Game Jargon Definition: “Non-Player Character” (NPC)

Non-Player Character (noun) - non·​play·​er char·​ac·​ter /nän ˈplāər ˈker(ə)ktər/

A character that is not controlled by any of the players, but rather by the Game Master or by a set of rules and predetermined mechanics. In some games and in some circumstances, a player who is without a character of their own (due to their character having died in the game or due to some other circumstance) might temporarily take control of an NPC. While “Non-Player Character” was traditionally a term used within the context of role-playing games, it has become more ubiquitous throughout tabletop gaming as other domains of the hobby have also begun using predetermined mechanics for some characters.