Your First Session
Essential terms every new player should know before their first game
Terms in this track
The player who runs the game: describing the world, playing NPCs, presenting challenges, and adjudicating rules. The GM facilitates the story but doesn't 'win' or 'lose.'
A character controlled by a player (as opposed to NPCs controlled by the GM). PCs are the protagonists of the story.
Any character in the game world controlled by the GM rather than a player. NPCs can be allies, enemies, or neutral parties the players interact with.
A single play meeting, typically lasting 2-5 hours. Sessions may be standalone or part of an ongoing campaign.
A core stat representing broad innate capability like Strength, Intelligence, or Charisma. Attributes combine with skills or other factors to determine your effectiveness at tasks.
A learned capability representing training or experience in a specific area, like Stealth, Persuasion, or Medicine. Skills usually combine with attributes to determine success.
The standard way to write dice rolls: NdX+M means roll N dice with X sides and add M. For example, 2d6+3 means roll two six-sided dice and add 3 to the total.
Speaking and acting as your character, making decisions based on their personality, goals, and knowledge rather than your own. The 'RP' in TTRPG.