gamemaster
Tabletop story controller
A gamemaster is the person who runs a tabletop roleplaying game, controlling the story, setting, and non-player characters while the other players control their individual characters.
The gamemaster creates scenarios, adjudicates rules, and responds to player choices: Our gamemaster spent weeks preparing the campaign.
Different game systems use different terms—dungeon master in Dungeons & Dragons, storyteller in World of Darkness—but gamemaster serves as the generic term across the hobby.
One who tells events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- narrativeAccount of events
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
backstory · foreshadowing · climax · NPCs · dialogue · exposition · twist · hooks
Organized effort toward goal
- settingContext of events
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- mapsGeographic visual representations
- factionsDissenting internal groups
history · geography · pantheon · homebrew · sandbox · locations · cultures · politics
Sports rule enforcer
- judgeOne who decides
- rulingFormal legal determination
- adjudicatorOne rendering formal decisions
- mediatorNeutral conflict resolver
decision-maker · enforcer · fiat · impartiality · fairness · override · veto · interpretation
One who presates proceedings
- coordinatorOne who arranges activities
- organizerArrangement tool or person
- enablerOne who facilitates harmful behavior
- pacingRate of movement
spotlight · scheduling · host · mediator · consent · collaboration
Unexpected meeting or confrontation
- puzzleChallenge testing ingenuity
- obstacleSomething blocking the way
- combatArmed hostile engagement
- bossWorkplace superior
trap · riddle · difficulty · CR · balance · stakes · threat · consequences
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- actingTemporarily holding position
- in-characterMaintaining a persona
- motivationImpetus toward a goal
personality · accents · mannerisms · reactions · immersion · theatrical
Methods to achieve goals
- planningArranging for future events
- foresightAbility to anticipate futures
- pacingRate of movement
- ambushSurprise strike from concealment
terrain · initiative · attrition · telegraphing · misdirection · contingency · escalation
narrator
One who tells events
- plotStoryline or land parcel
- narrativeAccount of events
- world-buildingCreating fictional universes
lore · backstory · foreshadowing · climax · NPCs · dialogue · exposition · twist · hooks · arc
campaign
Organized effort toward goal
- settingContext of events
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- mapsGeographic visual representations
factions · history · geography · pantheon · homebrew · sandbox · locations · cultures · politics · economy
referee
Sports rule enforcer
- judgeOne who decides
- rulingFormal legal determination
- adjudicatorOne rendering formal decisions
mediator · decision-maker · enforcer · fiat · impartiality · fairness · override · veto · interpretation · call
moderator
One who presates proceedings
- coordinatorOne who arranges activities
- organizerArrangement tool or person
- enablerOne who facilitates harmful behavior
pacing · spotlight · scheduling · host · mediator · consent · collaboration
encounter
Unexpected meeting or confrontation
boss · trap · riddle · difficulty · CR · balance · stakes · threat · consequences · failure
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
- actingTemporarily holding position
- in-characterMaintaining a persona
motivation · personality · accents · mannerisms · reactions · immersion · theatrical
tactics
Methods to achieve goals
ambush · terrain · initiative · attrition · telegraphing · misdirection · contingency · escalation
- mastersgrandmaster, headmaster, schoolmaster, sifu, choirmaster
gamemasterplayer
Game participant
player character · PC · participant · adventurer · party member