game-data-files

name	game_data_files
description	Guide to understanding and modifying GnollHack game data files including level descriptions (.des), dungeon definitions, text databases, and the data compilation pipeline from source text to nhdat archive.

Game Data Files

Critical Rules

• Never edit .lev files directly. Edit .des files and compile them with levcomp.
• Never edit nhdat directly. It is an archive generated by dlb.

Data Pipeline

1. Edit source files in dat/ (e.g., *.des, dungeon.pdf, data.base).
2. Run makedefs for text databases.
3. Run levcomp to compile .des into .lev.
4. Run dgncomp to compile dungeon.pdf into dungeon.
5. Run dlb to package everything into nhdat.

Level Files (.des)

• Syntax defines dungeon layouts, rooms, corridors, monsters, and objects.
• Uses a custom scripting language parsed by levcomp.
• MAZE syntax defines strict grid layouts.
• ROOM syntax defines procedurally generated rooms.

Text Databases

• data.base: Monster and object descriptions.
• rumors.tru / rumors.fal: Fortune cookie text.
• oracles.txt: Oracle responses.
• engrave.txt: Random engravings found on the floor.