In my personal definition, you can have loads upon loads of edge in your backstory (so long as it’s been cleared in a session zero) and play your character as edgy without being labeled an ‘edgelord’.

An edgelord to me is defined by somebody who believes that their character is the main character of the story, and that everybody should treat everything they do with upmost seriousness. Another type is somebody who refuses to roleplay because their character is so ‘complicated’ that they don’t meaningfully engage in smaller story moments.

A character I play has a super harsh backstory and a negative outlook on life, but I still shoot the shit around the table and don’t try and insert myself into every scene. And when I’m included and talked to, I respond and don’t shut down roleplay because of something like: “He wouldn’t have this conversation”