Quirinalia: The Feast of Fools

[removeduser_456328]

The city had been packed full of people the other day, the streets full of citizens celebrating Quirinalia and worshipping Quirinus, though the final ceremony was still to come.
The revellers were particularly around taverns and areas of food, plenty of grain-based products being consumed.
Aelianus slowly walked his way through the throng, his togas neatly folded over his head in a display of supplication and the many other worshippers who accompanied him stood behind, their togas also folded.
As Aelianus passes each person he would take a small amount of grain and hand it to them, along with handing them a small sprig of myrtle.
Slowly passing his way closer to the Quirinal, he began the arduous ascent - the many followers behind, and more waiting at the summit - gathered around the statue of Quirinus.
Aelianus finally ascended to the top, making his way to in front of the statue where a small altar stood and a white bull was tied, looking up he raised his voice to the surrounding men and women.

"Fellow citizens of Rome, we are here today to worship Quirinus, and beseech him for his protection over not only our crops, that he may hold his hand over them, but also the soldiers who march out to war."

Aelianus untethered the bull, leading it closer to the altar as he lit several smaller piles of incense which lay around, before returning to the task at hand.
Raising the sacrificial blade he began the prayer to Quirinus.

"O Quirinus, mighty God of Romans and Sabines, if that is the name by wish you want to be called. I, your loyal servant and pontiff Aelianus Sempronius Longus, today sacrifice this bull to you so that you may hold your hands over the crops, and grant us, your noble worshippers, a full harvest."

Aelianus brought up the blade, flashing it down quickly to the bull's throat, the blood collecting in a bowl beside the body.
With delicate care he slowly extracted the entrails, laying them out next to the bull's fallen body.

"And, O Quirinus, I sacrifice this second bull to you in the hope that you protect and hold your hands over the soldiers who march to war; may you guide them with your spear of oak and bring them home victorious. This I ask from you; for these bulls sacrificed have been the finest in Latium, the most strong and virile."

As the blade flashed down on the second bull, which a follower had brought over, Aelianus repeated the process, delicately extracting the organs.
Placing the organs on the table he looked over them, before proceeding to chuck them into the fire, after them went the blood, before an attendant took away the bulls to distribute the meat around the crowd.
Looking up Aelianus spoke with a smile,

"Citizens! The portents are good - there was no discolouration on the livers, the hearts were strong and without blemish. These omens bode well for the coming year!"

Aelianus would pause for a moment, helping to distribute the now prepared meat around the crowd, ensuring everyone was fed.

"Romans, we are not just here to sacrifice to Quirinus however and beseech him for aid, we are to revel in festivities in his name - so he may know of our worship. To aid with such I, in my capacity as a citizen, will distribute an entire modus of grain around the city, for all to share in and enjoy! Let us pray to him to protect our harvest and soldiers, to raise his oaken spear in the face of all opposition and guard these very hills that Rome itself rests and stands upon."

OOC: Alright guys, if any of you want to attend Quirinalia, which I hope some will, just post here. I will be posting more replies as the festivities continue, though.

[Rhapture]

Lucius Valerius walked up the hill with the crowd following the Flamen Quirinalis. He made special time to attend these festivals that the common man loved and supported. Ever since his ancestor, the always popular, ever-loved Publius Valerius Poplicola, had helped save the city and give so much to the common citizen, he felt it was his duty and mission to continue their support. At least it appeared the Senate had elected one competent priest. He had barely seen the other pontiffs since the elections last year. What a disgrace, and Valerius was sure the gods would see it as such. If the patricians would not live up to the duties of their position, then the plebeians would have to take up the lead in the religious duties...

But his mind was wandering from the days ceremony.
Ah, here came the white bulls. They looked sufficiently drugged as to go to their death easily. The blood squirted out and was collected in a basin below to be spread on the Alter and statue. It appeared that everything was being done correctly. And now to the more fun festivities of the day. Much more exciting than this solemn affair. He would have to congratulate Aelianus on a job well done later.

(ooc: you have 1 modius to give to Rome? Each farm does 1/2 modius each year. With the grain not lasting more than a year after harvest.)

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would smiled to himself as the sacrifice finished, watching as the small crowd began to dwindle down the hill back to where the festivities would truly take place; he would join those later. Spying Valerius he turned and gave a small nod of the head to greet him.

(ooc: Yeah, with 2 farms I should have 1 modius right? If not, I'll scale it down to whatever I have)

[Rhapture]

Valerius saw Aelianus nod, so he waved and headed over to the Flamen.

"Ave, Aelinaus, that was most expertly done today." He gestured back toward where the bulls lay. "It is good to see a priest perform his duties on the proper day, it seems to be missing in this city." He shakes his head.
"But enough bad vibes, what is planned for the afternoon?"

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus would frown slightly and nod.

"Aye, it is a great shame." He would smile gently, "I have arranged for a few events in the Forum, nothing major. Some fools, a set of mimes, and a few more exotic acts - one man who even claims to be able to swallow fire! Though, I hope to spend most of my time walking amongst the people, I hope the free grain will help appease them and calm down the recent troubles."

[Rhapture]

"I hope so too, but I have a feeling that it is something deeper and more troubling than lack of good games. Like there is an evil presence at work. Like some god is punishing us, though which one, it would be hard to say.
Lucius sighs.
"But for today hopefully we can concentrate on the good things. This fire dancer or eater sounds exciting to see."

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus nods lightly,

"Quite so, I can only hope the Pontifex Maximus can help to alleviate the religious tensions."

[Rhapture]

"I saw you had a booth set up in the forum, did anyone come forward with information about the troubles there?"
Lucius asks.

[removeduser_456328]

Aelianus frowns and shakes his head,

"Sadly not... The only suggestion was the one regarding the pool - no information on the troubles."

[JamesTruwood]

The Senator Fortunas walks up to the Senators, his wife and children in tow. The children are vastly amused by the entertainment, though Caius is more somber.

"A good day to you senators. Our city is lively these days is it not? Do you think it will appease and disperse our recent troubles?"

[Rhapture]

"Ave, Senator. Today it is lively, but war at our borders and random disturbances each night, does not bode well unless they can be turned around." Lucius answers.

[JamesTruwood]

"Very true, though with our legions on the march it shouldn't be war for very long, Mars willing. The nightly disturbances though, they are troubling indeed. Has anyone made any headway into them?"

[removeduser_456328]

The small crowd that had formed around the statue slowly began to descend the hill, returning to the city between the hills, while Aelianus himself led the procession remaining to the Forum.
As they approached the Forum darkness began to settle, it still being winter, and torches were lit, creating a sea of light in the darkness.
The Forum was already cluttered with a crowd as they approached, as the now larger procession began to wade through closer to the center.
An act was already performing, a set of mimes just finishing off their small enactment, leaving the slightly raised podium to a smattering off applause.
A steward's voice cut over the din, announcing the next act,

"Citizens of Rome! May I present to you... The Fire-Eaters of Epirus!"

The now larger crowd cheered slightly, the performance coming up was one of the more exciting acts of the night, as the two men, older and bearded were led on, both holding flaming torches.
The crowd had now formed a circle of sorts, watching as the first man began to slowly 'swallow' the torch, pressing it down his throat until the entirety of the fire was hidden; much to the crowd's pleasure.
The second man began to twirl his torch in an arc, before throwing it up in the air and catching it with a single hand athletically.
They continued to perform acrobatics and the sort as the crowd gathered increased, occasionally repeating their first move but mostly performing tricks.
The pair finished soon enough, being led off as the next act was preparing."

"And the next act is.... The Bearded Eunuchs of Asia!"

And so the night went on.... Act after act. At some point midway through Aelianus left, tired of the more mindless procedures now.

OOC: Last post from me now, feel free to carry on RP or what-not but Quirinalia is now officially over.

[JamesTruwood]

The Senator Fortunas walks away with his family, the children getting tired, and himself needing rest for the trials ahead.

[Rhapture]

Aelianus: +3 plebeian points, +1 patrician pt
Valerius: +1 pleb pts
Fortunas: +1 pleb pts