NPC (Non-Playable Character)

An NPC, or Non-Playable Character, is a character played by the Gateway staff. Unlike player-controlled characters, NPCs are neither created nor controlled by any particular member.

NPCs are typically created in order to advance the plot. Often, the story cannot move forward because there are not enough player-controlled characters to interact. Some NPCs serve important roles as either friends or foes, helping or harming player-controlled characters. They may also be special characters who have particular significance to the storyline. Some NPCs have special relationships with certain player-controlled characters (for example, a group of NPCs may be a player-controlled character's family, lover, or best friend).

Not all NPCs are vital to the storyline, however; some NPCs are created on the spur of the moment in order to temporarily give player-controlled characters someone to interact with. Other NPCs are simply thrown into the story for convenience's sake (for instance, a nameless NPC who shouts something in a crowd).

For a list of NPCs on Gateway, click here.