Commonly Used Terms
Basic Organization/Larp Terms
MES – Modern Enigma Society
The Modern Enigma Society is the largest and longest running organization among the several authorized Camarilla fan clubs. Established in 1992 as The Camarilla, Modern Enigma Society hosts Live Action Role Playing games set in White Wolf’s settings, both in the World of Darkness with Vampire: The Masquerade and Werewolf: The Apocalypse, as well as in the Chronicles of Darkness with The Society of Paranormal Investigators. The Modern Enigma Society runs a connected game network spanning the United States, with interactions involving other players in organizations around the world.
IC – In Character
Things that are in character, or in the in-game world.
OOC – Out of Character
Things that are out of character. Also known as IRL, or in real life.
Domain
A domain is the basic geographic or virtual unit of community in the MES. Generally a domain’s boundaries include a city and the surrounding suburbs. A domain may host multiple venues set within the boundaries of the domain. Members usually join the closest physical domain, but this is not always the case. Members without a nearby domain may choose to join a virtual domain.
Venue
The term used to describe a game, for example: Werewolf the Apocalypse or Vampire the Masquerade: End to Dawn. Venues are broadly defined by the national level officers, but local venue storytellers manage each domain’s specific venues.
Region
The United States is divided into five geographic regions, and each region facilitates the domains that fall within that region.
Featured Game
A special domain game event selected by the regional storyteller and coordinator, highlighting a story or game setting. These are not conventions, but may provide Event XP.
Officer Related Terms
DC – Domain Coordinator
First level of the coordinator chain. The DC facilitates the out of character (OOC) aspects of the domain, such as out-of-game logistics and local management of the club. They are responsible for all membership and out of game issues including finances, conflict resolution, disciplinary action and volunteer awards. Your direct coordinator is the coordinator you will interact with most often for any out-of-game (real life) questions or concerns.
RC – Regional Coordinator
Second level of the coordinator chain. The RC facilitates the OOC aspects of the region. They are responsible for making sure all the domain coordinators report on time and for adjudicating any decisions that affect multiple domains within their region.
NC – National Coordinator
Third level of the coordinator chain. The NC facilitates the OOC aspects of the nation. They are responsible for making sure all the regional coordinators report on time and for adjudicating any decisions that affect multiple regions.
VST – Venue Storyteller
The VST, also referred to as the low or local storyteller, oversees the game aspects of a single venue within a domain. The VST is the first ST (storyteller) you will address with questions or issues with your characters, and runs the bulk of your monthly game. Each venue (Vampire, Werewolf, and Chronicles of Darkness) has their own VST. The VST generates plot on a local level and is responsible for approving any additions to a character sheet and generally supervising the characters. They are responsible for all in-game issues, including characters, storylines, and narration during the games.
DST – Domain Storyteller
The DST, also referred to as the mid level storyteller, oversees all venues at the domain level and venue storytellers within a domain. The DST handles game related questions and concerns that the VST cannot resolve.
RST – Regional Storyteller
The RST, also referred to as the high level storyteller, oversees all venues at the regional level. The RST handles regional level storylines that affect multiple domains, game related questions and concerns that the DST cannot resolve, and issues that cross over multiple domains.
NST – National Storyteller
The NST, also referred to as the top/global level storyteller, oversees all venues at the national level. The NST handles national level storylines that affect multiple regions, and is the chief storyteller for the MES.
BOD – Board of Directors
This is the last tier for both the OOC and IC aspects of the game. The board of directors is a body that is responsible for high level administrative decisions regarding the club, its activities, and its legal responsibilities.
PACT– Protection, Advocacy, and Cultural Team
The PACT Team serves as a designated neutral party and provides conflict resolution and problem solving services to members of the organization.
ST – Storyteller
The general term for any storyteller, at any level. Storytellers run the game: they create plot, narrate scenes, and approve what your character can do. Contrast with the coordinator chain, which handles the out-of-character side of the club.
ANST – Assistant National Storyteller
Assists the National Storyteller, usually with responsibility for a single venue (for example, ANST Apocalypse).
AANST – Assistant to the Assistant National Storyteller
Supports an ANST within a venue’s national team, often with a specific brief such as settings or chief of staff.
ANC – Assistant National Coordinator
Assists the National Coordinator with a specific portfolio, such as arbitration, domains, or charity.
ARC – Assistant Regional Coordinator
Assists the Regional Coordinator with a specific portfolio within a region.
ARST – Assistant Regional Storyteller
Assists the Regional Storyteller with the game side of a region.
ADC – Assistant Domain Coordinator
Assists the Domain Coordinator with the out-of-character running of a domain.
CC – Chapter Coordinator
Coordinates a chapter — a local game group within a domain — handling its out-of-character needs.
ACC – Assistant Chapter Coordinator
Assists the Chapter Coordinator.
USNC – United States National Coordinator
The National Coordinator for the United States; the top of the coordinator chain in the MES.
NCA – National Conventions Administrator
Runs the club’s conventions programme, including bids, contracts, and the national event calendar.
ANCA – Assistant National Conventions Administrator
Assists the NCA, for example with contracts and requests for proposal.
NTA – National Technology Administrator
Leads the MES Tech team, which builds and maintains the club’s online tools.
NMM – National Marketing Manager
Leads the club’s marketing and outreach.
NEM – National Education Manager
Leads the club’s education programme.
NDIA – National Diversity and Inclusion Administrator
Leads the club’s diversity and inclusion work, alongside PACT.
TSM – Trade Show Manager
Organises the club’s presence at trade and industry shows.
Resources Related Terms
Approvals Database
An online database designed to track characters and approvals and to associate your character with a specific venue. The database allows storytellers access to all characters within their jurisdiction. When you have an item that requires approval, you will use this database to create the application.
CoC – Code of Conduct
Behavior guidelines each member of the MES is expected to follow. Please refer to the Membership Handbook page 24 for the full Code of Conduct.
Standards
The standards are short, open-book quizzes. The subjects include game mechanics, club information, and club documents. Members gain prestige for accurately completing the standards. Some officer positions require specific standards.
Membership Handbook
Contains rules for membership, the club’s vision and mission statement, and the structure and procedures of the Modern Enigma Society.
Mailing Lists
The primary method of distributing information within the club. Mailing lists are available for game related content (sect, clan, and venue specific), geographic out of character information, and officer content. Many domains use mailing lists as their only source of officer contact. Speak with your domain coordinator to find out how important announcements are sent within your local domain.
Addenda
Rules changes, additions, or clarifications to the published books used in our games.
VSS – Venue Style Sheet
The VSS describes the theme, setting, domain specific rules, and what players should expect in a given venue.
CCD – Character Creation Document
A venue specific document that guides you through the process of creating a background for your character. The CCD also gives your storyteller methods to involve you in their story.
Portal
The Member Portal at portal.modernenigmasociety.org. Members join, renew, and manage their membership here.
DB – Database
Shorthand used around the club for the Approvals Database.
COI – Conflict of Interest
A situation where an officer’s personal interest could improperly influence a club decision; officers are expected to declare one and step back.
RFP – Request for Proposal
The call the conventions office publishes inviting bids to host a regional event or MESCON.
ICC – International Camarilla Conclave
The international gathering of the affiliated Camarilla clubs.
Game & Play Terms
PC – Player Character
A character played by a member — yours.
NPC – Non-Player Character
A character played by a storyteller or volunteer rather than by a member, used to carry plot and populate a scene.
CVC – Character versus Character
The MES term for conflict between characters. We deliberately say CvC rather than “PvP”: the conflict is between the characters, not the players. Players are expected to stay friendly and co-operative out of character even when their characters are bitterly opposed.
PVE – Player versus Environment
A standard gaming term for conflict against the setting — antagonists, hazards, and plot — rather than against other characters. Contrast with CvC.
RP – Roleplay
Acting in character. “Soft RP” is roleplay conducted without formal tests or challenges.
RPS – Rock–Paper–Scissors
The mechanic used to resolve a challenge between characters in our live-action games.
XP – Experience Points
Points earned through play and volunteering, spent to advance your character.
VSS – Venue Style Sheet
Describes the theme, setting, domain-specific rules, and what players should expect in a given venue.
NSS – National Style Sheet
The venue’s national-level style sheet, setting the tone and setting for the chronicle across the whole club.
CCD – Character Creation Document
A venue-specific document guiding you through building a character and its background.
SRD – System Reference Document
A freely readable version of a game’s rules. The Laws of the Night SRD is the free rules reference for our Vampire chronicle.
BNS – By Night Studios
The publisher of the Mind’s Eye Theatre rules we use for Werewolf: the Apocalypse, and of Laws of the Night, which we use for Vampire: the Masquerade.
SPI – The Society of Paranormal Investigators
Our Chronicles of Darkness venue.
Volunteer/Membership Award Terms
Experience Points (XP)
Experience is earned each game and is used to purchase new traits, skills, powers, and backgrounds. Your venue storyteller will tell you how much experience you earn per game.
Event Experience (Event XP, EXP)
Attending events such as feature games, regional events, and national events earns each character additional experience points. This event experience stacks with the normal experience you receive for playing in the game at the events. There is a hard cap of 15 event exp per year (subject to NST ruling).
Prestige
A permanent reward system for your service to the club and to the charities we support.
VIP – Volunteer Incentive Program
A spendable reward system for volunteering in club positions, volunteering time, and attending conventions. VIP Points may be spent on items intended to enhance MES experiences, such as Event XP, fuel purchases, background items, and other items to be decided upon in the future.
MC – Member Class
MC levels are hallmarks on your path as a member of the MES, marked by achievement of certain requisite levels of Prestige.