DSL Syntax

Dialogue files use the .dlg extension and contain a simple DSL (domain-specific language) for writing branching conversations. Unlike a general-purpose programming language, the dialogue DSL is a small set of keywords designed specifically for defining conversation nodes, choices, conditions, and effects.

File Structure

A .dlg file consists of:

1. Optional TRIGGER declaration (auto-start on location entry)
2. Optional top-level REQUIRE conditions (for triggered dialogues)
3. One or more NODE blocks

TRIGGER tavern
REQUIRE notFlag seenIntro

NODE start
  NARRATOR: @narrator.intro
  SET flag seenIntro

  CHOICE @narrator.choice.continue
    END dialogue
  END

Structure Keywords

NODE

Defines a dialogue node, which is a single point in the conversation.

NODE greeting
  BARTENDER: @bartender.hello

The first NODE in the file is the start node (used as the dialogue’s startNode).

END

Closes a CHOICE or IF block:

CHOICE @option
  GOTO next
END

When used as END dialogue, it’s an effect that closes the conversation:

CHOICE @goodbye
  END dialogue
END

GOTO

Routes to another node (within a choice or as auto-advance):

CHOICE @option
  GOTO next_node
END

Or to a location (ends dialogue and moves player):

GOTO location market

TRIGGER

Declares that this dialogue auto-starts when the player enters a location:

TRIGGER tavern

Must be at the top of the file, before any NODE.

REQUIRE

Condition that must pass. At the top level (for triggered dialogues) or inside choice blocks:

# Top-level: controls when the trigger fires
TRIGGER tavern
REQUIRE notFlag seenIntro

# Inside a choice: controls when the choice is visible
CHOICE @buy_drink
  REQUIRE variableGreaterThan gold 4
  GOTO drink
END

Dialogue Keywords

Speaker Line

BARTENDER: @bartender.greeting

The text before : is the speaker name. It’s matched to a character ID (case-insensitive). The text after : is the dialogue line (supports @key localization).

NARRATOR

Narration with no speaker:

NARRATOR: @narrator.description

In the snapshot, the speaker is null and speakerName is "Narrator".

VOICE

Optional voice audio file for the current node:

VOICE bartender_greeting.ogg

PORTRAIT

Optional portrait override (e.g., different expression):

PORTRAIT bartender_angry.png

Choice Blocks

CHOICE @choice_text
  REQUIRE condition        # Optional, multiple allowed
  effect1                  # Optional effects
  effect2
  GOTO target_node         # Destination (see below)
END

Choices are shown to the player as clickable options. They can have:

• Conditions: choice is hidden if any condition fails
• Effects: run when the choice is selected
• GOTO: required unless the choice terminates the dialogue

A choice terminates the dialogue (no GOTO needed) when it contains END dialogue or GOTO location:

# Terminal choice: ends the dialogue
CHOICE "Look around."
  END dialogue
END

# Terminal choice: ends dialogue and travels to location
CHOICE "Head to the market."
  GOTO location market
END

Conditional Blocks (IF)

IF condition
  GOTO target_node
END

or with effects:

IF hasFlag metBartender
  SET flag returningCustomer
  GOTO returning_greeting
END

How IF blocks work:

1. IF blocks are evaluated in order (top to bottom) after the node’s effects run
2. The first condition that passes determines where to go next
3. If no IF conditions pass, the node falls through to its regular GOTO (if present)
4. IF blocks are invisible to the player: they create author-controlled branching
5. Multiple IF blocks can exist in a node, but only the first passing one executes

Example:

NODE check_reputation
  BARTENDER: @bartender.sizing_you_up

  IF variableGreaterThan reputation 50
    GOTO trusted_path
  END

  IF variableGreaterThan reputation 20
    GOTO neutral_path
  END

  GOTO suspicious_path

If reputation is 60, goes to trusted_path. If reputation is 30, goes to neutral_path. If reputation is 10, goes to suspicious_path.

Auto-Advancing Nodes

A node that has no CHOICE blocks is never shown to the player as a prompt. The engine processes it silently and advances automatically:

1. Node effects run (speaker lines are set as the current dialogue text, effects apply)
2. IF blocks evaluate in order. The first passing condition redirects to its target.
3. If no IF passes, the top-level GOTO fires
4. If there is no GOTO and no IF passes, the dialogue ends

This is the basis for silent processing nodes: nodes that apply effects or branch on state without giving the player any visible choice:

# Roll the dice and branch. The player never sees this node as a prompt.
NODE skill_check
  ROLL result 1 20
  IF variableGreaterThan result 14
    GOTO success
  END
  GOTO failure

NODE success
  BARTENDER: "Impressive. This one's on the house."

  CHOICE "Cheers!"
    GOTO start
  END

NODE failure
  BARTENDER: "Nope. Five gold."

  CHOICE "Fine."
    ADD variable gold -5
    GOTO start
  END

A node can also auto-advance unconditionally with a bare GOTO:

NODE after_drink
  BARTENDER: @bartender.after_drink
  GOTO start

The player sees the bartender’s line, then the engine advances to start immediately (no click required).

IF vs CHOICE REQUIRE

IF blocks (author-controlled branching):

• Invisible to the player
• First passing condition wins
• Used for conditional story flow based on game state

CHOICE REQUIRE (player-facing filtering):

• All passing choices are shown to the player
• Player selects which one to take
• Used for gating options behind requirements (e.g., “needs 50 gold”)

# IF: player never sees the branching
NODE greeting
  BARTENDER: @bartender.hello

  IF hasFlag metBefore
    GOTO returning_customer
  END

  GOTO new_customer

# CHOICE REQUIRE: player sees all available options
NODE offer
  BARTENDER: @bartender.what_can_i_get_you

  CHOICE @buy_ale
    REQUIRE variableGreaterThan gold 4
    GOTO buy_ale
  END

  CHOICE @buy_wine
    REQUIRE variableGreaterThan gold 10
    GOTO buy_wine
  END

  CHOICE @just_browsing
    GOTO leave
  END

Effect Lines

Effects modify game state. See Effects Reference for the full list.

SET flag metBartender
CLEAR flag doorLocked
SET variable gold 100
ADD variable gold -5
ADD item old_coin
REMOVE item rusty_key
MOVE item sword armory
SET questStage odd_jobs started
ADD journalEntry tavern_discovery
SET characterLocation merchant tavern
ADD toParty elisa
REMOVE fromParty elisa
SET relationship bartender 5
ADD relationship bartender 1
SET characterStat elisa level 5
ADD characterStat elisa health -10
SET mapEnabled false
ADVANCE time 2
START dialogue merchant_intro
END dialogue
MUSIC tension_theme.ogg
SOUND door_slam.ogg
VIDEO intro_cinematic.mp4
INTERLUDE chapter_one
ROLL bluffRoll 1 20
NOTIFY @notification.quest_started

Text Syntax

Dialogue text can be written in three forms:

Plain text: Just write the words. Works for most lines.

BARTENDER: Hello there, traveller!
CHOICE What's the news?

Quoted text: Wrap in double quotes when the text contains :, #, or starts with @. Quotes are stripped before display.

BARTENDER: "Hello, friend! What'll it be?"
CHOICE "Anything starting with @ is safe in quotes"

Localization keys (prefixed with @): Reference a key from a locale file. Required for multi-language support.

BARTENDER: @bartender.greeting
CHOICE @bartender.choice.ask_news

The @key is resolved at snapshot build time against the current locale’s data. If the key isn’t found, the raw @key string is displayed.

For single-language games, plain or quoted text is simpler. Add @keys later when you need multiple languages.

Comments

Lines starting with # are ignored:

# This is a comment
NODE start
  BARTENDER: @bartender.greeting  # Inline comments work too

A # inside a quoted string is preserved as text. In plain text, # starts a comment and everything after it is ignored. Use quotes if you need a literal # in dialogue.

Complete Example

# Triggered narrator intro for the tavern
TRIGGER tavern
REQUIRE notFlag seenTavernIntro

NODE start
  NARRATOR: @narrator.tavern_intro
  SET flag seenTavernIntro

  CHOICE @narrator.choice.look_around
    END dialogue
  END

# Main bartender conversation (started by clicking the character)
NODE greeting
  BARTENDER: @bartender.greeting

  CHOICE @bartender.choice.ask_rumors
    REQUIRE notFlag heardRumors
    SET flag heardRumors
    ADD relationship bartender 1
    GOTO rumors
  END

  CHOICE @bartender.choice.buy_drink
    REQUIRE variableGreaterThan gold 4
    ADD variable gold -5
    ADD variable _drinksBought 1
    NOTIFY @notification.bought_drink
    GOTO after_drink
  END

  CHOICE @bartender.choice.ask_quest
    REQUIRE questAtStage odd_jobs started
    GOTO quest_update
  END

  CHOICE @bartender.choice.goodbye
    GOTO farewell
  END

NODE rumors
  BARTENDER: @bartender.rumors
  ADD item old_coin
  NOTIFY @notification.found_coin

  CHOICE @bartender.choice.interesting
    GOTO greeting
  END

NODE after_drink
  BARTENDER: @bartender.after_drink
  GOTO greeting

NODE quest_update
  BARTENDER: @bartender.quest_info
  SET questStage odd_jobs talked_to_merchant
  NOTIFY @notification.quest_updated
  GOTO greeting

NODE farewell
  BARTENDER: @bartender.farewell
  END dialogue