Over the coming weeks, you might see some blog posts and product descriptions containing a bit of… let’s call it forced… language. While we’re doing our best to avoid making it cringeworthily obvious and allow the text to flow as organically as possible we are, as any other business, subject to the whims of soulless algorithms. By strategically injecting keywords, we hope to maximize our search engine optimization and draw in more readers and customers. It’s an ugly truth, and one want to be transparent about. We’re a small publisher in a relatively small niche. We have to make that coin somehow, and this is, sadly, how the world works now.

Creating memorable and engaging characters is a cornerstone of any successful roleplaying game. Whether you’re crafting a hero for a high fantasy epic or a detective in a modern mystery, the principles remain the same. Here’s some advice to help you bring your characters to life in a way that captures the imagination of your players and enhances the roleplaying experience.

So I’ve talked a bit about cottagecore, I’ve discussed dark academia, and at some point I’ll write about magical realism. The throughline for me is escapism. They’re all ways of looking at the world in, if not an entirely positive and hopeful way, then at least a comforting one. One can see the tropes of each genre as coping mechanisms, literally for the characters in these stories and vicariously for those of us in this real world. There is a simplicity in these genres; they may be difficulty to explain, sure, and different people will have a wide range of definitions about what fits within each category, but you know it when it feels right. If nothing else, characters can be seen to be living under a code of ethics, or a personal philosophy, uncomplicated principles that guide their lives.

What I want to talk about today is dark academia. Both the aesthetic and the genre. I have an opinion, a conjecture, not a fact, about why it’s popular. While I cannot speak for everyone, and am not an expert, I can speak to why it appeals to me, and why it’s going to be a running thread through a lot of the modern roleplaying games I have planned over the coming months, possibly the next couple of years.

So, TLDR, I’m only doing games that explore cooperation, interaction, and investigation going forward. I’m not saying there will be zero violence. I’m saying that when it does exist, it’s to make a point, and it should be shocking, and it should be a terrible, tragic thing. But I’m also saying that meeting supporting characters and having romantic adventures in the classical sense and solving problems and making discoveries are fun, and escapist, and uplifting, and a balm for the soul. And that’s what I want to put out into the world.

This week brings another minor-but-significant change as the newsletter merges with the blog. From now on, you can access the Lightspress Manifesto freely on the blog, but won't receive it via email unless you’re subscribed. Originally, we planned to offer exclusive discounts in the newsletter to boost subscriptions and sales. However, the blog attracts more readers, and only a couple of people occasionally use the discount code.

The Suspicion Engine: An Introduction gives you a taste of the system, allowing you to investigative how it works and what it's about before committing to the full experience. We’re planning a full lineup of complete modern games utilizing the same system and compatible settings. Accompanying each game will a series of system-neutral essays and articles. These examine the deeper traits of roleplaying, offering insights, tips, and creative prompts to enhance your experiences and roleplaying sessions

Assessing the core elements of fantasy roleplaying for their adventure potential is important for both gamemasters and players. Character classes, spell types, magic weapons, magic items, and creature types are the building blocks of adventure, shaping the stories that unfold within the setting. By understanding the story capabilities of these elements, gamemasters can craft more engaging experiences, while players can make informed choices that align with their roleplaying preferences.

Lightspress is committed to simplifying roleplaying, prioritizing substance over style. We understand that the true essence of roleplaying unfolds around the table, where creativity and collaboration flourish, not within the pages of a rulebook. We're passionate about crafting games that unite people and honor their individuality. Through a focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation, our games offer experiences where players explore compelling narratives and forge meaningful connections. By releasing these games, we aspire to cultivate inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive and where every story can shine. We invite you to join us on this journey as we light the way toward boundless creativity.

Even though there was minimal hype surrounding the release of The Odyssey, it's clear that it's underperforming. Sales are dismal. While my primary goal was to use it as a tool for developing the journaling game and navigating through Amazon's print process, and those purposes were served, it has also reaffirmed some of my preexisting notions.

I already explained in the newsletter why I released The Odyssey: A Raven & River Journaling Game last week, seemingly out of the blue with no build up, after spending weeks hyping Ghostlight. To recap briefly, I needed to make sure the journaling game rules were going to sync up with the roleplaying game rules, and the only way to do that was to finish a journaling game.

The following is an excerpt from Dreams of the Midnight Kingdom. Happy Pride, everyone!

The setting of the Midnight Kingdom examines profound themes of gender, love, and marriage, prompting characters to confront and redefine traditional constructs of masculinity and femininity while asserting their individual agency within the confines of societal expectations. This exploration adds layers of complexity to the narrative, inviting players to immerse themselves in a world where gender roles are fluid, love knows no bounds, and the institution of marriage is subject to scrutiny and reinterpretation.

I woke up this morning to the following email:

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Ghostlight so far, and my responses:

Someone caught a few typos in the Streetlight Opera System Core. They’ve been fixed. You can download the updated files from the venue where you originally purchased them.

The development of Ghostlight has been an experience, to say the least. Here are some personal reflections:

Creating a print book involves a completely different layout than that of a digital PDF. Contrary to popular belief, simply printing the same PDF designed for on-screen viewing isn't feasible. It entails waiting for proofs to arrive from the printer, making necessary corrections, ordering additional proofs, and so forth. This process can take anywhere from a couple of weeks to a few months, depending on various factors.

To address a common inquiry: