Script Structure Overview

Gothic scripts are divided into two main directories: Content (game content) and System (engine systems). Each has its own set of .src files — special compilation files that define the loading order of scripts.

.src Files — Compilation

.src files are lists of .d (Daedalus) files in the order they should be compiled. The Gothic engine reads them from top to bottom:

File	Directory	Description
`Gothic.src`	`Content/`	Main game content compilation (NPCs, items, dialogs, quests)
`Fight.src`	`Content/`	Fight tactics (FAI) compilation
`Camera.src`	`System/`	Camera settings
`Menu.src`	`System/`	Game menu definitions
`Music.src`	`System/`	Music instances
`ParticleFX.src`	`System/`	Particle effects
`SFX.src`	`System/`	Sound effects
`VisualFX.src`	`System/`	Visual effects (spells, auras)

danger

The order of entries in Gothic.src is critical! If you reference an instance (e.g., an item in an NPC), it must be defined earlier in the .src file.

Content — Game Content

The Content/ directory contains everything that defines the game world: characters, items, dialogs, AI, magic, and quests. It is compiled by Gothic.src and Fight.src.

Content/
├── Gothic.src              ← main compilation file
├── Fight.src               ← fight tactics compilation
│
├── _intern/                ← engine classes and constants
├── AI/                     ← artificial intelligence
├── Items/                  ← items
├── FAI/                    ← fight tactics
├── Story/                  ← story, NPCs, dialogs
├── Cutscene/               ← cutscenes
└── Spine/                  ← Spine platform integration

`_intern/` — Engine Classes and Constants

Contains engine class declarations and global constants. This is the foundation upon which all other scripts are built.

File	Description
`Classes.d`	Engine classes: `C_NPC`, `C_Item`, `C_INFO`, `C_Mission` and others
`Constants.d`	Global constants, mission state variables, story variables
`Fight.d`	Combat system constants

info

Files in _intern/ are always at the beginning of Gothic.src — they define the data types used by the rest of the scripts.

`AI/` — Artificial Intelligence

Controls the behavior of characters and monsters. Divided into separate subsystems:

AI/
├── AI_Intern/          ← AI core
│   ├── AI_Constants.d      ← AI constants (distances, priorities)
│   ├── Externals.d         ← engine function declarations
│   ├── Perception.d        ← reactions to surroundings
│   ├── Focus.d             ← focus settings (what NPCs pay attention to)
│   ├── Species.d           ← species definitions
│   └── BodyStates.d        ← body states (sitting, lying, fighting)
│
├── Human/              ← human behavior
│   ├── B_Human/            ← behavior functions (B_ = Behavior)
│   ├── C_Human/            ← condition functions (C_ = Condition)
│   ├── TA_Human/           ← daily routines (TA = Tagesablauf)
│   └── ZS_Human/           ← state machines (ZS = Zustandsautomat)
│
├── Monster/            ← monster behavior
│   ├── B_Monster/          ← monster behaviors
│   ├── C_Monster/          ← monster conditions
│   ├── RTN_Monster/        ← monster daily routines
│   └── ZS_Monster/         ← monster state machines
│
├── Magic/              ← magic system
│   ├── Spells/             ← spell definitions
│   └── ZS_Magic/           ← spellcasting states
│
└── Test_Skripts/       ← test/debug scripts

Naming conventions in AI:

B_ (Behavior) — functions that perform actions, e.g., B_Attack, B_Flee
C_ (Condition) — functions that check conditions, e.g., C_CanSeeNpc
TA_ (Tagesablauf) — NPC daily routines
ZS_ (Zustandsautomat) — AI state machines (idle, combat, flee states, etc.)

`Items/` — Items

All item definitions in the game. Files grouped by type:

File	Description
`IT_Melee_Weapons.d`	Melee weapons (swords, axes)
`IT_Ranged_Weapons.d`	Ranged weapons (bows, crossbows)
`IT_Armor.d`	Armor
`IT_Food.d`	Food
`IT_Potions.d`	Potions
`IT_Plants.d`	Plants (alchemical ingredients)
`IT_Runen.d`	Magic runes
`IT_Scrolls.d`	Spell scrolls
`IT_Ringe.d`	Rings
`IT_Amulette.d`	Amulets
`IT_Keys.d`	Keys
`IT_Misc.d`	Miscellaneous items (gold, torches)
`IT_Written.d`	Documents, letters, books
`MissionItems_*.d`	Mission items (per chapter)

`FAI/` — Fight Tactics

Fight AI definitions for different enemy types:

File	Description
`FAI_Human_Normal.d`	Standard human tactic
`FAI_Human_Strong.d`	Strong opponent
`FAI_Human_Master.d`	Combat master
`FAI_Human_Coward.d`	Coward (flees at low HP)
`FAI_Wolf.d`	Wolf
`FAI_Orc.d`	Orc
`FAI_Dragon.d`	Dragon
`FAI_Troll.d`	Troll
`FAI_Demon.d`	Demon

tip

Fight tactics are assigned to NPCs through the fight_tactic field in the C_NPC instance.

`Story/` — Story

The largest and most important directory. Contains NPCs, dialogs, quests, events, and all story-related scripts:

Story/
├── Startup.d                   ← World startup functions (NPC spawning)
├── Story_Globals.d             ← Global story variables
├── NPC_Globals.d               ← Global NPC variables
├── SVM.d                       ← Standard Voice Messages (NPC shouts)
├── Text.d                      ← Text constants
├── XP_Constants.d              ← Experience constants
│
├── NPC/                    ← NPC definitions (C_NPC instances)
│   ├── PC_Hero.d               ← Player character
│   ├── VLK_*.d                 ← Citizens
│   ├── MIL_*.d                 ← Militia
│   ├── PAL_*.d                 ← Paladins
│   ├── SLD_*.d                 ← Mercenaries
│   ├── BAU_*.d                 ← Farmers
│   ├── BDT_*.d                 ← Bandits
│   ├── KDF_*.d                 ← Fire mages
│   ├── KDW_*.d                 ← Water mages
│   ├── PIR_*.d                 ← Pirates
│   ├── NOV_*.d                 ← Novices
│   ├── DJG_*.d                 ← Dragon hunters
│   └── Monster/                ← Monster definitions
│
├── NPC_Scripts/            ← NPC helper functions
│   ├── NPC_Default.d           ← Npc_Default prototype
│   ├── B_SetNpcVisual.d        ← Setting appearance
│   ├── B_GiveNpcTalents.d      ← Assigning talents
│   └── B_SetFightSkills.d      ← Setting fight skills
│
├── Dialoge/                ← Dialogs (~1200+ files)
│   ├── DIA_VLK_*.d             ← Citizen dialogs
│   ├── DIA_MIL_*.d             ← Militia dialogs
│   ├── DIA_BAU_*.d             ← Farmer dialogs
│   └── ...                     ← (one file per NPC)
│
├── B_Story/                ← Story functions
│   ├── B_GivePlayerXP.d        ← Giving experience
│   ├── B_LogEntry.d            ← Quest log entry
│   ├── B_Enter_NewWorld.d      ← Entering new world
│   └── B_Kapitelwechsel.d      ← Chapter change
│
├── B_GiveTradeInv/         ← Merchant inventories
│   ├── B_GiveTradeInv.d        ← Main function
│   └── B_GiveTradeInv_*.d      ← Per merchant
│
├── B_Content/              ← Content helper functions
├── B_AssignAmbientInfos/   ← Ambient dialogs
│
├── Dialog_Mobsis/          ← Interactive object dialogs
│   ├── SmithWeapon.d           ← Smithing
│   ├── Potion_Alchemy.d        ← Alchemy
│   ├── cook_s1.d               ← Cooking
│   └── SleepABit.d             ← Sleeping in a bed
│
├── Events/                 ← Story events
│   └── EVT_*.d                 ← Event scripts (battles, cutscenes)
│
├── G_Functions/            ← Global game functions
│   ├── G_PickLock.d            ← Lock picking
│   └── G_CanSteal.d            ← Stealing
│
└── Log_Entries/            ← Quest log
    └── LOG_Constants_*.d       ← Quest log topic constants

NPC naming conventions (prefixes):

Prefix	Guild
`PC_`	Player Character
`VLK_`	Citizen (Volk)
`MIL_`	Militia (Miliz)
`PAL_`	Paladin
`SLD_`	Mercenary (Söldner)
`BAU_`	Farmer (Bauer)
`BDT_`	Bandit
`KDF_`	Fire Mage (Kreisfeuer)
`KDW_`	Water Mage (Kreiswasser)
`PIR_`	Pirate
`NOV_`	Novice (Novize)
`DJG_`	Dragon Hunter (Drachenjäger)

System — Engine Systems

The System/ directory contains engine system definitions: menus, camera, music, sound effects, and visual effects. Each subsystem has its own .src file.

System/
├── Camera.src          ← camera compilation
├── Menu.src            ← menu compilation
├── Music.src           ← music compilation
├── ParticleFX.src      ← particle effects compilation
├── SFX.src             ← sound effects compilation
├── VisualFX.src        ← visual effects compilation
│
├── _intern/            ← system class declarations
├── Camera/             ← camera settings
├── Menu/               ← menu definitions
├── Music/              ← music instances
├── PFX/                ← particle effects
├── SFX/                ← sound effects
└── VisualFX/           ← visual effects

`_intern/` — System Classes

Engine class declarations for individual systems. Analogous to Content/_intern/, but for subsystems:

File	Description
`Camera.d`	`C_CamSys` class — camera parameters
`Menu.d`	`C_Menu`, `C_MenuItem` classes — menu definitions
`Music.d`	`C_MusicTheme` class — music themes
`ParticleFX.d`	`C_ParticleFX` class — particle effects
`SFX.d`	`C_SFX` class — sound effects
`VisualFX.d`	`C_VisualFX` class — visual effects

`Camera/` — Camera

Camera instances used in the game:

File	Description
`CamInst.d`	Camera definitions: standard, dialog, combat, cutscene

`Menu/` — Game Menus

Definitions for all menu screens:

File	Description
`Menu_Main.d`	Main menu
`Menu_Status.d`	Character screen (stats, equipment)
`Menu_Log.d`	Quest log
`Menu_Opt.d`	Game options
`Menu_Opt_Graphics.d`	Graphics options
`Menu_Opt_Audio.d`	Audio options
`Menu_Opt_Controls.d`	Control options
`Menu_Savegame.d`	Save/load game
`Menu_Defines.d`	Shared constants and definitions

`Music/` — Music

File	Description
`MusicInst.d`	Music theme instances (exploration, combat, threat per location)

`PFX/` — Particle Effects

File	Description
`PfxInst.d`	General effects (fire, smoke, sparks)
`PfxInstEngine.d`	Engine effects
`PfxInstMagic.d`	Magic effects (spells, runes)

`SFX/` — Sound Effects

File	Description
`SfxInst.d`	Ambient, interface, and object sounds
`SfxInstSpeech.d`	Speech sounds (dialog system configuration)

`VisualFX/` — Visual Effects

File	Description
`VisualFxInst.d`	Spell visual effects, auras, buffs

Summary

Area	Directory	Compilation	Description
Engine classes	`Content/_intern/`	`Gothic.src`	Foundations — C_NPC, C_Item, C_INFO classes...
AI	`Content/AI/`	`Gothic.src`	Behaviors, perception, AI states
Items	`Content/Items/`	`Gothic.src`	Weapons, armor, potions, food
Fight tactics	`Content/FAI/`	`Fight.src`	Fight tactics per enemy type
Story	`Content/Story/`	`Gothic.src`	NPCs, dialogs, quests, events
Camera	`System/Camera/`	`Camera.src`	Camera modes
Menus	`System/Menu/`	`Menu.src`	Game menu screens
Music	`System/Music/`	`Music.src`	Music themes
Particles	`System/PFX/`	`ParticleFX.src`	Particle effects
Sound	`System/SFX/`	`SFX.src`	Sound effects
Visual FX	`System/VisualFX/`	`VisualFX.src`	Spell and aura effects

.src Files — Compilation​

Content — Game Content​

_intern/ — Engine Classes and Constants​

AI/ — Artificial Intelligence​

Items/ — Items​

FAI/ — Fight Tactics​

Story/ — Story​

System — Engine Systems​

_intern/ — System Classes​

Camera/ — Camera​

Menu/ — Game Menus​

Music/ — Music​

PFX/ — Particle Effects​

SFX/ — Sound Effects​

VisualFX/ — Visual Effects​

Summary​