The First Arcana Ritual was performed in 161 AYZ in Amarna. It was held on the same day as the birthday party of Prince Alastair Rimânez. All of his closest family members, friends, and allies were invited to the celebration. Unbeknownst to most of the guests, they were unwittingly made to participate in the ritual.
Background
Prince Alastair Rimânez came up with the initial idea for the ritual, though he was inspired by his advisers. Having already bound several of the Arcana to him as servants through various dealings, he wanted to place the others under his thrall.
From his court magician Selca Ducani, Alastair learned that a young man named Ardath Dastagir had visited Selca to request access to his books on the occult. Ardath had admitted to Selca he wanted to summon the Arcana to make a deal with them, although he did not reveal what the deal would be. Alastair arranged a meeting with Ardath, and the two discussed the occult, tarot, and the Arcana. Ardath was easily convinced to participate in the ritual.
The two planned to gather enough people to represent each of the Major Arcana cards. Alastair arranged for the ritual to occur on his birthday, using the guise of a celebration to attract the necessary individuals as party guests. They would dine in the palace dining room, unaware that they were participating in the ritual. Ardath would cast a spell on the guests, making them impulsively drink the wine all at the same time (this form of communion would link them all together), and complete the summoning with another spell.
Alastair planned for his wife, Princess Philomena, various city officials, and all of his household servants to become hosts to the Major Arcana.
The Ritual
On the night of the ritual, everything appeared to go smoothly. The guests arrived on time, and there were no delays in getting them to the dining room.
Of the 22 Major Arcana expected, only eight appeared.