I already use (and adore) Config::IniFiles, but it does not accept such simple syntax. It does, however accept multiline values for the params, but then the config would have to look like this:

[general]
Room=<<EOT
A simple multiline text
description
EOT

Wall=<<EOT
Another multiline 
wall description

With two paragraphs.
EOT
[download]

In recent versions of Config::IniFiles, you can specify a default section, so the first line of the above example could be omitted by doing:

$cfg = Config::IniFiles->new( -file => *DATA, -default => "general" );
[download]

Still, this is the same heredoc syntax which I was trying to avoid in the first place.

Fortunately, gnosti has found the Data::Section::Simple module that seems to do exactly what I was searching for. His recommendation, and your excellent first reply, add to the reasons why I love our Monastery. Thank you.