Challenge for the Tower of Fire

[Mairead Harker]

Keeper Blackthorne,

As you know, I have yet to hold the Tower of Fire and am once again challenging you for the right to hold the Tower of Fire and its key.

Maggie
Mairead E. Harker

[Max Lager]

This challenge is valid and may proceed!!

[Rachael Blackthorne]

A thick white sheet of parchment was tacked to the corkboard with a black and gold pushpin. The message that it contained was written in an exceptionally precise left-handed script in black ink. A seal in black and gold wax with the impression in the wax of a panther head was at the bottom of the parchment.

Maggie,

I welcome another chance to test our mutual skills in the discipline of sorcellerie and look forward to facing you again in Tartarus.

We shall see who the custodian of the Key to the Tower of Fire will be in the near future.

I hereby officially accept this challenge for the custodianship of the Tower of Fire.



--Rachael Blackthorne
Current custodian of the Tower of Fire
Prior custodian of the Celestial Tower
Prior custodian of the Tower of Air
Prior custodian of the Tower of Earth

[Rachael Blackthorne]

A thick white sheet of parchment was tacked to the corkboard with a black and gold pushpin. The message that it contained was written in an exceptionally precise left-handed script in black ink. A seal in black and gold wax with the impression in the wax of a panther head was at the bottom of the parchment.

After consultation with Maggie, the challenge for the custodianship of the Tower of Fire will take place on Monday, November 14th at 9:30PM by the Eastern clock tower. The honourable Caller known as Eregor Túr Gairdín will preside over the challenge.


--Rachael Blackthorne
Current custodian of the Tower of Fire
Prior custodian of the Celestial Tower
Prior custodian of the Tower of Air
Prior custodian of the Tower of Earth

[Partly Cloudy]

Catering for the Tower of Fire Challenge is provided by Nicole’s Bistro and Pizzeria and Kitten’s Confections Bakery & Café.

APPETIZERS

Glamorgan Sausage Rolls
traditional Welsh cheese “sausage” rolls made with Caerphilly cheese, leeks, and breadcrumbs
served with spicy mustard dipping sauce

Candied Bacon-Wrapped Figs
sweet figs stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped with cocoa-chile spiced bacon

Dark Ale and Bitter Chocolate Pretzel Knots
savory-sweet soft pretzel knots flavored with dark beer, studded with bittersweet chocolate, and topped with salt
served with spicy cheddar and honey-mustard sauces





MAINS

Beef Tenderloin with Chocolate-Port Reduction
coffee and spice-rubbed beef tenderloin slow-roasted until fork tender
served with a port wine reduction laced with bittersweet chocolate

Salmon with White Chocolate-Lemon Sauce
pan-fried seasoned salmon filets served with a luxurious sauce made with cream, vermouth,
lemon zest, fresh dill, and white chocolate

Vegetarian Wellingtons with Chocolate-Port Reduction
individual fluffy pastries filled with savory mushrooms, toasted nuts, caramelized onions, and fresh herbs
served with a vegetarian port wine reduction with bittersweet chocolate





SIDES

Mashed Potatoes with Goat Cheese and Roasted Garlic
Yukon gold potatoes mashed with tangy goat cheese, roasted garlic, and butter

Carrots with Balsamic-Bitter Chocolate Syrup
thyme-roasted young carrots drizzled with a syrup made from dark chocolate,
aged balsamic vinegar, and honey

Roasted Fall Vegetables
oven-roasted brussels sprouts, cut carrots, new potatoes, and shallots served with a syrup
made from aged balsamic vinegar and honey

Leek and Stilton Soup
traditional Welsh soup made with leeks, celery, potatoes, Stilton cheese, and cream

Chocolate Baguettes
traditional French baguettes enriched with cocoa powder and studded
with bittersweet chocolate





DESSERTS

Jam and White Chocolate Roly-Poly
traditional Welsh rolled pudding filled with plum-strawberry jam
served with warm white chocolate custard

Chocolate Apple Rose Tarts
delicate sweet-tart apple slices cradled in brown sugar caramel and cinnamon-spiced chocolate pastry
served with vanilla-cinnamon and Mexican chocolate ice creams

Ruby Chocolate Macarons
hand-painted French macarons filled with berry-sweetened ruby chocolate ganache





DRINKS

The Professor
Glenmorangie single malt scotch, DiSaronno amaretto, and cola,
garnished with a slice of orange and a cherry

Sparks of Summer
fresh dragon fruit, fresh mint, lime juice, honey, pitaya powder,
and lime-flavored sparkling water

Summer Memory
vodka, Noilly Prat extra dry vermouth, Butterfly botanical liqueur, Luxardo maraschino liqueur,
a dash of El Guapo Summer Berries bitters, and a few drops of lemon juice

All chocolate items are prepared with a special variety of chocolate that is safe for those who are allergic to or otherwise sensitive to regular chocolate.

[Eregor]

Challenger and Keeper met tonight to decide who would go home with the Key to the Tower of Fire!

Rachael elected to do battle in Tartarus "The grounds within the ring shake, splitting open and allowing the blackened, craggy levels of Tartarus to grind into place. Seemingly self-contained fires are prevalent throughout the ring, as are small rivers of magma circling around the rising levels of black, smoldering columns and platforms that make up the terrain the Keeper and his/her opponent must utilize for cover, attack, and defense. The topmost platform is the largest by far, and would seem to accommodate the most conventional styles of combat. Tartarus, the elemental ring of Fire, has arisen!"

First Match
Ring Guardian: Mairead Harker vs Rachael Blackthorne in a dom duel. Begin when ready!
Ring Guardian 1: Mairead Harker scores! (FFT / MB | 1.5 - 0, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Guardian 2: Everybody scores! (MS / MW | 2.5 - 1, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Guardian 3: Rachael Blackthorne gains position. (FFF / GF | 2.5 - 1.5, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Guardian 4: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (EF / MW | 2.5 - 2.5, Rachael Blackthorne and Mairead Harker.)
Ring Guardian 5: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (NR / FWB | 2.5 - 3.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Guardian 6: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (FDS / MB | 2.5 - 4.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Guardian 7: Rachael Blackthorne gains position. (MB / SH | 2.5 - 5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
FINAL: Rachael Blackthorne def. Mairead Harker, 5 - 2.5 in 7 rounds. - dom

Second Match
Ring Delta: Mairead Harker vs Rachael Blackthorne in a dom duel. Begin when ready!
Ring Delta 1: Mairead Harker scores! (EF / WB | 1 - 0, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 2: Mairead Harker scores! (FFT / MB | 2.5 - 0, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 3: Mairead Harker scores! (FFF / IM | 3.5 - 0, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 4: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (FMB / EF | 3.5 - 1, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 5: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (DS / FMB | 3.5 - 2.5, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 6: Mairead Harker gains position. (AR / FWB | 4 - 2.5, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 7: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (MW / FMB | 4 - 4, Mairead Harker and Rachael Blackthorne.)
Ring Delta 8: Mairead Harker gains position. (GF / WB | 4.5 - 4, Mairead Harker leads.)
Ring Delta 9: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (WB / IM | 4.5 - 5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Delta 10: Rachael Blackthorne gains position. (MB / SH | 4.5 - 5.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
FINAL: Rachael Blackthorne def. Mairead Harker, 5.5 - 4.5 in 10 rounds. - dom

In two matches, Rachael retained her title for a tenth consecutive defense! Congratulations, Keeper Blackthorne!

Well challenged, Maggie! You gave a good fight in both matches!

Thanks also to Gatito for the fantastic and delicious menu!

[Max Lager]

Wrapped in black paper and a red satin ribbon, a box was delivered to the Tower of Fire the morning after Rachael’s defense. The card was a simple one reading: Congratulations – Max

Inside the box was a brass circlet decorated with no less than ten fire opals (both akin to that which makes up the Key to the Tower of Fire). It was not, however, merely a decorative piece, but should she brush her fingers over the individual fire opals, memories and highlights of her previous defenses during her current reign would gently filter into ones minds eye.