Entity Group Management System

[FirebrickRed]

Summary

Create, manage, and control groups of entities as a unit. Enables moving multiple entities together and shared initiative for combat scenarios.

Phase: 4 - DM Tools
Systems: Entity System, DM Tools, Combat Prep

Prerequisites

• Unified Entity System Foundation #72 - Unified Entity System Foundation
• Entity Spawning Commands (DM-Only) #73 - Entity Spawning Commands

Goals

• /dmentity group create <name> - Create empty group
• /dmentity group add <entity> <group> - Add entity to group
• /dmentity group remove <entity> <group> - Remove from group
• /dmentity group list [group] - List groups or group members
• /dmentity group move <group> <location> - Move all entities
• /dmentity group delete <group> - Dissolve group
• Load groups from multi-entity YAML files
• Shared initiative flag for combat

Use Cases

Scenario 1: Manual Grouping

# Create kobold patrol group
/dmentity group create kobold_patrol

# Add entities
/dmentity group add skrix kobold_patrol
/dmentity group add yeek kobold_patrol  
/dmentity group add meepo kobold_patrol

# Move entire patrol
/dmentity group move kobold_patrol ~10 ~0 ~5
> Moved 3 entities from group "kobold_patrol"

Scenario 2: YAML Group Definition

# DMContent/Entities/patrols/kobold_warband.yml
group: true
id: kobold_warband

entities:
  - id: kobold_warrior
    count: 3
    random_names: true
    
  - id: kobold_shaman
    count: 1
    custom_name: "Krixix the Wise"

group_initiative: true  # All share one initiative in combat

/dmentity spawngroup kobold_warband
> Created group "kobold_warband" with 4 entities

Group Operations

# List all groups
/dmentity group list
> kobold_patrol (3 entities)
> town_guards (5 entities)

# List group members
/dmentity group list kobold_patrol
> 1. Skrix (kobold_warrior)
> 2. Yeek (kobold_warrior)
> 3. Meepo (kobold_warrior)

# Move group
/dmentity group move kobold_patrol ~0 ~0 ~20
> Moving kobold_patrol...

# Dissolve group (entities remain spawned)
/dmentity group delete kobold_patrol
> Group "kobold_patrol" dissolved

Formation System

# Future enhancement: spawn with formations
group: true
id: guard_formation

entities:
  - id: guard_captain
    formation_position: center
    
  - id: town_guard
    count: 4
    formation_position: surround
    # Auto-positions in square around captain

Next Steps

After completing this issue, tackle:

• Entity Combat Initiative Integration #83: Combat Initiative Integration (use shared initiative)

Related Issues

• Unified Entity System Foundation #72 - Unified Entity System Foundation (prerequisite)
• Entity Spawning Commands (DM-Only) #73 - Entity Spawning Commands
• Entity Combat Initiative Integration #83 - Combat Initiative Integration
• Random Encounter Table System #80 - Encounter Tables (can spawn groups)
• Pre-Planned Combat Scenario System #81 - Scenarios (use groups in combat)