Rules of the Game

Some say Emohbi, the “Keeper of the Island”, created the island in order to keep a watchful eye on all the animals and people below.  Born from an undersea volcano millions of years ago the island is now home to many happy villagers and is filled with all sorts of interesting creatures and wildlife.

Each season the villages select one special person to compete in a race to the top of the island.  The journey to the top is filled with surprises, some good, and some bad.  As a player in the game of Emohbi, your task is to bring victory to your village by being the first player to reach the top.

 Assembly Before 1^st Use

The bottom, middle, and top levels of Emohbi must be assembled prior to its first use. Please see the diagrams on the “Assembly Instructions” page in order to assemble the levels.  Once assembled, the levels can be placed inside each other and put back in the box ready for the next game of Emohbi.

 Before You Begin Each Game

At the start of the game, assemble the 6 interlocking Base pieces into a hexagon. They can be placed in any order.  Next place the largest level in the center of the hexagon. Then add the Middle level and the Top level.  Finally, add Emohbi to the Top level.  While assembling, the levels can be oriented in any way. The ladders can lead to other ladders or waterfalls can align with other waterfalls.

Object of the Game

The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the top of the island by scaling the final steps of Emohbi.  

Rules of Play

• Each player chooses a playing piece and selects a lettered starting space (E, M, O, H, B, or I).  More than one player may select the same starting space/letter. Likewise, during the game more than one player can occupy the same space.
• Each player is then dealt two (2) cards. The player can view their own cards but should keep them hidden from other players.
• The youngest player starts by playing a card they were dealt and then moving their playing piece in either direction the number on the card. If they play a command card, they follow the instructions on the card.
• If after moving the number of spaces the player lands on the space at the bottom of a ladder, the player may climb the ladder to the next level.  If more than one ladder is lined up, the player may climb that ladder as well in the same turn.
• If a player lands on a waterfall, the player must move down to the level below.  If another waterfall is lined up, the player moves down that waterfall as well.
• Once a card is played, it is put into the discard pile and another card is picked up.
• Command Cards:
  1. Switch Places with Another Player – the player switches places with another player.
  2. Draw 2 Cards / Play 1 Card – the player draws 2 cards and chooses one to play. The card that was played is put into the discard pile while the other card is kept.  The player does not pick up a new card at the end of their turn so they will still have 2 cards for their next turn.
  3. Move to Nearest Ladder – the player moves to the nearest ladder in either direction and may move up one level.  If more than one ladder is lined up the player may move up that ladder as well.
  4. Move a Player to the Nearest Waterfall – the player moves another player to the nearest waterfall in either direction and the moved pawn falls down one level.  If more than one waterfall is lined up, the player falls down that waterfall as well. If two waterfalls are an equal distance away, the player who is playing the card chooses which waterfall to use. 
  5. Roll the Die and Move the Number of Spaces Rolled – When this card is played, the player rolls the number die and moves, in either direction, the number of spaces rolled.  If they land at the base of a ladder, they can choose to go up that ladder. If more than one ladder is lined up the player may move up that ladder as well.
  6. Rotate Any Level – The player can rotate the middle level, top level, or Emohbi one segment in either direction.  If the middle level is rotated, all levels above rotate with it.   Likewise, if the top level is rotated Emohbi rotates as well.  After rotating the level(s), if the player who rotated the level is at the base of a ladder, they can go up that ladder. If after going up the level, they are at the base of another ladder, they can go up that ladder as well.  The card is then discarded and there is no more movement.  If after rotating the level(s), a different player is at the bottom of a ladder they can move up that ladder on their turn if they choose to. If more than one ladder is lined up the player can move up that ladder as well.  If the player at the base of a ladder chooses to play a number card, going up each ladder counts as a space. The player then plays a card from their hand and follows the rules above.

When the turn is complete, place the card in the discard pile.

• Chance Spaces and the Chance Die:

On each level there are Chance Spaces indicated by the orange stepping stones. If your turn ends on a Chance space you roll the six (6) sided Chance die and move the number rolled or follow the command. 

The six (6) sides of the die are made up of the numbers 1, 2, and 3, and the commands, “Move to the Nearest Ladder”, “Move to the Nearest Waterfall”, and “Switch Places”.

• Play continues to the next player on the left of the previous player (clockwise).

For Our Youngest Players

Emohbi can also be played without using the cards and instead rolling the number die on each turn.  In this case, the player rolls the die and then moves the number of spaces rolled in either direction.  If the player lands at the bottom of a ladder they move up that ladder.  If more than one ladder is lined up, they move up that ladder as well.  Likewise, if they land on a waterfall, they fall down that waterfall.  If more than one waterfall is lined up, they fall down that waterfall as well.

Winning the Game

The first player to reach the top of Emohbi wins the game.

• Reaching the top is accomplished by landing on the space of the bottom step of Emohbi and climbing the steps to the top.

WARNING:

CHOKING HAZARD

Game contains small parts.

Not suitable for children under 3 years.