Non-player character
Not specifically related to Ars Magica in particular, but to role-playing games in general, a non-player character (abbreviated NPC) is a character that is played exclusively by the story guide, and whose motives and goals are therefore hidden from the troupe. The storyguide uses NPCs to bring the game world to life. NPCs include antagonists, but also allies, mentors, bystanders, shopkeepers, even Animal Companions.
The opposite of a non-player character and a player character (abbreviated PC).
Legacy Page
The history of this page before August 6, 2010 is archived at Legacy:npc