new-npc

name	new-npc
description	Create a new NPC with character scene, Dialogic character, timeline, sprite art, and room integration

NPC Creation

Create a complete NPC with all required components. Argument: NPC name and brief description.

Steps

1. Generate NPC sprite using the art-gen skill:

   • Idle animation (minimum 2 frames)
   • Talk animation (minimum 2 frames)
   • Size: 24x32 or 32x32 per frame
   • Must use the shared palette

2. Create the character scene at game/scenes/characters/<npc_name>.tscn:

   • Root: CharacterBody2D (or StaticBody2D for non-moving NPCs)
   • AnimatedSprite2D with idle and talk animations
   • CollisionShape2D for interaction area
   • Attach script from step 3

3. Create the NPC script at game/scripts/rooms/<npc_name>.gd (or a shared NPC script):

   • class_name declaration
   • hotspot_name export var for StatusBar display
   • Handle Talk verb: start Dialogic timeline
   • Handle Look verb: show description text
   • Manage animation states (idle <-> talk)

4. Create Dialogic character at game/dialogic/characters/<npc_name>.dch:

   • Display name
   • Color for dialogue text
   • Portrait/sprite reference

5. Create Dialogic timeline at game/dialogic/timelines/<npc_name>_intro.dtl:

   • Initial greeting dialogue
   • At least one branching choice
   • Use custom events where appropriate (stat checks, class gates, items)

6. Add NPC to room:

   • Instance the character scene under the room's NPCs node
   • Position the NPC in the room
   • Connect interaction signals

7. Verify:

   make sprites  # Export NPC sprite
   make run      # Launch and talk to the NPC
   

NPC Checklist

• Sprite generated with idle + talk animations
• Character scene with AnimatedSprite2D and collision
• NPC script with Talk and Look handlers
• Dialogic character file (.dch)
• At least one Dialogic timeline (.dtl)
• Placed in a room scene
• Interaction signals connected