EPISTULAE DAEMONICAE

Epistulae Daemonicae takes Sir Walter Scott’s Letters on Demonology and Witchcraft and transforms them into a sourcebook for fantasy and modern roleplaying that’s as haunting as it is inspired. Whether you’re crafting tales of dark fantasy, unraveling historical mysteries, or exploring the supernatural in a grounded modern setting, this book delivers the tools to tell character-driven, story-focused tales where every decision matters. Forget cookie-cutter plots, this is where imagination, collaboration, and player agency shape the narrative.

Drawing on Scott’s chilling accounts of demons, witches, and the occult, this sourcebook grounds fantastical elements in historical roots, lending authenticity to the strange and terrifying. You’ll find inspiration for everything from ancient grimoires and cursed artifacts to the societal consequences of witch hunts and the secret machinations of infernal cults. Whether you're working with a historical setting or giving modern-day characters a taste of arcane danger, the content fits seamlessly into your sessions.

What makes this book more than just a list of spooky lore is its focus on weaving these elements into character and story. Instead of merely tossing in demons as cannon fodder or witches as plot device, it pushes you to explore the personal stakes. What happens to someone accused of witchcraft in an oppressive community? How does a pact with a demon reshape a character’s motivations, relationships, and moral compass? These aren’t just monsters and spells, they’re the threads of a larger narrative tableau, driving conflict, growth, and, let’s face it, a good dose of drama.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all sourcebook. Whether you prefer gritty historical intrigue, cinematic dark fantasy, or modern occult conspiracies, there’s something here to adapt to your preferred flavor of roleplaying. The tools inside balance historical context with creative freedom, giving gamemasters the resources to anchor their stories in believable details while still leaving plenty of room for the bizarre and otherworldly.

For players who love to immerse themselves in character and story, Epistulae Daemonicae offers hooks that go beyond surface-level engagement. Imagine a priest struggling to reconcile their faith with evidence of demonic forces, or a scholar obsessed with uncovering a witch’s secret at the cost of their sanity. This is a book that thrives on morally complex decisions and messy, human stakes. Sure, you can throw fireballs, but wouldn’t you rather wrestle with questions that stick with you long after the session ends?

And let’s not ignore the collaborative possibilities. This sourcebook isn’t just for the gamemaster, it’s a treasure chest for players who want to flesh out backstories, motivations, and arcs tied to the occult. Whether you're running the show or sitting at the table, Epistulae Daemonicae ensures everyone has something to contribute to the story’s richness.

Perfect for fans of history, the occult, and roleplaying, this book feels fresh yet familiar, blending inspiration from Sir Walter Scott with modern design sensibilities. If you’re tired of shallow plots and disposable scares, this is your invitation to build something unforgettable. Dive into the supernatural, bring characters to life, and let the narrative take you somewhere dark, compelling, and genuinely engaging.

Verbum Pro Infirmis Cordibus

Roleplaying won't summon demons. It won’t lure children into cults. That hasn’t stopped the usual suspects from screeching about it for forty years. You know the ones. Big smiles, small souls. The kind of people who think empathy is a threat and imagination is a sin.

They’re louder now. Meaner, too. They want a world where everyone worships like them, lives like them, dies like them. And if you don’t? They’ll try to silence you. Ban your books. Burn your stories. Pretend it’s for the sake of the children.

This book contains no sex, no gore, no violence. Just ideas. Fiction. Tools for telling tales. That’s it. If that’s enough to make someone spiral into a frothing panic, the problem isn’t the book.

And if the things in these pages upset the people who want to kill art and call it holiness, good. Let it unsettle them. Let it haunt them.

We’ll be here. Speaking our intentions into the dark, and laughing while they choke on their own fear.

Monitum de Argumento

This book engages with historical material that includes explicit examples of colonialism, racism, misogyny, and religious bigotry. These elements are inherent to the time period and source texts and are presented here for critical reflection and roleplaying inspiration. Readers should approach this content with care and awareness, especially when adapting it for collaborative storytelling.

Navigating This Book

Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in these pages:

The Letters: Each of Scott’s letters is summarized in straightforward, easy-to-digest English. Instead of slogging through dense text, you’ll get clear, concise versions of his ideas without losing any of the eerie charm or historical intrigue that make them worth exploring. Every letter is broken down to capture the essence of Scott’s observations, making them accessible to readers who might not want to wrestle with the original 19th-century language.

Analysis of the Letters: This section goes deeper, examining the meaning and significance behind each letter. It explores the historical context, the circumstances surrounding Scott’s writing, and the broader points he was making. Whether he was critiquing the superstition of his time or investigating cultural attitudes toward witchcraft and demonology, it’s all unpacked here. This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a way to understand how these ideas can resonate with modern storytelling and character design.

Roleplaying the Letters: The practical heart of the book, this section focuses on how to turn Scott’s observations into a wealth of narrative inspiration. You’ll learn how to use the letters to create vibrant worlds, flesh out detailed character backgrounds, and brainstorm fresh adventure ideas. From cursed relics to morally ambiguous witch hunts, this section provides the building blocks to craft memorable stories steeped in supernatural intrigue. Whether you want a dark fantasy tone or a more grounded historical approach, there’s something here to suit your style.

Reference: This is where the nuts and bolts of the book come together. You’ll find ready-to-use stock characters, creatures, and equipment, all tailored to fit into the settings you’re creating. The glossary helps clarify key terms, the bibliography points you toward additional resources, and there are detailed notes on converting this material into any system you prefer, or folding your system’s rules into the ideas presented here. It’s all about making sure you can use this sourcebook as seamlessly as possible in your sessions.