Glossary: Plugin Data

Relationships Between Skyrim Modding Terms

TermDefinitionExampleContainsCan Be Contained In
RecordA 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, EntriesNone
FieldA category or property within a record, defining specific data about the record.EDID (Editor ID), LVLD (Chance None), LLCT (Count).SubrecordsRecords
SubrecordSmaller chunks of data inside a field, often a specific detail or flag.Flags under LVLF - Flags like Calculate from all levels <= player's level.NoneFields
EntryAn item or object listed within a leveled list or group.A single leveled list entry in Leveled List Entries (e.g., 1x LItemSoulGemRandom).ReferencesRecords (like Leveled Lists)
ReferenceAn 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.NoneEntries, Records

Relationships Summary

  1. Records: The “parent” of all data. Contains fields, subrecords, and entries (if relevant). Cannot be contained in anything else.
  2. Fields: Always part of a record and can contain subrecords. Fields do not exist outside records.
  3. Subrecords: Exist only inside fields. They represent granular details within a field.
  4. Entries: Found inside specific record types like leveled lists (e.g., LVLI). They point to other records or objects.
  5. 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.

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