[MR] Calling all Combat Archers and Siege Engineers!

[Brett W. McCoy]

The beleaguered armies in Outremer seek the sharp eyes and clever hands of
our Kingdom's best combat archers.  The city of Acre is under siege, and
the glories of Samarkand need your protection as they travel upon the Silk
Road from the mysterious East...

Not only that, but what walls that remain standing after the sieges are
broken will need to be thrown down once and for all.  Siege engines, large
and small, are sorely needed for this task as well.

Where shall these great deeds transpire?  In the Shire of Roxbury Mill
you will find both danger and revelry, for we each have a part to play in

                      A Pilgrim's Tale

As our ancestors contested for supremacy in Outremer, so will Atlantia's
stalwart warriors vie for victory as combat archers and armored fighters
take the field in a series of melee combats.  As a respite from the weary
trial of siege and melee, individual prowess will be challenged with
combat at the barriers.

At the end of the melees, after the fighters have cleared the field, the
siege engineers will be given a chance to test their skills by bringing
down the remaining castle walls. Siege engines are still new to our
realm, so if you are bringing a siege engine, please contact the autocrat
for more details.

Our pilgrims will not pass their perils by strength of steel alone.
Skilled target archers are needed to hunt perilous game in our forest.
Even the smallest child may help thwart our enemies as we invite
Atlantia's children to join in besieging our smallest castle.  Since a
pilgrimage cannot succeed without proper kit, our Arts & Science judges
will be looking for the best worn Crusader or Saracen garb or armor.
(Documentation is encouraged but not required.)

As you traverse the perils of the day, be aware there are saints and
mystics among you who will distribute pilgrim's badges to those who prove
their worth through combat, arts, wit or service.  Collectors of these
holy relics will reap earthly rewards as they claim their prizes at the
evening feast.

As a respite from the days activities, our pilgrim's tavern will provide a
simple, hearty lunch and games of chance to tempt you from the path of
virtue.

At the end of the day's trials, we invite all our brethren to join us in
revelry. A sumptuous two-course feast will be created by Lady Genevieve de
Loire, a cook renown for her skill at al-Halfa fare. For the comfort of
all our weary pilgrims, both European and al-Halfa style seating will be
available.  Our hall will ring with story and song for the delight of our
guests, and the floor will be open to the Middle Eastern dancers after
feast.

The approximate schedule for the day's activities follows:  10 am.: Site
opens.  The archery range opens and authorizations begin.  11 am: Melees
begin.  1 pm:  Lunch is served.  2 pm: Children's siege.  3 pm:  Lochmere
arrow shoot.  Melees end, field open to siege weapons.  3:30 pm. A&S
judging.  4:30 pm: Badges are counted for pilgrim contest.  Court and
Feast will be scheduled at Their Majesties pleasure.

As our dread Sovereigns demand tribute, we must ask a toll for your
sojourn in our fair Shire.  For reservations received by October 1st:
On-site (includes lunch): $7; On-board (lunch and feast): $12.  Children
between 6 and 12 are $3 on-site, $6 on-board.  Children 5 and under are
guests of our Shire.  After October 1st, on-site is $8 and on-board is
$13.  Children's fees remain the same.  Please make your checks payable
to: The Shire of Roxbury Mill/SCA Inc.

Merchants are welcome and should contact the troll to arrange for space.
Reservations should be sent to: Lord Istvan Dragosani (Brett W. McCoy)
13924 Coachman's Circle, Germantown, MD, 20874, (240) 686-0115, email:
bmccoy at chapelperilous.net

For further details on this perilous quest, please consult
http://roxbury.atlantia.sca.org/Events/events.html or contact the
autocrat:  Mistress Theodora Delamore (Wendy Morgenstern), 1720 Loft Way,
Silver Spring, MD, 20904, (301) 680-9162, email: kmol at atlantia.sca.org

Dietary concerns should be directed to our wondrous cook at: Lady
Genevieve de Loire (Lynne Powell) at (703) 243-2576,
email:lynne.powell at worldnet.att.net.

Directions: From all directions:  Take your best route to I-270.  Take
Exit 16 (Rt. 27 East) towards Damascus.  Follow Rt. 27 East for seven
miles.  Bear right at the Chevron station; this puts you on Rt. 108.
After two miles, turn left on Mullinix Mill Rd.  The driveway for the site
is about 1 mile down, the first left after you cross Long Corner Rd.