Roleplay Terms

Here is a list of several common place terms for Roleplaying

AU is separate timeline where the author makes changes to a canon story resulting in a different outcome. Because these are non-canon the rules often applied to the canon story may not apply entirely, they may be changed or altered by that story creator to fit the needs of their new work. For example, they may alter one event so that a major character lived when they should have died to see how things changed. Or many small things could have changed.

Most roleplays that are made in canon settings are to some degree AU. (This is because the game creators often make changes to make the world more interesting/suitable for them to play in.)

The official works created by an author/company that a roleplay may be based on. This is not to be confused with the artillery piece “Cannon”.

A character from the official works that is present in the new roleplay. (Canon characters may or may not be available for use depending on the whim of the roleplay creator.)

A canon roleplay takes place in an existing universe. (EX- Megaman X, Fallout 3, Resident Evil.) It may use characters from that universe or it may not… If the Game Maker elects to allow it, players in this type of roleplay can become the characters from the existing universe or become original characters that are acting in the official universe (depending on the maker's whim).

You may also hear the term Fandom Roleplay applied instead of Canon Roleplay. They are both the same thing though.

GM for short. (Though you may also see “Game Creator” or “Game Master” used instead though they all mean the same thing.) This is the person who made that roleplay. As such they are the authority on that game, they made and enforce the rules. If something is to happen, they are typically the ones who will decide what happens. They may be lax or strict, it all depends on the individual.

This is used inside a post to show when a person has gone from talking to another player to controlling their character. (Contrast with Out Of Character)

You may also see “IN” used to denote this as well. EX

IN:
<Something relevant>

IC:
<Something else relevant>

Non Playing Character (NPCs) are any character that appears within a roleplay but may not be up for use by the players. They are often used by the game creator to help drive the story forward. They may not have their own character sheet filled out simply because they don't play a large enough part in the story to warrant it. (Some NPCs are only mentioned to be killed off to further other character's stories.)

This is a character that a person creates for a roleplay. The character belongs to them (and not the roleplay creator or the roleplay they are acting in).

This is used inside a post to show when a person is no longer speaking or representing their character but rather talking to another player. This is often used to give other players details or information to help them write posts that the characters may not know or may not need to be referenced in character.

For example:

OOC: 
I'm going to have Iron Man shoot his repulsors at Captain America's shield. 

IN:  
Iron Man landed directly in front of Captain America. 
He raised his hands and unleashed a powerful stream of repulsor energy at Captain America.

A roleplay that is set in a world that has been entirely made by the game maker. The rules and laws of this universe are entirely made up and determined by the GM so they are the complete authority on it. (This is unlike Canon roleplays in that this type of roleplay is entirely made up and uses limited to no aspects of existing series.)

When a person makes up a character and controls that character’s actions, they are called a Roleplayer.

These are the guidelines that every player consents to when they start the game. (If you don’t agree to the rules… Don’t join the game.)