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==P== | ==P== | ||
− | ;Paladin: In the real world, a soldier assigned to palace duty, especially a trusted lieutenant or other officer ('''Paladin''' is derived from the word '''Palatinus,''' Latin for "Palace"). | + | ;Paladin: In the real world, a soldier assigned to palace duty, especially a trusted lieutenant or other officer ('''Paladin''' is derived from the word '''Palatinus,''' Latin for "Palace"). In role-playing games (especially [[Dungeons & Dragons]]), a sacred knight with the skills of a fighter and some of the spellcasting ability of a cleric, said magical abilities gained by adherence to a strict moral code. Any character in any game or setting who represents great ability combined with a strong sense of self-rightousness might be referred to obliquely as a Paladin. |
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;Party: A collection of [[character]]s, also known as [[PC]]s, who travel and adventure together. Parties may be made up of old friends, professionals, and various collections of [[PC]] material types. The usual dynamics of such a group may include: The [[Leader]], The [[Face]], [[Healer]], [[Nuker]], and any other combination of useful skill sets. Most parties are made of varied enough [[character]]s that they don’t overlap, but this is not a rule. Almost any RPG group forms a Party before heading out. | ;Party: A collection of [[character]]s, also known as [[PC]]s, who travel and adventure together. Parties may be made up of old friends, professionals, and various collections of [[PC]] material types. The usual dynamics of such a group may include: The [[Leader]], The [[Face]], [[Healer]], [[Nuker]], and any other combination of useful skill sets. Most parties are made of varied enough [[character]]s that they don’t overlap, but this is not a rule. Almost any RPG group forms a Party before heading out. | ||
− | + | ;Pixelbitching: A style of [[GM]]ing--specifically, a form of '''railroading'''--in which the [[player]]s need to find one specific clue in order to advance on the one plotline determined by the [[GM]], cannot proceed without it, and do not get any help from the GM in finding it. If said clue is particularly hard to find (or if the GM requires a very specific action to locate it), the GM may be said to be "pixelbitching". | |
− | ;Pixelbitching: A style of [[GM]]ing--specifically, a form of '''railroading'''--in which the [[player]]s need to find one specific clue in order to advance on the one | + | :Origin: Computer games, specifically point-and-click games in which you need to click a specific place--sometimes only a few pixels on the screen (hence the name)--in order to get some magic clue you need to advance in the programmed-in plotline. Coined by '''SteveD''' on RPG.net. |
− | :Origin: Computer games, specifically point-and-click games in which you need to click a specific place--sometimes only a few pixels on the screen (hence the name)--in order to get some magic clue you need to advance in the programmed-in | ||
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− | ;Played by a..:A comment made jokily about a character in film, TV, or other media suggesting the type of person who would control the character in an RPG of the film. A classic usage is describing a female character as "obviously played by a guy"; characters to whom this term has been applied include Willow | + | ;Played by a..:A comment made jokily about a character in film, TV, or other media suggesting the type of person who would control the character in an RPG of the film. A classic usage is describing a female character as "obviously played by a guy"; characters to whom this term has been applied include Willow Rosenburg from Buffy the Vampire Slayer (an attractive red-headed lesbian witch), Miho from Sin City (a ninja hooker) and Pris from Blade Runner (a gothic ninja sex droid). Often a confusing term for non-gamers since they assume that "played by" refers to the actor or actress, not to a notional RPG player controlling the character. |
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− | + | ;Powergaming: A [[player]] behaviour where the player in question makes unreasonable efforts to maximise their [[character]]'s ability to mechanically affect the game. This usually refers to optimising combat ability since that has traditionally been the focus of most [[RPG]] mechanics. Recently though, as more and more [[RPG]]s have more rules and powers applicable to out-of-combat action, variants like social powergamers (who build their characters so that they can persuade/seduce/dominate any [[NPC]] they meet) have appeared. | |
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− | ;Powergaming: A [[player]] | ||
:Symptoms include characters that overshadow the other [[PC]]s, unusual combinations of abilities and equipment that make little sense in-game, constant requests for "GM approval only" character options, and/or one-dimensional characters where every option adds to a specific ability. | :Symptoms include characters that overshadow the other [[PC]]s, unusual combinations of abilities and equipment that make little sense in-game, constant requests for "GM approval only" character options, and/or one-dimensional characters where every option adds to a specific ability. | ||
:See also: '''[[RPG_Lexica:MNO|Min-Max]]''' and '''[[RPG_Lexica:MNO|Munchkin]]''' | :See also: '''[[RPG_Lexica:MNO|Min-Max]]''' and '''[[RPG_Lexica:MNO|Munchkin]]''' | ||
− | ;-Punk: A suffix used to describe any genre which explores the low-level real-world consequences of a setting. Originally coined as ''Cyberpunk'' - the book, and later film and game, genre which dealt with street-level and underworld applications of high technology (and later developed its own conventions), and then expanded as a general term. Examples include | + | ;-Punk: A suffix used to describe any genre which explores the low-level real-world consequences of a setting. Originally coined as ''Cyberpunk'' - the book, and later film and game, genre which dealt with street-level and underworld applications of high technology (and later developed its own conventions), and then expanded as a general term. Examples include ''Cthulupunk'' (low street-level implications of powerful supernatural forces and magic really existing), and the semi-spoof ''Toonpunk'' (where all the patrons of a bar flee for their lives on seeing Yosemite Sam walk in, due to his penchant for firing his guns randomly whenever angered). (The comic book ''Knights of the Dinner Table'' coined the term ''Cattlepunk'' as the name of a fictional wild-west game.) |
==Q== | ==Q== | ||
− | + | ;Queen Bee: A woman who joins [[RPG]] groups in the belief that the alleged scarcity of women in the hobby, together with the percieved nerdiness of male RPG [[player]]s, will enable her to easily manipulate the group by using her sexuality. A Queen Bee will typically seek out groups in which she can be the only female, continuously flirt with other players, make regular references to her own promiscuity (thus hinting that she may be available to the other players), and similar. | |
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− | ;Queen Bee: A woman who joins [[RPG]] groups in the belief that the alleged scarcity of women in the hobby, together with the | ||
==R== | ==R== | ||
− | ;Railroading: A style of [[GM]]ing in which the GM has only one specific plot line in mind, and forces the [[player]]s to follow that plot regardless of whether they want to do so. From an analogy to a railroad, which constrains the train to one specific route | + | ;Railroading: A style of [[GM]]ing in which the GM has only one specific plot line in mind, and forces the [[player]]s to follow that plot regardless of whether they want to do so. From an analogy to a railroad, which constrains the train to one specific route. |
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− | + | ;Result Pool System: A variation on the [[RPG_Lexica:DEF|dice pool system]]. The key difference is that in a result pool system, all of the [[dice]] in the pool are rolled at the time the pool is created, in advance of any game decisions made by the player. When a dice result is required, the [[player]] - rather than choosing a number of dice to roll - chooses rolled results from the pool to allocate as his or her result on the particular task. Result pool systems are a relatively new development and are currently only used in the more experimental independant games, such as ''[[Dogs in the Vineyard]]''. | |
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− | ;Result Pool System: A variation on the [[RPG_Lexica:DEF|dice pool system]]. The key difference is that in a result pool system, all of the [[dice]] in the pool are rolled at the time the pool is created, in advance of any game decisions made by the player. When a dice result is required, the [[player]] - rather than choosing a number of dice to roll - chooses rolled results from the pool to allocate as his or her result on the particular task. Result pool systems are a relatively new development and are currently only used in the more experimental | ||
− | ;Reverse Armor Theorem: The convention, in certain genres of games and other media, where characters wearing less armor are ''less'' likely to be injured in combat. In other words, putting on armor actually ''increases'' the chance that a character will be wounded. In many cases it is suggested that this applies only to female characters. This originates from classic fantasy art, where female characters are routinely depicted as wearing little or no armor, even though they are supposed to be experienced and strong warriors: the only plausible explanation is that they have somehow learned that wearing this type of armor is a good idea for them. It is also borne out in cinematic convention, where (for example) the hero of a film will wear less armor in order to show off the actor's physique, while the ''mook''s he is fighting are played by extras or | + | ;Reverse Armor Theorem: The convention, in certain genres of games and other media, where characters wearing less armor are ''less'' likely to be injured in combat. In other words, putting on armor actually ''increases'' the chance that a character will be wounded. In many cases it is suggested that this applies only to female characters. This originates from classic fantasy art, where female characters are routinely depicted as wearing little or no armor, even though they are supposed to be experienced and strong warriors: the only plausible explanation is that they have somehow learned that wearing this type of armor is a good idea for them. It is also borne out in cinematic convention, where (for example) the hero of a film will wear less armor in order to show off the actor's physique, while the ''mook''s he is fighting are played by extras or stuntmen wearing full plate. |
− | ;Roads to Rome: A variant form of ''railroading'' in which, rather than constraining the PCs to following a single specific route, the GM permits the PCs to act freely but manipulates the game situation so that a particular event or situation arises no matter what actions the PC's take. Often considered worse than actual ''railroading'' because the players gain no benefit from their freedom of action (since the eventual result is always the same), but at the same time do not get even the dubious benefits of railroading (that the GM can ensure the ongoing story is engaging). Other play groups accept the "roads to Rome" phenomenon as a | + | ;Roads to Rome: A variant form of ''railroading'' in which, rather than constraining the PCs to following a single specific route, the GM permits the PCs to act freely but manipulates the game situation so that a particular event or situation arises no matter what actions the PC's take. Often considered worse than actual ''railroading'' because the players gain no benefit from their freedom of action (since the eventual result is always the same), but at the same time do not get even the dubious benefits of railroading (that the GM can ensure the ongoing story is engaging). Other play groups accept the "roads to Rome" phenomenon as a tradeoff for ensuring the game plot remains coherent. From the common saying that "All roads lead to Rome". |
;"Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies!" | ;"Rocks Fall, Everyone Dies!" | ||
− | :A comment from the [[GM]] that basically means "Your actions have annoyed/disturbed me enough that I'm ending this game RIGHT NOW, and I don't particularly care what happens to your [[character]]s anymore!" | + | :A comment from the [[GM]] that basically means "Your actions have annoyed/disturbed me enough that I'm ending this game RIGHT NOW, and I don't particularly care what happens to your [[character]]s anymore!" Usually followed by either the players making nice with the GM or the group going their separate ways. |
− | + | :Origin: A [http://somethingpositive.net/sp05032002.shtml particular episode] of the webcomic [http://somethingpositive.net ''Something Positive'']. | |
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;Roshambo: Elitist alternate name for "Rock-Scissors-Paper", most frequently used in ''[[Vampire]]'' [[LARP]]s, but also a common random arbitration method among gamers outside the context of [[role-playing games]] (e.g., "I don't want anchovies on that pizza; let's roshambo for it"). | ;Roshambo: Elitist alternate name for "Rock-Scissors-Paper", most frequently used in ''[[Vampire]]'' [[LARP]]s, but also a common random arbitration method among gamers outside the context of [[role-playing games]] (e.g., "I don't want anchovies on that pizza; let's roshambo for it"). | ||
− | :Hint: Most people pick "rock" first, and most people go "up" after a tie, selecting the item that would have won the previous round. With this advice you may be a roshambo master. A | + | :Hint: Most people pick "rock" first, and most people go "up" after a tie, selecting the item that would have won the previous round. With this advice you may be a roshambo master. A suprising number of people believe this word was made up by the television show ''South Park'', where one character insists the rules are "players take turns kicking each other in the nuts. Whoever quits first loses." Not quite. According to the [http://www.straightdope.com/mailbag/mrockpaper.html Straight Dope], the term has a more sophisticated origin: |
::Mr. Walker ''(of the World Rock-Paper-Scissors Society--Kwd)'' goes on to suggest that the game migrated to Europe in or by the mid-1700s, where it for some reason came to be associated with one Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau. If this name brings back unsettling memories of high school history, it is because Jean Baptiste was none other than the French general who was sent to command an army in support of George Washington during the American Revolution. Why this game came to be associated with the "Count of Rochambeau" is a mystery, but it certainly calls into question the means by which Washington secured Cornwallis's surrender in Yorktown. In any case, it does explain the name often used for the game, namely "rochambeau," or, more commonly, "roshambo." | ::Mr. Walker ''(of the World Rock-Paper-Scissors Society--Kwd)'' goes on to suggest that the game migrated to Europe in or by the mid-1700s, where it for some reason came to be associated with one Jean Baptiste Donatien de Vimeur, Comte de Rochambeau. If this name brings back unsettling memories of high school history, it is because Jean Baptiste was none other than the French general who was sent to command an army in support of George Washington during the American Revolution. Why this game came to be associated with the "Count of Rochambeau" is a mystery, but it certainly calls into question the means by which Washington secured Cornwallis's surrender in Yorktown. In any case, it does explain the name often used for the game, namely "rochambeau," or, more commonly, "roshambo." | ||
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;Rule Zero: | ;Rule Zero: | ||
− | : | + | :"Never give the GM ideas." Since most GMs can improvise on the fly and would ''love'' to mess with the [[player]]s, it's generally recognized that giving him or her ideas in that regard is a ''very bad idea.'' Usually referenced in the phrase '''Rule Zero Violation''', i.e., giving the GM ideas. |
::GM: "There's a shadow on the road ahead--it looks like a large group is heading your way, but you can't tell who it is." | ::GM: "There's a shadow on the road ahead--it looks like a large group is heading your way, but you can't tell who it is." | ||
::Bob: "Just as long as it isn't Baron Rumbar, we'd be completely screwed if ... | ::Bob: "Just as long as it isn't Baron Rumbar, we'd be completely screwed if ... | ||
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::GM: (smiles enigmatically) | ::GM: (smiles enigmatically) | ||
::Bob: "Aw, @#$&%!!..." | ::Bob: "Aw, @#$&%!!..." | ||
− | : | + | :''(Note: Removed the first definition--"The GM may ignore or change any game rule"--because it's covered by [[RPG_Lexica:GHI|the Golden Rule]])'' |
− | ;Rush: In addition to the standard meaning: any strategy for defeating an enemy which is based on attacking so quickly that the enemy has no time to prepare a proper defense. As a verb, to use such a strategy. Rush tactics are often | + | ;Rush: In addition to the standard meaning: any strategy for defeating an enemy which is based on attacking so quickly that the enemy has no time to prepare a proper defense. As a verb, to use such a strategy. Rush tactics are often considired problematic in many tactical games, where all players start from the same position; in this situation, time is critical to any strategy and thus rush can become the only viable option if sufficient numbers of other players use it. |