> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://axiomemu.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://axiomemu.gitbook.io/docs/data/data.md).

# Overview

Shared game content. One copy exists per installation at the release root (`Data/`). Every GameServer process reads from this folder in addition to its own per-server `Data/` identity folder.

## File Location

```
Data/
├── Command.xml
├── Effect.xml
├── EventItemBagManager.xml
├── MapManager.xml
├── MapServerInfo.xml
├── Message.xml
├── ShopManager.xml
├── CashShop/
├── Character/
├── Custom/
├── Event/
├── EventItemBag/
├── Hack/
├── Item/
├── Monster/
├── Move/
├── Plugins/
│   ├── Characters/
│   ├── Events/
│   ├── Items/
│   ├── Social/
│   └── World/
├── Quest/
├── QuestWorld/
├── Shop/
├── Skill/
├── Terrain/         (binary map attributes, not admin-editable)
└── Util/
```

## Shared vs Per-Server

| Root                                   | Scope                       | Contents                                                                                                    |
| -------------------------------------- | --------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `Data/` at release root (this section) | One per installation        | Items, monsters, events, skills, shops, plugins, quests, messages, maps                                     |
| `GameServer/Data/`                     | One per GameServer instance | Per-server identity `.dat` files, documented under the [GameServer](/docs/gameserver/gameserver.md) section |

Running multiple GameServers on one machine means multiple `GameServer/Data/` folders (each with a unique `ServerCode` and `LicenseKey`) but a single shared `Data/` folder that every instance reads.

## Sections

### Root files

| File                                    | Purpose                                    |
| --------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------ |
| `Command.xml`                           | NPC-triggered chat commands and dialogs    |
| `Effect.xml`                            | Buff and debuff effect definitions         |
| `EventItemBagManager.xml`               | Registry of event loot bags                |
| `MapManager.xml`                        | Per-map properties, PK zones, restrictions |
| `MapServerInfo.xml`                     | Multi-server map ownership                 |
| `Message.xml`                           | System message strings                     |
| [`ShopManager.xml`](/docs/data/shop.md) | NPC-to-shop mapping                        |

### Subfolders

| Subfolder                           | Contents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| ----------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `CashShop/`                         | Cash shop products (`CashShop.xml`)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| `Character/`                        | Per-class defaults (`DefaultClassInfo.txt`)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| `Custom/`                           | Custom server features (`CustomDeathMessage.txt` and similar)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            |
| `Event/`                            | One `.dat` per event (Blood Castle, Chaos Castle, Crywolf, Devil Square, Kanturu, Raklion, Illusion Temple, Imperial Guardian, Double Goer, Moss Merchant, Bonus Manager, Castle Deep, Rei Do Mu, and Mu Castle). Castle Siege configuration lives in the per-server GameServer identity files, not here |
| `EventItemBag/`                     | Per-bag loot tables referenced by `EventItemBagManager.xml`                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| `Hack/`                             | Packet validation rules (`HackPacketCheck.txt`) and binary anti-hack blobs (`Dec1.dat`, `Enc2.dat`)                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| [`Item/`](/docs/data/item.md)       | Master item database, option tables, drop rules, set and socket definitions                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| [`Monster/`](/docs/data/monster.md) | Monster stats, spawn locations, AI, skills                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| `Move/`                             | Teleport destinations and gate definitions (`Move.txt`, `Gate.txt`, `MoveSummon.txt`)                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |
| [`Plugins/`](/docs/data/plugins.md) | Modular features: ResetSystem, VIP, ChaosMix, PostCommand, plugin extensions                                                                                                                                                                                                                             |
| `Quest/`                            | Classic quest system (`Quest.txt`, `QuestObjective.txt`, `QuestReward.txt`)                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |
| `QuestWorld/`                       | World-quest rework (`QuestWorld.txt`, `QuestWorldObjective.txt`, `QuestWorldReward.txt`)                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| [`Shop/`](/docs/data/shop.md)       | Per-NPC shop inventories registered in `ShopManager.xml`                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |
| `Skill/`                            | Master skill tree, damage curves, skill definitions (`Skill.txt`, `MasterSkillTree.txt`, `SkillDamage.txt`, `SkillElect.hit`)                                                                                                                                                                            |
| `Util/`                             | Experience table, chat filter, rename filter, GM list, notices (`ExperienceTable.txt`, `Filter.txt`, `FilterRename.txt`, `GameMaster.xml`, `Notice.xml`)                                                                                                                                                 |

## Overlays

A GameServer can layer a second folder on top of the shared `Data/` folder to override specific files without editing the shared copy. See [Data Overlays](/docs/data/overlays.md).

## Game Data Sync

Many files here are pushed from the server to the client at login (skills, item definitions, custom visuals, chaos mix recipes, and more). Edits to those files take effect after the next relog per player, not instantly. See [Game Data Sync](/docs/data/game-data-sync.md) for the full list and effect-timing rules.

## Reload vs Restart

* **Restart required** for nearly every file under `Data/`. Loaders run once at GameServer startup.
* **Hot reload supported** by a few plugins (ResetSystem, SkillSpeedScale, ChaosMix, CustomCombo, CustomStartItem, MuHelperPickup, and a few others). Each plugin page documents its own reload trigger.
* **Synced files** also require each player's next login to see the new data, even after GameServer restart - see [Game Data Sync](/docs/data/game-data-sync.md).

When in doubt, restart.

## Where to Start

New admins usually want these first:

1. [Item/](/docs/data/item.md) - item database, drops, options
2. [Monster/](/docs/data/monster.md) - stats and spawns
3. [Shop System](/docs/data/shop.md) - NPC shop contents
4. [Plugins/](/docs/data/plugins.md) - feature toggles
5. Specific `Event/` pages for the events you run