June 23rd, 2026
I may have come up with a solution. I envisage using the Encounter system as the outer layer, and the Storytron/SWAT system inside it. The idea requires me to create a core dictionary of condensed conversational verbs. These verbs will represent a group of commonly used verbs in conversation — but with synonyms rejected. There would be just one verb for “insult”, for example, with varying degrees of intensity. Similarly, there might be verbs for ‘thank’, ‘agree’, ‘disagree’, ‘apologize’, and so forth. Each of these verbs will have something close to the standard components definied for SWAT: roles, options, plans, etc.
. Encounters are hereafter referred to as Incidents.
The player progresses through the Incident upside down palm tree (UDPT?), and when the player chooses an option in an Incident, that triggers changes to the global variables, including relationship variables. That option then transfers control to SWAT, sending a translation of the Incident to SWAT for treatment. This triggers a conversation between player and the character. When the conversation ends, control reverts to the Incident section.
The verb dictionary would still be accessible to the storyworld creator, with all its editing capabilities, in case the storyworld creator wishes to modify or expand it.
Gee, that was easier than I thought. The challenge is whether I really can create an adequate core dictionary.