Tailored Room Description

version 10 by Emily Short

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  • Example: ** Introductions - A system whereby both things and rooms can be given an "introduction", a tag line of text that is added the first time the player sees them in the room description if they are the main topic of a paragraph, or as an addendum to the object's description the first time it's examined. Introduction text can also be reviewed by the player with a THINK ABOUT command.

        "Introductions"

        Include Tailored Room Description by Emily Short.

        Section 1 - The Rules

        A thing has some text called the introduction. The introduction of a thing is usually "".
        A room has some text called the introduction. The introduction of a room is usually "".

        Rule for writing a paragraph about an as-yet-unknown introduceable thing (called special-target):
            carry out the writing a topic sentence about activity with the special-target;
            introduce the special-target;
            say paragraph break.
            
        After examining an as-yet-unknown introduceable thing (called special-target):
            introduce the special-target;
            say paragraph break.
        
        To introduce (special-target - an object):
            now the special-target is introduced;
            say "[introduction of the special-target]".

        Definition: a thing is introduceable if its introduction is not "".
        Definition: a room is introduceable if its introduction is not "".

        A thing can be as-yet-unknown or introduced. A thing is usually as-yet-unknown.
        A room can be as-yet-unknown or introduced. A room is usually as-yet-unknown.

        The first time looking rule is listed after new object description rule in the carry out looking rules.

        This is the first time looking rule:
            if location is introduceable and the location is as-yet-unknown
            begin;
                introduce the location;
                say paragraph break;
            end if.
        
        A description-concealing rule:
            now every thing which is held by an as-yet-unknown introduceable person is not marked for listing.
        
        Understand "think about [any introduceable introduced thing]" or "remember [any introduceable introduced thing]" as thinking about. Understand the commands "recall" or "consider" or "recollect" or "ponder" or "contemplate" as "remember".

        Thinking about is an action applying to one visible thing.

        Carry out thinking about:
            introduce the noun;
            say paragraph break.
        
        Section 2 - The Scenario

        The Maremma Breeding Ground is a room.

        Logar is an animal in Maremma Breeding Ground. "Logar stands here, waiting for instructions."
            The description is "A nine-month puppy, Logar is nonetheless a pretty sizable dog already."
            The introduction is "He's your latest acquisition in a large collection of work dogs."
        
        Logar carries a bone.
            The description of the bone is "Pretty well chewed already."
            The introduction of the bone is "That bone came out of a leg of lamb, but there's not much left on it."
        
        Test me with "z / look / x logar / think about logar / x bone".