ACTIONS: The term referring to the unspoken moves of your character, and differentiating between the two. Depending on the platform, some games use plain text, brackets or asterisks to delineate actions. For example: Whatever do you mean? **bats her eyes innocently** These types are commonly used in chat platforms. 

CHARACTER: Your representative/avatar within a role playing game. The role you play within a role playing game. Often thought to be an extension of, or escape from oneself, good players always keep a sense of perspective between their characters lives and their own. 

COPPA: An internet law passed in ____ that basically states that all internet sites based in the US must not ask for any personal information from minors 13 or younger, meaning they must ask for verification of age before doing so. As most RPG sites have neither the resources or the time to verify player's age or process permissions, many now require players to older than 13.

EXPERIENCE POINTS: A way a RPG can advance a character's skills or stats is to use experience points. EP are gained during RP, and awarded for deeds done within the game. Players then save them up to later "buy" or redeem them for skill & stat bonuses.

FREE FORM: This is a style of gaming that does not use a known published game system for its rules, character creation or stats. Also, free form games are typically "dice free", meaning actions and outcomes are determined by a GM to the player, depending on the individual game. It does NOT refer to a game free of moderation or GM influence, as some tend to think. [See Chapter 3]

GENRE: Like the literary term, this refers to the overall theme or classification of a game's setting. Horror, sci-fi & fantasy are the three most common, and thus broadest game genres.

GOD MODING: The GM equivalent of power/meta gaming. This happens when a GM abuses the power of their position. Typical God-moding includes impossible odds, ultra-powerful NPC's or using their position to advance their own characters or that of their friends.

GAME MASTER: [aka GM, ST (Story Teller), DM (Dungeon Master), etc] The person in charge of the game. A GM's duties can vary by game, but they are essentially in charge of creating an interactive environment for players' characters to play within. GM's also are the ones who determine the outcomes of a character's actions and have control of the NPC's your character may encounter. A good GM creates a fun, believable adventure, with the right blend of successes, failures, rewards, and punishments.

HACK 'N' SLASH: A sometimes derogatory term in reference to game adventurers that focus solely on battle and fighting skill. Very little focus is put on plots or character development.

HANDBOOK/PLAYER'S GUIDE: A collection of information that tells a player about a game's world environment. Named after their pen & paper counterparts, a player's guide for an Online game would typically be a website including info on races, cultures, politics, and tech levels of the game setting. Rules and character creation guidelines are also usually included here. Much valuable information is usually found in these guides. 

HIT POINTS: Also sometimes known as health points, this form of statistic is sometimes used to determine how much damage is inflicted on a character in a battle. When your HP runs out, your character is dead.

HOMEBREW: A type of game that is usually set in an "original" setting of a game designer's choosing, with customized races, cultures, and traditions. Player's Guides usually come in handy when familiarizing yourself with this kind of custom game. [See Chapter 2]

HYBRID: 1. A game that encompasses two or more game genre types, or takes bits and pieces from other established game worlds. Also sometimes called a crossover. 2. A character that is a combination of different breeds/races like a vampiric elf or an anthromorph. Many games have restrictions on certain hybrid types so always check before you create your character.

IC (IN CHARACTER): This term refers to actions, thoughts or speech that should be attributed to your character alone. It also means info given IC is only to be used IC, and visa versa. [See Chapter 3]

MODERATION: The act of moderation a game-usually by creating and directing the setting and environment, as well as controlling NPC interaction. Moderators also monitor player/player interactions and determine the outcomes of combat, depending on the individual game. Check for the level of moderation in your target game by asking OOC or check the player's guide. [See Chapter 3]

NEWBIE: Someone new to a game, scenario, or RP in general. A game that is friendly to newbies is likely to remain in operation mush longer than one that takes on a cliquish attitude.

NPC (Non-Player Character): A character that is used to provide interaction and environment for a player in a game setting. Typical NPC's are shopkeepers, guards, nobility, or other important key characters of a storyline.

ONLINE GAMING: the term for games played via the internet or electronic means. 

OOC (OUT OF CHARACTER): This term refers to conversations, actions, or information exchanged outside of the game setting between players/GMs of the game. Always keep OOC separate from IC, and do not use OOC info for an IC advantage.

PERSPECTIVE: The viewpoint from which you tell your character's story. The most commonly used are first or third person, using past tense. Writing in this way reads much better in most online game settings. 

PC (Player Character): A character in a game that is played by an actual live person. A PC's actions are usually the direct responsibility of the player, who directs his character's actions to react to the situations and circumstances surrounding the character.

PLATFORM: A term used to describe what type of medium is being used to play the RPG. There are three main platforms that online gaming can be played on. Chat/real-time, PBeM, or forum board. A fringe group is the "browser/web" run CGI games, sometimes referred to as web chat, but they generally fit under the chat/real-time genre, and thus not included separately here. Table-top & LARP are the standard platforms of "real life" gaming.

POWER GAMING\META GAMING: Also known as "when geeks go bad" Power gaming is, in its simplest form, when a player manipulates or ignores the setting and rules to allow themselves unfair advantages over other players and GM's. Generally considered by seasoned RPers as a sign of immaturity, impatience, and tactlessness. Using common sense and bit of believability in your RP, as well as not trying to constantly overplay other players or your GM should keep you far away from any problems with power gaming. If you are a victim of power gaming, contact your GM, or those in charge of the game for help.

RL (REAL LIFE): An imaginary concept put forth by disgruntled typo demons that any kind of work exists outside of RPG's. Ok, no really, I think this one speaks for itself. It's that thing that takes you away from your computer, on a hopefully regular basis. It's a good thing, and one you should experience often.

RP (ROLE PLAY): The act of assuming a role, pretending to be someone or something you are not, for the purpose of entertainment, or other reasons. 

RPG (ROLE PLAY GAME): A game that allows you to assume the identity of a made-up character for the purpose of having an adventure via your avatar, for entertainment purposes.

"ROLL PLAY": A RP lingo term for games or systems that rely heavily on the use of dice to determine stats, outcomes and actions. Many freeform gamers use the word as a derogatory term, saying such a focus on stats, numbers and rules detracts from the role play aspect of the game.

SETTING: The game environment/world that a game takes place in. A setting can include geography, culture, races, society, technology, magic, skills, flora, fauna and NPCs.

STATS: The numbers or facts that determine how strong or accomplished a character is in a specific attribute or skill. 

SUPPLEMENT: A more detailed look on something in a game's settings, usually added to the player's guide after initial development. 

SYSTEM: An established, usually published RPG with its own rules, character creation, skills and setting. White Wolf, AD&D, GURPS and Amber are examples of well known game systems.

TURNS: The practice of allowing each player an individual chance to act on the circumstances happening to their character. Traditionally, each character in a scene takes a turn, then the GM takes a turn to further the action, and the characters then take subsequent turns to react to the GM's actions.

TWINK: A derogatory term used to describe a problem player. The term "twinking" sometimes refers to power gaming.

 Did I forget something? Email me, and let me know!