Why I'm Killing System-Agnostic Material (and Maybe More)
I've been cranking out system-agnostic material for a solid decade, and I'm still here, somehow. You’d think by now, I’d have grown numb to all the noise about how “system-agnostic material doesn’t sell.” Spoiler: It does. I’ve got at least one Platinum and multiple Gold bestsellers on DriveThruRPG, thank you very much. But does that shut anyone up? Of course not.
Roleplayers Like You (Don’t Need Another Tote Bag)
Once again, someone has asked me why I don't do a Kickstarter. It’s like clockwork. People seem to think Kickstarter is the magical answer to all business problems. "You could afford art," they say. Yes, because that’s clearly the only reason I publish books without pictures. Let’s gloss over the entire Lightspress ideology.
Hero Points & Group Dynamics
Hero Points aren’t just a tool for personal glory; they’re a powerful resource for enhancing group dynamics, fostering teamwork, and driving collective storytelling. When used thoughtfully, Hero Points can bring the whole group together, creating memorable moments that resonate with everyone involved. Here’s how you can leverage Hero Points to strengthen the bonds between players and enhance the story:
Banking Hero Points
Hero Points can carry over between adventures, but the game encourages you to spend them to create memorable moments rather than hoarding them. If you choose to bank them, they can be used later for character advancement.
Using Hero Points
Hero Points can be spent in a variety of ways, giving you the flexibility to influence the game before, during, or after a roll, and even when it’s not your turn. The key is to ensure that the points are used in a way that’s relevant to the current scene.
Earning Hero Points
Hero Points aren’t just handed out for nothing; they’re earned through actions that align with the setting’s genre, themes, and your character’s concept. The more you engage with the story and stay true to your character’s role, the more Hero Points you’ll accumulate. Gamemasters can award Hero Points to players for particularly great roleplaying, clever ideas, or actions that enhance the narrative. Players can also give Hero Points from their own pool to other players, fostering teamwork and collaboration.
Worlds of Abjuration
Worlds of Abjuration is your guide to building immersive settings where abjuration magic takes center stage. Whether you're creating realms fortified with protective wards, or societies that thrive on their ability to repel evil forces, this book gives you the tools to make abjuration magic a core part of your roleplaying setting. Packed with practical advice, tips, and examples, Worlds of Abjuration helps you develop vibrant locations, powerful supporting characters, and engaging plot hooks—all designed to showcase the magic of defense, negation, and protection. Get ready to explore worlds where the power of abjuration shapes the very foundation of fantasy!
Understanding Outcomes
Every action has consequences, whether you succeed or fail. These consequences are called outcome ratings, and they determine what happens next in the story:
Roll and Resolve Actions
When your character attempts something challenging, here’s how to handle it step by step:
Beat-Based Difficulty
The difficulty of tasks can change as the story progresses. As tension builds and the challenges become more intense, your character will face increasingly difficult tasks.
Cursed Grimoire [Remastered]
Cursed Grimoire is your ultimate spellbook for dark fantasy roleplaying, packed with nearly 400 spells to add a chilling edge to your game. From sinister curses to forbidden rituals, these spells offer endless possibilities for those who dare to wield them. Whether you're summoning eldritch forces or bending shadows to your will, this grimoire is the perfect tool for any sorcerer, warlock, or necromancer looking to dive into the darker side of magic. Get ready to unleash the arcane!
This book has been remastered and expanded to align with The Simple Approach, enhancing its ease of use while staying fully compatible with The Foragers Guild and all other Lightspress games. It’s also designed to be system-agnostic, allowing you to integrate it seamlessly with any roleplaying system or setting using the free conversion rules available in the Lightspress Handbook.
The Foragers Guild: Gold Edition Is Here, and I’m Not Even Close to Done
The Foragers Guild: Gold Edition has officially landed, so now you can finally stop wondering when your roleplaying sessions will stop feeling like an accounting nightmare. Streamlined, focused, and absolutely not here to pad anyone’s bookshelf—it’s designed to be played, not collected for bragging rights.
Circumstantial Difficulty
Difficulty isn’t just a static number—it can change based on the circumstances surrounding the task. The environment, time pressure, or emotional state of the character can all influence how hard something is to accomplish.
Cursed Creatures [Remastered]
Dive into the shadowy depths of Dark Fantasy with
. This essential book reimagines classic fantasy creatures through a chilling, darker lens, offering a fresh perspective on familiar types. Inside, you'll find detailed subtypes that breathe new life into traditional beings, along with unique traits that amplify their sinister qualities.
Difficulty Ratings
Every challenge or task your character faces has a difficulty rating, indicating how hard it is to succeed. Just like trait ratings, difficulty ratings are scaled from 1 to 5, with each level representing a different degree of challenge:
Cursed Characters [Remastered]
Cursed Characters is a must-have book for any Dark Fantasy roleplayer. Packed with sinister traits and twisted variants of familiar archetypes, it plunges players deep into a world where power always comes at a price. Whether you're reshaping your hero into a tragic figure marked by fate or crafting an entirely new cursed character, this book offers dark, immersive options to elevate your roleplaying experience. Every trait and character type is designed to fit seamlessly into Dark Fantasy settings, where danger, despair, and eldritch forces loom large over every decision.
Character Trait Ratings
This rating system helps clarify what your character is capable of, providing both players and gamemasters with a clear framework for understanding the character’s strengths and challenges. Each level invites different narrative opportunities, from the struggles of a Beginner to the confidence and influence of an Authority.
The Power of Traits
Traits are essential elements in roleplaying that define and shape how characters, objects, and the broader world interact within the narrative. A character trait is more than just a description; it's a key element that influences decisions, actions, and the story’s direction. For example, a character might have the trait "Unyielding Determination," which suggests they won’t back down from challenges, even in the face of overwhelming odds. This trait isn’t just a label; it actively drives the character’s behavior and impacts the unfolding events.