Description of Tags
This is a description of the values of the various tags which are used in
the book of plots.
One tag has the form <tag>...</tag>
like in HTML.
It is case-insensitive. If you have to use more than one tag than use the
form
<tag>content1</tag> /* correct */
<tag>content2</tag>
instead of
<tag>content1, content2</tag> /* not allowed */
The Plots
Each plot is of the form:
<title>Title of the Plot</title>
<author>Author's Name
<email>if no email, then ommit this tag</email>
</author>
<length>only one tag allowed</length>
<setting>any number of tags allowed</setting>
<genre>only one tag allowed</genre>
<type>any number of tags allowed</type>
<monster>optional, any number</monster>
<plot>
The plot begins here
end ends here.
</plot>
Paragraphs
Paragraphs are denoted with empty lines between them. Like this one.
Paragraphs are denoted with empty lines between them. Like this one.
Paragraphs are denoted with empty lines between them. Like this one.
Dividers
If you need dividers between bigger portions of text then use any number
of dashes, e.g.:
-----------
is translated to a horizontal line:
The dashes should start at the beginning of the line. You can also use
other characters for dividing lines, e.g.:
=================
:::::::::::::::::::::::::
Emphasis
If you need to emphasise a word then enclose it in "*", "_", or "+". For
example: "
You see a *big* tower with a _huge_ door and a +strong+
porticullis.
is translated to
You see a big tower with a huge door and a strong
porticullis.
Lists
If you want to specify a list then use the "list" tags:
* This is the first element.
* You can specify unnumbered lists while using "*", "+", or "-" as the
first character of a list item, optionally followed by a ")" or ":"
* you can specify numbered lists while using either a number [0-9] or a
character [a-zA-Z], followed by a ".", ")", or ":"
is translated to
- This is the first element.
- You can specify unnumbered lists while using "*", "+", or "-" as
the first character of a list item, optionally followed by a ")" or
":"
- you can specify numbered lists while using either a number [0-9] or
a character [a-zA-Z], followed by a ".", ")", or ":"
Maps and Other Preformatted Text
If you need to preserve line feeds then use the "stats" tags. For example
if you have a small map like
<stats>
+-------+
| o | <- Hole in Floor
| |
| = <- Door
| m | <- Monster
+-------+
</stats>
Villains
If you have descriptions of villains you can use the "villain" tags. All
descriptions are put together in a section at the end of the plot.
<villain>
This is the description of the bodyguard of the mighty wizard.
<stats>
Name: Hulk Hogan
Strength: 20
Intelligence: 5
...
</stats>
He likes flowers but hates men who are bigger then himself.
</villain>
Note that you can also use lists and stats within a villain section.
The Tags
This is a description of the values of the various tags which are used in
the book. I you want to submit a plot then
you are asked to provide a few keywords to make it easier to tag your plot.
Length
Use one of the following
- One-line
- The plot consists only of one line or paragraph.
- Short
- The plot is smaller than 1/2 page of paper.
- Medium
- The plot is roughly one page of paper.
- Long
- The plot is longer than one page.
Genre
Use one of the following
- Any
- The plot fits into any genre.
- Cyberpunk
- Cyberpunk
- Fantasy
- The plot uses or relies on fantasy stuff like magic or dragons.
- Horror
- The plot uses extensive elements of horror: undead everywhere,
surprise, suspense, shock.
- New Age
- The plot is located in the current time.
- Paranoia
- Paranoia
- Sci-Fi
- The plot is located in the future.
Type
There can be an arbitrary number of types for a plot.
- Affliction
- Something nasty happen to players for dose of trots to
unfair imprisonment. This would cover capture and escape too.
- Campaign
- Complete campaign or campaign ideas.
- Comedy
- Always good for a laugh.
- Exploration
- The PCs explore an area without a special reason. Go
boldly where no man has gone before (or at least
returned coherant from...).
- Guarding
- The essence of the plot is protecting something or someone.
- Intrigue
- Vendettas, politics, nasty tricks, take-overs and such like.
- Investigation
- There is mystery to be solved. (unknown killer, a puzzle
etc). The flavour of the mission will be finding
clues and piecing them together (for the most part).
- Magic
- Extensive or unusual magic is used in the plot. The plot
revolves heavily around magic.
- Quest
- Have to find,pursue,achieve something. Treasure, a monster,
the missing princess, destroying the giant. Differs
from investigation in that sense of mystery is
missing. Finding why the princess is missing is
investigation, actually finding her is a Quest.
- Startup
- Good for a start or between regular (bigger) adventures.
Setting
There can be any combination of settings. Some settings (e.g. Wilderness)
use a second one to be more specific.
- Any
- The plot is not bound to a specific area.
- Arctic
- Cold climate (snow, blizzards). Brrrrrrrr!!!!
- Building
- One building (otherwise use "Urban"), above ground, not fortified.
- Castle
- A castle and it's surroundings, above ground, fortified.
- Cave
- A natural underground setting.
- City
- Used in conjunction with "Urban" to describe the size of the
urban setting. In that case a full sized city.
- Coastal
- Beside a water body
- Desert (specify also "Wilderness")
- just that (used in addition to "Wilderness")
- Dungeon
- An artificial underground setting.
- Forest (specify also "Wilderness")
- just that (used in addition to "Wilderness")
- Island
- The "Robinson Crusoe" scenario
- Mountain (specify also "Wilderness")
- The mountain is high! The characters need special equipment
to survive. Yetis are attacking... (used in addition to "Wilderness")
- Ocean
- Takes place on islands, ships, underwater installations etc.
(ie where ship is too specific).
- Road
- Doesn't matter what terrain but a track, path, road is vital.
- Rural
- Relatively tame country with many farms
- Ship
- The plot takes place on a sailship or spaceship. Kind of a "Die Hard"
scenario.
- Space
- If one spaceship is not enough because you must save the galaxy then
use this setting. (Probably only needed for the Sci-Fi genre.)
- Town
- Used in conjunction with "Urban" to describe the size of the
urban setting. In that case a medium sized town.
- Urban
- Unspecified urban setting. If size is important specify also
"Village", "Town", or "City".
- Village
- Used in conjunction with "Urban" to describe the size of the
urban setting. In that case a small village.
- Wilderness
- Unspecified wilderness, that is not a (human) inhabited area. If
the type is important search for "Forest", "Desert", etc.
Monster
Some plots use special monsters like dragons or liches. Use any number of
tags.
[The Net Book of Plots Home Page]
Email: Alexander Forst-Rakoczy