Core Concepts

Basic Rules

1. Put a space after colons

2. Don't put a space before semicolons

3. Put descriptors in parentheses

4. Use commas between items in a list

Delimiter Guide

Orange text = optional fields.

Delimiter	Format Rule	Purpose	Example
[ and ]	Wrap entire PList; no line breaks between brackets and content	Contains all character information	[Name: John ... ]
:	Follow category name, space after	Separates category name from content	Name: John
;	End each category, no space before	Marks category end	Hobby: painting;
( and )	No spaces after opening or before closing, can nest	Adds/Reinforce contextual and descriptive details	tall(6'2"), nervous(childhood trauma(bullying))
,	Space after; between items	Separates list items or traits	Hobbies: reading, writing, art;
Capitalization	Optional for categories, just keep it consistent	Aids identification	Name:, Age:, Personality:

Descriptors

Descriptors in PLists are short, functional details that clarify traits, actions, or beliefs. They're written in parentheses right after the main term, adding precision and not prose.

How to Write Descriptors

Basic Rules

1. Use parentheses ( ) after each trait or action.

   • voice(low) → “voice” is the trait, “low” is the descriptor.

2. Keep them literal and short.

   • ✅ smile(flat, slow)

   • ❌ mouth(tight like a locked vault)

3. Separate multiple descriptors with commas.

   • stance(relaxed, open, ready)

4. Avoid repeating the trait in the descriptor.

   • ❌ obsessive(obsessive, very obsessed)

   • ✅ aggressive(blunt, forceful)

5. Make descriptors useful, not decorative.

   • 😐 build(beefy, muscular, strong)

   • ✅ build(burly, dense muscle, broad shoulders)

Formats

Format	Example
Trait + One Descriptor	hair(wavy)
Trait + Multiple Descriptors	eyes(green, wide, glassy)
Action + Object + Descriptors	studies(others, quiet, calculating, long pauses)
Abstract Concept + Descriptors	belief(love is dangerous, attachment weakens focus)

Types & Examples

Type	Example Descriptors
Appearance	sharp, elegant, crooked, scarred, angular
Behavior	evasive, obsessive, measured, restrained
Emotion	burning, buried, flickering, numb
Scent	smoke, jasmine, wet stone, rust
Speech	clipped, melodic, abrupt, monotonous
Sexual	dominant, withholding, curious, possessive
Relational	distant, overprotective, testing, manipulative

Breaking Down Complex Ideas

Think of it like summarizing the purpose or effect of a detail and not the full story.

Use this approach:

1. Distill the core idea

2. Cut unnecessary backstory

   1. Write a note to yourself to supplement any necessary details later during the writing of Example Dialogs.

3. Label the emotion or belief clearly

4. Split details across multiple fields if needed

1. Distill the Core Idea

Take long descriptions and turn them into compressed, behavior-based notes.

Prose

“Taylor always acted friendly in public, but privately avoided real connection. She kept people close only when it benefited her.”

PList

relationships(surface-level, self-serving, emotionally distant)

2. Summarize Time Without Writing a Timeline

Don’t explain what happened year by year. Just name the cause and effect.

Prose

“He started volunteering to make up for how aimless he felt after college.”

PList

volunteering(purpose-seeking, post-grad uncertainty)

Or:

motivation(avoidance of aimlessness, desire for direction)

3. Name the Emotion or Theme

If the idea is about beliefs or inner logic, give it a clear conceptual label.

Prose

“She believes success is only real if others recognize it. Without praise, she feels like a failure.”

PList

validation(external only, tied to achievement)

Or:

success(dependent on praise, internally hollow)

4. Split Big Ideas into Multiple Fields

If one line starts doing too much, divide it into backstory, philosophy, and psychology.

Example:

Prose

Jordan was homeschooled in a rigid, perfectionist household. In college, they finally felt free but struggled to balance structure and independence. They now over-plan everything and feel guilty when they rest.

PList

BACKSTORY: homeschooled(strict routine, high parental standards), college(first taste of freedom, overwhelmed by choice);
PHILOSOPHY: freedom requires discipline, rest must be earned;
PSYCHOLOGY: guilt tied to rest, comfort in control, avoids unstructured time;

Category Prompt Table

Use these for inspiration or just to get your brain juice flowing.

Category	Use Words Like…
Appearance	tall, hunched, scarred, clean, worn
Behavior	secretive, abrupt, consistent, obsessive
Emotion	anxious, numb, boiling, fleeting
Sensory	leather, sweat, dust, bleach
Speech	slow, cheerful, blunt, monotone
Sexual	repressed, confident, attentive, intense
Relational	testing, needy, isolating, guarded

Markdown & AliChat

Upon testing with various 7B Q6 locally hosted models, I've found a combination of Markdown & AliChat is a safe and comparable alternative to PList.

Markdown

• Easy updates

• Logical grouping

• Clear relationship mapping

AliChat

• Clear, structured details

• Consistent formatting

• Token efficiency

Markdown Basic Rules

• End each category with a line break (\n) instead of a semicolon (;)

• Use # headings to organize sections. They’re clearer and less likely to cause errors than square brackets ([])

Markdown Cheat Sheet

Source: https://www.datacamp.com/cheat-sheet/markdown-cheat-sheet-23

Markdown Templates

Character Definition

- Name: 
- Aliases: 
- Sex: 
- Gender: 
- Age: 
- Nationality: 
- Ethnicity: 
- Species: 
- Appearance: 
- Hair: 
- Eyes: 
- Facial Features: 
- Clothes: 
- Accent: 
- Speech: 
- Personality: 
- Dynamic With {{user}}: 
- Quirks/Habits: 
- Mannerisms: 
- Occupation: 
- Relationships: 
- Backstory: 
- Likes: 
- Dislikes:
- Hobbies: 
- Kinks: 
- Behavior During Sex: 
- Penis Description: 
- Balls Description: 
- Nipples Description: 
- Breasts Description: 
- Vagina Description: 
- Anus Description: 
- Other: 

Scenario

# World Info
- Era: time period(specific year/era, cultural context)
- Location: place name(region, country, specific details)
- Setting: genre(subgenre, tone), world type(hidden/open supernatural, technology level)
- Factions: group1(details), group2(details), group3(details)
- Conflicts: primary conflict(details), secondary conflicts(causes, effects)
- Society: structure(hierarchy, classes), customs(traditions, taboos)
# Lore
- Species: Supernatural/space aliens/incomprehensible horror/etc
- Abilities: primary powers(limitations, requirements), secondary abilities(specifics)
- Physiology: physical traits(details), biological needs(requirements)
- Weaknesses: fatal(specific conditions), non-fatal(limitations)
- Culture: traditions(practices), social structure(hierarchies)
- Rules: restrictions(consequences), requirements(enforcement)
- Stigma: social status(prejudices, limitations)
# Context
- History: key events(timeline, impact)
- Secrets: hidden elements(implications, who knows)