let it leave me like a long breath

well i spent way more time than i should've messing with the dumb technicality of monad instances, but i got something that seems to work nicely now.

HUMAN {
	tribe = <tribes>
	occupation = $tribe.occupation

	p = male | female

	bio = a $p.n of the seven masked tribes. a $occupation of the $tribe.name tribe, $tribe.mask, whose power is $tribe.power, and whose color is $tribe.color

	description = a $p.n from the $tribe tribe, wearing a $tribe.maskspec mask. $p.xe has <tribe skintone>, a <tribe build> build, <tribe hair>. <tribal accent>.

	name = <tribe name>
}

male {
	g = male
	n = man
	xe = he
	xes = he's
	xyr = his
}

female {
	g = female
	n = woman
	xe = she
	xes = she's
	xyr = her
}

tribe skintone = <tribe base skin> skin | <tribe base skin> skin <tribe skin accent>
tribe base skin = red-brown | grey-brown | yellow-brown | blue-black
tribe skin accent = with asymmetrical splotches of pale yellow-brown across $p.xyr <bodypart> | with dark clusters of freckles across $p.xyr <bodypart>
tribe build = lean | muscular | rangy | fat
tribe hair = with $p.xyr head shaved bald | and black hair <tribe hairstyle>
tribe hairstyle = in one long braid down $p.xyr back | in two stiff braids on the sides of $p.xyr head | shorn down to stubble | in a mohawk | in daubed dreadlocks | as close-cropped fuzz
tribal accent = $p.xyr skin is covered in a mess of silvery scars | $p.xyr skin is covered in spiraling tattoos


simple tribe name = <s><v><f> | <s><v> | <s><v><i> | <s><v><i><v><f>
tribe name = <simple tribe name> | <simple tribe name>-<v><f> | <simple tribe name>-<s><v><f> | <s><v><f>-<simple tribe name>

s = br | ch | r | l | g | b | d | z | n
v = a | e | i | o | u
f = sh | z | r | kk
i = l | r | n | d


bodypart = <base bodypart> | <base bodypart> and <base bodypart>
base bodypart = arms | legs | chest | face | back | hands | shoulders

tribes = ash | vulture | storm | jackal | fire-eater | sky | whirlwind

ash {
	name = ash
	power = calling up growth from the dry desert sand
	mask = who wear ornate masks dyed with pale plant pigments
	maskspec = laquered wood | reed | painted papyrus
	color = green

	occupation = farmer | wanderer | trader
}
vulture {
	name = vulture
	power = the ability to glide on hot desert thermals
	mask = who wear masks in the shape of birds and flying spirits
	maskspec = vulture | bat | crow
	color = black

	occupation = adventurer | wanderer | trader
}
storm {
	name = storm
	power = calling rains and finding springs
	mask = who wear masks made in the image of howling storm-spirits
	maskspec = northern sandstorm-spirit | southern sandstorm-spirit | monsoon spirit | dust wind spirit | night wind spirit
	color = blue

	occupation = wanderer | witch | trader
}
jackal {
	name = jackal
	power = taming the wild beasts of the desert
	mask = who wear masks in the shape of the desert animals
	maskspec = jackal | fox | wolf | scorpion | serpent | spider | coyote | cottontail | jackalope | roadrunner
	color = brown and grey

	occupation = adventurer | hunter | raider | trader
}
fire-eater {
	name = fire-eater
	power = swallowing fire and breathing it back out
	mask = who wear masks made of many overlapping plates of opaque burnt glass
	maskspec = <glass mask>
	color = red

	occupation = adventurer | witch | raider
}
glass mask = fulgurite plate | <glass type> <glass color> glass | soldered shattered-glass
glass type = rough | smooth | pebbled | striated
glass color = brown | green

sky {
	name = sky
	power = calling down lightning and sickness
	mask = who wear complex-edged, deeply carved masks
	maskspec = radial burst | spiky | lightningbolt-shaped
	color = yellow
	occupation = adventurer | witch | poet | bandit | raider | artist
}
whirlwind {
	name = whirlwind
	power = calling up sandstorms
	mask = who wear blank, unadorned masks
	maskspec = <blank mask>
	color = white
	occupation = adventurer | bandit | witch | raider | scavenger
}
blank mask = blank <blank shape> <blank variant>
blank shape = oval | circular
blank variant = with a single eye-hole | with three eye-holes | with no eye-holes

HUMAN {
	location = <locations>
	occupation = $location.occupation

	p = male | female

	bio = a human $occupation, $location.from
	desc = a $p.n from the $location . $p.xes <human build>, with <human skin> skin.

	name = <human name>
}

human build = well-muscled | lean | muscular | thin | fat | thick-bodied
human skin = brown | red-brown | yellow-brown | olive

human name = <h syl><h syl><hf> | <h syl><h syl><h syl><hf>
h syl = <hs><hv>
hs = f | m | b | th | s
hv = a | e | i | o | u
hf = s | e

locations = painted cliffs | acid flats | mesa-temples | northern steppe | walled oasis-garden cities | old ruins

painted cliffs {
	from = one of the dwellers of the painted cliffs
	occupation = adventurer | scavenger | wanderer | exile | artist | bard
}
acid flats {
	from = one who roosts in stilt-huts on the acid flats
	occupation = adventurer | scavenger | wanderer | exile
}
mesa-temples {
	from = a follower of strange gods, from the mesa-temples
	occupation = adventurer | exile | priest | magician
}
northern steppe {
	from = from the farming communities of the northern steppe
	occupation = farmer | wanderer | trader
}
walled oasis-garden cities {
	from = a guildmember of the walled oasis-garden cities
	occupation = merchant | trader | mercenary
}
old ruins {
	from = from the glassblowers who nest in the hulls of ancient ruins
	occupation = scavenger | wanderer | glassblower | silversmith | artificer
}


ORC {
	type = <orc type>

	bio = an $type, from <orc locations>
	desc = a <orc adjective> $type with <orc skin>. $type.desc $type.accent

	name = <orc name>
}

orc locations = the great machine cities | the barbarian cities | the southern tribes

orc type = orc | ogre
orc adjective = big | fat | burly | well-muscled

orc skin = two-tone <orc skin color> and <orc skin color> skin, stitched together with ragged seams | <orc skin color> skin | <orc skin color> skin, <orc skin accent>
orc skin color = green | emerald | green-black | red-black | yellow-green | blue-green | dark green
orc skin accent = pebbled with rocky <orc scute color> scutes | with <orc coloration> patches across his <bodypart>
orc scute color = brown | black | grey
orc coloration = lighter | darker | leathery

orc {
	desc = .
	accent = he has enormous tusks that nearly reach his eyes. |
		he has nubby horns growing across his shoulders and from his brow. |
		his fingernails are ragged black talons.
}
ogre {
	desc = he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc.
	accent = his belly splits open into a drooling, slavering mouth. |
		his face is covered in a mess of gnarled, tightly-knotted horns. |
		his entire body is sheened in a layer of thick slime. |
		ethereal black flames billow up from his body.
}


orc name = <orc simple name> | <orc simple name> <orc participle>-<orc simple name>
orc simple name = <os><ov><of> | <oo><ov><of><os><ov><of>
orc participle = gra | bash | du | bur | cha
os = gr | r | l
ov = i | o | ô | u | û
of = z | zz | ž | k | ck | m | t | r | š
oo = <os> | ch | b



MOON RABBIT {

	p = male | female
	bio = a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand

	desc = $p.xe is a <moon rabbit fur>-furred moon rabbit, with <moon rabbit eye> eyes.

	occupation = wanderer | scavenger | exile

	name = <moon rabbit name>
}

moon rabbit fur = black | brown | tan | cream | red-brown
moon rabbit eye = red | white | black | hazel

moon rabbit name = <m syl><m syl><m syl> | <m syl><m syl><m syl><m syl>
m syl = <ms><mv>

ms = b | f | g | h | m | n | l | ll
mv = a | e | i | w | y | ą | ę | į | ų

EFREET {
	bio = an efreet, one of the descendants of the phoenix king

	desc = an ever-burning efreet. his body is like <efreet body>, and wreathed in <efreet flame> flames
}

efreet body = broken porcelain, mended with gold seams | complex geometrical sculpture | smoky glass, blackened in spiraling patterns from heat
efreet flame = red | green | blue | black | pale | colorless

GOAT MAN {
	clan = <clans>
	build = $clan.build
	bio = a goat-man of the $clan clan, from the eastern mountains
	desc = a $build goat-man with <goat man horns> sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got <goat man fur adjective> <goat man fur> fur, with <goat man skin> skin visible where it thins. $clan.accent

	name = <goat man name>
}

clans = moon | star | fire | dark | hunger
moon {
	build = muscular | lean
	accent = his horns and hooves glow with a dim, silvery light.
}
star {
	build = lean | muscular | lithe
	accent = his fur is dotted with glowing paint.
}
fire {
	build = muscular | gigantic | solidly-build
	accent = a golden witch-flame floats above his brow, between his horns.
}
dark {
	build = muscular | lean
	accent = his eyes are flat black.
}
hunger {
	build = thin
	accent = his body is gaunt and bony.
}

goat man skin = black | brown | grey | pale blue
goat man fur adjective = thick | glossy | coarse | thin | scraggly
goat man fur = black | red | brown
goat man horns = <goat man horn count> <goat man horn type> horns
goat man horn count = two | four | six | a tangled wreath of
goat man horn type = loosely arching | tightly-curled | swept forward

goat man name = <go><gf>
go = <goo><gv><gc>
gf = <gp><gv><gd>

goo = gh | kh | c
gc = r | l | v | m
gv = a | e | i | o | u
gp = b | p | t | k | r
gd = d | b | p | g | k

BEAST {
	bio = a wild beast from the deep wasteland
	desc = a monster in the shape of <beast legs> <beast animal>, <beast accent>
}

beast legs = a six-legged | an eight-legged
beast animal = wolf | goat | serpent
beast accent = with two heads | with leathery wings | with drooling fangs | covered in sharp quills

PEOPLE = HUMAN | ORC | MOON RABBIT | EFREET | GOAT MAN | BEAST

the final generator i'm using is PEOPLE, and the program kindly informs me that there are 501,545,375,139,762 distinct combinations available. (the vast, vast majority of them are from names)

here are a few examples:

ORC {
	name: bozzgriš bur-lotrôt
	desc: a fat ogre with dark green skin, with lighter patches across his shoulders and hands. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. ethereal black flames billow up from his body.
	bio: an ogre, from the southern tribes
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: bušrim cha-rirruš
	desc: a well-muscled ogre with green-black skin, with darker patches across his legs and face. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. his face is covered in a mess of gnarled, tightly-knotted horns.
	bio: an ogre, from the southern tribes
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: chomlûk du-bukrôr
	desc: a burly ogre with red-black skin, with lighter patches across his face. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. his entire body is sheened in a layer of thick slime.
	bio: an ogre, from the barbarian cities
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: bušgruck du-lûšgrôz
	desc: a burly orc with yellow-green skin, with darker patches across his back and face. . his fingernails are ragged black talons.
	bio: an orc, from the southern tribes
	type: orc
}
ORC {
	name: bišgriz gra-bitlôzz
	desc: a burly ogre with green-black skin, with leathery patches across his shoulders and face. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. ethereal black flames billow up from his body.
	bio: an ogre, from the southern tribes
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: butlût gra-chuzrick
	desc: a well-muscled ogre with emerald skin, with darker patches across his arms. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. ethereal black flames billow up from his body.
	bio: an ogre, from the great machine cities
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: ložgrôck cha-grizzrock
	desc: a well-muscled orc with red-black skin, with lighter patches across his chest and hands. . he has enormous tusks that nearly reach his eyes.
	bio: an orc, from the southern tribes
	type: orc
}
ORC {
	name: rûmluž du-rôzzroz
	desc: a big ogre with green-black skin, with leathery patches across his face and back. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. his belly splits open into a drooling, slavering mouth.
	bio: an ogre, from the barbarian cities
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: lizgrik cha-chôzzgruš
	desc: a big ogre with red-black skin, with lighter patches across his hands and back. he is towering, half again as tall as a normal orc. his entire body is sheened in a layer of thick slime.
	bio: an ogre, from the great machine cities
	type: ogre
}
ORC {
	name: lošgrik bash-bûkluz
	desc: a burly orc with green-black skin, with lighter patches across his face and face. . his fingernails are ragged black talons.
	bio: an orc, from the southern tribes
	type: orc
}
HUMAN {
	name: buniz-lukk
	description: a woman from the jackal tribe, wearing a coyote mask. she has red-brown skin with dark clusters of freckles across her back and back, a rangy build, and black hair in daubed dreadlocks. her skin is covered in spiraling tattoos.
	bio: a woman of the seven masked tribes. a adventurer of the jackal tribe, who wear masks in the shape of the desert animals, whose power is taming the wild beasts of the desert, and whose color is brown and grey
	p: female
	occupation: adventurer
	tribe: jackal
}
HUMAN {
	name: gukk-lolir
	description: a woman from the storm tribe, wearing a southern sandstorm-spirit mask. she has red-brown skin with asymmetrical splotches of pale yellow-brown across her shoulders and arms, a rangy build, with her head shaved bald. her skin is covered in spiraling tattoos.
	bio: a woman of the seven masked tribes. a wanderer of the storm tribe, who wear masks made in the image of howling storm-spirits, whose power is calling rains and finding springs, and whose color is blue
	p: female
	occupation: wanderer
	tribe: storm
}
HUMAN {
	name: zer-briler
	description: a man from the whirlwind tribe, wearing a blank circular with no eye-holes mask. he has yellow-brown skin with asymmetrical splotches of pale yellow-brown across his shoulders and face, a rangy build, and black hair in daubed dreadlocks. his skin is covered in spiraling tattoos.
	bio: a man of the seven masked tribes. a raider of the whirlwind tribe, who wear blank, unadorned masks, whose power is calling up sandstorms, and whose color is white
	p: male
	occupation: raider
	tribe: whirlwind
}
HUMAN {
	name: doz-ralush
	description: a man from the storm tribe, wearing a monsoon spirit mask. he has blue-black skin with dark clusters of freckles across his arms and chest, a muscular build, with his head shaved bald. his skin is covered in a mess of silvery scars.
	bio: a man of the seven masked tribes. a wanderer of the storm tribe, who wear masks made in the image of howling storm-spirits, whose power is calling rains and finding springs, and whose color is blue
	p: male
	occupation: wanderer
	tribe: storm
}
HUMAN {
	name: bidesh-diz
	description: a man from the fire-eater tribe, wearing a pebbled green glass mask. he has grey-brown skin with dark clusters of freckles across his shoulders and shoulders, a fat build, and black hair in daubed dreadlocks. his skin is covered in a mess of silvery scars.
	bio: a man of the seven masked tribes. a witch of the fire-eater tribe, who wear masks made of many overlapping plates of opaque burnt glass, whose power is swallowing fire and breathing it back out, and whose color is red
	p: male
	occupation: witch
	tribe: fire-eater
}
HUMAN {
	name: rikk-lalekk
	description: a woman from the ash tribe, wearing a painted papyrus mask. she has red-brown skin with dark clusters of freckles across her hands and chest, a fat build, and black hair as close-cropped fuzz. her skin is covered in a mess of silvery scars.
	bio: a woman of the seven masked tribes. a farmer of the ash tribe, who wear ornate masks dyed with pale plant pigments, whose power is calling up growth from the dry desert sand, and whose color is green
	p: female
	occupation: farmer
	tribe: ash
}
HUMAN {
	name: daliz-liz
	description: a woman from the jackal tribe, wearing a coyote mask. she has red-brown skin with asymmetrical splotches of pale yellow-brown across her chest and chest, a muscular build, and black hair in one long braid down her back. her skin is covered in spiraling tattoos.
	bio: a woman of the seven masked tribes. a hunter of the jackal tribe, who wear masks in the shape of the desert animals, whose power is taming the wild beasts of the desert, and whose color is brown and grey
	p: female
	occupation: hunter
	tribe: jackal
}
HUMAN {
	name: giz-ludikk
	description: a woman from the whirlwind tribe, wearing a blank circular with no eye-holes mask. she has red-brown skin with dark clusters of freckles across her shoulders and back, a rangy build, and black hair in one long braid down her back. her skin is covered in spiraling tattoos.
	bio: a woman of the seven masked tribes. a bandit of the whirlwind tribe, who wear blank, unadorned masks, whose power is calling up sandstorms, and whose color is white
	p: female
	occupation: bandit
	tribe: whirlwind
}
HUMAN {
	name: brez-girukk
	description: a man from the fire-eater tribe, wearing a rough green glass mask. he has blue-black skin with dark clusters of freckles across his face and legs, a fat build, and black hair in daubed dreadlocks. his skin is covered in a mess of silvery scars.
	bio: a man of the seven masked tribes. a adventurer of the fire-eater tribe, who wear masks made of many overlapping plates of opaque burnt glass, whose power is swallowing fire and breathing it back out, and whose color is red
	p: male
	occupation: adventurer
	tribe: fire-eater
}
HUMAN {
	name: lez-bralash
	description: a woman from the jackal tribe, wearing a spider mask. she has blue-black skin with dark clusters of freckles across her shoulders and back, a lean build, and black hair as close-cropped fuzz. her skin is covered in spiraling tattoos.
	bio: a woman of the seven masked tribes. a adventurer of the jackal tribe, who wear masks in the shape of the desert animals, whose power is taming the wild beasts of the desert, and whose color is brown and grey
	p: female
	occupation: adventurer
	tribe: jackal
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: lillębagų
	occupation: exile
	desc: she is a brown-furred moon rabbit, with hazel eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: mwbafwlw
	occupation: wanderer
	desc: she is a brown-furred moon rabbit, with white eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: lųmifįlw
	occupation: wanderer
	desc: she is a brown-furred moon rabbit, with hazel eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: hymįlellį
	occupation: scavenger
	desc: she is a brown-furred moon rabbit, with hazel eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: mefybali
	occupation: wanderer
	desc: he is a red-brown-furred moon rabbit, with hazel eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: male
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: nyllwhygą
	occupation: wanderer
	desc: she is a red-brown-furred moon rabbit, with red eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: menebųba
	occupation: scavenger
	desc: she is a red-brown-furred moon rabbit, with black eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: nęfwnwly
	occupation: scavenger
	desc: she is a brown-furred moon rabbit, with white eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: llwbąmįllį
	occupation: exile
	desc: she is a brown-furred moon rabbit, with black eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
MOON RABBIT {
	name: hwnybąllų
	occupation: scavenger
	desc: she is a cream-furred moon rabbit, with red eyes.
	bio: a moon rabbit, from the dusty warrens beneath the sand
	p: female
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: ghulkeg
	desc: a solidly-build goat-man with six swept forward horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got thin black fur, with black skin visible where it thins. a golden witch-flame floats above his brow, between his horns.
	bio: a goat-man of the fire clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: solidly-build
	clan: fire
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: gholpak
	desc: a muscular goat-man with a tangled wreath of loosely arching horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got thin black fur, with pale blue skin visible where it thins. his fur is dotted with glowing paint.
	bio: a goat-man of the star clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: muscular
	clan: star
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: ghavrid
	desc: a lean goat-man with two loosely arching horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got thin red fur, with black skin visible where it thins. his horns and hooves glow with a dim, silvery light.
	bio: a goat-man of the moon clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: lean
	clan: moon
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: ghompud
	desc: a solidly-build goat-man with a tangled wreath of swept forward horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got glossy brown fur, with black skin visible where it thins. a golden witch-flame floats above his brow, between his horns.
	bio: a goat-man of the fire clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: solidly-build
	clan: fire
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: ghuvtuk
	desc: a muscular goat-man with two tightly-curled horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got scraggly black fur, with brown skin visible where it thins. his horns and hooves glow with a dim, silvery light.
	bio: a goat-man of the moon clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: muscular
	clan: moon
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: ghultob
	desc: a muscular goat-man with two tightly-curled horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got coarse red fur, with black skin visible where it thins. his fur is dotted with glowing paint.
	bio: a goat-man of the star clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: muscular
	clan: star
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: khimteg
	desc: a lean goat-man with six loosely arching horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got thin brown fur, with grey skin visible where it thins. his eyes are flat black.
	bio: a goat-man of the dark clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: lean
	clan: dark
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: khevtag
	desc: a lean goat-man with six loosely arching horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got thick red fur, with grey skin visible where it thins. his horns and hooves glow with a dim, silvery light.
	bio: a goat-man of the moon clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: lean
	clan: moon
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: calbep
	desc: a lean goat-man with two tightly-curled horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got coarse brown fur, with black skin visible where it thins. his fur is dotted with glowing paint.
	bio: a goat-man of the star clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: lean
	clan: star
}
GOAT MAN {
	name: calpob
	desc: a muscular goat-man with two tightly-curled horns sprouting from his goatlike head. he's got glossy black fur, with brown skin visible where it thins. his eyes are flat black.
	bio: a goat-man of the dark clan, from the eastern mountains
	build: muscular
	clan: dark
}

anyway now i really need to start working on something aside from just expanding the generator. like: actions! i have a rough syntax worked out for how they'll fit into the data file and be parsed, and after that it's just a matter of... parsing them and running them.

the goal with these challenges is, aspirationally, first week doing architecture, second week fleshing out a playable prototype. which means i need something playable in the next few days, and that means: actions + generated population + pc control of an actor, all of which are reasonably big things to do. so uh, gotta get on that.