I've decided to update the chargen apps I've written for CT to add the ability to save completed characters to a file and to add the ability to re-open the saved files for printing. I will also want to use these files in future apps, yet to be developed, so I want the file format to be universally useful. I've incorporated fields from the MT TAS Form 2, which has more stuff than the CT form. Based on the success of the human-readable .sec format, I've decided to do the same thing for character files.
Here's my proposed format, with sample data. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Here's my proposed format, with sample data. I'd appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Code:
CHARACTER FILE v1.0
The data in the character file (padded with spaces if necessary) is defined as:
Line 1:
1-16: Character Name
17-27: Noble Title
28: -
29: Strength
30: Dexterity
31: Endurance
32: Intelligence
33: Education
34: Social Standing
35: -
36-37: Age
38: -
39-40: Apparent Age
41: -
42-49: Character Creation Date (mm/dd/yy)
50-57: Character Modification Date (mm/dd/yy)
58-60: Counter ID (for use with Snapshot or Azhanti High Lightning)
61: -
62: Terms
63: -
64: Officer?
65: Academy Grad?
66: College Grad?
67: Honors Grad?
68: OTC?
69: Retired?
70: TAS Member?
71: Psionics Trained?
72-77: Retirement Pay
Line 2:
1-15: Career
16-35: Arm/Branch/Office/Department
36-46: Line (Merchants only)
47-72: Final Rank
73: -
74-75: Final Rank Number
76: -
77: Traveller Rank Number
Line 3 (Home World) and Line 4 (Discharge World):
1-20: Sector Name
21-40: Subsector Name
41-60: Name
61: Starport Code
62: Size Code
63: Atmosphere Code
64: Hydrographics Code
65: Population Code
66: Government Code
67: Law Level Code
68: -
69: Tech Level Code
Line 5:
1- 2: Number of unique Special Assignments (SANum)
If SANum > 0: Next SANum Lines:
1-30: <Special Assignment Name>-<Number of Occurrences>
Next Line:
1- 2: Number of unique Awards and Decorations (AwNum)
If AwNum > 0: Next AwNum Lines:
1-30: <Award Name>-<Number>
Next Line:
1- 2: Number of unique Skills (SkNum)
If SkNum > 0: Next SkNum Lines:
1-30: <Skill Name>-<Level>
Next Line:
1-10: Cash
Next Line:
1- 2: Number of unique Possessions (PoNum)
If PoNum > 0: Next PoNum Lines:
1-30: <Possession Name>-<Number>
Next Line:
1- 3: Number of Lines in Character Generation Log (LogNum)
Next LogNum Lines:
1-40: Character Generation Log Entry
....+....1....+....2....+....3....+....4....+....5....+....6....+....7....+....
Wolf Blitzer Knight -79858B-30-30-5/6/11 5/6/11 G12-3-10000000 0
Army Infantry Second Lieutenant - 1-1
Spinward Marches Regina Efate A646930-D
Spinward Marches Regina Regina A788899-C
2
OCS-1
Protected Forces Training-1
3
Combat Service Ribbon-2
Command Ribbon-5
MCUF-1
11
Administration-1
Advanced Combat Rifle-1
Assault Rifle-1
Automatic Pistol-1
Carbine-1
Gauss Rifle-1
Grav Vehicle-1
Revolver-1
Rifle-1
Vacc Suit-4
Zero-G Combat-1
10000
1
Automatic Pistol-1
96
Age=18
Strength=7
Dexterity=9
Endurance=8
Intelligence=3
Education=8
Social Standing=B
Noble Title=Knight
Term 0 Assignment 0
Marines enlistment attempt failed
Service=Army
Denied admission to Military Academy
Denied admission to College
Enlisted in Army
Term 1 Assignment 1
Arm= Infantry
Assigned to Basic Training
Rifle +1
Carbine +1
Assault Rifle +1
Advanced Combat Rifle +1
Gauss Rifle +1
Promoted to Private
Assigned to Advanced Training
Vacc Suit +1
Age=19
Term 1 Assignment 2
Assigned to active duty unit
Mission: Counter Insurgency
Awarded Combat Service Ribbon
Promoted to Lance Corporal
Age=20
Term 1 Assignment 3
Assigned to Protected Forces Training
Vacc Suit +1
Zero-G Combat +1
Age=21
Term 1 Assignment 4
Assigned to active duty unit
Mission: Garrison
Promoted to Corporal
Age=22
Reenlistment successful
Term 2 Assignment 1
Assigned to active duty unit
Mission: Garrison
Age=23
Term 2 Assignment 2
Assigned to active duty unit
Mission: Training
Promoted to Lance Sergeant
Vacc Suit +1
Age=24
Term 2 Assignment 3
Assigned to OCS
Grav Vehicle +1
Administration +1
Vacc Suit +1
Promoted to Second Lieutenant
Age=25
Term 2 Assignment 4
Assigned to active duty unit Command
Mission: Garrison
Awarded Command Ribbon
Age=26
Reenlistment successful
Term 3 Assignment 1
Assigned to active duty unit Command
Mission: Garrison
Awarded Command Ribbon
Age=27
Term 3 Assignment 2
Assigned to active duty unit Command
Mission: Counter Insurgency
Awarded Combat Service Ribbon
Awarded Command Ribbon
Awarded the MCUF
Age=28
Term 3 Assignment 3
Assigned to active duty unit Command
Mission: Garrison
Awarded Command Ribbon
Age=29
Term 3 Assignment 4
Assigned to active duty unit Command
Mission: Training
Awarded Command Ribbon
Revolver +1
Automatic Pistol +1
Age=30
Forced to muster out
Cash benefit: CR10000
Int +1
Int +1
Weapon: Automatic Pistol
), but they can also be constraining.
