A character is a fictional person that exists in the game world of a role-playing game. All characters interact with each other and the wider game world as described (narrated) by players of the game, but different characters are controlled by players in different ways:
- Player characters (PCs) are usually controlled by one player each, who has full authorial privilege over that PC's decisions and personality.
- Non-player characters (NPCs) are usually controlled by the GM as a facet of the game world that the player characters will experience.