Grimoires and games

Immerse yourself in the magic of the Folger and of the early modern world with our new game “A Night at the Library” paired with our Abracadabra Bloody Mary or our Gin Sigil!

Set in a fantastical realization of the Folger Shakespeare Library, “A Night at The Library” is an introductory 5E role playing adventure (RPG) meant to be enjoyed in a single session by 3 to 5 players and a Game Master (GM).

Our downloadable PDF adventure guide includes everything you need to play: a game guide, 8 pre-generated level 5 characters, NPCs with descriptions and dialogue samples, and all the necessary background knowledge and information GMs of various skill levels need to navigate the players through an exciting trip to the library!

Before you begin your adventure, however, we suggest enhancing your gameplay with one (or two!) conjuring cocktails. Both cocktails take inspiration directly from one of the magical objects in the game, the Folger’s 16th century grimoire (V.b.26 (1 and 2)).

Summoning the Spirits: Sigils

The first cocktail, our Gin Sigil featuring Farmer’s Gin, was inspired by a spell in the grimoire designed to enhance gameplay.

The spell, on page 48 of volume one, features a large ceremonial circle divided into four parts, the names of spirits to invoke, incantations, little illustrated die, and lots of perplexing sigils.

Sigils, also referred to as “seals,” are abstract symbols commonly used in western magical practice. These enigmatic designs often include alchemical and astrological symbols and traditionally represent the “true name” of a spirit. Knowledge of a spirit’s true name, such as in the well-known story of Rumpelstiltskin, gives the magician power over that spirit, allowing it to be summoned for aid or bound to carry out the magician’s will. The lists of spirit sigils and summoning spells documented in early modern grimoires, like the ones featured in this spell’s magical circle and sigils, were part of the accepted Christian over culture, often representing Biblical angels and demons such as Michael or Raphael. Ceremonial magicians like Elizabeth I’s court astrologer and advisor John Dee relied on the authority of the Christian god to call up and command the service of these beings.

Sigils are still used by practitioners of magic today. In fact, our spell for enhancing gameplay features two sigils used by modern occultists, “Fear No Foe” and “Master of Spirits.” Both sigils are also referenced in Reginald Scot’s 1584 The Discoverie of Witchcraft (STC 21864 copy 1), which, while intended to disprove magic, inadvertently recorded a trove of knowledge regarding early modern occultism, folklore, and witchcraft. In his book, Scot explains that those who bear the Fear No Foe sigil about them shall “feare no fo, but feare GOD,” while the magician bearing the Master of Spirits sigil can expect that “all spirits shall doo him homage.”

Recipe | Gin Sigil

Flipping through the Folger’s grimoire you will notice lots of Sigils.

Sigils can be drawn on the ground, on a piece of paper, or, in your case, on a cocktail napkin!

Follow the directions below to invoke your own “Fear No Foe,” which will provide protection against your enemies so you can game your best and save the Folger Shakespeare Library from the mischievous Puck!

Abracadabra! A Healing spell

If you prefer a healing spell to a protection spell, then we suggest opting for the magic of abracadabra with our Abracadabra Bloody Mary, featuring Crop Cucumber Vodka.

Abracadabra is one of the oldest and most recognized magical phrases. Although its etymological origins remain contested, we know that it has been used as a healing charm since ancient times. In fact, one of the earliest records of the word dates from the 3rd century CE. Surviving Medieval copies of Liber Medicinalis, believed to have been written by emperor Caracalla’s physician, detail how malaria sufferers wore a triangular amulet inscribed with abracadabra.

To drive out fever, the afflicted were instructed to write abracadabra 11 times, but with each inscription the last letter of the word was omitted. Once completed, the charm was worn around the neck. Abracadabra was a reductive spell. It was believed that the repetitious writing of a word or phrase that was slowly shortened or erased would also shorten or erase pain and illness.

Fortunately, the Folger’s grimoire contains an abracadabra spell (V.b.26 (2)! Like sigils, incantations (saying or writing words and phrases believed to have magical powers in formulaic or ceremonial ways) and amulets were tools for invoking spirits (Christian and otherwise), curing sickness, finding love, and even punishing those that might have wronged you. Although often placed in opposition to Christian beliefs and practices today, in the early modern world, angels were invoked alongside astrology and spells and amulets were practiced as extensions of prayer.

Recipe | Abracadabra Bloody Mary

This Abracadabra Bloody Mary harnesses the power of both the abracadabra spell and some of the medicinal herbs and spices mentioned in the grimoire.

Together this potion and incantation will increase health and happiness, help you befriend spirits, and obtain that which you most covet… to win the game and save the Folger Shakespeare Library, of course!

With your protection or healing cocktail in hand it is time to get to work because “A great number of terrible beasties have come out of books that have been left about the library.”