Character detail fields: top chips + basics + custom fields
Click any character to expand the detail panel — Slima provides rich metadata fields to help you build full, playable characters.
Top chips
Topmost in each character panel:
- Avatar (circular)
- Name (inline editable)
- Role ▽ (Protagonist / Antagonist / Supporting / Minor / Cameo)
- Gender ▽
- Age
- Occupation
These chips show in the Character Bible left list and on Scene cards.
Basic info area (i18n confirmed)
5 structured fields + 1 free-form:
Primary appearance
One line on "what's a reader's first impression of this character". E.g.:
35-year-old lighthouse keeper, quiet, eyes tired but sharp. Skin weather-worn by sea wind, hands calloused.
Placeholder (i18n): "One sentence on the character's first impression..."
Want (external) / Need (internal)
The script-theory Want vs Need dichotomy:
- Want (external): what the character thinks they want; the surface goal
- Need (internal): what they actually lack; the inner question they have to answer
Example:
- Want: find the truth of his father's disappearance 30 years ago
- Need: forgive his childhood self (let go of resentment for the father who didn't come home)
The core dramatic tension of a series often lives in the gap between Want and Need.
Ability / Flaw
| Field | Use |
|---|---|
| Abilities | What this character excels at (skill, knowledge, trait advantage) |
| Flaws | Weaknesses, blind spots, traits that cause failure |
In drama, the protagonist's flaw is usually the root of the Need and gets challenged through the story.
Backstory
A long-text field — the character's past, family, trauma, the formative events.
Doesn't need to be fully written upfront; can grow as the story develops.
Custom Fields
If the 5 defaults aren't enough, add custom fields:
- Custom name (e.g. "First appearance episode", "Costume preference", "Favourite food")
- Free text / structured chips / images
- "Save as template" button: keep this set of custom fields as a template for other characters
Display / order
Some versions support drag-to-reorder characters — affects:
- Character Bible left list order
- Appearance matrix row order
- Export order in the character sheet
Related
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