I didn’t really see a GM advice section, so if there is one this will likely get moved.
Adam Koebel’s talked a while back about how the best you as a GM are going to do at planning and predicting player reactions to things is to make an abstracted boolean tree. I would like to ament that theory a bit by stating that you may be able to write npc reactions to player input with either a “caustic” or “soothing” response system. It’s not Mass Effect’s paragon and renegade system, although they do share some qualities. I don’t believe there should be a “good versus bad” or “good versus evil” judgement on these reactions, but thinking about how an npc may react to either soothing or caustic remarks made by players and how they may alter circumstances can (at least) be a good mental exercise.
What’re your thoughts?