The Manifesto: Quiet Shifts and Clear Direction
The third quarter moon favors clarity. This is the moment to let go of what no longer fits and carry forward what still feels aligned. It’s the rhythm between motion and renewal, shaped by quiet decisions and slow shifts.
That rhythm guides this issue. It’s about what’s changing, what’s taking form, and what’s being carried forward with new purpose. Some projects are concluding. Others are gaining clarity. A few are shifting shape in ways that weren’t planned, but feel right. What’s here reflects that movement: deliberate, steady, and aligned with where the work is going next.
I’m glad you’re here.
This part of the cycle supports adjustment. It’s the time to make small changes, revisit direction, and step back from anything that feels too heavy. If something’s being set down, it’s because it’s ready. If something’s still being carried, it matters.
Some titles have already been removed from the Lightspress shop and are scheduled to be taken down from DriveThruRPG. They served their purpose. They made room for what comes next.
That’s where the Omens series begins. It isn’t part of The Simple Approach, but it shares the same intentions. Each book offers a system-agnostic narrative analysis of a familiar piece of fantasy roleplaying. Spells, locations, creatures, and seasonal themes become tools for character growth, story development, and setting depth.
I hope you’re doing well today.
Berin
New Releases
This phase supports releases that arrive without noise. If a new title appears here, it means the timing felt right. These are the books shaped by quiet effort, the ones that hold up when the pace slows. They’re not here to make a splash. They’re here to stay.
The first six volumes in the Omens series are available now. Each one explores a familiar element of fantasy roleplaying through a narrative lens, offering ways to use it for character development, worldbuilding, and story structure. These aren’t system supplements. They’re reference points for how magic, myth, and meaning can shape the story you’re already telling.
Fireball Omens: A narrative analysis of using the fireball spell in fantasy roleplaying.
Gold Omens: A narrative analysis of gold dragons in fantasy roleplaying.
Healing Omens: A narrative analysis of cure wounds spells and other healing magic in fantasy roleplaying.
Red Omens: A narrative analysis of red dragons in fantasy roleplaying.
Spring Omens: A narrative analysis of the spring season in fantasy roleplaying.
Sword Omens: A narrative analysis of enchanted swords in fantasy roleplaying.
Upcoming Releases
Some projects are still taking shape. The work is moving, but without pressure. This phase helps with editing, alignment, and redirection. If something’s in progress, it’s finding its true shape now.
The next volumes in the Omens series follow that same rhythm. Each one approaches a familiar part of fantasy roleplaying with the same narrative focus, offering ways to build deeper stories through setting, theme, and meaning. These aren’t rushed. They’re arriving when the structure feels sound.
4/21 Forest Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use forest environmens in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
4/22 Wish Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use the wish spell and its variations in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
4/23 Cavern Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use caverns and cave locations in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
4/24 Ring Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use magical rings in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
4/25 Summer Omens: A narrative analysis of how to use the summer season in your fantasy roleplaying stories.
MANUS MALEDICTA
The decision’s been made. MANUS MALEDICTA is no longer a sourcebook, it’s becoming a complete occult fantasy roleplaying game. It will use The Simple Approach as its foundation and remain fully compatible with Order of the Magpie and A Lantern in the Ivy. Even outside those settings, it remains a focused reference for bringing serious occult themes into any fantasy story, especially the kind that once sparked panic in all the wrong circles.
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, Mountain 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), Feline Omens (cats large and small), 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.
Spell Omens: More popular and difficult-to-narrate individual spells, with Charm Person, Counterspell, Disintegration, Invisibility, Polymorph, Prismatic Spray, and Summoning.
Undead Omens: Narrative analysis for Ghosts, Liches, Skeletons, 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.
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
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
In Case You Missed It
This is a good moment to return to what’s already been said. A few recent posts still hold value and remain part of the conversation. They weren’t urgent when they appeared. They’re steady now, and still point to where the work is going.
If you’re curious about the structure behind the Omens series, or why every volume follows the same format, start here:
For a clear introduction to what the series is and how it works:
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
