Dark academia is a cultural movement that romanticizes a scholarly, Gothic lifestyle. Think of ivy-covered halls, worn leather-bound books, writing with quills, and debating philosophy by candlelight. It’s not just about fashion or decor; it’s a lifestyle centered on the love of learning, self-improvement, and the arts. While it offers a compelling and nostalgic escape, we need to recognize both its charm and its underlying issues.

So I’ve talked a bit about cottagecore, I’ve discussed dark academia, and at some point I’ll write about magical realism. The throughline for me is escapism. They’re all ways of looking at the world in, if not an entirely positive and hopeful way, then at least a comforting one. One can see the tropes of each genre as coping mechanisms, literally for the characters in these stories and vicariously for those of us in this real world. There is a simplicity in these genres; they may be difficulty to explain, sure, and different people will have a wide range of definitions about what fits within each category, but you know it when it feels right. If nothing else, characters can be seen to be living under a code of ethics, or a personal philosophy, uncomplicated principles that guide their lives.

What I want to talk about today is dark academia. Both the aesthetic and the genre. I have an opinion, a conjecture, not a fact, about why it’s popular. While I cannot speak for everyone, and am not an expert, I can speak to why it appeals to me, and why it’s going to be a running thread through a lot of the modern roleplaying games I have planned over the coming months, possibly the next couple of years.

Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about Ghostlight so far, and my responses:

The development of Ghostlight has been an experience, to say the least. Here are some personal reflections:

To address a common inquiry:

I recognize that some of the choices in this list may seem a bit obvious, but I believe they fulfill the expectations of certain a certain set of people. It's important to note that this list is intended as a starting point, not a definitive canon. You’re encouraged to explore and incorporate music that resonates with your own narratives and creative vision.

I will probably repeat this list for every project I work on going forward, with slight variations. All of the simple “approach values”, whether they’re expressed as the Black Box Manifesto or framed as lo-fi or punk DIY, remain intact. It comes down to this:

You’re a theater student, and you’re here because you have talent. Who you were before, who you still are outside of the college, why you’ve worked so hard to get here and what you’re willing to do to remain are more important than special abilities.

The primary setting is the performing arts college, esteemed for its alumni, including famous actors, directors, and producers in theater and film. For some, it’s where you go when you can’t get into Julliard. Despite its reputation for being haunted and the superstitions among students and faculty, there's no overt paranormal activity. Not overtly.

Today I want to talk about the influences that led me to create Ghostlight. From Shakespeare to Dark Shadows, Universal Monsters to Murder, She Wrote, many different things came together to form the basis of this Gothic dark academia roleplaying game. 

In creating Ghostlight, my aim has not just been to create a game, but to release a setting that supports storytelling, intrigue, and mystery within the hallowed halls of a secluded New England performing arts college. My overarching design principles stand, guiding every aspect of development. Today I want to revisit those principles and talk about how they apply to this project.

Ghostlight invites you into a realm of dark academia, where Gothic intrigue thrives. Set within the walls of a prestigious private performing arts college nestled in a seaside New England town, your characters immerse themselves in the world of theater. But beneath the surface of this seemingly ordinary setting lies a tapestry of mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Can they peel back the layers of secrets shrouding the school, the town, and its inhabitants?

For those interested in running a dark academia RPG, understanding the nuances of the genre is key. Whether you're crafting a Gothic roleplaying game, a mystery academia setting, or a secret societies campaign, these books will provide you with the inspiration and knowledge needed to create immersive and engaging roleplaying. Here are five books I recommend for diving into the dark academia genre and incorporating its elements into your tabletop roleplaying games: