Hello,

I recently just found out how fun this world of RP games can be, but I am having trouble finding more information as I do not know all the terms used in this field. I am wondering if there is somewhere where there is a list or dictionary of terms used here (GM, DM, system, etc.). Any help would be much appreciated.

Thanks,
Fiat Lux

There isn't, really, because different systems have different titles for individuals serving the same role or people use different names/acronyms for stuff.  But, that being said, feel free to ask about anything that you find unclear...lots of folks here willing to answer questions...for instance:

GM--Game Master.  The narrator/director of the game.  Also commonly known as DM (Dungeon Master) or Storyteller, but it seems like every third game system has its own title for this function.

System--The rules-set under which the game operates.  This can be a dizzying array of names, on its own...Dungeons and Dragons (we're up to five editions, now, plus the old original boxed sets), Star Wars (which exists in six or seven different incarnations), World of Darkness (old or new...and which particular type of being is central to the story, whether that be Vampire, Werewolf, Mage, etc).  To further complicate this one, you can also have Homebrew...which can be a system created from nothing by the GM or can by hybrid conglomerates of rules from various published systems, etc...and Freeform/Guided Freeform...basically, no specific rules except for what the GM declares.  Systems are basically used as a method of conflict resolution within the game and keeping track of character development and advancement, and can vary from as simple as flipping a coin to rolling multiple dice and applying an assortment of modifying factors to the results.

As you can see, from that description alone, there's a huge span of potential answers...so it's easiest to get clear answers if you ask specific questions.  Don't feel bad about it...all of us were new, somewhere along the line, and had to ask these same questions.

There's a lot out there, and as stated certain systems have their own terms, and certain groups do as well.

You could try googling "RPG lexicon" and it will bring up a couple lists that might be worth going through.

Beyond that, asking questions, or reading the actual game books themselves (as many have a section specifically geared to new players) are your best bet.

In reply to facemaker329 (msg # 2):

Thank you both for replying. Your responses have helped me a lot. I think I'm starting to understand just how wide of a genre this can be.

*laugh*  Yeah...if you can imagine it, someone has probably played it or something like it.  I haven't browsed through the 'Wanted: Players' forum in a long time, but I remember seeing some game ads and thinking, 'Wow...someone actually roleplays that?  For fun?!'  *chuckle*

From gods creating worlds, through any historical period (and alternate-reality versions of them), and into the future, with fantasy and/or horror variants...from a few thousand fantasy realms that never existed outside the imagination to 'a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away', there are games for it.  We're literally talking about a form of entertainment whose only limitation is your imagination...