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 Participants
0. The Fool. This role was left blank.
1. The Magician: Ardath Dastagir, who at the time had replaced Selca Ducani as court magician.
2. The High Priestess: Princess Philomena Cohilas, Alastair's wife.
3. The Empress: Droxine, "mother of the masses".
4. The Emperor: Faysal Chiron, the commander of the Amarnan Army.
5. The Hierophant: Balthasar Krezt, bishop of Bodai.
6. The Lovers: Haya and Alexios Cohilas, Alastair's in-laws.
7. The Chariot: Eliana Ramani, master of animals.
8. Justice: Agrippa, the supreme judge of Amarna.
9. The Hermit: Cyrus Spyridon, the arena champion.
10. The Wheel of Fortune: Mammon, the royal treasurer/master of coin.
11. Strength: Johann Gyver, an inventor.
12. The Hanged Man: Selca Ducani, former court magician, demoted to adviser.
13. Death: Rathina, the surgeon general.
14. Temperance: Messalina Kairowitz, the minister of resources.
15. The Devil: Prince Alastair Rimânez, ruler of Amarna.
16. The Tower: Arnaud, the palace butler.
17. The Star: Zainab, a handmaiden.
18. The Moon: Duchess Naomi Cohilas, Philomena's sister.
19. The Sun: Badar Mansouri, the head of public relations.
20. Judgement: Sasha Kilar, the head of housekeeping at the palace.
21. The World: This role was left blank.
The other cards' roles were fulfilled by various members of the court of Prince Alastair of Amarna during a ritual meant to summon the Arcana. Alastair mistakenly believed all of the cards were real beings and sought to bind them to his will.
Of the 22 Major Arcana expected, only one appeared - the Magician.