Occult Pirates
Step aboard the ship of imagination with Occult Pirates, a sourcebook that charts a course through the mysterious, moody waters of pirate tales and occult traditions. This isn’t your usual parade of skeleton crews and treasure maps, this book leans into the eerie, the arcane, and the untold. Forget cheap puns and tired stereotypes. I’ve built this to reflect the true spirit of occultism, grounded in historical traditions, while leaving religion off the map for reasons that shouldn’t need explaining. You get atmosphere, mystery, and depth without the baggage.
The genre is, obviously, pirate, complete with sea spray, clashing blades, and the ever-present pull of the horizon. But the tone is semi-serious, striking a balance between swashbuckling adventure and the heavy shadows of the unknown. It’s perfect for those who love their roleplaying brimming with story-driven drama and character-driven intrigue. Every decision you make, whether it’s striking a deal with a shadowy figure or steering your ship through cursed waters, carries weight and shapes the narrative.
What sets Occult Pirates apart isn’t just the marriage of pirates and the occult. It’s how the book invites you to approach roleplaying with imagination and agency. You and your group aren’t just passengers on a pre-written voyage; you’re creating the journey together. This sourcebook is your toolkit for crafting stories that feel alive. With carefully researched traditions woven into every page, it stays true to the essence of the occult without resorting to over-the-top tropes.
Fans of pirate tales will find something familiar to anchor them, rum-soaked adventures, hidden islands, and legendary dangers, but with a twist. The sea holds more than just storms and sharks. It’s teeming with mysteries older than the waves themselves. For occult enthusiasts, this book doesn’t treat the subject as a monster catalog or a gimmick. It’s an invitation to explore the spirit of the occult, where rituals, secrets, and strange symbols add layers to every story.
This isn’t about being on-the-nose or bogged down with clichés. It’s about building a setting that feels real and compelling, a place where a whisper in the dark could just as easily be a warning as a revelation. From the captain charting the course to the crew making desperate choices under the weight of superstition and ambition, the characters drive everything. It’s their fears, hopes, and ambitions that bring the adventure to life.
Whether you’re a pirate enthusiast, an occult aficionado, or someone who loves combining flavors that shouldn’t work but somehow do, Occult Pirates delivers. It’s fresh yet familiar, mysterious yet grounded. And it’s waiting for you to take the helm.
This book, inspired by Occult Fantasy (also published by Lightspress), builds on the same core structure and foundational exploration of Occult history. However, it isn’t merely a reiteration of the original work. Instead, it offers a thoughtfully reimagined approach, specifically tailored to the pirate genre in roleplaying, providing fresh insights and unique content distinct from traditional heroic fantasy.
Navigating This Book
Here’s what you’ll find inside these pages, with a little more detail to set the stage:
Occult Pirates: Dive into what the occult really means in the context of this sourcebook. This section establishes the framework for how arcane traditions and esoteric practices fit seamlessly into the pirate experience. Whether it’s whispers of forbidden knowledge in the captain’s quarters or symbols carved into a ship’s hull, you’ll see why the occult and pirate settings go hand-in-hand.
Occult Traditions: Discover how to take historical occult traditions and give them a pirate twist. This isn’t about shoehorning one into the other, but rather blending them naturally. From secretive covens on hidden islands to rituals performed before a daring raid, these traditions become part of the crew’s identity and culture, adding authenticity and intrigue to their adventures.
Occult Practices: Explore ways to integrate meaningful rituals and holidays into the pirate lifestyle. Whether it’s marking the phases of the moon to guide navigation or celebrating dark festivals to honor forgotten deities, these practices give your stories an eerie yet grounded depth. The interplay of superstition and belief can be a compelling motivator for characters and adventures alike.
Hidden Knowledge: Uncover the layers of meaning behind occult elements within a pirate setting. This section explores how symbols, myths, and forbidden lore create tension and mystery. It’s not just about what the crew knows; it’s also about what they don’t, and the dangerous lengths they’ll go to uncover it.
The Spirit of the Occult: Focus on keeping the spirit of the occult alive throughout your narrative. This isn’t about cheap tricks or obvious gimmicks. It’s about capturing the elusive, unsettling energy that makes the occult fascinating and weaving it into the heart of your pirate tales. The atmosphere should feel alive, with a sense of wonder and danger lurking just below the surface.
Capturing the Mood: Learn how to set the tone for an occult-infused pirate adventure. Whether it’s the chill of an unnatural fog rolling across the deck or the tension of a crew member’s cryptic visions, this section provides tools for creating moments that stay with your players. Mood is key, and this will help you get it just right.
Characters: Create characters steeped in the themes of pirates and the occult. From charismatic captains with secret ties to shadowy orders to cursed crewmates struggling against their own dark pasts, this section will inspire you to craft compelling personalities. These characters aren’t just functional, they bring depth, conflict, and drama to your sessions.
Worldbuilding: Infuse your setting with the spirit of the occult, from the smallest superstitions to sprawling, interconnected mysteries. Whether it’s cursed islands, forgotten civilizations, or the ghostly remnants of ships lost to the abyss, this section helps you create a world that feels alive, layered, and full of story potential.
Adventures: Add a little occult spice to your adventures or campaigns. Whether you’re running a full-blown supernatural tale or just sprinkling in some esoteric flavor, this section gives you ideas to bring the themes of the occult into play. From cursed treasures to haunted waters, the possibilities are endless.
Reference: Get a treasure chest of ready-to-use content, including stock characters, mysterious creatures, and occult-themed equipment. This section also includes notes and advice for converting the material to fit any system you’re using, or tailoring it to your group’s specific needs. Everything is designed to be flexible and accessible, so you can get right into the action.
129 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Step aboard the ship of imagination with Occult Pirates, a sourcebook that charts a course through the mysterious, moody waters of pirate tales and occult traditions. This isn’t your usual parade of skeleton crews and treasure maps, this book leans into the eerie, the arcane, and the untold. Forget cheap puns and tired stereotypes. I’ve built this to reflect the true spirit of occultism, grounded in historical traditions, while leaving religion off the map for reasons that shouldn’t need explaining. You get atmosphere, mystery, and depth without the baggage.
The genre is, obviously, pirate, complete with sea spray, clashing blades, and the ever-present pull of the horizon. But the tone is semi-serious, striking a balance between swashbuckling adventure and the heavy shadows of the unknown. It’s perfect for those who love their roleplaying brimming with story-driven drama and character-driven intrigue. Every decision you make, whether it’s striking a deal with a shadowy figure or steering your ship through cursed waters, carries weight and shapes the narrative.
What sets Occult Pirates apart isn’t just the marriage of pirates and the occult. It’s how the book invites you to approach roleplaying with imagination and agency. You and your group aren’t just passengers on a pre-written voyage; you’re creating the journey together. This sourcebook is your toolkit for crafting stories that feel alive. With carefully researched traditions woven into every page, it stays true to the essence of the occult without resorting to over-the-top tropes.
Fans of pirate tales will find something familiar to anchor them, rum-soaked adventures, hidden islands, and legendary dangers, but with a twist. The sea holds more than just storms and sharks. It’s teeming with mysteries older than the waves themselves. For occult enthusiasts, this book doesn’t treat the subject as a monster catalog or a gimmick. It’s an invitation to explore the spirit of the occult, where rituals, secrets, and strange symbols add layers to every story.
This isn’t about being on-the-nose or bogged down with clichés. It’s about building a setting that feels real and compelling, a place where a whisper in the dark could just as easily be a warning as a revelation. From the captain charting the course to the crew making desperate choices under the weight of superstition and ambition, the characters drive everything. It’s their fears, hopes, and ambitions that bring the adventure to life.
Whether you’re a pirate enthusiast, an occult aficionado, or someone who loves combining flavors that shouldn’t work but somehow do, Occult Pirates delivers. It’s fresh yet familiar, mysterious yet grounded. And it’s waiting for you to take the helm.
This book, inspired by Occult Fantasy (also published by Lightspress), builds on the same core structure and foundational exploration of Occult history. However, it isn’t merely a reiteration of the original work. Instead, it offers a thoughtfully reimagined approach, specifically tailored to the pirate genre in roleplaying, providing fresh insights and unique content distinct from traditional heroic fantasy.
Navigating This Book
Here’s what you’ll find inside these pages, with a little more detail to set the stage:
Occult Pirates: Dive into what the occult really means in the context of this sourcebook. This section establishes the framework for how arcane traditions and esoteric practices fit seamlessly into the pirate experience. Whether it’s whispers of forbidden knowledge in the captain’s quarters or symbols carved into a ship’s hull, you’ll see why the occult and pirate settings go hand-in-hand.
Occult Traditions: Discover how to take historical occult traditions and give them a pirate twist. This isn’t about shoehorning one into the other, but rather blending them naturally. From secretive covens on hidden islands to rituals performed before a daring raid, these traditions become part of the crew’s identity and culture, adding authenticity and intrigue to their adventures.
Occult Practices: Explore ways to integrate meaningful rituals and holidays into the pirate lifestyle. Whether it’s marking the phases of the moon to guide navigation or celebrating dark festivals to honor forgotten deities, these practices give your stories an eerie yet grounded depth. The interplay of superstition and belief can be a compelling motivator for characters and adventures alike.
Hidden Knowledge: Uncover the layers of meaning behind occult elements within a pirate setting. This section explores how symbols, myths, and forbidden lore create tension and mystery. It’s not just about what the crew knows; it’s also about what they don’t, and the dangerous lengths they’ll go to uncover it.
The Spirit of the Occult: Focus on keeping the spirit of the occult alive throughout your narrative. This isn’t about cheap tricks or obvious gimmicks. It’s about capturing the elusive, unsettling energy that makes the occult fascinating and weaving it into the heart of your pirate tales. The atmosphere should feel alive, with a sense of wonder and danger lurking just below the surface.
Capturing the Mood: Learn how to set the tone for an occult-infused pirate adventure. Whether it’s the chill of an unnatural fog rolling across the deck or the tension of a crew member’s cryptic visions, this section provides tools for creating moments that stay with your players. Mood is key, and this will help you get it just right.
Characters: Create characters steeped in the themes of pirates and the occult. From charismatic captains with secret ties to shadowy orders to cursed crewmates struggling against their own dark pasts, this section will inspire you to craft compelling personalities. These characters aren’t just functional, they bring depth, conflict, and drama to your sessions.
Worldbuilding: Infuse your setting with the spirit of the occult, from the smallest superstitions to sprawling, interconnected mysteries. Whether it’s cursed islands, forgotten civilizations, or the ghostly remnants of ships lost to the abyss, this section helps you create a world that feels alive, layered, and full of story potential.
Adventures: Add a little occult spice to your adventures or campaigns. Whether you’re running a full-blown supernatural tale or just sprinkling in some esoteric flavor, this section gives you ideas to bring the themes of the occult into play. From cursed treasures to haunted waters, the possibilities are endless.
Reference: Get a treasure chest of ready-to-use content, including stock characters, mysterious creatures, and occult-themed equipment. This section also includes notes and advice for converting the material to fit any system you’re using, or tailoring it to your group’s specific needs. Everything is designed to be flexible and accessible, so you can get right into the action.
129 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Step aboard the ship of imagination with Occult Pirates, a sourcebook that charts a course through the mysterious, moody waters of pirate tales and occult traditions. This isn’t your usual parade of skeleton crews and treasure maps, this book leans into the eerie, the arcane, and the untold. Forget cheap puns and tired stereotypes. I’ve built this to reflect the true spirit of occultism, grounded in historical traditions, while leaving religion off the map for reasons that shouldn’t need explaining. You get atmosphere, mystery, and depth without the baggage.
The genre is, obviously, pirate, complete with sea spray, clashing blades, and the ever-present pull of the horizon. But the tone is semi-serious, striking a balance between swashbuckling adventure and the heavy shadows of the unknown. It’s perfect for those who love their roleplaying brimming with story-driven drama and character-driven intrigue. Every decision you make, whether it’s striking a deal with a shadowy figure or steering your ship through cursed waters, carries weight and shapes the narrative.
What sets Occult Pirates apart isn’t just the marriage of pirates and the occult. It’s how the book invites you to approach roleplaying with imagination and agency. You and your group aren’t just passengers on a pre-written voyage; you’re creating the journey together. This sourcebook is your toolkit for crafting stories that feel alive. With carefully researched traditions woven into every page, it stays true to the essence of the occult without resorting to over-the-top tropes.
Fans of pirate tales will find something familiar to anchor them, rum-soaked adventures, hidden islands, and legendary dangers, but with a twist. The sea holds more than just storms and sharks. It’s teeming with mysteries older than the waves themselves. For occult enthusiasts, this book doesn’t treat the subject as a monster catalog or a gimmick. It’s an invitation to explore the spirit of the occult, where rituals, secrets, and strange symbols add layers to every story.
This isn’t about being on-the-nose or bogged down with clichés. It’s about building a setting that feels real and compelling, a place where a whisper in the dark could just as easily be a warning as a revelation. From the captain charting the course to the crew making desperate choices under the weight of superstition and ambition, the characters drive everything. It’s their fears, hopes, and ambitions that bring the adventure to life.
Whether you’re a pirate enthusiast, an occult aficionado, or someone who loves combining flavors that shouldn’t work but somehow do, Occult Pirates delivers. It’s fresh yet familiar, mysterious yet grounded. And it’s waiting for you to take the helm.
This book, inspired by Occult Fantasy (also published by Lightspress), builds on the same core structure and foundational exploration of Occult history. However, it isn’t merely a reiteration of the original work. Instead, it offers a thoughtfully reimagined approach, specifically tailored to the pirate genre in roleplaying, providing fresh insights and unique content distinct from traditional heroic fantasy.
Navigating This Book
Here’s what you’ll find inside these pages, with a little more detail to set the stage:
Occult Pirates: Dive into what the occult really means in the context of this sourcebook. This section establishes the framework for how arcane traditions and esoteric practices fit seamlessly into the pirate experience. Whether it’s whispers of forbidden knowledge in the captain’s quarters or symbols carved into a ship’s hull, you’ll see why the occult and pirate settings go hand-in-hand.
Occult Traditions: Discover how to take historical occult traditions and give them a pirate twist. This isn’t about shoehorning one into the other, but rather blending them naturally. From secretive covens on hidden islands to rituals performed before a daring raid, these traditions become part of the crew’s identity and culture, adding authenticity and intrigue to their adventures.
Occult Practices: Explore ways to integrate meaningful rituals and holidays into the pirate lifestyle. Whether it’s marking the phases of the moon to guide navigation or celebrating dark festivals to honor forgotten deities, these practices give your stories an eerie yet grounded depth. The interplay of superstition and belief can be a compelling motivator for characters and adventures alike.
Hidden Knowledge: Uncover the layers of meaning behind occult elements within a pirate setting. This section explores how symbols, myths, and forbidden lore create tension and mystery. It’s not just about what the crew knows; it’s also about what they don’t, and the dangerous lengths they’ll go to uncover it.
The Spirit of the Occult: Focus on keeping the spirit of the occult alive throughout your narrative. This isn’t about cheap tricks or obvious gimmicks. It’s about capturing the elusive, unsettling energy that makes the occult fascinating and weaving it into the heart of your pirate tales. The atmosphere should feel alive, with a sense of wonder and danger lurking just below the surface.
Capturing the Mood: Learn how to set the tone for an occult-infused pirate adventure. Whether it’s the chill of an unnatural fog rolling across the deck or the tension of a crew member’s cryptic visions, this section provides tools for creating moments that stay with your players. Mood is key, and this will help you get it just right.
Characters: Create characters steeped in the themes of pirates and the occult. From charismatic captains with secret ties to shadowy orders to cursed crewmates struggling against their own dark pasts, this section will inspire you to craft compelling personalities. These characters aren’t just functional, they bring depth, conflict, and drama to your sessions.
Worldbuilding: Infuse your setting with the spirit of the occult, from the smallest superstitions to sprawling, interconnected mysteries. Whether it’s cursed islands, forgotten civilizations, or the ghostly remnants of ships lost to the abyss, this section helps you create a world that feels alive, layered, and full of story potential.
Adventures: Add a little occult spice to your adventures or campaigns. Whether you’re running a full-blown supernatural tale or just sprinkling in some esoteric flavor, this section gives you ideas to bring the themes of the occult into play. From cursed treasures to haunted waters, the possibilities are endless.
Reference: Get a treasure chest of ready-to-use content, including stock characters, mysterious creatures, and occult-themed equipment. This section also includes notes and advice for converting the material to fit any system you’re using, or tailoring it to your group’s specific needs. Everything is designed to be flexible and accessible, so you can get right into the action.
129 pages. PDF and epub files included.