Developing Traits
Unlock the power of traits beyond just character creation. Developing Traits expands your toolkit, offering ways to integrate traits into worldbuilding, faction dynamics, and adventure design across any roleplaying game. Immerse yourself in stories where every decision matters, with conflicts defined by the traits you invent. This book doesn’t just add depth; it transforms your storytelling, making every moment in your sessions more vibrant and meaningful. Whether you're crafting intricate plots, facing epic challenges, or forging unforgettable alliances, this book provides the tools to make your roleplaying adventures truly memorable. Perfect for those seeking fresh ideas while staying true to the core of what makes roleplaying great. Ready to dive in?
Navigating This Book
This sourcebook is totally optional. You don’t need it to play any of our games, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also system-neutral, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system. Need some help converting things? Check the notes at the end of the book. And if you want a deeper dive, grab the Lightspress Handbook which is pay-what-you-want (which for most people means free) wherever you got this.
This Book Includes
Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned roleplayer looking to refine your game, this book is designed to help you elevate your sessions through the power of traits. We begin with a broad overview of how traits can enhance every element of your roleplaying experience. Then, we dive into the specifics of trait creation and how our approach seamlessly integrates traits into every part of your game. Inside, you'll find sections dedicated to:
Traits: Understanding what traits are and how they function across various elements of your roleplaying experience.
Creating Traits: A step-by-step guide to crafting meaningful, effective traits that add depth and dimension to your characters, settings, and stories.
Characters: Explore how to develop characters using traits that define their abilities, personalities, goals, and more.
Settings: Learn how to use traits to build immersive, dynamic settings that bring your world to life.
Factions: Delve into how traits can define factions, their goals, ideologies, and the dynamics between different groups.
Rules: Discover how traits interact with the rules of your game, influencing everything from challenges to narrative control.
Worldbuilding: Master the art of using traits to create a cohesive, engaging world that feels lived-in and real.
Adventures & Campaigns: See how traits can shape the flow of your adventures, driving the narrative and creating compelling story arcs.
Reference: A handy glossary and conversion notes section to help you navigate terminology and adapt concepts to your preferred game system.
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 espionage secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or diving into 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, dark academia, 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 even 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. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
The Simple Approach isn’t just a standalone system. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind experiences 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 free 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.
231 pages. PDF and epub.
Unlock the power of traits beyond just character creation. Developing Traits expands your toolkit, offering ways to integrate traits into worldbuilding, faction dynamics, and adventure design across any roleplaying game. Immerse yourself in stories where every decision matters, with conflicts defined by the traits you invent. This book doesn’t just add depth; it transforms your storytelling, making every moment in your sessions more vibrant and meaningful. Whether you're crafting intricate plots, facing epic challenges, or forging unforgettable alliances, this book provides the tools to make your roleplaying adventures truly memorable. Perfect for those seeking fresh ideas while staying true to the core of what makes roleplaying great. Ready to dive in?
Navigating This Book
This sourcebook is totally optional. You don’t need it to play any of our games, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also system-neutral, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system. Need some help converting things? Check the notes at the end of the book. And if you want a deeper dive, grab the Lightspress Handbook which is pay-what-you-want (which for most people means free) wherever you got this.
This Book Includes
Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned roleplayer looking to refine your game, this book is designed to help you elevate your sessions through the power of traits. We begin with a broad overview of how traits can enhance every element of your roleplaying experience. Then, we dive into the specifics of trait creation and how our approach seamlessly integrates traits into every part of your game. Inside, you'll find sections dedicated to:
Traits: Understanding what traits are and how they function across various elements of your roleplaying experience.
Creating Traits: A step-by-step guide to crafting meaningful, effective traits that add depth and dimension to your characters, settings, and stories.
Characters: Explore how to develop characters using traits that define their abilities, personalities, goals, and more.
Settings: Learn how to use traits to build immersive, dynamic settings that bring your world to life.
Factions: Delve into how traits can define factions, their goals, ideologies, and the dynamics between different groups.
Rules: Discover how traits interact with the rules of your game, influencing everything from challenges to narrative control.
Worldbuilding: Master the art of using traits to create a cohesive, engaging world that feels lived-in and real.
Adventures & Campaigns: See how traits can shape the flow of your adventures, driving the narrative and creating compelling story arcs.
Reference: A handy glossary and conversion notes section to help you navigate terminology and adapt concepts to your preferred game system.
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 espionage secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or diving into 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, dark academia, 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 even 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. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
The Simple Approach isn’t just a standalone system. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind experiences 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 free 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.
231 pages. PDF and epub.
Unlock the power of traits beyond just character creation. Developing Traits expands your toolkit, offering ways to integrate traits into worldbuilding, faction dynamics, and adventure design across any roleplaying game. Immerse yourself in stories where every decision matters, with conflicts defined by the traits you invent. This book doesn’t just add depth; it transforms your storytelling, making every moment in your sessions more vibrant and meaningful. Whether you're crafting intricate plots, facing epic challenges, or forging unforgettable alliances, this book provides the tools to make your roleplaying adventures truly memorable. Perfect for those seeking fresh ideas while staying true to the core of what makes roleplaying great. Ready to dive in?
Navigating This Book
This sourcebook is totally optional. You don’t need it to play any of our games, but it’s here to spice things up if you want. It’s also system-neutral, so feel free to throw its elements into any other roleplaying system. Need some help converting things? Check the notes at the end of the book. And if you want a deeper dive, grab the Lightspress Handbook which is pay-what-you-want (which for most people means free) wherever you got this.
This Book Includes
Whether you're just starting out or you're a seasoned roleplayer looking to refine your game, this book is designed to help you elevate your sessions through the power of traits. We begin with a broad overview of how traits can enhance every element of your roleplaying experience. Then, we dive into the specifics of trait creation and how our approach seamlessly integrates traits into every part of your game. Inside, you'll find sections dedicated to:
Traits: Understanding what traits are and how they function across various elements of your roleplaying experience.
Creating Traits: A step-by-step guide to crafting meaningful, effective traits that add depth and dimension to your characters, settings, and stories.
Characters: Explore how to develop characters using traits that define their abilities, personalities, goals, and more.
Settings: Learn how to use traits to build immersive, dynamic settings that bring your world to life.
Factions: Delve into how traits can define factions, their goals, ideologies, and the dynamics between different groups.
Rules: Discover how traits interact with the rules of your game, influencing everything from challenges to narrative control.
Worldbuilding: Master the art of using traits to create a cohesive, engaging world that feels lived-in and real.
Adventures & Campaigns: See how traits can shape the flow of your adventures, driving the narrative and creating compelling story arcs.
Reference: A handy glossary and conversion notes section to help you navigate terminology and adapt concepts to your preferred game system.
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 espionage secrets, solving a gripping mystery, or diving into 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, dark academia, 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 even 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. Every character, setting, and adventure becomes a unique creation shaped by your choices.
Seamless Integration and Flexibility
The Simple Approach isn’t just a standalone system. You can blend it seamlessly with other Lightspress publications to create one-of-a-kind experiences 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 free 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.
231 pages. PDF and epub.