I've been cranking out system-agnostic material for a solid decade, and I'm still here, somehow. You’d think by now, I’d have grown numb to all the noise about how “system-agnostic material doesn’t sell.” Spoiler: It does. I’ve got at least one Platinum and multiple Gold bestsellers on DriveThruRPG, thank you very much. But does that shut anyone up? Of course not.

This rating system helps clarify what your character is capable of, providing both players and gamemasters with a clear framework for understanding the character’s strengths and challenges. Each level invites different narrative opportunities, from the struggles of a Beginner to the confidence and influence of an Authority.

Traits are essential elements in roleplaying that define and shape how characters, objects, and the broader world interact within the narrative. A character trait is more than just a description; it's a key element that influences decisions, actions, and the story’s direction. For example, a character might have the trait "Unyielding Determination," which suggests they won’t back down from challenges, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This trait isn’t just a label; it actively drives the character’s behavior and impacts the unfolding events.

Balance, in our view, isn’t about making sure every character is equally good at combat. It’s about giving each character meaningful things to do that align with their strengths. This approach requires creativity from the gamemaster and critical thinking from the player. Thieves steal, healers heal, bards perform. It’s all about letting characters shine in their respective roles. The old wargame-derived paradigm demands everyone to be a fighter, turning wizards, druids, and clerics into just another form of combatant.

We understand that our vision might not align with everyone’s style of play, and that’s perfectly fine. We’re not here to say that your way is wrong or that our way is the only way; we’re simply exploring and embracing different possibilities that resonate with us. The roleplaying industry is vast and diverse, offering a wide array of games that cater to many tastes, and we respect that completely. There’s a place for every kind of game, every kind of story, and every kind of player in this hobby. But for those of us searching for something outside the mainstream, we’re creating the games that reflect our vision, our interests, and our approach to storytelling.

We’re all about story and character, not tactics or rules-lawyering. In our games, players are encouraged to work together, share ideas, and actively shape the story as a group. The gamemaster isn’t a dictator, intent on controlling every element of the game, nor a character-killer lurking behind the screen to catch you off guard. Instead, the gamemaster acts as a facilitator, guiding the narrative while giving players the freedom to explore and contribute. We believe in a collaborative approach that makes everyone at the table feel like they’re part of something special and meaningful, creating a story that’s greater than the sum of its parts.

Let’s be real—hypotheticals are pointless if they don’t translate into actual roleplaying. What really matters is what happens at the table, not what looks good on paper. Our entire focus is on creating content that not only works in real-world play but also enhances your experience and makes your game sessions something you’ll remember for years. We’re not interested in flashy ideas that never make it past the discussion stage; we’re all about practical, usable content that truly improves your game.

Getting here was a journey in every sense of the word. It wasn’t a straight path, and it certainly wasn’t quick. We spent years refining our approach, figuring out exactly what we wanted to say and, more importantly, how we needed to say it. We tested ideas, threw concepts at the wall to see what stuck, and learned a lot about what works—and what really doesn’t. There were false starts, dead ends, and moments where we had to step back and rethink everything. But each twist and turn in the process brought us closer to a system that genuinely serves the needs of today’s roleplayers.

This issue is a little different. It’s a compilation of blog posts I wrote for #RPGaDay2024, which means I had to play it a bit safer than usual. These posts were published on the Lightspress website, so the swearing is toned down, the snark is more subtle, and the overall vibe is a bit more “professional.” But trust me, if you read between the lines, you’ll still catch glimpses of the real me—the one who’s fed up with the gatekeeping, the outdated rules, and the nonsense that still gets a pass in certain corners of the hobby.

So, it’s over. #RPGaDay2024 has wrapped up, and I’m sitting here reflecting on the past month. I wrote some things that I think were pretty good. More than just getting words on a page, these posts helped solidify some ideas that had been swirling around in my head for a while. And, hopefully, I managed to communicate some of the Lightspress philosophy to readers along the way.

I had someone come for my eyes over the post I made yesterday, saying it was unprofessional of me to comment about a review. At no point did I name the reviewer or make fun of them; I poked fun at the review, not the person. I intentionally avoided linking to it, because I do not want anyone getting hassled over something I think is pretty trivial.

But if you want to open up a can of worms about professionalism, okay, let’s go.

Today’s #RPGaDay2024 prompt is “Game or gamer you miss,” and it got me thinking about one of those roleplaying gems that never quite got the chance to shine as brightly as it could have: Victory Games’ James Bond 007 roleplaying game. Released in the early '80s, this game was a bit of an anomaly in the roleplaying world, blending the high-stakes espionage and glamorous intrigue of the Bond films with a system that was both innovative and approachable. But like many good things, it came to an end too soon, and I can’t help but wonder what could have been

(Shrug.)

Not everything is for everyone, and it shouldn’t be. I create things for the people that get it. If you don’t, you don’t. There are other things for you, go enjoy them.

Today’s #RPGaDay2024 prompt is “Person you'd like to game with,” and I can’t help but imagine one of the most famous gatherings of literary minds in history: the summer of 1816 at Villa Diodati. Picture this: Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, Mary Wollstonecraft (soon to be Mary Shelley), and Dr. John Polidori, all gathered around a table—not to share ghost stories, but to dive into a roleplaying game. If you think their real-life discussions were intense, just imagine the kind of campaign these creative powerhouses could conjure up.

When today’s #RPGaDay2024 prompt is “Awesome app,” you might be expecting me to rave about some shiny new app that promises to revolutionize your roleplaying sessions. Spoiler alert: that’s not going to happen. If you’ve been following along, you already know where I stand on this. Roleplaying is about the shared experience around the table, not about which app can juggle the most rules or track the most stats. So let’s get into why, despite the allure of digital tools, I still stand by good old-fashioned paper.

Great. Today's #RPGaDay2024 prompt is "Great gamer gadget." If you’ve been following this series, you’ve probably already caught on to where I’m going with this one. But for those just tuning in, let me be crystal clear: roleplaying isn’t about the gadgets, gizmos, or flashy accessories that seem to multiply faster than rabbits at an overcrowded table. It’s about the storytelling, the creativity, and the shared experience. But since I’m supposed to talk about gadgets today, I’ll give it a go—if only to highlight just how unnecessary they often are.

Let me tell you about the time my 7-year-old nephew wanted to watch the game. He was fascinated by what was happening on the table, but the adults were busy moving minis around, blocking his view. Determined to see what was going on, he leaned over so far that he fell right off his chair, cracked his head open, and ended up needing 14 stitches. We had to end the session right then and there to take him to the hospital. Talk about a session killer.

Ah, the humble screen—a piece of gear often overlooked in the roleplaying circle, yet vital to many a gamemaster’s sanity. Today’s prompt for #RPGaDay2024 is “Superb Screen,” so let’s dive into the magic this simple barrier brings to our tables. No, we’re not talking about your ultra-high-definition gaming monitor or that cinema-sized display you've been eyeing for your next movie night. We’re talking about the gamemaster screen, a tool that’s as much about managing chaos as it is about keeping secrets.