Glossary: Plugin Data

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

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.

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.