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== Story Terms ==
== Story Terms ==


# ''<code>The Domains of Dread</code>:'' When italicized, referring to the server from which the game is hosted; speaking to the unit as a whole. When not italicized, it is an alias for <code>''Ravenloft''</code>.
# <code>'''The Domains of Dread'''</code>: Italicized, the server which the game is hosted; otherwise, an alias for Ravenloft.
# ''<code>The Realms of Terror</code>:'' An alias for Ravenloft. The preferred alias when referring to ''<code>Ravenloft</code>'' ''<code>fictionally</code>'', as to not be confused with the above.
# <code>'''The Realms of Terror'''</code>: An alias for Ravenloft and the preferred alias when referring to it fictionally, as to not be confused for the above.
# <code>''The Misty Plane''</code>'':'' The plane which Ravenloft rests; an alias for <code>''Ravenloft''</code>. See also ''<code>the Misty Border</code>.''
# <code>'''The Misty Plane'''</code>: The plane upon which Ravenloft resides; an alias for Ravenloft. The Misty Plane is thought to be infinite and the demiplane of Ravenloft only a known “pocket” of its reality. See also the Misty Border.
# ''<code>fictionally</code>:'' In-universe, in-character, or of the roleplay. Used to delineate how certain mechanics and other functions of ''the game'' present in terms of ''the story''.
# '''<code>Fictional or Fictionally</code>''': Meaning in-universe, in-character, or of the roleplay. Delineates how mechanics of the game present in terms of the story.
# ''<code>Ravenloft</code>:'' The overall setting where ''The Domains of Dread'' takes place. An enigmatic plane that in many ways perfectly mirrors the <code>''Prime Material''</code> as a world of its own, save for its peculiar and often horrible exceptions.
# <code>'''Ravenloft'''</code>: The setting where ''The Domains of Dread'' takes place. It mirrors the Prime Material as a world which stands alone, save for many peculiar and often horrific exceptions.
# ''<code>Prime Material</code>'': The plane from which any other setting primarily exists. For example, the Material Plane on the Forgotten Realms is, to ''<code>Ravenloft</code>'', the Prime Material. It has no natural connective organs to <code>''The'' ''Misty Plane''</code>''.''
# '''<code>The Prime Material</code>''': The plane which any other setting primarily exists. “The Material Plane” in the Forgotten Realms is, for example, the Prime Material. No such world has natural connecting organs to the Misty Plane.
# ''<code>The Core</code>:'' The contiguous continent where ''The Domains of Dread'' takes place. It is, loosely, a microcosm of Gothic elements inspired from European sources.
# '''<code>The Core</code>''': The continent where The Domains of Dread takes place. It is, loosely, a microcosm of Gothic elements inspired from European and other sources.
# ''<code>Cluster</code>:'' Previously, other continents connected to ''<code>the Core</code>'' by ''<code>the Misty Border</code>.'' In wake of <code>''the'' ''Grand Upheaval''</code> these connections have been severed, leaving these Clusters to an unknown fate as knowledge of them or their peoples "slide out from history".
# <code>'''Cluster'''</code>: Previously, other continents connected to the Core through the Misty Border. After the Grand Upheaval, almost all clusters have had their connections severed, throwing them to fates unknown as they “slide out of history”.
# <code>''The Misty Border''</code>: In <code>''the'' ''Realms of Terror''</code>, edges of the known world are expressed by great, endless fonts of ''<code>the Mists</code>.'' Their borders, then, are as thus.
# <code>'''The Misty Border'''</code>: In the Realms of Terror, edges of the known world are expressed by great, endless fonts of the Mists. Their borders, then, are as thus.
# ''<code>The Mists</code>:'' Also known as ''<code>the Mists of Death</code>'', these banks of cloyingly supernatural fog may appear at any time and in any place within ''<code>Ravenloft</code>''. No force is greater or more mysterious, with no mortal hopeful to ever understand them at full perspicacity - even but a glimpse would be the conclusion of a lifetime spent both dead and undying.
# <code>'''The Mists'''</code>: Also known as the Mists of Death, these banks of cloyingly supernatural fog may appear at any time and in any place within Ravenloft. No force exists greater or more mysterious, as no mortal will ever understand the workings of the Mists at their full perspicacity—not while still sane.
# ''<code>Mistway</code>:'' Previously, a travel route between locations connected through ''<code>the Mists</code>.'' None are known to have survived <code>''the Grand Upheaval''</code>, forcing greater reliance on overland borders.
# <code>'''Mistway'''</code>: Previously, a travel route between locations as connected through the Mists. None have survived the Grand Upheaval, though the possibility of their rediscovery still exists.
# <code>''The Grand Upheaval''</code>'':'' A cataclysm which occurred in 740 and nearly destroyed the fabric of <code>''the Misty Plane''</code>. Entire <code>''Domains''</code> were shifted, altered, absorbed or seemingly destroyed. It is because of this event that <code>''The Core''</code> has been either isolated from other <code>''Clusters''</code> or is the sole surviving inheritor of ''<code>the Misty Plane</code>.''
# '''<code>The Grand Upheaval</code>''': A cataclysmic event that occurred in 740 BC which nearly destroyed the Misty Plane. Entire domains were shifted, altered, absorbed or vanished outright. It is because of this event that the Core has been isolated from most clusters.
# ''<code>Domain</code>:'' In ''<code>Ravenloft</code>'', a domain is a section of ''<code>the Misty Plane</code>'' meant to imprison and torment an evil creature known as its ''<code>Darklord</code>.'' They are individual regions where many of the stories in ''The Domains of Dread'' take place.
# <code>'''[[Domains|Domain]]'''</code>: In Ravenloft, a domain is a section of the Misty Plane intended to imprison and torment an evil creature known as its darklord. They are the individuals regions in which ''The Domains of Dread'' takes place.
# ''<code>Outlander</code>:'' Anyone non-native to <code>''the Misty Plane''</code> are themselves an Outlander. May be used descriptively to describe foreigners or foreign ideas.
# <code>'''Outlander'''</code>: Anyone non-native to the Misty Plane are considered an Outlander. It may be used descriptively by natives to describe any foreigner or foreign idea, not necessarily only those originating from the Prime Material.
# ''<code>Fiend</code>:'' A powerful outsider. Not necessarily infernal, though those drawn or summoned to ''<code>the Misty Plane</code>'' almost always are.
# <code>'''Fiend'''</code>: A powerful outsider. They are not all infernal in Ravenloft, though those drawn or summoned to the Misty Plane almost always are.
# ''<code>Oubliette</code>:'' Alternatively called a ''sinkhole of evil,'' oubliettes are where ''<code>The Mists</code>'' perpetually recreate scenes of grievous sin. Reality itself is uncertain within these dark places, and those who delve may find that they warp and alter with every visit.
# '''<code>[[Oubliettes|Oubliette]]</code>''': Alternatively called a ''sinkhole of evil'', oubliettes are places where the Mists perpetually recreate scenes of grievous sin. Reality and time itself is uncertain within their boundaries, and those who dare to delve may discover their warping and altering with every expedition.


== Game Terms ==
== Game Terms ==


# ''[[Outcast Rating|<code>Outcast Rating</code>]]:'' A measure of a character's acceptability in the eyes of a particular group or authority. "Outcast" describes a person that cannot be seen in polite company and many be chased or otherwise penalized by institutions or non-player characters. See the linked article for full details and potential consequences for a too high rating. Shorthand is <code>OR</code>.
# <code>'''[[Notoriety]]'''</code>: A measure of the character’s acceptability in the eyes of a particular society. Shorthand NR.
# <code>''[[Time units|IRT]]''</code>'':'' Short for "in real time". The inverse is <code>''IGT''</code>'','' or "in game time". For more details regarding time units as they are used in the ''The Domains of Dread,'' see the linked article.
# <code>'''[[Date and Time|IRT]]'''</code>: Short for in real time.
# ''<code>[[Dread Figures|Dread Figure]]</code>'': The special designation given to antagonists controlled by players. Not all player antagonists are Dread Figures, but those who are enjoy some exceptions and additional tools provided by the Game Masters. Dread Figures have a template applied to their base character that modifies that character both fictionally and mechanically. For more information, see the linked article.
# <code>'''IGT'''</code>: Short for in game time.
# ''<code>[[Mist Tokens]]</code>:'' A metacurrency awarded to a player's account when a character or Dread Figure they play is closured - i.e., removed from play. Mist Tokens may be spent on certain options during [[character creation]] on future characters; for a full list, see the linked article.
# '''<code>[[Dread Figures|Dread Figure]]</code>''': A special designation given to antagonists controlled primarily by other players. Not all antagonists are Dread Figures.
# <code>'''[[Mist Tokens]]'''</code>: A metacurrency awarded account-wide after the closure of a character or Dread Figure.
# <code>'''[[Death, Dying and Maiming|Closure]]'''</code>: When a character is killed or otherwise permanently removed from play.
# <code>'''Dread Edition'''</code>: In reference to the specific, altered-from-canon "edition" that ''The Domains of Dread'' occupies, based primarily from Advanced Dungeon and Dragons and Third Edition sources. May also be used as a story term to distinguish tabletop canon from content canon to ''The Domains of Dread.'' If a mechanic or lore object is declared "not Dread Edition", then it is not canon to ''The Domains of Dread.'' Shorthand DE.

Latest revision as of 02:33, 22 May 2025

The following is a best effort glossary for terms specific to either Ravenloft or The Domains of Dread.

Story Terms

  1. The Domains of Dread: Italicized, the server which the game is hosted; otherwise, an alias for Ravenloft.
  2. The Realms of Terror: An alias for Ravenloft and the preferred alias when referring to it fictionally, as to not be confused for the above.
  3. The Misty Plane: The plane upon which Ravenloft resides; an alias for Ravenloft. The Misty Plane is thought to be infinite and the demiplane of Ravenloft only a known “pocket” of its reality. See also the Misty Border.
  4. Fictional or Fictionally: Meaning in-universe, in-character, or of the roleplay. Delineates how mechanics of the game present in terms of the story.
  5. Ravenloft: The setting where The Domains of Dread takes place. It mirrors the Prime Material as a world which stands alone, save for many peculiar and often horrific exceptions.
  6. The Prime Material: The plane which any other setting primarily exists. “The Material Plane” in the Forgotten Realms is, for example, the Prime Material. No such world has natural connecting organs to the Misty Plane.
  7. The Core: The continent where The Domains of Dread takes place. It is, loosely, a microcosm of Gothic elements inspired from European and other sources.
  8. Cluster: Previously, other continents connected to the Core through the Misty Border. After the Grand Upheaval, almost all clusters have had their connections severed, throwing them to fates unknown as they “slide out of history”.
  9. The Misty Border: In the Realms of Terror, edges of the known world are expressed by great, endless fonts of the Mists. Their borders, then, are as thus.
  10. The Mists: Also known as the Mists of Death, these banks of cloyingly supernatural fog may appear at any time and in any place within Ravenloft. No force exists greater or more mysterious, as no mortal will ever understand the workings of the Mists at their full perspicacity—not while still sane.
  11. Mistway: Previously, a travel route between locations as connected through the Mists. None have survived the Grand Upheaval, though the possibility of their rediscovery still exists.
  12. The Grand Upheaval: A cataclysmic event that occurred in 740 BC which nearly destroyed the Misty Plane. Entire domains were shifted, altered, absorbed or vanished outright. It is because of this event that the Core has been isolated from most clusters.
  13. Domain: In Ravenloft, a domain is a section of the Misty Plane intended to imprison and torment an evil creature known as its darklord. They are the individuals regions in which The Domains of Dread takes place.
  14. Outlander: Anyone non-native to the Misty Plane are considered an Outlander. It may be used descriptively by natives to describe any foreigner or foreign idea, not necessarily only those originating from the Prime Material.
  15. Fiend: A powerful outsider. They are not all infernal in Ravenloft, though those drawn or summoned to the Misty Plane almost always are.
  16. Oubliette: Alternatively called a sinkhole of evil, oubliettes are places where the Mists perpetually recreate scenes of grievous sin. Reality and time itself is uncertain within their boundaries, and those who dare to delve may discover their warping and altering with every expedition.

Game Terms

  1. Notoriety: A measure of the character’s acceptability in the eyes of a particular society. Shorthand NR.
  2. IRT: Short for in real time.
  3. IGT: Short for in game time.
  4. Dread Figure: A special designation given to antagonists controlled primarily by other players. Not all antagonists are Dread Figures.
  5. Mist Tokens: A metacurrency awarded account-wide after the closure of a character or Dread Figure.
  6. Closure: When a character is killed or otherwise permanently removed from play.
  7. Dread Edition: In reference to the specific, altered-from-canon "edition" that The Domains of Dread occupies, based primarily from Advanced Dungeon and Dragons and Third Edition sources. May also be used as a story term to distinguish tabletop canon from content canon to The Domains of Dread. If a mechanic or lore object is declared "not Dread Edition", then it is not canon to The Domains of Dread. Shorthand DE.