Ghostlight: Dark Academia Roleplaying
Welcome to Manfred College of the Arts, a private institution with more secrets than an episode of daytime television. Imagine a sprawling Gothic estate, built with old money and even older grudges, now serving as an elite arts school in the sleepy coastal town of Heathcliff, Massachusetts. Think you’ve seen it all before? Not quite. Manfred’s reputation for producing top-tier talent in theater, fine arts, and music barely scratches the surface of what’s really going on behind those ivy-covered walls. If surviving cutthroat auditions wasn’t stressful enough, just wait until you realize the place is also crawling with ghosts, witches, and a few things that don’t have names. Welcome to Ghostlight, where nailing that audition might be the least of your concerns.
Set against the backdrop of Heathcliff, a town that’s cozy and desolate in the off-season but turns into an artsy tourist haven every summer, Manfred College is more than just a place to get your degree in interpretive dance or abstract sculpture. Sure, it’s an artist’s paradise, but it’s also a supernatural minefield. Heathcliff seems charming enough, with its windswept shores and quaint little cafés, but it’s the kind of town where everyone knows each other’s business, and no one talks about what really goes on at Manfred. You might think the locals are just superstitious, but you’ll find out soon enough they’re keeping their mouths shut for a reason.
At the center of it all is the Ghostlight, the one lamp that’s always burning in the theater. The tradition says it’s to keep the spirits at bay when the stage is dark. In a place like Manfred, that lamp isn’t just a quirky theatrical superstition; it’s necessary. The theater, like much of the campus, is deeply haunted, and the spirits are just as dramatic as the student body. Whether it’s to keep the ghosts entertained or to prevent something worse from stepping out of the wings, that light’s staying on. Believe me, you don’t want to be around when it goes out.
In Ghostlight, you’re not just juggling grades, auditions, and your social life. You’re also dodging death, uncovering mysteries, and trying to figure out which of your classmates is hiding fangs, fur, or a third eye under all that existential ennui. This isn’t your standard haunted campus story. Manfred is a nexus for all sorts of supernatural creatures: ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves, and psychic mediums. Some are just passing through, but others? Well, they’re sitting right next to you in class. And just like in the real world, some of them are more dangerous than others. You’re going to have to learn fast who you can trust and who’s going to lead you straight into the grave.
The emotional core of Ghostlight comes from the tangled mess of relationships and secrets that pile up on top of each other like a precarious stack of scripts in the drama department. Your character’s story will have to navigate these conflicts, balancing their need to uncover the truth with the everyday pressures of being a student. You might be head-over-heels for your brooding classmate, but are they just angsty, or do they literally have blood on their hands? You could be gunning for the lead in the fall production, but there’s something unnatural about your competition, and you’re pretty sure they haven’t aged since freshman year. Add in the regular academic pressures, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a semester that could end in standing ovations… or funerals.
The appeal of Ghostlight is in the layers of character-driven, story-focused roleplaying. Every decision your character makes matters. Whether you’re trying to ace that history of theater exam or escape from the haunted wing of the library, your choices will ripple through the story and shape the narrative. It’s all about agency: your agency as a player to craft the experience, to pull the strings on your character’s fate, and to bring the drama to life. The collaboration with your fellow players adds depth, as the lines between academic competition, personal relationships, and supernatural horror blur.
The supernatural threats lurking around Manfred aren’t only for show. They’re part of the fabric of the school, tied into its history and the ongoing mysteries that surround the place. Some of these creatures are predators, others are protectors, and a few are just trying to make it through the semester like everyone else. The tension comes from not knowing which is which, and figuring it out is a life-or-death situation. But it’s not all about the monsters. The real horror might come from your best friend betraying you, or your crush getting possessed and trying to kill you, or realizing that the strange new kid is, in fact, dead. The supernatural might complicate things, but the human drama is just as high-stakes.
What really sets Ghostlight apart is the combination of dark academic intrigue, supernatural horror, and soap opera-worthy drama. This isn’t just about running from monsters in dark hallways (though there’s plenty of that too). It’s about relationships: the messy, complicated, and tragic connections you’ll make along the way. The romantic tension between you and the mysterious student who’s too perfect to be human. The rivalry with your roommate, who always seems to get the roles you want, and might just be using dark magic to do it. The friendships that might survive the chaos, or be destroyed by the secrets you uncover. Every choice you make feeds into the story, creating a complex, collaborative narrative that’s as full of emotional conflict as it is supernatural danger.
If you’re a fan of Gothic horror, dark academic mysteries, or theater culture, Ghostlight is your backstage pass to a world where the line between life and death is as thin as the veil between this world and the next. Fans of Dark Shadows, If We Were Villains, and The Secret History will feel right at home in Heathcliff. There’s just enough familiar material to hook you in, while the supernatural twists and creative agency give you something fresh to sink your teeth into (hopefully not literally, but no promises).
In Ghostlight, you’re not just playing a role, you’re shaping the entire performance. So take your place in the spotlight. Just keep one eye on the Ghostlight. You wouldn’t want anything sneaking up on you while you’re stealing the show.
495 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Navigating This Book
Imagine a roleplaying toolkit that adapts to the way you play. Ghostlight lets you dive right in with nothing but pencils, paper, and a set of dice or playing cards. It stands on its own, integrates seamlessly with other games and sourcebooks using The Simple Approach, and even works as a journaling game for solo adventures. Prefer another system? It’s easy to adapt. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to create stories your way.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in these pages:
Manfred College of the Arts: Dive into the heart of Ghostlight’s eerie academia, where Gothic architecture and brooding traditions create a perfect storm of intrigue. This section unpacks everything you need to know about Manfred College, an elite private arts school perched on the New England coast. From its long-standing reputation for producing creative prodigies to its darker, whispered secrets, you’ll uncover the foundations of this storied institution. Explore the halls, classrooms, and dormitories where students juggle their artistic ambitions with the very real danger of supernatural entanglements. Whether you’re studying the school’s history or plotting a dramatic entrance, this section ensures you’ll have the setting fully realized.
The Town of Heathcliff: Take a stroll, or perhaps a cautious tiptoe, through Heathcliff, the sleepy fishing village that plays host to Manfred College. During the summer, its cobblestone streets bustle with tourists and artists soaking in the coastal charm. The rest of the year? The fog rolls in, secrets creep out, and the town reveals its darker, more mysterious side. This section explores Heathcliff’s dual nature, its quaint surface hiding generations of whispered folklore, grudges, and ghost stories. Get to know the residents, the landmarks, and the political undercurrents that make this little town as compelling, and as dangerous, as the college it supports.
Understanding Ghostlight: This is your crash course in the game’s tone, themes, and unique interpretation of the Dark Academia genre. Ghostlight blends Gothic horror, soap opera melodrama, and the unshakable tension of a supernatural thriller. Learn how the genre’s evolution shapes the setting, the core conflicts that define it, and the conventions that will guide your storytelling. Whether you’re unraveling conspiracies, juggling rivalries, or confronting personal demons, this section helps you navigate the delicate balance between atmospheric dread and high-stakes drama. The spotlight is yours; this guide ensures you know how to shine, and survive, in it.
Characters: Step into the spotlight with a section dedicated to crafting compelling, flawed, and unforgettable characters. From the starry-eyed freshmen to the jaded upperclassmen, this chapter walks you through every element of character creation. Explore the layers of personality, ambition, and secrets that make each role more than just a collection of traits. Learn how to tie your character’s backstory to the larger narrative, and uncover the motivations and relationships that drive them. Whether your character is destined for greatness or doomed to tragedy, this section ensures their story will resonate.
Archetypes: Meet the archetypes that breathe life, and plenty of drama, into the world of Ghostlight. Each one is designed to align with the setting’s eerie atmosphere, from the ambitious Artist to the enigmatic Medium. This section provides detailed profiles of each archetype, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and roles in the story. Whether you’re channeling supernatural powers or grappling with internal demons, these archetypes offer endless ways to shape your character’s journey. Dive deep into their defining traits and decide whether your path leads to redemption, chaos, or something in between.
Traits: Traits are the building blocks of your character, defining their abilities, quirks, and vulnerabilities. In this section, you’ll find an exhaustive guide to shaping your character’s strengths and weaknesses, from their sharp intellect to their emotional fragility. Learn how to use these traits to create tension, add depth, and drive the story forward. Whether you’re crafting a character who excels at uncovering hidden truths or one who thrives in the chaos of conflict, this section ensures every element of their personality feels authentic and dynamic.
Player’s Guide: The Player’s Guide is your roadmap to embodying your character and navigating the tangled web of relationships, secrets, and supernatural horror at Manfred College. Packed with practical tips and examples, this section helps you bring your character’s personality, ambitions, and fears to life. Explore the delicate balance between personal goals and group dynamics, and learn how to collaborate with others to create a complex, character-driven story. It’s not just about staying alive; it’s about making every scene count.
Factions: Manfred College and Heathcliff are defined by their factions, from the shadowy Ghostlight Society to the conniving Manfred Drama Guild. This section explores the power struggles, alliances, and rivalries that shape the setting. Each faction comes with its own motives, secrets, and potential for conflict, creating endless opportunities for intrigue. Whether you’re joining their ranks, working against them, or playing them against each other, this guide reveals how the factions influence every layer of the story.
Core Mechanic: The Core Mechanic keeps things simple without sacrificing depth, offering a streamlined system designed to enhance storytelling. This section explains how to resolve conflicts, determine outcomes, and manage the dramatic tension that’s central to Ghostlight. With clear guidelines and adaptable mechanics, it ensures the focus stays on the characters and their choices. Whether you’re navigating a tricky negotiation or escaping a haunted library, this system gives you the tools to keep the drama alive.
Hero Points: Hero Points are your lifeline in Ghostlight, allowing you to shift the odds in your favor when the stakes are high. This section explains how to earn, use, and save these critical resources. Whether you’re turning a potential disaster into a stunning victory or creating a moment of unforgettable drama, Hero Points give you the power to shape the story. Learn the best ways to manage your points and keep your character in the spotlight.
Journaling: Ghostlight’s unique journaling system allows you to document your adventures in deep, reflective detail. Whether you’re playing solo or with a group, this section provides guidance on capturing the highs and lows of your character’s journey. From personal growth to unraveling mysteries, journaling adds a layer of introspection and depth to your story. Use it to track your character’s emotional arc, make sense of their choices, or simply revel in the drama as it unfolds.
Running the Game: This section is a treasure for gamemasters, offering tips and tools to craft unforgettable sessions. From setting the tone to managing player expectations, it’s packed with practical advice for creating tension, drama, and memorable moments. Learn how to orchestrate mysteries, navigate player conflicts, and maintain the balance between supernatural horror and human drama. Whether you’re an experienced gamemaster or new to the role, this guide helps you bring Ghostlight to life.
Worldbuilding: Expand the eerie world of Ghostlight with tools and tips for creating a complex, immersive setting. This section covers everything from adding new locations and legends to deepening the lore of Manfred College and Heathcliff. Explore ways to make the supernatural feel real, the mundane feel sinister, and the setting feel alive. Whether you’re adding personal touches to existing material or crafting entirely new stories, this section provides the framework to build a world that’s as haunting as it is unforgettable.
Adventures and Campaigns: Kickstart your storytelling with ideas and frameworks for both single-session adventures and sprawling campaigns. This section offers inspiration for crafting tales of woe, rivalry, and redemption. Whether you’re designing a semester-long saga or an intense one-shot, you’ll find everything you need to structure your story, build tension, and create memorable moments. It’s your creative launchpad for bringing the drama and supernatural danger of Ghostlight to life.
Reference: This section is your go-to resource for quick inspiration and practical tools. From pre-made characters and factions to a bestiary of supernatural creatures, it’s all here to help you populate your world. You’ll also find advice on adapting Ghostlight to other systems, or incorporating material from other games into this one. And when the terminology gets tangled, the glossary is your lifeline, ensuring you always know what’s what.
The Simple Approach
Roleplaying isn’t about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people sitting around the table, telling stories together. It’s where creativity comes alive, collaboration shines, and connections are made. The magic isn’t in the products. It’s in the players, working together to solve problems, uncover mysteries, and shape adventures. That’s what we believe in, and it’s why we do what we do: to help you create meaningful, unforgettable experiences.
We’re not interested in chasing awards or making flashy coffee-table books. Roleplaying deserves better than overpriced, overdesigned tomes that look great but don’t offer much else. Our focus is on creating tools that are practical, affordable, and built to be used. Everything we make is about helping you tell the stories you want to tell, free from the clutter of unnecessary rules or corporate gimmicks.
If you’re tired of the same old grind and want roleplaying content that respects your time, your creativity, and your ideas, you’re in the right place. Head to lightspress.com, grab a copy of the Lightspress Handbook, and sign up for our newsletter, The Manifesto. The Simple Approach isn’t just a system. It’s a way to reimagine what roleplaying can be, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Welcome to Manfred College of the Arts, a private institution with more secrets than an episode of daytime television. Imagine a sprawling Gothic estate, built with old money and even older grudges, now serving as an elite arts school in the sleepy coastal town of Heathcliff, Massachusetts. Think you’ve seen it all before? Not quite. Manfred’s reputation for producing top-tier talent in theater, fine arts, and music barely scratches the surface of what’s really going on behind those ivy-covered walls. If surviving cutthroat auditions wasn’t stressful enough, just wait until you realize the place is also crawling with ghosts, witches, and a few things that don’t have names. Welcome to Ghostlight, where nailing that audition might be the least of your concerns.
Set against the backdrop of Heathcliff, a town that’s cozy and desolate in the off-season but turns into an artsy tourist haven every summer, Manfred College is more than just a place to get your degree in interpretive dance or abstract sculpture. Sure, it’s an artist’s paradise, but it’s also a supernatural minefield. Heathcliff seems charming enough, with its windswept shores and quaint little cafés, but it’s the kind of town where everyone knows each other’s business, and no one talks about what really goes on at Manfred. You might think the locals are just superstitious, but you’ll find out soon enough they’re keeping their mouths shut for a reason.
At the center of it all is the Ghostlight, the one lamp that’s always burning in the theater. The tradition says it’s to keep the spirits at bay when the stage is dark. In a place like Manfred, that lamp isn’t just a quirky theatrical superstition; it’s necessary. The theater, like much of the campus, is deeply haunted, and the spirits are just as dramatic as the student body. Whether it’s to keep the ghosts entertained or to prevent something worse from stepping out of the wings, that light’s staying on. Believe me, you don’t want to be around when it goes out.
In Ghostlight, you’re not just juggling grades, auditions, and your social life. You’re also dodging death, uncovering mysteries, and trying to figure out which of your classmates is hiding fangs, fur, or a third eye under all that existential ennui. This isn’t your standard haunted campus story. Manfred is a nexus for all sorts of supernatural creatures: ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves, and psychic mediums. Some are just passing through, but others? Well, they’re sitting right next to you in class. And just like in the real world, some of them are more dangerous than others. You’re going to have to learn fast who you can trust and who’s going to lead you straight into the grave.
The emotional core of Ghostlight comes from the tangled mess of relationships and secrets that pile up on top of each other like a precarious stack of scripts in the drama department. Your character’s story will have to navigate these conflicts, balancing their need to uncover the truth with the everyday pressures of being a student. You might be head-over-heels for your brooding classmate, but are they just angsty, or do they literally have blood on their hands? You could be gunning for the lead in the fall production, but there’s something unnatural about your competition, and you’re pretty sure they haven’t aged since freshman year. Add in the regular academic pressures, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a semester that could end in standing ovations… or funerals.
The appeal of Ghostlight is in the layers of character-driven, story-focused roleplaying. Every decision your character makes matters. Whether you’re trying to ace that history of theater exam or escape from the haunted wing of the library, your choices will ripple through the story and shape the narrative. It’s all about agency: your agency as a player to craft the experience, to pull the strings on your character’s fate, and to bring the drama to life. The collaboration with your fellow players adds depth, as the lines between academic competition, personal relationships, and supernatural horror blur.
The supernatural threats lurking around Manfred aren’t only for show. They’re part of the fabric of the school, tied into its history and the ongoing mysteries that surround the place. Some of these creatures are predators, others are protectors, and a few are just trying to make it through the semester like everyone else. The tension comes from not knowing which is which, and figuring it out is a life-or-death situation. But it’s not all about the monsters. The real horror might come from your best friend betraying you, or your crush getting possessed and trying to kill you, or realizing that the strange new kid is, in fact, dead. The supernatural might complicate things, but the human drama is just as high-stakes.
What really sets Ghostlight apart is the combination of dark academic intrigue, supernatural horror, and soap opera-worthy drama. This isn’t just about running from monsters in dark hallways (though there’s plenty of that too). It’s about relationships: the messy, complicated, and tragic connections you’ll make along the way. The romantic tension between you and the mysterious student who’s too perfect to be human. The rivalry with your roommate, who always seems to get the roles you want, and might just be using dark magic to do it. The friendships that might survive the chaos, or be destroyed by the secrets you uncover. Every choice you make feeds into the story, creating a complex, collaborative narrative that’s as full of emotional conflict as it is supernatural danger.
If you’re a fan of Gothic horror, dark academic mysteries, or theater culture, Ghostlight is your backstage pass to a world where the line between life and death is as thin as the veil between this world and the next. Fans of Dark Shadows, If We Were Villains, and The Secret History will feel right at home in Heathcliff. There’s just enough familiar material to hook you in, while the supernatural twists and creative agency give you something fresh to sink your teeth into (hopefully not literally, but no promises).
In Ghostlight, you’re not just playing a role, you’re shaping the entire performance. So take your place in the spotlight. Just keep one eye on the Ghostlight. You wouldn’t want anything sneaking up on you while you’re stealing the show.
495 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Navigating This Book
Imagine a roleplaying toolkit that adapts to the way you play. Ghostlight lets you dive right in with nothing but pencils, paper, and a set of dice or playing cards. It stands on its own, integrates seamlessly with other games and sourcebooks using The Simple Approach, and even works as a journaling game for solo adventures. Prefer another system? It’s easy to adapt. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to create stories your way.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in these pages:
Manfred College of the Arts: Dive into the heart of Ghostlight’s eerie academia, where Gothic architecture and brooding traditions create a perfect storm of intrigue. This section unpacks everything you need to know about Manfred College, an elite private arts school perched on the New England coast. From its long-standing reputation for producing creative prodigies to its darker, whispered secrets, you’ll uncover the foundations of this storied institution. Explore the halls, classrooms, and dormitories where students juggle their artistic ambitions with the very real danger of supernatural entanglements. Whether you’re studying the school’s history or plotting a dramatic entrance, this section ensures you’ll have the setting fully realized.
The Town of Heathcliff: Take a stroll, or perhaps a cautious tiptoe, through Heathcliff, the sleepy fishing village that plays host to Manfred College. During the summer, its cobblestone streets bustle with tourists and artists soaking in the coastal charm. The rest of the year? The fog rolls in, secrets creep out, and the town reveals its darker, more mysterious side. This section explores Heathcliff’s dual nature, its quaint surface hiding generations of whispered folklore, grudges, and ghost stories. Get to know the residents, the landmarks, and the political undercurrents that make this little town as compelling, and as dangerous, as the college it supports.
Understanding Ghostlight: This is your crash course in the game’s tone, themes, and unique interpretation of the Dark Academia genre. Ghostlight blends Gothic horror, soap opera melodrama, and the unshakable tension of a supernatural thriller. Learn how the genre’s evolution shapes the setting, the core conflicts that define it, and the conventions that will guide your storytelling. Whether you’re unraveling conspiracies, juggling rivalries, or confronting personal demons, this section helps you navigate the delicate balance between atmospheric dread and high-stakes drama. The spotlight is yours; this guide ensures you know how to shine, and survive, in it.
Characters: Step into the spotlight with a section dedicated to crafting compelling, flawed, and unforgettable characters. From the starry-eyed freshmen to the jaded upperclassmen, this chapter walks you through every element of character creation. Explore the layers of personality, ambition, and secrets that make each role more than just a collection of traits. Learn how to tie your character’s backstory to the larger narrative, and uncover the motivations and relationships that drive them. Whether your character is destined for greatness or doomed to tragedy, this section ensures their story will resonate.
Archetypes: Meet the archetypes that breathe life, and plenty of drama, into the world of Ghostlight. Each one is designed to align with the setting’s eerie atmosphere, from the ambitious Artist to the enigmatic Medium. This section provides detailed profiles of each archetype, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and roles in the story. Whether you’re channeling supernatural powers or grappling with internal demons, these archetypes offer endless ways to shape your character’s journey. Dive deep into their defining traits and decide whether your path leads to redemption, chaos, or something in between.
Traits: Traits are the building blocks of your character, defining their abilities, quirks, and vulnerabilities. In this section, you’ll find an exhaustive guide to shaping your character’s strengths and weaknesses, from their sharp intellect to their emotional fragility. Learn how to use these traits to create tension, add depth, and drive the story forward. Whether you’re crafting a character who excels at uncovering hidden truths or one who thrives in the chaos of conflict, this section ensures every element of their personality feels authentic and dynamic.
Player’s Guide: The Player’s Guide is your roadmap to embodying your character and navigating the tangled web of relationships, secrets, and supernatural horror at Manfred College. Packed with practical tips and examples, this section helps you bring your character’s personality, ambitions, and fears to life. Explore the delicate balance between personal goals and group dynamics, and learn how to collaborate with others to create a complex, character-driven story. It’s not just about staying alive; it’s about making every scene count.
Factions: Manfred College and Heathcliff are defined by their factions, from the shadowy Ghostlight Society to the conniving Manfred Drama Guild. This section explores the power struggles, alliances, and rivalries that shape the setting. Each faction comes with its own motives, secrets, and potential for conflict, creating endless opportunities for intrigue. Whether you’re joining their ranks, working against them, or playing them against each other, this guide reveals how the factions influence every layer of the story.
Core Mechanic: The Core Mechanic keeps things simple without sacrificing depth, offering a streamlined system designed to enhance storytelling. This section explains how to resolve conflicts, determine outcomes, and manage the dramatic tension that’s central to Ghostlight. With clear guidelines and adaptable mechanics, it ensures the focus stays on the characters and their choices. Whether you’re navigating a tricky negotiation or escaping a haunted library, this system gives you the tools to keep the drama alive.
Hero Points: Hero Points are your lifeline in Ghostlight, allowing you to shift the odds in your favor when the stakes are high. This section explains how to earn, use, and save these critical resources. Whether you’re turning a potential disaster into a stunning victory or creating a moment of unforgettable drama, Hero Points give you the power to shape the story. Learn the best ways to manage your points and keep your character in the spotlight.
Journaling: Ghostlight’s unique journaling system allows you to document your adventures in deep, reflective detail. Whether you’re playing solo or with a group, this section provides guidance on capturing the highs and lows of your character’s journey. From personal growth to unraveling mysteries, journaling adds a layer of introspection and depth to your story. Use it to track your character’s emotional arc, make sense of their choices, or simply revel in the drama as it unfolds.
Running the Game: This section is a treasure for gamemasters, offering tips and tools to craft unforgettable sessions. From setting the tone to managing player expectations, it’s packed with practical advice for creating tension, drama, and memorable moments. Learn how to orchestrate mysteries, navigate player conflicts, and maintain the balance between supernatural horror and human drama. Whether you’re an experienced gamemaster or new to the role, this guide helps you bring Ghostlight to life.
Worldbuilding: Expand the eerie world of Ghostlight with tools and tips for creating a complex, immersive setting. This section covers everything from adding new locations and legends to deepening the lore of Manfred College and Heathcliff. Explore ways to make the supernatural feel real, the mundane feel sinister, and the setting feel alive. Whether you’re adding personal touches to existing material or crafting entirely new stories, this section provides the framework to build a world that’s as haunting as it is unforgettable.
Adventures and Campaigns: Kickstart your storytelling with ideas and frameworks for both single-session adventures and sprawling campaigns. This section offers inspiration for crafting tales of woe, rivalry, and redemption. Whether you’re designing a semester-long saga or an intense one-shot, you’ll find everything you need to structure your story, build tension, and create memorable moments. It’s your creative launchpad for bringing the drama and supernatural danger of Ghostlight to life.
Reference: This section is your go-to resource for quick inspiration and practical tools. From pre-made characters and factions to a bestiary of supernatural creatures, it’s all here to help you populate your world. You’ll also find advice on adapting Ghostlight to other systems, or incorporating material from other games into this one. And when the terminology gets tangled, the glossary is your lifeline, ensuring you always know what’s what.
The Simple Approach
Roleplaying isn’t about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people sitting around the table, telling stories together. It’s where creativity comes alive, collaboration shines, and connections are made. The magic isn’t in the products. It’s in the players, working together to solve problems, uncover mysteries, and shape adventures. That’s what we believe in, and it’s why we do what we do: to help you create meaningful, unforgettable experiences.
We’re not interested in chasing awards or making flashy coffee-table books. Roleplaying deserves better than overpriced, overdesigned tomes that look great but don’t offer much else. Our focus is on creating tools that are practical, affordable, and built to be used. Everything we make is about helping you tell the stories you want to tell, free from the clutter of unnecessary rules or corporate gimmicks.
If you’re tired of the same old grind and want roleplaying content that respects your time, your creativity, and your ideas, you’re in the right place. Head to lightspress.com, grab a copy of the Lightspress Handbook, and sign up for our newsletter, The Manifesto. The Simple Approach isn’t just a system. It’s a way to reimagine what roleplaying can be, and we’d love for you to be part of it.
Welcome to Manfred College of the Arts, a private institution with more secrets than an episode of daytime television. Imagine a sprawling Gothic estate, built with old money and even older grudges, now serving as an elite arts school in the sleepy coastal town of Heathcliff, Massachusetts. Think you’ve seen it all before? Not quite. Manfred’s reputation for producing top-tier talent in theater, fine arts, and music barely scratches the surface of what’s really going on behind those ivy-covered walls. If surviving cutthroat auditions wasn’t stressful enough, just wait until you realize the place is also crawling with ghosts, witches, and a few things that don’t have names. Welcome to Ghostlight, where nailing that audition might be the least of your concerns.
Set against the backdrop of Heathcliff, a town that’s cozy and desolate in the off-season but turns into an artsy tourist haven every summer, Manfred College is more than just a place to get your degree in interpretive dance or abstract sculpture. Sure, it’s an artist’s paradise, but it’s also a supernatural minefield. Heathcliff seems charming enough, with its windswept shores and quaint little cafés, but it’s the kind of town where everyone knows each other’s business, and no one talks about what really goes on at Manfred. You might think the locals are just superstitious, but you’ll find out soon enough they’re keeping their mouths shut for a reason.
At the center of it all is the Ghostlight, the one lamp that’s always burning in the theater. The tradition says it’s to keep the spirits at bay when the stage is dark. In a place like Manfred, that lamp isn’t just a quirky theatrical superstition; it’s necessary. The theater, like much of the campus, is deeply haunted, and the spirits are just as dramatic as the student body. Whether it’s to keep the ghosts entertained or to prevent something worse from stepping out of the wings, that light’s staying on. Believe me, you don’t want to be around when it goes out.
In Ghostlight, you’re not just juggling grades, auditions, and your social life. You’re also dodging death, uncovering mysteries, and trying to figure out which of your classmates is hiding fangs, fur, or a third eye under all that existential ennui. This isn’t your standard haunted campus story. Manfred is a nexus for all sorts of supernatural creatures: ghosts, witches, vampires, werewolves, and psychic mediums. Some are just passing through, but others? Well, they’re sitting right next to you in class. And just like in the real world, some of them are more dangerous than others. You’re going to have to learn fast who you can trust and who’s going to lead you straight into the grave.
The emotional core of Ghostlight comes from the tangled mess of relationships and secrets that pile up on top of each other like a precarious stack of scripts in the drama department. Your character’s story will have to navigate these conflicts, balancing their need to uncover the truth with the everyday pressures of being a student. You might be head-over-heels for your brooding classmate, but are they just angsty, or do they literally have blood on their hands? You could be gunning for the lead in the fall production, but there’s something unnatural about your competition, and you’re pretty sure they haven’t aged since freshman year. Add in the regular academic pressures, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for a semester that could end in standing ovations… or funerals.
The appeal of Ghostlight is in the layers of character-driven, story-focused roleplaying. Every decision your character makes matters. Whether you’re trying to ace that history of theater exam or escape from the haunted wing of the library, your choices will ripple through the story and shape the narrative. It’s all about agency: your agency as a player to craft the experience, to pull the strings on your character’s fate, and to bring the drama to life. The collaboration with your fellow players adds depth, as the lines between academic competition, personal relationships, and supernatural horror blur.
The supernatural threats lurking around Manfred aren’t only for show. They’re part of the fabric of the school, tied into its history and the ongoing mysteries that surround the place. Some of these creatures are predators, others are protectors, and a few are just trying to make it through the semester like everyone else. The tension comes from not knowing which is which, and figuring it out is a life-or-death situation. But it’s not all about the monsters. The real horror might come from your best friend betraying you, or your crush getting possessed and trying to kill you, or realizing that the strange new kid is, in fact, dead. The supernatural might complicate things, but the human drama is just as high-stakes.
What really sets Ghostlight apart is the combination of dark academic intrigue, supernatural horror, and soap opera-worthy drama. This isn’t just about running from monsters in dark hallways (though there’s plenty of that too). It’s about relationships: the messy, complicated, and tragic connections you’ll make along the way. The romantic tension between you and the mysterious student who’s too perfect to be human. The rivalry with your roommate, who always seems to get the roles you want, and might just be using dark magic to do it. The friendships that might survive the chaos, or be destroyed by the secrets you uncover. Every choice you make feeds into the story, creating a complex, collaborative narrative that’s as full of emotional conflict as it is supernatural danger.
If you’re a fan of Gothic horror, dark academic mysteries, or theater culture, Ghostlight is your backstage pass to a world where the line between life and death is as thin as the veil between this world and the next. Fans of Dark Shadows, If We Were Villains, and The Secret History will feel right at home in Heathcliff. There’s just enough familiar material to hook you in, while the supernatural twists and creative agency give you something fresh to sink your teeth into (hopefully not literally, but no promises).
In Ghostlight, you’re not just playing a role, you’re shaping the entire performance. So take your place in the spotlight. Just keep one eye on the Ghostlight. You wouldn’t want anything sneaking up on you while you’re stealing the show.
495 pages. PDF and epub files included.
Navigating This Book
Imagine a roleplaying toolkit that adapts to the way you play. Ghostlight lets you dive right in with nothing but pencils, paper, and a set of dice or playing cards. It stands on its own, integrates seamlessly with other games and sourcebooks using The Simple Approach, and even works as a journaling game for solo adventures. Prefer another system? It’s easy to adapt. Inside, you’ll find everything you need to create stories your way.
Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll find in these pages:
Manfred College of the Arts: Dive into the heart of Ghostlight’s eerie academia, where Gothic architecture and brooding traditions create a perfect storm of intrigue. This section unpacks everything you need to know about Manfred College, an elite private arts school perched on the New England coast. From its long-standing reputation for producing creative prodigies to its darker, whispered secrets, you’ll uncover the foundations of this storied institution. Explore the halls, classrooms, and dormitories where students juggle their artistic ambitions with the very real danger of supernatural entanglements. Whether you’re studying the school’s history or plotting a dramatic entrance, this section ensures you’ll have the setting fully realized.
The Town of Heathcliff: Take a stroll, or perhaps a cautious tiptoe, through Heathcliff, the sleepy fishing village that plays host to Manfred College. During the summer, its cobblestone streets bustle with tourists and artists soaking in the coastal charm. The rest of the year? The fog rolls in, secrets creep out, and the town reveals its darker, more mysterious side. This section explores Heathcliff’s dual nature, its quaint surface hiding generations of whispered folklore, grudges, and ghost stories. Get to know the residents, the landmarks, and the political undercurrents that make this little town as compelling, and as dangerous, as the college it supports.
Understanding Ghostlight: This is your crash course in the game’s tone, themes, and unique interpretation of the Dark Academia genre. Ghostlight blends Gothic horror, soap opera melodrama, and the unshakable tension of a supernatural thriller. Learn how the genre’s evolution shapes the setting, the core conflicts that define it, and the conventions that will guide your storytelling. Whether you’re unraveling conspiracies, juggling rivalries, or confronting personal demons, this section helps you navigate the delicate balance between atmospheric dread and high-stakes drama. The spotlight is yours; this guide ensures you know how to shine, and survive, in it.
Characters: Step into the spotlight with a section dedicated to crafting compelling, flawed, and unforgettable characters. From the starry-eyed freshmen to the jaded upperclassmen, this chapter walks you through every element of character creation. Explore the layers of personality, ambition, and secrets that make each role more than just a collection of traits. Learn how to tie your character’s backstory to the larger narrative, and uncover the motivations and relationships that drive them. Whether your character is destined for greatness or doomed to tragedy, this section ensures their story will resonate.
Archetypes: Meet the archetypes that breathe life, and plenty of drama, into the world of Ghostlight. Each one is designed to align with the setting’s eerie atmosphere, from the ambitious Artist to the enigmatic Medium. This section provides detailed profiles of each archetype, exploring their strengths, weaknesses, and roles in the story. Whether you’re channeling supernatural powers or grappling with internal demons, these archetypes offer endless ways to shape your character’s journey. Dive deep into their defining traits and decide whether your path leads to redemption, chaos, or something in between.
Traits: Traits are the building blocks of your character, defining their abilities, quirks, and vulnerabilities. In this section, you’ll find an exhaustive guide to shaping your character’s strengths and weaknesses, from their sharp intellect to their emotional fragility. Learn how to use these traits to create tension, add depth, and drive the story forward. Whether you’re crafting a character who excels at uncovering hidden truths or one who thrives in the chaos of conflict, this section ensures every element of their personality feels authentic and dynamic.
Player’s Guide: The Player’s Guide is your roadmap to embodying your character and navigating the tangled web of relationships, secrets, and supernatural horror at Manfred College. Packed with practical tips and examples, this section helps you bring your character’s personality, ambitions, and fears to life. Explore the delicate balance between personal goals and group dynamics, and learn how to collaborate with others to create a complex, character-driven story. It’s not just about staying alive; it’s about making every scene count.
Factions: Manfred College and Heathcliff are defined by their factions, from the shadowy Ghostlight Society to the conniving Manfred Drama Guild. This section explores the power struggles, alliances, and rivalries that shape the setting. Each faction comes with its own motives, secrets, and potential for conflict, creating endless opportunities for intrigue. Whether you’re joining their ranks, working against them, or playing them against each other, this guide reveals how the factions influence every layer of the story.
Core Mechanic: The Core Mechanic keeps things simple without sacrificing depth, offering a streamlined system designed to enhance storytelling. This section explains how to resolve conflicts, determine outcomes, and manage the dramatic tension that’s central to Ghostlight. With clear guidelines and adaptable mechanics, it ensures the focus stays on the characters and their choices. Whether you’re navigating a tricky negotiation or escaping a haunted library, this system gives you the tools to keep the drama alive.
Hero Points: Hero Points are your lifeline in Ghostlight, allowing you to shift the odds in your favor when the stakes are high. This section explains how to earn, use, and save these critical resources. Whether you’re turning a potential disaster into a stunning victory or creating a moment of unforgettable drama, Hero Points give you the power to shape the story. Learn the best ways to manage your points and keep your character in the spotlight.
Journaling: Ghostlight’s unique journaling system allows you to document your adventures in deep, reflective detail. Whether you’re playing solo or with a group, this section provides guidance on capturing the highs and lows of your character’s journey. From personal growth to unraveling mysteries, journaling adds a layer of introspection and depth to your story. Use it to track your character’s emotional arc, make sense of their choices, or simply revel in the drama as it unfolds.
Running the Game: This section is a treasure for gamemasters, offering tips and tools to craft unforgettable sessions. From setting the tone to managing player expectations, it’s packed with practical advice for creating tension, drama, and memorable moments. Learn how to orchestrate mysteries, navigate player conflicts, and maintain the balance between supernatural horror and human drama. Whether you’re an experienced gamemaster or new to the role, this guide helps you bring Ghostlight to life.
Worldbuilding: Expand the eerie world of Ghostlight with tools and tips for creating a complex, immersive setting. This section covers everything from adding new locations and legends to deepening the lore of Manfred College and Heathcliff. Explore ways to make the supernatural feel real, the mundane feel sinister, and the setting feel alive. Whether you’re adding personal touches to existing material or crafting entirely new stories, this section provides the framework to build a world that’s as haunting as it is unforgettable.
Adventures and Campaigns: Kickstart your storytelling with ideas and frameworks for both single-session adventures and sprawling campaigns. This section offers inspiration for crafting tales of woe, rivalry, and redemption. Whether you’re designing a semester-long saga or an intense one-shot, you’ll find everything you need to structure your story, build tension, and create memorable moments. It’s your creative launchpad for bringing the drama and supernatural danger of Ghostlight to life.
Reference: This section is your go-to resource for quick inspiration and practical tools. From pre-made characters and factions to a bestiary of supernatural creatures, it’s all here to help you populate your world. You’ll also find advice on adapting Ghostlight to other systems, or incorporating material from other games into this one. And when the terminology gets tangled, the glossary is your lifeline, ensuring you always know what’s what.
The Simple Approach
Roleplaying isn’t about a book, a brand, or a company. It’s about the people sitting around the table, telling stories together. It’s where creativity comes alive, collaboration shines, and connections are made. The magic isn’t in the products. It’s in the players, working together to solve problems, uncover mysteries, and shape adventures. That’s what we believe in, and it’s why we do what we do: to help you create meaningful, unforgettable experiences.
We’re not interested in chasing awards or making flashy coffee-table books. Roleplaying deserves better than overpriced, overdesigned tomes that look great but don’t offer much else. Our focus is on creating tools that are practical, affordable, and built to be used. Everything we make is about helping you tell the stories you want to tell, free from the clutter of unnecessary rules or corporate gimmicks.
If you’re tired of the same old grind and want roleplaying content that respects your time, your creativity, and your ideas, you’re in the right place. Head to lightspress.com, grab a copy of the Lightspress Handbook, and sign up for our newsletter, The Manifesto. The Simple Approach isn’t just a system. It’s a way to reimagine what roleplaying can be, and we’d love for you to be part of it.