Exchanges

An exchange is a question the other person asks you. define exchange <key> for <person> lists the replies that are available while it is open, and it is opened from a row with then asks <key> (or then invites <key>, which offers rather than presses).

Rows come in three kinds. answer "yes", "aye": matches what the player says, with aliases; answer the <entity>: matches naming a thing rather than a phrase. An act row such as on leaving: fires when the player does something instead of replying. on silence: fires when they say nothing at all — and silence is always available, so an exchange can never trap a player who simply will not answer.

The header takes an optional strength: passive, assertive, or blocking. A blocking exchange holds the floor — other subjects are refused until it resolves — while a passive one lets the conversation drift. Reach for blocking only when the character genuinely would not let a question go, because it takes the conversation away from the player until it is answered.

Row bodies are ordinary statements, so an answer can change state, and leave ends the scene as part of the reply.

define exchange the-offer for Will Kemp, blocking
  answer "yes", "aye", "sworn":
    phrase kemp-sworn
    change Will Kemp to sworn
  answer the Tiring-House:
    phrase kemp-looks-around
  on leaving:
    phrase kemp-calls-after
    leave
  on silence:
    phrase kemp-offer-silence
end exchange