Advanced Card Creation Guide

This guide provides in-depth techniques for creating detailed and compelling character cards.

Core Principles of Card Creation

1. Be Clear and Concise

Clarity means defining your character's attributes directly. Instead of writing a long paragraph, use a structured format. This helps the AI understand the character's core traits more effectively.

Recommended Format:

{{char}}:
Age: 18
Gender: Female
Occupation: High school student
Likes: Anime, manga, video games
{{user}}:
Gender: Male
Relationship with {{char}}: Classmate, close friend

// Explanation:
// {{char}} defines the AI character.
// {{user}} defines the user's role in the story.

Use a Consistent Structure. Adopt a clear, hierarchical format. For example, use headings for major sections and bullet points for attributes. A well-organized card is easier for both humans and the AI to interpret.

Conciseness means conveying essential information efficiently. Focus on the most important details that define your character's theme and purpose. Avoid redundancy and overly descriptive language that doesn't add value.

• Avoid Repetitive Content: For instance, "Realistic dialogue" and "Simulates realistic character conversations" are redundant. Choose one.
• Avoid Excessive Modifiers: Instead of "She has a pair of delicate, snow-white hands, soft and pale like porcelain," simply write "She has delicate, pale hands."

2. Start Simple and Refine Iteratively

Don't worry about creating the perfect character card on your first attempt. Start with the most important keywords that come to mind (e.g., gender, age, personality).

Then, begin chatting with your character. As you interact, you may discover new ideas. For example, you might decide you want the character to have a specific accent. You can then edit the card, add a trait like "Language: Speaks with a subtle Southern drawl," and start a new chat to see the change in effect. High-quality cards are built through continuous testing and refinement.

3. Define Vague Concepts

The AI needs clear instructions. Ambiguous terms can be misinterpreted. If you use a vague concept, define it.

For example, instead of just stating a character has a "mysterious aura," define what that means in practice: Aura: Mysterious (Speaks in a quiet, measured tone; avoids answering direct questions about their past; often deflects with a question of their own.)

Similarly, when describing actions, be specific. Instead of "He's an experienced driver who likes to explore," you could write, "He's a driver with over a decade of experience who enjoys finding unmapped back roads."

4. Avoid Redundant Instructions

Some instructions are already part of the system's default behavior, so adding them to your card is unnecessary and can sometimes be counterproductive.

• Instructions like "You must not break character" or "This is a fictional scenario" are generally not needed. The AI is already designed to follow the character card and operate within a fictional context.
• Instructions like "Do not be repetitive" are often ineffective. If the AI becomes repetitive, it usually signals a conflict in the character's core instructions. The best solution is to find and resolve that conflict rather than adding a command to avoid repetition.
• Instructions not to control the user (e.g., "Do not describe {{user}}'s actions or feelings") are also typically unnecessary. The system default is to avoid this. If it happens, it may be due to other issues in the card's definition or dialogue examples.

Focus on building a strong, coherent character definition. This is more effective than adding layers of redundant commands.

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Example Card Structures

Here are some sanitized examples demonstrating how to structure a card.

General Reference Card

This shows a standard layout for a character.

AI Character Name:
Alex

User Character Name:
(Optional)

Character Definition:
{{char}}:
Gender: Male
Age: 24
Height: 180cm
Hair: Black
Occupation: Detective
Personality: [Logical, Observant, Reserved, Patient]
Skills: [Criminology, Hand-to-hand combat, Lockpicking]
Habits: [Drinks black coffee, Taps fingers when thinking]

Reply Style:
- Use asterisks (*) for non-verbal actions.
- Use quotation marks ("") for dialogue.

Example Dialogue:
{{user}}: "Did you find any clues at the crime scene?"
{{char}}: *He slowly swirls the coffee in his cup, his eyes distant.* "A few. The culprit was careful, but everyone makes mistakes. It's just a matter of finding it."

Opening Scene:
The smell of rain and old paper hangs in the air of Alex's small, cluttered office. He sits at his desk, a single lamp cutting through the gloom, staring at a corkboard covered in maps, photos, and newspaper clippings from his latest case.

First Message:
"Come in," Alex says without turning around, his voice low. "Don't just stand there in the doorway. State your business."

Status Bar Example:
[Mood: Focused]
[Case Progress: 35%]

Complex Scenario Card

This example shows how to set up a more detailed scenario involving multiple characters and a specific situation.

(a) Character Definitions
{{char}}:
Name: Elena
Age: 26
Gender: Female
Role: Royal Advisor
Relationships:
- King Theron: Her King, whom she serves with loyalty.
- {{user}}: A foreign envoy visiting the court.
Personality: [Intelligent, Diplomatic, Cautious, Insightful]
Appearance: Wears elegant but practical court attire. Features are sharp and observant.
Situation:
- King Theron is considering a treaty proposed by {{user}}'s nation.
- Elena is tasked with advising the King, skeptical of the treaty's terms.
Behavioral Guidelines:
- Maintain a formal and respectful tone.
- Analyze situations logically.
- Avoid revealing personal feelings or kingdom secrets.

{{user}}:
Age: (User's choice)
Gender: (User's choice)
Role: Foreign Envoy
Responsibility: Persuade King Theron to sign a crucial treaty.

King Theron:
Role: Ruler of the Kingdom
Situation: Must decide whether the treaty will benefit or endanger his people.

(b) Narrative Rules
- The story will be told from a third-person perspective.
- The AI will not describe the actions or thoughts of {{user}}.

(c) Example Opening
The grand hall is silent except for the crackling of the hearth. Sunshine streams through the high arched windows, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air. King Theron sits on his throne, his brow furrowed in thought as he pores over the treaty documents. At his side stands Elena, her expression unreadable. She has read the treaty three times and has identified several clauses of concern.

First Message:
Elena turns her gaze to you as you enter the hall. "Envoy," she says, her voice clear and steady. "The King will see you now. He has... questions."

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Crafting Longer AI Responses

If you want the AI to provide more detailed and comprehensive responses, you need to give it more material to work with.

1. Choose the Right Response Mode:

• Light Chat: Best for simple, first-person dialogue. Not ideal for long, descriptive replies.
• Role-Playing: Uses a third-person perspective and is better for descriptive storytelling.
• Omniscient View: The most flexible mode. It has no formatting restrictions and is perfect for creating detailed narratives, allowing AI to act as a storyteller who can describe environments, multiple characters, and internal thoughts.

2. Provide Detailed Examples: Write your Dialogue Examples and First Message with the length and detail you want the AI to emulate. The AI learns from your examples. If you provide short, simple examples, it will likely respond in kind.

3. Give Specific Instructions: In the character definition, add rules for the response structure. Example: Response Rules: - Each response must include at least one line of dialogue. - Describe the current environment and \{\{char\}\}'s physical actions. - Include a sentence about \{\{char\}\}'s internal thoughts or feelings.

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Defining Character Boundaries

You can set firm rules for a character's behavior, personality, and boundaries.

Example: Defining a Pacifist Character

Core Rules:
Description: The character, "Kael," is a strict pacifist and will act according to the following principles.

Rule of Non-Violence:
- Condition: If faced with physical conflict or aggression.
- Result: Kael will never initiate violence. He will always attempt to de-escalate the situation verbally, find a non-violent solution, or flee if necessary. He will refuse to carry or use weapons, even in self-defense.

Rule of Empathy:
- Condition: When interacting with another character, friendly or hostile.
- Result: Kael will make a genuine effort to understand their perspective and motivations. He will not insult or belittle others, even if he disagrees with them.

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Advanced Techniques

Using {{char}} as a Narrator or Game Master

You can assign {{char}} to a non-character role like a "Narrator" or "RPG System." This is useful for stories where you want the AI to manage the world, NPCs, and plot progression.

When using {{char}} as a single character, set the "AI Character Name" to their name (e.g., "Alex").

When using {{char}} as a narrator, set the "AI Character Name" to "Narrator," "Storyteller," etc.

Example: RPG System

{{char}} is the RPG System

System Settings:
Role: RPG System & Narrator
Responsibilities:
- Creatively advance the plot based on user actions.
- Embody all Non-Player Characters (NPCs) from a third-person perspective.
- Each NPC has a unique name, personality, and way of speaking.
- Describe the environment, character actions, and sensory details.
- At the end of each reply, provide the user with 2-3 clear options for their next action.
- Track key stats like inventory and character health in a Status Bar.

Using the Status Bar as a "Monitor"

The Status Bar is a powerful tool that can act as a "monitor" for tracking dynamic information. The AI will update it based on plot developments. This is useful for displaying game stats, character moods, relationship levels, or environmental conditions.

Example Status Bar Setup:

Status Bar Template:
[Location: <location>] [Time: <time>]
[Health: <current/max>] [Mood: <mood>]
[Objective: <current objective>]

Initial Status Bar:
[Location: The Whispering Woods] [Time: Day 1, Morning]
[Health: 100/100] [Mood: Cautious]
[Objective: Find the Sunstone]

By leveraging these advanced techniques, you can create complex, interactive, and dynamic experiences.

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Troubleshooting in Speed Mode

Analysis of Repetitive Chat

Problem: In "Speed Mode," the AI may sometimes get stuck in a repetitive loop. This issue rarely occurs in other modes.

Cause: Repetition in Speed Mode usually indicates a logical conflict in the character's settings. The simpler AI model in this mode has difficulty resolving ambiguity or contradictions. It can be triggered by short, non-descriptive user replies like "Continue," "Oh?", or "What happens next?" which don't provide new information for the AI to work with.

Solution for Creators: Add clarifying traits to your character's definition to resolve potential deadlocks.

• Original Setting: "Character is very shy and will not talk to strangers."
• Problem: The user tries to talk to them, and the AI can only reply, "I'm too shy to talk."
• Solution: "Character is very shy and will not talk to strangers, but they cannot ignore someone who appears to be in distress." This gives the AI a new path forward if the user's character is hurt or lost.

Token Limit in Speed Mode

"Speed Mode" does not have a hard token limit, but its performance is highly dependent on the logical clarity of your card. It processes information more directly.

Think of it this way:

• Difficult for Speed Mode: Using negation and elimination. "I want to eat something, but not Italian, not Mexican, and not something spicy." This requires a lot of deduction.
• Easier for Speed Mode: Using direct, positive descriptions. "I want to eat something savory and light, maybe a soup with fish and vegetables."

When creating cards, especially for Speed Mode, use clear, direct, and affirmative descriptions. This helps the AI deliver more accurate and consistent responses.