Play The Veil

Version History

Build Version	Change Date	Change Type	Description
676042	2025-06-21	stable	Current version

Overview

The play_the_veil module implements "The Veil" - a mysterious and dramatic theatrical performance for the Don't Starve Together stage play system. This dark philosophical play explores themes of truth, illusion, and revelation through the interactions of three archetypal characters: the wise Sage, the foolish Halfwit, and the servile Toady. The play features dramatic lighting effects, including a climactic blackout sequence.

Usage Example

local veil_play = require("play_the_veil")

-- Access costume definitions
local costumes = veil_play.costumes
local sage_costume = costumes["SAGE"]

-- Access play scripts
local scripts = veil_play.scripts
local main_play = scripts["THEVEIL"]

-- Get starting act
local starting_act = veil_play.starting_act  -- "THEVEIL"

Play Structure

Story Summary

"The Veil" is a philosophical allegory presented as a single continuous act. The play explores:

• Truth vs. Illusion: The Sage attempts to guide others toward enlightenment
• Ignorance and Servitude: The Halfwit and Toady represent different forms of unenlightenment
• The Nature of Reality: Culminates in a dramatic revelation about the nature of existence
• Death and Rebirth: Ends with a symbolic death and resurrection sequence

Character Archetypes

Character	Role	Symbolism
SAGE	Wise Teacher	Knowledge, enlightenment, truth
HALFWIT	Foolish Student	Ignorance, confusion, innocence
TOADY	Servile Follower	Sycophancy, false wisdom, corruption

Costumes

Costume Definitions

costumes = {
    ["SAGE"] = {
        head = "mask_sagehat",
        name = STRINGS.CAST.SAGE
    },
    ["HALFWIT"] = {
        head = "mask_halfwithat", 
        name = STRINGS.CAST.HALFWIT
    },
    ["TOADY"] = {
        head = "mask_toadyhat",
        name = STRINGS.CAST.TOADY
    }
}

Available Costumes

Costume	Head	Body	Description
SAGE	mask_sagehat	(none)	Wise philosopher and teacher
HALFWIT	mask_halfwithat	(none)	Simple-minded but pure character
TOADY	mask_toadyhat	(none)	Obsequious and manipulative character

Note: Unlike "The Enchanted Doll," this play uses only head pieces (masks) without body costumes, emphasizing the archetypal nature of the characters.

Scripts

Solo Performance Scripts

SAGE_SOLILOQUY

Status: stable

Description: Solo performance featuring the Sage's philosophical monologue about wisdom, truth, and the nature of existence.

Cast Requirements:

• SAGE: Player wearing sage mask

Script Features:

• 7 lines of philosophical dialogue
• Extended bow sequence (3 seconds)
• Marionette effects
• No bird commentary (more serious tone)

Structure:

{
    cast = { "SAGE" },
    lines = {
        {actionfn = fn.findpositions, positions={["SAGE"] = 1}},
        {actionfn = fn.marionetteon},
        {actionfn = fn.actorsbow, duration = 3},
        -- 7 dialogue lines with sage wisdom
        {actionfn = fn.actorsbow},
        {actionfn = fn.marionetteoff}
    }
}

HALFWIT_SOLILOQUY

Status: stable

Description: Solo performance showcasing the Halfwit's confused but earnest attempts at understanding.

Cast Requirements:

• HALFWIT: Player wearing halfwit mask

Script Features:

• Uses TOADY dialogue strings (intentional confusion)
• Dance sequence with extended dance animations
• Extended bow sequence (3 seconds)
• Minimal dialogue with focus on physical comedy

Special Features:

• Animation sequence: emoteXL_pre_dance7, emoteXL_loop_dance7 (repeated)
• Represents the character's confusion through mismatched dialogue

TOADY_SOLILOQUY

Status: stable

Description: Solo performance featuring the Toady's obsequious and manipulative nature.

Cast Requirements:

• TOADY: Player wearing toady mask

Script Features:

• Uses HALFWIT dialogue strings (showing the characters' interconnected confusion)
• Ends with angry animation (emoteXL_angry)
• No opening bow (emphasizing the character's lack of propriety)
• Represents the character's duplicitous nature

Main Play Script

THEVEIL

Status: stable

Description: The complete "Veil" performance featuring all three characters in a philosophical drama about truth and illusion.

Cast Requirements:

• SAGE: Player wearing sage mask (Position 1 - center stage)
• TOADY: Player wearing toady mask (Position 9 - left wide)
• HALFWIT: Player wearing halfwit mask (Position 10 - right wide)

Script Features:

• Playbill: STRINGS.PLAYS.THEVEIL
• Next Scene: THEVEIL (loops continuously)
• Duration: Approximately 2 minutes of performance
• Music Progression: Happy → Mysterious
• Lighting Effects: Dramatic blackout sequence
• Special Effects: Mask blinking, death/revival sequence

Technical Features

Unique Lighting System

"The Veil" is the only play that uses the blackout system:

{actionfn = fn.enableblackout, duration = 0.1},   -- Blackout starts
{actionfn = fn.stopbgmusic, duration = 1},        -- Music stops
-- Critical dialogue in darkness
{actionfn = fn.disableblackout, duration = 4},    -- Blackout ends

Purpose: Creates dramatic emphasis for the play's climactic revelation about the nature of reality.

Special Visual Effects

Mask Blinking Effect

{roles = {"HALFWIT"}, duration = 3.5, actionfn = fn.do_mask_blink}

• Applies special mask blinking effect to the Halfwit
• Creates supernatural/mystical atmosphere
• Unique to this play among the theatrical performances

Death/Revival Sequence

-- All characters die symbolically
{roles = {"TOADY","SAGE","HALFWIT"}, duration = 2.0, anim="death", endidleanim="death_idle"},
-- Characters revive
{roles = {"TOADY","SAGE","HALFWIT"}, duration = 2.0, anim="parasite_death_pst"}

Symbolism: Represents the death of illusion and rebirth into truth.

Character Interactions

The play features complex character dynamics:

1. Opening Greetings: All characters wave to each other and audience
2. Dance Sequences: Toady and Halfwit perform elaborate dances
3. Philosophical Dialogue: Sage attempts to teach wisdom
4. Conflict: Growing tension between characters
5. Revelation: Truth is revealed through the veil metaphor
6. Transformation: Symbolic death and rebirth of understanding

Musical Progression

The play uses two distinct musical phases:

Phase 1 - Happy Music (Opening):

• Light, cheerful music during introductions
• Characters are naive and optimistic
• Represents the illusion of simple happiness

Phase 2 - Mysterious Music (Middle):

• Dark, ominous music as truth emerges
• Characters face difficult realities
• Builds to the blackout climax

Phase 3 - Silence (Climax):

• All music stops during blackout
• Emphasizes the stark revelation
• Creates powerful dramatic impact

Animation Choreography

The play features elaborate animation sequences:

Character	Primary Animations	Symbolic Meaning
SAGE	emoteXL_angry, emoteXL_waving4, emoteXL_happycheer	Wisdom, teaching, enlightenment
TOADY	emoteXL_dance7 (complex sequence), emoteXL_happycheer, emote_pre_toast	Deception, false celebration, corruption
HALFWIT	emoteXL_dance7, emoteXL_happycheer, death, emoteXL_bonesaw	Confusion, innocence, transformation

Play Progression

Act Structure

-- Opening (Positions and Introductions)
{actionfn = fn.findpositions, positions={["SAGE"] = 1, ["TOADY"] = 9, ["HALFWIT"] = 10}}

-- Introduction by Birds
{roles = {"BIRD1"}, duration = 2, line = STRINGS.STAGEACTOR.THEVEIL.BIRD1_1}

-- Character Interactions
{roles = {"SAGE"}, duration = 2.0, line = STRINGS.STAGEACTOR.THEVEIL.LINE1_SAGE}

-- Building Tension
{roles = {"SAGE"}, duration = 2.0, line = STRINGS.STAGEACTOR.THEVEIL.LINE24_SAGE, anim="emoteXL_angry"}

-- Philosophical Discussion
{roles = {"TOADY"}, duration = 3.0, line = STRINGS.STAGEACTOR.THEVEIL.LINE34_TOADY}

-- Climactic Blackout
{actionfn = fn.enableblackout, duration = 0.1}

-- Resolution and Revival
{actionfn = fn.disableblackout, duration = 4}

Dialogue Themes

The dialogue explores deep philosophical concepts:

• The nature of truth and illusion
• The relationship between wisdom and ignorance
• The role of the teacher and student
• The corruption of false knowledge
• The necessity of destroying illusion to find truth

Integration Example

local veil_play = require("play_the_veil")
local fn = require("play_commonfn")

-- Setup the main play
local play = veil_play.scripts["THEVEIL"]
local costumes = veil_play.costumes

-- Verify cast has proper masks
for _, character in ipairs(play.cast) do
    local costume = costumes[character]
    if costume and costume.head then
        -- Ensure player has costume.head equipped
        -- Note: No body costume required for this play
    end
end

-- Execute play with special attention to lighting effects
for _, line in ipairs(play.lines) do
    if line.actionfn == fn.enableblackout then
        -- Prepare for dramatic blackout sequence
        print("Starting blackout sequence...")
    elseif line.actionfn == fn.disableblackout then
        -- Blackout ending
        print("Blackout sequence complete")
    end
    
    -- Execute the line
    if line.actionfn then
        line.actionfn(stage_inst, line, cast_data)
    end
end

Comparison with Other Plays

Feature	The Veil	The Enchanted Doll
Costume Complexity	Masks only	Full body + head costumes
Story Structure	Single continuous act	9 scenes across 3 acts
Character Count	3 archetypal figures	9+ characters with transformations
Theme	Philosophical allegory	Fairy tale adventure
Special Effects	Blackout, mask blinking	Costume transformations, magic
Music	Happy → Mysterious → Silent	Happy, Mysterious, Drama
Target Audience	Mature, philosophical	General, entertaining

Performance Notes

Staging Recommendations

1. Character Positioning:

   • SAGE center stage for authority
   • TOADY and HALFWIT on opposite sides (symbolic opposition)

2. Timing Considerations:

   • Allow full blackout effect to complete
   • Ensure mask blinking effect is visible to audience
   • Coordinate music transitions with character development

3. Cast Coordination:

   • All three characters must be present for main play
   • Individual soliloquies can be performed separately
   • Requires good coordination for group death/revival sequence

Related Modules

• Play Common Functions: Shared utility functions, especially lighting effects
• Play General Scripts: Character-specific monologue alternatives
• Play The Doll: Alternative multi-character theatrical experience