Initiation Rites
As before, these are just examples of possible initiation rites.
Initiation Rite for Mercurian Magic +18 (Target: 21)
The principal rite of the cult, used to initiate members who are not already initiated into Mercurian Magic. If the initiate does already possess the virtue this step is replaced with the simple need to study under a priest for a season to learn Neo-Mercurian Lore, followed by a symbolic ritual and celebration.
Otherwise the steps are as follows:
The initiate spends a year living in a Mercurian temple (or with the priest if the temple site itself is not inhabited) serving the priest and studying the Neo-Mercurian philosophy. In many cases the primary purpose of this is to disabuse the initiate of the “false doctrines” of the Cult of Mercury – the innovations of Priamitus and other developments over the intervening centuries which the Neo-Mercurians view as inauthentic dilutions of the true system of Mercurian magic. (Initiate spends time serving the mystagogue +1) (Mystagogue spends time teaching initiate +3)
During this period the initiate lives a life dominated by ritual practice. Every moment of every day is bound by ritual until the elements of those rituals become second nature. This helps the initiate attain the mastery of ritual magic that is the hallmark of Mercurian Magic, but this process also creates a mental block on performing magic without adhering to the norms of Roman ritual purity. The initiate gains the Major Flaw Necessary Condition (Ritual Purity) which requires them to cover their head and anoint their hands with pure water before casting a spell. (Major ordeal +9)
Alternatively, a very skilled mystagogue (Cult Lore+Pre > 12) may alter the script to remove the ordeal. It takes a teacher of the highest skill to impart Mercurian Magic without some negative influence on the initiate's magic. Gauntleted magi lack the openness of apprentices and Mercurian Magic is complex and unforgiving.
After the year passes, if the initiate has performed well, then the other cult members in the tribunal are invited to attend the initiation ceremony (in practice these invitations are usually sent a few weeks in advance to allow for travel). Sometimes other Neo-Mercurians with a connection to the temple or initiate may be invited as well. The initiate is dressed in the garb of an adolescent Roman, the toga praetexta and a protective amulet (a bulla or lunula depending on gender). There is some debate among the cult of the appropriateness of the use of the toga by female members. No consensus on this has yet been reached so actual practice varies between temples. They spend 8 days (for a maga) or 9 days (for a magus) engaged in private rites offering sacrifices to the gods and being purified with water, oils, and incense.
The culmination of these rites is the dies lustricus, the day of purification, which imitates the naming ceremony performed for Roman infants. In this rite the priest (and gathered members of the local cult) perform a procession around the temple before using theurgy to invoke a daimon associated with fate and divination – the titan Leto, the nymph Lasa Vegoia, or one of the Fates are all appropriate. A hermetic sacrifice is made as part of this. The daimon’s power is invoked to read the omens. If they are propitious then the event proceeds. If not, the initiate must serve another year at the temple and try again. The initiate is expected to personally contribute vis towards this ritual, usually 5-10 pawns. The initiate receives a secret name to be used only in cultic rituals, and to be shared only with other Neo-Mercurians. Some initiates take a new public name to mark the significance of the occasion as well but this is purely optional. (The pact with the daimon provides a +5)
NB: The pact with the daimon is not strictly part of the initiation script and can be excluded without having to learn a new script or modify the script. In this case the script only provides the actual script bonus, +13
The rite ends with the initiate being dressed in the toga virilis or stola of a Roman adult, their amulet removed, and a feast celebrating their initiation. This feast is both a pleasant chance to relax after a hard year and a great opportunity for the new initiate to make allies among his fellow cultists.
Mercurian Rites as Story Hooks
The Neo-Mercurians are a fairly social cult, and members will frequently find themselves invited to ceremonies and events. Gatherings like the one described in the script above offer the perfect opportunity to naturally insert interesting story hooks into your saga, thanks to the diverse cast of characters who might be present.
Keep in mind that Mercurian and Neo-Mercurian priests officiate (usually in a ceremonial capacity) over many ceremonies for the order at large - naming ceremonies, weddings, funerals, the taking of oaths, and tribunals are just a few examples. Because of this the Neo-Mercurians can very plausibly know any bit of news or rumour from around the order, and impart it to the Neo-Mercurian player character.
As well as irregular events Neo-Mercurians may celebrate some or all of the following:
- Agonalia: Three times per year (January, May, and December) a Ram is sacrificed for the protection of the order at the Hermetic Forum in Durenmar. In ancient times this sacrifice was offered at the Regia in Rome for the protection of the Roman state.
- Each temple celebrates a Dies Natalis on the anniversary of its reconsecration.
- Neo-Mercurians celebrate the Veneralia at the beginning of April. It is considered an auspicious day for marriages.
- Mercuralia in May is the most important day of the year for observant Neo-Mercurians, and is the event most likely to be attended by cult members.
- Portunalia in August invokes Portunus, and asks him to watch over the various regiones used by the cult and the hidden (magical) keys used to enter them.
- Also in August is Vulcanalia, celebrated by offering sacrifices to bonfires. Some temples invite members of house Verditius to attend these events as a sign of goodwill.
- A feast and games in honour of Jupiter are often held in September, November, or both.
- Saturnalia is celebrated in late December. Even if they do not attend any cult events, many Neo-Mercurians exchange letters and gifts with one another.