View source for Illerai:Style guide/Transcripts

{{shortcut|RS:STYLE/Transcript|RS:SG/T}}
Transcripts are written manuscripts that record text, dialogue, and descriptions of actions in-game or from other official sources. These are useful for allowing editors to cite sources without needing direct access to the content such as [[non-player character]]s, text from [[book]]s, [[item]]s, [[quest]]s, [[event]]s, and official texts such as [[Postbag from the Hedge]] and [[Lores and Histories]].

==Types of transcript==
Transcripts come from a variety of sources and can be grouped by type:
* Single-source transcripts:
** [[:Category:NPC dialogue|NPC dialogue]]
** [[:Category:Pet dialogue|Pet dialogue]]
** [[:Category:Item transcript|Item transcript]]s from [[book]]s and other items
** [[:Category:Scenery transcript|Scenery transcript]]s from [[scenery]] in-game
** [[:Category:Miscellaneous transcript|Miscellaneous transcript]]s
* Multi-source, long-form transcripts that may involve many [[non-player character]]s:
** [[:Category:Quest transcript|Quest transcript]]s
** [[:Category:Event transcript|Event transcript]]s
* Officially sourced transcripts
** [[:Category:God letters]]
** [[:Category:Postbag from the Hedge]]
** [[:Category:Lores and Histories]]

==Transcript templates==
All transcripts, with the exception of [[Postbag from the Hedge|Postbags from the Hedge]] and [[Lores and Histories]] which handle it by different templates, should use the template {{t|Transcript|type}}, to categorise them. Valid arguments for the type parameter can be found on the template page documentation.

[[Quest]], [[miniquest]], and [[event]] transcripts must use the {{t|Transcript list|NPC name}} template, including every NPC that speaks in the transcript as an arguement. The NPC name must be a direct link to that NPC's page, like {{T|Transcript list|Dark Mage (Abyss)}}.

Incomplete dialogue or transcripts should have {{t|Incomplete|Reasons}} at the top of the page or relevant section listing any reasons to detail what the page is missing.

==Page location==
Transcript articles of belong be in the <code>Transcript:</code> namespace titled after their subject, e.g. [[Transcript:Sheep Shearer]] for the [[quest]] [[Sheep Shearer]].

Transcripts that belong in this namespace includes:
* Conversations between players and/or NPCs
* Text shown in an interface from reading an item or interacting with scenery
* Miscellaneous interfaces
* [[Postbag from the Hedge|Postbags from the Hedge]] and [[God Letters]]
* [[Lores and Histories]]

Transcripts that do '''not''' belong in this namespace:
* [[Examine]] text which belongs in the infobox
* [[Game updates]], [[Developer Blogs]], and [[Polls]] which have their own namespaces

==Linking to transcripts==
Content pages with an associated dialogue page must have a link to its transcript page in a <code>==Transcript==</code> section followed by the {{t|Hastranscript}} template. See the documentation page for optional parameters to chance the wording or linking and if it transcludes the transcript.

NPC and pet pages also follow this convention, though the section name should instead be <code>==Dialogue==</code>.

This should be placed above the <code>==Changes==</code>, <code>==Trivia==</code>, and/or <code>==References==</code> sections, but below every other section. ([[Krystilia#Dialogue|Example]])

==Testing transcripts in sandbox==
Before making a <code>Transcript:</code> content page, it might be helpful to first draft transcript lines in a separate sandbox page to avoid as much unnecessary page editing as possible following page creation.

Preferably, try to do this in your own <code>User:</code> namespace page instead of making a <code><nowiki>/sandbox</nowiki></code> subpage for transcripts.

You can draft and test the appearance of transcripts on other pages outside of the <code>Transcript:</code> namespace using {{t|Transcript example}}.

==Formatting==
===Headers===
====NPC dialogue====
NPC dialogue transcripts use {{t|Transcript|npc}} at the top of the article to add it to [[:Category:NPC dialogue]] and include attribution to Jagex as the copyright holder. ([[Transcript:Krystilia|Example]]) 

If NPC dialogue includes additional NPCs, {{t|Transcript list|}} should be used at the top of the dialogue page. ([[Transcript:Meiyerditch miner|Example]])

Following this should be the first header <code>==Header==</code>. All standard dialogue should go under the header <code>==Standard dialogue==</code>. Standard dialogue is the dialogue you get by talking to the NPC normally. If the dialogue changes depending on the status of a quest, you should add a subheader <code><nowiki>===Before [[Quest name]]===</nowiki></code> or <code><nowiki>===After [[Quest name]]===</nowiki></code>. If you are transcripting dialogue ''during'' a quest, it is considered non-standard, and should typically be placed on the transcript for that quest.

====Quest, miniquests, and event dialogue====
All quest transcripts should have the template {{t|Transcript|quest}} at the top of the article, miniquest transcripts should have the template {{t|Transcript|miniquest}}, and event transcripts should have the template {{t|Transcript|event}}.

Next should be the list of NPCs that are featured in the quest, miniquest or event, using the template {{t|Transcript list|}} at the top of the article below the {{t|Transcript}} template. This list should be in the format: {{t|Transcript list|NPC 1<nowiki>| </nowiki>NPC 2<nowiki>|</nowiki>NPC 3<nowiki>|</nowiki>NPC 4}}
This produces:{{t|Transcript list|Bill|Cook (Lumbridge)|Evil Bob|Verzik Vitur}}

Ideally these should be listed in alphabetical order by name as it appears in game.

Following this should be the first header <code><nowiki>==Header==</nowiki></code>.  Use appropriate names relating to the location of event occurring at that time in the quest. A new header should be used for every change of location, as well as following significant changes in setting or circumstances. ([[Transcript:Swan Song|Example]])

===Links===
Directly transcribed dialogue in a transcript page should never contain links. With the exception of in [[Category:Texts and tomes|in-game books and texts]] transcripts, headers, conditionals, and [[Template:tact|transcript actions]] are allowed to contain links.
([[Transcript:Joe|Example]])

===Dialogue box text===
====Standard dialogue====
Dialogue that appears in a dialogue box should be in the following bulleted format. NPC dialogue should be marked with the NPC as the speaker. Player dialogue should be marked with Player as the speaker. ([[Transcript:Audmann|Example]])
<pre>
* '''Player:''' Dialogue
* '''NPC:''' Dialogue
* '''Player:''' Dialogue
</pre>

This appears as:
{{Transcript example|
* '''Player:''' Dialogue
* '''NPC:''' Dialogue
* '''Player:''' Dialogue
}}

=====Spelling or grammatical errors=====
Any misspellings or other typographical errors should be kept in the dialogue transcripts. To indicate clearly that these errors are part of the actual dialogue as it appears in game, these should be marked with the {{t|sic|}} tag, as in the following example:
<pre>
* '''NPC:''' Dialogue with a typo in it.{{sic}}
</pre>

This should normally be used mainly when there are clear grammatical or spelling errors, and not merely where there is a regional variation (such as UK/British English spelling or floor numbering) or stylistic preference employed. ([[Transcript:Herbi|Example]])

=====NPC name edge cases=====
NPC names should appear exactly as shown on-screen. If multiple NPCs share the same name, then they should be numbered in the order in which they first speak, with the number in parentheses, as in the following case:
<pre>
* '''NPC (#1):''' Dialogue.
* '''NPC (#2):''' More dialogue.
* '''NPC (#1):''' Even more dialogue.
</pre>

If a particular speaker is not named in the chatbox, yet it is known who is speaking at that point in the dialogue, then that speaker may be named with the name of the speaker in brackets, as in the following case:
<pre>
* '''[NPC:]''' Dialogue.
</pre>

If multiple NPCs may speak the same dialogue, and all of these NPCs fall into the same particular category, then it is acceptable to name that category of NPCs as the speaker of that particular dialogue, as in the following case: 
<pre>
* '''NPC group:''' Group dialogue.
</pre>

=====Coloured text=====
For text that appears in a certain colour, the template {{t|Colour|color=correct-color}} should be used, where <tt>correct-color</tt> is either a web standard colour name (black, gray, silver, white, red, lime, blue, yellow, aqua, fuchsia, maroon, orange, olive, purple, green, navy, teal), or the hexadecimal code that represents a particular colour, should be used to display the text in the correct colour. Text that appears in white should be displayed in black, however, for better readability. ([[Transcript:Hazelmere|Example]])

====Empty dialogue====
If an empty dialogue box appears, as dialogue spoken by any character, then that should be written in this format: 
<pre>
* '''NPC:''' {{sic}}
</pre>

If that empty dialogue box appears before and/or after other dialogue - regardless of whether or not that dialogue is spoken by the same character whose silent dialogue is represented by the empty dialogue box - then that should be written in this format:
<pre>
* '''NPC:''' Dialogue that appears before empty dialogue box.
* '''NPC:''' {{Sic}}
* '''NPC:''' Dialogue that appears after empty dialogue box.
</pre>

This format clearly indicates that an empty dialogue box appears in the conversation.

====Dialogue options====
At certain times, a player may be presented with more than one option to select in the dialogue. The header text in the dialogue should be transcribed using {{t|tselect}}, and each option should be listed in a separate line using {{t|topt}}. Dialogue that follows within a branch should be written with an additional indent. For example:
<pre>
* Text
* {{tselect|Select an Option}}
* {{topt|Option 1}}
** Text shown in option 1
* {{topt|Option 2}}
** Text shown in option 2
* {{topt|Option 3}}
** Text shown in option 3
</pre>

This produces the following output:

{{Transcript example|
* Text
* {{tselect|Select an Option}}
* {{topt|Option 1}}
** Text shown in option 1
* {{topt|Option 2}}
** Text shown in option 2
* {{topt|Option 3}}
** Text shown in option 3
}}

Sometimes, selecting a particular option may present additional options for the player to select, forming a tree of nested dialogue options from which the player may choose. These should be written in the following format:

<pre>
* Text 
* {{tselect|Select an Option}}
* {{topt|Option 1}}
** {{tselect|Select an Option}}
** {{topt|Option A}}
** {{topt|Option B}}
** {{topt|Option C}}
* {{topt|Option 2}}
** {{tselect|Select an Option}}
** {{topt|Option A}}
** {{topt|Option B}}
** {{topt|Option C}}
* {{topt|Option 3}}
</pre>

These options should be presented in the order in which they appear to the player within the dialogue box. ([[Transcript:Hunding|Example]])

If there is any dialogue in response to a particular option chosen by the player, then that dialogue text should also appear below the relevant selected option. This format should be used even when the player responds with words that are identical to the text of the selected option. For example:
<pre>
* '''NPC:''' Question?
* {{topt|Answer 1}}
** '''Player:''' Response 1
* {{topt|Answer 2}}
** '''Player:''' Response 2
* {{topt|Answer 3}}
** '''Player:''' Response 3
</pre>

This ensures that it is clear within the transcript exactly when the player does and does not speak, and exactly what the player says when the player does speak, as there are some cases in which the player does speak—sometimes by simply repeating option text, or by stating something similar in different words—after choosing a particular response while there are other cases in which the player does not speak at all. The full text of both the selected option and of the dialogue that the player actually says should be written. ([[Transcript:Askeladden|Example]])

====Repeated dialogue options====
If all of the dialogue options that are shown, at some point further into the dialogue tree, are exactly the same as those initially shown when starting the dialogue at that point, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|initial}}: ([[Transcript:Murcaily|Example]])
<pre>
* Text
* {{tact|initial}}
</pre>

If all of the dialogue options that are shown, after choosing a particular dialogue option and then proceeding with the dialogue, are exactly the same as those shown in the previous set of dialogue options, and are not the initial dialogue options, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|previous}}: ([[Transcript:Murcaily|Example]])
<pre>
* Text
* {{tact|previous}}
</pre>

If all of the dialogue options that are shown, after choosing a particular dialogue option and then proceeding with the dialogue, are exactly the same as those shown in the set of dialogue options that appears previous to the previous set of dialogue options that is shown in the dialogue tree, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|previous2}} (or {{t|tact|previous3}}, if going back another level): ([[Transcript:Del-Monty|Example for previous2]], [[Transcript:Felkrash|Example for previous3]])
<pre>
* Text 
* {{topt|Option 1}}
** {{topt|Option 1.1}}
*** Text
*** {{tact|previous}}<sup>Goes to Options 1.1/1.2</sup>
** {{topt|Option 1.2}}
*** Text
*** {{tact|previous2}}<sup>Goes to Options 1/2/3</sup>
* {{topt|Option 2}}
* {{topt|Option 3}}
</pre>

If all but one of the dialogue options that are shown, after choosing a particular dialogue option and then proceeding with the dialogue, are exactly the same as those shown previously, and the only exception is that the most recently selected dialogue option is not shown on the list of available choices to select, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|other}}: ([[Transcript:Smoggy|Example]])
<pre>
* Text
* {{tact|other}}
</pre>

These can be used instead of listing all dialogue options again. This should only be used, however, if the list of dialogue options that is shown is exactly the same as that which preceded selection of a particular dialogue option, and not otherwise. If any previous dialogue options are missing, if any new dialogue options have been added, or if any dialogue options have changed, then those changes to the list of available dialogue options should be clearly indicated by listing the relevant available dialogue options at that point.

====Chatbox text====
If text that is not spoken by a character appears in a dialogue box, then it is written using {{t|tbox}} in the following format:
<pre>
* {{tbox|Text}}
</pre>

Dialogue messages can sometimes include one or two items on the left side. This should be transcribed using the <code>pic</code> and <code>pic2</code> optional parameters. For example,

<pre>
* {{tbox|pic=Cooking apple detail.png|Hans hands you an apple.}}
* {{tbox|pic=Pie dish detail.png|pic2=Uncooked apple pie detail.png|He then refills your pie dish.}}
</pre>

This produces:

{{Transcript example|
* {{tbox|pic=Cooking apple detail.png|Hans hands you an apple.}}
* {{tbox|pic=Pie dish detail.png|pic2=Uncooked apple pie detail.png|He then refills your pie dish.}}
}}

===Conditional text===
If certain dialogue or text only appears under certain conditions, then the conditions under which they occur should be written using {{t|tcond}}. Such conditions may include the skill level of the player, whether or not a player has certain items in possession, and/or whether or not certain requirements have been met by the player.

A new section should be made when dialogue under one condition is separate from dialogue under another condition. For example, unique dialogue before, during, and after completion of a quest, or of a certain part of a quest, should be under separate sections. The same is true for the standard dialogue changing depending on if the player has a certain item or if a right-click option is selected. ([[Transcript:Brundt the Chieftain|Example for quest conditions]], [[Transcript:Charley|example for items]], [[Transcript:Dark Mage (Abyss)|example for right-click options]])

However, if the dialogue is not unique, but only extended or modified slightly under certain conditions, then the additional dialogue should be part of the same section, with the condition stated above it. Such dialogue may be written in the following format:

<pre>
* Text
* {{tcond|If [insert condition here]:}}
** Text
</pre>

For conditional dialogue options, it may be written in the following format:

<pre>
* {{topt|cond=If [insert condition here]:|Dialogue option}}
** Text
</pre>

Replace [insert condition here] with the relevant trigger, requirement, or other condition. These conditions should follow the regular style guide, specifically [[RS:STYLE#POV]]. Conditions should typically refer to <code>the player</code>. Text following the condition should be added at a deeper indent level. ([[Transcript:Hari|Example]])

====Player-specific text====
Where the player's normal name is mentioned in the dialogue, <code>[player name]</code> should be written in place of a player's name. ([[Transcript:Genie|Example]])

Where a name or heraldry specific to the player is mentioned, the category to which it belongs should be identified and written in square brackets in its place. For example:
*Where a player's Fremennik name is mentioned, [Fremennik name] should be used. ([[Transcript:Jarvald|Example]])
*Where a player's family crest is mentioned, [family crest] should be used. 

This clearly identifies what the text is while specifying that the actual text is different for each player and specific to that player.

====Pronouns====
If the text that appears differs depending on the pronouns the player has chosen, then the text may be written once in square brackets with a slash separating the text for each set of pronouns (he/him, she/her, and they/them). For example, as in the following example cases: ([[Transcript:Rick Turpentine|Example]], [[Transcript:Monk of Entrana|example requiring non-standard formatting]])
<pre>
* 'Twas a pleasure to work with you [sirrah/ma'am/my liege]!
* [I'm sorry, sir,/I'm sorry, madam,/I'm sorry,] but no weapons or armour may be worn on Entrana. This rule even forbids items dedicated to Saradomin.
</pre>
<!--
// Unsure if any of the following still applies since the 14 August 2024 update; leaving commented out in case it does

However, if the text that appears for male and female player characters is significantly different, then gender should be treated as a special condition under which different text appears for different players and the following format should be used: ([[Transcript:Hairdresser|Example with headers]], [[Transcript:Abyssal orphan|example with conditional]])

<pre>
===Male===
* Text for males only
===Female===
* Different text for females only
</pre>
OR
<pre>
* Text
* {{tcond|If the player is male:}}
** Text for males only
* {{tcond|If the player is female:}}
** Different text for females only
</pre>

This also applies in cases of different dialogue options appearing for different players based on gender.
-->
===Random statements===
If the dialogue that is spoken in a particular situation may be any one randomly selected statement from a selection of various statements, then that dialogue may be written in the following format using {{t|trandom}}. Options should be listed using {{t|topt}} with sequentially increasing numbers. ([[Transcript:Guilin|Example]])
<pre>
* {{trandom}}
* {{topt|Dialogue 1}}
** '''NPC:''' Random statement.
* {{topt|Dialogue 2}}
** '''NPC:''' Other random statement.
* {{topt|Dialogue 3}}
** '''NPC:''' Another random statement.
</pre>

===Overhead text===
If dialogue or other relevant text appears over a character's head, that text should be written exactly as it appears above that character's head using the template {{t|overhead}} preceded by its name.
<pre>
* '''Example:''' {{overhead|Yemalo shi cardito!}}
</pre>

If the text that appears over the head of a character appears in a different colour, then the template accepts an optional color parameter (note American spelling): {{t|overhead|color=<color>}}.

Above-head text should never be combined, and multiple consecutive statements should always be written as separate statements if that is how they appear in-game, even if they are all made by the same character or by the game system.

If the overhead text happens during regular dialogue, it should be placed in the dialogue itself. ([[Transcript:Hans|Example]])

If not, place it in its own section. ([[Transcript:Jimmy (Warriors' Guild)|Example]])

===Game messages===
Messages that appear as entries in the chatbox are transcribed using {{t|mes}}. This also accepts an optional color parameter (note American spelling).

<pre>
{{mes|Nothing interesting happens.}}
</pre>

This produces: {{mes|Nothing interesting happens.}}

===Actions===
For actions not explicitly described by text in dialogue boxes, such actions may be described in any of the following formats as appropriate. This also applies to cutscenes, which are considered major actions. Exact text from the dialogue box and interfaces should never be placed in {{t|tact}} or {{t|qact}}.

====Major actions====
{{t|qact}} is to be used each time there is a major action or event not stated in a dialogue box which causes a break in the dialogue. This is to make the dialogue easier to follow. Examples of this might include:
* A player teleporting.
* A cutscene starting. ([[Transcript:Bank guard|Example]])
* A player picking something up relevant to the situation.

An example of this in use would be:
{{Transcript example|
* Dialogue
* Dialogue
* {{qact|Action}}
* Dialogue
* Dialogue
}}

Any dialogue text that appears after the action should be written after the {{t|qact}} template. This format is also appropriate for cutscenes; if dialogue occurs during the cutscene, then the cutscene start and the cutscene end should be indicated using this format.

====Minor actions====
{{t|tact}} should instead be used for smaller, less significant actions which do not cause a significant break in the dialogue, particularly when the dialogue quickly and smoothly continues afterwards. This also applies to options which open interfaces such as shops or when an option would end the dialogue where others would continue it. In such cases, the following format may be used to describe the action:
<pre>
* '''NPC''': Dialogue
* {{tact|Action}}
* '''NPC''': More dialogue
</pre>
This format is also appropriate for such actions as the appearance of a quest noticeboard, the opening of a shop interface, or optionally the closing of dialogue where appropriate.

If the player receives an item then use the following format with {{t|tact|receives=[a/an/the] <nowiki>[[item name]]</nowiki>}} ([[Transcript:Bartender (Forester's Arms)|Example]])
<pre>
* Text
* {{tact|receives=a [[bronze sword]]}}
</pre>

If in a particular scenario or upon selection of a particular option a particular interface opens, such as a puzzle interface or a shop window, then that may be written in the following format using {{t|tact|opens=name of interface}}: ([[Transcript:Lowe|Example]])
<pre>
* Text that results in interface opening
* {{tact|opens=Varrock Swordshop}}
</pre>

The actual name of the given interface as it appears on-screen in the game should be used. If the interface that opens does not have a page, then {{t|tact|opens2=name of interface}} should be used. ([[Transcript:Banker (Zanaris)|Example]])
<pre>
* Text that results in interface opening
* {{tact|opens2=Grand Exchange collection}}
</pre>

===Repeated text and dialogue options===
Sometimes, a particular dialogue option, when selected, will present the same text or dialogue options that are presented elsewhere in the dialogue. If this happens, and if the resulting text is exactly the same, verbatim, as it appears elsewhere, then that may be indicated in the dialogue transcript without repeating the identical text. This also applies to dialogue options that reappear elsewhere in the dialogue.

====Text====
If the text is the same as that which appears in a previous dialogue option, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|above}}: ([[Transcript:Archeio|Example]])
<pre>
* {{tact|above}}
</pre>

If the text is the same as that which appears in a later dialogue option, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|below}}: ([[Transcript:Bartender (Forester's Arms)|Example]])
<pre>
* {{tact|below}}
</pre>

====Dialogue options====
If some or all of the dialogue options that appear after selecting a particular dialogue option are shown again, then list the relevant options that show, marking where the resulting dialogue is the same as elsewhere when that is the case.

An example is the following:
<pre>
* {{tselect|Question?}}
* {{topt|Answer 1}}
** {{topt|Answer 2}}
*** {{tact|below}}
** {{topt|Answer 3}}
*** {{tact|below}}
* {{topt|Answer 2}}
** Text
** More text
* {{topt|Answer 3}}
** Even more text
** And some more text
* {{topt|Answer 4}}
** {{topt|Answer 1}}
*** {{tact|above}}
** {{topt|Answer 2}}
*** {{tact|above}}
** {{topt|Answer 3}}
*** {{tact|above}}
</pre>

If the dialogue options that appear after selecting a particular dialogue option are exactly the same as those which appeared at an immediately previous level of the dialogue tree—as is the case when the player responds with 'Back to my other questions...', or something similar—with all previous options shown, then that may be indicated as follows using {{t|tact|previous}}:
<pre>
* {{tact|previous}}
</pre>

As an example, the following:
<pre>
* {{tselect|Question?}}
* {{topt|Answer 1}}
** Text
* {{topt|Answer 2}}
** More text
* {{topt|Answer 3}}
** Even more text
** {{topt|Answer 1}}
** {{topt|Answer 2}}
** {{topt|Answer 3}}
</pre>

May be written as the following:
<pre>
* {{tselect|Question?}}
* {{topt|Answer 1}}
** Text
* {{topt|Answer 2}}
** More text
* {{topt|Answer 3}}
** Even more text
** {{tact|previous}}
</pre>

====Continuation====
If dialogue from an earlier part of the dialogue ends early and then proceeds to the next part of the dialogue, then that may optionally be written in the following format, where appropriate using {{t|tact|continue}}:
<pre>
* Text
* {{tact|continue}}
</pre>

As an example, in the following case:
<pre>
* Question
* {{topt|Answer 1}}
** {{tact|continue}}
* {{topt|Answer 2}}
** More text
** {{topt|Answer 1}}
*** {{tact|above}}
** {{topt|Answer 2}}
*** {{tact|above}}
* Text
* More text
</pre>

Selecting the dialogue option Answer 1 proceeds to the next part of the dialogue starting with Text. ([[Transcript:Tree Gnome Village|Example]])

====Ordering====
It is preferable to write the complete dialogue text where it first appears earlier in the transcript, and then indicate that the repeated text is the same as above where it is repeated later, particularly if the text first appears at the same level or at a higher level earlier the dialogue tree. However, if the text appears at a lower level within the dialogue tree, then it may be written that the text is the same as below.

For example, one may write this:
<pre>
* Dialogue 1
* {{topt|Option 1}}
* {{topt|Option 2}}
* {{topt|Option 3}}
** {{topt|Option A}}
** {{topt|Option B}}
** {{topt|Option C}}
* {{topt|Dialogue 2}}
** {{topt|Option 4}}
** {{topt|Option 5}}
** {{topt|Option 6}}
*** {{tact|above}}
</pre>

Where the text that appears after Option 6 (selection of Option A, Option B, or Option C) is the same as that which appears after Option 3, since these are on the same level on the dialogue tree.

But one may write this:
<pre>
* Dialogue 1
* {{topt|Option 1}}
** {{topt|Option A}}
*** {{tact|below}}
** {{topt|Option B}}
** {{topt|Option C}}
* {{topt|Option 2}}
** {{topt|Option I}}
** {{topt|Option II}}
** {{topt|Option III}}
</pre>

Where the text that appears after Option A (selection of Option I, Option II, or Option III) is the same as that which appears after Option 2, since Option 2 is on a higher level on the dialogue tree.

This only applies of the text is exactly identical, verbatim, in every case. However, if the text is not exactly the same in other appearances, even if the variations are relatively minor, then the exact text that is said in the new situation should be written in full. In such cases, one should clearly indicate under which conditions the variant dialogue appears through separating dialogue by option or situation. ([[Transcript:Dark Mage (Abyss)|Example]])

===Text outside the scope of a transcript===
====Non-quest/event text in quest transcripts====
If text or dialogue unrelated to a particular quest, miniquest, or event appears whilst talking to an NPC, which also appears in dialogue outside of the quest, miniquest, or event - as in dialogue that also appears before and/or after the quest or miniquest - then it is not necessary to write the text that follows as part of a quest or miniquest transcript, as that text or dialogue actually belongs in an NPC transcript. Dialogue that follows such text or dialogue options may be indicated as such, linking to the NPC's transcript as follows:
<pre>
* Text that appears in regular non-quest dialogue
* {{topt|quest=no|First option}}

* Text that appears in regular non-event dialogue
* {{topt|event=no|Second option here}}
</pre>

Dialogue that relates to or is part of other quests or miniquests, but not the particular quest or miniquest for which a transcript is written, may also likewise be marked as non-quest dialogue. Such dialogue belongs in the transcript of the quest or miniquest to which it belongs.

It is, however, acceptable to write out such dialogue in full, where appropriate; indeed, where such apparently regular, non-quest dialogue is actually directly relevant to the quest or miniquest, it is actually advisable to do so.

===Endings===
====End of dialogue====
If a dialogue option results in the dialogue tree ending - without any further action taken, further dialogue spoken, and/or further events occurring upon selecting that option - then that may be written in the following format using {{t|tact|end}}:
<pre>
* Text
* {{topt|Option that ends dialogue}}
** {{tact|end}}
</pre>

This format should not be used for dialogue options which lead to completion of a quest, miniquest, and/or event. ([[Transcript:Pirate Guard|Example]])

====End of a quest, miniquest, and/or event====
The end of a quest, miniquest, and/or event should be written in the following format: {{Qact|Congratulations! Quest complete!}}

For quests, this should be placed at the end of all quest dialogue, but before any post-quest dialogue. This also applies to miniquests as well as events, whenever post-miniquest and/or post-event dialogue exists. ([[Transcript:Swan Song#Finishing Up|Example]])

==Links==
* [[:Category:Transcript templates]]
* [[:Category:Transcripts]]

{{Policies & Guidelines}}