VII. Infoboxes

What is an Infobox?

Infoboxes are the boxed summaries that appear in the top-right corner of most articles on the wiki (on mobile, they're at the top). They give readers a quick snapshot of the key facts about a character, planet, book, faction, or whatever the page is about—things like aliases, species, homeworld, or first appearance. A good infobox also handles a lot of behind-the-scenes work: it adds the page to the right categories, creates links, and often includes an image.

We use template-specific infoboxes on the Nov Belgaer Wiki. Almost every content page should start with an infobox right at the top of the edit box, before the lead section. For a full list of the templates we have, check out VI. Templates.

How do Infoboxes Work?

Once a page has been created using a template, one of the first sections you'll see in the Editor's pane is the html for the Infobox. Below is a simple example of a finished infobox on a Character page:

<div class="indent"> <div class="infobox-container"> <input type="checkbox" id="bkmrk-infoToggle" class="toggle-checkbox" hidden> [1] <div class="info-set info-set-1"> [2] <div class="infobox"> <div class="infobox-header">Hadrian Marlowe</div> <img src="/uploads/images/gallery/2024-09/hadrian.jpg" alt="Hadrian Marlowe"> [3] <label for="bkmrk-infoToggle" class="infobox-subheader">Show Spoilers</label> [4] <dl class="infobox-dl"> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Birth Date</dt><dd>ISD 16117</dd></div> [5] <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Species</dt><dd>Human</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Ethnicity</dt><dd>Sollan Imperial</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Caste</dt><dd>Palatine</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Blood Type</dt><dd>AB+</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Aliases</dt><dd>Hadrian Halfmortal</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Home Planet</dt><dd>Delos</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Affiliation</dt><dd>Sollan Empire</dd></div> <div class="infobox-row"><dt>Introduced In</dt><dd><i><a href="/books/empire-of-silence">Empire of Silence</a></i></dd></div> </dl> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="info-set info-set-2"> [6] <div class="infobox"> <div class="infobox-header">Hadrian Marlowe</div> ... ...

[1] Hidden checkbox that powers the spoiler toggle – never remove it!
[2] The spoiler-safe, default view.
[3] Link to image in the Image Gallery to be included in the Infobox. It is possible to include different pictures for the Default Info-Set and the Spoiler Info-Set, but most pages will use the same image in both sections of the code.
[4] Text the end user will see on the Infobox Spoiler Button. Default to Nonspoilers. Click to Reveal the Spoilered Info-Set-2.
[5] Example of an Infobox Row label. The labels included on the infobox can be customized, but will initially be determined by the selected Page Template. <dt> encloses the Label. <dd> encloses the Value.
[6] The full spoiler version lives here on real pages but is omitted in this example to keep it tidy. This spoiler version is otherwise identical to the non-spoiler version shown.

Guidelines for Using Infoboxes

The goal is to make the infobox useful at a glance without turning it into a cluttered mess. We're aiming for the most important, objective facts, not every tiny detail that could possibly fit.

Keep it focused and avoid duplication.
Pick the most accurate or specific parameter for a piece of info instead of repeating it across several. For example, if a character is a palatine and a Commandant , don't list "palatine" under both | Ethnicity and | Profession. If Birthplace and Current Residence are the same planet, just use one.
Don't list something in the infobox if it's already prominently covered in the lead sentence (e.g., no need to repeat the full list of aliases if the page title is already "Hadrian Marlowe (Sun Eater)").

Formatting and Style

Start every entry with a capital letter (even if it's a listed item).
Keep lists short and relevant. The infobox isn't the place for exhaustive family trees or every planet someone has ever visited. Save the long versions for the sections in the article body.
Use links freely (<a href ="INSERT LINK">), but don't overdo it.
Citations go after the period or comma, the same as in normal prose. Though you generally won't use much punctuation in the infobox.
If a parameter is empty or unknown, just leave it out or type Unknown. If not applicable, delete the row.

Images

Use the best available official or fan art (respecting copyright, of course), following the guidelines suggested at V. Images.
Put the image parameter near the top, right after the Infobox Header name.
Include a short, descriptive caption where you credit the artist.

First Appearance / Mention

Use the book where the subject is first named or clearly appears (whichever comes earliest in publication order). For most characters that's the same book, but sometimes a name drops in passing before we actually meet them. Still count the earliest mention.

Need More Help?

If something looks off or you're not sure which parameter to use, drop a message in the Wiki Channel on the Discord. We're all here to keep the wiki clean and consistent, so don't worry about experimenting!