Technically, Jdvn1 is correct; any character controlled by a GM is an NPC. However, I know of many GMs who create a character, ostensibly according to the same rules as the rest of the PCs, and treat them as if they were simply another PC. They usually have no particular relevance to the plot, and go from adventure to adventure with the rest of the PCs. When the GM steps aside to allow for someone else to take over, this GMPC becomes his PC for the duration. Many GMs who would rather be a player usually create a GMPC as a sort of consolation prize.

Walt

You _could_ argue that a GMPC is a type of NPC, where the controller is specifically the GM. This would imply that some NPCs are controlled by no one at all (background characters).

I think my definition got lost in the length of the post. The above is cleaned up a bit. I like Walt’s examples better than mine, because pulp is another case where you’d expect a certain amount of Deus ex Machina, and it make the example more clear than a comedy example would. Part of what *makes* it pulp is that things like Deus ex Machina are expected to happen.

On the “Table-top” definition, a synonym would be “Pen and Paper”. That brings up other things taken from online games, such as “Tank”.

Scripted Scene (or just “Script”): Any scene in which the PCs have little or no effect on the outcome. Scripted scenes usually advance a plot.

No offense taken. It’s fun brainstorming!

It’s tough to figure out what is “universal.” I’ve been playing RPGs for 25 years (hmmm, I should mark the occasion) and yet I’ve never heard the term “social contract” spoken at the gaming table. I’ve also never heard “flag” used in the way you’ve defined it (in our games, a “flag” means that something is wrong).

Since I’m a masochist, here are a few others:

Table-top: Shorthand for RPGs that are played with pen-and-paper (which is also a synonym). Gained popularity after the increase in LARPS and CRPGs.

Roll-up: (as in “Roll-up a character”) A term for character generation, even for games where no dice are involved.

Combat Monster: A character who is extremely skilled at combat (not necessarily a Power Gamer). Some characters morph into Combat Monsters through Experience.

Experience: A reward, usually in the form of points (XP) for the successful completion of an adventure. Experience is used to increase the capabilities of the character.

Walt

- Splatbook
- Table Talk

DMN: I wanted to write this glossary up first as a post for a couple of reasons, rather than just adding it to the wiki.

The main reason was that there aren’t that many active wiki users at the moment, whereas there are quite a lot of active TT readers.

The second reason is that there’s no barrier to entry to leave a comment — fill in two fields, write your comment, preview once and you’re set. On the wiki, you need an account to edit a page, and I didn’t want anyone to fall through the cracks.

Ultimately, I may wind up adding this glossary to the wiki.

Crazy Jerome: You’re not being pushy, just passionate about a pet peeve.

I like your idea of including prescriptive and descriptive terms in the “final” version of this glossary. I’ll have to think about that one.

In the meantime, would you mind writing up your personal definition of deus ex machina, as defined from a GMing standpoint and just as you would for this glossary?

Walt’s example (which is excellent — thanks, Walt!) makes the difference very clear, I’m just not sure how to express it here.

It’s funny, but I expected controversy over the definition of RPG, which is so open to interpretation that I was sure I’d get it wrong.

Rule Zero and Rule One also appear to be causing problems. I’ve heard all of the definitions suggested applied to both of them — but I’ve heard the ones I used most often applied as I used them.

Perhaps the glossary should make reference to this fact in each Rule X definition. Thoughts?

It’s also worth mentioning that this is getting tough. Walt, man, I feel bad that I’m not including more of the excellent definitions you’ve provided — in my experience, many of them just aren’t unviersal enough.

If anyone is interested in weighing in on the terms I’ve opted not include (everything in the comments above this one), please do!

I didn’t notice BBEG when I suggested “Big Bad.”

Walt

As for Deus ex Machina, I think (if I’m reading this all correctly) I’m on Crazy Jerome’s side. While DeM and GM Fiat can overlap, DeM is often seen as appropriate to the genre, whereas GM Fiat is usually perceived as a GM “fix.”

Example: PCs in a pulp setting escape from Dinosaur Island just as the volcano explodes to destroy it. They have no hope of survival out in the middle of the Pacific…..until a steamship happens by to pull them out (DeM).

Example2: A PC in a pulp setting attempts to get the plane engine started before the volcano explodes. He botches his dice roll, but the GM rules he succeeded anyway (GM fiat).

Walt

Both constitute determining when to set aside the rules, but they emphasize different reasons for doing it. One suggests GM whim, the other player enjoyment.