Relationships Between Skyrim Modding Terms
Term | Definition | Example | Contains | Can Be Contained In |
---|---|---|---|---|
Record | A self-contained unit of data in a plugin (.esp/.esm). Represents an object, item, spell, etc. | LVLI (Leveled Item), NPC_ (NPC), or BOOK (Books). Example: LootForswornPotions10 . | Fields, Subrecords, Entries | None |
Field | A category or property within a record, defining specific data about the record. | EDID (Editor ID), LVLD (Chance None), LLCT (Count). | Subrecords | Records |
Subrecord | Smaller chunks of data inside a field, often a specific detail or flag. | Flags under LVLF - Flags like Calculate from all levels <= player's level . | None | Fields |
Entry | An item or object listed within a leveled list or group. | A single leveled list entry in Leveled List Entries (e.g., 1x LItemSoulGemRandom ). | References | Records (like Leveled Lists) |
Reference | An instance of a record placed in the game world (used in cells, locations, or scripts). | A specific potion from LootForswornPotions10 placed in a dungeon or used by an NPC. | None | Entries, Records |
Relationships Summary
- Records: The “parent” of all data. Contains fields, subrecords, and entries (if relevant). Cannot be contained in anything else.
- Fields: Always part of a record and can contain subrecords. Fields do not exist outside records.
- Subrecords: Exist only inside fields. They represent granular details within a field.
- Entries: Found inside specific record types like leveled lists (e.g.,
LVLI
). They point to other records or objects. - References: The “child” of records. Appear in the game world as instances of a record but cannot contain anything themselves.
Examples
Leveled Item Record (LVLI
)
- Record:
LootForswornPotions10
(a leveled item list for potions). - Fields:
EDID
=LootForswornPotions10
(Editor ID).LLCT
=3
(Count of items in the list).LVLD
=80
(Chance None is 80%).
- Subrecord: Inside
LVLF - Flags
, you see “Calculate for each item in count.” - Entry: A potion listed in the
Leveled List Entries
. - Reference: A Forsworn enemy in-game uses this leveled list to spawn a random potion.