Designer: James Hron
Artist: Arina Hirsch and Ognjen Pavkovic
An urban fantasy solo journaling game about creating spells, researching monsters, and using the world around you (real life!) to hunt them.
Most people see a flickering neon sign or a dark alleyway and keep walking. You see a rift in the Veil. Most people see graffiti on their drive home. You see hidden arcane runes, ready to be deciphered.
Stop passing by the hidden supernatural world, and step into it with Your First Spellbook.
Your First Spellbook is a journaling game that turns your everyday city into a hidden urban fantasy playground. The monsters you research, spells you create, and the result of your monster hunts are determined by what you find around you in real life.
In creating your journal and playing the game, you’ll spin a supernatural story through self expression and creativity no matter where you decide to play.
Similar Games
What’s in the Game
At the start of the game, you’ll create your very own spellbook. You’ll do this by choosing your true name, and following a specific set of instructions with over 3,000 years of research behind it.
Once your spellbook is created, you’ll research monsters. Monsters are the dark creatures of the supernatural, meant to harm you or those around you. You’ll use any research method you like, including your own creativity, to determine what creatures may be lurking around you, what danger they pose, and how to defeat them.
Next you’ll create spells using creativity and your understanding of magic.
Finally, you’ll go hunt the monsters of the supernatural. The world around you will help determine which monsters are lurking in the shadows, and whether or not your spells are successful in defeating the monsters!
Your First Spellbook Includes:
- Rules for creating your very own spellbook
- How to research monsters and a common monster examples list
- How to create spells and a commons spells examples list
- How to hunt monsters, including a full monster hunting example
- A magical item expansion
- An advanced combat expansion
- Printer Friendly and Full Color PDFs included with purchase
Your First Spellbook was massively influenced and inspired by media like Supernatural, Harry Dresden and the Dresden Files, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and fun at the renaissance fest.
Game Release Video
Media, Awards and Reviews
Related Blog Posts
Your First Spellbook – Out Now!
Your First Spellbook is here! You can check it out at the buttons below! What is Your First Spellbook? Most people see a flickering neon sign or a dark alleyway and keep walking. You see a rift in the Veil. Most people see graffiti on their drive home. You see hidden arcane runes, ready to…
Your First Spellbook – Releases Tomorrow!
Get excited! Your First Spellbook releases tomorrow! Remember – you’ll get a discount code in around 24 hours as a huge THANK YOU if you subscribe to this newsletter. Be sure to let your friends know who may be interested – there is still time to join for the discount! More Sneak Peaks Here is…
Sneak Peak – Spell Creation in Your First Spellbook
Spell Creation – Sneak Peak I wanted to give a sneak peak for spell creation in Your First Spellbook! Check out the images from the game below. Spell creation in Your First Spellbook is focused on allowing you to be as creative as possible – especially around the use of real-life items! I also provide a list of…
Your First Spellbook – Announcement and Trailer
Your First Spellbook – a journaling game about creating spells, researching monsters, and hunting them anywhere – has been announced! Your First Spellbook will release on Tuesday, September 29th! Spellbook was designed with three goals in mind: You can use creativity to design your own spells You can play at any location (at home, at a…
Weekly Update – 9/2/2026
I had to switch the order for a few things because of my Your First Spellbook announcement! Here’s what has been going on. Last Week Spellbook playtests continue! Spellbook rules design is complete. I started layout, development and publishing tasks for Spellbook! This Week I spent a lot of time to start the week kicking…
State of Paper Dice Games 2021
2020 was a year. I don’t want to focus on the challenges, tragedy, and pain that many people experienced throughout the year. We’ve all lived it, and I’d rather focus on the bright spots for Paper Dice Games during the last 12 months in this article. So here they are. I released a number of…
