You say you want a resolution.... part 1

Yesterday I talked about dice.  Today, I'm going to unpack task resolution in some detail.  Specifically, I'm going to look into the nooks and crannies between intent, declaration, resolution, effect, and description.  We make a lot of assumptions about how those all fit together, and I think the differences in those assumptions are largely responsible for the differences in our gaming styles.

[Ed. note - The words just kept pouring out of me.  I'm breaking this post up into several sections of its own.  This first one will deal with intent.]
But how can you know what you want
Till you get what you want
And you see if you like it?


When beginning a task, it is actually important to have some idea in mind of what you want to have happen.  Most players, though, skip this step.  In some cases, it is simply a matter of going through the motions.  Insert dice, receive plot cookie.  In others, the player is just doing what the GM commands, and passively flowing with the adventure.  And, in far too many cases, the player just doesn't care enough to think about the task, either through boredom or lack of imagination.

If you don't have a clear vision of how you want the action to play out, it is going to be very difficult to communicate your character's actions and reactions to either success or failure.  If you fail to invest your actions with meaning and interest, it becomes harder for those reacting to you to invest their actions with meaning and interest.  The energy level of the game starts a terrible downward spiral.

On the other hand, if you can picture in your mind what your character is trying to do, your immersion is increased.  Your engagement is increased.  Your energy is increased.  And, that gets passed on to others.  Having a definite intent also makes it much easier to invent an effect based on the resolution.  You know what the motions going into the attempt are, so you can predict what the motions coming out will be.

Note that this intent is not simply a mechanical, tactical issue.  That is certainly part of the formula.  If you are trying to kill someone, or sneak past him, or talk him into something, you need to have some idea of what the rules allow you to do towards that end.  But, try not to start there.  Much like when building a good character, it is important to start with a concept first.  Look at your priorities, your options, and your strengths and weaknesses.  Figure out how your character would tackle the problem.  Think of a couple possible outcomes that would make for a good scene.  Pick an approach, and go with it.  I realize that all that sounds like a ridiculous amount of time and effort for every action.  But, if you know your character, it shouldn't take more than maybe thirty seconds.  If you know the rules, then fitting mechanics to your approach should take another thirty seconds for most actions.  Sure, this can get trickier when you are juggling a whole list of spells, feats, powers, etc.  But, that shouldn't factor in to the vast majority of your actions.  (If it is, it either speaks to a serious issue with the system, or a need for more organization on your part.)

Keep in mind, as well, that your intent is not simply a vision of your success.  It is a vision of what you are attempting.  Occasionally, you will fail.  Failure can be just as interesting as success (we'll get to that in a bit).  But no one should ever go into a task assuming that she will fail.  Your character should be assuming that she will succeed, and you should have her act appropriately.