Welcome to
Caravan Raids: On the Road to Byzantium
In the year 602, after helping the Sasanian King Khosrow II regain his throne, Emperor Maurice was murdered by his political rival Phocas. Khosrow declared war to avenge the death of the deposed Emperor Maurice.
This became a decades-long conflict, the longest war in the series, and was fought throughout the Middle East: in Egypt, the Levant, Mesopotamia, the Caucasus, Anatolia, Armenia, the Aegean Sea and before the walls of Constantinople itself.
Our story begins with Narses, governor of the Byzantine province in Mesopotamia. He has rebelled against Phocas and seized Edessa, a major city of the province. Emperor Phocas has instructed general Germanus to besiege Edessa.
Narses is now prompted to beseech the Persian King Khosrow II. Khosrow was willing to help avenge Maurice and use this opportunity to attack the Byzantine Empire, in an attempt to reconquer Armenia and Mesopotamia.
Event Information
Date: Friday 9/13 - Saturday 9/14
Time: Site opens at 4 PM on 9/13 and Closes at 12 Noon on 9/15
Location: Optimist Farm Club, 2908 Optimist Farm Road, Apex, NC 27539
Directions:
From areas North: Make your best way to I-885 S towards Raleigh, then keep right on NC-885S towards Sandford. Take exit 54B onto NC-55 Bypass East toward Holy Springs, Fuquay-Varina. In .7 miles make a U-turn and then in 900 ft a right onto Old Smithfield Rd. Turn left onto Optimist Farm Rd and go 3.4 miles.
From Areas East: Make your best way to I-40 E towards Raleigh. Take Exit 279A onto Triangle Expwy, NC-885S. Stay on NC-885 S toward Sandord, NC 540 S. Take exit 54B onto NC-55 bypass East toward Holly Springs, Fuquay-Varina, make a U turn. In 900 ft turn right onto Old Smithfield Rd. In 3.4 miles, turn left onto Optimist Farm Rd.
From areas West: Make your best way to US-70 East, US-401 S toward Garner. Turn Right on S Saunders Street. Keep right onto Fayetteville Rd toward Fuquay-Varina, Fayetteville. Turn Right on Ten-Ten Road. Turn Left onto Lake Wheeler Road. Turn right onto Optimist Farm Rd. Go one mile.
From areas South: Make your best way to I-95 BS N then take exit 81 to merge onto I-40 towards Raleigh. Take the exit onto Cleveland Road, keep right to stay on Cleveland Rd. Bear left to stay on Cleveland Rd. Turn Right onto Benson Rd. Turn left onto Ten-Ten Rd. Turn left onto Lake Wheeler Rd. Turn Right onto Optimist Farm Rd.
Accessibility: This is a primative site but fairly level. There is gravel, grass, and some sloping areas, mostly near the pond and tree lines.
Registration Information
Lord Edward Perry & Beatrice Little
Adult Member Pre-Registration
Adult Member Registration
Adult Non-Member Registration
Youth (6-17)
Child (0-5)
Day Trip
$20.00
$20.00
$30.00
$10.00
$0.00
Feast
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
$15.00
Camping
$5.00
$5.00
$5.00
Make Checks Payable To: SCA, Inc., Barony of Windmasters’ Hill
Registration Notes: Please include your modern and SCA name, Membership Number if applicable and what is included in your payment.
If camping, please indicate the group you are camping with if applicable.
Cancellation Policy - any cancellation/request for refund made prior to the event date will be honored. All Cancellations/Requests for refunds must be submitted in writing (email is acceptable). No refunds are issued until the event books have been closed and/or all checks have cleared.
Event Staff
Event Steward
Lady Jonet Nycholl
Deputy Event Steward
Ollam Keelin O’Duinn
Registration
Lord Edward Perry & Beatrice Little
Magister Gaelan Mac Cuinnega'in
Master Ciaran Mac Breandan
Sir Alain de la Rochelle
Lady Dýrfinna Freyviðardóttir
Hall Steward
Mistress Murienne la aloiere
Newcomer’s Point
Baroness Isabeau de Valle
Gamer’s Corner
Dame Mor the Merry
Thrown Weapons
Baron Eadulf Beornwalds sunu
When sending your email, please put the staff member you need to reach in the subject line.
(Subject: Feast Steward)
Schedule
Friday 9/13
Site Opens
5 PM
Torchlight Tourney
TBA
Saturday 9/14
Martial Combat
10 AM - 2 PM
A&S
all day
Games
all day
Court
4 PM
Feast
5 PM
Sunday 9/15
Site Closes
12 PM
Martial Activities
Sir Alain de la Rochelle
Heavy MIC: Lord Kalfr inn Kaldráði
Combat Archery MIC: Noble Maeve Herbertson
The road to Byzantium can be full of perils. It has been said that raiders and thieves have been seen recently...
You’re being ambushed, defend your caravan! Can you stop them from taking all your goods? Every item they steal has points attached, and can be recovered from the field of play ONLY if it hasn’t crossed the home borders!
In one scenario, the caravan is being attacked from both sides on an open plain. In another, raiders attack while you’re traveling along a winding road on the mountain pass - caught between a barricade and the thieving bandits!
Thrown Weapons
Baron Eadulf Beornwalds sunu
Ax, Knife, & Javelin a skirmisher used. Accurate and quick on their feet they must be. Can you be a skirmisher or are you just a hold the line shield person?
Come find out at the Thrown Weapons range where your skills will be put to the test. Royal Rounds will be available as well as the knight killing spear clout.
Are you skilled enough to patrol the Byzantine roads?
Feast
Magister Gaelan Mac Cuinnega'in
Broccolini with cumin wine sauce; Black eyed peas with sumac and cilantro; Roasted chicken with herbed quince sauce
Ante Cena (anti-pasta)
Hard boiled eggs with a vinaigrette
Pickled cucumber
Pickled honeydew melon
Salad with simple vinaigrette
Olive paste (olive tamponade) with bread
Smoked sausages
Mensa Prima (First Course)
Roasted chicken with quince sauce
Black-eyed peas with cilantro and sumac sauce
Broccoli with wine sauce
Roasted lamb with herb sauce
Carrots with cumin sauce
Grilled marinaded asparagus with wine sauce
Mensa Secunda (Second Course)
Poached apples with honey and nutmeg
Egg and cream souffle with honey and spices
Peaches and apples cooked in cream with honey and nutmeg
Arts & Sciences
Master Ciaran Mac Breandan
The Road to Byzantium is plagued with thieves and highwaymen. Caravans are routinely pillaged during their journey. In order to commemorate these brave travelers, we are hosting two A&S competitions: display/static and active.
Competition 1
Make a replica version of a trade good that might have been pilfered from a trade caravan traveling on a route to 10th century Constantinople. These items are for display and will be judged on quality of craftsmanship. Documentation, while not required, is encouraged.
The prize for this A&S competition is a spice basket provided by Mistress Michel of Oak City Spice Blends.
Competition 2
Make a “stuffed sack” version of any good that might have been stolen from a trade caravan on a route to 10th century Constantinople. The sacks are meant to look like the thing they portray (i.e. a stuffed sack sown in the shape of a sack of tea). These sacks will be used on the battlefield for points, and so may be damaged during fighting. The sacks should be small enough that they can be grabbed by a heavy fighter and taken back to home base, yet large enough that the fighter has to think about how they will manage it with their weapons in hand.
The winner will be based on the quantity of items produced. The prize for this A&S competition is a lovely pair of goblets donated by Lady Jonet Nycholl.
Gamer’s Corner
Dame Mor the Merry
Come One, Come All to Dame Mor's Gaming Hall! There will be games for all ages. Board games to test your strategy skills, dice and cards to test your luck!
In the evening, there will be games to test your strength and your coordination! A Hunker Haus Tourney and the Viking Fish Slap Game. The winners of these two competitions will receive prizes!
Newcomer’s Point
Baroness Isabeau de Valle
The Caravan Road is full of adventure! For those new to the journey, there is much to learn and see.
Newcomers Point is here to help you travel to new lands. There will be activities to spark your interest, games to play and a feast to stimulate your senses. Gold Key (loaner clothing) can be provided if needed.
Come travel the Caravan Roads with the SCA!