The Manifesto 🌕 13 January 2025

I’ve always believed in creating what I want, how I want. It’s not about exploiting shock value or pushing some kind of cultural boundaries, but enjoying the basic freedom of expression to explore ideas some would rather silence. That’s why I poured so much into my recent occult and Satanic books. They’re entertaining, yes, but they’re also personal acts of emotional vandalism. Their mere existence is meant to communicate that I refuse to conform with the zeitgeist, even in a world that’s growing increasingly hostile to creativity. I’m an old punk, and this is how I maintain my sanity.

The statements I included in the back pages of Ghostlight and the Fantasy Academia books are acts of defiance, but quiet ones. They’re not up front or part of the marketing, because I have to balance speaking out with maintaining my livelihood. I am contractually obligated to not publish anything overtly “political” or pushing an “agenda”. While I don’t think that my belief that everyone, without exception, is deserving of kindness, decency, and fundamental human rights is political, I’m not the one in control of the banhammers.

Some days it feels cowardly, to be honest. I hate being passive-agressive and wish I could be more open in terms of advocacy and activism, but in a world where platforms can decide your fate in an instant, I have to tread carefully. I can only imagine what marginalized people who don’t have my privilege, which I acknowledge and try not to take for granted, are feeling these days.

What scares me is that the landscape is changing faster than ever. Hate speech is thriving on Meta, with Zuckerberg’s apparent blessing, in the name of “neutrality”. Twitter’s a chaotic mess. TikTok is teetering on the edge of a ban in the United States for thin “national security” reasons. Books are being removed from schools and libraries, targeted because they challenge outdated norms. It’s only a matter of time before this energy turns toward online retailers. When it does, they’ll prioritize profits over creators, not because they’re malicious, but because that’s the nature of business.

The reality is, I can’t ever feel 100% safe in my creative career why I have to rely on platforms I don’t control. Even platforms that I trust, and believe to be staffed by good, well-intentioned people. YouTubers have learned that lesson, repeatedly. If I want to keep creating what I care about, I need to find ways to work independently of those systems.

That’s why I’m focusing on growing this newsletter and encouraging more people to buy directly from the Lightspress website. Every subscriber, every purchase, every share is a step toward independence, a step away from systems that could one day silence voices like mine. This is going to be a big push in 2025. I don’t know what it’s going to look like, but I know it needs to be a top priority and I need to move faster than I’m probably capable.

This isn’t just about me. It’s about every creator who wants to tell stories without fear. It’s about every reader and player who wants to explore ideas that inspire and challenge. It’s about protecting the freedom to create and ensuring that stories, however unconventional or bold, always have a place in the world.

If you’re reading this, help me build something that doesn’t rely on platforms that might fail us. Subscribe to this newsletter, if you haven’t alreafy. Share it with someone. And when you can, buy directly from the Lightspress site. Every action, no matter how small, helps secure the future of this work.

Thank you for standing with me. Let’s keep creating, keep sharing, and keep building something that no one can take away.

I hope you’re doing well today.

Berin

Master Plan Update

I’m still being overly cautious with the definitive edition of DoubleZero. I keep convincing myself there’s something I missed, something I left out, or a section that still needs more work. If I’m being completely honest, it’s not just about the editing. There’s political content in the game, not by design, but because it’s unavoidable in a comprehensive espionage roleplaying game, that makes me pause. The content itself isn’t problematic or controversial, but we live in a world full of people who like to make things difficult.

Add to that the fact that I have PTSD and anxiety disorders, and you can imagine how much I overthink these things, especially when it comes to my business and being able to pay the bills. Hopefully, I’ll get over myself soon and release it, because I know it’s ready.

On a brighter note, this week will see the release of the remaining refreshed Fantasy Academia titles. I’m also waiting on the proofs for the first print books from Amazon. If they look good, they’ll go live, and I’ll start the process of bringing nearly everything into print. It’s a big step, and I’m excited to see where it goes.

Thanks for your patience and support, it means the world to me.

Latest Releases

Here’s what’s new in the Lightspress shop this week!

Fantasy Academia Equipment Manual

The Fantasy Academia Equipment Manual invites players and gamemasters into the evocative atmosphere of a dark academia setting, offering an extensive collection of items, tools, and books that shape the intrigue and wonder of a magical academic life. This sourcebook seamlessly blends practical roleplaying tools with imaginative storytelling elements, serving as both a system-agnostic resource and a companion to The Simple Approach. Read More

Fantasy Academia Characters Narrative Handbook

Fantasy Academia Characters Narrative Handbook opens the door to an enigmatic and intellectually complex world within fantasy roleplaying settings, offering a system-neutral toolkit designed to craft and integrate Fantasy Academia-themed characters into your narrative mosaic. This guide investigates the essence of Fantasy Academia, blending eldritch knowledge, sacred secrets, and an insatiable pursuit of understanding against a backdrop of ancient libraries, secret societies, and the pursuit of forbidden lore. Whether you seek to embody a Scholar entwined with the threads of fate, a mage whose thirst for knowledge transcends the bounds of the heavenly and the damned, or a troubadour whose tales echo the truths of the ages, this compendium provides the keys to unlock unparalleled adventures. Herein lies not just a collection of archetypes, but a passage to experiences where the thirst for knowledge meets the shadowed corridors of power, intrigue, and mystery, inviting guides and players alike to forge their legacy amidst the hallowed halls of Fantasy Academia. Read More

Fantasy Academia Adventures

Step into the shadows of ivy-covered halls and the mysteries of ancient magic with the Fantasy Academia Adventure Workbook. This guide is your key to crafting adventures steeped in the dark academia genre, infused with fantasy’s boundless possibilities. Whether you’re setting up intricate social dramas, unraveling forbidden secrets, or challenging characters with dangerous magical phenomena, this workbook equips you with the tools to create unforgettable stories. Read More

William Seabrook’s The Magic Island Roleplaying Game

ZOMBIES! Welcome to the hauntingly beautiful world of William Seabrook’s The Magic Island Roleplaying Game, where every choice you make matters and every shadow has a story waiting to shake things up. This roleplaying game puts you at the center of an eerie, character-driven experience that captures the unsettling brilliance of Seabrook’s original book. You and your friends will unravel mysteries, face unsettling truths, and make decisions that ripple through the narrative. Read More

Thank You

Thank you for being part of our circle. Your support brings light to our path and allows our work to reach its fullest expression. As we celebrate all we’ve achieved together, know that every step forward is brighter because of you. We’re grateful to have you with us on this journey.

This week’s discount code is UPDATE2025. 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 last quarter moon. See you then, and as always, I hope you’re doing well today and every day.

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.