Generally speaking cutscenes are non-playable sequences of events in a videogame. In Fable, they work the same way. Cutscenes are implemented using a simple scripting language, but more on that below.

Note! This is work in progress. Anything could change at any moment.

Fable's cutscene scripts are divided into two sections: main and skip. Main section defines the main part of the cutscene, where as skip defines what happens if the player presses ESC during it. So, the purpose of the skip part is to make sure that the situation after the cutscene is like it would be if the cutscene was not skipped. There is also a third section to the cutscenes, but it's not known what it does at this point.

• Functions that have Synchronous in their remarks are functions that return once the action has been finished.
• Parameters inside { } are optional.
• FALSE is the same as false and TRUE is the same as true.

Unknown

Location:variable{,unknown:integer?{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown}}}}

Example: UseCamera SNAP

Location:variable

Unknown

Unknown:boolean

Enables or disables the camera changes with the creature speaking functions.

Duration:float,Unknown:float

Does a camera shake. Duration is given in seconds.

Remarks: Synchronous

Assumption: Wait for the camera move to end.

Unknown:variable

Unknown

This sections describes the various functions that handle Thing (houses, chests, creatures, etc.) specific actions.

Thing:variable,Unknown:boolean

Thing:variable,Pause:boolean

Pause or resume thing. Stop all animation, movement, etc.

Thing:variable

Unknown:unknown,Location:variable

Object:variable,Unknown:unknown{,Unknown:boolean}

Play an object related animation.

Thing:variable,Conscious:boolean

Set thing conscious or unconscious.

Example: SetThingConscious FIGHTER,TRUE

Thing:variable

Fade thing in. Doesn't quite seem to work.

Thing:variable,Duration:float

Fade thing out.

Example: FadeThingOut HERO,2

ModelMale:enum,ModelFemale:enum,Marker:variable,Group:variable

Create a mixed crowd consisting of variations of ModelMale and ModelFemale characters at Marker. Marker refers to collections of markers in the TNG file with the same ScriptName.

Example: CrowdCreateMixed CREATURE_KN_VILLAGER_MALE, CREATURE_KN_VILLAGER_FEMALE, MK_EXAMPLE, CROWD

Group:variable

Group:variable,Thing:variable

Make the crowd look towards Thing.

Group:variable,Unknown:variable

Unknown

Group:variable

Unknown

Group:variable,Animation:enum,Unknown:float,Unknown:float,Unknown:float,Unknown:boolean,Unknown:boolean,Unknown:number

Do a crowd animation.

Example: CrowdAnimate CROWD,SCRIPT_CHEER_3,0.5,0.05,0.05,TRUE,TRUE,2

Unknown

Example: CrowdCombatAnimate CROWDBANDITS, CS_WALK_BACKWARDS_01, 0.0,0.0,0.0,FALSE,TRUE,FALSE

Group:variable,Unknown:unknown

Unknown

Group:variable{,Unknown:float{,Unknown:boolean{Unknown:boolean}}}

Kill all characters associated with the crowd. When they die they leave loot behind.

Example: CrowdKill HHUndead,1.5,TRUE,TRUE

Hero specific functions.

Item:variable{,Unknown:unknown{,Unknown:unknown{,Unknown:boolean}}}

Give hero an item. Item is the item's enumerator, e.g. OBJECT_SWORD_OF_AEONS.

Example: GiveHero OBJECT_HERO_HAT_JOB_MASK,1,-1,TRUE

Remove all clothes, only union jack underwear remain.

Unknown:unknown

Set hero's health.

Example: GiveHeroHealth MAX

Amount:number

Give hero Amount of “morality”. Negative numbers for evil, positive for good.

Object:enum

Sets hero tattoo.

Examples: HeroTattoo OBJECT_TATTOO_CARD_CHEST_01

Object:enum

Sets hair or beard for the hero.

Examples: HeroHair OBJECT_HERO_HAIR_YOUNG_01, HeroHair OBJECT_HERO_BEARD_TRAMP_01

Object:enum

Puts something into hero's hands. NULL is for empty. Objects not weapons.

Example: PutInHeroHands NULL
See also: Creature.HoldInHand

Weapon:variable

Set the current weapon for the hero (the weapon on his back). Hero will not wield it.

Unknown:boolean

Unknown

Object:variable

Take an object from the hero's inventory.

Example: TakeObjectFromHero OBJECT_TROPHY_JOB_MASK_01

Object:enum

Make the hero wear a hat. For no hat, use OBJECT_HERO_NO_HAT.

Example: HeroWear OBJECT_HERO_HAT_JOB_MASK

Amount:integer

Gives gold to hero.

This section contains all the functions that don't really belong into any specific category or if the category is just too small.

Pause:boolean

Unknown

On:boolean

Unknown

Text:string

Ask a yes and no question. It's unknown how the handling of the answer is done.

Example: AskQuestion TEXT_QST_B04_GM_QUESTION_LEAVING_TO_GRAVEYARD

Remarks: Synchronous

Disabled:boolean

Disable cutscene skip if Disabled is true. Remember to call AToSkip FALSE at the end of the cutscene.

Object:enum,Location:variable,Var:variable{,Unknown:boolean{,Unknown:variable}}

Creates a new object to use in the cutscene. Object is the object enumerator defined in game.bin, Location is the starting location marker defined a TNG file. Var is a name that you want use when referring to the object in the cutscene.

To delete the object use the Remove function.

Object:variable

Removes an object. Object can be a creature, house, chair, etc. It can either be created by the engine (in case of TNG objects) or created in the script with Create function.

Music:enum{,Unknown:boolean}

Starts playing music. Music is an enumerator for an audio file. Using MUSIC_SET_NULL stops playing music.

See Also: MuteSounds, EnableSounds

{Duration:float{,Unknown:float}}

Do a screen fade in. Duration is given in seconds.

{Duration:float{,Unknown:float}}

Do a screen fade out. Duration is given in seconds.

Unknown

Duration:float

Pauses the game for the given duration. Duration is given in seconds. Note that the function doesn't stop any cutscene actions like walking, talking, etc.

Unknown:boolean

Unknown

Count:integer

Do script frames aka. proceed a number frames. Count specifies the frame count.

Unknown:boolean

Unknown

Unknown:boolean

You would assume that it allow sounds (or not) right? That doesn't seem to be the case though.

Target:enum,Sound:variable,Unknown:unknown

Assumption: Target specifies the world location of the sound. It can be NULL.

Example: PlaySound HERO,$SOUND,CRITERIA

{Unknown:boolean}

Makes people put away their weapons. At least the hero.

{Remove:boolean{,Location:variable{,Unknown:variable{,Unknown:unknown}}}}

Relocation of loaded extras (characters). Remove tells to remove or return. Location is the location where the engine should put the extras, it is one of values: LIMBO, RETURN.

Wait until currently active dialog ends.

Remarks: Synchronous

Chest:variable,Open:boolean

Open or close chests. Chest is a variable specified in the TNG files with the ScriptName attribute.

Door:variable,Open:boolean

Open or close doors, gates, etc. Door is a variable specified in the TNG files with the ScriptName attribute.

Example: SetDoorOpen DragonGate

Unknown

{Unknown:boolean}

Unknown

Unknown:variable,Unknown:variable

Get a variable to a global object.

Example: Get Dragon,DRAGON

Object:variable

Assumption: Registers a global object to the cutscene.

Assumption: Show text even if the screen is black.

Effect:enum,Target:variable,Var:variable{,Unknown:float{,Unknown:boolean}}

Assigns an effect to an object. Effect is the name of the effect. Target is the target location object/thing/creature of the effect. Var is the variable that is used to refer to the effect from the script.

Example: CreateEffect DG_SOUL_SWIRL,HERO
See also: RemoveEffect

Unknown:enum,Object:variable,Unknown:unknown,Var:variable,Unknown:boolean

Object is the target for the effect. Var is the variable that is used to refer to the effect from the script.

Example: DummyEffect JACK_OF_BLADES_MASK_FINAL,HERO,WEAPON_FOCUS_01,MASKGLOW,TRUE

Effect:variable

Removes an effect. Effect is the variable used with the CreateEffect function.

Unknown:unknown,Unknown:boolean

Unknown

All:boolean

Unknown

Unknown:boolean

Unknown

Flag:variable,Unknown:boolean,Unknown:boolean

Assumption: Set a quest script flag.

Example: SetFlag OPENCAGE,TRUE,TRUE

Theme:enum,unknown:unknown:unknown:boolean

Credits:variable

Does a credit screen.

Collide:boolean{,Unknown:boolean}

Set object collision.

Unknown:boolean

Clear commands.

Text:string

Prints gray text on screen.

Returns to the main menu.

Change cutscene mode to fullscreen – no black bars.

Message:string

Show the message Message at the center of the screen.

Example: GameInfo 'Hello!'

Remarks: Synchronous

FileName:string

Play a video file in the data\Video folder.

Example: PlayAVI 6_Arena_Mothers_Story_Comp.xmv

Remarks: Synchronous

Classes are used for the different types of objects in the cutscenes. You can use these functions by using the syntax <Class variable>.<Function> e.g. Jack.Speak.

Object is the base class of creatures, effects, etc. What that means is that creature variables and effects, etc. all have these functions as well.

Alpha:float

Set object's alpha/transparency value. 1.0 is opaque, 0.0 is invisible.

{Duration:float{,Unknown:float}}

Fade in the character. Use SetAlpha to first make the object invisible.

{Duration:float{,Unknown:float}}

Fade out the object.

Creature class represents characters, etc. in the cutscenes.

Target:variable,Text:string{,Unknown:boolean{,Unknown:enum}}

Makes the specified character speak and turn towards the Target which refers to the listening creature. If NoDialogCam is off, camera is positioned relative to the Target. For example if the target is different from the speaking creature the camera will be placed slightly behind and above the target creature.

Text is the text that the character should say. It's usually an enumerator that's defined in text.big, but it can also be a normal string, like 'text'.

Example: THER.Speak THER,TEXT_QST_048_THERESA_INTRODUCTION_20
Example: VILL1.Speak HERO,'TEXT_CS_024_FAKE'

Remarks: Synchronous

Target:variable,Text:string

Allows speaking while doing something else, like walking.

Target:variable,Text:string

Target:variable,Text:string{Unknown:unknown{,Unknown:unknown}

Something to do with additive dialog?

Example: ORGANISER.DataSpeak $LINE,_10
Example: TRADER.DataSpeak TEXT_QST_B11_,_OUTRO_10,DATA

Angle:integer

Look to specified direction – an angle given in degrees.

Thing:variable,unknown:unknown

Assumption: Makes the thing to look at a thing.

See also: LookAt,LookAtNothing

Target:variable

Turn the creature towards the target, not just the head, but the whole body.

See also: LookAt,LookAtNothing

LookAtNothing:boolean

Makes the thing just look at nothing, aka. look just forward.

See also: LookAt,LookAtThing

Location:variable

Instantly Teleport creature to a location. Location is a marker.

Example: VICTIM.Teleport M_COE_VictimTeleport

Location:variable,NewLocation:variable,Time:unknown,Unknown:boolean,Unknown:boolean

Slowly teleports the creature. This allows other commands to be played as the person moves into place.

Example: VICTIM.SlideTeleport M_COE_VictimTeleport,M_COE_VictimAltar,100,TRUE,TRUE

Location:variable{,unknown:integer{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean}}}}

Makes the creature walk to a location.

Location:variable

Makes the creature run to a location.

Location:variable{,unknown:float{,unknown:unknown}}

Makes the creature walk to a location. The difference between this and WalkTo might be in “synchronicity”.

Remarks: Synchronous

Animation:variable

Loads an animation into memory.

Animation:variable{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown}}}}

Plays an animation.

Animation:enum{,unknown:number{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean}}}}}}

Plays a looping animation.

Assumption: Variable Count tells the number of times it should be played, -1 is forever.

Animation:variable{,unknown:number{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean{,unknown:boolean}}}}}}

Plays a looping animation.

Animation:variable{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown}}}}

Animation:variable{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown{,unknown:unknown}}}}

Same as PlayAnimation but waits until the animation is finished.

Remarks: Synchronous

{Unknown:variable}

Waits for certain tasks to end, like walking or animations. Variable unknown is usually just a temporary variable with no particular meaning.

Example: HERO.WaitTask FOO

Remarks: Synchronous

Drawable:boolean

Make the creature drawable or not.

{Unknown:boolean{,Unknown:boolean}}

Clear all active creature commands, like animations and such.

Mode:variable

Unknown

Example: HERO.AddScriptedMode CUTSCENE

Mode:variable

Unknown:unknown

Assumption: Makes the creature to sheathe their weapon. The parameter can take values like TRUE and MELEE.

Example: HERO.Sheathe MELEE

Speed:float

Set walking speed.

Speed:float

Set running speed. Value 1.05 is a good value.

Seed:integer

Sets the appearance seed for a villager.

Unknown:boolean,Unknown:boolean

Unknown

Scared:boolean

Set creature scared or unscared depending on Scared.

Example: TRADERS.SetScared FALSE

Collide:boolean{,Unknown:boolean}

Object:variable,Unknown:boolean

Puts an object into creature's hand. Weapon or an object. In case of weapons the results might differ according to character.

Target:variable

Make a creature fight another. Doesn't work for Hero.

Assumption: Make the fight stop that was previous started via FightWith.

Drunk:boolean

Make the creature drunk.

Change:number

Change current health.

Target:enum

Changes a creature into another. In case of the hero the the target creature has to meet certain requirements. What they are, we don't know yet.

It seems that there are a few problems with this function when it comes to NPC creatures.

Example: HERO.TurnInto CREATURE_HERO_CHILD

Target:Variable,Time:Seconds

Fades one thing into another. Notice that Target is a variable. Not an enum, so you have to create the target object before doing the fade.

Example: TRADER.FadeCross BALV,0.5

boolean

Makes the creature attackable/unattackable

Example: HERO.SetAttackable FALSE

boolean

Makes the creature damageable/undamageable

Example: HERO.SetDamageable FALSE

boolean

Unknown what this does.

Possibly enables the Bounding Box??

Example: PRIS.SetBound TRUE

boolean

Looks to be hostage quest specific. Probably allows them to move.

Example: HOST1.SetFree TRUE

boolean

Disables Force push on creature

Example: JACK.SetPushable FALSE

Target:variable

Summoner Specific Attack

Example: SUM.SummonerAttack MK_AM_TARGET

Event:variable

Waits for the specified event to complete before moving on.

Example: Hero.WaitForAnimationEvent CUT_SCENE_HOH_HERO_STANDUP

Remarks: Synchronous

Location:variable, Radius:Float

Waits for the creature to get within a certain radius of a location before continuing.

Example: Hero.WaitForUnderRadius OUTRO_MARKER_HERO,2.2

Remarks: Synchronous

In all cutscenes, by default, HERO (of class Creature) refers to the player character.

CreateEffect BALVERINE_TRANSFORM_3,HERO,EFF1
EFF1.SetAlpha 0.0
EFF1.FadeIn 3
GamePause 3
HERO.ClearCommands TRUE,TRUE
HERO.TurnInto CREATURE_HERO_CHILD
HERO.WaitTask FOO
EFF1.FadeOut 3
GamePause 3
RemoveEffect EFF1