Glossary

Ability: Innate or learned skills a character has that can affect gameplay outcomes.
Action: An activity or task a character can perform during their turn.
Advantage/Disadvantage: A mechanic where a player rolls two dice instead of one. With Advantage, the player takes the higher result; with Disadvantage, the player takes the lower result.
Attribute/Skill: Six fundamental characteristics that define a character: Strength, Dexterity, Constitution, Intelligence, Wisdom, and Charisma.
Campaign: A series of connected scenarios or sessions that form an overarching narrative.
Character: The persona created and controlled by a player within the game.
Character Sheet: A document used to track a character’s attributes, abilities, assets, and other relevant information.
Dice Check (DC): A target number set by the Game Master that a player’s die roll (plus any modifiers) must meet or exceed for an action to succeed. Also called Difficulty Class.
Dice Roll: The act of rolling dice to determine the outcome of actions, with different dice used depending on the game’s mechanics.
Encounter/Crunch Time: An event or interaction with a person or situation that occurs during gameplay that requires time-based resolution.
Game Master (GM): The person who guides the game, controls non-player characters, and presents scenarios and challenges for the players.
Hotwash: A structured debrief conducted immediately after a session or exercise, in which participants reflect on what happened, what decisions were made, and what lessons can be drawn.
Initiative: The order in which characters take actions, typically determined by a die roll at the start of a conflict or encounter/crunch time.
Inject/Complication: An unexpected event or twist introduced by the Game Master during play to change the situation, test the players’ adaptability, and add tension to the narrative.
Non-Player Character (NPC): A character controlled by the Game Master rather than a player.
Player: An individual taking part in the game, controlling one or more characters.
Role-Playing: The act of assuming the role of a character and making decisions from their perspective.
Scenario: A specific situation or challenge presented to the players by the Game Master.
Session: A single meeting of gameplay, which can be a standalone game or part of a larger campaign.
Tabletop Exercise (TTX): A strategic, guided discussion-based activity where players engage in a simulated scenario to identify potential issues and develop solutions.
Turn: A player’s opportunity to perform actions with their character during gameplay.
Wargames: A type of game that simulates aspects of warfare, including strategy and tactics, often used in TTX for conflict scenarios.

Glossary of Terms