This is an informative thread for those who are unfamiliar with roleplay terms. This may include some that are used outside of the Guild Wars 2 roleplay department, or are very rarely seen within it. Any others may be added at any time, or if there are some missing on the list, feel free to message me!
AU- Alternate Universe - This is a term for a universe that deliberately deviates from the canon. Can be a minor deviation, or a large one. Or something in between.
Canon — The original source information (TV show, book, etc.) that the characters came from.
Charrie – Character
Crossover – RPers who incorporates characters, events, places, ideas, etc from another fandom. IE, Pokemon meets Digimon.
DM – Direct Message
FC – Face Claim (the person (usually a celebrity) that plays your character). Same as PB.
Fluff —
Fluff is when you add additional, though probably unnecessary, information in a post to make it longer/match a partner’s post length.
Fluff in romance roleplays/shipping is when there are scenes that probably do not progress the plot forward in any way, and are more or less there for the two characters to interact in a lovey-dovey manner/do cute, sweet things together.
God-Mod (GM) - Can mean either having an all-powerful character or trying to control another person’s character.
Head Canon- Something that the individual or fandom believes to be true in the story, show, etc. and it generally makes sense, but hasn’t been confirmed by the creators of the media. More or less, a ‘personal’ canon.
IC – In Character
IM- Instant Messenger
Mary Sue/Gary Stu — Used to describe a character that is often times ‘perfect’ in every way, is capable of upstaging other characters no matter what, they can pick up on any task and master it in no time, etc. Usually a perfected self-insert.
Metagaming, Metagame – The use of out of character knowledge in character.
MC – Mature Content
MSRP: Multi-Storyline Role Player (Same as MV)
Mun — The person behind the character. A.K.A the roleplayer.
Muse — Often referred to either the player’s character, or things that inspire the player.
MV – Multi-Verse
Novella — A roleplay writing style containing six or more paragraphs, usually long.
NPC — Non-playable character. This is when the player controls the actions of a character that may not be tied to the story permanently, such as pedestrains, waiters, office workers, etc. These may also be side characters that are tied to the story, though only played and controlled by one player.
OC- Original Character
OOC- Out of Character
PB – Played by (this is the avatar that you use)
PM – Puppet Master (the RL person behind the account)
RL/ IRL- Real Life/ In Real life
R&R – Read and Replied
RP – Role Play
Ship/Shipping — Short for relationship. The act of shipping two characters together is to engage the two of them in an official relationship.
SL – Story Line
TL – Timeline
UN – username
VC – Voice claim, a Youtube link or video used to describe and display what your character sounds like.
Verse – short for Universe. Such as Star Wars Universe
Vignette – A short story which is centered on the character’s feelings, emotions, experiences, reflections, and thoughts. Usually very short.