How should I fill in my codex? Here are a few examples based on characters from popular literature. There is no "correct" way to fill out a codex, however usually keeping them concise is key to keeping token count down, and for the AI to not get bogged down in the details.
The one-paragraph summary
Meg March, the eldest of the four March sisters, is a conventional and maternal figure. She is beautiful with dark hair and eyes, and a fair complexion. Meg embodies the virtues of the 19th-century domestic woman: she is kind, nurturing, and prioritizes her family, often taking on a motherly role towards her younger sisters. Meg speaks in a gentle and refined manner, reflecting her aspirations towards a genteel lifestyle. She often grapples with the constraints of poverty, yearning for luxury and comfort, which is evident in her occasional envy of richer girls and her brief indulgence in vanity and materialism. Despite this, Meg's character fundamentally revolves around her deep sense of responsibility and her commitment to family values.
The Character Bio
Appearance: Long, chestnut hair, large eyes, and a slender, energetic figure. Her appearance is more tomboyish than her sisters.
Personality: Jo is spirited, independent, and impulsive, with a strong sense of justice. She often challenges traditional societal expectations of women, showing a preference for literary pursuits and outdoor activities.
Key Mannerisms: Jo exhibits brisk, energetic movements and is known for her animated expressions. She often uses her physicality to emphasize her emotions and thoughts.
Patterns of Speech: Jo's speech is bold, direct, and sometimes blunt. She uses casual, spirited language, which sets her apart from her more reserved sisters.
Goals: Jo's primary goal is to become a successful author. She is passionate about writing and sees it as a means to express herself creatively and support her family financially. Her journey involves navigating her personal ambitions, her reluctance towards traditional domestic roles, and her deep commitment to her family.
Using Examples
Beth is delicate and petite, with a fair complexion, soft eyes, and a shy demeanour. She has immense kindness, selflessness, and a love for domestic tasks and music, particularly the piano. Beth is notably reserved and speaks softly, often with a thoughtfulness and sincerity that reflects her inner goodness. Despite her shyness, Beth exudes a quiet strength, especially in her moral support to her family and her resilience in the face of her own frail health.
Speech examples:
"Oh, sir, I cannot thank you. I'm so glad, it will make Jo so happy to have me learn to play that she will not mind my being dumb."
"Mother, dear, don't be sad about me. I'm not afraid."
Which codex style is best?
This isn't a straightforward answer. In our experience, we have found that there is a bigger emphasis on the model than the content in the bio. Smaller models (i.e. those trained on lower amount of information) are more prone to bringing up codex information in every generation. Those that are trained on more information use codex entries are more selective with which information they use, and as such the outputs are more nuanced.
Purely on a cost-size balance, we recommend maximum codex sizes around the 100 word mark for minor characters, and 300 words for major characters. The cost of LLMs is getting more reasonable by the day, and so this will likely no longer be an issue. Write in which way makes most sense to you, and edit the codex as you go.