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| gameplay:guides:glossary [2024/01/29 13:04] – [F] clarissadunst | gameplay:guides:glossary [2024/04/30 06:55] (current) – [S] clarissadunst |
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| <WRAP center round alert 60%>Please do not simply create new pages from the inactive links -- as mentioned at the [[https://wiki.improbableisland.com/doku.php?id=start|start]] the goal is to come up with a logical filestructure that makes it a bit easier to navigate. Please consider putting items (weapons, eboys items, req, etc.) in items: and Places/Outposts in places:player or places:outpost / places:outpost:building, as needed.</WRAP> | |
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| ====== General Game Glossary ====== | ====== General Game Glossary ====== |
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| This glossary was created with the intention that it remain mostly truthful, but still lighthearted. More or less as an annexe to the [[gameplay:guides:newbie|new player advisory]]. | This glossary was created with the intention that it remain mostly truthful, but still lighthearted. More or less as an annexe to the [[gameplay:guides:newbie|new player advisory]]. |
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| * **AH**: [[places:outpost:acehigh|AceHigh]]. | * **AH**: [[places:outpost:acehigh|AceHigh]]. |
| * **Alt**: Alternate character; a second account. Allowed for [[cheating|non-cheaty]] purposes. Don't be a [[bastard|dick]]. | * **Alt**: Alternate character; a second account. Allowed for [[meta:concepts:cheating|non-cheaty]] purposes. Don't be a [[meta:concepts:bastard|dick]]. |
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| =====B===== | =====B===== |
| * **Banter:** Out-Of-Character chat. Occupies the right side of the screen on desktop, and may either be "global" (viewed by everyone on the island) or "local" (viewed only by players in the same room as you). | * **Banter:** Out-Of-Character chat. Occupies the right side of the screen on desktop, and may either be "global" (viewed by everyone on the island) or "local" (viewed only by players in the same room as you). |
| * **BOINC**: A program that lets you donate your idle computer time to science projects. The Island has a team on World Community Grid (WCG). You should join! | * **BOINC**: A program that lets you donate your idle computer time to science projects. The Island has a team on World Community Grid (WCG). You should join! |
| * **Buff**: Temporary (usually) [[buff|enhancement]] of equipment or ability. | * **Buff**: Temporary (usually) [[gameplay:concepts:buff|enhancement]] of equipment or ability. |
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| =====C===== | =====C===== |
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| * **Charm Vampire**: [[fickle_wench|Emily]] and [[that_spoony_bard|Seth]], found in [[Improbable Central]]. Given this name, beware of [[death|marrying]] them. | * **Charm Vampire**: [[characters:npc:fickle_wench|Emily]] and [[characters:npc:that_spoony_bard|Seth]], found in [[places:outpost:improbablecentral|Improbable Central]]. Given this name, beware of [[gameplay:concepts:death|marrying]] them. |
| * **CMJ**: [[caveman_joe|CavemanJoe]], the Island's admin. He is hoster, developer, writer, //and// Ban-dealer-wither all in one. He quit his [[life|job]] for you to play this game! Support him! | * **CMJ**: [[characters:player:cavemanjoe|CavemanJoe]], the Island's admin. He is hoster, developer, writer, //and// Ban-dealer-wither all in one. He quit his [[meta:concepts:life|job]] for you to play this game! Support him! |
| * **Contestant**: Just about every inhabitant of [[improbable_island|Improbable Isle]], with the possible exception of the various shopkeepers and utter lunatics.((Wrong! Utter Lunatism is a prime qualifiction for being a [[contestant]] on Improbable Island!)) | * **CoC**: "Code of Conduct". The Island's rules, which you can read [[https://www.improbableisland.com/coc.php|here]]. |
| | * **Contestant**: Just about every inhabitant of [[places:improbableisland|Improbable Island]], with the possible exception of the various shopkeepers and utter lunatics.((Wrong! Utter Lunatism is a prime qualifiction for being a [[gameplay:concepts:contestant]] on Improbable Island!)) |
| * **CC**, or **CC404**: [[places:outpost:cybercity404|CyberCity 404]]. | * **CC**, or **CC404**: [[places:outpost:cybercity404|CyberCity 404]]. |
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| =====D===== | =====D===== |
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| * **Debuff**: Temporary (usually) reduction of [[buff|effectiveness]] of equipment or ability. | * **Debuff**: Temporary (usually) reduction of [[gameplay:concepts:buff|effectiveness]] of equipment or ability. |
| * **Distraction**: The in-house messaging system. Content may be monitored to prevent [[lie|abuse]]. | * **Distraction**: The in-house messaging system. Content may be monitored to prevent [[meta:concepts:lie|abuse]]. |
| * **Drama**: Negative social interaction. AVOID. | * **Drama**: Negative social interaction. AVOID. |
| * **Drive Kill** / **DK**: Your ongoing aim in the game is to destroy the [[Improbability Drive]].((You knew that, right?)) Doing so is referred to as achieving or attempting a Drive Kill. Colloquially referred to as "taking tea with [[Horatio]]," a tradition that rose out of S1 vets playing Jokers saying they were off to have tea with the Drive, and the equally cheeky nickname S1 vets gave to the Drive, Horatio Entwhistle. See the entry below for more information. | * **Drive Kill** / **DK**: Your ongoing aim in the game is to destroy the [[gameplay:lore:idrive|Improbability Drive]].((You knew that, right?)) Doing so is referred to as achieving or attempting a Drive Kill.((In modern gaming parlance, this is our New Game+ system.)) Colloquially referred to as "taking tea with [[gameplay:lore:Horatio]]," a tradition that rose out of S1 vets playing Jokers saying they were off to have tea with the Drive, and the equally cheeky nickname S1 vets gave to the Drive, Horatio Entwhistle. |
| * **Dwellings** (also Dwelling, and Dwellings system) A facillity whereby contestants were able to construct a building, and name it, then use it as a house, or shed, or whatever they darn well wanted. See [[dwellings| wiki page on Dwellings]]. Replaced by [[places:start|Places]]. | * **Dwellings** (also Dwelling, and Dwellings system) A facillity whereby contestants were able to construct a building, and name it, then use it as a house, or shed, or whatever they darn well wanted. See [[meta:history:dwellings| wiki page on Dwellings]]. Replaced by [[places:start|Places]]. |
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| =====E===== | =====E===== |
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| * **Entwhistle, [[Horatio]]**: Cheeky nickname for the Improbability Drive. [[http://enquirer.improbableisland.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20081023031332356|Icterid's song dramatically increased the 'stickiness' of the nickname.]]((Forums are dead - can this be scraped?)) | * **Entwhistle, [[gameplay:lore:Horatio]]**: Cheeky nickname for the Improbability Drive. [[http://enquirer.improbableisland.com/mediagallery/media.php?f=0&sort=0&s=20081023031332356|Icterid's song dramatically increased the 'stickiness' of the nickname.]]((Forums are dead - can this be scraped?)) |
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| =====F===== | =====F===== |
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| * **Faded:** E.g. - //faded into the background.// A term used to describe the character of a formerly active player. If a player stops logging in or otherwise becomes unable to roleplay, someone may describe the character as "faded". The character isn't dead, but since the roleplayer isn't around, you should assume they're off doing other things and are thus unavailable for major happenings. | * **Faded:** i.e. //faded into the background.// A term used to describe the character of a formerly active player. If a player stops logging in or otherwise becomes unable to roleplay, someone may describe the character as "faded". The character isn't dead, but since the roleplayer isn't around, you should assume they're off doing other things and are thus unavailable for major happenings. |
| * **[[places:jungle:failboat|Failboat]], The**: Purgatorial destination of those [[death|defeated]] in [[jungle]] combats, or unlucky in some Improbable Events. | * **[[places:jungle:failboat|Failboat]], The**: Purgatorial destination of those [[gameplay:concepts:death|defeated]] in [[places:jungle]] combats, or unlucky in some Improbable Events. |
| * **Flavour text**: Permanent written descriptions of what's going on or the surroundings. Provided to give players a 'flavour' of the context they are experiencing. Often unread despite being usually very useful. | * **Flavour text**: Permanent written descriptions of what's going on or the surroundings. Provided to give players a 'flavour' of the context they are experiencing. Often unread despite being usually very useful. |
| * **Fourth Wall**: The conceptual barrier between the audience and the action occurring in a presentational art form, such as on a stage or screen. Roleplayers ask that you don't break it. | * **Fourth Wall**: The conceptual barrier between the audience and the action occurring in a presentational art form, such as on a stage or screen. Roleplayers ask that you don't break it. |
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| =====H===== | =====H===== |
| | * **Herbless Unrep:** Shorthand, means [[items:food|the Unrepentant]] is available for purchase at [[places:outpost:building:mutated_munchies|Mutated Munchies]] today.((Sometimes the restaurant runs out of ingredients, meaning it can't be bought until players supply the herbs themselves.)) |
| =====I===== | =====I===== |
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| * **IC**: [1] [[places:outpost:improbablecentral|Improbable Central]], an Outpost. [2] "In Character". | * **IC**: [1] [[places:outpost:improbablecentral|Improbable Central]], an Outpost. [2] "In Character". |
| * **ICMoD**: [[ICMoD|Ice Cream Machine of Doom]]. A persistent relic from the Pilot, constructed by [[DeadMeat]] and [[Snickerer]] with assistance from others. Battle-ready machine with turrets, thick defensive armour, and the ability to produce ice cream in any flavor you so wish -- if it's working.((This was a red link on the old wiki.)) | * **ICMoD**: [[meta:being:ICMoD|Ice Cream Machine of Doom]]((This was a red link even on the old wiki. Also I have no idea what namespace it should go under.)). A persistent relic from the Pilot, constructed by [[characters:player:DeadMeat]] and [[characters:player:Snickerer]] with assistance from others. Battle-ready machine with turrets, thick defensive armour, and the ability to produce ice cream in any flavor you so wish -- if it's working. |
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| =====M===== | =====M===== |
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| * **Mods**: People designated and authorised to apply law and order. You do not want to annoy these people. Things that annoy them include having to enforce law and order. If one them is talking to you and fingering the dice in his/her pocket, you have annoyed a mod and serious grovelling is called for. | * **Mods**: Moderators. People designated and authorised to apply law and order. You do not want to annoy these people. Things that annoy them include having to enforce law and order. If one them is talking to you and fingering the dice in his/her pocket, you have annoyed a mod and serious grovelling is called for. |
| * **Mount**: The noun, not the verb((Don't even go there.))((//Aww.// You're taking all the fun out of this.)). Any of a range of beasts of burden available for contestants to purchase. Sometimes said to be of debatable and changing tactical utility. | * **Mount**: The noun, not the verb((Don't even go there.))((//Aww.// You're taking all the fun out of this.)). Any of a range of beasts of burden available for contestants to purchase. Sometimes said to be of debatable and changing tactical utility. |
| * **Midnight**: Scheduled, automatic, routine site maintenance that renders the game temporarily inaccessible. | * **Midnight**: Scheduled, automatic, routine site maintenance that renders the game temporarily inaccessible. |
| =====O===== | =====O===== |
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| * **OOC**: Initialisation of "out of character". | * **OOC**: Initialisation of "out of character". Anything said or done by a player, as opposed to their character. |
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| =====P===== | =====P===== |
| * **Petition**: To file a bug report using the //"Tell us about a problem"// button. | * **Petition**: To file a bug report using the //"Tell us about a problem"// button. |
| | * **[[meta:history:Pilot]], the**: The open playtest of the earliest version of Improbable Island that ran back in 2008. Shit was a lot weirder in those days. |
| * **Places** (also '[[gameplay:guides:places:placestart|Places system]]') Major revision of Dwellings system (see above). Buy a patch of land, build your own little place on it. Sounds pretty straightforward, huh? | * **Places** (also '[[gameplay:guides:places:placestart|Places system]]') Major revision of Dwellings system (see above). Buy a patch of land, build your own little place on it. Sounds pretty straightforward, huh? |
| * **PvP**: Initialisation of "Player versus Player". At time of writing PvP combat is generally not condoned, except in pre-arranged role play situations. | * **PvP**: Initialisation of "Player versus Player". At time of writing PvP combat is generally not condoned, except in pre-arranged role play situations. |
| =====S===== | =====S===== |
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| * **Seasons**: Improbable Island's history consists of seasons: The Pilot, Season One, and the currently airing Season Two. The transition between them included a Reset and a great deal of changes, explaining why many roleplayers more or less strictly discern between them. | * **Seasons**: Improbable Island's history consists of seasons: [[meta:history:pilot|The Pilot]], [[meta:history:seasoni|Season One]], and the currently airing [[meta:history:seasonii|Season Two]]. The transition between them included a [[meta:history:Reset]] and a great deal of changes, explaining why many roleplayers more or less strictly discern between them. |
| * **SH**: [[places:outpost:squathole|Squat Hole]]. | * **SH**: [[places:outpost:squathole|Squat Hole]]. |
| * **SP**: Supporter Points. Awarded to players that donate real money to the game, or otherwise deemed deserving through contests, BOINC altruism, etc. Can be spent on special enhancements at the Super Fancy Fun Club. | * **SP**: [[items:spitems|Supporter Points]]. Awarded to players that donate real money to the game, or otherwise deemed deserving through contests, BOINC altruism, etc. Can be spent on special enhancements at the [[places:outpost:building:superfancyfunclub|Super Fancy Fun Club]]. |
| * **Special**: [1] Abbreviation for //Joker Special//, an improbable beverage usually produced by the next Joker if you ask nicely. [2] A certain kind of comment. After buying some, one can write comments without the //Contestant Somebody// attached to the beginning. Don't be a dick. | * **Special**: [1] Abbreviation for //Joker Special//, an improbable beverage usually produced by the next Joker if you ask nicely. [2] A certain kind of comment. After buying some, one can write comments without the //Contestant Somebody// attached to the beginning. Don't be a dick. |
| * **Story**: The in character roleplay channel, visible on the left-hand side of the screen on desktop. If someone asks if you "want to story", they're asking if you'd like to roleplay with them. | * **Story**: The in character roleplay channel, visible on the left-hand side of the screen on desktop. If someone asks if you "want to story", they're asking if you'd like to roleplay with them. |
| =====W===== | =====W===== |
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| | * **Wall:** //(Verb)// To stop responding in the Story channel suddenly and without explanation. If a character's "walled", their roleplayer has likely been called away by real life happenings. In other words, they're dealing with the fourth //wall//. |
| * **[[characters:npc:watcher|Watcher]], The:** the one running the whole show. Literally. She uses the [[places:jungle:failboat|Failboat]] as a mobile base of operations from which she can rain doom and heavy amounts of snark on contestants. | * **[[characters:npc:watcher|Watcher]], The:** the one running the whole show. Literally. She uses the [[places:jungle:failboat|Failboat]] as a mobile base of operations from which she can rain doom and heavy amounts of snark on contestants. |
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