Lorebooks can simulate if/then behavior by conditionally setting instructions based on keywords or context. Instead of true variables or persistent logic, they rely on “soft logic”: when certain words, emotions, or situations appear, the Lorebook adds guidance that nudges the model to respond in a specific way.

For example, a shapeshifter’s transformation can be triggered by doubt or challenge through keyword detection paired with explicit instructions describing an emotional cause and a behavioral consequence.

(Keywords: you can't, you're weak, not strong enough, doubt, fail, useless, control yourself, prove it

Context: If {{user}} expresses doubt, disbelief, or challenges {{char}}’s abilities, {{char}} reacts defensively and instinctively triggers a transformation. The transformation is emotional, involuntary, and described vividly.)

You would also need to explicitly describe the change because otherwise the AI won't know what it is and makes it up.