Mad Challenge for Overlord

[Mira Burke]

I talked with Pearl the other night after the tourney and she asked for me to challenge sooner rather than later. I'm going to fulfill her request and I'll be using my Madness Grant to challenge.

- Mira Burke
Baroness of Dockside and Holder of ShadoWeaver

[Alasdair Galloway]

- Title holder acceptance must be publicly posted within 5 days of this validation.
- The challenge must be fought within two weeks (14 days) of validation.
- This tool will assist in helping verify the required dates.

[Winter Pearl]

Mira,

I look forward to meeting you in the ring. As we already discussed, this coming Saturday, the 30th of April, would be best. We can hash out a time over lunch at my aunt's bistro in Old Temple. My preferred callers are Dris, Helea, Max, Karma, and Tenball. If none of them are to your liking or are unavailable for that day, let me know so we can work something out.

Pearl Fand Ilnaren
124th Overlord

[Mira Burke]

After hashing out details over coffee and that chocolate... thingy... we've agreed to have our match on Saturday the 30th at 9:30pm RST. Tenball has accepted the offer to call it. The gatito is handling the catering. Looking forward to a fun challenge, Pearl. I enjoyed our time thoroughly!

- Mira

[Winter Pearl]

For the curious, the chocolate thingy Mira mentioned is the signature dessert from Nicole's Bistro and Pizzeria. Death by Chocolate ala Colleen
One of Colleen MacLeod's fudge brownies with chocolate chips, a scoop of chocolate ice cream topped with dark or milk chocolate flavored whipped cream, drizzled with chocolate syrup and topped with chocolate shavings.

I very much enjoyed the time with her in her lovely café and will be stopping by more often.

Pearl

[Partly Cloudy]

MADNESS OVERLORD CHALLENGE MENU




STARTERS

Cheesy Potato Puffs
deep-fried nuggets of mashed potato, stuffed with savory cheddar cheese and zesty chives,
served with homemade garlic aioli and homemade ketchup

Spinach-Artichoke Dip
creamy, cheesy dip of fresh spinach and artichoke hearts, with scallions, parmesan, and gruyère,
served with slices of toasted baguette and crudités





MAIN DISHES

Slow-Roasted Beef au Jus
whole beef sirloin marinated in red wine and rubbed in spices, seared, and roasted to perfection,
served with a light gravy made from the roast’s own juices and red wine

Mushroom Wellington
seared portobello mushrooms layered with caramelized onions and a duxelles of mixed mushrooms, aromatics,
and finely ground walnuts, wrapped in a flaky pastry crust and served with an herby port wine reduction





SIDE DISHES

Garlic Herb Roasted Vegetables
oven-roasted new potatoes, young carrots, and tender green beans seasoned with
roasted garlic, rosemary, and thyme

French Onion Stuffed Shells
baked pasta shells stuffed with caramelized onions, ricotta, gruyère, and parmesan, and
topped with bread crumbs, mozzarella, and herbs

Spring Greens
mixed greens and butter lettuce with lightly sautéed asparagus, sweet English peas, radishes,
artichoke hearts, and goat cheese, finished with a light lemony dressing

Garlic Parmesan Popovers
airy rolls made savory with grated parmesan, roasted garlic, and freshly-cracked black pepper,
and served with herb and roasted garlic compound butters





DESSERTS

Apple Rose Tart
delicate roses made of thinly-sliced apple nestled into sweet vanilla-cinnamon custard inside a
toasty walnut crust, served with vanilla or cinnamon ice cream

Death by Chocolate à la Colleen
a decadent sundae made with a fudgy chocolate chip brownie and chocolate ice cream, topped with
milk chocolate-flavored whipped cream, chocolate syrup, and chocolate shavings





SIGNATURE COCKTAILS

Chocolate Bullets
Bailey’s Irish Cream, Tsantali Ouzo, chocolate syrup, and cream shaken with ice
and garnished with chocolate shavings

Hanky Panky
Revivalist Equinox Gin, sweet vermouth, Fernet Branca, a squeeze of fresh orange juice,
and a drop of saline solution, garnished with an orange twist

Catering for the evening is provided by Nicole’s Bistro and Pizzeria and Kitten’s Confections Bakery & Café, with special thanks to the Matadero Meat Company and Wegman Family Farms.

[Tenball]

We had a nail-biter of a challenge tonight, folks! I'll give you all the details!

Overlord Pearl Fand Ilnaren fought under blue and silver banner bearing the crest of her grandmother, Lady Kirin Lexington. Her husband Velen Ilnaren stood as her Second and as part of her Court of Honor, which also included Colleen MacLeod, Phen Ilnaren, and Ebon Ilnaren.

Baron Mira Burke fought under a black banner bearing the crest of House Adia and her personal sigil. Her Second was Ellie Luisante, and her Court of Honor included her partners--Wren Ariti, Ellie Luisante, Lesinda Helston, and Kira Adia--as well as Haru Jeong, Seo Jeong, Cass Burke, and Sayuri Jeong. Since she was challenging using her Mad Test-Free Grant, Mira was given the choice of format and elected a single duel.

The first two rounds were both point trades, starting with double thrusts and then a high/low exchange. That was followed by a break in the action before Pearl gained a third point in round 4. She held that one-point lead for two more rounds, but Mira tied it back up in round 7 and took the lead in round 8. The audience called out for Pearl to bring it to sudden death and she obliged them in round 9, earning a fall of glittery confetti. Tension was high as all waited with bated breath to see who would take the match, which Pearl did through a successful high strike in round 10!



After the challenge was ended, the Baron petitioned for loyalty and the Overlord granted it.

Closed captioning for the challenge broadcast was provided by Nicole’s Bistro and Pizzeria and Kitten’s Confections Bakery & Café.