Building on Intentions
The Manifesto 🌓 5 February 2025
The first quarter moon marks a shift, the moment when intentions begin to take form. What was imagined in the stillness of the new moon starts to demand action. It’s a time of momentum, of taking those first steps, even when the path ahead feels uncertain.
After reflecting on my values during the new moon, I’ve spent this past week considering what it means to translate them into action. Empathy, compassion, literacy, non-violence, these are big ideas. But like all intentions, they need more than words to live. They need to find their way into the details, the decisions, and the work itself.
For me, that means crafting roleplaying experiences where those values aren’t just present but felt. It means designing systems that make social interaction and problem-solving as compelling as conflict. It means writing stories that explore the complexities of human nature, showing the beauty and struggle of connection. And it means trusting the players, trusting you, to bring your own insights and creativity to the table, shaping these ideas into something unique and alive.
But this phase of the moon also comes with challenges. The first steps toward a goal often reveal obstacles we didn’t anticipate. Maybe it’s a system that doesn’t quite deliver the experience I’d hoped for, or a story that feels just shy of the mark. These moments are frustrating, but they’re also opportunities to refine and grow. The first quarter moon is a reminder that action isn’t always smooth or straightforward, but it’s necessary.
For you, perhaps this is a time to consider how the intentions you set are beginning to take shape. What first steps have you taken? What challenges have emerged? And how might you adjust your approach to move forward with clarity and purpose?
As the moon grows, so does its light. Let this phase be a time of steady progress, of action paired with reflection, momentum tempered by care. For my part, I’ll continue to explore how these values, empathy, literacy, non-violence, can find new life in the work I create, trusting that each small step builds toward something greater.
The moon reminds us that growth is gradual. Each phase has its purpose. What we nurture today will shine brighter tomorrow. So here’s to building, trying, and beginning again. Let’s keep moving forward.
I hope you’re doing well today.
Berin
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Latest Releases
Here’s what’s new in the Lightspress shop this week!
Action Plan Update
Before I get into the update, I want to point you toward this link:
If you have questions, start there. It covers a lot.
I’ve changed the name of this section from Master Plan to Action Plan. It sounds more corporate (unfortunately), but it also feels less like I’m plotting something nefarious. There are enough villains out there already, and while I’ll always be punk at heart, I’m leaning into a gentler approach, at least until the moment calls for something… less gentle.
That said, here’s my current list. If something I’ve mentioned before isn’t here, that doesn’t mean it’s canceled, it just means it’s not on the docket for this quarter. And even with this list, I won’t get to everything right away. Creativity isn’t a straight line, and neither is this process. But this is where my focus is for now.
Creating Campaign Bibles
I’m not entirely sure how I ended up down this rabbit hole, but here we are.
And just to be clear, these aren’t copy/paste, find/replace jobs. While the core structure stays the same, each book is built specifically for its genre, shaped to fit the tone, themes, and storytelling needs that make it distinct. The fundamentals might be shared, but the details? Those are crafted with care.
Crime & Mystery: Creating a Campaign Bible
Dark Academia: Creating a Campaign Bible
Espionage: Creating a Campaign Bible
Folk Horror: Creating a Campaign Bible
Magical Realism: Creating a Campaign Bible
Modern Horror: Creating a Campaign Bible
Modern Occult: Creating a Campaign Bible
Modern Romance: Creating a Campaign Bible
Pirates: Creating a Campaign Bible
Space Opera: Creating a Campaign Bible
Fantasy Academia Open Loops
Before diving into something new, I want to start closing some loops. These are the Fantasy Academia books that need to be wrapped up before I shift focus to Dark Academia. Finishing one cycle before beginning the next, it just feels right.
Fantasy Academia Grimoire I
Fantasy Academia Grimoire II
Fantasy Academia Understanding the Genre
Fantasy Academia Faction Compendium
Fantasy Academia World Creation Guide
Modern Occult Open Loops
Before shifting into other genres, I need to finish what I started here. These are the occult titles that need to be completed or revised first, clearing the path before stepping into the next phase.
Goetia Grimoire
Dionysian Fantasy Sourcebook
Personae Mythologia Sourcebook
Personae Historia Sourcebook
Occult Bestiary
Occult Equipment Manual
Occult Faction Compendium
Roleplaying Games
Before turning my attention to revisions or diving into something new, these are the full, one-book games I want to finish and release. One step at a time, one project at a time, getting these out into the world comes first.
DoubleZero
Erich Maria Remarque’s All Quiet on the Western Front Roleplaying Game
William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury Roleplaying Game
Ernest Hamingway’s A Farewell to Arms Roleplaying Game
Kangaroo: A Punk Fairytale Roleplaying Game
Lightspress Handbook 1.3
This will be released after, or possibly alongside, DoubleZero. The updates will be minor: a few system refinements, some clarifications to the company philosophy (nothing drastic, just sharpening the focus), and answers to more frequently asked questions. Small adjustments, but ones that should make a difference.
Not On This List
The following books didn’t make the cut for this quarter, which means I won’t be getting to them until at least next quarter, April at the earliest. Priorities shift, but for now, these are on hold.
The Simple Approach
These books will get a once-over before being made available for print, nothing drastic, just a final check to make sure they’re ready to go.
Character Death
Developing Traits
Journaling the Game
Outcomes & Story
Running the Game
Story Adaptation
Using Themes
The following new books, designed to work with both The Simple Approach and as system-agnostic resources, are on the list for the second quarter of 2025. Looking ahead to new horizons.
Adventure Creation: Conflict & Consequence
Adventure Creation: Growth & Change
Adventure Creation: Relationships & Emotions
Adventure Creation: Strategy & Survival
Adversary Creation
Character Creation
Equipment Creation
Faction Creation
World Creation
Opera Games & (Former) DZ Settings
These books need to be revised, expanded, and brought up to code with The Simple Approach. Each will be a stand-alone, one-book game, though that doesn’t rule out future sourcebooks if they make sense down the line.
Crossbones Opera (alternate history piracy)
Hardboiled Follies (amateur detectives)
Mansions & Misfits (weird low-level supers found-family)
Moonlight Opera (modern romance)
Spectres of Mars (near-future science fiction detectives)
Starlight Opera (space opera)
Streetlight Opera (noir crime)
Dark Academia
These books either need a full revision, significant expansion, or to be built from the ground up. Some are refinements, some are overhauls, and some are entirely new, but all are on the list.
Dark Academia: Adventure Workbook
Dark Academia: Characters: Narrative Handbook
Dark Academia: Equipment Manual
Dark Academia: Faction Compendium
Dark Academia: Understanding the Genre
Dark Academia: World Creation Guide
Espionage
These books either need a full revision, significant expansion, or to be built from the ground up. Some are refinements, some are overhauls, and some are entirely new, but all are on the list.
Espionage: Adventure Workbook
Espionage: Characters: Narrative Handbook
Espionage: Equipment Manual
Espionage: Faction Compendium
Espionage: Understanding the Genre
Espionage: World Creation Guide
Cozy Fantasy
These books either need a full revision, significant expansion, or to be built from the ground up. Some are refinements, some are overhauls, and some are entirely new, but all are on the list.
Cozy Fantasy: Adventure Workbook
Cozy Fantasy Characters: Narrative Handbook
Cozy Fantasy: Equipment Manual
Cozy Fantasy: Faction Compendium
Cozy Fantasy: Understanding the Genre
Cozy Fantasy: World Creation Guide
Folk Horror
Yeah, I know, I opened this can of worms and then kicked it down the road. But it’s time to get to it. The following need to be created from whole cloth, built from the ground up. No shortcuts, no half-measures, just the work ahead.
Folk Horror: Adventure Workbook
Folk Horror Characters: Narrative Handbook
Folk Horror: Equipment Manual
Folk Horror: Faction Compendium
Folk Horror: World Creation Guide
Other Genres
Check back in the third quarter, they’ll get their moment. I’ll circle back to heroic/traditional fantasy (gotta keep the lights on), but I’m especially drawn to exploring crime, mystery, and magical realism. Those are likely next on the list.
Character Handbooks
All Foragers Guild Guides and DoubleZero profession books are being revised as system-agnostic resources under The Simple Approach. Each will include journaling and solo play rules, making them more flexible and accessible across different styles of play.
Glossaries
I’m planning to add the genre-based glossaries from various books to the website for easy reference. None will go live until they’re all done, better to launch them all at once than spend weeks answering, “Where’s the glossary for X, and when will it be available?” over and over.
Bibliographies
I’m also planning to add the genre-based bibliographies from various books to the website for easy reference, this time with links to purchase them. Another revenue stream, no matter how small, certainly won’t hurt. Like the glossaries, none will go live until they’re all finished. That way, I can avoid answering “Where’s the bibliography for X, and when will it be available?” a dozen times.
Yes, There’s More
But isn’t this enough for now?
Anything that hasn’t been updated to be compatible with The Simple Approach will get there eventually.
I want to keep that balanced with new releases.
Anything with a sufficient page count will eventually be available in print.
It’s all in motion, one step at a time.
Thank You
Thank you for standing with us as we push forward. With each step, your support fuels our efforts, helping us overcome challenges and stay on course. Together, we’re building something unique, bringing ideas to life with resilience and determination. We appreciate every bit of your support.
This month’s discount code is CAMPAIGN. Use it to enjoy 20% off your orders at the Lightspress shop until the next issue of the newsletter come out.
Our next issue will be released on the day of the next full moon. See you then, and as always, I hope you’re doing well today.
The Manifesto is the official source for news on upcoming releases, articles and opinions, and assorted ramblings on our games and our philosophy of roleplaying. New issues are released four times a month, on the new moon, first quarter moon, full moon, and last quarter moon, with special quarterly issues for each equinox and solstice. Stay connected and subscribe to The Manifesto now!
Lightspress promotes a simple approach to roleplaying, focusing on the utility and value of the content rather than flashy production. We strategically employ visual elements to amplify the message conveyed by the text, allowing us to create powerful and affordable toolkits. Remember, the true essence of the roleplaying experience lies not within the pages of a book, but in the creativity and collaboration fostered around your tabletop.
