Unlock the power of traits beyond just character creation.

The Simple Approach to Roleplaying: Traits

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.

The Simple Approach to Roleplaying: Journaling is your ticket to ditching the same old, tired templates and stepping into a roleplaying experience that’s actually going to meet your needs. Part of The Simple Approach to Roleplaying series, this book digs into every corner of roleplaying, serving up solid advice for players and gamemasters alike. Forget those boring, one-size-fits-none character sheets and cookie-cutter worldbuilding forms. Journaling takes the best of bullet journaling, Cornell Notes, and the spirit of journaling games, turning them into a unique, custom tool for your roleplaying adventures. Whether you’re knee-deep in intrigue, battling epic foes, or forging legendary alliances, Journaling brings something fresh to the table. Any genre, any setting, any game (not our own), journaling can be easily adapted to do whatever you needed it to do. Perfect for fans of reclaiming their agency through creative solutions, it’s the snappy upgrade your favorite hobby needs. Ready to level up your roleplaying game? Journaling is where the fun begins!

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.

Let’s talk about dice. Specifically, let’s talk about the borderline obsession some folks have with collecting them. Now, before anyone gets their custom-made dice bag in a twist, let me just say: I get it. Dice are pretty. They’re shiny, they come in all sorts of colors, and rolling them can feel pretty darn satisfying. But I have to wonder, when did we start treating these little plastic polyhedrals like they’re precious gemstones? And why on earth does anyone need more dice than they could ever possibly use?

When it comes to roleplaying games, there’s no shortage of advice floating around. Whether it’s in forums, blogs, or social media, everyone seems to have their own version of what constitutes “acclaimed advice.” But let’s take a moment to question that term. What exactly makes advice “acclaimed”? Is it simply because it’s popular? Is it because it’s been shared, liked, and retweeted by the masses? Or is there something deeper at play?

Step into the allure and enchantment of The Simple Approach Romance in Fantasy, a captivating book that effortlessly intertwines the romance genre with your favorite fantasy settings. This story-driven, character-centered resource invites you to a world where passionate love stories, intricate relationships, and heartfelt connections take center stage. Immerse yourself in detailed scenarios inspired by The Witcher, A Court of Thorns and Roses, and Kushiel’s Dart. Whether you're a seasoned roleplayer or new to the experience, explore the enchanting realms and timeless bonds of fantasy romance. Engage with a setting where your next love story is just a roll away!

Being a peerless player in a tabletop roleplaying game isn’t about being the loudest at the table or having the most elaborately detailed character backstory. It’s about enhancing the experience for everyone involved, including the gamemaster and your fellow players. If you’re aiming to be the kind of player everyone wants in their game, here’s how to do it without turning the session into your own personal show.

The

Lightspress Handbook

Creating a notable supporting character for a roleplaying game is both an art and a bit of a science. You want to design someone who sticks in the minds of your players, someone they’ll talk about long after the campaign is over. But how do you craft a character who isn’t just memorable, but also enhances the game? Let’s break it down.

Creating a classic roleplaying campaign might seem like a tall order, but it’s really about focusing on the fundamentals and ensuring that the experience is memorable for everyone involved. Whether you’re looking to create something epic that spans years or just want a series of linked adventures that feel timeless, there are some key elements to keep in mind. Let’s dive into how you can build a campaign that stands the test of time and earns the title of “classic.”

Discover hidden truths in a world where magic meets mystery. The Simple Approach to Mystery in Fantasy invites you to engage in a story-focused, character-driven roleplaying experience where unraveling mysteries is more than just a plot point; it is the heart of the adventure. Imagine exploring a fantasy setting of your choice, where every corner hides secrets waiting to be uncovered. This book layers traditional mystery genre elements onto a fantasy backdrop, creating an atmosphere filled with intrigue, suspense, and the thrill of the unknown.

If you’ve been following Lightspress for a while, you’ve probably noticed some shifts in our branding and overall approach. From the revised logo to the emphasis on The Simple Approach, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. A few folks have reached out, curious about what all these changes mean, why I’m revising existing books, and what this means for Lightspress moving forward. I wanted to take a moment to address these questions and give you a peek at what’s coming next.

Creating an amazing tabletop roleplaying adventure isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. The trick is not to aim for perfection, but to focus on the elements that keep players coming back to the table. Here’s a guide to crafting an adventure that will have your players talking about it for weeks without overthinking every detail.

Creating the conditions for a sensational tabletop roleplaying session isn’t rocket science, but it does require some attention to detail, a dash of creativity, and the ability to keep your players engaged without trying too hard. I’m not going to promise any secret sauce or magic formula here, just some solid advice that works if you take the time to apply it.

When it comes to tabletop roleplaying, a “memorable moment of play” is that instant when everything clicks. It’s the scene you and your group will be talking about for years, the kind of moment that makes all the rules-lawyering, scheduling conflicts, and pizza grease on character sheets worth it. But these moments don’t just happen by accident—or at least, they don’t have to. With a little planning and a willingness to embrace the chaos of a random moment, you can create experiences that stick with your group long after the dice have cooled.

When we talk about an engaging roleplaying game community, the focus often drifts toward conventions, online forums, or the latest Kickstarter campaigns. But today, I want to shine a spotlight on a different kind of community—the home group. You know the one. The friends who’ve been gathering around the same table (or, let’s be honest, the same living room) for years, maybe decades. These are the folks with jobs, families, and other interests, who still carve out time to roll dice and tell stories together. They might not be the most visible or vocal part of the RPG scene, but they’re every bit as much a community as anyone else.