roleplaying
Acting out scenarios
Roleplaying is acting out a character or scenario, whether for entertainment, training, or exploration.
In tabletop games like Dungeons & Dragons, players roleplay fantasy characters.
Therapists use roleplaying to rehearse difficult conversations: Let's roleplay the job interview.
Online, roleplaying ranges from collaborative fiction to erotic scenarios between strangers.
The word implies temporary adoption of another identity or perspective.
Organized effort toward goal
- dungeonSubterranean prison chamber
- diceMarked cubes for chance
- character sheetRecorded traits of persona
- game masterTabletop campaign narrator
player · session · miniatures · turn-based · mechanics · system · manual · cooperative
Therapy through enacted scenes
- simulationImitation of real processes
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
- empathySharing another's emotions
- perspective-takingUnderstanding another's viewpoint
social skills · communication · training · education · rehearsal · assertiveness · conflict resolution · workplace
Legendary fire-breathing reptile
- magePractitioner of sorcery
- sorceryPractice of dark magic
- paladinHeroic knightly defender
- necromancerSummoner of the deceased
warlock · goblin · dungeon · alchemy · grimoire · enchanted · runes · summoning
Character's past narrative
- avatarDigital user representation
- classGrouping by shared traits
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
- raceCompetition of speed
attributes · stats · abilities · skills · feats · level · experience · motivation
campaign
Organized effort toward goal
- dungeonSubterranean prison chamber
- diceMarked cubes for chance
- character sheetRecorded traits of persona
game master · player · session · miniatures · turn-based · mechanics · system · manual · cooperative · homebrew
psychodrama
Therapy through enacted scenes
- simulationImitation of real processes
- scenarioPostulated event sequence
- empathySharing another's emotions
perspective-taking · social skills · communication · training · education · rehearsal · assertiveness · conflict resolution · workplace · counseling
dragon
Legendary fire-breathing reptile
necromancer · warlock · goblin · dungeon · alchemy · grimoire · enchanted · runes · summoning · divination
backstory
Character's past narrative
- avatarDigital user representation
- classGrouping by shared traits
- alignmentCorrect relative positioning
race · attributes · stats · abilities · skills · feats · level · experience · motivation · personality
improvisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
- sceneDramatic unit or locale
- performanceCarrying out a task
- dialogueSpoken exchange between parties
monologue · rehearsal · method · audition · costume · stage · ensemble · dramaturgy · troupe · script
storytelling
Recounting events aloud
- loreTraditional knowledge transmitted orally
- worldbuildingConstructing imaginary universes for fiction
- plotStoryline or land parcel
saga · epic · chronicle · legend · fiction · narrator · tale · mythology · arc · subplot
- MUDsMUD, mudding, text adventure, rooms, zones
roleplayingauthenticity
Quality of being genuine
sincerity · self-expression · truthfulness · candor · transparency
roleplayingimprovisation
Spontaneous, unplanned creation
ad-libbing · spontaneity · unscripted · free association · stream of consciousness
roleplayingspectating
Viewing an event unfold
observing · watching · reading · viewing · non-participation
- roleplaying gameCollaborative storytelling with rules
role, playing, play, gaming, tabletop, roleplay, role-playing, cosplaying, roleplays