Characters modding

Modding characters involves changing their appearance, data and behaviour. This can vary from small tweaks like adding gold or piety, to complex changes like scripting new visual effects and more.

Changing appearance through scripts

Crusader Kings 3 uses a DNA system to define a character's appearance, which has changed from the one used in Crusader Kings 2. These changes allow for more specific and realistic appearances.

You can change a character's DNA through dna_modifiers. Create a file in gfx/portraits/portrait_modifiers with any filename and add this:

dna_change_example_modifier = {
    usage = game
    dna_change_example_modifier = {
        dna_modifiers = {
            accessory = {
                mode = add
                gene = headgear
                template = western_imperial
                value = 1.0
            }
            color = {
                mode = modify
                gene = hair_color
                x = 0.5
                y = -0.5
            }
        }
        weight = {
            base = 0
            modifier = {
                add = 100
                has_character_flag = dna_change_example_modifier
            }
        }
    }
}

This will add the western_imperial headgear and change the hair color of any character with the "dna_change_example_modifier" flag. You can add a flag to a character with the add_character_flag command, like this:

add_character_flag = {
    flag = dna_change_example_modifier
}

If you encounter any issues, check the error.log of the game for any specific error messages and correct your script accordingly.

Outfit Tags

Playing dress-up with characters is a very important part of selling the medieval fantasy presented by Crusader Kings 3.
Outfit tags help us sell that fantasy by letting us force specific clothing or clothing groups on characters during an event.

Be warned that you should not apply armor to characters thorugh outfit tags. Instead you should set the single_combat_duel_armor character flag in immediate and then remove it in the after block of your event.

Using outfit_tags

There are currently no compiled lists of valid outfit tags, therefore, the standard method of locating outfit tags is to search the ..game\events and ..game\gfx\portraits\portrait_modifiers folders for the keyword outfit_tags.

Once you have found an outfit tag you wish to use, you can either add it directly to the portrait.

right_portrait = {
	character = scope:undercover_thief
	animation = scheme
	outfit_tags = { # These tags all cover different parts of the body, so they will not overwrite one another
		western_stealth_hood		# A hood that covers the head
		sub_saharan_high_nobility	# Main clothing for torso and legs
		mena_war_legwear			# Some shoes
	}
}

Or use a triggered_outfit to make it conditional (such as, only if your gold is over a specific threshold, or if your spouse is dead).

right_portrait = {
	character = scope:merchant_with_funny_wooden_statues_for_sale
	animation = personality_rational
	triggered_outfit = {
		trigger = {} # Your trigger goes here, if it fails, the outfit won't be overridden
		outfit_tags = {} # Insert the tags you wish to use here
		remove_default_outfit = # Use yes/no, if set to yes, portrait modifier categories in which nothing matches any of the event tags will be disabled completely (no by default)
		hide_info = # Use yes/no, only the portrait will be shown, with no identifiable elements (no CoA, tooltips, clicks...) (no by default)
	}
}

Creating outfit_tags

Image showcasing how to open and use the portrait editor.

Before we get to scripting anything, we're going to want to preview the clothes in the portrait editor so we can get an idea of what it is that we want to add an outfit tag to.

First, open the portrait editor (small right-hand green button in the console menu).
Optionally, you can click "randomize DNA" to get a character that looks more human. Afterwards, click on the field right under "gene" to display a dropdown menu, select (or type in) the category you desire to preview.
Once selected, click on the button right under "subgroup" and do the same to select a specific article of clothing (gene).
Congratulations! You are now able to preview genes in the portrait editor. Be sure to keep an eye on the subgroup names and write down the ones you want to use.

The next step is to find or create our subgroup's outfit tag.
All clothing (actually genes, which includes hair) that can be worn by characters is stored inside files located at ..game\gfx\portraits\portrait_modifiers.

The clothing templates will look more or less like this:

deal_with_it_sunglasses = {
  dna_modifiers = {
    accessory = {
      mode = add
      gene = clothes
      template = deal_with_it_sunglasses_headgear     # This is the subgroup with the refs to the 3D models it will load
      range = { 0 1 } # For the randomness to work correctly
    }
  }
  outfit_tags = { deal_with_it_sunglasses_headgear }  # This is the tag that you use in the portrait window. If this line is not here, just add it and use an appropriate name.
  weight = {                                          # ..It is usually good practice to name the new outfit tag after the subroup it comes from (which is why this one is named deal_with_it_sunglasses_headgear).
    base = 200
  }
}

As mentioned in the comment, if the article of clothing does not have an outfit_tags line, you can go ahead and add one.
If you can not find the clothing you wanted in any of the files based on the subgroup name, then you can create a full template instead.

First, pick a template that is similar to what you are trying to include, then you make a copy.
Afterwards, under dna_modifiers and accessory, replace the template = some_name_here with the subgroup name shown in the portrait editor, then update the names and outfit tags on your template so that they are unique (and somewhat matches the subgroup name for consistency reasons). If you do not like using the portrait editor, you can go to ..game\common\genes, these files contain all the genes in the game.

Adding new characters or changing existing

For some mods, for example total conversions, new characters are needed. In Crusader Kings 3 this kind of character modding is pretty easy. After creating your mod (which is explained in a corresponding article), you have to edit an existing or create a new txt.-file in the folder example-mod/history/characters. In our example the file will be named example.txt. An example character will look like this:

999001 = {
	name = "Henri"	#Henri de Lyon
	dna = lyon_twin_dna_entry
	dynasty = 2100001 #Lyon
	martial = 14
	diplomacy = 23
	intrigue = 10
	stewardship = 21
	religion = catholic	
	culture = french
	trait = diligent
	trait = education_learning_4
	trait = just
	trait = twin
	trait = physique_good_3
	trait = intellect_good_3
	trait = beauty_good_3
	trait = shrewd
	disallow_random_traits = yes
	father = 999003
	mother = 999004
	846.7.29 = {
		birth = yes
	}
	920.5.25 = {
		death = yes
	}
}

• First of all, a character ID is assigned. The ID needs to be unique; going for 900000 and further should be safe. This ID is used to refer to the character within the game files.
• The first name of the character can be set via the use of name = "NAME". Note that in-game names may change based on culture (see culture modding).
• In the dna-line the path for a specific dna can be inserted. An existing dna from the 00_dna.txt in common/dna_data can be used or an new created by using the portrait editor.
• To set the character's gender to female, use female = yes.
• A character can be added to an existing or a new dynasty. Use dynasty = DYNASTY_ID for dynasties without houses, or dynasty_house = HOUSE_ID otherwise. The dynasty ID and house ID can be found in common/dynasties and common\dynasty_houses, respectively. See dynasties modding.
• Culture and faith must be assigned with culture = CULTURE_ID and religion = FAITH_ID, respectively. The right names can be found by searching in the corresponding folders common/culture and common/religion.
• Attributes can be set freely. Their value caps at 100. If they are not assigned, the game will generate random values. Note that this only adds to the character's base attribute values, so the final value may be smaller or larger depending on traits and other factors. The attributes are as follows:

• martial
• prowess
• diplomacy
• intrigue
• stewardship
• learning

• Traits can be added through the use of trait = TRAIT_ID. Replace TRAIT_ID with the appropriate trait ID. An unlimited amount of traits may be added; unless assigned or specified otherwise, the game will generate random traits. To ensure that traits are not changed at the start of the game, use disallow_random_traits = yes.
• Parents may be optionally assigned by using father = CHARACTER_ID and mother = CHARACTER_ID. Ensure that one uses the target character's ID, as opposed to their name. This can be useful in creating families.
• Sexuality can be set through sexuality = SEXUALITY_ID. The following can be used:

• asexual
• heterosexual
• homosexual
• bisexual

• Set the character's base health through health = HEALTH_VALUE, and fertility with fertility = FERTILITY_VALUE.

• Finally, birth and death of the character have to be defined. Crusader Kings 3 uses yyyy.mm.dd for date formats. Define a date block using DATE = {...}, replacing ... with birth = yes or death = yes. Alternatively, replace yes with the date surrounded by speech marks ("). See more uses of date blocks.

The same steps work for changing existing characters. Sometimes, like for Charlemagne, there are already most of the possible lines.

Advanced use of date blocks

• add_spouse = CHARACTER_ID, remove_spouse = CHARACTER_ID to add/remove spouses.
• give_nickname = NICKNAME_ID to add nicknames. Later uses of give_nickname replace old nicknames. See nickname ID.
• employer = CHARACTER_ID, similar to set_employer = CHARACTER_ID effect, moves the scoped character to the specified character's court.
• give_council_position = COUNCILLOR_ID to make the character a councillor. The following are accepted:

• councillor_marshal
• councillor_spymaster
• councillor_chancellor
• councillor_court_chaplain
• councillor_steward

• Assignments defined in the previous section, like trait = TRAIT_ID, may also be used in date blocks.
• Various other effects can be used that have a character scope, either directly in the date block or in an effect sub-block. See the following example from the game files, used to add a character flag and set character sexuality randomly:

101515 = {
	...
	1019.1.1 = {
		...
		effect = {
			add_character_flag = has_scripted_appearance
			random_list = {
				50 = { set_sexuality = heterosexual }
				50 = { set_sexuality = bisexual }
			}
		}
	}
	...
}

Hairstyles and beards for scripted characters

To make a scripted character use the correct hairstyle and beard in-game, an entry must be added to gfx\portraits\portrait_modifiers\99_beards_scripted_characters.txt and gfx\portraits\portrait_modifiers\99_hairstyles_scripted_characters.txt. Under the entry for the hairstyle you want, add the following:

modifier = {
	add = 200
	exists = character:<history_id>
	this = character:<history_id>
}

Calling characters from other scripts

It is possible for mods to interact with existing pre-defined characters from their scripts, just like other scopes. Use code character:<id> to reference to characters. Below is an example from game files:

# this code can be found in /common/on_action/game_start.txt at line 15 (version 1.5.1.1)
character:74025 = {
	if = {
		limit = {
			is_alive = yes
			is_landed = yes
		}
	}
	trigger_event = bookmark.0200
}

References

Modding

Map	Map • Terrain

Audio

Music • Sound