Ludi Romani of 90 BCE (Sponsor: Lucius Villius Tappulus)

[Jokern]

It was a sunny and beautiful day in Rome as news spread like wildfire across the city - the Ludi Romani, the Roman Games, was about to start. Preparations had been going on for months and the people had eagerly followed its development. Now Rome was in celebration, with people out in the streets in their finest clothing enjoying themselves. Merchants sold wares and good food, street performers entertained the masses with their tricks and musicians played tunes from many different cultures. However, this would be nothing compared to the main event of the day, and the following days to come.

Most of the people of Rome had made their way to the Circus Maximus to await the opening of the games. Vendors sold their goods to the spectators and people merrily chatted with friends and family. There were also young men and women flirting with each other, perhaps deciding a date for an intimate date in secret. Most of the patrician and plebeian families showed up to watch the games, with the senators being seated along the track's perimeter for the best view of the spectacle.

As the spectators gathered, the first part of the games started. The pompa, a solemn procession, began its journey from Capitioline Hill, where many temples of the gods were housed. The procession made its way through the Forum Romanum, along the Via Sacra and the Vicus Tuscus to the Circus Maximus. The crowd cheered as the pompa entered and made its way around the track for all of them to see. At the front of the procession rode Aedile Lucius Villius Tappulus, sponsor and organizer of the Ludi Romani, in a two-horse chariot, waving gladly at the cheering people. He wore a laurel crown and the toga picta - a purple dyed toga with gold embroidery. This was usually reserved for consuls who had received a triumph, but Roman tradition always made exceptions.

After the Aedile followed the nobiles on horseback, young men and boys of the patrician families and those plebeian families who could boast with a consul in their family history. Next up marched boys and young men on foot in columns, who in the future would serve in the infantry of the legions. Behind them came the participants in the different events - first the charioteers in their four-horse chariots, behind them the horse racers with two horses each, and lastly the wrestlers.

Following the athletes came troupes of dancers. Dressed in purple tunics, bronze helmets with wings and wielding swords and short spears, they danced war dances while musicians played on auloi and lyres. However, they were quickly followed up by the chorus who mocked and mimicked their serious dance. The chorus were dressed as satyrs and sileni, with woolly tunics, garlands of many different flowers and goatskin loincloths, their hair standing out in tufts.

Last part of the procession were men carrying golden bowls and censors with perfumes and burning incense. They were followed by the statues of the gods from the Capitoline Hill and chariots carrying their attributes.

As the procession came to a stop, Lucius Villius Tappulus got out of his chariot and made his way to the pulvinar, a raised and roofed platform where he takes his seat of honor, next to where the statues of the gods and their attributes were being placed. The athletes and the entertainers make their way into the circus to prepare for their performances. In the middle of the circus, for the whole crowd to see, a white castrated bull dressed in sacrificial regalia and with gilded horns was being led to a burning altar by the victimarius with the sacrificial axe. The priests sang hymns while the bull was swiftly killed with the axe. The priests then took the innards and put them in a pot, sprinkling it with salted flour and wine, before putting the pot over the fire. This was the offering to Jupiter, while the meat of the ox would be shared at a communal meal later. This marked the official opening ceremony of the Ludi Romani.

Lucius Villius Tappulus rose from his seat, practically beaming with pride for how everything had turned out so far. He had almost ruined himself with this festival, but it would be worth it all, he thought. Lucius gestured for the crowd to calm down a little and give him room to speak.

"Greetings, people of Rome! I, Lucius Villius Tappulus, would like to personally welcome you all to this year's Ludi Romani. This is a day for fun and games, to forget all your worries and enjoy yourselves. However, we must not forget that this is all in honor of the King of the Gods, Jupiter, for it is he that watches over this great city and its people. We heard personally from the Flamen Dialis last year the advice from Jupiter, guiding us all in the war against the Italians, and this year we all witnessed the consecration of the ground for a new temple to his godly being. Though I may not be a priest, I would be a fool not to say that this seems like the year of Jupiter! I would also like to dedicate this year's Ludi Romani to the brave soldiers who fight and die for Rome, bringing honor and victory to us all."

Lucius made a short pause before continuing, feeling the building tension in the crowd. They had heard enough talk, they wanted to see some action in the circus.

"I have stalled long enough, I feel. Now, let the Ludi Romani begin!"

OOC:
Schedule for the Ludi Romani

1. Chariot Race I
2. Dancers (Jupiter taking his place as King of the Gods)
3. Chariot Race II
4. Horse Race (Desultors - leaping between two horses)
5. Chariot Race III
6. Wrestling
7. Chariot Race IV
8. Greek Comedy (Dyskolos by Menander)
9. Chariot Race V

Notes:
One chariot race will consist four teams, the Reds, the Whites, the Blues and the Greens, running five laps around the circus. Each chariot will feature a team of two - one driver and one warrior. On the fifth and final lap, the warrior dressed in classical hoplite armor will jump out of the chariot and run the final lap. The winning team of each race will receive 400 denarii, and after the final race the overall winning team will be crowned with a laurel wreath and receive 1,800 denarii.

The horse race will consist of 10 riders with two horses each. The riders will run five laps around the circus, all the while leaping from one horse to another while keeping them riding abreast. The victor will receive a laurel wreath and 1,200 denarii.

The wrestling will involve 24 wrestlers. Two wrestlers will face each other, with all the matches taking place at the same time, spread out over the Circus Maximus so that everyone can see. There will be three rounds to each match, then the loser is out. The 12 winners then face each other one-on-one, then the next 6 winners, and so on. The overall winner will be crowned with a laurel wreath and will receive 1,200 denarii.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sextus Cornelius Sulla, his wife, and his brother all take the seats reserved for their family in the Circus. Much anticipation had gone into these games, and it became evident very early on that they would not disappoint. Sextus had hoped there would be more martial events, and he shared his general scorn for the chariot races as his father. Servius, however, loved the chariot races and was a fervent supporter of the Greens.

[Rhapture]

Quintus Caeclius , his wife and son arrive to view the races. They were good entertainment for the games, but he swore at himself for not supplying vendors with dates. It was all he could think about, what a loss. If there had been a betting booth he might have found himself more engaged, like his adopted son.

[Jokern]

An announcement is given to the crowd: All betting may be done before each individual race, though it is highly encouraged to make all your bets in one go at the betting booths.

[The Mad Skylord]

Octavius Julius Iulus quietly made his way over to Servius Sulla. He knew him well to be a man of the Greens, but Iulus supported the Reds. "Servius! How are you? 400 denarii that the Reds place higher than the Greens! What do you say?"

[Pontifex Maximus]

The Sullae bid 500 denarii on the green faction

[Pinkerton]

Consul Milo and his family made their presence in the event and Quintus made a 500 denarii bet on the Whites.

[Okmin]

The Marii Aquilae arrive and put 500 denarii on the blues.

[Jokern]

OOC: Alright, the first race will start now. I will do a few rolls and write the results based on that.

IC:

When all the betting was done and in order, it was high time for the first chariot race to start. The four chariots, each painted in the color of their team, rolled up to the starting position. The driver was ready to get the horses running at a moment's notice, while the warrior stood stoically in his bronze cuirass and helmet. A man with a flag stood ready, and at a signal from Lucius Villius Tappulus he waved it, signalling the charioteers to start.

The chariots almost roared to life as they all tried to get ahead in the first lap. The horses ran like demons were at their heels, eyes wild as the drivers screamed and spurred them on. The warriors threw insults at each other while trying to hold on for dear life, which made the factions in crowd do the same to each other. Many chariot races had ended in riots from such disputes, but for now they were still obedient enough. By the first turn however, the red team had gotten a seamless turn and rode ahead of the other three, who almost ran into each other. The factions in the crowd hurled insults at the charioteers for screwing it up for their team.

The race continued into the second lap and the Reds were leading, the other teams hot on their heels. Though soon enough, the Greens slowly but surely caught up to the leading chariot and surpassing it on the straight track before the sharp U-turn at the Porta Triumphalis. They held their advantage into the third lap, but then suddenly from out of nowhere came the Whites, blasting past the green chariot while the white warrior gave them the finger. Into the third lap they held their advantage and only increased it. The Greens, the Reds and the Blues looked on in horror as their teams struggled to keep up the pace. The fourth lap came and went, the wheels from the chariots so hot that men ran out along the track to pour water over them to cool off.

The fifth and final lap came and the white warrior jumped out of the chariot, closely followed by the green, red and blue warrior. However, the other chariots tried to run him over, which he barely dodged. The Whites in the crowd went completely mad, throwing food and drinks onto the track. The warriors continued to run, as it was the one who came first that would be crowned the winner. As the white chariot passed the finish line the people cheered. Soon enough the warriors crossed it too, with the Whites being declared the winners of the first round.

In the first all winning bets are returned +100% the amount betted (1,000 bet = 2,000 return). By the next round, the odds against the Whites will be a +50% on a winning bet, while it will go up to +150%.

[Rhapture]

Quintus's son cheered at the chariots raced round and round. It was a good close race, Pius thought, the best since Valerius Flaccus' threw his amazing races years ago.
He sent a servant down to place 700 down on the red for the next race.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Servius Cornelius Sulla cheered his faction, waving a green cloth. His faction seemed to be flagging from the start, but quickly made up for it. The young man cheered all the more loudly, but as the race entered its final stages, his spirits plunged. It was obvious that his faction did not have what it took to pull through to the final victory.

[Okmin]

Gaius Marius Aquila watched with ever-decreasing enthusiasm as the blues not only started out behind, but made absolutely no progress throughout the entire race. He cursed.

"I don't think we will be putting any more money on those men," he said to his uncle. "At least the others made an effort."

"Agreed. Let us go with the reds this time. Another 500, no?"

[General Brewster]

Marcus Aemilius Lepidus and his brother arrive to watch the games.

"Quintus" he said before greeting the man. "How fare the races?"

[The Mad Skylord]

Octavius, out of pocket, put his last 49 denarii on the reds.

[Jokern]

In the pause between the chariot races a troupe of dancers made their way onto the tracks. They were dressed as gods and titans, and were going to display the birth of Jupiter and his rise to the throne above all of the gods. Saturn, King of the Titans, ruled over all after he had castrated and overthrown his father Caelus, ruler of the universe. All was well under the Golden Age and Saturn ruled along with his queen Ops, with no law and order as everyone did the right thing and immorality did not exist.

The anger of Saturn would be provoked however, when Terra and Caelus foretold that he was destined to be overthrown by his son, just like he had overthrown his father. Every child that was born by Ops was therefore devoured by Saturn to stop the prophecy, which brought great sorrow to his wife. The sixth child that was born, Jupiter, was hidden away by Ops and Terra to punish Saturn for his acts against his father and children. Jupiter was given birth to far away from his father's watching gaze, and his mother tricked Saturn into eating a stone wrapped in clothes instead.

Jupiter was raised by the goat Amalthea while a group of armored male dancers shouted and clapped their hands to stop Saturn from hearing the child's screaming. When he had grown up into a man, Jupiter returned and gave his father an emetic so Saturn disgorged all of his children. He then freed the Cyclopes who forged him his thunderbolts. Outraged, Saturn called on his fellow Titans and war broke out, the Titanomachy. It would be a long and bloody war raged over the earth, though in the end the younger gods came out victorious, casting the Titans into Tartarus, while Atlas was forced to hold up the sky on his back.

As the gods stood victorious, Jupiter claimed the sky as his domain, Neptune claimed the sea and Pluto the underworld. Jupiter took his throne, with his sister Juno as his consort. Together they would rule the earth, and all the gods, creatures and people bowed to them.

With that, the dance ended, and the dancers made their way out. The preparations were just about done for the next chariot race. Lucius Villius Tappulus grinned at the spectacle while consuming grapes. So far it had gone fantastic, and there was yet more to come.

[Jokern]

With the break done, the charioteers make themselves ready to for another race. The Whites are cheering for their team, certain in their continued victory forward. However, there were four races left and the other teams would not go down without a fight. They ride up to the starting line, and with a signal from Lucius they take off, their vigor restored with food and wine and fresh horses.

Quickly in the race the Reds begin with a strong start, speeding past the others right from the go. Their tires scream in pain as they take the sharp U-turn and make their way around. The Red crowd cheered, perhaps this would be the time to bring home a victory for them? The other factions grumbled, but they had seen this song and dance before. The Reds had a strong start the last race as well, and had lost it before. They could always lose it again.

That is exactly what happened, for in the second lap the Blues overcame the Reds, creating a good distance between themselves and the other chariots. The Blues, who had not been in the lead the last race practically exploded with cheers and spurs to bring home a victory. They were doing well, and held their lead into the third round. When the chariots had to slow down to make the U-turn at the Porta Triumphalis men ran out to cool off the hot wheels with water.

Fortuna would not be on the side of the Blues forever, for in the fourth lap the Reds made a triumphant return. One of the horses driving the blue chariot started to panic for some reason, bringing them into enough chaos for the other teams to use it and race past. As they entered the last lap and the warriors jumped out and began their run around the track, all the stars seemed to point to the Reds.

If there was anything that the Romans knew about the gods, it was that the gods were fickle beings. In the fifth and final lap, when a Red victory seemed to be all but certain, the Greens came out of nowhere and sped past them all. The green warrior was also able to get ahead of the others, as the chariots had once more aimed to run over the red warrior in the lead which had forced him to duck and avoid their attempts on his life. The Greens are crowned victors of the second round.

The bets are changed for the next round:
- Greens: +200%
- Reds: +100%
- Whites: +100%
- Blues: +200%

[The Mad Skylord]

Octavius puts 47 denarii on the reds.

[Dirty Chai]

On the day of the second race, the Flamen Dialis appears in the high seats in the Circus Maximus, along with his wife and youngest son and his daughters. Before he sits, he makes a show of waving to the leading Blue charioteer, who waves back proudly, awing and shocking the crowd with a show of favoritism.

Aulus watches patiently, then, from his shaded booth, enjoying the privacy with his family and attendant priests.

[Jokern]

OOC: For the next event - the horse race - you can name one of the 10 riders to support if you want. This will give them a small bonus in the upcoming race (done tomorrow) and you may also place a bet in this race, with the chance of doubling it (+100%). If not, I'll just roll it, post it, and well move on to the third chariot race.

[Jokern]

As the chariots rolled away from the arena, a new group entered to entertain the Romans. Ten riders, with two horses each, waved at the crowd as they rode up to the starting line. They were the desultors, and would during the five laps around the race leap from one horse to another while trying to get first to the finish line. It was a classic competition, and the riders wore felt caps as per tradition.

With a wave from the racing flag, the riders took off. While they rode hard and at great speeds, it was just a bit slower than the chariots because the riders had to jump between their steeds and keep them abreast. The desultors showed great skill in their performance, with some even doing a few acrobatics to impress the crowd and win potential favors from sponsors. Most of the time though, they merely jumped from horse to horse to not lose too much speed.

The race was more or less even all the way through. By the final lap, a Gaul with wild red hair and a fierce mustache went ahead of the rest and won the contest. The crowd cheered for the victor as Lucius Villius entered the arena and crowned him with a laurel wreath. With this little interval, the third chariot race would soon begin.