History of Witchcraft: Volume II
History of Witchcraft Volume II dives into the era of James I through Charles I, when paranoia, superstition, and royal edicts fueled the flames of fear across England. This historical dark fantasy offers a terrifying, story-focused roleplaying experience that places character and narrative front and center. Every decision your characters make shapes the twisted path they walk. Will they embrace the hysteria or rise above it?
The setting is rife with betrayal, suspicion, and real-world horrors. Witch hunts, inquisitions, and the shadowy influence of the crown are all part of the bleak, supernatural landscape. What makes this book stand out is the blend of imagination, collaboration, and player agency that brings new depth to your storytelling. You're not just rolling dice and checking boxes, you’re crafting a shared narrative with consequences that reach far beyond the immediate.
If you’re a fan of witch-driven, historical horror like The Witch, A Discovery of Witches, or Salem, this will feel both familiar and thrillingly new. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a fresh yet unsettling take on the witchcraft trials that goes beyond stock clichés and into truly haunting territory.
A Universal Sourcebook
You don’t need it to play any of our games using The Simple Approach, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also written to be functionally system-agnostic, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system your choice.
If you’re looking to use it with a different roleplaying system, don’t worry. There are notes at the end to help with conversion, and if you’re need more advice in translating material between systems, grab the Lightspress Handbook, available wherever you found this book.
Legacy Editions
Legacy Editions are a chance to revisit some of our classic titles with a fresh coat of paint. They’ve been updated with our current trade dress and given a once-over by the editorial team to clean up any lingering rough edges. Sure, they might not have all the bells and whistles of our latest releases, but that’s kind of the point. These books are a solid addition to your collection without costing you an arm and a leg. You’re getting great value at a budget price, and they still deliver on quality, even if they don’t have that new-release shine.
Navigating This Book
Here’s a breakdown of the tools and resources you’ll find inside these pages:
The Exorcists: Explore the grim figures tasked with rooting out evil and purging the land of suspected witches. These individuals, both real and imagined, wield power, fear, and zeal in equal measure. Their methods will leave a mark on your characters, and the story you tell.
James I and Witchcraft: Explore the mind of King James I, whose obsession with witchcraft shaped laws, influenced trials, and unleashed a wave of persecution across England. Understand his motivations and how they might play a role in your narrative.
Notable Jacobean Cases: Discover real witch trials from the Jacobean era that you can bring into your sessions, or use as inspiration for your own twisted tales. These cases are dripping with drama, suspicion, and the very human desire to find scapegoats for society's problems.
Charles I and Witchcraft: The transition from James I to Charles I brought shifts in the political landscape, and the treatment of suspected witches. Learn how the struggles of Charles’ reign influenced witchcraft persecution and how to reflect these changes in your sessions.
Reference: Need to adapt this for another system? We’ve got you covered. This section includes notes on converting material into the system of your choice, a glossary of key terms you’ll see throughout the book, and a bibliography of sources used to piece together this historical horror.
The Simple Approach
To understand this book, you need to know the context in which it was written and the philosophy that runs through it. At its core, The Simple Approach emphasizes the elements that truly matter in roleplaying: narrative depth, character complexity, and player agency. While plenty of systems are still obsessed with combat, loot, and grinding, we know roleplaying can be so much more. This system is all about immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and characters you actually care about. Whether you're uncovering hidden secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or exploring the complexities of romance, The Simple Approach offers a fresh take on traditional genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror, along with modern and underserved ones like crime & mystery, cottagecore fantasy, dark academia, magical realism, romance, and espionage.
Narrative-Based Mechanics
At the heart of The Simple Approach are narrative-based mechanics that are easy to learn and designed to grow with you as you play. They let you tweak what’s here and add things we haven’t thought of yet. The journaling system replaces those one-size-fits-none character sheets, giving gamemasters a flexible tool for organizing worldbuilding, adventure design, and session notes and players ample room to allow their character to grow. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
History of Witches isn’t a standalone roleplaying experience. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind stories and settings or bring elements from other systems into your Lightspress game. If you want to use our material with your favorite system or setting, go for it. The conversion notes in the Lightspress Handbook give you the flexibility to play how you want.
Our Philosophy
We believe the true essence of roleplaying happens around the table, where creativity and collaboration come alive. It’s not about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people playing together, creating something special. Our focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation ensures that every session is more than just a game; it’s a journey filled with compelling adventures and meaningful connections. We stand by our belief that the heart of roleplaying is found in shared experiences and stories crafted by the players. This philosophy drives everything in The Simple Approach and underpins our commitment to delivering content that champions the true spirit of roleplaying, free from superficial constraints.
Commitment to Creative Freedom
This philosophy also guides our belief that creators should own their work and not be beholden to licensing terms that only benefit fickle corporations. We draw inspiration from historical, mythological, and literary sources, tapping into our shared heritage to fuel creative exploration. We maintain full copyright ownership, ensuring that our work stays independent and true to our vision. Using style guides to keep a cohesive voice and narrative structure, we deliver exceptional content free from external influences, preserving the integrity and creative standards of our work.
Accessible and Affordable Roleplaying
We’re committed to keeping our games affordable so that more people can enjoy them. Our focus isn’t on producing overstuffed, expensive books filled with art to collect dust on a shelf. We’re here to create material meant to be played, not displayed. You won’t find us chasing awards or turning our games into glorified coffee-table books. Our goal is to facilitate roleplaying, pure and simple, keeping the price points low so you can focus on the game, not your wallet.
Stay Connected and Join Us
If you’re tired of the same old grind and ready to try something that actually respects your input, then The Simple Approach is calling your name. We’re not just offering a game. We’re inviting you to join a movement, a way of playing that values your time, creativity, and agency.
For more on The Simple Approach and our unorthodox take on roleplaying, visit lightspress.com. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Manifesto, for updates on new releases, roleplaying advice, and a healthy dose of our opinions. If you’re ready to embrace something different, download the free Lightspress Handbook, your guide to what we’re all about.
History of Witchcraft Volume II dives into the era of James I through Charles I, when paranoia, superstition, and royal edicts fueled the flames of fear across England. This historical dark fantasy offers a terrifying, story-focused roleplaying experience that places character and narrative front and center. Every decision your characters make shapes the twisted path they walk. Will they embrace the hysteria or rise above it?
The setting is rife with betrayal, suspicion, and real-world horrors. Witch hunts, inquisitions, and the shadowy influence of the crown are all part of the bleak, supernatural landscape. What makes this book stand out is the blend of imagination, collaboration, and player agency that brings new depth to your storytelling. You're not just rolling dice and checking boxes, you’re crafting a shared narrative with consequences that reach far beyond the immediate.
If you’re a fan of witch-driven, historical horror like The Witch, A Discovery of Witches, or Salem, this will feel both familiar and thrillingly new. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a fresh yet unsettling take on the witchcraft trials that goes beyond stock clichés and into truly haunting territory.
A Universal Sourcebook
You don’t need it to play any of our games using The Simple Approach, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also written to be functionally system-agnostic, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system your choice.
If you’re looking to use it with a different roleplaying system, don’t worry. There are notes at the end to help with conversion, and if you’re need more advice in translating material between systems, grab the Lightspress Handbook, available wherever you found this book.
Legacy Editions
Legacy Editions are a chance to revisit some of our classic titles with a fresh coat of paint. They’ve been updated with our current trade dress and given a once-over by the editorial team to clean up any lingering rough edges. Sure, they might not have all the bells and whistles of our latest releases, but that’s kind of the point. These books are a solid addition to your collection without costing you an arm and a leg. You’re getting great value at a budget price, and they still deliver on quality, even if they don’t have that new-release shine.
Navigating This Book
Here’s a breakdown of the tools and resources you’ll find inside these pages:
The Exorcists: Explore the grim figures tasked with rooting out evil and purging the land of suspected witches. These individuals, both real and imagined, wield power, fear, and zeal in equal measure. Their methods will leave a mark on your characters, and the story you tell.
James I and Witchcraft: Explore the mind of King James I, whose obsession with witchcraft shaped laws, influenced trials, and unleashed a wave of persecution across England. Understand his motivations and how they might play a role in your narrative.
Notable Jacobean Cases: Discover real witch trials from the Jacobean era that you can bring into your sessions, or use as inspiration for your own twisted tales. These cases are dripping with drama, suspicion, and the very human desire to find scapegoats for society's problems.
Charles I and Witchcraft: The transition from James I to Charles I brought shifts in the political landscape, and the treatment of suspected witches. Learn how the struggles of Charles’ reign influenced witchcraft persecution and how to reflect these changes in your sessions.
Reference: Need to adapt this for another system? We’ve got you covered. This section includes notes on converting material into the system of your choice, a glossary of key terms you’ll see throughout the book, and a bibliography of sources used to piece together this historical horror.
The Simple Approach
To understand this book, you need to know the context in which it was written and the philosophy that runs through it. At its core, The Simple Approach emphasizes the elements that truly matter in roleplaying: narrative depth, character complexity, and player agency. While plenty of systems are still obsessed with combat, loot, and grinding, we know roleplaying can be so much more. This system is all about immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and characters you actually care about. Whether you're uncovering hidden secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or exploring the complexities of romance, The Simple Approach offers a fresh take on traditional genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror, along with modern and underserved ones like crime & mystery, cottagecore fantasy, dark academia, magical realism, romance, and espionage.
Narrative-Based Mechanics
At the heart of The Simple Approach are narrative-based mechanics that are easy to learn and designed to grow with you as you play. They let you tweak what’s here and add things we haven’t thought of yet. The journaling system replaces those one-size-fits-none character sheets, giving gamemasters a flexible tool for organizing worldbuilding, adventure design, and session notes and players ample room to allow their character to grow. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
History of Witches isn’t a standalone roleplaying experience. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind stories and settings or bring elements from other systems into your Lightspress game. If you want to use our material with your favorite system or setting, go for it. The conversion notes in the Lightspress Handbook give you the flexibility to play how you want.
Our Philosophy
We believe the true essence of roleplaying happens around the table, where creativity and collaboration come alive. It’s not about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people playing together, creating something special. Our focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation ensures that every session is more than just a game; it’s a journey filled with compelling adventures and meaningful connections. We stand by our belief that the heart of roleplaying is found in shared experiences and stories crafted by the players. This philosophy drives everything in The Simple Approach and underpins our commitment to delivering content that champions the true spirit of roleplaying, free from superficial constraints.
Commitment to Creative Freedom
This philosophy also guides our belief that creators should own their work and not be beholden to licensing terms that only benefit fickle corporations. We draw inspiration from historical, mythological, and literary sources, tapping into our shared heritage to fuel creative exploration. We maintain full copyright ownership, ensuring that our work stays independent and true to our vision. Using style guides to keep a cohesive voice and narrative structure, we deliver exceptional content free from external influences, preserving the integrity and creative standards of our work.
Accessible and Affordable Roleplaying
We’re committed to keeping our games affordable so that more people can enjoy them. Our focus isn’t on producing overstuffed, expensive books filled with art to collect dust on a shelf. We’re here to create material meant to be played, not displayed. You won’t find us chasing awards or turning our games into glorified coffee-table books. Our goal is to facilitate roleplaying, pure and simple, keeping the price points low so you can focus on the game, not your wallet.
Stay Connected and Join Us
If you’re tired of the same old grind and ready to try something that actually respects your input, then The Simple Approach is calling your name. We’re not just offering a game. We’re inviting you to join a movement, a way of playing that values your time, creativity, and agency.
For more on The Simple Approach and our unorthodox take on roleplaying, visit lightspress.com. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Manifesto, for updates on new releases, roleplaying advice, and a healthy dose of our opinions. If you’re ready to embrace something different, download the free Lightspress Handbook, your guide to what we’re all about.
History of Witchcraft Volume II dives into the era of James I through Charles I, when paranoia, superstition, and royal edicts fueled the flames of fear across England. This historical dark fantasy offers a terrifying, story-focused roleplaying experience that places character and narrative front and center. Every decision your characters make shapes the twisted path they walk. Will they embrace the hysteria or rise above it?
The setting is rife with betrayal, suspicion, and real-world horrors. Witch hunts, inquisitions, and the shadowy influence of the crown are all part of the bleak, supernatural landscape. What makes this book stand out is the blend of imagination, collaboration, and player agency that brings new depth to your storytelling. You're not just rolling dice and checking boxes, you’re crafting a shared narrative with consequences that reach far beyond the immediate.
If you’re a fan of witch-driven, historical horror like The Witch, A Discovery of Witches, or Salem, this will feel both familiar and thrillingly new. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a fresh yet unsettling take on the witchcraft trials that goes beyond stock clichés and into truly haunting territory.
A Universal Sourcebook
You don’t need it to play any of our games using The Simple Approach, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also written to be functionally system-agnostic, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system your choice.
If you’re looking to use it with a different roleplaying system, don’t worry. There are notes at the end to help with conversion, and if you’re need more advice in translating material between systems, grab the Lightspress Handbook, available wherever you found this book.
Legacy Editions
Legacy Editions are a chance to revisit some of our classic titles with a fresh coat of paint. They’ve been updated with our current trade dress and given a once-over by the editorial team to clean up any lingering rough edges. Sure, they might not have all the bells and whistles of our latest releases, but that’s kind of the point. These books are a solid addition to your collection without costing you an arm and a leg. You’re getting great value at a budget price, and they still deliver on quality, even if they don’t have that new-release shine.
Navigating This Book
Here’s a breakdown of the tools and resources you’ll find inside these pages:
The Exorcists: Explore the grim figures tasked with rooting out evil and purging the land of suspected witches. These individuals, both real and imagined, wield power, fear, and zeal in equal measure. Their methods will leave a mark on your characters, and the story you tell.
James I and Witchcraft: Explore the mind of King James I, whose obsession with witchcraft shaped laws, influenced trials, and unleashed a wave of persecution across England. Understand his motivations and how they might play a role in your narrative.
Notable Jacobean Cases: Discover real witch trials from the Jacobean era that you can bring into your sessions, or use as inspiration for your own twisted tales. These cases are dripping with drama, suspicion, and the very human desire to find scapegoats for society's problems.
Charles I and Witchcraft: The transition from James I to Charles I brought shifts in the political landscape, and the treatment of suspected witches. Learn how the struggles of Charles’ reign influenced witchcraft persecution and how to reflect these changes in your sessions.
Reference: Need to adapt this for another system? We’ve got you covered. This section includes notes on converting material into the system of your choice, a glossary of key terms you’ll see throughout the book, and a bibliography of sources used to piece together this historical horror.
The Simple Approach
To understand this book, you need to know the context in which it was written and the philosophy that runs through it. At its core, The Simple Approach emphasizes the elements that truly matter in roleplaying: narrative depth, character complexity, and player agency. While plenty of systems are still obsessed with combat, loot, and grinding, we know roleplaying can be so much more. This system is all about immersive storytelling, meaningful choices, and characters you actually care about. Whether you're uncovering hidden secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or exploring the complexities of romance, The Simple Approach offers a fresh take on traditional genres like fantasy, science fiction, and horror, along with modern and underserved ones like crime & mystery, cottagecore fantasy, dark academia, magical realism, romance, and espionage.
Narrative-Based Mechanics
At the heart of The Simple Approach are narrative-based mechanics that are easy to learn and designed to grow with you as you play. They let you tweak what’s here and add things we haven’t thought of yet. The journaling system replaces those one-size-fits-none character sheets, giving gamemasters a flexible tool for organizing worldbuilding, adventure design, and session notes and players ample room to allow their character to grow. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
History of Witches isn’t a standalone roleplaying experience. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind stories and settings or bring elements from other systems into your Lightspress game. If you want to use our material with your favorite system or setting, go for it. The conversion notes in the Lightspress Handbook give you the flexibility to play how you want.
Our Philosophy
We believe the true essence of roleplaying happens around the table, where creativity and collaboration come alive. It’s not about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people playing together, creating something special. Our focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation ensures that every session is more than just a game; it’s a journey filled with compelling adventures and meaningful connections. We stand by our belief that the heart of roleplaying is found in shared experiences and stories crafted by the players. This philosophy drives everything in The Simple Approach and underpins our commitment to delivering content that champions the true spirit of roleplaying, free from superficial constraints.
Commitment to Creative Freedom
This philosophy also guides our belief that creators should own their work and not be beholden to licensing terms that only benefit fickle corporations. We draw inspiration from historical, mythological, and literary sources, tapping into our shared heritage to fuel creative exploration. We maintain full copyright ownership, ensuring that our work stays independent and true to our vision. Using style guides to keep a cohesive voice and narrative structure, we deliver exceptional content free from external influences, preserving the integrity and creative standards of our work.
Accessible and Affordable Roleplaying
We’re committed to keeping our games affordable so that more people can enjoy them. Our focus isn’t on producing overstuffed, expensive books filled with art to collect dust on a shelf. We’re here to create material meant to be played, not displayed. You won’t find us chasing awards or turning our games into glorified coffee-table books. Our goal is to facilitate roleplaying, pure and simple, keeping the price points low so you can focus on the game, not your wallet.
Stay Connected and Join Us
If you’re tired of the same old grind and ready to try something that actually respects your input, then The Simple Approach is calling your name. We’re not just offering a game. We’re inviting you to join a movement, a way of playing that values your time, creativity, and agency.
For more on The Simple Approach and our unorthodox take on roleplaying, visit lightspress.com. Subscribe to our newsletter, The Manifesto, for updates on new releases, roleplaying advice, and a healthy dose of our opinions. If you’re ready to embrace something different, download the free Lightspress Handbook, your guide to what we’re all about.