[Question] Monster environments for generating random encounters

[jurex]

Hi guys, I'm the author of Encounter+ iOS app, which has compatible data format generated from this repository. I would like to implement a random encounter generator similar to Kobold Club, where users can specify monster type based on certain parameters. I think it would be useful to use monsters environments, but it seems that data is missing. How hard it would be to include this in current monster compendiums? Or is it possible to determine environment based on monster type?

Thanks!

[ceryliae]

Hi,

I don't see why an tag couldn't be added. I think the apps will just ignore the tag if they aren't programmed to use it.

In regards to the difficulty, it wouldn't be particularly difficult, just time consuming.

[NeilMartin]

Before adding environment tags to the monster's, please consider source material. For example, the DMG might state that trolls live in the mountains. Future source material could add that trolls live in troll cities. Additionally, homebrew source material could add that trolls live in cyberspace.

So adding environment tags directly to monster's does not make sense as it will be difficult to filter on source material, unless you add source information.

... Forest, Mountains, Desert Troll City Cyberspace

I'd prefer completely separate environment files, much like MM Bestiary.xml and Volos Bestiary.xml we could have an Environment folder with DMG Environment.xml

Troll, Goat, ...

and homebrew environment.xml...

Troll, Goat, ...

That way an app can let the user decide which source materials are displayed.

On 18 November 2016 at 07:43, ceryliae [email protected] wrote:

Hi,

I don't see why an tag couldn't be added. I think the apps will just ignore the tag if they aren't programmed to use it.

In regards to the difficulty, it wouldn't be particularly difficult, just time consuming.

— You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub https://github.com/ceryliae/DnDAppFiles/issues/240#issuecomment-261563093, or mute the thread https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABDJrvnk2xjGVWatEHYvH7_nvqrMXC5Eks5q_ceMgaJpZM4K0li2 .

neil_martin_vanpubs http://www.vanpubs.com

[ceryliae]

In the back of Volo's Guide it has environments for all the different monsters. Wizards also put a PDF out for the monster manual which does the same thing. I think if we go off of that, we should be okay. On Fri, Nov 18, 2016 at 1:23 PM NeilMartin [email protected] wrote:

Before adding environment tags to the monster's, please consider source material. For example, the DMG might state that trolls live in the mountains. Future source material could add that trolls live in troll cities. Additionally, homebrew source material could add that trolls live in cyberspace.

So adding environment tags directly to monster's does not make sense as it will be difficult to filter on source material, unless you add source information.

... Forest, Mountains, Desert Troll City Cyberspace

I'd prefer completely separate environment files, much like MM Bestiary.xml and Volos Bestiary.xml we could have an Environment folder with DMG Environment.xml

Troll, Goat, ...

and homebrew environment.xml...

Troll, Goat, ...

That way an app can let the user decide which source materials are displayed.

On 18 November 2016 at 07:43, ceryliae [email protected] wrote:

Hi,

I don't see why an tag couldn't be added. I think the apps will just ignore the tag if they aren't programmed to use it.

In regards to the difficulty, it wouldn't be particularly difficult, just time consuming.

— You are receiving this because you are subscribed to this thread. Reply to this email directly, view it on GitHub < https://github.com/ceryliae/DnDAppFiles/issues/240#issuecomment-261563093 , or mute the thread < https://github.com/notifications/unsubscribe-auth/ABDJrvnk2xjGVWatEHYvH7_nvqrMXC5Eks5q_ceMgaJpZM4K0li2

.

neil_martin_vanpubs http://www.vanpubs.com

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[jurex]

hey guys, I have compiled a list of monsters along with their environments in this file: Environments.json.zip

Im using it in my app when environments tag is missing in creature stats. However its not ideal solution, and it would be best if I can get this directly from xml creature stats. I really like what @NeilMartin suggested.

[ceryliae]

Support for environments was just added to the lions den app, so this has become a high priority now

[mustafaturksavas]

@ceryliae I was just going to ask about this, since I just imported all the data, but couldn't list the creatures by environment. Should we expect environment data soon?

[DnDPaladin]

neil: the problem you bring isn't one per say. in any case just a CVS would solve that problem, as XML is just that, a bunch of text that we use in different programs. for my part i simply check to see if text.contains("whatever") = true in the text that the XML gives me and that alone solves the problem. after that all that is required is to simply add the next book or sources to the combo box or the checkbox. and thats it. in any cases this isn't something very very hard to implement, the only thing that is hard to do as mentionned, is to reread all source material and actually find the said lists which by books aren't all that exaustive because basically its up to every DM to think what he wants. including where he wants the creature to be seen. those lists are just exemples to begin with.