At the center of the lake of lava within the volcano stands the
Tower of Fire. It looks much like any other stand-alone tower:
60' tall, 50' wide at the base and 30' at the top, complete with
windows, battlements, and large double doors made of solid brass.
It is not made from stone, however, but solid, living, flame. Only
creatures immune to the ravages of heat and fire can even hope to
approach the tower, but only the Keeper of Fire may open the doors,
and only with the proper key, which is made from brass and set with
a fire opal of rare beauty.
Keeper of Fire Powers
The Key of Fire grants wondrous powers to the Keeper of Fire, the most
important powers being a total immunity to heat and fire and the ability
to enter the Tower of Fire. Flames may be created, controlled and doused
at will, anything from a simple candle flame to a raging inferno. The color
of flames are also under the Keeper's control. Fire elementals may be summoned
and banished at will, and any fire elemental or fire spirit encountered will
obey the keeper's commands. Only free spirits or those of unique power can
retain their own will. Also, other fire-dwelling creatures recognize the Keeper
and will not attack him. The Keeper may also transform himself into a being of
fire and back to his normal form at will.
On the downside, water elementals and water spirits will recognize the Keeper
of Fire who what he is. They may not attack on sight, but their attitude will
be hostile at best, and belligerent at worst. Also, any water-based attacks
which penetrate the Keeper's defenses will do increased damage. Water is not
necessarily harmful to the Keeper (as it would make drinking and bathing a tad
difficult) but exposure to water will dim his Keeper powers, while submersion
in water will drain them altogether.
Keeper of Fire Unique Ring - 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.
The first match that made up the Tower of Fire challenge between Keeper Regina and challenger Mart would have many betters sitting confident in a possible defense. With the Keeper taking the win 5.5 - 3.5 in 11 being the early indicator, the second and third match of the night proved that the process of Keeper challenges within the sport of Magic is a race — not a sprint. The second match saw Mart quickly gaining his first win of the night with an almost shut out in 5 rounds; though 5 - .5 is nonetheless impressive; even more so when it heralded his claim to the Tower of Fire after he secured his challenge victory in the third and final match of the night with an end score of 5 - 2.5 in 7 rounds.
The one word best used to describe this challenge would be「 Control 」. It would be Regina who held control of the first of three matches as, round after round, she held strong and extended her lead until gaining the first win of the night with a 6 - 3 in 7 finish. The second match saw control shift to Eden as the Keeper's quick thinking saw her with a clear three point to zero lead in the first three rounds. While Regina was able to get on the board, it wasn't enough to truly dent Eden's lead as the Keeper of Fire gained match point in the 7th round and then the win in the 8th with a 5.5 - 2 in 8 win in her favor. The third and final match saw Regina take the reins and, once again, control of the challenge. With only one round of the six being one without her scoring, Regina saw fit to make sure that Eden saw no gain without loss in the third and final match as each score put on the board was either in Regina's favor or a trade between the two fighters. With the third and final match in her favor it would be Regina who stood triumphant in the end and became the newest Keeper of Fire.
With Keepers Blessing (or Peepers Blessing as she likes to call it) in hand Eden challenged Mallory for the Tower of Fire! The challenge itself was an explosive display of magic, and fireworks, as the former Archmage faced off against Keeper Maeda! Eden's magical prowess was on full display as she skillfully fought against the Keeper to take both the first and second match! With her victory Eden gains her first ever elemental keeper title in the sport of Magic! The end score of both matches were: 5-1 in 6, and 5-2.5 in 7.
It wouldn't be the Cycle of Fire without the Tower of Fire being contested. Bellamere set his sights on the fiery Tower in his second attempt at a title — and much like the first did he have the upper hand when it came to the opening match by besting Eden 5.5 - 2 in 7. This did not seem to deter the Keeper as she quickly, and quite soundly, came back in the second match by defeating her opponent 5 - 1 in 6 — a score which returned in the third, though in 8 rounds compared to 6. With two victories from within the elemental ring of Tartarus did Eden Parker defend her right to the Tower of Fire and continue on as its keeper!
As the Cycle of Fire drew to a close it would seem that Eden would not go without another challenge — this time from Haru Jeong; yet it would not be until week one of the new Cycle of Earth that they fought. Eden dominated much of the two matches with Haru only gaining the lead twice; once in each of the matches. With Eden's victory in the first with an end score of 5 - 3 in 6 she decided to draw forth the power of Tartarus so that the second and last match could be fought within the vaunted keepers ring. The match in Tartarus would last 8 rounds with the aforementioned winner securing victory with a score of 5 - 3.
In the fiery depths of Tartarus Mallory would gain her first defense against challenger Jaycy Ashleana. In two duels the Keeper won the first of her matches with an impressive 5 - 2 in 8 win, though it was the second match where Mallory found harder to keep her footing to start — yet in the end she was able to push back a sudden death score of 6 - 6 and reach a 7 - 6 finish in 14.
Unable to defend his title against challenger Rachael Blackthorne, Phil decides to retire as the Keeper of Fire. Xanth van Bokkelen, the then Keeper of Air, acted as champion in Phil's place and defeated Rachael in two duels: 5 - 2 in 7 rounds and 5 - 4 in 10 rounds.
