Love Interest Selection

Access Points

1. Village: "Search Your Soul":

• Hook: village (only in configured location)
• Navigation category: Tavernnav (village activities)
• Link: "Search Your Soul" → runmodule.php?module=loveinterest
• Page title: "Matters of the Heart"
• Flavor: Contemplative, serious tone

2. Inn: "Daydream About Someone":

• Hook: inn
• Navigation category: "Things to do"
• Link: "Daydream About Someone" → runmodule.php?module=loveinterest&op=daydream
• Page title: "Daydreaming"
• Flavor: Sitting quietly, mind wandering

3. Gardens: "Reflect on Romance":

• Hook: gardens
• Navigation category: "Explore"
• Link: "Reflect on Romance" → runmodule.php?module=loveinterest&op=reflect
• Page title: "Garden Reflections"
• Flavor: Peaceful setting, flowers and breeze

Default Partners (No Choice Made)

Gender-Based Defaults:

• Female characters (SEX_FEMALE):
  • Default: getsetting("bard", "`1Bill")
  • Bill Weasley (canon: male bard NPC)
• Male characters (SEX_MALE):
  • Default: getsetting("barmaid", "`%Fleur")
  • Fleur Delacour (canon: female barmaid NPC)
• Other/non-binary characters:
  • Default: getsetting("server", "`&Taylor")
  • Taylor (neutral server NPC)

Messaging (No Choice Yet):

• Village: "Currently, your heart seems drawn to `&%s`7, though you wonder if this is truly your choice or merely circumstance."
• Inn: "You find yourself thinking about `&%s`7, though you wonder if there might be someone else who catches your eye."
• Gardens: "As you gaze at a particularly beautiful flower, you're reminded of `&%s`7. But perhaps there's someone else who makes your heart flutter?"

Choosing a Partner

Available NPCs:

• Admin setting: "npc_options" (comma-separated with color codes)
• Default: "`&Taylor,`1Bill,`%Fleur"
• Displayed with colors (green Taylor, blue Bill, yellow Fleur)
• Customizable (admin can add/remove NPCs)

Selection Interface:

• Village: "Choose %s" buttons for each NPC
• Inn: "Think about %s" buttons
• Gardens: "Dream of %s" buttons
• Click to select → runmodule.php?module=loveinterest&op=choose&npc=[name]&return=[location]

Confirmation Messages:

• Village: "You have decided that `&%s`7 is the one who holds your affection. From now on, they will be the one you think about when buying gifts or engaging in romantic activities."
• Inn: "As you sit in the comfortable surroundings of the inn, you realize that `&%s`7 is the one who truly holds your affection. Your heart feels lighter now that you've acknowledged your feelings."
• Gardens: "The peaceful garden setting has helped you realize that your heart belongs to `&%s`7. The flowers seem to bloom more vibrantly now that you've acknowledged your true feelings."

Preference Set:

• Module pref: "chosen_partner" = [NPC name with color codes]
• Stored permanently (until changed)
• Used by other modules (gift-buying, partner interactions, etc.)

Changing Partner

If Already Chosen:

• Village: "Currently, your heart belongs to `&%s`7. But the heart is a fickle thing, and perhaps your feelings have changed?"
• Inn: "Your thoughts drift to `&%s`7, and a smile crosses your face. However, you wonder if perhaps your heart might belong elsewhere."
• Gardens: "You find a quiet bench and close your eyes, thinking of `&%s`7. Is this truly where your heart lies, or might someone else be in your thoughts?"

Can Re-Select:

• No restrictions (can change freely)
• Same interface as first selection
• chosen_partner pref overwritten
• Heart is fickle (roleplay justification)

Marriage Protection

Married Player Check:

• Query: marriedto > 0 AND marriedto != INT_MAX
• If married to another player (not NPC): Blocked from all paths
• Fetch spouse name from accounts table

Married Messages (Village):

• "As you contemplate matters of the heart, you can only think of your beloved spouse, `&%s`7."
• "Your marriage is a sacred bond, and your heart belongs completely to your partner. There's no room for anyone else in your affections."
• "With a warm feeling in your heart, you realize how fortunate you are to have found true love."

Married Messages (Inn):

• "As you sit quietly, your thoughts immediately turn to your beloved spouse, `&%s`7."
• "Your heart is filled with love and devotion. No one else could possibly compare to the one you've pledged your life to."
• "With a smile, you realize there's no need to daydream about anyone else when you have such a wonderful partner in your life."

Married Messages (Gardens):

• "As you walk through the beautiful gardens, you can't help but think of your wonderful spouse, `&%s`7."
• "The beauty around you only reminds you of the beauty of your marriage. Every flower, every gentle breeze seems to whisper your beloved's name."
• "You smile to yourself, knowing that your heart is already spoken for, and you wouldn't have it any other way."

No Selection Allowed:

• Married players can't choose NPCs (completely blocked)
• All paths show devotion to spouse instead
• NPC list never displays for married characters
• Attempt to choose redirects to devotion message

How Other Modules Use This

Partner Integration:

• require_once("lib/partner.php") in other modules
• get_module_pref("chosen_partner") retrieves selection
• Used for:
  • Gift-buying NPCs (who receives gifts?)
  • Romantic dialogue (who appears in scenes?)
  • Valentine's events (who is your valentine?)
  • Partner-specific quests or interactions

Fallback Logic:

• If chosen_partner empty: Use gender-based default
• Ensures romantic content always has a target
• Seamless integration (works with or without selection)

Admin Configuration

Settings:

• location: Where does the Love Interest Selection appear? (location, default: villagename)
• npc_options: Available NPCs as love interests (text, comma-separated with colors, default: "`&Taylor,`1Bill,`%Fleur")

Customization:

• Can add more NPCs: "`&Taylor,`1Bill,`%Fleur,`@Hermione,`#Ron"
• Can remove NPCs: "`1Bill,`%Fleur" (Taylor removed)
• Color codes preserved (displays with proper formatting)
• Must be comma-separated (no spaces required, trimmed automatically)

Location Setting:

• Village link only appears in configured location
• Default: Main village (LOCATION_FIELDS)
• Can restrict to specific race cities or custom locations
• Inn and gardens links appear globally (no location check)

Use Cases

Roleplay Purposes:

• Define character's romantic interest for consistency
• Personalize romantic encounters (your chosen NPC appears)
• Make gift-giving feel meaningful (gifts go to your love interest)
• Clarify who your character is attracted to

Mechanical Benefits:

• Ensures romantic modules use correct NPC name
• Prevents awkward mismatches (buying gift for wrong person)
• Allows player control over romantic narrative
• Respects player preferences (LGBTQ+ friendly, any gender can choose any NPC)

Marriage Respect:

• Married players blocked from selecting NPCs (faithful to spouse)
• All romantic thoughts redirect to spouse (wholesome)
• Prevents awkward situation of married character crushing on NPC
• Honors player marriage commitment

Strategy

When to Choose:

• Before engaging in romantic content (gift-buying, dates, etc.)
• When your character's romantic interest is clear
• Early game to establish consistent roleplay

When to Change:

• Character development (heart changes)
• Trying different romantic storylines
• Experimenting with different NPC interactions
• No penalty for changing (freely switchable)

Default vs Custom:

• Default works fine (gender-appropriate NPC)
• Choosing manually gives more control
• Can select any NPC regardless of gender (inclusive)

Limitations

• NPCs Only: Can't choose another player (only preconfigured NPCs)
• Single Choice: Can only have one love interest at a time (no polyamory)
• Marriage Blocks NPCs: Married players can't select NPCs at all (forced spouse devotion)
• No Custom NPCs: Player can't add their own NPC (must choose from admin list)
• Cosmetic Only: Doesn't change game mechanics (just which NPC name appears)
• Requires Partner.php: Other modules must integrate with lib/partner.php (not automatic)
• No Relationship Progression: Choosing doesn't start dating or change NPC behavior (just sets preference)