Default

default ( n., v., adj.)
Other forms	defaulting (v.), defaulter (n.)
Synonyms	primary
Applies to	headmates, system functions

A default or primary is a headmate that normally fulfils a certain role or function within the system. They may be the one to react to a trigger or in another situation when there is no option to actively pick a specific headmate.

They are the knee-jerk response of the system to a certain need, and may be the most available or most powerful candidate. If they are simply the most versatile, they may later switch with a more specialised headmate of the same role.

The term may also refer to them fulfilling this role, or the circumstance that causes this. There may be none, one, or several defaults of the same purpose within a system or layer.

A default of a role may be called the "default [role]" or "primary [role]". Some examples for defaults may be:

• default fronter: a host or primary fronter, an autopiloteer, a waker, the result of crouton fishing, or similar; a front keeper may also hold this position

• default protector: a protector that is first triggered to react to a threat

• default manager: the first manager to step in when a situation calls for it

If a system only has one headmate holding a certain role, they may be considered an automatic default or they may not consider there to be a default at all. If there are several headmates holding a role, there may not be a default at all, with headmates always being specifically chosen or a random headmate being selected each time.

Related Term

A default fronter may also act as an emergency fronter and take over during crisis when others can't.

Understudy is similar to default fronters.