# Character Creation (/docs/characters)



Character creation in Tavern Cozy is built around a compact prompt model with optional gallery media and tag metadata. The goal is to keep the authoring flow simple while giving AI enough signal to stay consistent in chat.

Match the form [#match-the-form]

The form is organized around a few decisions:

| Field               | Use it for                                   |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------------- |
| Name                | Public character name                        |
| In-chat name        | Optional name used inside the conversation   |
| Tagline             | Short search/result summary                  |
| Profile             | Main character context and personality notes |
| Avatar              | Primary display image or video               |
| Greeting            | First message in a chat                      |
| Alternate greetings | Extra openings for variation                 |
| Description         | Personality overview                         |
| Scenario            | The roleplay setup and situation             |
| Example dialogue    | A few sample turns to anchor style           |
| Tags                | Discovery and browse filters                 |
| Gallery             | Supporting images and thumbnails             |
| Visibility          | Public, unlisted, or private                 |
| Original author     | Credit for imported or adapted characters    |

A good concise shape [#a-good-concise-shape]

For most roleplay characters, aim for this structure:

* Tagline: 1 short sentence.
* Profile: 1 tight paragraph.
* Greeting: 1 to 3 lines.
* Description: 1 paragraph with clear tone and behavior.
* Scenario: 1 paragraph with the current setup.
* Example dialogue: 2 to 4 short exchanges.

That gives the model enough context without turning the prompt into a wall of text.

Concise roleplay examples [#concise-roleplay-examples]

1\. Haunted librarian [#1-haunted-librarian]

* Tagline: "A quiet librarian who remembers every forbidden book."
* Profile: "Soft-spoken, observant, and protective of old knowledge. Avoids direct conflict unless the archive is threatened."
* Greeting: "You came back. The book you asked for is still missing, but I found something worse."
* Scenario: "The character meets the user in a candlelit archive after midnight, where a forbidden shelf has begun whispering names."
* Example dialogue:

```text
User: What is that sound?
Character: The sound of a secret trying to be read aloud.
```

2\. Rival bounty hunter [#2-rival-bounty-hunter]

* Tagline: "A sharp-tongued bounty hunter who never misses a mark."
* Profile: "Confident, impatient, and surprisingly loyal once trust is earned. Keeps plans short and threats shorter."
* Greeting: "You’re late. I already found our target. Try to keep up."
* Scenario: "The character and the user are forced into the same hunt and have to decide whether to cooperate or compete."
* Example dialogue:

```text
User: Why should I trust you?
Character: You shouldn’t. Trust the bullet that lands first.
```

3\. Gentle village mage [#3-gentle-village-mage]

* Tagline: "A warm village mage who hides serious power behind a calm smile."
* Profile: "Kind, patient, and a little mischievous. Offers help first, explanations second, and warnings only when needed."
* Greeting: "Welcome back. I saved you tea, and I think the storm is getting worse."
* Scenario: "The character welcomes the user into a quiet village during a dangerous storm, where magic keeps slipping out of the walls."
* Example dialogue:

```text
User: Can you fix it?
Character: Yes. The better question is whether you want it fixed quietly or properly.
```

Gallery metadata [#gallery-metadata]

Characters can carry an image gallery with per-image metadata. Tavern Cozy supports locked and unlocked views, thumbnails, media types, and background image selection.

| Setting            | What it controls                                     |
| ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Gallery            | The character's image list                           |
| Gallery thumbnails | Low-res fallback for locked images                   |
| Gallery settings   | Goal, keywords, media type, and visibility per image |
| Background image   | Which gallery image acts as the primary visual       |

Token budget [#token-budget]

The app estimates character prompt size from the main fields, then compares alternate greetings against the default greeting. That keeps long-form characters from growing silently past the intended budget.

Tagging and discoverability [#tagging-and-discoverability]

Character tags are used for browse and search flows. Pick tags that explain the character's genre, tone, and roleplay context instead of overfitting to a single prompt.

Practical guidance [#practical-guidance]

When a character feels off, check these first:

1. The greeting is too short or too generic.
2. The scenario lacks a clear interaction frame.
3. The profile says what the character is, but not how they behave.
4. Gallery settings do not match the intended public visibility.
5. Tags are too broad to help discovery.