If you find yourself getting into trouble or need an influx of creativity, consider starting one of the following rituals. The rituals presented in this section are real Jewish prayers and traditions, so proceed with care as you roleplay.
You may start a ritual at any time as a way to diffuse tension or build goodwill; however, make sure the ritual makes sense in context. If you’re in the middle of an argument with some other goblins, you may need to offer some explanation to the other players on how you will transition into one of the following rituals.
The first three rituals are Jewish prayers. Typically they are spoken or sung to a melody. If you choose to sing, look up a Youtube video to hear the prayer’s melody. When you see a “ch” in the prayers, pronounce it with a gutteral sound that is similar to the /ch/ sound in loch.
This prayer is performed as you light the Hanukkah candles each night. To perform this ritual, you will speak the words below (likely using the English Pronunciation). If you want a more Jewish experience, look up a Youtube video and learn how to sing along. After you finish reading or singing the words, the ritual is complete and you will receive +1 on your next roll that you collaborate with another goblin on.
בָּרוּך אַתָּה יְיָּ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלְֶך הָּעוֹלָּם, אֲשֶׁרקִדְשָׁנּובְּמִצְוֹתָּיו, וְצִוָנוּ לְהַדְלִיקנֵרשֶלחֲנוּכָּה.
English Pronunciation:
Barukh atah Adonai,
Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam,
asher kid’shanu b'mitzvotav,
v'tzivanu l'hadlik ner shel Hanukkah.
English Translation:
Blessed are you Adonai our G-d, Ruler of the universe, who has made us holy through G-d’s commandments, and commanded us to light the Hanukkah candles.
Maoz Tzur means "Stronghold of Rock" in Hebrew as a reference to G-d. This prayer describes the various oppressors who have risen against the Jewish people and how they have ultimately all been defeated. To perform this ritual, you will speak the words below (likely using the English Pronunciation). If you want a more Jewish experience, look up a Youtube video and learn how to sing along. After you finish reading or singing the words, the ritual is complete and you will receive +1 on your next roll where you are protecting someone from harm.
מָעוֹז צוּר יְשׁוּעָתִי, לְךָ נָאֶהלְשַׁבֵּח ַ
תִּכּוֹן בֵּית תְּפִלָּתִי, וְשָׁםתּוֹדָהנְזַבֵּח ַ
לְעֵת תָּכִין מַטְבֵּחַ מִצָּר הַמְנַבֵּח ַ
אָז אֶגְמוֹר בְּשִׁיר מִזְמוֹר חֲנֻכַּת הַמִּזְבֵּח ַ
.אָזאֶגְמוֹרבְּשִׁירמִזְמוֹרחֲנֻכַּתהַמִּזְבֵּחַ
English Pronunciation:
Ma'oz tzur yeshu'ati,
lecha na'eh leshabe'ach,
tikon beit tefilati,
vesham todah nezabe'ach.
Le'et tachin matbe'ach
mitzar hamenabe'ach.
Az egmor
beshir mizmor
chanukat hamizbe'ach.
Az egmor
beshir mizmor
chanukat hamizbe'ach.
English Lyrics (not a direct translation):
Rock of Ages let our song,
Praise thy saving power;
Thou amidst the raging foes,
Wast our sheltering tower.
Furiously they assailed us,
But Thine arm availed us
And Thy word broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us.
And Thy word broke their sword,
When our own strength failed us.
Shehecheyanu is a prayer used to celebrate the first time something is happening. To perform this ritual, you will speak the words below (likely using the English Pronunciation). If you want a more Jewish experience, look up a Youtube video and learn how to sing along. After you finish reading or singing the words for the first time in this game, once during the remainder of the game, you may roll a second die during an Encounter roll and select the higher number of the two dice.
בָּרוּך אַתָּה יְיָ, אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלְֶך הָּעוֹלָּם, שֶהֶחֱיָּנוּ וְקִיְמָּנוּ וְהִגִיעָּנוּ לַזְמַןהַזֶה.
English Pronunciation:
Barukh atah Adonai, Eloheinu Melekh ha’olam, shehekheyanu v’kiy’manu v’higiyanu laz’man hazeh.
English Translation:
Blessed are you Adonai our God, Ruler of the universe, who gave us life, sustains us, and enabled us to reach this season.
Have an oneg, a casual festive Jewish gathering which usually involves food, singing, dancing, and casual Torah study! Jews love food and sharing that food with others. Onegs typically occur on Shabbat. Traditional foods you would find at a Hanukkah oneg are cooked in oil to celebrate the miracle of the oil found in the Temple.
During your oneg, use the following questions to help you describe the setting. Add as much detail as you like.
What kind of food did you bring? What about other people? Who brought the kugel? Did someone bring Neyyappam? How about buñuelos? I bet someone brought laziji.
What smells are filling the air?
What is the general mood? Ex. Happy, somber, raucous, etc.
Are any important people not joining the oneg?
After completing this ritual, you will get +1 on your next Encounter roll if you are trying to convince someone. Since their belly is full of good food and you shared a meal/nosh together, they are a bit easier to convince.