! This carrd talks positively about nontraumagenic systems and is NOT made for discourse, only to inform. If you want to start trouble please go somewhere else !

Plurality (otherwise known as multiplicity) is a psychological event where a body has multiple distinct/overlapping consciousnesses (Headmates / Alters / etc), each with their sense of individuality (depending on the system). This means the body is plural, multiple, a system, or however they wish to be called.This phenomenon can appear in dissociative identity disorder (DID), other specified dissociative disorders (OSDD), and different kinds of systems that do not fit into either of those categories.For more information on anything, click on the link below! Please know all systems are different so some of this may not apply to a system you're talking to, so make sure to speak to them about it, too :)~~~~More infoHow to talk to a systemTypes/Origins of systemsSystem rolesOther terms

Many systems will use We/us instead of I/me/my, however, this is dependent on the system. A common way to address a system is by using they/them, which is also dependent on the system.------------------------------Some claim that the only way to be a system is to be traumagenic (A system formed by a traumatic experience), however according to many sources that's not the only way to be a system.<BACK>

Here's a helpful sheet to learn what YOUR system friend desires from you. This is just a basic etiquette sheet for generalized things! Also Another etiquette guide.------------------------------It's common for systems to want to be collectively referred to as they/them as they are multiple people in a body, however, make sure to ask the system you're talking to what they'd prefer to be called.------------------------------The ampersand (&) is a known symbol of plurality. Many people use it to refer to themselves with "me&" or to others with "you&" or "[pronoun]&"to indicate that they are referring to not just one person, but more.------------------------------It's best to first befriend the host(s) if you have not already been friends with them, as they will most likely be in front the most and it'll then be easier to talk to the others.------------------------------Some systems may experience amnesia during switching, meaning if you have a conversation with Alter 1 and speak to Alter 2, Alter 2 will have little to no recollection of the conversation or anything they did during the time the other Alter was fronting unless they were in Co-Con or also fronting at the time.------------------------------Self-diagnosis is valid for all forms of plurality, as many people do not have access to professionals who are willing to diagnose this disorder for traumatic systems, and the concept of non-trauma systems is too new for an official diagnosis to be considered.------------------------------In some systems, one alter can date multiple people, or only one alter can date one person. It's important to understand that if you're dating one alter, the relationship doesn't necessarily extend to others. Each alters is their person with their name, pronouns, gender identity, personality, and opinions. Some systems may prefer acknowledging this if you know they're a system.<BACK>

❅Traumagenic systems❅Systems that are a result of a traumatic event or post-traumatic stress.------------------------------❅Endogenic systems❅A catch-all term for non-traumagenic plurality. These systems do not attribute their systems origins to trauma.------------------------------❅Spiritual systems❅Systems that decide their plurality are due to metaphysical reasons.------------------------------❅Mixed-origin systems❅These systems have been created from a combination of causes.------------------------------There are also systems created through tulpamancy or other explicit acts, as well as many other causes, which can be grouped under the umbrella term endogenic, however, you can find specific terms on Pluralpedia.<BACK>

Many systems have alters with certain roles. However, some alters may not have a role, or maybe none of them have a role.------------------------------❅Headmate/Alter/etc❅What the people inside the body are called. Many people have their own names for them, but Headmate and Alter seem to be the most common.------------------------------❅Host/Outernaut❅A host is the headmate(s, as there can be multiple) who is most active, most responsible for day-to-day activities, or otherwise is fronting most often.------------------------------❅Co-Host/Perinaut❅A headmate who is not necessarily in charge of daily life, but still performs an integral external role. They may orbit the front frequently too.------------------------------❅Gatekeeper❅A headmate who controls switching/fronting and has access to certain areas inside the headspace, or access to certain system members or memories, can take away certain memories, and some gatekeepers may be able to force switches.------------------------------
❅Caretaker❅An alter whose job is to act like the parent of the system. They tend to mostly look after littles, however, they also look over the rest of the system. They may soothe, guide, or help process emotions for system members, including individual headmates, groups, or the system as a whole.------------------------------❅Protector❅A headmate whose role is to protect other members of the system from external harm, traumatic memories, harmful members of the system (or external people), or other threats.------------------------------❅Age-slider❅A headmate whose age can change depending on their own personal factors------------------------------❅Persecutor❅A headmate acts harmfully toward other system members, the body, or to others. This is commonly due to a misguided attempt to protect the system or themselves, however, they may be just mean because that's how they are. It's still a good idea to try and figure out which one a persecutor is, as it may be possible to help the persecutor be better if it's the former.------------------------------❅Prosecutor❅A headmate that expresses outwards aggression towards people not in the system (Some may use this term interchangeably with persecutor or vice versa)------------------------------❅Brain made❅A headmate that the brain created from itself, instead of any outside force (IE they're not a character or being from outside yourself, they're just there)------------------------------❅Introject❅A headmate that comes from the world around you (Called "Shared Reality"), be it media, music, an object, etc. (IE you have an alter of the main character in your favorite show- (A fictive) or someone you know (A factive))------------------------------❅Splitroject❅An introject that has multiple sources, not to be confused with IRL's/DA's as they are still an introject of that source, not experiencing an irl. Still be respectful of irls, however, because even if they aren't an introject they are STIILL that character/person/thing/etc and deserve to be treated as such.------------------------------
❅Others❅There are many other roles, and a lot of things that fit into the umbrellas of the things I listed, however if you'd like to know more I'd suggest Pluralpedia and doing your research from there :)<BACK>

❅Fronting❅When an alter or alters are in full control of the body------------------------------❅Co Fronting❅When an alter or alters are in front but with little to no control of the body------------------------------❅Co Conscious❅When an alter or alters are aware of what's happening outside of the system but are not in front------------------------------❅Dormancy❅Dormancy is when a headmate will be "asleep" for a certain amount of time. This is usually marked by difficulty in triggering them to the front, interacting with them or even finding them in the inner world, or experiencing their passive influence.------------------------------❅Headspace❅Also known as "Inner-world" or "Wonderland". It's a place that members of a system can visit or inhabit, where they can talk to other headmates. Not every system has one, but many do. It is also not unique to systems. Singlets may have a headspace as well. Some headspaces have "Fronting rooms" which are the place where members can go to, well, front. Headspace can look like anything, from a kingdom to a barren wasteland, and it can sometimes be built further/change more.------------------------------❅Fusion❅The process of two or more headmates or fragments becoming one. The resulting headmate (Sometimes just called a "fusion") often has traits of both but is not always balanced. This is used as a more permanent term compared to blending/merging which is like fusion but not permanent.------------------------------❅Shared Reality❅The world around you. Systems prefer not to say "The real world" as it sounds like it's invalidating the reality of a headspace/inner world/etc.------------------------------❅Partner System❅When two systems are in a relationship (whether it be platonic, romantic, etc). This is different from two headmates in different systems of dating, as it usually means many headmates are dating other headmates in the other system. There is also the Spouse System, which is considered more intimate or is when the two systems are married in the Shared Reality.------------------------------❅Switching❅When an Alter leaves or enters the front------------------------------❅Singlet❅A person who isn't a system---------------------------------
❅Singletsona❅A persona a system puts on to pretend to be a singlet, usually for their safety or due to the lack of understanding of the people around them, or sometimes just because it's easier.------------------------------<BACK>