Difficulty
So, what stops you from just declaring something like, “I just fix all of the community’s problems”? Actually, you should try that! Hopefully, someone at the table will remember that hen should ask questions and build on the answers, and ask you an immediate question like, “Cool — how do you do that?” Your response will likely prompt a few more questions, until we get down to some specifics, at which point someone at the table, noticing that we should begin and end with the story, will use the ritual phrase, “But only if…” to establish how you can achieve some of those things.
- Ritual Phrase
- But only if…
- Use
- Establishes conditions to achieve a goal.
- Available
- After a player describes her character doing something.
When a player declares what hen wants hens character to achieve, you can use this ritual phrase in response to establish what hen will have to do to achieve that goal. If hen does that thing, then that goal comes to pass.
The ritual phrase “That sounds difficult…” operates similarly, but rather than specifying precisely what the character must do, you simply establish that it will take some effort.
- Ritual Phrase
- That sounds difficult…
- Use
- Introduces difficulty.
- Available
- After a player describes her character doing something.
A character can accomplish something difficult by paying a moment of awareness to the place, but before hen does that, a third player could escalate the situation further by invoking the responding ritual phrase, …very difficult.”
- Ritual Phrase
- …very difficult.
- Use
- Intensifies difficulty.
- Available
- After another player uses the ritual phrase, 'That sounds difficult…'
No one can accomplish a very difficult task alone. You’ll need to get help from someone else. Two or more main characters can accomplish a very difficult task if they each spend a moment of awareness to do it. A single main character can accomplish a difficult task with the help of one or more supporting characters who agree to help. When determining whether or not they’ll agree to help, remember to let them make their own decisions. Other members of the community would likely help with most tasks with little hesitation, though they’ll also likely expect the main character’s help with their own tasks. Life in a gift economy works like that.