Mit Elwan

Mit Elwan (also sometimes written as Mit-Elwan, though the hyphen is often omitted) is a term primarily used within certain online communities and role-playing circles, particularly those focused on fantasy and science fiction genres. It generally refers to a character, often a non-player character (NPC), that serves primarily as an expository device or a plot catalyst within a narrative. These characters are typically utilized to provide information, often of a crucial or detailed nature, to the main characters, pushing the plot forward or explaining lore and backstory.

The term carries a slightly pejorative connotation, implying that the character lacks significant depth or agency beyond their function as an information source. A Mit Elwan character's personality and motivations, if present at all, are secondary to their role in delivering crucial details to the protagonist or players. They may appear briefly, deliver their information, and then disappear or become irrelevant to the unfolding story.

The origin of the term is somewhat debated, but it is theorized to derive from a combination of fictional character archetypes frequently seen in fantasy literature and tabletop role-playing games. The exact etymology remains unclear, but the name itself is suggestive of a wise elder or a knowledgeable figure from a hidden or forgotten civilization.

While not necessarily a flaw in storytelling, the overuse of Mit Elwan-type characters can lead to accusations of lazy world-building or "info-dumping," where the narrative is interrupted by large blocks of exposition delivered through a single character rather than being organically woven into the story. Good storytelling practices often advocate for more subtle and character-driven methods of conveying information.

Therefore, the term "Mit Elwan" serves as a shorthand critique of characters solely existing to spoon-feed information to the audience, highlighting the importance of integrating exposition seamlessly within the plot and character development.