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 An Ancient Egyptian die |
Some of the "lingo" used in roleplaying games.
See also Languages
Game / System ∞
A unique compilation of media. A complete example would include:
- A fictional universe, perhaps with some stories.
A core set of rules for playing.
- aka mechanics
- How characters are built, choices players can make for their customization, and how characters are permitted to change over time (e.g. levelling).
- How actions are described, and contests are resolved (like combat).
Example characters and non-player characters.
A game system is distinct from the intellectual property and revision of other game systems. It is like how one author's book is entirely different from another's.
Mechanics can vary widely, as there are many different kinds of players with differing needs.
Group ∞
Consists of:
- One of more #players.
A #storyteller.
Player ∞
A player has one #character they personally control.
This is distinct from the #storyteller, who describes everything else: The fictional world, and the non-player characters.
Character ∞
This is is something a #player acts through, just like a puppeteer uses a marionette on a stage.
To be in character is to be speaking with the characters voice and narrating the actions of the character.
To be out-of-character is to be a regular person having fun with friends.
Metagaming is the use of out-of-character knowledge.
Storyteller / Game master (GM) / Dungeon master (DM) ∞
Where a player has one #character they personally control, the #storyteller, describes everything else: The fictional world, its events, and the actions of the non-player characters.
They tend to act like the roleplaying group's organizer.
"Storyteller" is a generic term that's rare in most circles. It is meant to be agnostic. Some game systems use this term because they are more story-oriented and less action-oriented.
"Game Master" is a generic term used by the vast majority of games.
"Dungeon Master" is the accepted term for a game master in the system Dungeons & Dragons.
Non-player character (NPC) ∞
This is something a #storyteller acts through, just like a puppeteer uses a marionette on a stage.
There are many non-player characters in the world the players are in, and the storyteller plays that role whenever a player has their character interact with a non-player in the game.
A player says their character goes to the store? The storyteller plays the store keeper.
