Why The Manifesto Follows the Moon
The new cover for The Manifesto features a full moon, surrounded by its phases. That matches how the newsletter has been released this year. New moon, first quarter, full moon, third quarter. Each issue follows a natural rhythm. Not a business calendar. Not a marketing cycle. The moon is constant. The moon is real. That’s enough.
This choice reflects the structure of the work. The moon shows up, quietly and consistently. It keeps time in a way that matters. You can look up and know exactly where you are. Wherever you stand in the world, the moon connects you to something shared. That’s why it’s on the cover of The Simple Approach. That’s why it frames The Manifesto.
It also makes a point. Creativity is real. Imagination is serious. The people who dismiss those things often live by systems made entirely from fiction. The moon offers a better framework. One that reflects attention, rhythm, and care. This is the schedule now. This is the shape of the work.
The moon keeps moving. So do we.
I hope you’re doing well today.
Berin
In Case You Missed It
The new moon is also a time to return. A few recent posts still carry weight. They don’t expire. They remain part of the conversation and may land differently now than when they first appeared.
New Releases
This is a good time to introduce something new. Titles released during this phase carry intention. They begin without noise. They arrive with focus and purpose, ready to shape what follows.
Cavern Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use caverns and cave locations in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
Forest Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use forest environmens in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
Ring Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use magical rings in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
Summer Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use the summer season in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
Wish Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use the wish spell and its variations in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
Upcoming Releases
Some projects are starting to take form. The work is early but steady. Ideas are moving into outlines, drafts are being opened, and the direction is clear. This is the part of the cycle where things begin to move.
4/27 Counter Omens: A Narrative Analysis
4/28 Destroyed Omens: A Narrative Analysis
4/29 Invisible Omens: A Narrative Analysis
4/30 Polymorph Omens: A Narrative Analysis
5/1 Prismatic Omens: A Narrative Analysis
5/2 Summoned Omens: A Narrative Analysis
TBD MANUS MALEDICTA
TBD EPISTULAE DAEMONICAE
TBD Folk Horror Sourcebook (Revised)
TBD Ghostlight (Revised)
Open Loops
These series haven’t been abandoned. Each one will be rounded out before I decide whether to continue building on them. If the interest grows, the work will follow.
Cleric Theory: Fantasy Archetype Sourcebook
Rogue Theory: Fantasy Archetype Sourcebook
Wizard Theory: Fantasy Archetype Sourcebook
The Service: Espionage Faction Sourcebook
The Magpies: Espionage Faction Sourcebook
SECTION-R: Espionage Faction Sourcebook
More Omens
This is where the work is headed next. These are broad categories, each one focusing on something familiar, approached with care, and reframed as a story tool.
Dragon Omens: Continuing with the various rainbow colors and metals.
Enviromental Omens: River Omens, Sea Omens, and Hill Omens are in the pipeline,
Familiar Omens: Familiars, animal companions, and mounts get the narrative analysis treatment. Planned releasing are Avian Omens (one book covering birds; owls, falcons, etc.), Canine Omens (dogs, wolves, dire wolves), Equine Omens (horses and horselike steeds), and Ursine Omens (bears and bear-like companions).
Location Omens: This series will cover location types with Cavern Omens, Crypt Omens, Tavern Omens, Temple Omens, and Tower Omens planned.
Magical Omens: Magic items, with the much-overlooked Orb Omens, Staff Omens, and Wand Omens joining Sword Omens and Ring Omens.
Seasonal Omens: Autumn Omens and Winter Omens are coming (couldn’t resist) to accompany Spring and Summer.
Undead Omens: Narrative analysis for Ghosts, Liches, Vampires, and Zombies.
Updated Games
Most of the earlier titles will return in revised form, updated to use The Simple Approach and made available in print. That includes the Opera series, the DoubleZero settings, and the literary adaptations. The Jane Austen cycle will begin with Sense & Sensibility, followed by Pride & Prejudice, continuing through all six novels in sequence.
Several other games are already being reworked. Ghostlight, Red Harvest, The Island of Doctor Moreau, The Magic Island, and Moloch Ex Machina are all scheduled for updated releases in print.
New Games
These are in progress, each moving at its own pace toward the shape it’s meant to take.
A Spell to Bind Us: Romantasy Roleplaying Game
Five Crows Deep: Noir Fantasy Roleplaying Game
Take Thou the Sword: Arthurian Fantasy Roleplaying Game
Banned in Scrooville: Punk Fairytale Roleplaying Game
If This Meant Something to You
Share it with someone who would understand. That’s how this work grows. Quietly. Deliberately. One reader at a time.
For the full list of current titles, visit lightspress.com/discover
