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.

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