Intro

[OOTS_Echoes]

Hey all.
Question: How did the term Redshirt come to mean NPC?

Thank you

[The Vorpal Tribble]

Hey all.
Question: How did the term Redshirt come to mean NPC?

Thank you
If I understand the question correctly, basically in the original Star Trek series the main characters always had a few young ensigns around and their rank wore red. They were always the ones to get blown up, eaten, mind washed, taken over by alien presences, you name it. Basically they were plot fodder.

So basically a throw-away or unimportant person began to be known as a 'red-shirted ensign', and later simply a 'Redshirt'.

Most gamers treat the NPC's as something like that.

This should give you an idea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uA6JVbHiB5k

[Hazkali]

"Redshirt (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Redshirt_%28character%29)" refers to the security staff on Star Trek whose primary function is to be ordered about by the main characters and then die. By sheer coincidence, this is the definition of an NPC given in the Dungeon Master's Guide, hence the common usage of the term to mean an NPC.

Okay, so I made the bit about the DMG up, but you get the idea. Redshirts are treated as worthless by the main characters, NPCs are treated as worthless by the PCs. Just see how the Order treat the drunken Azure-city mage for this in action.

EDIT: Gah! Ninja'd by the Tribble!

[OOTS_Echoes]

:smalleek: I work at Zellers and my uniform consists of a redshirt!! LOL

Thank you though for your explanations.

[JessSoccer]

:smalleek: I work at Zellers and my uniform consists of a redshirt!! LOL

Thank you though for your explanations.

bewwaaaaaaaareee

[Hazkali]

This (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lh6uKsmCIbU&NR=1) is quite a funny filk song about redshirts, with appropriate Redshirt-maiming clips. Enjoy!

[Dragonrider]

My family applies the "redshirt" rule to a lot of movies. Also TV series. "Never seen that guy before. Bet he's gonna get blown up." :smallbiggrin: It's frighteningly accurate, too.