Mysticalia
History
The first Ludi Mystica was a spontaneous event, the most ardent of devotees coming together to remember the coelicola that had left them, to thank them for the gifts they had left behind, to demonstrate for the rest of the stellarum. To remind themselves that they were blessed, and loved, even though the coelicola had departed. After the despair so many had felt, it was a relief to all to be reminded of the joy of life.
After this first impromptu celebration, the princeps called together the consuls and flamens, and they talked, and they decided it should become a regular event. That it would be a time to renew their connection with the coelicola, and celebrate their gifts.
To avoid falling back into the dark days of dangerous mourning, and clamour to reconnect with the coelicola, the flamens decreed that the Ludi Mystica would be led by two patrons - two individuals that would lead the ceremonies for the games, would be the conduit between the stellarum and the coelicola. They would be bound by ritual to the coelicola, and through them the love and joy of the games would be channeled to the stars.
These two individuals would be selected based on their dedication to the stellarum, those who had proven they had honoured the starfire in their souls. Over time, it became the default for the princeps to be one of those patrons, and it became custom for their consort to join them.
This ceremony came to be called the Mysticala, and over the years as the games grew, so did the Mysticala.
Execution
Hosted by the princeps’ closest kin, often assisted by the Cultus Amoritas, it is a night of merriment and anticipation as the stellarum wait to see who would lead them for that year’s Ludi Mystica. The wine would flow, and the stellarum would dance to honour the children of the primordial dark that had danced this world and so many others into being.
Participants
As the games required more and more co-ordination, and in order to ensure the stellarum did not fall to bickering or disarray, the princeps and Ludi Mystica exsecutivam created positions of honour, and those appointed would be announced during the Mysticala.
Honours announced:
- Ludi patron - these two individuals attend each event as representatives of the coelicola, and recognise the outstanding performers in each event
- Ludi convivarch - the organiser and master of ceremonies for the opening and closing ceremonies, as well as the awards ceremonies
- Ludi sartoris - the tailor for the ludi patron and other officials, responsible for the outfits worn during the official ceremonies
- Ludi administratoris - the administrator responsible for managing the resources needed for the official ceremonies, a liason between the exsecutivam and the Promus
- Ludi particeps - the individual who manages the registration of each participant, and is their point of contact
- Ludi medici - the physician in charge of co-ordinating any and all healing requirements for participants
- Ludi mediatoris - the mediator for any disputes, as well as the person who appoints the judges for the various events that require them
Observance
Held on the first day of the centiduum, the 100 days before the Ludi Mystica began, the anniversary of the day the waters of the temple were finally purified after blood was spilt during the days of mourning.
by Leila Melhado
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