If Design Dialogue

IF Design Dialogue

Overview

Use this skill to design the conversation layer of an exploratory Ink game. Conversations should work in player-chosen order, react to discovered knowledge, and avoid breaking continuity when topics are encountered early, late, or repeatedly.

Files To Read

Always read:

• story.yaml
• 03_characters/protagonist.md
• 03_characters/supporting_cast.md
• 04_design/story_beats.md
• 04_design/state_model.md

Read when relevant:

• 03_characters/relationships.md
• 04_design/map.md
• 04_design/locations.yaml
• 04_design/dialogue_matrix.md
• 04_design/progression.yaml
• 07_continuity/*

Files To Write

Write or update:

• 04_design/dialogue_matrix.md
• 04_design/state_model.md when new conversation state is needed.

Optionally update:

• 03_characters/relationships.md when interaction design clarifies relationships.

Dialogue Model

For each important character, define:

• stable id;
• where and when they can appear;
• default conversational stance;
• repeatable small talk or inspection loop;
• one-time topic revelations;
• topics gated by knowledge, inventory, skills, location, or prior dialogue;
• relationship or trust changes;
• what the character knows, conceals, misunderstands, or refuses to discuss.

Language Rules

Write project prose in story.language. Keep filenames, IDs, and YAML keys in English.

Procedure

1. Identify which characters need interactive dialogue rather than static prose.
2. Define topic groups and their dependencies.
3. Ensure every critical clue has a reliable route and every optional clue has a purpose.
4. Add repeatable dialogue patterns that acknowledge prior visits without bloating state.
5. Mark topics that should become unavailable, altered, or newly available after state changes.
6. Keep implementation-ready notes without drafting full Ink dialogue unless requested through if-draft-ink.

Output

Provide:

• dialogue matrix summary;
• key topic gates and revelations;
• character availability rules;
• state additions;
• recommended next step, usually if-design-progression.

Restrictions

• Do not write final Ink dialogue here.
• Do not make critical knowledge missable without an alternate route.
• Do not assume a fixed player conversation order.