DEdit – Database Editor

Documentation version 1.0 , 2003-11-01

Pick-Pocket-databases

TavernMaker generates two different text files as output. A public part called description, and a part just for the gamemaster called pick-pocket-list. While the first should be in read-out style for gaming , the second gives additional information. Most often this second part will lists the inventory of the persons described in the description part and gives information of hidden things that could be stolen by a thief. Thus the name pick-pocket-list.

 

The text for both outputs is stored in the description database, so if you don’t want to, you will never have to write or use any pick-pocket-database. However, it would greatly improve the descriptions!

 

The idea is, that pick-pocket-items (PPItem) exist in a separate database from which the description can randomly select. Instead of describing in detail, what could be found in the rucksack of one customer, one could use a command like “any proviant” and TavernMaker would select a proviant-description (e.g. “some apples”, “a smelly cheese”, etc.) from a separated database. Even after you have written your description, it can be improved (by other users) by increasing the pick-pocket-database.

 

 Including items of a Pick-Pocket-database into descriptions

The command to include a randomly selected item into your description is the $DB command. The easiest way to access it, is to use the drop-down menus above the text-areas of the description panel. The first field selects a type the second a subtype of that type. The %-box and the two count-boxes define the chance that item is used and a range for a random number. Those things are explained in the description tutorial 2. For now, it is enough to set % to 100 and the number boxes both to 1.

Once all fields are selected/filled you can set the cursor to any position within the text area and then click on the Add $DB button. The command is automatically inserted and will look like

 

$DB{<%l>, <type, subtype>, 100, 1, 1}

 

By pressing the F4 button (hold it pressed!) you gain a preview of the result. TavernMaker (and now DEdit) will use all available PPItem-databases, filters all entries of fitting type and subtype and selects one of them. Instead of the command you will get the text of that selected entry.

 

example:

 

The rucksack of the man is holds two books:

- $DB{<%l>, <book>, 100, 1, 1}

- $DB{<%l>, <book>, 100, 1, 1}

 

 

When hitting “F4” a possible output would be:

The rucksack of the man is holds two books:

- The small book has a cover made of light wood. Its title reads: "thoughts of women"

- The huge book has a cover made of white leather. Its title reads: "rhymes on moods"

 

Or, alternatively it could be:

The rucksack of the man is holds two books:

- The thin book has a cover made of red leather. Its title reads: "Frederick's big book of warfare"

- The big book has a cover made of black leather. Its title reads: "The endless compendium about treasures"

 

Whenever the description is selected, it will produce a different output!

 

Pick-Pocket-Items & flags

As in the description database, entries of the PPI-database use flags to specify themselves and help the algorithm to choose proper ones. The flags are nearly the same as in the descriptions, but are used slightly differently.

  • item type & subtype: What object / subclass of the object is it
  • tavern type: Each type in which the item may be used, is listed.  (e.g. “harbour tavern”)
  • wealth: The "wealth level" of the item. "0" means "all wealth levels"
  • race flags: Which races have to be present to allow the item to be used
    (an elven sword should not appear in a tavern in which no elves are allowed)
  • unique: If enabled, the item may only appear once per tavern.

There is no distance flag but there is a new flag

  • chance: How likely is the item to be chosen. Usually this is 100%, but rarer items may have lower values.