Bizarro Torah

Kosher Cube is a Jewish-themed hack of Zadmar Games’ Tricube Tales, which is available for free on DriveThruRPG (just download the preview!). This hack also borrows Approaches from FATE Accelerated Edition.

What You Need

• At least 4 six-sided dice (d6s)
• Tokens for mazal and chutzpah
• Index cards or scraps of paper
• Writing utensil

To make a character…

1. Choose a style.
2. Create a role.
3. Choose or create a motive.
4. Come up with a blessing and a curse.
5. Give them 3 mazal and 3 chutzpah.
6. Give them a name.

It’s basically filling in the blanks!

“[Name] is a [style] [role] seeking [motive] who [blessing] but [curse].”

For example…

“Moshe is a forceful (style) Hebrew prophet (role) seeking freedom (motive) who wields divine powers (blessing) but has an awful temper (curse).”

Style

Your style describes how you usually approach solving problems or getting your way.

• Careful (attention to detail, taking time to do things right)
• Clever (thinking fast, making sense of complex information)
• Flashy (drawing attention, style, panache)
• Forceful (raw power, brute force)
• Quick (fast and agile movement)
• Sneaky (misdirection, stealth, deceit)

Role

Your role sums up who you are and what you do, such as…

Golem Bartender, Monster Hunter, Soldier of Fortune, 8-Year-Old Prankster, Werewolf Mama’s Boy.

When defining your role, aim for clear and simple. Two or three words is enough.

Motive

Your motive defines what you’re trying to get out of these shenanigans you’re involved in. Consider…

Freedom, Glory, Justice, Knowledge, Love, Money, Pleasure, Revenge, Safety.

Just like defining your role, aim for simple and clear. Notice how the examples above have one or two syllables? That’s on purpose.

Blessing and Curse

Come up with a blessing (something you are or have that helps you) and a curse (something you are or have that hinders you).

Mazal and Chutzpah

Start with 3 mazal tokens (luck and good fortune) and 3 chutzpah tokens (guts and determination).

Special note: Death is usually a matter of narrative but always a possibility in dangerous situations!

Casting Lots

Only players cast lots. The GM decides when players cast lots and describes challenges, decides which style fits, and narrates certain outcomes.

When the GM calls for the casting of lots…

1. Start with one d6.
2. Add an extra d6 for each that applies: style, role, motive.
3. (Optional) Spend 1 mazal to narrate how your blessing helps you.
4. (Optional) Narrate how your curse hinders you and gain 1 mazal.
5. Roll the dice.

If you get…

• More odd numbers: Mazal tov! You pull it off!
• More even numbers: Oy! You screw up. -1 mazal.
• Two of the same odd number: Kol HaKavod! You pull it off big time! +1 mazal or +1 chutzpah (GM’s choice).
• Two of the same even number: Oy vey gevalt! You screw up big time! -1 mazal or -1 chutzpah (GM’s choice).
• 18 exact: You pull it off in spectacular fashion! +1 mazal and +1 chutzpah.