakhr Dunes In a surprising turn of events, the Dunes just barely managed to hold of the Bucks in Elvenesse this week. The game started with standard play but just after half-time there was a sudden disturbance from the stands. Someone had thrown a red rock at Hakim's head, knocking him out for the game. Although no suspects have been captured by the Elvenesse guards, we can assure you an investigation is underway. Meanwhile, Qamar and Azzam managed to really pick up the slack left by their star player's incapacitation. The latter of the two scored a tidy twenty-three points, four from the corners. Next week the Dunes host the Dragons so we can only hope Hakim has recovered. Varhelm Beserkers - Talus Grove Druids Alexander Antler was seen on the sidelines this week after reports say he has began to search for contracts outside of the Druids. By far their best talent, Boreal had to play extra hard this week to even see the Druids get over sixty points. Beserkermania, on the other hand, is raging! After the Saints' loss this week to the Miners they now have seized the top position for themselves and will have to slip up in order to fall from this new height. Their brutality is only matched by the Krugs, and we are truly seeing that in bucketball the arch plays, though worth less points, are still a good shot at winning if you have the brute strength to get past the opponent's defense. Some fans have taken to saying they have been "Bjorn again Beserker fans" after their meteoric rise. Freeport Pigeons - Rozania Rabbits If it wasn't for a win against the homeless Rabbits, the Pigeons wouldn't be where they are in the standings. Now sitting just below the Flames by a game, their game next week against the Crows isn't expected to net them a win. So, this may be the last bit of good news a Pigeons' fan hears in a while! As for the Rabbits, their play wasn't terrible but it wasn't good either. Defense was almost non-existent and there were several times when their players sat down on the court out of exhaustion. Not having a home seems to be tearing them down. We can only hope next season will treat them better, or that a merger with Honeyhill will save them. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 16 11 8 3 112 2 Iron Uzg Krugs 14 11 7 4 45 3 San Luciano Saints 14 11 7 4 18 4 Karosgrad Crows 14 11 7 4 16 5 Yong Ping Dragons 14 11 7 4 6 6 Elysium Foxes 10 11 5 6 43 7 Elvenesse Bucks 4 11 2 9 -59 8 Vortice Krakens 2 11 1 10 -169 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 16 11 8 3 77 2 Providence Vigilants 16 11 8 3 57 3 Fakhr Dunes 16 11 8 3 56 4 Du Loc Flames 10 11 5 6 -21 5 Freeport Pigeons 8 11 4 7 9 6 Haelun'or Purifiers 8 11 4 7 -38 7 Rozania Rabbits 8 11 4 7 -85 8 Talus Grove Druids 6 11 3 8 -67 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Halcourt Eagles - Valwyck Bears 82 - 90 Fennic Blizzards - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 80 - 86 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 22 11 11 0 83 2 Valwyck Bears 12 11 6 5 3 3 Fennic Blizzards 8 11 4 7 45 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 11 1 10 -137 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 10 Season 1 WE HAVE A TIE! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week we saw, for the first time in ABA history, a dead tie between the Miners and the Dunes in the standings. Both teams have seven wins and fifty-five point surpluses! To add to the switch-ups, the Saints have let go of their first position to the Beserkers after a crushing defeat by the resurgent Foxes this week. Mostly because of key targeting, and possibly drugs, but nonetheless they aren't in first anymore. Both conferences are still in a dead heat, and no one can make a call at the moment for who is gonna make the playoffs or not. What we do know, however, is that the half way point of the ABA is next week and from there it is just a slog to clinch a shot at the grand championships! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Vortice Krakens - Varhelm Beserkers The Krakens faced another rough week as they hosted the terrifying Besekers. In fact, this is what the Beserkers needed and it showed as they now sit above the Saints due to a significant point surplus in this game. Beserkermania has swept over the Western Conference as this vicious team has gladly embraced the violence fueled by the new ruleset. On top of that, we have reports that the Beserkers showed up to the Kraken's side after the game and stole all their world-renowned snacks! No cookies, or Krakens, were spared this week as the Beserkers continue their rise and now look to hold off next week against the lack-luster Druids. San Luciano Saints - Elysium Foxes In a complete upset, we saw the Foxes take out the leaders of the West. It brought them in one more game of striking it into the advancing teams, but will this trend of Fox supremacy hold? The game itself was shocking because the Foxes almost entirely targeted the Mareno stars of the Saints. Herakles was taken out early on, though he is expected to return next game without any significant game-impairing injuries. Meanwhile, this sudden shift in the success of the Foxes has prompted an investigation by the ABA into alchemical substance abuse among their players. A shifty goblin was seen rubbing his nose and walking away from their locker room before the game, but the Foxes' staff have refused to comment on his involvement in this matter. Iron Uzg Krugs - Karosgrad Crows Both of these teams were at each other's necks this game, probably because if the Krugs lost it would put the Crows on even-footing win wise. Guess what? That happened and the Crows came out ten points ahead due to some excellent field play by Grigory Grubb. Despite being short he managed to score ten of his fifteen shots in the field and even snuck in three arch-rushes when no one was looking, and Reinhardt Barclay was holding the Krugs' arch guard's face to the ground. In the end, both teams left the stadium in a huff at each others apparent unresolved tensions, and now equal standings. One of these teams is on the verge of moving out of safety and into missing the playoffs, but only time will tell if that is true. Krug's head coach, Lari Be'rd, has made it very clear it will not be the Krugs but Head Coach May of the Crows has also made it clear it will be the Krugs! Yong Ping Dragons - Elvenesse Bucks The Dragons came close to losing to the Bucks but managed to squeak out a last minute arch-rush to win the game. Without Lanqui, the Giant of Yong Ping, their team has greatly suffered and they are left just on the outside of the advancing teams because they do not have his point surplus on the field. However they are tied for fourth with the Crows and the Krugs and next week holds their bout against the disinterested Purifiers. Could this be the win they need to push them ahead and bump off the Crows or the Krugs?! Freeport Pigeons - Kal'Darakaan Miners The Pigeons almost flew this game, but they ended up stomped under the iron boots of the Miners. Despite their small stature this team has held onto their lead over the East, except for this week when the Dunes now are tied in every category with the Miners! For once, we have a genuine tie for first place! The game went interesting at first, since the patented Dwarven Ball Tap does not work on pigeons and seagulls. Nonetheless, as many teams have found out, stepping on the avian players is far easier than trying to steal the ball away from their peaking beaks. Providence Vigilants - Du Loc Flames Another absolutely nail-biting game between the Vigilants and the Flames ended with the Susa Boys barely getting out a win. However, the Vigilants have been getting progressively worse after their recent rise through the standings and seem to almost be mellowing out, settling for mediocrity if you will. This announcer doesn't know if they have what's left in them to pull ahead of the Dunes or the Miners, especially with a point deficit of over thirty compared with those two teams. The only thing saving them at the moment is their easier game against the Krakens next week. For the Flames, Father Mantequilla has made it clear that small setbacks will not impact their performance. And its that type of attitude that is going to keep them in this game, well after the high-paid Susa boys fall off in a few weeks or two. Rozania Rabbits - Haelun'or Purifiers The Rabbits, surprisingly, beat out the Purifiers in a random field in central Almaris today. Still homeless, the game was played in a forest near the Orenian borders and the Purifiers have filed a formal complaint against the Rabbits for not even having fresh drinking water nearby. Perhaps it was a tactic, perhaps it was poor planning. Either way, their quenching of their opponent worked and the Rabbits managed their first win in a while. Next week they head it off against the Pigeons so maybe even another victory is in sight for this faltering Eastern Conference team? Talus Grove Druids - Fakhr Dunes When the Dunes get kicking, boy do they get kicking! Hakim, also known as the brick wall, kicked away the Druids' star Alexander Antler many times this week. He even managed to score some choice shots that seemed to incapacitate the Druids' star. This lack of a leader and other defensive flaws from the Druids made the Dunes take away a thirty-point lead and bank it before they knew what was going on. And to top it off, they are now in a dead tie for first against the Miners. Not even their point surpluses and deficits are different, its a dead tie! With a game against the Bucks next, we could be seeing the beginning of the Desertification of the East! Watch out Miners, you have an unexpected opponent! STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 14 10 7 3 106 2 San Luciano Saints 14 10 7 3 40 3 Iron Uzg Krugs 12 10 6 4 32 4 Karosgrad Crows 12 10 6 4 11 5 Yong Ping Dragons 12 10 6 4 -13 6 Elysium Foxes 10 10 5 5 48 7 Elvenesse Bucks 4 10 2 8 -58 8 Vortice Krakens 2 10 1 9 -140 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Fakhr Dunes 14 10 7 3 55 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 14 10 7 3 55 3 Providence Vigilants 14 10 7 3 28 4 Du Loc Flames 10 10 5 5 -8 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 8 10 4 6 -19 6 Rozania Rabbits 8 10 4 6 -62 7 Freeport Pigeons 6 10 3 7 -14 8 Talus Grove Druids 6 10 3 7 -61 THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS The ABA is proud to be sponsored by Krawn and Kongzem Take a stop by this betting hall if you want to make some money on your favorite teams winning or losing. https://discord.gg/5TZNVk89 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Valwyck Bears 73 - 71 Halcourt Eagles - Fennic Blizzards 75 - 82 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 18 10 10 0 77 2 Valwyck Bears 10 10 5 5 -5 3 Fennic Blizzards 6 10 4 6 51 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 10 1 9 -129 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 9 Season 1 IT'S STILL ANYONE'S LEAGUE! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. My dad once told me that if you don't win, just make sure you are good enough to not be a loser. And my mom just used to slap me until I got my math homework right. Oh, wait, what are we talking about?! Oh, sorry, bucketball, that's right! This week we saw a little bit of shifting in the standings but what we really saw is teams trying to set themselves up into a position to advance to the playoffs. We are only two weeks away from the mid-point of the season and only the top four teams of each conference will advance. No one's record will matter in the post season, and those who advance must win a best-of-five game series. So lets see who can settle into fourth and above and pray for the rest of those teams who won't make it. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Du Loc Flames - Kal'Darakaan Miners In one of the most confusing games of the season, the Flames hosted the Miners in a bout that would, for now, decide who would lead the Eastern Conference. To begin, the short height of the dwarves is always a disadvantage, but the proximity to nether regions of the Flames players made it a liability for the Du Locians this time around! In what has been coined as the Dwarven Ball Tap, Miners players made Father Harold look up to the skies and pray throughout the night. On top of that, a kha in a Flames jersey stood up and began telling jokes about mid-way through the game, but his sensational impersonation of known stars like Herakles, Joella de Ville, and Grand King Ulfric made both teams bust a gut laughing. No, seriously, the one Miners fan had to be attended to because his gut busted open! This close game saw the Miners squeak out a win and manage to hold onto first place because of it. Flames' fans should be worried as they head to Providence next while the Miners will most likely score an easy win against the Pigeons. Experts clearly see both of these teams with good shots into the playoffs, the Flames just need to do better than the straggling four teams below them. Varhelm Beserkers - Yong Ping Dragons Without the towering Lanqui to bring about a powerful arch-game, the Dragons faltered against the Beserkers this week. The best thing about this game, if you ask me, was the traditional style puppet show put on by a band of Yong Pingers. Who needs cheerleaders when you have puppets, amiright? As for the actual game, the Beserkers used their brute strength to batter down the arch-based defense that was already reeling from the lost of the giant arch guard. Next week though the Dragons face off against the Bucks, which will certainly be easier than the Varhelmians Menaces. As for the Beserkers, this win put them in second place, tied with the Krugs for wins but ahead on points. Is this where we see the Saints stumble and lose position to the Beserkers in the coming weeks? Talus Grove Druids - Freeport Pigeons The Druids snuck out a win this week against the pitiful Pigeons. Rosemary Gendrik and Arthur Galbraith, surprisingly both Orenians, pulled pincer moves in the arch time and time again against the Pigeons' arch players. Some people are speculating the Pigeons cannot even find enough people on their boats to play the game, since they are so worried they will get crushed like the past players they would replace. In other news, there is still speculation over where the Druids will be moving to come next season, or even if they will move at all. Meanwhile, the Pigeons are the only thing stopping the Druids from assuming seventh place in the Western Conference. Elvenesse Bucks - Iron Uzg Krugs Did anyone want to let the Krugs know that they don't have to try to rip people's arms off after they get the ball from them?! In this game we saw the entire starting lineup of the Krugs ejected due to killing a spectator each. The Krugs head coach, an elf named Lari Be'rd, has said that the fans were clearly asking for it by wearing Buck jerseys and cheering for the home team, instead of the winning orcs. With this win the Krugs have moved into third place, right behind the Beserkers, and may very well be poised to take the title of first-place for themselves. Elysium Foxes - Vortice Krakens Something magic was in the air in Elysium this week, and several fans were barred from ever attending another ABA game because of it. Elysite fans were actively caught using forcefield magic and water evocation on the visiting Krakens during multiple shots in the field. The monks were uncharacteristically brutal in their punishment and have even went so far as to fine the Foxes for allowing such blatant interference in their arena. Nonetheless, points are very clearly 'no-takesie-backsies,' according to official ABA sources, so the game stood with a Fox victory through ill-gotten points. San Luciano Saints - Karosgrad Crows In a rematch from two weeks ago, the Crows were not able to combat the dominate Saints. The Mareno Mafia, as they have become known among Saints' fans, played a clean game that seemed to respect the shooting aspect over the physical one. The Crows, likewise, obliged. However, this cost them in the end as Saints' star corner, Herakles, sunk six five-pointers and took the second half of the game off, in what fans have described as mild arrogance. With the standings being this tight it is truly still anyone's games, and the win-loss ratio doesn't matter if you can't win the best of five post-season series. This pushed the Crows into fourth place and gave the Saints some breathing room between them and the approaching Krugs and Beserkers. Haelun'or Purifiers - Providence Vigilants The most bipolar of all the teams in the ABA, the Vigilants managed to squeak out a small victory against the Purifiers. This, for the first time this season, has put them ahead of the Flames and in a viable position to unseat the Miners. The game saw Erik Othaman, a more senior member of the Vigilants, score fifteen points, all of which were in the field. This mid-range game could be what Providence needs to rebound from its lackluster beginnings this season and the sudden death of two of their coaches due to state sanctioned executions. On the other hand, hype for the Purifiers is pitifully low and the arena was the only one of the week not fully packed. Perhaps if the high elves put down their hair extensions and picked up a ball they'd stand a better chance? Fakhr Dunes - Rozania Rabbits The Dunes, led by Hakim this week, put up some great defense against the homeless Rabbits. This win, in fact, actually boosted them into second place and gave them the points edge over Providence. Our boys in the far south are making a name for themselves and have even boasted one of the best bucketball courts in all of Almaris, complete with a full off-court hookah station and bar. What luxury! As for the rabbits, their main offensive players did decently well this game, managing a modest seventy points, but lacked any real drive to win. My bet, if you ask me, is they are worrying about where they are gonna end up now that Rozania can't even host them anymore. What a shame. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 14 9 7 2 56 2 Varhelm Beserkers 12 9 6 3 84 3 Iron Uzg Krugs 12 9 6 3 42 4 Karosgrad Crows 10 9 5 4 1 5 Yong Ping Dragons 10 9 5 4 -15 6 Elysium Foxes 8 9 4 5 32 7 Elvenesse Bucks 4 9 2 7 -56 8 Vortice Krakens 2 9 1 8 -118 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 12 9 6 3 54 2 Fakhr Dunes 12 9 6 3 23 3 Providence Vigilants 12 9 6 3 19 4 Du Loc Flames 10 9 5 4 1 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 8 9 4 5 -12 6 Freeport Pigeons 6 9 3 6 -13 7 Talus Grove Druids 6 9 3 6 -29 8 Rozania Rabbits 6 9 3 6 -69 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizzards - Valwyck Bears 83 - 84 Halcourt Eagles - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 73 - 89 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 18 9 9 0 75 2 Valwyck Bears 10 9 5 4 -3 3 Fennic Blizzards 6 9 3 6 44 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 9 1 8 -122 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Are you interested in bucketball and want to learn more? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 8 Season 1 LEADS NARROW! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. The Eastern Conference is in a four-way tie for first this week! The Miners, Vigilants, Flames, and Dunes stand poised to claim the leader role, but even then how long can they hold on to it for?! Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, there is a four-way tie for second place as the Saints continue to dominate the Conference and hold on to the first-place slot. This seed could come in handy since it appears that there are not many slacking teams in the Western Conference and getting to play the weakest of those who make it to the quarter-finals would be the easier road to the grand finals. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Elysium Foxes - Freeport Pigeons Elysium is set to battle out of the bottom of the standings and with another easy win against the struggling Pigeons we saw another step towards that goal. However, they remain in a very competitive Conference. This game saw some decent plays out of Elsiimah'Ceru this week but it looks like the Foxes have taken to benching some of their more controversial members of their roster. On the other hand, the Pigeons still continue to recover after the death of several key players who happened to be birds. Some commentators have suggested brining on larger birds to fill the gaps in their lineups by the coaches of the Pigeons seem set on maintaining an all-sea-avian team. These bird brains are gonna need some help! Next week they are hosting the Krakens in a rematch from week seven. We can only hope for the same return as last game! For the Pigeons, they are expected to lose to the Druids of all teams next week. Karosgrad Crows - Vortice Krakens The Krakens had a rough week, traveling up to Karosgrad to face one of the best teams in the ABA and the schedule ahead of them looks equally as difficult. The Crows, on the other hand, are now in a four-way tie for second place in the Western Conference. The only thing saving them is their points surplus being higher than the Dragons. As for the game, Grigory Grubb was up to no good! Reinhardt Barclay was seen tossing him at the hoop multiple times while Klaus Barclay scored four five-pointers from abroad. The Kraken team was seen shaking the Crows' hands after the game and even sharing some of their legendary snacks with their opponents. Lenora Jusmia, also known as snack mom in the ABA, has become known across Almaris as someone who can always cater the after party of any of these bouts. If there was a snack contest in the ABA, I think they'd take it for sure! Maybe we should do superlatives for the ABA at the end of the regular season?! Providence Vigilants - San Luciano Saints In a matchup many came to see, this double overtime game holds the ABA record for the longest game yet! You really have to question why these two teams were so set on brutalizing each other. With uncharacteristic fury, Saints' Istvan and Obasi were seen engaged in various scuffles with spectators throughout the night. Even the Susa Boys were seen taking on Herakles in not only shoving bouts but in full-on tackling contests for the ball. This low-scoring game went into double overtime, two fifteen minute extensions, and saw two back-to-back corner shots from Isa Basrid seal the deal. This upset win nets the Saints only their second-ever loss and puts them against the Crows next week. Meanwhile, the Vigilants are expecting an easy ninth week against on the Silver Isle. Iron Uzg Krugs - Kal'Darakaan Miners This cross-conference matchup ended in blood and tears for the Miners. The Krugs leveled their defense with offensive arch pushes throughout the entire game. While both of these teams hold extensive records on strength, neither were ready for the sheer amount of physical brutality this game had in store. The Krugs played ologs as their arch forward and guard, essentially blocking the bucket with their towering height. The short dwarven players were unable to get past these monstrosities for most of the game, having to often lure them out of position to get close enough for layups. The Grand King was heard smashing several barrels of premium booze in a rage after the game as the Krugs brought about a four way tie in the Eastern Conference, the first time in several weeks that the Miners are at risk of losing their conference-topping position. Du Loc Flames - Yong Ping Dragons To begin, Lanqui, a star of the Dragons, appears to have suffered an injury to the back of his leg in this game. While Yong Ping medical officials continue to inspect his status, this has put a huge hole in the lineup of the Dragons. One which cannot be filled so easily. While the oblivious monks saw nothing, some say they saw Father Paco de Mantequilla hitting Lanqui in the back with a wooden club while Isaac Jebediah distracted the officials with an interpretive dance display. Something was said about not using laxative tea on his boys, but nothing has been confirmed. The Flames managed to pull this win out over the Dragons, despite the underhanded tactics in use, and now stand in a four-way tie for first in the Eastern Conference. They host the Miners next week and this is the best chance they will get to dethrone the regents of the east! On the other hand, the Dragons square up against the Besekers next week in what should be a very contentious and bloody battle. Elvenesse Bucks - Haelun'or Purifiers My wife's favorite team, the Bucks, did not manage to claim the title of best elven team this match. Their short-game is improving but they simply lacked the long-game to make any difference. On top of that, the Purifiers' long-game and physical reliance on shoving was something to be admired for such a historically weak team. The Purifiers came to Elvenesse and even gloated when in the lead by dying one of the Bucks' players hair a bright pink, mid-game might I add! Next week the high elves are facing off against the Vigilants, in which they are expected to lose by betting organizations, and the Bucks are set to face off in a terrifying battle against the Krugs. Make sure to suit up Bucks! It is gonna be a long season! Fakhr Dunes - Varhelm Beserkers The Dunes hosted the Beserkers at their new bucketball arena, but the floor was quickly stained with the host's blood. Lindhardt Faretto was playing the field tonight and has quickly made himself one of the most dominate mid-range shooters in the ABA. That isn't to say that Mehreen Al-Hattan hasn't put up numbers this week. Scoring five of his seven attempts from the corners means that the Dunes just had a bad week this week, and hopefully the weak Rabbits will not stand a chance against them next week. Standings wise, this was the only thing stopping the Dunes from rocketing into first place this week. Nonetheless, they are still tied for first with the Vigilants, Miners, and Flames. Talus Grove Druids - Rozania Rabbits The last two teams in the Eastern Conference faced off this week and it ended with Alexander Antler body-slamming the Rabbit's tipper to end the game. Errvan was essential in scoring three five-pointers this game and twenty-three points over all on the night. Interestingly enough, the pink haired girl from last week was seen at the Druids game and distracted the Rabbits head coach, George Mungus, for several minutes with flirty pickup lines that we at the ABA found quite unpalatable. On top of that, several players of the Rabbits have reported receiving red stones on their door-steps after the match and blamed it on the Druids' bad attitudes when winning. Other than that, the Druids are hosting the Pigeons next week while the Rabbits will be on the road in the south facing off against the Dunes. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 12 8 6 2 47 2 Varhelm Beserkers 10 8 5 3 69 3 Iron Uzg Krugs 10 8 5 3 30 4 Karosgrad Crows 10 8 5 3 10 5 Yong Ping Dragons 10 8 5 3 0 6 Elysium Foxes 6 8 3 5 1 7 Elvenesse Bucks 4 8 2 6 -44 8 Vortice Krakens 2 8 1 7 -87 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 10 8 5 3 48 2 Providence Vigilants 10 8 5 3 16 3 Du Loc Flames 10 8 5 3 7 4 Fakhr Dunes 10 8 5 3 4 5 Haelun'or Purifiers 8 8 4 4 -9 6 Freeport Pigeons 6 8 3 5 1 7 Rozania Rabbits 6 8 3 5 -50 8 Talus Grove Druids 4 8 2 6 -43 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizzards - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 82 - 83 Valwyck Bears - Halcourt Eagles 93 - 69 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 16 8 8 0 59 2 Valwyck Bears 8 8 4 4 -4 3 Fennic Blizzards 6 8 3 5 45 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 8 1 7 -106 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 7 Season 1 A BATTLE FOR THE EAST! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. The Eastern Conference is heating up as two teams are tied in wins and two more are only one game behind. As compared to the Saints' dominated Western Conference, the East still appears to be anyone's game. This week we saw some new signature moves invented by some teams, some rebounds off of a few losing-streaks, and the continuation of some of those for others. Nonetheless, players seem to be settling into the new reality that is bucketball. Violence is mixed with every match and our healers have never been harder at work than this week! Let's keep the buckets moving, the blood pouring, and the sweat dripping! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Elysium Foxes - Vortice Krakens In the clash of two floundering teams we saw the Foxes assert that they do not want to be last place. This game, in fact, boosted them ahead of the Bucks and into sixth place. Is this a rebound for the team under Head Coach Velu'Asath? More questions arose this game then answers as the Krakens were briefly distracted by a pink-haired woman in a green bandana mask on the sidelines. This confusion allowed the Foxes to score two corner shots with excellent work from Eugeo de Astra. This isn't to say that Feilks Jusmia, the tipper of the Krakens, isn't performing. They put up twenty-two of the team's sixty points, so it is nothing to scoff at! We can only hope both of these teams find their strides before it is too late in the season. San Luciano Saints - Karosgrad Crows A long awaited matchup in the Western Conference left the court bloodier than any Saints game before this. San Luciano will remember this one as the first game where the Saints truly had the burning passion to literally beat their opponents. Crows' Reinhardt Barclay was seen with Obasi, the Saints tipper, forgetting the game existed around them as they continued to take turn bashing the benches from the stands over each other's heads. Both were knocked out and needed medical attention. The deadly combination of Niketas and Herakles Mareno is showing. With Niketas getting the ball to the corners and Herakles scoring those vital five point returns. On top of this, Cheer Captain Selvia de Orsella was seen leading very impress chants from the crowd, one hand on a Saint's sign and one hand clutching a pint. Next week the Crows head over to the losing-ridden Krakens while the Saints finally match up against the Vigilants. Is this, perhaps, going to balance out this week's loss for the Crows? Will the Saints perform well in Providence or will the all-watchful eye of the East crush them in its gaze!? Providence Vigilants - Iron Uzg Krugs Coming off of the victory against the Crows, the Krugs headed into Providence with some swagger but it was quickly washed away in a close game that had the players, fans, coaches, and most importantly me sweating! Down to the last seconds of the game, this was within reaching distance of the Krugs but they ended up missing a final corner shot right as the whistle was blown. The Susa Boys were exceptionally potent in the arch this week, combined scoring a total of fifty-seven points. Krugs, to no one's surprise, decided to take it out on their goblin mascot who was ceremoniously beaten after the tragic loss. For the Krugs next week they are hosting the Miners so it will be a tough matchup, and a chance for them to let the Eastern Conference narrow even more. Yong Ping Dragons - Kal'Darakaan Miners Something was amiss in the Yong Ping game, but monks seemed to have been unobservant. Yong Ping arch forward, Kin, appeared to have an extra spring to his step, and by that we mean the man was jumping seven or eight feet in the air! Lanqui, the seven-foot tall Yong Ping giant, was utterly shocked by the turn of events but it didn't stop him from watching the ball get dunked over the dwarves heads time and time again. The half-time show was delightful, and tea was given to both teams by the hosting Yong Pingers. However, something must've been wrong with those leaves because the Miners, five minutes before the game ended, ran off the field, and screaming something about needing an outhouse? Maybe something about the tea was off, but both sides drank some. Utterly odd, nevertheless a win for the Dragons and a loss for the reigning first place Eastern Conference leaders. Will they be able to hold onto it as the Dunes, Vigilants, and Flames narrow in on them? Du Loc Flames - Elvenesse Bucks The Bucks came into this match with Ardeth, an arch forward, hoping to pull the team from a spiral but it ended up as another loss. Tipper Gill'riik of the Flames was unstoppable, probably because the olog can just grab the ball every tip. His sheer size posed a genuine threat to the Bucks, who were not able to stop his brutal advance on the bucket time and time again. Father Harold and Father Paco de Mantequilla were seen starting celebratory fires to the Buck wagons after the game, but the team has denied these allegations. Keep the focus on the bucket boys! Burning stuff never fixed anything... Rozania Rabbits - Fakhr Dunes The Rabbits, essentially wandering at this point, played the Dunes in a make-shift tent camp in central Almaris this week. The Dunes were hesitant but quickly got the advantage. This experience, playing in the tree-filled landscape, is good for the more desert acclimated Dunes as they prepare to make a run on the Miners for the Eastern Conference lead. Some highlights from this game have to be from Azzam bin Hakim's excellent fakes around trees, tripping up the not-so-clever Rabbits. These moves were absolutely fire! Like a scorching desert sun! Keep it up Dunes! Freeport Pigeons - Talus Grove Druids The Pigeons took the Druids to sea and kicked them off the boat to drown! This matchup saw the Druids as confused as their status is in the ABA. With rumors floating about that the Druids, led by Alexander Antler, are continuing to push for a relocation what can be expected? Although they scored well, the Pigeons scored better. One of their corners, simply referred to as Mister CAWWWW, was able to waddle past the defense of the Druids multiple times because of his teammates pecking at their Druids' players heads. Watch out for those beaks players, they can be sharp! As for the future, we hope to see the Druids turn it around this season and we think after the heart-felt speech of Head Coach Pyrin they will be able to pull it off. Varhelm Beserkers - Haelun'or Purifiers In the closest game in ABA history, the Beserkers managed to just sneak past the Silver Isle Purifiers. In a last second arch-rush we saw Lindhardt "Bucket King" Faretto use the backs of his team mate to make a ramp to the bucket. This play grabbed back the high elven victory and ended the game. For the earlier part though, the Beserkers have once again been up to no good. Alric Edvardsson appears to have invented a new way to win bucketball, and it's by beating your opponent with the ball! While screaming some expletives about the pointed-ear players he took the heavy ball and smashed it against all those around him, in what has been named the Edvard Windmill. This play will certainly go down as not only the most aggressive play in ABA history so far, but the best way to knock out your opponents teeth! STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 12 7 6 1 57 2 Yong Ping Dragons 10 7 5 2 25 3 Varhelm Beserkers 8 7 4 3 49 4 Iron Uzg Krugs 8 7 4 3 14 5 Karosgrad Crows 8 7 4 3 -18 6 Elysium Foxes 4 7 2 5 -17 7 Elvenesse Bucks 4 7 2 5 -40 8 Vortice Krakens 2 7 1 6 -59 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 10 7 5 2 64 2 Fakhr Dunes 10 7 5 2 24 3 Providence Vigilants 8 7 4 3 6 4 Du Loc Flames 8 7 4 3 -18 5 Freeport Pigeons 6 7 3 4 19 6 Haelun'or Purifiers 6 7 3 4 -13 7 Rozania Rabbits 6 7 3 4 -40 8 Talus Grove Druids 2 7 1 6 -53 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Halcourt Eagles 72 - 65 Fennic Blizzards - Valwyck Bears 64 - 72 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 14 7 7 0 58 2 Fennic Blizzards 6 7 3 4 46 3 Valwyck Bears 6 7 3 4 -28 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 7 1 6 -82 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 6 Season 1 BUCKETER ON BUCKETER VIOLENCE! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. With the new rules from the ABA Commissioners now taking effect we are starting to see the true brutality that has been repressed amongst the bucketers! On top of that, we've seen some very crafty game strategies play off this week. Being a brute can only get you so far in this competition and only scoring twos is gonna leave you behind the five and three point dominating teams like the Saints and the Dragons. Meanwhile, we are seeing a lot of bucketball courts springing up again across Almaris. Due to local coding laws these courts were initially rejected but after negotiation from the ABA bucketball courts are now permissible and the ABA stresses the need for clutter in the field. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Karosgrad Crows - Iron Uzg Krugs Without a doubt the most interesting game of the night. The Crows came out with a game plan to redirect the raw strength of the Krugs. They dressed their halfling, Grigory Grubb, in four or five bright orange protective gambesons. He started the game by making fun of the terrible hairstyles of the orcs and proceeded to move on to other taunts. His small size certainly tricked the Krug's olog into thinking he was the ball, but not for Grubb's fortune. He was swiftly picked up and dunked repeatedly by the olog and orcs before they were stopped by the monks. Lucky for him he had so much padding! But this wasn't all, the Crows pulled out all the stops, and made their half-time show a bunch of dancing orcish women. While the Krugs were enthused, it may have actually inspired them as they came back from a fifteen point deficit to win in the last seconds of the game with a perfect interception turned layup arch-rush by star arch guard Rakothurz'Ram. Yong Ping Dragons - Providence Vigilants Lanqui walked onto the court a giant and left a god as he battled against the Vigilants. Both teams were thirty for a win and Sir Ledicort d'Azor was on the sideline as usual, hoping the Susa Boys could bring this home. Maybe it was their hookah party the day before or maybe it was the unstoppable defense of the seven-foot tall arch guard Lanqui, but the Vigilants only had the lead for five of the sixty minute game period. Crowds in Yong Ping were respectful and the game didn't see much abuse of physical violence from the players. In essence, what a boring match! These two need to get dirty! Start slamming elbows into each others faces, laughing at each other when they trip, and maybe even some pine tar on the ball would help the Vigilants not drop it so much! Kal'Darakaan Miners - Elvenesse Bucks The Bucks tried, but failed, to overcome the stone mountain defensive pattern of the Miners. Now famous, this stone mountain defense relies on always blocking the ball carrier and waiting for interceptions or missed shots. Both the Miners arch guard and forward stay near the basket for almost the entirety of each play. And so far, no one has been able to stop it. The Grand King's involvement and patronage has certainly made the Miners a team worth envying as they sit on top of the Eastern Conference, with only one team able of unseating them at the moment. The Bucks on the other hand, have been adapting to the new rules and are setting out to rely on light defensive padding and quick motions to win games. However, this hasn't panned out quite yet. Give it a few weeks Bucks, maybe it'll all work out as talent like Ardeth develop at arch forward. Varhelm Beserkers - Du Loc Flames Wherever the Beserkers go they seem to have a talent for starting fights, and Du Loc was no difference. Both teams started off the opening tip by swinging at the closest opponent. This game saw five ejections, one of which was Skjord Svardssen, who was caught with a blade imbedded into the toes of his boot. Skjord claims he had no idea where the blade came from, or why the two players who challenged him ended up with lacerated ankles, but I think I may know what went down here! As for the rest of the game, this blood-fest was packed with five-pointers. The Beserkers have developed some type of human-shield wall approach where they surround their corners with their team to allow him ample time to shoot. The Flames were able to break it towards the end with raw strength but it wasn't enough to save them. Freeport Pigeons - Vortice Krakens The Pigeons' reliance on playing on a ship failed them this week as the sea-legged Krakens quickly put an end to the idea that the jostling of the waves would continue their losing streak. With their first win ever, the Krakens literally stood on top of the Pigeons' arc guards to score on multiple occasions. Maybe it was those new flashy captain coat uniforms the Krakens are wearing that put them over the edge? Maybe it was the fact they were playing against a literal flock of pigeons and seagulls? Maybe it was just fate! Next week the Krakens run into the Foxes so let's hope they can keep out of last place by beating them! Haeluno'or Purifiers - Rozania Rabbits The Rabbits seem very out of it. After their win against the Flames, the Rabbits played terribly. Without even being able to field a full team they resorted to picking random spectators out of the crowd and bribing them to join the team. To put it frankly, it was an embarrassment to bucketball and the ABA is actively helping the Rabbits find a new home. If anyone is interested make sure to reach out to the ABA! As for the Purifiers, whatta game! Excellent shots from afar in the corners and in the field. Their arena's field appears to be cluttered with shooting geysers of molten silver and beautifully painted silver thumbtacks, which I have to say is the most sophisticated and underhanded method I have seen all season! Fakhr Dunes - Talus Grove Druids The Dunes played a mean game against the developing Druids. Not only perfecting their arch game but really proving that shoving is the most important aspect of bucketball. Putting your opponent to the floor and making them waste time to stand up is not only a strategy, but a good one! The Druids are speculated to have used a bit of magic this go-around but monks did not see any. However, this announcer clearly saw a ball inbound for the bucket suddenly shoot up into the air and head out of bounds. The Druids head coach, Pyrin, has made it clear that this was just the wind and also that Alexander Antler has been pushing the team to find a new home outside of the Druid territory. Is another team set to take their place? The Dunes don't care because they were seen celebrating with complimentary Fakhr cookies from Halwa! Elysium Foxes - San Luciano Saints Once again, the Saints manage to cling on to another victory and sit atop the narrowing standings in the Western Conference. These two teams were at each other's throats all night long, and several full out brawls seemed to have distracted the teams that they were playing bucketball and not wrestling! Herakles of the Saints once again demonstrated that in the field and corners there is no better shot. Amadea Barclay, one of the few women in the ABA, truly performed tonight with over seventeen rebounds which she turned into thirty-four points! With this loss the Foxes slid down into last place in the Western Conference but we hope they won't stay there for long. With such a promising start, we can only hope to see a rebound next game against the equally low-ranking Krakens. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 10 6 5 1 53 2 Iron Uzg Krugs 8 6 4 2 24 3 Yong Ping Dragons 8 6 4 2 12 4 Karosgrad Crows 8 6 4 2 -14 5 Varhelm Beserkers 6 6 3 3 48 6 Elvenesse Bucks 4 6 2 4 -29 7 Vortice Krakens 2 6 1 5 -33 8 Elysium Foxes 2 6 1 5 -43 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 10 6 5 1 77 2 Fakhr Dunes 8 6 4 2 10 3 Providence Vigilants 6 6 3 3 -4 4 Haelun'or Purifiers 6 6 3 3 -12 5 Rozania Rabbits 6 6 3 3 -26 6 Du Loc Flames 6 6 3 3 -29 7 Freeport Pigeons 4 6 2 4 6 8 Talus Grove Druids 2 6 1 5 -40 AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Valwyck Bears 83 - 80 Fennic Blizzards - Halcourt Eagles 99 - 78 The Amateur Division Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" Honeyhill Hedgehogs 12 6 6 0 51 Fennic Blizzards 4 6 3 3 54 Valwyck Bears 4 6 2 4 -30 Halcourt Eagles 2 6 1 5 -75 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 5 Season 1 STANDINGS NARROWING AGAIN! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. Well folks, as we said last time, change was on the horizon. Bucketball now has a new set of rules, which is less rules than it used to have. If you ask me, that is good enough! I wanna see these teams get into the bare-knuckle bucketing I've been craving since this whole thing began! Some teams are going to be adjusting to the new rules this week while others, I am looking at you Krugs, are going to take this opportunity to show off their brutish strength. Sooner or later the rest of these teams are gonna have to get quicker or get outta the way! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) San Luciano Saints - Vortice Krakens The Saints scored another victory over the floundering Krakens this week. And to think, they are supposed to be aquatic! I've never seen a sea creature drown so badly in my life! The Saints, though a long-range shooting team, coped well against the less aggressive Krakens. Our advice, here at the ABA, is that the Krakens need to pay attention to how the Saints pass to their star Herakles in corners. Those five pointers he scored this game put them behind! Elysium Foxes - Iron Uzg Krugs Well, what can we say, the Krugs found out that there are no more rules against brawling and... brawled. This game was mostly a lot of punching, kicking, bashing, tackling, and blood. Elysium tried their best but the Krugs found out that the best way to win the tipping is to punch the other tipper in the face! Some saw teeth fly tonight, others saw sweat, but I just saw blood... blood everywhere. The Crows are up next against the fierce Krugs so this is your warning, gear up! Get those kettle helmets strapped on tight and those gambesons packed with extra padding! That, or find a way to cheat! Yong Ping Dragons - Karosgrad Crows These two teams took a pretty civil approach to the new rule set. Neither team acted too aggressive. A little shoving here, a little kicking in the groin there, but in the end it all was a pretty gentle affair. Rhys Ruthern really came in handy inside the arch and got thirteen rebounds. If Reinhardt Barclay would've shot better he wouldn't have needed to rebound them though! If the Dragons though this was bad, the Vigilants appear to be getting their mojo back so they better watch out! They are gonna need a win next week if they hope to hold onto the top half of the Conference. Elvenesse Bucks - Providence Vigilants After a triumphal victory last week for both of the teams the arena was ecstatic. Ledicort d'Azor was seen on the sideline breaking down every tipping and writing down notes, surely to yell at the Vigilants after they get off the field. Both teams seemed reserve, so in this new ruleset they are going to need to get their act together. The only exciting event was when the Susa Boys teamed up to trip the Bucks arch guards time and time again. One or two even lost some teeth! But that is how this new game works. When the balls are a flyin', the teeth go a dyin'! Something like that. Varhlem Beserkers - Kal'Darakaan Miners I think these two teams were more interested in brawling than shooting! The score reflects that as both of these Conference-topping teams tipped off in Varhlem this week. The Grand King was seen throwing mug after mug of ale down his gullet and on the passing Beserker players. Magnus Barefoot, one of the substitute arch forwarders, found out that playing barefoot isn't that good of an idea anymore. The Beserker bencher had his toes smashed by the steel-booted dwarven arch guards on almost every other play. He left with four broken toes and one broken ankle. However, the Beserker's seemed to have something else planned as the monks caught one of them with a shiv stuck in their boot and ordered them to remove it. Luckily this didn't get too bloody. Rozania Rabbits - Du Loc Flames What an upset! The Rabbits beat the Flames in what many expect to be the end of a franchise. The Rabbits, facing a turbulent political situation at home, have officially announced they are taking bids for their next location. Many have speculated that Honeyhill has offered love and friendship for the team to merge with the Hedgehogs, but Rozania seems more interested in money than hugs. As for the Flames, boy, they were pissed! Several of their players were ejected for carrying needles, classified as weapons by the monks, onto the court. Father Paco de Mantequilla was seen urging on a small riot after the game and even burnt down the newly constructed bucketball arena. Their loss may be due to the slow nature of their olog, Gill'riik, who seemed very turned around this game. At the end of the game though it seemed he learned how to play and even fully crushed the Rabbit's water boy in frustration at the game. Talus Grove Druids - Haelun'or Purifiers Two of the worst teams in the ABA finally met up down south and there was very little blood. Both teams agreed to a truce and even took coordinated water breaks every ten minutes. The height of the elves is their advantage, but they seem to not utilize it and push more towards the arch than towards the corners or playing in the field. On top of that, the Druids seem to have been trying to use newly banned magic. One tried to make some type of portal above the bucket, one tried to increase their height, and one tried to use illusionary magic on the Purifiers (it worked). As for those three, they have been sanctioned by the ABA and forced to wear funny hats for the next game against the Dunes. Freeport Pigeons - Fakhr Dunes With the loss of Bird Brain McGee last week, the Pigeons have been sent on a downhill spiral. Qamar Al-Nabeel, the arch guard, made enormous progress under the new rules and forced the balls from the weaker Pigeons' hands. Azzam Bin Hakim, on the other hand, didn't rely on his quick reflexes but his brute strength. At one point, he lifted up one of the puny Pigeons' players and placed them through the bucket head first. The crowd roared and the monks counted it as scoring from the arch! What a turn of events! The Dunes said next week will be even easier as they face up against the Druids. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 8 5 4 1 43 2 Karosgrad Crows 8 5 4 1 -12 3 Iron Uzg Krugs 6 5 3 2 22 4 Yong Ping Dragons 6 5 3 2 8 5 Varhelm Beserkers 4 5 2 3 20 6 Elvenesse Bucks 4 5 2 3 -9 7 Elysium Foxes 2 5 1 4 -33 8 Vortice Krakens 0 5 0 5 -41 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 8 5 4 1 57 2 Fakhr Dunes 6 5 3 2 5 3 Providence Vigilants 6 5 3 2 0 4 Du Loc Flames 6 5 3 2 -1 5 Rozania Rabbits 6 5 3 2 -7 6 Freeport Pigeons 4 5 2 3 14 7 Haelun'or Purifiers 4 5 2 3 -31 8 Talus Grove Druids 2 5 1 4 -35 BUCKETBALL RULES RELEASED After vigorous debate, the ABA has rebranded into the Almaris Bucketball Association and changed the rules and structure of the once informal game. The Court The new court is made of a field, arch, two corners, a bucket with the bottom cut out, and a tipping point. When the ball is thrown towards the hoop, the place where the feet of the shooter are is considered the points awarded if the shot is made. Shooting from the corners is worth five, the field is worth three, and the arch is worth two. The field is often filled with obstacles such as rocks, small trees, greenery, or other such obstructions. These are used to increase the difficulty of the sport and challenge the athleticism and inventiveness of the players. -=- The Positions The tippers are often those with the fastest reflex. The ball is thrown up between them, at the tipping point, and the two must battle for control. The corner and arch guards both guard their respective targets and remain open for passes from the tippers. The arch forwards often act as rebounders, from missed shots on the bucket. The corners are the best long-range shooters a team can have. They have to regularly score from about eight meters away. -=- The Rules The rules of bucketball are simple. They include what is mentioned above and also the following: This is a full-contact sport and all violence is allowed. No weapons can be used of any kind, only physical parts of a players body are admissible. Any weapon-life attachments to a body must be examined and must be for medical purposes. No magic is allowed of any kind. Anyone who receives first aid, healing, or any type of regenerative magic during a game are disqualified from further play. -=- The (In-Game) Rules THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS The ABA is proud to be sponsored by the White Bear Tavern in Elysium For over forty years the White Bear Tavern has been serving up some of the most refreshing spirits on Almaris! Rather you like a nice dark pint or a round of shot for the boys while you watch your local bucketball team win big, the one place to be is the White Bear Tavern! The ABAD is proud to be sponsored by Orcadonics Incorporated Do you know an orc who suffers from trouble with their teeth? Stop looking for cures and remedies! Stop by Orcadonics today and get a free estimate on your teeth/fang repair! For as little as three thousand minas you can have the smile, or snarl, of your dreams! AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Honeyhill Hedgehogs - Fennic Blizzards 96 - 80 Valwyck Bears - Halcourt Eagles 84 - 69 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Bramblebury Badgers 10 5 5 0 48 2 Fennic Blizzards 4 5 2 3 33 3 Valwyck Bears 4 5 2 3 -27 4 Halcourt Eagles 2 5 1 4 -54 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

The Almaris Bucketball Association (ABA) strongly endorses this.

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 4 Season 1 THE RAT RACE BEGINS! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Bucketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. You know what I was thinking today? Well, I was thinking how AMAZING it is to see the competition heating up! Fans are going wild in the stands, chants are being made, and arenas are selling out! No matter what those sky gods do, they can never stop the power of the ball. Meanwhile, on the court, we see the standings narrowing. No team is infallible, and we saw that this week. On top of that, ABA Commissioners have been in heated talks this week over changes to the sport, including a new court layout and rules. Between you and me, I think this might get a little more violent. And also between you and me, I'm ecstatic for it! There is nothing like a little blood spilling to really bring the people together. Anyways, lets get on to the matches. (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Varhelm Beserkers - Elysium Foxes The Foxes must be cursed, I tell ya what! Another game where they came so close to victory but had it stolen away at the last seconds. Beserker players managed to burst open the ball four times this game and even went so far as to taunt the Foxes head coach by asking him, after the game, if he would be heading home with his tail between his legs! Elsil’Ceru of the Foxes put up some decent points but wasn't able to perform on the defensive when pushed by the overpowering Beserkers. The Foxes have another troubling game next week when they host the Krugs, so Elysium should be bracing itself. The Beserkers on the other hand are looking hungry in fourth place, ready to beat out their emerging rivals the Crows! Vortice Krakens - Karosgrad Crows The Crows Carlos Mendez dominated the short game tonight, zooming right past the Kraken defense. Although Kraken's head coach Johannus has said the defend the hoop like an incoming tsunami, we really haven't seen that. Winless after four, their chances of beating the Saints next week look slim. Meanwhile, the Crows are coming for the second-place Yong Ping Dragons! What a matchup that'll be. Let's hope they have the same energy they came with tonight or it will be a devastating push down the standings. San Luciano Saints - Elvenesse Bucks In the biggest upset of the night, the Saints narrowly lost to the Bucks. Head Coach Joseph Brandt was seen with tears on his face as he left the arena. The Bucks, not wanting to see the reaction to the game, quickly left the arena. And good thing too! The damage from subsequent riots is said to be costing San Luciano over three thousand minas. Despite the loss, the Saints continue to laud over the Western Conference with one of the best long-range teams in the game. The Bucks however, are playing next week against the emerging powerhouse that is the Vigilants. We can only wish them the best. Iron Uzg Krugs - Yong Ping Dragons Yong Ping said nope to the Krug offense this game. Lanqiu was seen, on multiple occasions, just jumping to put his whole body in front of the hoop. Only three Krugs were ejected this game for violence, a relatively dull affair in the eyes of the orcish audience. Yong Ping however demonstrated that despite the Saint's bravado, they may be in trouble against the Dragons. On the other hand, Krug fans remain just outside the top four of the Western Conference. The speculation of more rough game play has made them hopeful that in the future their physical strength may give them the edge they need. Du Loc Flames - Freeport Pigeons In one of the most brutal affairs of the evening, the Du Loc Flames beat out the Freeport Pigeons. The Pigeons saw several of the team members taken on board a medical barge and we have no received word that at least one of the actual pigeons that played for Freeport has passed away. Our condolences go out to the family of that small bird... But I mean - Come on, you were a pigeon playing with humans. It was only a matter of time before someone stepped on your neck! As for the Flames, WOWZA! What a game. They showed off their fancy footwork and even mooned the audience after their victory. Kal'Darakaan Miners - Haelun'or Purifiers The Grand King's involvement in the Miners fortunes has certainly changed their tactics. Their defense prowess still remains elite but it was clear that they did not want to lose to their neighbors on the Silver Isle. There was not stepping on dwarven heads this time around and both teams shook hands after the game. The only thing really to note from this game was the brief play time of the Grand King, who took the court for all of four minutes of the game. In that time he put up a modest seven points, but also the only person they passed to was their King for four minutes! Providence Vigilants - Fakhr Dunes Are they back!? Are the boys in red back and ready to rumble?! The Vigilants dashed onto the scene with the coaching help of the old Ledicort d'Azor. The old man must've whooped some sense into this team because they played with a burning passion tonight to get past the one hundred points mark. The Dunes, and their star Hakim the Brick Wall, tried their best but a few interceptions from passes by Mehreen Al-Hattan seriously undermined their efforts. The Vigilants can only hope this victory is the first of many and the Dunes can only hope the Pigeons will be the easy victory they need to push them past them in the standings. Rozania Rabbits - Talus Grove Druids The Druids, led by head coach Pyrin Nria-Crane, have been suffering from a drought of victory and this week is like the others. There chant has become "at least we aren't the Krakens!" Alexander Antler, an upcoming star of the ABA, has sadly not been able to get a competitive team around him this season. Hopefully that will change. Meanwhile, the Rabbits scored big this week and pulled up even in wins and losses. However, news has been emerging that the political situation back home isn't as stable as the Rabbits would like it to be. There is speculation the team may be looking for a new home, but the ABA has not confirmed this. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 6 4 3 1 29 2 Yong Ping Dragons 6 4 3 1 14 3 Karosgrad Crows 6 4 3 1 -18 4 Varhelm Beserkers 4 4 2 2 23 5 Iron Uzg Krugs 4 4 2 2 11 6 Elvenesse Bucks 4 4 2 2 -3 7 Elysium Foxes 2 4 1 3 -22 8 Vortice Krakens 0 4 0 4 -27 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 6 4 3 1 54 2 Du Loc Flames 6 4 3 1 13 3 Freeport Pigeons 4 4 2 2 22 4 Fakhr Dunes 4 4 2 2 -3 5 Providence Vigilants 4 4 2 2 -6 6 Rozania Rabbits 4 4 2 2 -21 7 Talus Grove Druids 2 4 1 3 -32 8 Haelun'or Purifiers 2 4 1 3 -34 THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS The ABA is proud to be sponsored by the Tianrui Teahouse in Yong Ping From the heart of the Jade State, serving tea in Yong Ping and on the court Make sure to pick up a cup or two at your local concession stands. I've heard their honey green tea is delicious! AMATEUR DIVISION EXPANSION? The Iron Uzg have been so kind as to suggest a new expansion to the ABAD next season. This all convict team of goblins, known as the Screaming Dinguses, hail from the tribe of Dingii. Their horrid accents have made them world-renowned and Iron Uzg officials have made it clear that they are not to be trusted. One even commented that they would "steal anything they can get their hands on. If they could steal your fun, they would!" Their leader, a rotund goblinesse named Joella Da Vill, has been known to screech loudly during games until calls go her way. RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizzards - Valwyck Bears 75 - 79 Halcourt Eagles - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 67 - 88 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Bramblebury Badgers 8 4 4 0 32 2 Fennic Blizzards 4 4 2 2 49 3 Halcourt Eagles 2 4 1 3 -39 4 Valwyck Bears 2 4 1 3 -42 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 3 Season 1 STARS ARISE! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Basketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week we really got to see who is going to be a star in the ABA. Big names coming out of the Krugs, Saints, Druids, and Crows this week could be valuable players to look out for in mid-season trades. On top of this, all the undefeated teams in the ABA but one have lost their streaks. The Saints remain a dominate offensive force that no one has figured out how to stop. However, some truly amazing arenas have been developing around Almaris! Merchandise and jersey sales have skyrocketed with the popular success of the game in the public's imagination. Take a look at some of the amazing arenas below and make sure to sit back in your local tavern, enjoy a cold one for me, and enjoy this week's games! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Karosgrad Crows - Elysium Foxes One of the closest games of the week, the Crows narrowly squeaked out a win against the Foxes. Although first believed to be the leaders of the Western Conference, it has become clear that the Crows have to contend with the other teams. Team halfling, Grigory Grubb, made the win possible tonight with a pass to Klaus Barclay. Other notable highlights involve Carlos Mendez stealing the ball three times from the Foxes ex-Rustler players. The Crows have certainly positioned themselves for a run at the conference leaders, but I wouldn't count the Foxes out yet! Elvenesse Bucks - Vortice Krakens The Krakens have really had a rough season. Despite having some of the best after-game snacks provided by the player's mothers, this team cannot get the ball into the bucket enough! Bucks fans finally fished out that win they were looking for with the help of star player Ardreth! With an impressive 33 rebounds, Ardreth has identified himself as a break out star on a team striving for the win. Let's hope the Krakens get back on their game moving forward! Yong Ping Dragons - San Luciano Saints A fan-favorite match-up, the Saints went on the road this week to Yong Ping. Although the crowds were less than receptive to their gloating, the Saints' three point game remains immaculate. Herakles Mareno has made himself a star of the league, and sunk an incredible 12 three-pointers! Wenqian put up some good effort on defenses, and even caught the Saints slipping on their passing game, but it was not enough. Saints took it with a sizable lead and left the stadium before the fans looked back to the court from the final buzzer shot. Back on a boat to San Luciano, the Saints remain the most dominate team in the league, but will it change? Are we looking at the championship team here? Iron Uzg Krugs - Varhlem Beserkers Another tough loss for the Beserkers certainly doesn't sit well with their fans. On the road their sly tactics just do not appear to play off as well as when they are home. Shooting guard Ahng and ten-foot tall giant Mal'Acath were certainly essential to the aggressive Krugs taking the win. During the half-time there was talk of someone calling someone's mother a few select words that we can't repeat in print. The tip off began with an all-out brawl that saw Mr. Bjallin' and the Bucket King ejected for even punching the Monks at one point. We can only hope they will regain their composure moving forward! Haelun'or Purifiers - Du Loc Flames The Flames, or as their opponents have named them, the Flamers saw another victory on the Silver Isle this week. What started off as a bad season has now landed them in third place in the conference. Speculation exists that the Flames continue to use performing enhancing drugs and the high elven coach even commented that "defacing one's body is not only disgusting but an offense to the game." Du Loc players continued their tradition of being boisterous by mooning the entire elven team in what many have described as a simply underhanded morale-busting tactic. Kal'Darakaan Miners - Fakhr Dunes The Miners must've been out of their element yesterday, despite being the home team. The Dunes star, Hakim the Brick Wall absolutely demolished the offensive pushes from the stout dwarves. Capitalizing on the height advantage, Hakim even stepped on a dwarf's head to dunk in the final moments of the game! Is a new rivalry emerging between the two? Will the dwarves cling on to their lead or was this once impenetrable defense breaking? Talus Grove Druids - Providence Vigilants The biggest upset of the night was the loss of the Vigilants to the Druids. Druid's newest addition, the ironically named Alexander Antler, must've made the difference. The Vigilants, once considered the biggest threat in the Eastern Conference have now only one win to their name and a team that appears to be suffering from old, overpaid players. Fan turnout has been down as well, and the cheerleaders didn't even make the trip to Talus Grove this time around. I don't know what is happening in Provy, but they have to recover from this. On the bright side, the two teams shook hands afterwards in what is quickly becoming a sign of respect between teams. Rozania Rabbits - Freeport Pigeons The Pigeons once again proved that they don't have their land-legs yet! Rabbits star, and orcish recruit, Codac'lak has turned things around for the team and shown that he can get past even pretty decent defenses. However, Codac'lak appears to have sustained a serious injury during practice this week and may be out for several more games to come. The Pigeons, on the other hand, appear to be rebuilding and gearing up for a run on the Miners as they sit in second place. STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 San Luciano Saints 6 3 3 0 33 2 Iron Uzg Krugs 4 3 2 1 16 3 Yong Ping Dragons 4 3 2 1 9 4 Karosgrad Crows 4 3 2 1 -26 5 Varhelm Beserkers 2 3 1 2 19 6 Elvenesse Bucks 2 3 1 2 -7 7 Elysium Foxes 2 3 1 2 -18 8 Vortice Krakens 0 3 0 3 -19 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 4 3 2 1 38 2 Freeport Pigeons 4 3 2 1 30 3 Du Loc Flames 4 3 2 1 5 4 Fakhr Dunes 4 3 2 1 4 5 Providence Vigilants 2 3 1 2 -13 6 Haelun'or Purifiers 2 3 1 2 -18 7 Talus Grove Druids 2 3 1 2 -22 8 Rozania Rabbits 2 3 1 2 -31 THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS The ABA is proud to be sponsored by Krugmar Fried Chicken The Krugs always eat seventeen full buckets of Krugmar Fried Chicken after every game Packed with terrible ingredients and zero nutrients, this fattening treat is good for the whole family! -=- The ABAB is proud to be sponsored by Penton Napier Publishing What goes together better than a book and a basketball game? Nothing! Stop on by our Providence location and pick up a book or two today! AMATEUR DIVISION UPDATE In other news, the once Bramblebury Badgers have now become the Honeyhill Hedgehogs! However, I am not sure if anyone has seen their new logo. It certainly wins cutest mascot of the season! Perry the Porcupine is clearly a valued member of the halfling community and will hopefully lead this dominate team into the ABA next season! RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizards - Valwyck Bears 99 - 64 Halcourt Eagles - Honeyhill Hedgehogs 90 - 91 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Honeyhill Hedgehogs 6 3 3 0 11 2 Fennic Blizzards 4 3 2 1 53 3 Halcourt Eagles 2 3 1 2 -18 4 Valwyck Bears 0 3 0 3 -46 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 2 Season 1 POWERHOUSES CLASH! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, welcome back to another edition of Almaris Basketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. This week we saw some of the biggest teams in ABA square up against each other. Five teams suffered their first lost of the season this week, but there were some absolutely amazing highlights from the games. I bit my nails clear off watching the Krugs and the Krakens battle it out! And let's give a big shoutout to the Druid fans who are staying strong through this winless streak. On the other hand, the Miners are dominating the Eastern Conference, which was the Vigilants' to clinch. This just goes to prove it, money can't buy skill! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Haelun'or Purifiers - Fakhr Dunes Our first game of the night was the Dunes heading off to the Silver Isle to face off against the Purifiers. Home court advantage seemed to play a massive role in this game, like all this week. Fans are super pumped about their teams and it shows in the game turnouts. In the Silver Dome we saw the Dunes get their layups shut down time and time against by the pure-bred, white-haired, elves. Even Hakim the Brick Wall was useless against the taller elves. They'll have to work out how to beat the height advantage of the mainlanders if they ever hope to secure a title. Perhaps next week when they take on the undefeated Miners there will be a change of luck! San Luciano Saints - Freeport Pigeons Wow-diggity-dog! The Pigeons stepped on dry land in San Luciano and ran back to their ship with their tails between their legs! Herakles 'the Herathrees' Mareno sunk threes like it was nobody's business! Time after time again the Pigeons couldn't stop the guy! And on top of that we have the Saints scouting people like Amadea Barclay nee d'Aryn, a powerhouse of a defender. We'll see if they bring her in, but for the Pigeons I hope they fair better next week in Rozania! Maybe Stone 'THE ROCK' Makazgath will be able to do more moving next time. It looked like the guy was made of actual stone! Vortice Krakens - Iron Uzg Krugs Definitively the best game of the week. Watching these two teams rush up and down the court was a true pleasure! Vortice was certainly the underdog but put up some solid points and didn't let this thing run away from them. A final three point shot from Rakothûrz’Ram sealed the deal for the Krugs and a missed half-court shot from imported-Illatian star Albino de Polo ended it all. But you have to admit, it would've been cool if he got it in! Elysium Foxes - Yong Ping Dragons The Dragons led by Lanqui packed up this week and headed over to Elysium. And when I say packed up, ooh man! The Dragons showed up to Elysium with an entourage of over 100 people, all with their own personal wagons! The highlights for this game has to be when Kin sunk three tomahawk dunks in a row against the Foxes best defenders. Certianly a mighty team growing in the West, but next week they go up against the undefeated Saints! Karosgrad Crows - Elvenesse Bucks "We come as crows, but we ball as birds," screeched the Karosgrad mobs that attended their crushing victory over the Bucks this week. After a mishap with their name in the first week it is glad to see the self-proclaimed King Krows and Balla' Birds scoring their first victory. For the Buck, who is my wife's favorite team, they put up their best players but it wasn't enough! Providence Vigilants - Varhelm Besekers In a tense game the Beserkers took the court against the Vigilants. The head-chopping must've really woken up the coaching staff of the Vigilants because they came out firing. Young upstart George Maximillian's waterboy status has brought a lot of shade in the news, but he came out on the court tonight and racked up the assists with the help of the Susa Boys. Several Beserkers were caught trying to put grease on the ball during the half-time show, and one Monk was caught with a bag of minas under his whistle. This caused the ejection of two star Beserkers and probably cost them the game. Norlandic sport officials have called the claims baseless but the Vigilants shook hands with their northern human brethren after the game, showing no ill-will. Kal'Darakaan Miners - Rozania Rabbits The Miners remain the only undefeated team in the Eastern Conference. These terrifying dwarves have used defender's advantage to their benefit and put a hard stop to more than half the offensive plays made by the Rabbits. Experts have been saying for a while now that the dwarves and their conglomeration of misfit nations have made them not only a versatile team, but one which can keep their defensive legacy alive. Du Loc Flames - Talus Grove Druids The Flames marched out onto the court this week with literal needles hanging out of their arm, thought swore to the Monk referees that they were only vitamin supplements. While the Druids protested, led by Pyrin and others from the stands, the Flames took advantage of the distraction and quietly scored a total of twenty points! This advantage put the druids so far behind even their catchy slogans and amazing public relations program couldn't save them. Next week the Druids are heading to face the Vigilants so their chances do not look much better there. Meanwhile, the Flames are setting sail for the Silver Isle in a game some have described a "Owynistic!" STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Yong Ping Dragons 4 2 2 0 24 2 San Luciano Saints 4 2 2 0 18 3 Varhelm Beserkers 2 2 1 1 37 4 Karosgrad Crows 4 3 1 1 -30 5 Iron Uzg Krugs 2 2 1 1 -2 6 Elysium Foxes 2 3 1 1 -18 7 Vortice Krakens 0 2 0 2 -10 8 Elvenesse Bucks 0 2 0 2 -16 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost ("+-") 1 Kal'Darakaan Miners 4 2 2 0 45 2 Freeport Pigeons 2 2 1 1 13 3 Du Loc Flames 2 2 1 1 -3 4 Fakhr Dunes 2 2 1 1 -3 5 Providence Vigilants 2 2 1 1 -7 6 Haelun'or Purifiers 2 2 1 1 -10 7 Rozania Rabbits 2 2 1 1 -14 8 Talus Grove Druids 0 2 0 2 -28 THIS WEEK'S SPONSORS The ABA is proud to be sponsored by the Pinecone Tavern Located in Ephesus, this charming family run business is perfect for you and your friends to grab a pint at while you're watching the games. Make sure to stop on by and tell them the ABA sent ya! -=- The ABAB is proud to be sponsored by the Providence Gardeners Advocacy Association (PGAA) "This advocacy firm is a vegan militant group dedicated to killing those who kill animals to protect the sanctity of life Rated #3 by the Hyspia Hypocrisy Judging Agency, we here at ABAD are proud to be sponsored by the PGAA" AMATEUR DIVISION RESULTS AND STANDINGS Brambelbury Badgers - Fennic Blizards 73 - 67 Halcourt Eagles - Valwyck Bears 98 - 92 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost ("+-") 1 Bramblebury Badgers 4 2 2 0 10 2 Fennic Blizzards 2 2 1 1 18 3 Halcourt Eagles 2 2 1 1 -17 4 Valwyck Bears 0 2 0 2 -11 Do you want to add your name to the roster of your favorite team? Join our discord and supply us with your player's names so we can include you in our posts! https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

THE ALMARIS BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION GAME RESULTS Week 1 Season 1 THE NIGHT OF UPSETS?! (THIS WEEK'S ANTHEM) Ladies and gentlemen, thanks for picking up another edition of Almaris Basketball. I am, as always, your dutiful commentator and author Martie Lickman. Before we begin tonight's run down let's give a big call out for the upsets this week. They were something out of this world. A lot of people came into this association expecting the best teams to trounce the little guys, but boy o' boy were they wrong! Tonight we saw some giants of the ABA stumble their way onto the stage. We saw the little guy stick it to the big guy and that just goes to prove this league is not just about who has the best players, but who has their heart behind it! (ABA OPENING POST LINKED HERE) Iron Uzg Krugs - San Luciano Saints An absolutely crazy match-up this week between the Saints and the Krugs. Both of these teams, pretty evenly matched when it comes to defenses. What really stole this game away from the Krugs was one of their star players, Rakothûrz’Ramgot, ejected over breaking two Savoyard's nose! Absolutely crazy aggression coming out of the Iron Uzg, just reel it back in and focus on the next challenge. Yong Ping Dragons - Vortice Krakens Another very close bout between two emerging powerhouses in the Western conference. What really shut down the Krakens tonight was their cohesion against the stalwart Yong Ping defense. Lanqui, the seven foot tall Yong Ping Giant, dominated on the attack and when pushed by the Vorticians. Regardless, both teams are sure to continue their ascent and we look forward to their next clash! Elvenesse Bucks - Elysium Foxes The closest game of the evening was between the Foxes and the Bucks. The Bucks were projected by experts to lose by double-digits but held their own against the mighty offensive machine Elysium holds. However, a walk-off three pointer from beyond the arch sealed the deal. If Elysium would've been home there is no doubt the fans would've mobbed the field. Alas, they'll have to wait till they get home to get the hero's welcome! Varhlem Beserkers - Karosgrad Crows What a night! This was certainly one of the biggest matchups of the evening. The Northern Rumble kicked off with a fairly evenly matched game, but several bad calls from the Monks who referee our games clearly impacted the final result. Crow fans have already expressed an outrage that their boys were cheated out of this win, but Norlanders have made it clear that their offense was what won the game. Both of these teams have made it clear they will top the Western Conference, but will their rematch be closer or are the Beserkers set to sweep the West? Rozania Rabbits - Providence Vigilants Our first game in the east ended in absolute disaster for the Vigilants as they went on tour to Rozania. The Provy Team Captain and Head Coach have made it clear that this was only due to the long training hours they have made their players maintain. But from the outside this looks like the giant stumbled onto the stage. Will the Vigilants be doomed to eat the Rabbit's dust next time? Next week's matchup against the Beserkers will certainly tell! Talus Grove Druids - Kal'Darakaan Miners What I really am surprised about is that the Druids scored at all. The famous Dwarven defense really slipped a few times tonight, but they never faltered in their lead, handily defeating the Druids. Even after a boat ride to the Grove we still see the Miners as a team to be careful of, especially if the bet-favored Vigilants keep up their losing streak next week against the Varhelmers. Fakhr Dunes - Du Lock Flames This game had me on the edge of my seat! You would've thought the court was about to be set ablaze from the feet work of the Fakhr Tribesmen! The Flames put up their best effort, even lighting the net on fire during the last minutes of the game, but it was all for naught. The Dunes took it home and have made it clear that anyone who steps into their oasis is not in paradise, but in pain! Freeport Pigeons - Haelun'or Purifiers The waves were certainly rocking the boat as the high elves took the court of the Pigeon's ship. Despite Haeulun'orian fans calling the Pigeons by their derogatory name, "the ***** Pigeons," the Pigeons showed them that on the seas there is no one that bests a bird. The high elves have to work on their layup game, missing all but three this game. Without their short game in-tact next week's matchup against the Dunes is going to be a terrible time! STANDINGS The Western Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost "+-" 1 Varhelm Beserkers 2 1 1 0 43 2 Yong Ping Dragons 2 1 1 0 7 3 San Luciano Saints 2 1 1 0 5 4 Elysium Foxes 2 1 1 0 3 5 Elvenesse Bucks 0 1 0 1 -3 6 Iron Uzg Krugs 0 1 0 1 -5 7 Vortice Krakens 0 1 0 1 -7 8 Karosgrad Ravens 0 1 0 1 -43 The Eastern Conference Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost ("+-") 1 Freeport Pigeons 2 1 1 0 26 2 Kal'Darakaan Miners 2 1 1 0 18 3 Fakhr Dunes 2 1 1 0 13 4 Rozania Rabbits 2 1 1 0 13 5 Du Loc Flames 0 1 0 1 -13 6 Providence Vigilants 0 1 0 1 -13 7 Talus Grove Druids 0 1 0 1 -18 8 Haelun'or Purifiers 0 1 0 1 -26 THE MINOR LEAGUES! After the announcement of the ABA the organization administration has received a multitude of complaints about teams outside of the WACL and IBL. As a result, those teams that are considered not to be a part of the merger have been offered spots within the Almaris Basketball Amatuer Division (ABAD). These teams are shown below and their games will always be presented at the bottom of any updates. We do not have the staff to include commentary on these games so they will ultimately just be scores and standings. Additionally, as significant news for all the ABA, the last ranked team in the ABA will be moved to the ABAD every season, allowing the top-ranked ABAD team to advance into the prime ABA. We hope this puts to rest concerns of possible exclusion. RESULTS AND STANDINGS Fennic Blizzards - Halcourt Eagles 91 - 68 Valwyck Bears - Bramblebury Badgers 74 - 79 The Amateur Division Pos. Team Points Played Won Lost ("+-") 1 Fennic Blizzards 2 1 1 0 23 2 Bramblebury Badgers 2 1 1 0 5 3 Valwyck Bears 0 1 0 1 -5 4 Halcourt Eagles 0 1 0 1 -23 For up to the minute news coverage of all things ABA join our mailing list: https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

A letter is sent from the ABA headquaters. "We are proud to welcome the Valwyck Bears into the Almaris Basketball Amateur Division (ABAD). We hope to see them perform with a high caliber. If you're lucky, you may be able to advance to the ABA." A letter is sent from the ABA headquaters. "The Almaris Basketball Association is willing to compromise with the San Luciano Saints. Is this acceptable to the Principality?"

THE ALMARIS BUCKETBALL ASSOCIATION OUR HISTORY Formed in 48SA (1844 IST), the Almaris Bucketball Association (ABA) was the union of the International Bucketball League (IBL) and the Western Almaris Championship League (WACL). Bucketball is a game that involves throwing a ball into a basket, what originally was just a bottomless bucket. The competitive spot has many different origin stories. Most popular among humans is Detective Unc threw a pigshead into a rain catcher during an investigation, which ultimately produced street games of the sport using cabbages and other circular objects. Alternatively, non-humans often theorize that the sport is of Orcish origin and was more physically violent when first played. Regardless, the ABA is dedicated to entertaining the crowds of Almaris with thrilling games of bucketball. Dependent on weather and transportation concerns, games and their results will be announced every day or so. Fans are encouraged to root for their favorite team, define things such as the stadium, or find other ways to expand the culture of the sport. YOUR TEAMS -=- The ABA consists of two leagues, predominately along the lines of the IBL-WACL divide. Each league has eight teams and each team will play twenty-two games a season. The top four teams will advance to the playoffs and play series of five games to determine who advances to the next round. The Grand Almaris Championship (GAC) shall be a series of five games, with the winner being crowned the champion of Almarisian Bucketball. -=- The Western Conference The Varhelm Beserkers - A powerful offensive team but has serious defensive weaknesses The Elvenesse Bucks - An underwhelming team that is rebuilding after the loss of several star players to raiders The San Luciano Saints - The renamed Sutican Swordfish, this team has drafted stellar offensive players in recent years. The Karosgrad Ravens - One of the most renowned teams with good overall defense and offensive capabilities. The Iron Uzg Krugs - Made up of strong offensive players but prone to penalties and fouls. The Vortice Krakens - A breakaway team of the Freeport Pigeons that has subpar offensive players. The Elysium Foxes - Another breakaway team from the Varhelm Besekers, their biggest rivals. Decent defense, but needs improvement. The Yong Ping Dragons - Reknown for some of the tallest players in the ABA, their defense is strong. However, their shooting needs improvement. The Eastern Conference The Freeport Pigeons - One of the oldest, but deprived, teams in the sport. Mediocre at best. The Kal'Darakaan Miners - The strongest defense in the whole sport, but significant offensive flaws. The Du Loc Flames - All around good team, with a knack for trickery such as lighting the ball on fire. The Haelun'or Purifiers - Highly paid players that do little. Inadequate skills and in desperate need of a new coach. The Providence Vigilants - The most well-funded team with highly skilled immigrants from around Almaris. The Talus Grove Druids - Worst team in the ABA by far. Players are considered washed up and out of practice. The Rozania Rabbits - Emerging team still in its youth. Developing players has been its biggest talent, keeping them is another story. The Fakhr Dunes - The southern menace has waned in recent years but may return in time. Overall average. Known Rivalries The Freeport Pigeons - The Vortice Krakens The Elysium Foxes - The Varhelm Besekers GAMES - Starting this Saint's Day, and dependent on weather and transportation concerns, games and their results will be announced every day or so. Make sure to follow along and root for your favorite team. A list of past games is below: WEEK ONE - SEASON ONE WEEK TWO - SEASON ONE WEEK THREE - SEASON ONE WEEK FOUR - SEASON ONE WEEK FIVE - SEASON ONE WEEK SIX- SEASON ONE WEEK SEVEN- SEASON ONE WEEK EIGHT - SEASON ONE WEEK NINE - SEASON ONE WEEK TEN - SEASON ONE THE AMATEUR DIVISION The Almaris Bucketball Amateur Division (ABAD) consists of expansion teams that are in competition to ascend to the ABA. The last ranked team in the ABA will be moved to the ABAD every season, allowing the top-ranked ABAD team to advance into the prime ABA. We hope this puts to rest concerns of possible exclusion of minor teams that did not qualify for initial ABA membership. All standings and scores for the ABAD will be placed after the results and standings of the ABA weekly posts, found above. For up to the minute news coverage of all things ABA join our mailing list: https://discord.gg/UbdSZNrTFT

The Mortal Chime -=- -=- Penned in 1812 IST by Henry Penton Originally Published 1812 IST. Publicly Published in 1837 IST. FOREWORD I had originally set out, in 1810, to write a Tuvmas tale, seeing Oren lacking a familiar tale of the occasion. Despite my best efforts I was unsuccessful in creating my vision, though it has morphed into its own form of literature. Seeing as I have aged, I have found it necessary to publicly publish much of my early works that were once exclusively for sale at my bookshop. So, please enjoy one of my earliest works, a short story on madness: The Mortal Chime. -=- The door creaked open, a bright light shone across the dark alleyway. Wyatt’s eyes had not yet grown familiar with the mingled shine and darkness of the store when the keep spoke. “You come to me on Tuvmas, of all days. My store is shut up tight as the snow falls this very day and you expect me to do business?” Wyatt refuted the shopkeep, “I only wish to sell my possessions. So that I can -” “I care not for your worries, only your wares.” With that Wyatt was admitted into the blackness that was the cold shop. The two settled on either side of a counter, the candle resting neatly between them. “If I am to do business this day you will need to give full account of how you came into the possession of these fine objects.” “I- I was gifted them by my uncle, sir,” Wyatt muttered. “Quite the collector he is,” said the shopkeep as he was turned and looking for his books of account. This pale, stout, man stood before Wyatt and quickly returned to examine the fine plates Wyatt had distributed before him. He picked one up, peering over his frames. Wyatt spoke as his goods were examined, “I should also need to purchase a gift. You see, I have been invited as a guest to dine with the parents of an eligible woman. Out of respect I thought it necessary to produce a complement.” The silence loomed as the man examined each of the plates. Inside Wyatt’s head there were many thoughts, but most of all there were thoughts of the clocks. Their ticking has swallowed up the silence that once lingered. “I wish not to be an obstacle for a good man like yourself to secure a favorable match.” He would stoop and retrieve a wrapped hand mirror, unwrapping it on the counter. “A mirror,” he would stand in anger, pushing the stool he sat on to the floor with his sudden rise. “For Tuvmas?! You expect me to gift a woman such a thing?” “Of course, it is a lovely quality. Imported!” The merchant tried to reckon with Wyatt’s disillusionment with the object. Wyatt spoke louder, “I shall not curse another to look upon themselves when I have no want to look upon my own complexion.” The pale man somehow seemed paler as he retorted, “your lady, though, may find the action far more pleasing than yourself.” “What do you know of ladies,” shot back Wyatt. “Have you ever been in love?!” “Love - BAH! I had not the time nor the interest to trifle in such affairs,” chuckled the keep. “Now, will you take this glass or not?” Wyatt scowled, “what other wares have you good friend? I should need options.” The merchant frowned, begrudgingly stooping once more to retrieve another curiosity. Wyatt moved around the counter in darkness and silence, save the insesintent ticking of the clocks. “Perhaps this bowl,” he said as he rose. From behind Wyatt bounded upon his helpless victim. A flash struck through the darkness as a dagger fell, lit by the sole candlelight. The man struggled, but two more blows sent him sprawling, his head hitting the corner of the counter on his descent. Small voices joined in a chorus that engulfed the shop. They scored the time, some in a cumbersome manner and others in a hurried fashion. Nonetheless, they told the hour with intricate tickings. Wyatt’s eyes turned to his victim, a pool of blood and a pile of clothes were what he saw. The limbs were scattered and the scene was repugnant to him. In his head the ideas of time struggled to compete with the chimes. For while time had closed for the keep it had remained for him. His thoughts were interrupted by a sudden cacophony, as the clocks struck three in the morn. Deep thunderous swells meshed with the high treble notes of dancing. He staggered, as he realized the clocks were intertwined with the worst fate a man can see - his own face in a mirror. Panic set in - he should have chosen an hour when the streets were busy but not many would enter the shop. Someone may have heard the sounds among the silence of the eve. There remained an incessant tolling which ceased at the sound of rats moving in the attic above, only to have it continue following the soft steps fading away. So Wyatt ran from the sound, up to the attic and shut himself in. The brief respite let him observe the dismantled, uncarpeted, room that lay before him. But it was just as he walked further into the room that he heard it - a step mounting the stairs. Its slow pace, yet steady, ended - and for a moment Wyatt let go of his breath. Then the knob slowly rotated accompanied by a whining creak from the door. Was it the law, coming to bring him to justice? Was it the shopkeep - a dead man walking?! Perhaps a person who had, by mistake, found the body and now sought to consign him to the gallows? “Good evening, Wyatt,” spoke the thing pleasantly as it closed the door. Wyatt knew, a conviction so true, that this thing was not of God. “The marks are in the draw by his bed, left side,” spoke the thing softly. Wyatt was silent. “Well, perhaps you can leave it,” the thing said as it paced before the man. It’s grey aurora clung to the air, darkening darkness a shade more. “Fair warning, Wyatt Gresnick, Mrs. Thumble the maid left her house a few minutes ago, earlier than usual I should say. If you were found here I have no doubt you know the outcome?” Wyatt spoke up, “You know me?” The thing nodded, “You are a personal favorite of mine, dear Wyatt.” “And what are you,” demanded Wyatt in a hushed yell. “Does it matter, truly? What I am does not change what I can do for you.” “Do for me? I had supposed you were intelligent! No man does for another, instead all men are born, live, and die in a land of hulking giants. Those monsters drag you by your bare wrists, from the womb to the grave! The hateful giants of natural circumstance. No sir, you cannot do anything for me, nor can I do anything for myself. Humanity is but an unwilling player in the fates.” “Deep thoughts indeed,” the thing replied, “but I have no interest in your role in the events, only that the events conspired. Alas, time does fly indeed. The servant, with every step, comes closer to you. As if the gallows had been sent to find you themselves! Such a magnificent sight to see death personified walking through our Tuvmas streets!” The things voice got serious, “Now, shall I help you? Shall I tell you a way out?” The ringing started again, “had it been an hour,” thought Wyatt. Sounds of bells ruptured through the floorboards, shaking his skull. “For what cost,” he screamed as he covered his ears in pain. The thing’s fiendish smile protruding from the darkness. “My Tuvmas gift to you, of course.” Wyatt surged forth, falling to his knees. “No! If I had been lost in the woods for thirty days, dying of hunger, and it was your hand which offered me the bread of life, I should find the courage to refuse you.” The thing leaned down, its rot stinking up Wyatt’s nostrils. “I have no objections to a deathbed confession. You are but an evil man, and evil men should confess, no?” Wyatt shrieked, the throbbing noise has engulfed his senses. He closed his eyes and said, “I confess to being a slave to poverty and a indulger of vices! I had hoped to marry, and in that action free myself of my past. I prize not love, I love not an honest woman but a rich one. And I killed the keep not because he was cruel or unfair in our dealings but because he tried to show me the truth in my reflection. Evil.” Then Wyatt opened his eyes, seeing the maid in front of him. The other thing had gone, leaving the sunrise to fill the room with gleams of soft light. The dirty maid clutched her bosom as Wyatt rose, the ringing deafening him to her words of inquiry. He spoke quietly, the chimes parting for his words, “Go and seek out the guards. I confess it, I have killed the shopkeep.” It was four days later that the bells chimed once more, this time for the life of Wyatt Gresnick, his body hung limp. "From life's inception we trudge towards death. The middle of the story is brief glimpses of insanity among many sorrowful stints of sanity." - Henry Penton, 1837