Horses, Chariots and Cheers! (Sponsor: Gnaeus Julius Iulus)

[The Mad Skylord]

THE CIRCUS MAXIMUS

The Circus Maximus! Greatest of the Roman Circuses! Home to the greatest sport in the civilized world - Chariot Racing. After a long anticipated wait by the people of Rome, the day of Gnaeus Julius Iulus' sponsored races had arrived and the people flocked out in their droves to see a day of the fastest, most exciting and most brutal sport in Rome. Already the crowds had their colored flags. They dressed in the colors of their teams. Red, White, Green and Blue. Large, temporary thermopliums and wine bars had been set up to serve the thousands of spectators and there was a great cheer about the people as they passed time until the start of the races.

Finally, the pompa began. The great parade around the Circus, led by the Sponsor and followed by - in this order - the chariot teams, priests carrying statues of the Gods - for this race the Sponsor had chosen to honor Jupiter, Mars, Minerva and Aeneas. After the priests came a great procession of musicians and dancers, delighting the crowd with their alluring sounds and movements. Finally the procession, having circled the Cirus many times, stopped at the gates and the teams drew lots for their places in the starting line from a large amphora held by the Sponsor.

There was but one ceremony left to conclude and Gnaeus Julius Iulus stepped up onto a large platform and addressed the crowds. "Welcome, People of Rome! There is no finer sport in the world than the racing of good Roman Charioteers!" Gnaeus waved his hands a little to quiet the enormous patch of cheering. "And I think you will agree that we have the best charioteers of Rome heading up their individual factions! Gaius Appuleius Diocles for the Reds! Asterix Felix for the Greens! Athanasios the Bold for the Blues! Munidus the Stong for the Whites! The crowd went wild for their favourites, each being the most famous of the respective factions.

"I hope you will enjoy the races as I will! Although, it may cause some difficultly in my house! I personally support the Greens, my eldest son the Blues and my youngest son the Reds! To make matters worse, my wife loves the Whites!" Good natured laughter - it was unclear if Gnaeus was serious or if he was joking. ""Well, my friends, with the pleasantries aside.....

Let the Races Begin!"

RACING SCHEDULE:

1) The Opening Race, a 2 Horse Chariot Race
2) The First 4 Horse Chariot Race
3) The Second 4 Horse Chariot Race
4) The Third 4 Horse Chariot Race
5) The Fourth 4 Horse Chariot Race
6) The Closing Race, a 4 Horse Chariot Race between the favorites of the Factions.

[Pontifex Maximus]

Sextus Sulla arrives to cheer the green factions, his favorite

[Rhapture]

Quintus Caecilus and his family arrive to watch the races.. more races and still no date vendors...

[Xion]

Having been away from Rome for the games hosted by Tappulus two years ago, Sextus Erucia Mergus arrives with his family to watch the races.

[removeduser_456328]

Marcus arrives with his young son, Gaius, for the boy's first ever races. The pair will no doubt be encouraging the Greens.

[The Mad Skylord]

THE OPENING RACE


The opening race of the day was a boring affair compared to what would be coming next. The two horse chariot race was less bloody and violent than the four horse races, and in this instance it came down to a simple rush. The Greens took an early lead and finished an easy first. Second place was closer with the Whites crossing the finishing line and the Reds following close behind. The Blues finished last, crossing the line to the jeering of the crowd.

THE SECOND RACE


The second race was a much more bloody, close run and violent affair. The Reds took a very early lead, storming ahead to the cheers of the crowd. They end up so far ahead that they begin to lap the Blues. However, by some unfortunate mishap, the Reds' axle snaps with a load groan and crack and - losing control - they smash straight into the Blues.

An harsh jumble of screams - both human and animal - and audible cracks and snaps as bones, timber and leather and broken or torn into a thousand pieces. Ignoring the commotion, the Whites fire on ahead for victory, followed by the Greens a few paces behind.

[The Mad Skylord]

THE THIRD RACE


The third race was a largely comical affair. The Whites quickly broke down - losing an axle - and their driver decided that if he couldn't win, nobody could. He rammed his broken chariot into the passing Greens. The Green driver bailed and the Green and the White began fighting, with the White finally triumphing over his opponent. He quickly started walked off the course, only to be run over by the Blues - the cracks and crunches of his bones breaking were incredibly audible as the chariot ran over the top of him.

This, however, vastly slowed the Blues down, which allowed the Reds to take an easy win.

THE FOURTH RACE


The fourth race was boring compared to the second and third races. No crashes or violence. The Whites streamed across the finishing line, followed closely by the Greens. After the Greens came the Blues with the Reds in last place.

[Rhapture]

While the races were mostly good an exciting, the lack of refreshments, especially for the younger crowd was disappointing. No vendors had been contracted it seemed to go among the crowds selling food and other novelties.

[The Mad Skylord]

Betting is open for the last two races.

Odds:
200% for the Greens
50% for the Whites
400% for the Blues
200% for the Red

[Rhapture]

Quintus places 500 on the whites and 1000 on the greens

[The Mad Skylord]

OOC: Bets will be for the final race.

THE FIFTH RACE



The fifth race got off to an exciting start, the Reds managing to pull slightly ahead, followed closely by the Greens and then the Whites and Blues - neck and neck. The stalemate persevered for most of the match, until the Reds hit a bump in the final lap and fell even with the Greens. The Greens manage to pull slightly ahead, but the Whites suddenly stream past, having saved their strength for this final burst! They streamed across the finishing line, followed by the Greens, the Reds and then the Blues.

THE FINAL RACE


The final race of a good day of racing finally arrived. The most anticipated race of the day - pitting the favorites of each faction against each other to discover which team truly reigned supreme in Rome!

The race started out evenly matched, the chariots moving off almost in sync. They stayed like that, building speed until the 2nd lap, when the Greens finally gained the lead! The crowd screamed wildly for their champion - Asterix Felix - as he whizzed forwards, gaining inches of ground in a race that would be won by millimeters!

Desperate to catch him, the other three pushed onwards - trying to keep up and prevent him gaining any more distance! However, Asterix made a mistake and Athansios the Bold for the Blues fired past and took the lead! Now the tables were turned, and Asterix was the one to panic!

The first place position was jockeyed between the teams until the final lap, until Asterix regained his lead leading round to the finishing line! The panic in the eyes of the other team members was real now! In their haste, the Whites - led by Munidus the Strong - made a terrible mistake. His horses went one way and he went the other on the final turn, and he was thrown straight into the wall of the Circus! Indeed, the impact was so terrible that he was killed instantly!

The final three racers had the finish line in their sights, and it was neck and neck on the approach! However, the Greens under Asterix Felix regained the lead for the final time, barreling over the line followed by the Reds and then the Blues.

--------------------------

With the final race of the day concluded, the final sacrifices and prayers were made. The victors paraded around the arena, with near naked women on their chariots with them - the rewards of a well won race. And finally, the races were over.

[Rhapture]

Quintus collects his 500 in winnings.

[The Mad Skylord]

It's 1000 you collect in winnings. Your bet gets doubled.


edit: I know, but I lost 500 on my second bet

[Rhapture]

The masses enjoyed the races very much, though not the most extravagant in recent memory, they always liked watching the chariots racing around the Circus. They were good fun and entertainment.

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