[MAG] The RSTL Tribune: Issue 1, Week 3

[Quriosity]

The RSTL Tribune: Volume 2, Issue 1, Week 3

Contents

I. Introduction
II. Up & Comer Award
III. Tsk Tsk Award
IV. The Baddest Bitch (Interview)
V. Weekly Highlights
VI. Breakdowns
VII. Percentage Chart
VIII. Momentum Chart
IX. Official Rankings
X. Predictions
XI. Top 3 Competitor's
XII. State of the Union Address (Interview)
XIII. Outroduction


I | Introduction

Okay, these first few weeks have been a bit rocky for us all. Many things have been taking place in my personal life, as always, as well as my fellow moderator walking out on me and stepping up to the plate to run this entire league. A tough task to accomplish and I offer no promises, but I will do my best for as long as I can. The original idea was for me to moderate until school started back in last October or November and somehow I’ve endured through one quarter with straight A’s and I am now back at a University taking 6 classes all currently with A’s or B’s.

Aside from these reasons, the start of a new season is always and will always be rocky as long as it is run how Jook intended. This is the reason that I have changed the Seasonal format slightly. For the tournament held at the end of each 16 weeks, there will only be one bye week for all other participants and losers from the first round will be thrown back into the pool of participants. All signed in will be allowed to vote and all actively participating in the league MUST vote as always. The top 16 will therefore be held as just that, the top 16, until the champion is determined and therefore concluding the end of the season. The rankings for the top 16 will still reflect the NCAA system. Once a champion is determined, the league will continue and the archives will be adjusted accordingly.

Other rule changes have been amended as well. From now on, a recycled verse will be treated as a no show thus resulting in a loss for the recycler and a win for the recyclee assuming the recyclee posts all necessary voting links. Also, a no show suspension rule is now in effect. The first no show will result in no penalty. However, the second no show will result in a two week suspension, the third will result in a three week suspension, and the fourth will result in a suspension for the remainder of the season. Sign up requirements have been put in place as well. You must either have 150 posts or a legitimate referral to sign up. If you are new to this site, there is a forum that we call “Sig Check” in which you can raise your post count to meet our requirements. Another amendment has been enacted due to “switch-votes”. Switch-votes or changing one’s vote must be done within an hour of original post time. Anything outside of 60 minutes will automatically discredit that particular vote. Any habits in switch voting will result in a vote deduction against the switcher. Verses exceeding the line limit must be posted AFTER permission has been granted. Any verse exceeding the line limit that has been posted before permission has been granted will be automatically disqualified. Permission can only be granted by the opponent. Other slight changes make take place in the future.

Aside from this, I would like to thank those that have shone consistently last season, this season, or both. You are the heart of this league and we would not exist without you and your dedication. The first 3 weeks have been nothing less of expectations. There have been a fair amount of no shows and finished matches which have increased in number each week. Hopefully, it will continue to get better.

At this time, I would like to extend a warm invitation to those who disagree with the way I write my magazines, or to those who may disagree with my views or the way I express my opinions, or simply to those whom may just want to help out and have a sincere concern for the future of this league. Please feel free to email me at usadesigns1@gmail.com . I am always open to suggestions and help from those who are truly interested.

[Quriosity]

II | Up & Comer Award
(Recognizing New & Outstanding Participants)

I will not attempt to necessarily cover all outstanding participants, but only those who have gone unnoticed or who may be new to the league and have shown either skill or effort and potential of skill.

To begin, there have been many that have come and go quicker than Lucifa can bust a nut in Got Life?’s eye. However, few have shown a solid grip on writing and the potential to be a stamp within this league.

Some heads have reappeared, such as MetaSin and inkwell, and have shown glimpses of potential to take the throne, while others have come from under the rug and have left a definite impression.

Although I doubt he sticks around, he is currently still signed in. Receiving a loss in what I think was one of the biggest upsets of the week, Craccer_Jacc has shown the potential needed to climb in ranks. His writing is creative and refreshing and his imagery is spot on. Obviously, much work is needed, mainly on the structure/format, but outside of conforming to this league’s standards I thoroughly enjoyed his verse and his writing talent and am enthused to read on. His writing resembles that of a Dougie G with talent.

With that said, I would now like to acknowledge his presence with this Up & Comer Award, in hopes that he will stick around to improve his craft and bring a new life to this league.

[Quriosity]

III | Tsk Tsk Award

With every outstanding feat, there will always be an equally disappointing event to match it. Within these past three weeks, the biggest disappointment has clearly been the large amount of no shows. Aside from the inevitable however, there is a much bigger disappointment amongst us.

By definition, a veteran is an experienced person who has been through many battles; someone who has given long service. Naturally, one would assume a veteran to know and understand the rules set before him and obviously to abide by those very rules. Ironically, this is not the case for our current number one candidate for co-moderator.

Got Life? has always been a symbol for trouble and defiance. Why end the train ride now? In compliance with his reputation, Got Life? blatantly recycled a verse from years ago which he claims legitimate being that it never received any votes or feedback but simply played as a pawn to a no show verse. Assuming this true, I can see his reasoning however I can also see the rules which state “NO RECYCLING, NO EXCEPTIONS.”

With that said, I am awarding GL with the Tsk Tsk Award for being disappointing as a veteran and blatantly defying the rules, whatever the reason may be. Hopefully he has recognized and realized his wrongdoing and will strive to set a better example for his fellow participants.

[Quriosity]

IV | The Baddest Bitch
(Interview)

Got Life: so lets begin...
Got Life: you've been in the league on and off now since the return what are your thoughts on it to date?
Bonnie Bathory: I like the league... I think we had kind of that good cop bad cop mod thing going on and it helped to balance... it should only get more interesting once there are two bad boys running it... overall tho... I think the talent is great in the league and I've had a few opponents I'm proud to say I had the chance to battle
Got Life: I feel you on that, although I have to say when I first came around the league you had riko, tali, vern, claus, dic, and a lot of other top notch writers, which honestly right now I don't see. Infact only four of the 27 people in this past week have ever won a championship. Only 2 of us having won it more than once.
Got Life: That though is mainly based on motivation...what keeps you motivated to write in the RSTL?
Bonnie Bathory: I think my past has been fairly wild... I try to incorporate what I can from my real experiences into my story lines... it doesn't always make for the most imaginative verses so far, but it has helped me to avoid writers block
Got Life: I tend to agree with that, for the most part if I'm ever lacking a real idea I'll reflect on something from my past as well.
Got Life: So you've been regarded by some as the top chick, how do you feel about that categorization?
Bonnie Bathory: From what I've seen on this board it's pretty accurate haha!
Got Life: Well I'll stick with my statement that Nique is a dude, and if that's the story then I'd say you're up there although if I'm wrong in that regard I'd have to give kudos to Nique.
Bonnie Bathory: I haven't had the pleasure of reading one of her verses yet, though I hear great things
Bonnie Bathory: I'd love there to be more great female writers, I'm not sure why more girls haven't gotten into it
Got Life: In my time I've seen Nique, Tha Dq, Lola Cruz, Erykah Caine, Misskey and yourself
Got Life: but only you have really been around consistently
Bonnie Bathory: Haven't heard of any of them but Nique... Lucy Leviathan was good from what I remember, and Bobby Pen has torn up the Cypher a few times, though, I'm not sure if either are actually females... you never know on RM dudes havin identity issues all the time
Got Life: lol yea, Dic use to use a female alias because he said it got him more votes...but at the same time, what do you think the league is lacking?
Bonnie Bathory: I think a few people cast resentful votes in spite, other than that... lately, maybe lack of useable topics... that is just my lazy creativity though. I'm impartial to whether a lot of people post or write well, I will post a verse either way
Got Life: True, but then again come the tournament you flaked, what happened?
Bonnie Bathory: I recieved a settlement check from my father's will right before battles were posted... and I was out fragrantly spending it like there was no tomorrow
Got Life: I guess nothing can stop a chick from shopping
Bonnie Bathory: haha true that
Got Life: so...what makes you tick?
Bonnie Bathory: probably instant gratification... Im in constant quest to have immediate fun
Bonnie Bathory: I suck at patience over anything
Bonnie Bathory: which will explain anytime you see multiple posts from me
Got Life: I guess I'ma have to link up /w you once I get to AZ
Got Life: Well Q is definitely the queen of multiple posts
Bonnie Bathory: oh ya you'd have a blast! im always out partying
Got Life: That's normally my story too, but the whole knee surgery has had me down for weeks...
Bonnie Bathory: Hold please, phone
Got Life: kk
Bonnie Bathory: Great! Going to a house party tonight with my girls wo0t w0ot!
Got Life: Does this mean more girl on girl pics for your rm fans lol?
Bonnie Bathory: haha! I could take plenty of those if that is what the fans want to see... I'm a beautiful lesbian magnet, I duno why... It's a gift
Got Life: sounds like a good time
Bonnie Bathory: I will be taking pictures tonight, its Feb. 29th... won't be another day like today for four more years
Got Life: i'ma be here, lifting weights, chewing pain killers, and pissing off 1/2 the planet
Bonnie Bathory: Yea, I've noticed you have quite a following of haters
Got Life: I'm quite proud of that, it actually all spurred from some dumb shit...I signed into the league around the time insense signed out and everyone thought I was insense and they wouldn't leave it alone, so naturally I got pissed
Got Life: plus I wrote a mag article each week talking shit about just about everyone...so yea...
Got Life: from there I continued being a cocky asshole and I seem to step on toes left and right...
Bonnie Bathory: I feel you, I had my time at RM where I was widely disliked... mainly when I was much younger, probably 18 or so and had a very abrasive personality
Bonnie Bathory: Corm once told me I have the most unlikeable personality on the entire internet LOL!

[Quriosity]

Continued...

Got Life: I'm just very honest...and well that's never gonna carry over well on RM
Bonnie Bathory: Meh... if you put yourself out there, you have to expect strangers to be brutally honest
Bonnie Bathory: Fighting everybody who doesn't think you're as awesome as you are is an neverending battle
Bonnie Bathory: you do* rather
Got Life: haha, i liked it more the first way
Bonnie Bathory: lol
Bonnie Bathory: I think you're alright... you seem to give sincere breakdowns and thats appreciated by me
Got Life: word, I can live with that
Got Life: so lets wrap this up with a word associaton...just hit me with the first thing that comes to mind
Bonnie Bathory: alrighty go
Got Life: Jook
Bonnie Bathory: leaving
Got Life: Q
Bonnie Bathory: modding
Got Life: IV
Bonnie Bathory: is good
Got Life: heroin
Bonnie Bathory: is bad
Got Life: cocaine
Bonnie Bathory: crazy times
Got Life: hip hop
Bonnie Bathory: doesnt stop
Bonnie Bathory: LOL
Got Life: net dating
Bonnie Bathory: lame
Got Life: baron mynd
Bonnie Bathory: dramatic
Got Life: tekneek
Bonnie Bathory: asian
Got Life: favorite sexual position
Bonnie Bathory: doggy
Got Life: ideal first date?
Bonnie Bathory: house party
Bonnie Bathory: beer pong! wo0t
Got Life: beer of choice?
Bonnie Bathory: newcastle
Got Life: choice of drug?
Bonnie Bathory: mary jane
Got Life: rstl championship
Bonnie Bathory: hard to achieve
Got Life: size matters?
Bonnie Bathory: sure does (sorry!)
Got Life: haha
Bonnie Bathory: lol
Got Life: well i think that will give most of the guys something to ponder and dream about...and that last one is sure to break tek's heart...
Bonnie Bathory: LOL!
Got Life: anything else you'd like to add?
Bonnie Bathory: Ya... I love people. You guys are mostly pretty cool, thanks for accepting me as a writer... and (mostly) not hating on me for being a female writer.
Bonnie Bathory: A few have told me to go back to the kitchen, LOL, but not in the last few years
Got Life: And thank you for being probably the only chick chill enough to tolerate some of my obnoxious questions, you definitely earn your spot as "one of the guys"
Bonnie Bathory: Thanks... whoever had the smallest weenor can rest assured I've taken over that position for them
Got Life: lmao...

[Quriosity]

V | Weekly Highlights

Week 1

Match of the Week
Lucifa vs Alias2

Best Verse
Infinite Truth

Worst Verse
Everest

Best Flow
Pain

Best Story
Alias2

Best Imagery
Infinite Truth

Best Overall Mechanics
Infinite Truth

Best Story Progression
Lucifa

Best Voter
Eye-Rime

Biggest Surprise
IT actually showed to his match

Biggest Upset
Jook’s departure



Week 3

Match of the Week
Insanevillian v. inkwell (chris)

Best Verse
MetaSin

Worst Verse
Craccer_Jacc

Best Flow
Pain

Best Story
MetaSin

Best Imagery
Got Life?

Best Overall Mechanics
Got Life?

Best Story Progression
Metasin

Best Voter
Eye-Rime

Biggest Surprise
MetaSin

Biggest Upset
Lack of good voting.

[Quriosity]

VI | Breakdowns

The RSTL Returns again…

So the league is back and I’m still here. I guess what else is new. For those of you that missed it the tourney went off alright although it didn’t really showcase anyone pulling out all the stops. Although now it appears that the cash at the end of the road has vanished as Jook takes his retirement from the net. I know he’s doing it because it’s the right thing for him to be doing at this point in his life and so I fully support his move. In light of that, please be patient with Q because running his life and this league by himself will not be an easy task until he is provided help moderating it. Naturally I’ll be doing my part and might even be the person to become the assisting moderator, but whichever the case.

At the moment no one is ranked yet because we didn’t want anyone just jumping up and taking the title right off the bat, but there are a few people showing signs that they can do the damn. I’ll certainly be in the mix with all you suckers, but yea, we’ll see how it all pans out. No more recycling from me considering my fan club is running rampant and I can’t sneeze the same way twice. Anyhow, with that I bring you the breakdowns of the matches we’ve had so far that actually deserve any breakdown.

Season 2, Week 1:

The Battle of the Brits
Lucifa vs Alias2

Alias2 came to the table with a beautiful verse as far as I’m concerned especially coming from the picture that he used about the baton march, but in the way he depicted it, the piece was very smooth and the emotion really jumps out at you. At the end of the day the only thing the verse lacked was a clear cut character that stood out and was developed in order to make it relatable to all the readers. At the same time Lok went a more consistent route really building up a piece around the character and winding it into a trial with a somewhat provoking end. To me though one of the things that Lok does which was also evident here was really dumbed down rhyming and a way of taking on a character that seemingly speaks like a less educated person and he rhymes like that person would. While I appreciate the attention to detail to me that drives me nuts as I don’t feel that’s the route to go. At the end of the day Lok pulled out the win, but the decision wasn’t unanimous.

The New Guy meets That Chick
Everest vs Bonnie

In all honesty this battle was close, but it didn’t really bring too much to the table. In essence the reason why it caught so many votes was because it was a nice short battle. Everest had a piece that essentially broke down to nothing. It’s one of those flaws that a lot of writers fall into with thinking that it’s clever, but at the end of the day. You are the writer, finish your verse, make it what you want, not what the reader wants necessarily. At the same time, Bonnie did what Bonnie does, almost Erykah Caine like. She writes pieces about her personal experiences and her struggles, yet she does it flawlessly as a true artist. At the end of the day Everest actually won this battle though his faults at not voting ended up making this battle a tie. Regardless of which I didn’t feel like this battle exemplified the level of writing either of these two are capable of.

Captain Disappointment meets The New Poet
S.Issue vs Memento

So S.I. continues to disappoint me. Probably one of the more talented cats that’s been around almost consistently every other week last season, S.I. pulled up short yet again this week and put together a piece that lacked any closure as all he really gave us was the beginning, although it was a pretty good one. Now memento didn’t exactly write a novel as he obviously wasn’t going for overkill, but what he did show was a lot of depth behind what he wrote, something that he’s exemplified in both weeks of competition so far which shows resurgence for the more poetic writers in the RSTL. This is something I use to be against, yet I find memento to be rather refreshing, for now at least. The voters did as well as he ran off with the win.

Iron Man meets the Shit Lister
Got Life? vs Condescending

This was a joke, I pulled out a topical piece about whatever I felt like throwing together in about 20 minutes because honestly, Condescending is a joke to me and I didn’t feel like wasting my time writing against him. At the end of the day it was more than enough to blow past whatever he decided to put up.


Season 2, Week 2:

Here comes the drama…
Got Life? vs Inkwell (Chris)

Ok so yea, I recycled. Blah, blow me. Inkwell gave me a run for my money over a year ago, these days I don’t consider him competition nor did I bother to write, instead I rehashed a solid verse that I had written for Pain, a battle to which Pain didn’t show. Regardless Ink put up a decent verse about angels or something or other, anyway, the drama of me recycling drew enough attention to this battle so most of you read what he wrote, I didn’t.

Battle of the mods
Tek vs King Grimet

So tek came to the table this week putting up a piece that lacked some of the “gangsta” shit that people get really annoyed at tek for bringing to the table. At the same time if you really look at the piece it definitely was inspired by “the ghetto”, yet the subtlety of the piece is what made it captivating and actually something worth reading. KG on the other hand can’t seem the catch a break whether it’s the loss via no-show in week 1 because he’s not use to how people act in the RSTL and this week finally catching tek in somewhat fighting form. KG committed one of the fatal sins of writing though, writing a piece about personal emotion. This never goes over well unless done in an abstract where others can relate because at the end of the day, while I’m one of the few that will actually admit it, no one here gives a fuck about the other person. Naturally tek won, but keep plugging away KG, even though you’re an emotional fucker.

[Quriosity]

Continued...

And I’m out of witty titles…
Lucifa vs Memento

Lok came to the table with his measured approach and he did his thing there, but at the same time it was very blah to me which is why I’ll be brief. To me mem had the better piece where he brought a much more poetic piece that had more flavor to it, but whichever the case, it’s getting late and the vicodin is kicking in.

Dougie G vs Craka Jak

What I can tell you about this is both of these kids chose to write about acid without having any knowledge about acid. Bad call, two bad verses, giant waste of time.

Sephiroth vs Everest

See above, minus the acid. Add in the fact that they both took bland approaches to the same pic and it took till Sunday for this to get posted.

And so it is what it is really, there’s nothing here that wasn’t necessarily expected as the ranks aren’t established yet and the real beasts haven’t reared their heads yet. As the weeks move forward and we get into full swing, expect to see some real fire come out the kitchen.

So yea, keep it moving fuckers.


Season 2, Week 3

Insanevillian 2-0 vs inkwell (chris) 2-0

So honestly I was disappointed by this battle although it seems that everyone else doesn’t quite agree with me. Inkwell took his topic quite literally and wrote a piece about a guy who ends up fucking his cousin’s girl at his grandmother’s funeral in a church. This topic could have been done very taboo or with a nice comedic twist, but instead ink just gave us a very straight forward account without adding much to the already provided storyline. In light of this it’s no surprise that a much better ending from IV took this battle. IV’s piece started out slow about a broke musician peddling on the streets, but keeping a love for music. Essentially it was nothing out of the ordinary even as the musician met a girl that put out, not only to him, but to connects to move things forwards. It almost felt like an 8 mile rendition, but then as she kills him with a shotgun and our musician is revealed to be Kurt Cobain, the twist does the piece justice and brings it together quite well.

Eye-Rime 14-2 vs Pain 1-0

When you consider the caliber of both writers in this match there is no surprise that it is as close as it is and that it was worth the read. On one side you have Pain, one of the longest serving members in the RSTL and a former champion before the league crossed hands. On the other side you have Q, the league’s mod and one of the most formidable opponents as of late. Here Pain brought out the kind of piece those that know him have come to expect from him. A great flow and nice building rhyme scheme and a piece that showed off his writer’s voice while talking about something that absolutely everyone and their grandmother can relate to. In this case a relationship that built between a guy and a girl, a girl who was originally dating the guy’s friend. Really nothing out of the ordinary in this piece or anything over the top, but it was a good piece of writing none the less. Q brought a great piece of rhyming to the table as well although it felt very methodical and scripted almost to the point where it was dry and drab, but the piece focused on a father with a child on the way where something goes awry and ends in suicide. The actual piece I’m sure Q can offer more insight on as maybe I didn’t get all of it, but to me it lacked clarity. Currently the battle is a tie, but when this mag is put up, you’ll know the victor.

MetaSin 0-0 vs Stars€reen 0-0

While this was actually the first battle up not to many people noticed it and in all honesty I don’t blame them as this was the worst battle with the exception of condescending vs ••••••• jacc. Star wrote a piece that attacked some of the hip hop you hear on the radio these days and also talked about a déjà vu experience that centered around his car and some problems he was having, but the piece lacked any real profound ideas or a solid execution of ideas. Meta took the win easy on account of this as he had a piece that was carried by strong progression, good imagery, and much more focused and thought out ideas. I think both of these guys can become solid writers if they stick it out and allow themselves to develop as writers.

Got Life? 11-4 vs -Sephiroth- 1-1

I think Sephiroth is honestly quite shady and should be signed out from the week to come. He didn’t really show up himself, never even having signed on since the topics were posted, then out of nowhere he pm’s his verse to DannyC for that fag to post it? Eh…I dunno about all that, but regardless, he still hasn’t been seen since that moment, but no worries. I made nice and easy work of Sephiroth without really putting too much effort into my piece. He wrote a piece about the night and the streets that flowed well and had some smooth rhyming, but it really did not carry much weight or provide much of an entertainment factor. I wrote a piece that builds as a conversation amongst two men, one who is so strongly driven by the love and infatuation of a girl who he describes as almost a goddess, but as events come to pass you realize that the girl didn’t share his affection as she ends the date by slapping him in the face. Short sweet and to the point, I have nothing else to say about this so keep it moving.

Memento 1-1 vs Bonnie Bathory 6-2

As opposed to the days where you would see guys slug it out with 64 bars a piece and asking for line limit extensions this battle was nice and short, but both of these young writers came to the table and didn’t make it an easy decision. What ended up prevailing was Bonnie’s clarity over Memento’s poetic obscurity. Bonnie wrote a piece that related to her own life which cycles through a nightmare or dreamlike state which executes upon the topic of déjà vu quite well. On the other end of the table Memento had a poetic and rather in depth yet short piece that was seemingly written as to be the devil talking about the evil’s in the world and how they sway our society. At the end of the day the lack of a truly developed character was the downfall of memento’s piece. I look forward to reading more from both of these young writers though.

Condescending 0-2 vs Craccer_Jacc 0-0

Considering the effort put forth by both of these guys I won’t put much effort into the breakdown of this battle. No name ••••••• jacc wrote some absolute non-sense that was an utter pain in the ass to follow with an awkward structure and pattern that resembled very little actual rap or rhyming. Beyond that there was very little clarity here regardless. Con on the other hand had clarity in his piece and even had a pretty good idea, but he lacked the desire to really make his writing stand out, which he promises to finally do one of these days, but I’ll believe it when I see it. Regardless, Condescending improves upon his record and moves up the ranks to 1-2.

[Quriosity]

VII | Percentage Chart

1. Insanevillian 100% (3-0)
1. Pain 100% (2-0)
1. MetaSin 100% (1-0)
2. Bonnie Bathory 78% (7-2)
3. Lucifa 76% (13-4)
4. Got Life? 75% (12-4)
5. Dougie G 67% (2-1)
5. inkwell (chris) 67% (2-1)
6. Condescending 33% (1-2)
6. Memento 33% (1-2)
6. -Sephiroth- 33% (1-2)
7. Stars€reen 0% (0-1)
7. Craccer_Jacc 0% (0-1)
7. Blackanese 0% (0-1)
7. Rymaholik 0% (0-1)

[Quriosity]

VIII | Momentum Chart

1. Insanevillian 3-0
2. Pain 2-0
3. MetaSin 1-0
4. Got Life? 12-4
5. Bonnie Bathory 7-2
6. Condescending 1-2
7. Lucifa 13-4
8. Dougie G 2-1
9. inkwell (chris) 2-1
10. Stars€reen 0-1
11. -Sephiroth- 1-2
12. Memento 1-2
13. Craccer_Jacc 0-1
14. Blackanese 0-1
15. Rymaholik 0-1