Skyrim Mod:Mod File Format/QUST

QUST records describe Quests. The overall QUST record has a complex structure, with most fields repeating multiple times. The order in which the fields appear provides important information about each invidual field. Fields of particular importance are:

• INDX fields. Each one marks the start of information about a given quest stage. The subsequent fields all provide information about that specific quest stage.
• QOBJ fields. Each one marks the start of information about a given quest objective.
• ALST and ALLS fields: Each one marks the start of information about a given quest alias. Aliases have an ID (e.g., 4), a name (e.g., Location), and a calculated value, e.g., "Winterhold". ALLS fields are used for location aliases, whereas ALST fields are used for reference aliases.

Standard Fields

These fields are not part of any of the more complex structures described in the subsequent sections.

C	SubRecord	Name	Type/Size	Info
+	EDID	editorId	zstring	Editor id
-	VMAD	script info	VMAD	There is only VMAD field for the entire QUST record, which contains information about all of the scripts directly and indirectly attached to the quest (including stage-specific script fragments and scripts attached to the quests' aliases)
-	FULL	Quest Name	lstring	Full name as displayed in journal (at least for non-miscellaneous quests)
+	DNAM	Quest Data	struct[12]
		Flags	uint8	0x01 = Start Game Enabled 0x02 Unused 0x04 = Wilderness Encounter (?) 0x08 = Allow repeated stages 0x10 Used but not shown in CK
		Flags	uint8	0x01 = Run Once 0x02 = Exclude from dialogue export 0x04 = Warn on alias fill failure 0x08 Unused 0x10 Used but not shown in CK
		Priority	uint8	Value from 0 to 100
		Unknown	uint8	Possibly just filler (Observed values are 0, 25, 101, 108, 111, and 204. Only 0 and 204 seen more than once)
		Unknown	int32	Always zero
		Quest Type	uint32	Possible Values: 0 = None (Quest does not appear in quest log) 1 = Main Quest 2 = Mages' Guild 3 = Thieves' Guild 4 = Dark Brotherhood 5 = Companion Quests 6 = Miscellaneous (Quest appears in Miscellaneous section of quest log; quest name is hidden and only quest objectives are shown to player) 7 = Daedric Quests 8 = Side Quests 9 = Civil War 10 = DLC01 - Vampire 11 = DLC02 - Dragonborn
-	ENAM	Event	char[4]	Corresponds with SMEN short name
*	QTGL	Unknown	formid	Text display globals.
+	FLTR	Object Window Filter	zstring	Values like 'Main Quest\', 'Civil War\', 'Civil War\Siege\', 'Faction\ThievesGuild\' and 'Faction\Companions\Radiant\'
*	CTDA	Quest Dialogue Conditions	struct[32]	Conditions that apply to the quest as a whole.
+	NEXT	Marker	empty	Always zero bytes in length. Delineates between quest dialogue and quest event conditions when only one set of conditions exists.
*	CTDA	Quest Event Conditions	struct[32]	SM event node conditions.
*		Quest Stages	Quest Stages[]	See below.
*		Quest Objectives	Quest Objectives[]	See below.
+	ANAM	NextAliasId?	int32	Next available alias ID. Acts as an incremental counter. This is used by CK when creating a new alias in ALST/ALLS field.
*		Aliases	Aliases[]	See below.

Quest Stages

Each of these sections provides information on a specific quest stage. Multiple sections can appear in a single record, and 1 or more log entries can appear within each INDX field. Stage numbers are not guaranteed to be unique within any given quest.

Any script attached to a given quest stage is automatically turned into a script "fragment"; the quest stage fragments are all combined into an automatically-generated quest fragments script file (named "QF_<editorID>_<formID>"). The script fragments are numbered chronologically, meaning that there is no relationship between the fragment numbers and the quest stage numbers. The only place to extract the fragment numbers is from the VMAD field for the overall QUST record, which contains a section storing those numbers.

C	SubRecord	Name	Type/Size	Info
*	INDX	Journal Index	struct	Journal index of the quest stage and other data
		Index	int16	Actual journal index of the quest stage
		Flags	uint8	Flag options: 0x02 - Start Up Stage 0x04 - Shut Down Stage 0x08 - Keep Instance Data From Here On
		Unknown	int8	Possibly filler. Nothing shown in CK corresponds to values found here. Values range from -110 to 127 and do not appear to be flags.
*		Quest log entries	Quest Log Entry[]	Multiple structures will appear if there are multiple possible quest log entries for the same stage.

Quest Log Entry

C	SubRecord	Name	Type/Size	Info
+	QSDT	Flags	ubyte	Each QSDT field marks the start of a log entry. QSDT contains quest stage flags: 0x01 - Complete Quest 0x02 - Fail Quest
*	CTDA	Conditions	struct[32]	Conditions that apply to this log entry.
-	CNAM	Journal entry	lstring	Index in the string file for the text of the journal entry.
-	NAM0	Unknown	formid	Next quest.
-	SCHR	Old Script	SCHR	Old scripting field.

Quest Objectives

Multiple quest objective structures can appear in a single record, and the objective index is not guaranteed to be unique.

C	SubRecord	Name	Type/Size	Info
+	QOBJ	Index	int16	Quest objective index. The following fields all provide information about this quest objective. By convention, the quest objective index normally corresponds to a quest stage index (i.e., a value in an INDX field), however, the relationship between quest stage index and quest objective index is merely a convention and is not enforced. The only thing that actually controls when an objective appears is the script attached to a quest stage. In some more complex quests, multiple objectives may be assigned as part of a single quest stage or the same quest objective can be assigned by multiple stages.
+	FNAM	Flags	int32	Only flag option: 0x01 - ORed With Previous (Note that FNAM also appears in ALST/ALLS section, where it has other possible values.)
+	NNAM	node name?	lstring	Text for an individual quest objective.
*		Quest Targets	Quest Target[]	Quest target information.

Quest Target

Multiple quest target structures can appear within each quest objective.

C	SubRecord	Name	Type/Size	Info
+	QSTA	Quest Target	struct[8]
		Target Alias	int32	Target for this quest objective, provided as an AliasID.
		Flags	int32	Flag for compass markers ignoring locks. - 0 = will not ignore, 1 = will ignore.
*	CTDA	Conditions	struct[32]	Conditions that apply to this QSTA.

Aliases

Aliases are introduced with an ANAM field (documented in the main quest record, above), after which, multiple ALST and/or ALLS fields may be present. Each ALST/ALLS entry provides information about a given Alias (i.e., a dynamically assigned value) that can appear in this quest. ALLS fields are used for location aliases, whereas ALST fields are used for reference aliases. Some of the fields within an ALST/ALLS section are used to determine the calculated value for the alias. Other fields are used to assign properties to the target of the alias. For example, if the alias is an NPC, the NPC may be assigned factions, spells, or inventory items associated with the alias.

In terms of structure, ALST and ALLS fields are largely interchangeable. The ALID field provides the alias name. Under the ALID field are a wide variety of possible fields, ending with an ALED field. Many fields can appear in either ALST or ALLS sections, whereas others are specific to one section. The multipliers in the 'C' column in the following table only apply relative to a given alias. If a field can only appear a specific alias or fill type, the multiplier only applies within the context of that type.

For reference aliases, a flag value of 0x800 (No Fill Type) results in no fill type being selected in the CK and a fill type of "Forced: NONE" being indicated in the Quest Aliases table. A "Forced: NONE" fill type can also occur for a reference alias when an alias has no fill type, but the flag at 0x800 is set to 0. (Note: There are two anomalous aliases in Dawnguard.esm, DLC1VQ01.SeranaCloaking and DLC1VQ08.DLC1VQ08HarkonAlias which have the flag set, but also include Unique Actor fields in the data; it's unclear how the game handles these two aliases.)

For location aliases, a flag value of 0x800 results in either a "Find Matching Location" selected on the location alias form with "Conditions" being indicated on the Quest Aliases form if there are CTDA fields, or no fill type selected on location alias form with "Forced: NONE" in the Quest Aliases table if there aren't. The same rules apply if the flag is cleared and the alias has no fill type, except that in the CK, the location alias form will have the "Specific Location" option selected.

"Forced: NONE" aliases are normally filled either by scripting or forced-into aliases (ALFI field). It's unclear if there's any difference between the different methods of generating them. It's possible that it's a holdover from earlier versions of the CK.

In addition to the various packages, factions, spells, inventory items, etc. listed below, any aliased object can also have scripts attached to it when it is assigned to the alias. However, those scripts are not listed in any of the fields in the ALST/ALLS section. Rather, the scripts are stored in the VMAD field for the overall QUST record, which contains a section listing all scripts attached to the quest aliases.

C	SubRecord	Name	Type/Size	Info
+	ALST	AliasID	uint32	The AliasID is the numerical value used for this alias. This is the parameter for functions such as LocAliasHasKeyword and GetInCurrentLocAlias. ALST fields are used for Reference aliases (in the CK, "Ref" is listed in the Type column), whereas ALLS fields are used for Location aliases ("Loc" is listed in the CK's Type column). In the CK, different editor screens are used for the two alias types, thereby controlling which fields can be associated with each type of alias.
	ALLS	AliasID (Location)	uint32
+	ALID	AliasName	zstring	The name of this Alias, for example Location or QuestGiver. This name appears in strings that are dynamically updated based upon the quest details, for example Kill the leader of <Alias=Location>. The calculated value of this alias is then substituted into the string.
+	FNAM	Flags	uint32	Appears for all alias types. For reference aliases, in some cases (e.g., essential, protected), the flags are options assigned to the quest target for the duration of the quest. In other cases, the flags control how the alias is used during the quest. Known flag options: Bit Applies To Purpose 0x01 Loc/Ref Reserves Location/Reference 0x02 Loc/Ref Optional 0x04 Ref Quest Object 0x08 Loc/Ref Allow Reuse in Quest 0x10 Ref Allow Dead 0x20 Ref In Loaded Area (flag within the "Find Matching Reference" section, presumably limiting match to items in the loaded area) 0x40 Ref Essential (makes the alias target essential for the duration of the quest) 0x80 Ref Allow Disabled 0x100 Loc/Ref Stores Text 0x200 Loc/Ref Allow Reserved 0x400 Ref Protected 0x800 Ref No Fill Type 0x1000 Ref Allow Destroyed 0x2000 Ref Closest (flag within the "Find Matching Reference" section; only allowed if "In Loaded Area" selected. Presumably limiting match to closest item in the loaded area) 0x4000 Ref Uses Stored Text 0x8000 Ref Initially Disabled 0x10000 Loc Allow Cleared 0x20000 Ref Clears Name When Removed
-	ALFI	Forced Into Alias	uint32	AliasID of another alias to copy this alias into.
The following fields determine the alias' "Fill Type" (to use the CK terminology), i.e., they assign the alias' value. Only one of the following fill-type fields (unindented) can appear in a given alias, along with any associated sub-fields (indented).
-	ALCO	Alias Created Object	formid	(Ref) Points to a base record for an item (NPC_, BOOK, MISC, LVLI, ARMO, KEYM, etc). An instance of that object is then created and assigned to this alias. Specified using "Create Reference to Object" section of CK editor; displayed as "Created" in Fill Type column.
+	ALCA	Create At	uint32	High bit: 0 = Create At, 1 = Create In Remainder: AliasID to create object at/in.
+	ALCL	Create Level	uint32	0 = Easy 1 = Medium 2 = Hard 3 = Very Hard 4 = None
-	ALEQ	External Alias Reference	formid	(Loc/Ref) QUST records. Provides the quest where the alias should be copied from; ALEA provides the AliasID in that quest that should be used. Specified using "External Alias Reference" section of CK editor; display as "Match" in Fill Type Column.
+	ALEA	External Alias	uint32	AliasID to be used in specified external quest.
-	ALFA	Reference Alias Location	uint32	(Loc) AliasID of a reference alias within this quest.
-	KNAM	Keyword	formid	A single KYWD record.
-	ALFA	Location Alias Reference	uint32	(Ref) AliasID of a location alias within this quest.
+	ALRT	Alias Reference Type	formid	Points to a LCRT record which is used to find the object that should be assigned to this alias. This LCRT is looked up in the LCTN.LCSR field of the quest's assigned location to find a ACHR or REFR record that is then associated with this alias. Specified using "Location Alias Reference" section of CK editor; displayed as "<Location>'s <Ref Type>" in Fill Type column.
-	ALFE	From Event	char[4]	(Loc/Ref) Provides the type of event (e.g. "Script"). Corresponds with SMEN short name. ALFD field provides extra data about the event. Specified using "Find Matching Location/Reference" section of CK editor and "From Event" checkbox; displayed as "Event" in Fill Type column.
+	ALFD	Event Data	char[4]	Corresponds to "Event Data" dropdown box in CK. Exact meaning of text varies based on event type. See CTDA documentation for more info.
-	ALFL	Alias Forced Location	formid	(Loc) A fixed LCTN record that should be assigned to this alias. Also presumably becomes the default location record for this quest (used by any other alias records that need to look up location-specific items). Specified using "Specific Location" section of CK editor; displayed as "Forced" in Fill Type column (even if "Force into Alias when Filled" is not selected).
-	ALFR	Alias Forced Reference	formid	(Ref) Points to an ACHR or REFR record corresponding to the object that should be assigned to this alias. Specified using "Specific Reference" section of CK editor; displayed as "Forced" in Fill Type column.
-	ALNA	Near Alias	uint32	(Ref) AliasID this one needs to be near to.
+	ALNT	Near Type	uint32	Always 0: Linked Ref Child
-	ALUA	Alias Unique Actor	formid	(Ref) NPC_ record for an NPC assigned to this alias; uses an existing instance (ACHR record) of the NPC instead of creating a new one. Presumably only works for NPCs with a unique ACHR. Specified using "Unique Actor" section of CK editor; displayed as "UniqueActor" in Fill Type column. This field is frequently used to identify the quest-giver, but it can also be used to assign an alias for any other NPC with a unique role in the quest.
*	CTDA	Match Conditions	struct[32]	(Loc/Ref) Conditions used to Find Matching Reference/Location. Specified using "Find Matching Reference/Location" section of CK editor and filling in "Match Conditions"; displayed as "Condition" in Fill Type column.
-	KSIZ	KWDA count	uint32	(Ref) Number of KWDA entries (size of KWDA is 4*KSIZ)
-	KWDA	Alias Keywords	formid[KSIZ]	KYWD records. Keywords added to the alias for the duration of the quest.
-	COCT	CNTO count	uint32	(Ref) If present, number of CNTO records. Does not appear if there are no CNTO records and may not appear even when there are.
*	CNTO	Items	struct[8]	(Ref) Inventory-type item list. These items are added to the inventory of the aliased object for the duration of the quest.
		Item ID	formid
		Item count	uint32
-	SPOR	Spectator Override	formid	(Ref) Spectator Override Package List (FLST records).
-	OCOR	Observe Dead Body Override	formid	(Ref) Observe Dead Body Override Package List (FLST records). (Never used in main game files.)
-	GWOR	Guard Warn Override	formid	(Ref) Guard Warn Override Package List (FLST records). (Never used in main game files.)
-	ECOR	Combat Override	formid	(Ref) Combat Override Package List (FLST records).
-	ALDN	Display Name	formid	(Ref) Points to MESG record, whose value is then dynamically assigned as the displayed name of the Alias object. Used to rename NPCs (e.g., Skyrim:Rigel Strong-Arm), quest rewards (e.g., Blade of Falkreath), or quest targets (e.g., Fine-Cut Void Salts)
*	ALSP	Alias Spells	formid	(Ref) SPEL records. Spells added to the alias target for the duration of the quest.
*	ALFC	Alias Factions	formid	(Ref) FACT records. Factions added to the alias target for the duration of the quest.
*	ALPC	Alias Package Data	formid	(Ref) PACK records. Packages added to the alias target for the duration of the quest.
-	VTCK	Voice Type	formid	(Ref) "Additional Valid Voice Types for Export". When non-zero points to NPC_ or FLST records
+	ALED	EOF Marker	empty	Marks the end of any given alias entry.