Well, here's a short branching dialog. Broader than it is deep. I've been through it so many times now that I can't see mistakes anymore, if there are any, so please speak up if there's a loophole I didn't close. I'm not saying this is indisputable proof that I'm the writer everyone needs, I'm just hoping this will lend me a bit of credibility.
The scenario is that the PC, Dust, killed a monster the night before and took its teeth as proof to collect a bounty. The following morning, the teeth may or may not have been stolen in the night, and Dust is meeting the sheriff to collect the reward money. He's got a few options:
Honesty: If he has the teeth, he'll hand them over and get his reward, as well as an offer for more work. If he doesn't, he can take the sheriff to the body, which would be another scene.
Intimidation: A successful intimidation attempt will get him the reward money. If he has the teeth, he'll get to keep them. If he doesn't, he gets the reward money without having to come up with any proof. Either way, the sheriff won't be too friendly toward him, and doesn't bother to let Dust know about other jobs available. Failing to intimidate the sheriff will give Dust a chance to backpedal and be honest, or start combat.
Bluffing: Dust can lie, which will give him the benefits of a successful intimidation attempt (reward without losing the teeth or without having to find other proof) without the drawbacks (an unfriendly sheriff and no knowledge of other jobs). Failing to bluff the sheriff will make the sheriff blow him off and end the dialog. The sheriff can still be approached again.
A couple of the sheriff's dialogs, S1a and S3a, have the wording slightly changed from their original counterparts according to the dialog that brought them there. S6a eliminates the intimidate option from S6 to prevent looping intimidation attempts. That is, if you decide to be honest about losing the fangs after failing to intimidate, you don't get the option to intimidate again.
The sheriff approaches as Dust enters the inn common room.Sheriff: "I hear you're the one that took care of our dog problem. Suppose you'll be wanting the bounty. Do you have the teeth?"
- [ONLY if Black Dog Fangs were not stolen] "Yes, they're right here." (Go to S1)
- [INTIMIDATE] "The word of a marshal isn't good enough for you? Call me a liar again, and I'll put this sword through you as quick as I did that monster." (Go to S2 if successful, S3 if failed)
- [BLUFF] "Black dog fangs disappear at sunrise, just like their bodies. Didn't you know?" (Go to S4 if successful, S5 if failed)
- [ONLY if Black Dog Fangs were stolen] "Someone made off with them while I was asleep. But you can ask anyone that was here last night, I had them." (Go to S6)
S1: "Oh, my. It must have been quite a beast, with a mouth full of daggers like that. Here's your reward, all in silver. We thank you for your service. Come by my office in Hedgecross if you want some more work."
(Gain 40 silver pieces, lose Black Dog Fangs) [END] S1a: "Was that so hard? It must have been quite a beast, with a mouth full of daggers like that. Here's your reward, all in silver. Come by my office in Hedgecross if you want some more work."
(Gain 40 silver pieces, lose Black Dog Fangs) [END]S2: "I—er, a marshal? I'm sorry, I didn't know. I saw some of your work during the rebellion. Nasty, nasty business. Not your work, specifically, I wouldn't want to imply—your reward, yes, here it is. Good day."
(Gain 40 silver pieces) [END]S3: "Marshal of the distillery, more like. If I had a star for every drunk I've locked up for waving some scavenged relic around, claiming to be this marshal or that knight, I say, I wouldn't be sheriffing. I'll need some proof before I hand over any reward."
- [ONLY if Black Dog Fangs were not stolen]"Fine. Here." (Go to S1a)
- "I told you not to call me a liar." [ATTACK]
- [ONLY if Black Dog Fangs were stolen] "Someone made off with them while I was asleep. But you can ask anyone that was here last night, I had them." (Go to S6a)
S3a: "Marshal of the distillery, more like. If I had a star for every drunk I've locked up for waving some scavenged relic around, claiming to be this marshal or that knight, I say, I wouldn't be sheriffing. No proof, no pay."
- "I can show you the body. It's just off the road into town." (Go to S7)
- "I told you not to call me a liar." [ATTACK]
S4: "Really? Must be why they're only seen at night. Yes, it makes perfect sense now that I think of it. Strange it never occurred to me before. I guess that's why you're the expert. Here's your reward, and please, come see me in Hedgecross if you'd like some more work."
(Gain 40 silver pieces) [END]S5: "Funny, I had the same problem with the reward money. If they should turn up, You can find me in Hedgecross. Good day."
[END]S6: "An inn full of drunks? For all I know, you offered them a share of the reward for supporting you. No, I'll have to see evidence if I'm to issue any coin."
- "I can show you the body. It's just off the road into town." (Go to S7)
- [INTIMIDATE] "The word of a marshal isn't good enough for you? Call me a liar again, and I'll put this sword through you as quick as I did that monster." (Go to S2 if successful, S3a if failed)
S6a: "An inn full of drunks? For all I know, you offered them a share of the reward for supporting you. No, I'll have to see evidence if I'm to issue any coin."
- "I can show you the body. It's just off the road into town." (Go to S7)
S7: "I suppose that will do. Just know that I wouldn't make such a concession if it wasn't on my way. Let me know when you're ready to go, and be quick about it. I have an appointment at midday."
[END]
Jobs
