At midnight the emperor's brother Claudius summons each of you to the palace and brings you into one of the emperor's gardens.

By the moonlight you can make out Macro's wide silhouette standing before a broad dais upon which reclines Gaius Caligula. The emperor does not acknowledge you or make eye contact, though the he appears vaguely aware of your presence as he nibbles at peach.

make Detect Rolls

The young Lucius Calpurnius Piso nervously adjusts his gown with all the stealth and discretion he can manage under the circumstances. He looks at Macro, then towards the dais in an indirect manner, knowing full well he should not stare at the Princeps and let him make eye contact first if he so wishes.

Lucius knows he must redeem his family's name. This is a golden opportunity for him, and he is more than determined to not let it slip away if formally presented to him by the Emperor.

He is a young man of average build, with a fair skin, dark brown hair, thick eyebrows, and generally winning looks. He proudly wears the toga candida, the garment bleached by chalk to a dazzling white which identifies him as a candidate for public office.

Detect roll: 7.

That is a success Ben. I will post what you see once I get everyone else's roll.

Just a heads-up, will be putting up the second post tomorrow (everyone should feel free to straggle in as needed), probably around noon. That post will be up for two days as well. Then I will shift to the one day schedule.*

*also feel free to let me know if I am moving too fast or too slow for anyone as we go forward.

Quintus stands at attention off to the side in full Praetorian gear.

ooc: detect roll

A stocky youth with dark curly hair, sea tanned skin with a glint in his eye and a rolling gait.
Dressed in a dark green tunic with a wave pattern round the hem in gold and sandals of soft, dark leather.

Carus glances around sheepishly as he tries not to stare at the Princeps.
He casts a sidelong glance as his companion fidgets with his gown. His stomach rumbles as the smell of Peach wafts to his nose.
Smiling to himself, he quickly gains his composure when he notices Macro and the Praetorian standing to the side.
wondering what this initiation into the Servants will entail...no clue of this in my stars!

 

roll:2d10--6/6
http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3287544/

If your Detect was 7 or higher read the spoiler:

Spoiler

You realize this is not an open garden and the source of light is not the moon but rather the emperor's divine glow,  radiating from his face as thought it were a polished brass mask. Perhaps sensing your revelation he gazes at you and motions for Claudius to begin the ceremony.

Claudius withdraws a live chicken from a sack and says, "M-m-ighty Jupiter and Divine Augustus I present this sacrifice and ask that you bestow favor to these noble servants of Rome..." The emperor's uncle pauses for a moment, looking embarrassed and uncertain. "Umm. Oh  yes and our emperor, Neos Helios (the new sun)," he nods to Caligula, "please accept this humble offering as well."

Divine Roll

A slow smile breaks across Caligula's face and he looks upon you with boyish cheer as Claudius butchers the chicken, extracting its innards and inspecting the liver. Reading the entrails Claudius appears grave and takes time to construct an explanation. His interpretation of the offering is as follows:

"The omens portend both good and bad. This is not unusual, but I advise you g-g-g-uard yourselves against deception and make appropriate offerings to the gods on a regular basis. Be especially wary of the wrath of Terra Mater. How you might anger the earth goddess is unclear but there is a bright stain of blood on her portion of the liver.

I have no doubt you will serve our emperor and keep our secrets. Now rep-p-p-eat after me:  Mea erga principem imperii finis (My loyalty to the emperor and the empire to the end)."

Quintus salutes crisply and says firmly, "Mea erga principem imperii finis (My loyalty to the emperor and the empire to the end)." He then removes his helmet, revealing a young man with close cropped black hair and unusually dark blue-grey eyes and an otherwise fairly plain face. He tucks the helmet under his left arm and stands stiffly at attention, staring straight ahead.

Caligula extends his hand to acknowledge your oath Quintus.

Lucius always had the utmost respect for the old traditions of Rome. Somehow, he wishes he would be the man to bring back some of that much needed deference to the Roman gods so many today lack sorely. He has no idea how he would bring about such a renewal in the hearts and minds of true Romans, given that Divine Augustus tried himself and might have failed at the task - he wonders if that is blasphemy to even think that way, and if that means therefore that Divine Augustus did, in fact, succeed in his endeavor, in which case no such renewal would truly be needed -, but if there was a first step on the way, this might be it: right here, right now. Under the protection of Divine Gaius himself.

He steps forward and kneels before the Emperor, repeating for himself and the audience : "Mea erga principem imperii finis."

Then he adds mentally to himself, alea jacta est, this is done, then - there is no turning back now.

Caligula turns his gaze toward Lucius and gives another salute of recognition.

Empathy Roll (failed)

Carus watches intently as the divination takes place.
Taking his que from Lucius he comes to kneel next to him repeating the oath  
"Mea erga principem imperii finis!."

I stand and await further order,thinking to myself "Mithra rector mihi huic commissum." (Mithra guide me in this undertaking).

Caligula stands tossing the frayed remains of his peach pit to the side. "My fellow Romans," he takes a moment to gaze at each of you evenly. "You have crossed into a new life, that of loyal service to your emperor. Know that I personally selected each of you for your unique talents and unimpeachable character. No doubt you will serve me well. There is much for us to discuss, but it is late and we are running out of time."

The Emperor strides quickly to Claudius side continuing to speak. "When you return from Mauretania we can speak at length. For now I leave you in the hands of my good uncle Claudius," Caligula  looks at his uncle with knowing eyes and a playful smile. Claudius lowers his head either in embarrassment or deference as the emperor continues, "My uncle will explain everything to you... clearly I hope. Now unless you have any questions you would like to ask me, I bid you good night and wish you a safe voyage."

Quintus salutes crisply again, remaining silent.

{sorry, work's been a bear, detection roll was a 2  I assume the below would actually happen prior to Caligula speaking}

A slight scent of jasmine precedes Gaia as she enters the room.  She enters the room as the sacrifice is occurring and stays back so as not to interupt.  Once everyone begins making oaths, she hurries forward to join them.

Gaia throws herself to the ground and chants in almost a stage whisper.  "Mea erga principem imperii finis."  Under a cascade of long black hair, the others can see a woman of slightly below average height and the figure of a supple reed.  When she rises, her attire is clean and just slightly on the alluring side of modest but clearly middle class.