Initiation Rite for Performance Magic (Neo-Mercurian Magic) +4 and Hermetic Theurgy +7 (Target: 15)
These two minor virtues are often taught together. Generally, it is expected that the initiate will develop their Neo-Mercurian Lore to at least a 3 first but this is ultimately up to the mystagogue’s judgement.
Initiates spend around two years in the temple serving and learning from the priest. They take on the role of assistant to the priest during ceremonies, learning by example how to replace their hermetic words and gestures with Neo-Mercurian rituals and invocations of the gods. This is an inverse of the process holy magi go through to remove the residual pagan elements from their casting – the Neo-Mercurian initiate learns to remove the secularisations of hermetic theory from their casting, ending with something closer to the original practise of the Cult of Mercury.
Initiates are encouraged to undertake this training at a distant temple to build ties with other cult members. If they avail of this, they will be hosted by neo-Mercurian magus in the tribunal they train in, perhaps the mystagogue.
During this time, they may also be called on to assist in the teaching of Mercurian Magic to younger initiates or apprentices and oversee ungifted messengers, as well as assisting in cult rites. In turn the priest they serve will educate them on theurgy, the daimones, and the corpus of Mercurian rituals for at least one season per year. After the first year they will have acquired the Performance Magic virtue. (Initiate spends time serving the mystagogue +1) (Mystagogue spends time teaching initiate +3)
Towards the end of the second year the initiate is given a vital task – to travel to the Aqua Mercurii (now contained in a small regio in a largely unpopulated area of Rome) and collect the sacred water for use in the Mercuralia rituals for years to come. This water is exceptionally pure and faintly magical (a large enough amount of it would amount to a pawn of vis). Once it is removed from the regio contact with other elements will sully the water and remove the advantageous ritual properties. This makes transport very difficult, as it cannot be allowed to touch earth, stone, metal, or glass for more than a few minutes, nor can it be exposed to air. The use of magic on the water directly also taints it, preventing the use of spells of instantaneous transport.
Neo-Mercurian temples are consecrated with an adapted Mercurian ritual that aligns an aura in the same way as the Aqua Mercurii regio, allowing the water to be stored there without difficulty once retrieved. Once the initiate succeeds in this task they will be taught the final secrets of Hermetic Theurgy over the course of a season of intensive study under the mystagogue. (Initiate spends time serving the mystagogue +1) (Mystagogue spends time teaching initiate +3)(Quest +3)
Initiation Rite for Withstand Magic +7 (Target: 15)
Withstand magic is one of the more useful minor mysteries known to the neo-Mercurians, allowing initiates to better endure the fatiguing rituals that typify Mercurian Magic.
The initiation into withstand magic involves military and civil service, coupled with physical and mental training regimens. Military and civil service were key elements in Roman virtus and the neo-Mercurians seek to emulate this as best they can in absence of a Roman state.
Military service typically lasts at least ten years. The most common form is service as a Hoplite, but there are many acceptable alternatives. For example, service as a Quaesitor, or as a guardian of the Mercere portal network. Some spend this time in service to the cult as assistants to seekers of lost sites or as defenders of Mercurian temples. The only essential element is a physically taxing role with a degree of danger. During this period initiates are expected to train in the martial skills as they apply to magi – Certamen, Concentration, Penetration, the Parma Magica, and so on. They are expected to achieve at least one deed of renown during this time. (+3, equivalent to a quest)(+1 initiate spends time serving the cult)
Civil service often involves the mystical maintenance of the roman road network. The neo-Mercurians believe this was once the duty of the Cult of Mercury. Seeing themselves as the cult reborn, they have taken this duty as their own. Often this is more a case of subtly guiding local authorities to the task than carrying out the work personally. This is a regular duty of the priests of the cult who direct a small cadre of mundane servants in the task. The initiate serves their mystagogue priest for two years. The first year is spent performing the same duties as the mundane servants and learning. At this time road magic is often taught as well. The second year has the initiate oversee the mundane servants, taking on the role of assistant to the priest. (+3, equivalent to a quest)
Alternative forms of civil service might include the repair of ancient temples, the investigation of mercurian sites located by seekers, the creation of spells and items for the good of the cult, or assisting in the reconstruction of mercurian magic as a researcher.
After the second year has passed the initiate is released from mandatory service, but some choose to continue in the task on a voluntary basis. After a final season of reflection the initiate will have gained the Withstand Magic virtue.