Glossary of Terminology
Here you will find the terms used in this course that may not be easily discernible. If you find a term confusing or missing, please contact the game master as soon as possible.
If you have words to add or revisions to make, a new glossary of terms can be submitted for bonus XP! Check "Bonus Quests" for more details. *Some terms might not be used for your specific game* |
Adventurer's Shop
Part of the merchant's guild, in the marketplace, where you can spend your hard earned gold for buffs and items used on your journey through Composition. (Also see: Merchant, Digital Currency, Guild Shop)
Adventures
Larger assignments that often times provide the player with gold upon completion.
Alpha-Beta Testing
In Chapters Two and Three, the players may have the opportunity to do peer reviews, whether on their paper or their game. The first, and most basic, test will be the Alpha test. Later, after the game is near completion, there will be a Beta test.
Avatar
A virtual manifestation of the player with a created name and specialization. After the first sign in, the player will create an avatar to represent them in Composition for the rest of the semester. An avatar can be changed (not the name) if, and only if, the player writes a 200 word rationale as to why the changes are being made. (Also See: Specialization, Class)
Bonus Quests
Quests that are due anytime throughout the journey that add experience points to the players overall level.
Buff
A status effect that modifies a character's original abilities. This will take the form of replay buffs and XP boosts in Composition. Buffs can be bought at both shops in the marketplace. (Also See: Merchant, Digital Currency)
Bug Report
Upon the completion of the final chapter, the player is required to reflect back on the entire journey of the Rhetorical Inn and put together a full report on the moments of clarity, confusion, and surprise. This report is due the last session of the semester. (Also See: Chapter, Rhetorical Inn)
Chapter
Rhetorical Inn is divided into multiple chapters. Each chapter has specific objectives that need to be accomplished in order to advance to the raid boss. (Also See: Raid Boss, Raid, Rhetorical Inn)
Class
Classes, or specializations, are specific roles each player takes on during their adventure. The classes add additional objectives onto adventures and raids which must be completed for full XP. Players can respec for a small fee (200 word rationale) or buying armor from the Adventurer's Shop. (Also See: Specializations, Respecification, Merchant)
Crafting
Products that must be crafted on certain adventures and raids. The crafting product may be exclusive to the bard or mage classes. (Also See: Classes, Specializations, Adventures, Raids)
Debrief
A reflection of the journey through a chapter. This is a required component of the quest log. (Also See: Chapter, Quest Log)
Digital Currency
Throughout your journey, you will sometimes earn digital currency which can be spent at the marketplace. Adventures will provide the player with gold that can be spent at the Adventurer's Shop. Guild achievements will provide the players of the guild with guild coins which can be spent on items at the Guild Shop. (Also See: Merchant, Adventurer's Shop, Guild Shop)
Experience Points (XP)
The amount of points earned from quests, adventures, raids, and other objectives throughout Rhetorical Inn. XP adds up to associated levels which show the progress of the players. (Also See: Levels)
Game Lives
Players are allotted four session lives which will account for missed sessions. After all four lives are gone, the player cannot continue unless another life is purchased with 50 experience points.
Game Master
The instructor/guide for Rhetorical Inn. The game master manages all objectives, activities, and discussions in Rhetorical Inn.
Guild Achievements
When certain requirements are met by all members of the guild, an achievement and guild coins are awarded to each member of the guild. (Also See: Guild, Digital Currency)
Guild Shop
Guild achievements will provide the players of the guild with guild coins which can be spent on items at the Guild Shop. (Also See: Merchant, Adventurer's Shop, Digital Currency)
Guilds
A group of players (up to 3) that share responsibility for the raids in chapter three. A guild may not have a duplicate class among its players. They are also responsible for keeping each player in check through performance reviews. Through joint action, guild achievements will be awarded which provide guild coins to spend in the Guild Shop. (Also See: Guild Shop, Classes, Specializations, Performance Review)
Leaderboards
A section under the "GM" tab that shows the top five players every week, as well as the guild rankings with total XP earned as well as most achievements. (Also See: Guilds, XP, Guild Achievements)
Level
The level shows the player's progress through Rhetorical Inn based on the amount of XP s/he has accumulated. The final level of the player helps determine the player's grade for the class. (Also See: XP, Player)
Merchant
The merchant tab brings the player to the marketplace where s/he can trade in hard earned gold or guild coins into the Adventurer's Shop or Guild Shop for items and buffs. (Also See: Guild Shop, Adventurer's Shop, Digital Currency)
Multiplayer Games
A game, or interaction with a set of rules, in which multiple people participate in at the same time.
Performance Review
While in a guild, you are subject to a weekly, anonymous performance review while working on your raid. Performance reviews can lower earned experience points for guild members. (Also See: Guilds)
Player
The player is the student enrolled in WRTG 121: Composition II that is taking part in the Rhetorical Inn. The player is represented by their avatar. (Also See: Avatar, Rhetorical Inn)
Practice Run
For Chapter One - "The Rhetorical Inn," the player will have an opportunity to do a practice run for their boss raid. This is essentially a nearly completed draft of their research proposal.
Quest
A smaller assignment, usually requiring a reading journal post or discussion board.
Quest Log
The completed log submitted to the game master upon completion of a chapter. This typically requires the debrief, selected quests/adventures, as well as the boss raid. (Also See: Chapters, Quests, Adventures, Debrief)
Raid
The final challenge at the end of a chapter. This includes the raid boss as well as any additional objectives. (Also See: Raid Boss, Chapters)
Raid Boss
A named, large task at the end of a chapter requiring advanced planning to accomplish. Can be a solo or guild raid. (Also See: Raid, Chapter)
Random Encounters
These are unannounced assignments throughout Rhetorical Inn. They can take the shape of time attacks, presentations, or group work. (Also See: Time Attacks)
Respecification
Or respec, is to change a player's specialization for a small fee (200 word rationale) or buying armor from the Adventurer's Shop. (Also See: Classes, Specializations)
Rhetorical Inn
The Rhetorical Inn (or Rhetorical Inn) is the game in which the player is engaged in. It encompasses the classroom and digital interactions of the WRTG121 class. All players are represented by an avatar and avatar name in The Rhetorical Inn.
Signing In
Coming to the gaming session for Rhetorical Inn (Pray-Harrold 418) between 9:30am and 10:45am Monday and Wednesday. (Also See: Rhetorical Inn)
Specialization
Specializations, or classes, are specific roles each player takes on during their adventure. The specializations add additional objectives onto adventures and raids which must be completed for full XP. Players can respec for a small fee (200 word rationale) or buying armor from the Adventurer's Shop. (Also See: Classes, Respecification, Merchant)
Time Attack
On occasion, as part of random encounters, players will have to do a small writing exercise, typically at the beginning of the class. (Also See: Random Encounters)