Challenge for Dragons Gate (Kaiju Grace-Breaker Challenge Grant)

[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.


Utilising the Kaiju Grace-Breaker Challenge Grant that I earned by achieving second place in the recent King of the Ring Tournament, I hereby issue this challenge to the current custodian of the Barony of Dragons Gate, Sheridan Driscol, for that Barony.

Waiting has filled.



--Rachael Blackthorne


Prior custodian of Seaside, the Tenth Ring
Prior custodian of Old Temple, the First Ring
Prior custodian of New Haven, the Thirteenth Ring
Ruler Of The Ring
House Champion, House Steel (Fall 2018 Season, Winter 2018 Season, Spring 2019 Season, Summer 2019 Season, Winter 2019 Season)
Gladiator, House Steel (Summer 2018 Season, Winter 2018 Season, Summer 2019 Season, Winter 2019 Season)

[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.

[BardGallant]

Dearest Rachael,

Thank you for your patience regarding my delayed response to this most official challenge. I do hope my procrastination in this matter has not caused any offense. Of course, it would be my absolute honor to meet with you in the rings to determine which of us is more worthy of holding the custodianship of the Dragon's Gate barony. If you ask me, this is a win-win situation for the students of the Dueling Sword regardless of which of us walks away the victor. Let's have a drink and discuss the particulars at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely yours,

Sheridan "Dris" Driscol
Hero of Dragon's Gate
Governor of Rhydin

[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.


Governor-Baron Dris,

I do not take offense at the delay in your response to this challenge, for none was given.

Congratulations on your re-election to the office of Governor.

Should I be victorious in this challenge, I respectfully request that you remain in your position with the Dueling Sword school. I believe that the students would benefit from learning from both of us.

After our recent discussion on the details, I am officially notifying the Duel of Swords Staff as well as the spectating public that the Governor-Baron and I will meet for the challenge for the custodianship of Dragons Gate on Sunday, October the 2nd at 9 PM EST. The honourable Conner Reid will preside over the challenge.




--Rachael Blackthorne

Prior custodian of Seaside, the Tenth Ring
Prior custodian of Old Temple, the First Ring
Prior custodian of New Haven, the Thirteenth Ring
Ruler Of The Ring
House Champion, House Steel (Fall 2018 Season, Winter 2018 Season, Spring 2019 Season, Summer 2019 Season, Winter 2019 Season)
Gladiator, House Steel (Summer 2018 Season, Winter 2018 Season, Summer 2019 Season, Winter 2019 Season)

[Partly Cloudy]

Catering for the Dragon’s Gate Challenge is provided by Nicole’s Bistro and Pizzeria and Kitten’s Confections Bakery & Café, with special thanks to Divine Delights Bakery, Gardenhome Orchards, and the Matadero Meat Company.

LITTLE BITES

Deviled Strawberries
plump strawberries filled with cheesecake filling and topped with crushed graham cracker crumbs

Breakfast Pigs In A Blanket
savory maple sausage links wrapped in cinnamon roll dough and drizzled with icing

Brioche Waffle Bites
two-bite sized brioche waffles topped with melted brie, apricot preserves, and chopped pecans






BIG BITES

Spicy Chicken And Waffle Sliders
chipotle-spiced fried chicken and buttermilk cornmeal waffles
served with spiced maple butter and pure maple syrup

Crepes With Cherries and Mascarpone
delicate pancakes filled with sweetened mascarpone cream and cherry compote

Pancake Tacos With Peaches and Pancetta
fluffy pancakes filled with sweetened whipped cream, brown sugar-caramelized peaches,
crispy pancetta, and fresh thyme; served with honey and pure maple syrup

Butternut Squash Strudel
phyllo pastry filled with butternut squash, vegetarian sausage, sweet onions, and herbed ricotta






EXTRA BITES

Million Dollar Bacon
applewood-smoked bacon glazed with maple syrup, brown sugar, cinnamon,
cracked black pepper, cayenne, and red pepper flakes

Baked Eggs With Ricotta and Thyme
whole eggs baked with ricotta, kale, thyme, parsley, lemon zest, and garlic
served with toasted “everything” sourdough bread

Tri-Color Breakfast Potatoes
purple and golden potatoes, sweet potatoes, and shallots roasted with herbs
served with spicy harissa sauce

Citrus And Avocado Salad
sliced cara cara and blood oranges, pink grapefruit, ripe avocado, thinly-sliced fennel and shallots,
baby greens, and fresh herbs tossed in a champagne vinaigrette






SWEET BITES

Miniature Cherry Cinnamon Rolls
fluffy cinnamon rolls studded with sweet cherries and drizzled with icing
from Divine Delights Bakery

Petits Pains au Chocolat Bicolore au Praliné
two-color flaky pastries filled with chocolate batons and hazelnut praline

Autumn Fruit Salad
fresh peaches, sweet cherries, red plums, honeycrisp apples, red pears, and raspberries
tossed in a sweet honey-citrus dressing






SIGNATURE SIPS

Black Cherry Scotch Sour
Dewar’s 15-year-old blended scotch, black cherry juice, lemon juice, seltzer, and honey
garnished with a fresh cherry and a lemon twist

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

Cherry Sunrise Mocktail
tart cherry juice, orange juice, lime juice, club soda, and simple syrup
garnished with a fresh cherry and a slice of orange


In addition to the drinks mentioned above, there will also be plenty of freshly brewed coffee and tea,
as well as lemonade and fruit juices from Gardenhome Orchards.

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

[Conner Reid]

This challenge happened tonight and it were one for the books!

Our challenger tonight were Rachael Blackthorne, who came to the challenge by way of the Kaiju Grace-Breaker Challenge Grant which she received for her high placement in this summer's King of the Ring challenge event. Rachael's colors were a black and gold banner emblazoned with a panther and a wolf. Her Lord of Honor were her husband Ian Blackthorne, and her seconds were Baroness Amaris Silhaeven, Warlady Mairead Harker, and OverKeeperOpal Gatito Lindo. Rachael Blackthorne were looking for her first chance to hold the Dragon's Gate ring.

Defending the Barony tonight were the newly-elected Governor of Rhydin, Sheridan Driscol. Dris fought under the gold and black banner of the Hero of Dragon's Gate. His Second and Person of Honor were, in his words, his loving life partner Rhys Germain. He were looking for his second defense of the title.

Rhys Germain, the Squire of Dragon's Gate, then offered his red staff in a test of worthiness for the challenger. With Rachael taking up her black staff, the two entered a ring to square off.

In dominant fashion, the Squire jumped up to a strong early lead, putting up three points in three rounds. In the fourth round, a trade allowed Rachael to break through and get on the board. She held him off for one more round, but couldn't find any more points to keep the fight alive!

FINAL: Rhys Germain def. Rachael Blackthorne, 5 - 1 in 6 rounds.

With the test successful, Dris keeps the title and Rachael will be coming back for more shortly!