Glossary

1. Core Concepts

These describe the structure, format, and common terms used when talking about playing TTRPGs in general.

System – The set of rules used to play a game. Different systems have different ways to handle combat, movement, skills, and storytelling. Examples: Dungeons & Dragons, Cairn, Shadowdark.
Mechanics – The specific rules that tell you how to do something in the game (for example, how to roll dice to see if you hit a target).
Session – One meeting where the game is played. It could last a couple of hours or a whole day.
Campaign – A series of connected game sessions that tell an ongoing story with the same characters.
One-shot – A short adventure designed to be finished in one session (though sometimes it takes more).
Adventure Module – A prepared story or setting, often published, that a group can play through.
Encounter – A single event or challenge in the game, often combat, a puzzle, or a social situation.
Story Hook – An event or clue meant to draw the characters into an adventure.
Big Bad – Short for “Big Bad Evil Guy/Girl” (BBEG); the main villain or biggest threat in a story.
McGuffin – An important item or goal that motivates the characters to act, such as a magical artifact or lost treasure.
Table Talk – Conversation between players that’s not in character, often to discuss rules or make plans.
Meta-gaming – Using player knowledge that the character wouldn’t realistically have to make decisions in-game.

How people interact and the roles they might take in the game.

Game Master (GM) – The person who describes the world, controls non-player characters, and decides how the rules are applied. In some games, called the Dungeon Master (DM), Warden, or Referee.
Player Character (PC) – A character controlled by a player.
Non-Player Character (NPC) – Any character controlled by the GM.
Party – The group of player characters working together.
Initiative – The order in which characters act during combat or other turn-based situations.
In Character (IC) – Speaking or acting as your character would.
Out of Character (OOC) – Speaking or acting as yourself, the player, rather than your character.
Session Zero – A special session before the game begins to make characters, set expectations, and discuss boundaries.

Shared ideas that work across many TTRPG systems.

Attribute – A basic quality of a character, like Strength, Dexterity, or Intelligence.
Stat – A number that shows how good (or bad) a character is at something.
Skill – A learned ability tied to a stat, like lockpicking or persuasion.
Roll – Throwing dice to see if your action succeeds.
Check / Test – A roll to see if you succeed at something.
Save / Saving Throw – A roll to avoid danger or lessen its effects.
Hit Points (HP) – How much damage a character can take before they fall unconscious or die.
XP (Experience Points) – Points earned by completing goals or defeating challenges, usually spent to improve your character.
Level – A measure of your character’s progress and power. Higher levels usually mean more abilities.
Advantage – Rolling twice and using the better result.
Disadvantage – Rolling twice and using the worse result.
Critical Success – An especially good roll (often the highest possible), leading to a great result.
Critical Failure – An especially bad roll (often the lowest possible), leading to a poor result.

Terms for making and growing a character.

Class – Your character’s role or profession in the game, like wizard, fighter, or rogue.
Subclass – A more specific path within a class, such as a “Berserker” fighter or “Assassin” rogue.
Ancestry (or Race) – The kind of creature your character is, such as elf, dwarf, or human.
Background – Your character’s upbringing or life before the game starts, often giving small bonuses or skills.
Backstory – Your character’s personal history, including motivations and important past events.
Alignment – A description of your character’s moral outlook, such as Lawful Good or Chaotic Neutral.
Feat – A special ability or talent chosen during character growth.
Proficiency – A bonus you get for being trained or skilled in something.
Inventory – The list of items your character carries.
Loot – Rewards found during the game, like gold, weapons, or magic items.

While tied to Dungeons & Dragons, many players use these terms more generally.

Dungeon Crawl – An adventure focused on exploring dangerous areas, often with traps, puzzles, and enemies.
Cantrip – A spell that can be cast without using up a resource, usually weaker but always available.
Spell Slot – A resource used to cast more powerful spells.
Hit Die – A die used to determine how much health you gain when leveling up.

Describing the narrative side of the game.

Narrative Control – Who gets to decide what happens in the story at any moment.
Improvisation (Improv) – Making up story elements or character actions on the spot.
Inspiration – A reward given to players for good roleplay or creativity, often granting a small in-game bonus.
Roleplay – Acting as your character in the game, making choices as they would.
Worldbuilding – Creating the setting, cultures, history, and places in the game world.