Dark Door Terminology

During the creation and running of a game we normally throw the odd bizarre word at each other. This would be dismissed as just ‘those strange people saying strange things in a strange way’ but in fact they do mean something important and they are not coded insults aimed at players. No sir-ree. We just insult the players outright.

Anyway, here’s a list of some words that normally get bandied about during the course of an adventure. It won’t help you one jot in surviving any longer but it’s nice to know these things. 

(The) Big Bad:           See EOL creature.

Cake:                         Important food to have while working out a clue. Also known to go with Tea

Cthulhu'd up:             Getting excited before a game.

Dusty Bin:                 A term used when creating a game. It refers to adding in the plot line a person whose only task is to deliver a single clue that pushes the game forward. Usually gets killed soon after giving the clue. The term comes from the old quiz program ‘321’ in which z-list celebs used to do a piece to camera, hand over a clue, then bugger off.

EOL creature:            End of Level creature. The beast / monster / giant eel hanging around at the end of the game. Normally the beast the players have to defeat  to win. Also quite nasty.

Inner Sanctum            A fictional group of players at the very heart of The Dark Door who control everything. They meet every lunar cycle, dress in black robes and discuss important things to the club. Doesn't really exist and was only made up to frighten a player who was annoying us once. ("Sorry but we're going to have to report you to the Inner Sanctum members...")

(A) Moment:              Someone using the bathroom when all hell kicks off ("I was having a moment then when the creature attacked. I just made sure the bathroom door was locked and kept quiet.")

Morsk:                       Race of aliens trying to take over the world. Were made up for a couple of games. They are capable of possessing humans. Nasty.

Man down:                  Called when some person has run into a tree, tripped over a stump, set themselves on fire etc.

NPC:                           Person in the game with the players. S/he knows the plot and is one of the behind the scenes people but is playing with the players (in a nice way). Normally play maids, distraught sisters, disbelieving fiancés, army captains,  hospital patients, pretty much anything the story needs! Normally doomed to die at some stage.

Plant:                          NPC pretending to be a player. Normally an evil thing intent on the player's destruction. Normally Dave.

Phrase that pays:       Game played by the NPCs and the Ref sometimes. It involves assigning each behind the scene person with a sentence they have to say out loud in front of the players and in front of at least 1 NPC. However, the trick is to say it without the players going 'What on earth was that about?' or asking why said person said that, which can be a little awkward when some of the Phrase that Pays can be really stupid and sound just plain nuts in normal conversation.

Props:                         Fake items made for the game. If they have lights or electronics in them then they are guarantee not to work when you want them to.

Ref:                            The person with the players looking harassed. He acts as your guide, quick clue solver (“Hmm, I think this clue might mean we go that way, and not via the route of certain death. But hey, that’s my personal opinion…”) and person who leads the monsters about when they can’t see a bloody thing. He’s not your friend, but he’s not your enemy either. Think of him as a walking Switzerland.

Soup:                          ...isn't food. It's a drink with ideas above it's station. Avoid.

Scum:                         Dave.

Tea:                            Important drink to have while working out a clue. Also known to go with Cake

Ted:                            Short for Ted Rogers, host of old quiz program ‘321’. Ted is a term used in reference to a clue so obscure that no one would ever get it. The term comes from the program which used to have bloody stupid riddles in it. (“I have four wheels, a windscreen and a boot. What does that mean you’ve won? That’s right, the bin!” Cue people in front rooms across the country looking at each other in complete bemusement)

Time in:                      Play has started, the game world is turning, the adventure is running.

Time out:                    The game has stopped. Get back to your own lives. Normally called at the end of a game.

Time freeze:               Everyone playing the game stands still with their eyes closed, though for some odd reason people like to hum or sing while they’re waiting. Normally used so the referees can make something horrible appear in front of the players. 

Tooled up:                   Getting all weapons available ready.

Turd.                           Person we don't like.

Yellow Snow:              Never eat it.