Placeholders Reference

Format: |placeholderName(args)|

Built-in Placeholders

Placeholder	Description	Example
`flag`	Returns the value of a flag	`You have \|flag(gold)\| gold`
`property`	Returns the value of a game property	`Score: \|property(score)\|`
`item`	Returns the name of an item	`You are using \|item(uid, invId)\|`
`from`	Fetches a locale entry and resolves it through the full pipeline	`\|from(greeting_text)\|`
`pick`	Like `from`, but randomly selects from numbered locale variants	`\|pick(greeting_text)\|`
`stat`	Returns a character stat value. Requires `context.character` passed to `resolveString`	`\|stat(power)\|`

Locale Template Composition

Use |from(localeId)| to fetch a locale entry and resolve it through the full pipeline (|placeholder|, if{}, styles). This enables locale-to-locale template chaining.

Pass inline params with key->value syntax — they replace |key| tokens in the fetched locale before the full pipeline runs:

// locale entries:
// greeting       = "Hello, |name|! |from(greeting_detail)|"
// greeting_detail = "if{level > 10}You are a veteran.else{}Welcome, newcomer.fi"

|from(greeting, name->Alice)|
// → "Hello, Alice! You are a veteran."

Random Variant Selection

Use |pick(baseId)| to randomly select from numbered locale variants. Works like from but adds variety.

Variant naming convention:

baseId — first variant (required)
baseId_2 — second variant
baseId_3 — third variant, etc.

The engine probes baseId, baseId_2, baseId_3... until no entry is found, then picks one at random.

// locale entries:
// tavern_desc   = "A quiet tavern with a crackling fire."
// tavern_desc_2 = "The tavern buzzes with rowdy patrons."
// tavern_desc_3 = "An empty tavern. Dust coats every surface."

|pick(tavern_desc)|
// → randomly one of the three descriptions

|pick(tavern_desc, name->Alice)|
// → key->value params work the same as |from()|

Nested Property Paths

For object-type properties, access nested values with dot notation:

Volume: |property(settings.volume)|%
Theme: |property(config.ui.theme)|