Writing Better Actions

Good actions give the Narrator intent, method, and boundaries.

Name the goal

Instead of talk to the guard, write:

I ask the guard who relieved the night watch and listen for hesitation. I want a name, not a confession.

Name the method

Your training, equipment, relationships, and position matter when you make them relevant.

I use the surveyor's map to approach from the dry ridge and keep the flood channel between us and the patrol.

Leave room for consequence

Do not write the result into the action. I convince her removes uncertainty. I show her the letter and appeal to the promise she made gives the world something to judge.

Use dialogue naturally

You can write spoken words directly. The Narrator keeps your speech as yours and gives other characters their own dialogue cards when appropriate.

Use OOC for clarification

Wrap the whole message in parentheses when you need a factual aside:

(Which district are we in, and is the tram still running?)

OOC costs 0 Spark and does not advance the turn.

Keep corrections factual

State what was already established and what appears wrong. OOC is not a way to force success, rewrite a roll, or create an unearned item.