Dicepit:Editing Guide
The Goal
The goal for the Dicepit is to build up a store of setting information for the games we play. All our NPCs, locations, gear, special events, plotlines, etc.
Not a Encyclopedia
Dicepit is not an attempt to make an encypedia of gaming. We don't need to fill the Shadowrun page with details of the game, descriptions of the basic mechanics, etc.
Don't Replicate the Existing Books
We should attempt to track only what we add, clarify, or change from the existing setting materials. Only make a page for something if we need to add details a new player to the group would want or need to know.
General Wiki Layout
In order to keep things organized, we should set down some basic rules about how to use this wiki's features.
What Deserves a Page
A separate listing in the wiki should be created for each Player Character and important Non-Player Character, Location, Faction or Group, Adventure/Scenario, Teaser, Etc.
It's also a good idea to make a page for a Major Plot arc that in turn links to the various individual Scenarios and related pages.
Use Categories
It is important to apply the correct Categories to any page. You can find instructions on apply a category in the related help section.
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Designer's note: Adding common categories to a page is made easier with the use of Category Templates. |
You can see a list of existing categories for examples.
Game Categories
Each game system we play has it's own category. Every wiki topic should at least be categorized to the game system it applies to.
Content Categories
It's also important to categorize a wiki listing by what it is, such a Player character, location, etc. Content categories should always be plural as they are a group of similar things.
Here are some common content categories:
- Category:Factions
- Category:Locations
- Category:Non-Player Characters
- Category:Player Characters
- Category:Teasers
Plot Arc Categories
Plot arcs also get their own Categories. Each scenario and teaser related to that plot arc should be categorized within that plot arc.
Here are a few examples:
Spoilers & GM Info
Spoilers for a given topic should be placed in a Spoiler sub-page. A template makes doing so easier.
To create a spoiler notice in a topic, put {{Spoilers}} at the top of the page. The Spoiler link will go directly the the correct sub-page.
Names
Wiki pages are based on unique names. This can cause confusion if two pages get created for one npc because each uses a diffrent name. To help cut down on this it is important to have naming conventions.
Use Full Names
When making a new page, please do so using the full name of that character, location, organization, item, etc. Don't use nick names or abbreviation. Similarly, don't use titles or other add-ons.
Use Redirects
In situations where an article is likely to be refrenced under a collection of abbreviation, nicknames, aliases, or short hand names it's important to make a redirect from those other names to the real page.
- As an example: A page on
Charles Findleyshould get a forward forChuck Findley
You can find instructions on making redirects in the appropriate help section.
Duplicate Names
It's not uncommon for a name to get used in multiple games. Chuck Findley may be a former marine in Eclipse Phase and a detective in Feng Shui, and there are many variations on Mr. Johnson in Shadowrun. In most cases the best thing to do is to make different pages for each topic with parentheses and the variant type. For example, Chuck Findley (Shadowrun) and Chuck Findley (Eclipse Phase) would be separate pages. A Disambiguation page would then need to be created for plain Chuck Findley with links pointing towards the various different versions of Chuck Findley.
Same Character in Multiple Games
If a character, or more likely a location or organization, happens to appear in multiple games, not just a shared name but literally as the exact same thing, then a single page for that topic is all that is required. Different sub headings on that page would give details of that character's use in various games.
Player Characters
Player characters should be treated a little different. A page for PC should be created as a sub-page of the user account of their player. This allows the the Wiki to view those PC pages as belonging to that user/player and not as general shared content.
- Example: User:Brian/Ichiro_Kimura
Use Redirects
It is important to setup appropriate redirects for Player Characters, especially for those that commonly use nicknames.
- Example: Ichi redirects to User:Brian/Ichiro_Kimura
