Overview
Character relationships in Verkilo:
- Are bidirectional - each character has their own view of the relationship
- Track emotional dynamics - how characters feel about each other
- Support custom labels - define relationship types that fit your story
- Display in a grid view - see all relationships at a glance
Accessing Relationships
From Character Page
- Open Characters from the binder
- Select a character
- Click the Relationships tab
From Character Detail
When viewing a character's full profile:
1. Scroll to the Relationships section
2. Or click the Relationships tab
Adding a Relationship
- Open a character's Relationships view
- Click Add Relationship
- Select the other character
- Define the relationship from this character's perspective
- Optionally define the reverse relationship
Relationship Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Character | Who this relationship is with |
| Label | Type of relationship (friend, rival, spouse, etc.) |
| Description | Details about the relationship |
| Emotion | How this character feels (positive/negative/neutral) |
Bidirectional Relationships
Relationships are stored from each character's perspective:
Example: Sarah and Marcus
- Sarah → Marcus:
Mentor
- She looks up to him - Marcus → Sarah:
Protégé
- He's training her
This captures that relationships aren't always symmetrical.
Setting Both Directions
When adding a relationship:
1. Define Character A's view of Character B
2. Toggle Set reverse relationship
3. Define Character B's view of Character A
You can also edit each direction separately later.
The Relationship Grid
View all character relationships in a grid format:
- Go to Characters page
- Click Relationship Grid view
Reading the Grid
- Rows and columns are characters
- Cells show the relationship label
- Color indicates emotional tone:
- Green: Positive relationship
- Red: Negative/conflicted relationship
- Gray: Neutral
Grid Interactions
- Hover over a cell to see details
- Click a cell to edit that relationship
- Empty cells indicate no defined relationship
Relationship Types
Common relationship labels:
- Family: Parent, Child, Sibling, Spouse
- Professional: Boss, Colleague, Mentor, Rival
- Social: Friend, Acquaintance, Enemy
- Romantic: Partner, Ex, Love interest
Create any label that fits your story—the system is flexible.
Emotional Dynamics
Track how characters feel:
| Emotion | Use For |
|---|---|
| Positive | Trust, love, respect, admiration |
| Negative | Distrust, hatred, fear, resentment |
| Neutral | Indifference, professional distance |
| Complex | Mixed feelings, changing dynamics |
Use Cases
Tracking Alliances
Map who's aligned with whom:
- Political factions
- Family loyalties
- Team dynamics
Conflict Mapping
Identify sources of tension:
- Rival relationships
- Negative emotions
- Conflicting loyalties
Romance Tracking
Follow romantic subplots:
- Current relationships
- Past relationships (ex)
- Unrequited feelings
Character Arcs
Track relationship changes:
- Update labels as relationships evolve
- Note emotional shifts
- Document turning points in descriptions
Editing Relationships
Changing a Relationship
- Open the character's Relationships tab
- Find the relationship to edit
- Click to open the edit dialog
- Update fields as needed
- Save changes
Removing a Relationship
- Open the relationship for editing
- Click Delete Relationship
- Confirm the deletion
Note: Deleting removes both directions unless you only delete one side.
Tips
- Start with key relationships - don't try to map everyone at once
- Use descriptions for context -
Met during the war
- Update as you write - relationships evolve
- Check the grid for plot opportunities - interesting conflicts often emerge
- Both directions matter - unrequited feelings create drama
Planning with Relationships
Before writing:
1. Create your main characters
2. Define their initial relationships
3. Note planned relationship changes
4. Use the grid to spot missing connections
As you write:
1. Update relationships after major scenes
2. Track emotional shifts
3. Ensure consistency with your story
Limitations
- Relationships are character-to-character (not group relationships)
- No timeline tracking (relationships are current state only)
- No automatic detection (you manually define relationships)