Challenge for the Tower of Fire

[Lillian Whitefield]

I believe people have recommended that I "throw myself into the deep end" and "trust in my abilities" so to speak and I feel that I may be up to the task of keeping a tower.

Rachael,

You are known as the Professor; I learn best by doing. Furthermore, your tower is the only available to be challenged at the moment. May the match we have be a learning experience for us both.

May the wind guide your way,
Lillian Whitefield

[Royal]

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.

Lillian,

I do not and will not presume to question the reasons that you may have to issue this challenge for the custodianship of the Tower of Fire.

I do however wonder at the wisdom or lack thereof of throwing yourself headfirst, as it is said, into the proverbial deep end of matters involving sorcellerie so soon.

I am indeed known as the Professor to some. There will be many lessons learned when I face you in Tartarus. There is a possibility that this experience will give you the answers that you seek in one form or another.

I hereby officially accept this 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

[Lillian Whitefield]

For all interested in attending,

The challenge will take place Thursday the 14th beginning at 10PM EST.
On commentary and officiating shall be the ever charming Sheridan "Dris" Driscol.

- Lillian Whitefield

[Partly Cloudy]

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

APPETIZERS

Fried Calamari
served with spicy marinara and spicy aioli

Fried Mushroom “Calamari”
served with spicy marinara and spicy vegan aioli

Freshly-Baked Herbed Focaccia
served with herbed and spicy olive oil sauces for dipping



MAIN DISHES

Steak and Lobster
with spicy chimichurri butter and roasted garlic

Bacon-Wrapped Scallops
with brown sugar, ginger, and cayenne

Garlic Shrimp
in a spicy browned butter sauce with fresh parsley and lemon

Seitan Steak
with a spicy rub and vegan garlic butter

Mushroom “Scallops” with Seitan Bacon
served with a subtly spicy vegan cream sauce

Hearts of Palm “Lobster” Bites
served with lemon butter



SIDE DISHES

Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Linguine
shrimp and pasta in a spicy tomato-based sauce with garlic and white wine

Spicy Vegan Shrimp Scampi with Linguine
vegan shrimp and pasta in a spicy butter sauce with white wine and fresh parsley

Hasselback Potatoes
with garlic butter and herbs

Sautéed Mushrooms
with garlic, balsamic, thyme, and red chili flakes

Grilled Vegetables
asparagus, peppers, onions, zucchini, broccolini, sweet potato, and cherry tomatoes
served with spicy chimichurri

Snap Pea Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette
with fresh basil, mint, and chopped pistachios



DESSERTS

Spiced Tiramisu Cups
made with spiced rum, Endless Nights’ famous espresso, and gochugaru sugar

Mini Mexican Hot Chocolate Cruffins
filled with warmly-spiced hot chocolate pastry cream and topped with fresh whipped cream
and a spicy chocolate glaze

Melon and Pineapple Salad
with an agave-lime dressing and fresh mint

In addition to the spices used during cooking, red chili flakes, gochugaru, Tajín, hot sauces, and other sources of heat will be available for guests who want to make their dishes even spicier.

[BardGallant]

Denizens of the duels!

It was my honor and privilege to be chosen once again to officiate a sensationally spicy challenge on Twilight Isle! Tonight we bore witness as challenging Sorceress, and Neophyte to the Archmage, Lillian Whitefield, braved the blazes of the towering inferno of Tartarus and faced off against resident record-breaking Keeper of Fire Rachael Blackthorne!

The Keeper of Fire chose to fight every match in Tartarus this evening, and it only took two to conclude the challenge.

Lillian started off strong in the first match with an early lead, gaining two full points over Rachael by the third round. In the fourth, both combatants blasted the heck out of each other, and Rachael got on the board. By the sixth round, the Keeper brought the score even at three and a half points apiece, and then ran away with the lead in the seventh. Lillian closed in on it by round eight. In the ninth and final round, the pair of them filled the ring with fog, Rachael’s being more powerful than Lillian’s, and just enough to secure her first victory with a score of 5.5 to 4.5 in nine rounds.

The second match started off much like the first, with Lillian again scoring first with the opening volley. Rachael quickly tied the score in the second round, then took the lead in the third, only for Lillian to tie things back up again in the fourth. After that, things were looking up for Lillian for a while. She took a marginal lead, and then made it bigger. By round eight the two duelists filled Tartarus with mingling epic fogs that brought them both to match point, with Lillian at a half point more. In the next round, Rachael wound up with the smidgeon more of a lead. More points were scored and they kept things super close! By the end, however, Keeper Blackthorne dropped an obscuring mist that secured her the second victory with a final score of 6.5 to 5.5 in eleven rounds.

With only needing to complete two of a potential three matches, Rachael Blackthorne successfully defends the Tower of Fire and maintains her custodianship of the key for the 8th time! Congratulations, Rachael! Well tried on your first challenge, Lillian! We hope to see you try again soon!

________________________________________________________________________
Ring Silver: Lillian Whitefield vs Rachael Blackthorne in a dom duel. Begin when ready!
Ring Silver 1: Lillian Whitefield scores! (WB / FT | 1 - 0, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Lillian Whitefield and Rachael Blackthorne have been moved from ring Silver to ring Tartarus
Ring Tartarus 2: Lillian Whitefield gains position. (DS / WB | 1.5 - 0, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Tartarus 3: Lillian Whitefield gains position. (FF / IM | 2 - 0, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Tartarus 4: Everybody scores! (FMB / FMB | 3.5 - 1.5, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Tartarus 5: Rachael Blackthorne gains position. (FMW / FF | 3.5 - 2, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Tartarus 6: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (RF / FWB | 3.5 - 3.5, Lillian Whitefield and Rachael Blackthorne.)
Ring Tartarus 7: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (MB / IM | 3.5 - 4.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Tartarus 8: Lillian Whitefield gains position. (DS / SH | 4 - 4.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Tartarus 9: Rachael Blackthorne gains position. (FF / FFF | 4.5 - 5.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
FINAL: Rachael Blackthorne def. Lillian Whitefield, 5.5 - 4.5 in 9 rounds. - dom

Ring Questrion: Lillian Whitefield vs Rachael Blackthorne in a dom duel. Begin when ready!
Ring Questrion 1: Lillian Whitefield scores! (MW / WB | 1 - 0, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Questrion 2: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (WB / IM | 1 - 1, Lillian Whitefield and Rachael Blackthorne.)
Ring Questrion 3: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (GF / MW | 1 - 2, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Questrion 4: Lillian Whitefield scores! (FT / FMB | 2 - 2, Lillian Whitefield and Rachael Blackthorne.)
Ring Questrion 5: Lillian Whitefield gains position. (FF / RF | 2.5 - 2, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Questrion 6: Lillian Whitefield scores! (FMW / IM | 3.5 - 2, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Questrion 7: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (SH / EF | 3.5 - 3, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Questrion 8: Everybody scores! (FFF / FFF | 4.5 - 4, Lillian Whitefield leads.)
Ring Questrion 9: Rachael Blackthorne scores! (DS / MB | 4.5 - 5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Questrion 10: Everybody scores! (FT / FT | 5.5 - 6, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
Ring Questrion 11: Rachael Blackthorne gains position. (MW / FF | 5.5 - 6.5, Rachael Blackthorne leads.)
FINAL: Rachael Blackthorne def. Lillian Whitefield, 6.5 - 5.5 in 11 rounds. - dom