Preface

We by no means expect people to memorize this list. It's partly here for people who aren't fully aware of system things and also for our own benefit.

For the common terms, if we have a different definition we use for our system, we will put it first, and the "official" definition under it in ^{super script}.

This is not a comprehensive list. Feel free to ask us to include something if you feel we ought to.

Most (if not all) definitions are from this website mostly because it's the easiest to read, as well as Pluralpedia.

Common Terms

Amnesia: memory loss, can be for specific events or periods of times

Alter(s)/Headmate(s): a separate presence of an identity. All alters may adapt and change over time, and some may even choose to take on the form of fictional characters if that serves a helpful purpose.

Caretaker(s): an alter who tends to care for the body or people in the innerworld.
^{a type of a protector, they help manage and care for other alters}

Co-fronting/Co-concious: two or more alters each being aware of the other's presence, and having an on-going memory of a situation or particular period of time. One is normally in "executive control" of the person's body, while another is able to watch, listen and think about what is happening. The alters who are co-conscious with one another will not necessarily behave as one.

Dissociation: the separation of an idea from its emotional significance and affect. may allow the individual to maintain allegiance to two contradictory truths while remaining unconscious of the contradiction.

Dormant: a state of inactivity during which a system member or group will be [unavailable] for a certain amount of time

Endogenic: an umbrella term that refers to all systems that are not completely traumagenic in origin

Fragment(s): headmates who don't have the capacity to do more than one or two tasks.
^{[any headmate that] either has a range of emotions but only a limited life history, or a more substantial life history but be unable to feel a range of emotions}

Fronting/In control: an activity performed by one or more headmates, where they take control of the body and handle daily activities and communication

Gatekeeper(s): a headmate who has the most authority in the system and usually deals hands-on with the innerworld or headmates in general.
^{holds back memories or control which alters can take control of the body, and when.}

Gateway: a (usually) large system with members [...] often coming or going as they please

Headspace/Innerworld: a place that members of a system can visit or inhabit, where they can talk to other headmates

Host(s): a headmate that either fronts often, has similar interests/desires as the body, or is willing to be social for other headmates.
^{has executive control of the body for the greatest percentage of time during a given time period}

Integration/Fusion: the [...] merging of alters

Persecutor(s): a headmate that will use most any mean necessary to protect the system, even if the system as a whole doesn't agree with it.
^{often acts in a harmful way but there is a protective logic behind [it].}

Polyfragmented: people with over 100 alters

Protector(s): headmates who tend to deal with triggers or high emotions
^{manage rage and anger, and avoid feelings of hurt, fear or shame.}

Source(s): material that a headmate came from.

Sub-system(s): either a headmate with a system of their own, or a different "section" in the headspace as a whole (think like countries)
^{An alter may have another dissociated part inside, which has a different role or function.}

Switching: when the current fronter(s) changes

Trauma holder(s): any headmate that holds significant trauma, often to keep others within the system safe from that knowledge

Walk-in(s): a headmate who comes from elsewhere in the inner world or another world other than shared reality.

Our Terms

Carefree: alters whose job is simply to help the system relax

Dreamwalker(s): a headmate who came to the system through dreams. they have had at least two sources of memories prior to being in dreams.

Encrypted: Headmates who have a higher level of individuality due to time spent in the system. They are allowed to have their experiences secured away from other headmates

Home: a specific location in the innerworld. a home houses 6 headmates, so we tend to group our headmates by that.

Homesteader: our innerworld takes place on this! essentially, a spaceship. based on becky chambers' wayfarers book series.

Integral(s): alters who are the product of integration

Integrand(s): alters who got integrated

Proxy: Headmates who act as a representative for the system. They front when the Gatekeepers require a lock-in or when stability or consistency is necessary (the tasks art casual and social are required)

Stray(s): headmates who don't have enough tasks to qualify for a role

Visitor(s)/Transient headmate(s): headmates who do not have a permanent place in the system. They can either be from gateway origins, or they don't reside on our homesteader.
^{(see also: walk-in)}