Bhakail Yule Revel XLV & Baronial Investiture

The Barony of Bhakail invites one and all to grace our hearth and find warm welcome as we all begin to settle in for the long winter nights ahead, and celebrate the fruits of a bountiful harvest.  This is Bhakail’s 45th Yule Revel, where we will also gather to hear the parting words of our esteemed Baron, Muin maqq Minain as he returns the Coronet of Bhakail to Their Majesties and the Barony welcomes Muin’s successor, Kennari Mikael Melrakki!

This convivial annual event has become the Barony's time to roll up our collective sleeves and show our hospitality at its finest, in order to provide a relaxed, welcoming environment for everyone.  A variety of activities are traditionally held throughout the day, from music jam sessions, to period gaming, to more structured activities like our two Baronial Champion's competitions.  Please, come and join us!

The Barony is honored to have Shifu Lu An-hua at the helm of the famous Salamander-powered Bhakaili Kitchens again this year, and she is planning a very substantial dayboard inspired by the cuisine of Persia.

A detailed schedule for the day will be made available in early November.  The Dayboard Menu and the A&S and Brewing Champions Competition Notices are posted below.

***Some quick site rules:***
The SCA does not serve alcohol.  However, the site is wet:  attendees are permitted to responsibly share the fruits of their study of brewing with others.

Table lamps and candles which are contained in votives taller than the flame are permitted.

The Director’s Room (just off the Main Hall) has been renovated, featuring new historical exhibits and does not permit food or drink, which are also prohibited in the Library on the third floor.

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***Site Accessibility Information:***

The site is almost completely ADA accessible, and has an ADA accessible restroom.  The only rooms which are not accessible are the upstairs kitchen (2 steps), the Directors Room (off the main hall, 3 steps) and the Royal Room (up one flight of stairs behind the Directors Room).

If you need to access the elevator to enter the building, please contact the Autocrat (contact info listed below).

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***Food & Winter Clothing Drives***
The Barony of Bhakail will be collecting non-perishable food items for Philabundance, the largest food bank in the Philadelphia region.  The Top 10 most requested items are:  peanut butter & jelly, cooking oil, canned tuna or meat, canned fruits & vegetables, canned soups & stews, oatmeal/breakfast cereal, whole grain pasta, 100% juice, rice, and non-refrigerated milk.  There will be a donation drop-off location inside the Main Hall.

The Barony will also be collecting clothing to donate to St.  John's Hospice, a non-profit in Center City Philadelphia providing shelter for men and day services to individuals and families experiencing homelessness.  The most requested items are:  underwear (boxer briefs), thermal underwear, socks, undershirts (size L and up), sweat suits, gloves, scarves, hats, men's belts.  All items must be new or very, very gently used.  There will be a drop-off location inside the Main Hall.

If you'd like to make a large donation of items, or have any questions, please contact Lord Martyn via yule@bhakail.eastkingdom.org

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***Persian Dayboard Menu:***
VGD Torshi pickles - carrot, onion, cucumber, eggplant
VGD Assorted olives

VD Flatbreads
VG Eggplant burani (eggplant yogurt dip)
GDN Chicken fesenjan (pomegranate walnut sour stew)
GD Sefat-e Kofte (lamb meatballs)
VG Adasiyya (lentil/chard stew)
VG Qelyeh-ye jazar (Carrot spinach chickpea stew)
VGN Molamma Palav (jeweled) rice
GN Molamma Palav (jeweled rice with chicken)
VG White rice pilav

VDN Lauzinaj (almond/rose water filo cigars)
VGN Rice pudding
VGDN Stuffed dates

V=vegetarian G=gluten free D=dairy/butter free N=contains nuts

Those with questions about food, and those with allergies and/or dietary concerns, please contact the Head Cook - Shifu Lu An-hua - via email ASAP at YuleFood@bhakail.eastkingdom.org.

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***A&S Competition:***
We all have made mistakes, some big, some so tiny only you are aware of, but we always learn something from them.  Show me a mistake you made on your arts and science journey, a small error in planning, a project you've put down or restarted, or a hypothesis proven incorrect, and tell me about what you learned from it.  Display your mistake, your attempts, and the final result! 

Entries must not contain food or liquids per site requirements as the competition will take place in the library.  If you are interested in presenting food or beverage for this project, please contact Scolastica in advance to make arrangements.

Documentation is encouraged.  Please forward documentation to Scolastica in advance of the event for full review.  Please contact Scolastica Capellaria at 253492@members.eastkingdom.org with any questions.

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***Brewing Competition Rules -- Just Gruit!:***
Hail all ye good gentle brewers!  For this year’s brewing competition we are throwing it back to the days before hops were widely used to bitter the beers and other beverages.  Before the 1200’s, a variety of bitter and flavoring adjuncts were used instead, such as dandelion, bog myrtle, mugwort, rosemary, resin and juniper.  All beverage types will be allowed, meaning beers, ciders, meads and wines will all be judged.  Whatever your drink, your submission must be flavored with at least one herb.  Anything with hops will be disqualified. 

Beverages will be judged on presence of an ingredient list, documentation and taste.  At the very least, please list your ingredients so we may know what we’re drinking.  Mystery brews (those without ingredient lists) will not be judged due to the risk of not knowing what we’re imbibing. 

**Please avoid Mint as Kennari Mikael is allergic.**

A note of caution:  Please do your research before adding herbs to your brew.  Some plants can cause allergic and other adverse reactions.  For example, henbane was used to flavor beers in Germany and gave people the sense of flight and hallucinations.  It’s also a very toxic nightshade and, taken in high quantities, can cause coma, respiratory paralysis and death.  So please, let’s not kill our fellow Bhakailis.

Good luck and Gānbēi! 
Any questions please contact Lui Wing-Ken at adamlouie@gmail.com

Site Opens: 10am
Site Closes: 8pm