Offering

Main Ritual Act

Silent Reflection

Gratitude for Divine Assistance

Closing Benediction

Formal Dismissal

II. Planning & Writing a Ritual

Step 1: Outline the Purpose and Key Elements of the Ritual

Step 2: Write the Script

Step 3: Plan for Guest Participation

Step 4: Logistics

Additional Tips

How to Write a Ritual

Rituals are a big part of what makes the Temple special. They give our characters a chance to show their devotion, share their beliefs, and create moments that draw people into the world we’re building together. Rituals help make the Temple feel alive, bringing a unique energy to our roleplay and adding depth to our community.

This guide lays out how we typically approach rituals at the Temple. While it gives a general framework, it’s not meant to limit creativity. Each ritual can be as unique as the story you want to tell. Other communities may have their own traditions, and different types of rituals might need their own spin. Here at the Temple, though, our rituals are grounded in our shared faith in Menphina and the Twelve, expressed through the perspectives of our characters.

I. Parts of a Ritual

Opening Invocation

Always Include.

The opening invocation serves as the official start of the ritual. This sets the scene, explains the purpose of the ritual, and allows participants and/or observers the chance to have a better understanding of what is to come. This also sets the tone and expectation; will this ritual be one of quiet reverence or have a more excited and up-beat flow?

What it might look like:

/em stands at the center of the gathering, hands raised to the Moon, “Great Menphina, Goddess of Love, we call upon you to witness our devotion and bless this gathering with your light.”

It can be as simple as that. Or, it can be an extended story, dedication, etc. - whatever is needed in order to get the purpose of the ritual across. Emotes such as /pray /bow or /ebow can note the start of the ritual, as well as phrases such as “Let us begin” or “Under her gentle gaze, we shall begin.”

Purification

Optional.

This is an optional step. If you are performing a ritual for a particularly large group, you can gloss over this - it is possible that you purified the necessary tools prior to starting the ritual. However, in smaller more intimate rituals, adding a purification step can be hugely impactful. In some instances, you will purify the space or the tools used in the ritual. In other, you may purify yourself and/or those who intend to participate in the ritual. While the opening invocation sets the tone, purification can be a powerful way to invite others to begin to engage with the ritual.

This may include using incense to purify a space, burning herbs, using hand gestures, scattering purified water. Your character may call upon elemental forces to aid in cleansing and/or protecting the area. You may physically wash the hands or feet of participants, sprinkle water over their heads, have them drink nectar, etc.

While performing such cleansings, words spoken - or the intentional lack thereof - help to create a sense of anticipation.

Invocation of the Divine Aspect

Always Include.

More often than not, you will use this section as an invocation to Menphina. However, this can be for any Divine Aspect that you wish to hold influence over or meet the needs of the ritual being performed. It is possible to call on multiple deities, but it is best to be familiar with the lore! If you are performing a blessing for those who wander across the sea, it might make sense to call upon both Llymlaen and Oschon. However, the lore notes that there is an uncomfortable history between the two, which could turn a blessing into much more of a curse.

What it might look like:

/em places a moon daisy on the altar with one hand as the other rests above their heart, “Menphina, hear us. Join us in this hour. May your presence shine brightly as the moon above. May we be blessed by your beauty and love.”

(You may use this as a chance to have participants/observers give a call back; “May we be blessed by your beauty and love.” is a common one at the Temple.)

Offering

Optional.

An offering is given as a sign of devotion or gratitude, meant to honor the goddess and further express the participants’ intention. It can be literal, physical, or entirely symbolic. Participants may be asked to light a candle, place an object for offering on the altar, or release their fears. For rituals with a larger number of participants, this is often the easiest way to encourage engagement and allow the participants to have a chance to actually participate.

Do note, the offering can be given before the main ritual act or after. If you choose to include an offering, it is up to you to decide which would be more impactful. But, as a general guide - offerings made before the ritual typically act as a means of garnering favor with the divine, showing intent, or releasing what might hold one back from fully engaging with the ritual. Offerings made after the main ritual act are done so in honor of the purpose of the ritual, as a means of showing the rituals impact, or leading into reflection.

Main Ritual Act

Always Include.

This is the core of the ritual, where you lead an act central to the ritual’s purpose. It may involve chanting, guided meditation, storytelling, shared recitation, singing, creation of a potion or sacred object, etc.

This is the part that most people think of when the word ritual is mentioned. It is the main event. It is the thing that puts all of the intention into action. It is also the part that has the most variability. There are few limits regarding what could be considered the main ritual act, so long as it supports the intended purpose of the ritual.

Typically, the section will be scripted and only you and anyone directly assisting with the ritual will have lines. You may include call backs during this or encourage participants to chant while the main act is taking place. You may also use this time to fulfill the ritual’s purpose, especially if the ritual involves blessing the participants in some way.

Silent Reflection

Optional.

Rituals that involve heavy emotions, such as grief, benefit from a moment of silent reflection. You may also use this as a chance to give the participants a phrase or something else meaningful to meditate over.

For instance, “In honoring our past, we allow ourselves a path into our future. In this quiet, let us commune with Menphina in our own way.”

Be aware that this can be VERY uncomfortable for some, especially if it does not fit the tone or purpose of the ritual. It can be a wonderful addition to some rituals, but completely kill the vibe of others.

Gratitude for Divine Assistance

Always Include.

In any instance in which a divine being is called upon, we must show respect and gratitude for their assistance. This is a powerful distinction in our roleplay. We are not dark cultists, forcing other beings to do our will. We are devout followers of Menphina, who honor the Twelve, and are reverent of their gifts.

This may be something as simple as adding a, “Menphina, we give thanks for your guidance this night.” or a mini-monologue thanking the God(s) for their role in the ritual, their creations, their role in the larger picture of things, etc.

Closing Benediction

Optional.

This acts as a final blessing that brings the ritual to a close. If you’ve included a moment for silent reflection, you may not wish to include the benediction. If you do include the benediction, it is also likely that you will flow direction from the gratitude for divine assistance into the closing benediction without a pause.

The closing benediction may be used to reflect on what was gained through the ritual, especially if it involved a blessing or anything that the participants in the ritual will carry away with them.

Formal Dismissal

Optional.

No one likes that awkward moment when people linger for a long time not really knowing what to do. Including a formal dismissal can help to avoid those moments. This clearly indicates that the ritual is over and gives some form of instruction for what can be done next - whether it is sending them home to reflect on what has taken place, inviting them to remain and enjoy one another's company, or so on. This also gives you a clear path to step out of being the central focus and either depart or engage in less formal roleplay.

II. Planning & Writing a Ritual

Step 1: Outline the Purpose and Key Elements of the Ritual

Define the ritual’s IC purpose. Why is the ritual being performed? What is the intended outcome of the ritual?
Identify key elements of the ritual. What will help support your ritual? Which parts should you include? Is this ritual only for you, a small group, or will many participants be included? All of these things can help inform decisions about what to include in the ritual.
List desired outcomes for those who participate. Consider both IC and OOC factors. What is the mood or tone of the ritual? Will participants gain anything (blessings, ideas to reflect on, physical objects)? Answering this question can greatly influence where the ritual takes part, what level of preparation is required, and where the ritual will take place.

By the time you complete this step, you should know the following:

The purpose of the ritual.
The outcome of the ritual.
The parts that need to be included in the ritual.
The desired level of guest participation.
The number of assistants (if any) that will be needed.
The mood/tone of the ritual.
The location that the ritual will take place.
A general idea of items that will need to be gathered before performing the ritual.

Step 2: Write the Script

How you write your script is entirely up to you. Some prefer to have everything pre-written, including RP actions. Some prefer to write the script as macros that can be easily used in game. Others merely write the dialogue and improvise their RP actions throughout. Each has their pros and cons. However, you will always want to have some level of script to follow, as this will help keep the ritual on track. It is also absolutely necessary if your ritual requires one or more others to assist you.

Tips for writing a ritual script:

Use RP actions to set the scene just as much as you use dialogue. While leading a ritual, you can think of yourself as a game master. You are not only roleplaying yourself, but the atmosphere. Describing the setting and any ambient occurrences can greatly enhance the ritual experience and add a sense of wonder and awe. Consider all of the senses. Try to keep it brief, but atmospheric.
Outline each section of the ritual. Even if it is not said, it can be helpful to write your script in chunks. This is even more helpful in instances that you wish for more guest participation - so that you have clear indications of where guest involvement begins and when you pick up leading the ritual again.
Even if you choose to leave out RP actions to improvise in the moment, your script should include dialogue and “stage directions” - again, this is VITAL for any ritual in which you are coordinating with others.
If you are having others assist you and they are written into the script, it is ideal to write out any RP actions you wish for them to perform. Allow them to change the language to better fit their character, especially in respect to pronouns, but the less they have to add to your rituals, the easier it is to get others who are willing to assist.

Examples might look like..

Priest 1:

/ebow

/y “Welcome to this evening's ritual. We are honored to share this night with you as we come together in honor of our Blessed Menphina and the bounty she has bestowed upon us.”

Priest 2:

/welcome

/y “Please join us as we give our praise. There is no need to be shy, you may stand nearer if you so wish.”

Priest 3:

/cheer

/y “May She hear our hearts sing and know that our love is pure. Let us begin!”

Priest 1: “Welcome to this evening's ritual. We are honored to share this night with you as we come together in honor of our Blessed Menphina and the bounty she has bestowed upon us.”

(bow to those gathered)

Priest 2: “Please join us as we give our praise. There is no need to be shy, you may stand nearer if you so wish.”

(RP or emote inviting guests to stand near the ritual space)

Priest 3: “May She hear our hearts sing and know that our love is pure. Let us begin!”

(Show excitement and joy!)

Step 3: Plan for Guest Participation

Some rituals will not require guest participation - however, these should be few and far between and hold significance to the character performing the ritual AND those witnessing it. For instance, a dedication ritual may be a solo performance, but those witnessing it are aware of its importance.

Outside of those specific instances, you should always plan for some level of guest participation.

No matter how proud you are of the script, if the expectation is for others to standby and watch - especially if it is a lengthy ritual - it can be a very boring experience for those observing.

A few tips to increase guest involvement:

Include breaks in your script to allow to guest involvement.
Ask for volunteers before the ritual begins to help with small tasks that do not need to be scripted, such as lighting a candle or leading the call backs/chants.
Include group responses! Our community is already primed for giving call back responses to certain phrases. Take advantage of this! Come up with your own or include chanting, prayer, etc.
Signal for optional participation - do this through RP or invitation, do not expect everyone to be eager to participate, but allow those who wish to a chance to do so. This can be as simple as asking those who wish to participate to step forward, stand, etc.
Don’t be shy to use OOC directions, this can often be more helpful than disruptive.
Use direct consent in the ritual. If you offer a blessing, nectar, etc. include a quick “Do you accept this blessing?” to avoid any discomfort. If they say no or otherwise indicate a no, move on, do not pressure them or make things awkward.

Step 4: Logistics

All of the above planning means nothing if you do not get the logistics of the ritual down in time. This includes having a set date, time and location, knowing ahead of time if you need assistants (and making sure they have access to the script!), gathering any items you might need, and so on.

Things to consider here are:

When and where the ritual will take place
Who will be assisting with the ritual
Advertising for the ritual - is this a small gathering you will only inform close friends about, or is this something to be advertised on the Temple discord and possibly else where? Make sure you coordinate with leadership at least one week in advance if you need help with advertising.
If you’re using macros, make them ahead of time and run through them to make sure there are no errors.
Organize and status effects, items, housing effects, etc. and make sure that they work the way you hope they will so there are no unexpected surprises during the ritual.
Do not rely on mods for visual effects!!!! Unless you are 100% sure that everyone observing can see your mods, do not rely on them. You may include them, but always use a written description of your actions along side any visuals from the mods.

Additional Tips

Flexible Language: Be considerate of your language choices. We prefer inclusive language when possible. Also avoid language that assumes participation from those who may not have consented.
Be mindful of heavy topics. If your ritual covers emotionally charged topics, such as grief or overcoming abuse, this needs to be VERY clearly stated in any advertisements for the ritual AND before the ritual begins. Performing a ritual that hits on topics that have a high potential to be triggering without giving forewarning is a form of breaking consent.
Debrief: Preparing for, writing, and performing rituals take a lot of focus and energy. It is usually a good idea to let yourself and anyone else involved in the ritual have a chance to wide down IC and OOC after it is over. Also, be open to reflections and feedback. Constructive criticism might be uncomfortable, but it can also help improve future rituals.

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