Picking Dice

[Deckrect]

Hello, friends. Long time I don't log and this new forum is all new for me.

The things is... I'm doing some preliminary research to check if a game I would like making is possible. In short terms, for those who knows, I'm thinking about traslating the "Laser & Feelings" rpg mechanics for a text adventure. I don't find it the best of the systems (I'm a FATE guy), but I wonder would be nice having a try. But for doing this I would need to roll a number of d6 and pick and compare results of each die. And the number of dice rolled will vary, depending of each situation.

I'm pretty sure it is possible to be done. My question is if it would be simple. I really don't want implementing anything too complex because all the rest of the game will already be complex.

Thanks in advance.

[KVonGit]

Hello, Deckrect! Good to hear from you!

This should be relatively easy to do in Quest these days. This stuff is not my strong suit, but there are a few folks around these parts that are well versed in such things. So, more people will likely be chiming in soon.

This might be enough to get you started: https://docs.textadventures.co.uk/quest/random.html#roll-dice

[Deckrect]

Thank you very muck, K.V!

Thats ecxactly what I'm currently studying to check if it would be possible. But thanks for the suggestions.

[Deckrect]

I just started experimenting and realized I could do it with a series of IFs and a couple of Functions.

[KVonGit]

Right on!

I was pretty sure Quest could handle it.

Most of the people who know about this part of Quest haven't been posting here yet, but a few of them have joined the Discord server. This is all relatively new, though, as you know. Everyone will be along soon, and a question like this about randomness will end up with at least ten different answers, just like the old Quest forums.

[Deckrect]

Yes, yes... as soon as I can I'll join Discord too...

[euclidaeun]

Sample code
To paste the code

Download quest for windows at https://textadventures.co.uk/quest
This is the offline editor (Online editor is not able to copy and paste the whole game code)
Startup your quest gamebook/textadventure, on the right side of the big play button, you can see a code view button </>
Copy my code to replace the code in the text box, click code view button again.
Viola, it is done, press play button to test out the game and modify the code to your preference.

<!--Saved by Quest 5.9.9166.36226-->
<asl version="580">
  <include ref="English.aslx" />
  <include ref="Core.aslx" />
  <game name="laser_test">
    <gameid>fcba01f4-9711-4d27-8034-c459e960a458</gameid>
    <version>1.0</version>
    <firstpublished>2025</firstpublished>
    <gridmap />
  </game>
  <object name="room">
    <inherit name="editor_room" />
    <alias>bedroom</alias>
    <object name="player">
      <inherit name="editor_object" />
      <inherit name="editor_player" />
      <statusattributes type="stringdictionary">
        <item>
          <key>style</key>
          <value></value>
        </item>
        <item>
          <key>role</key>
          <value></value>
        </item>
        <item>
          <key>number</key>
          <value></value>
        </item>
        <item>
          <key>username</key>
          <value></value>
        </item>
        <item>
          <key>attack</key>
          <value></value>
        </item>
        <item>
          <key>health</key>
          <value></value>
        </item>
      </statusattributes>
      <take />
      <look type="script">
      </look>
      <inventoryverbs type="stringlist">
        <value>Look at</value>
        <value>Drop</value>
      </inventoryverbs>
      <delete type="script">
        RemoveObject (this)
      </delete>
      <displayverbs type="stringlist">
        <value>Look at</value>
        <value>Take</value>
      </displayverbs>
      <attack type="int">1</attack>
      <health type="int">100</health>
      <number type="int">0</number>
      <object name="create_character">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <alias>create character</alias>
        <feature_usegive />
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist">
          <value>Use</value>
        </inventoryverbs>
        <displayverbs type="stringlist" />
        <use type="script">
          character_style = NewStringList()
          list add (character_style, "Alien")
          list add (character_style, "Android")
          list add (character_style, "Dangerous")
          list add (character_style, "Heroic")
          list add (character_style, "Hot-Shot")
          list add (character_style, "Intrepid")
          list add (character_style, "Savvy")
          ShowMenu ("Choose a style for your character", character_style, false) {
            game.pov.style = result
            // next question
            character_role = NewStringList()
            list add (character_role, "Doctor")
            list add (character_role, "Envoy")
            list add (character_role, "Engineer")
            list add (character_role, "Explorer")
            list add (character_role, "Pilot")
            list add (character_role, "Scientist")
            list add (character_role, "Soldier")
            ShowMenu ("Choose a role for your character", character_role, false) {
              game.pov.role = result
              // next question
              character_number = NewStringList()
              list add (character_number, "2")
              list add (character_number, "3")
              list add (character_number, "4")
              list add (character_number, "5")
              list add (character_number, "6")
              ShowMenu ("Choose your number, the higher number means you're better at LASERS. A low number means you are're better at FEELINGS", character_number, false) {
                game.pov.number = ToInt(""+result)
                // next question
                msg ("Give your character a cool space adventure name. Like Sparks McGee or something")
                get input {
                  game.pov.username = result
                  // next action
                  RemoveObject (create_character)
                }
              }
            }
          }
        </use>
      </object>
      <object name="consortium_uniform">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <alias>consortium uniform</alias>
        <take />
        <look type="script">
          msg ("It have a built-in vacc-suit for space walks")
        </look>
      </object>
      <object name="space_phone">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <alias>space phone</alias>
        <take />
        <look type="script">
          msg ("It have a built-in universal translator")
        </look>
      </object>
      <object name="beam_pistol">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <alias>beam pistol</alias>
        <take />
        <look type="script">
          msg ("It have a built-in stun mode")
        </look>
      </object>
      <object name="help2">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <look type="script"><![CDATA[
          msg ("Player goal:<br/>Get your character involved in crazy space adventures and try to make the best of them<br/><br/>Character goal:<br/>Choose one or create your own:<br/>Become Captain, Meet New Aliens, Shoot Bad Guys, Find New Worlds, Solve Weird Space Mysteries, Prove Yourself, or Keep Being Awesome (you have nothing to prove)<br/><br/>Rolling the dice:<br/>When you do something risky, roll 1d6 to find out how it goes.<br/>Roll +1d if you're prepared and +1d if you are's an expert<br/>(The event tells you how many dice to roll, based on your character and the situation.)<br/>Roll your dice and compare each die result to your number.<br/><br/>If you're using LASERS (science, reason), you want to roll under your number.<br/><br/>If you're using FEELINGS, (rapport, passion) you wan to roll over your number.")
        ]]></look>
        <alias>help</alias>
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist">
          <value>Look at</value>
          <value>Drop</value>
        </inventoryverbs>
        <take />
      </object>
      <object name="credits">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <look type="script"><![CDATA[
          msg ("Lasers & Feelings:<br/>The Doubleclicks Tribute RPG (v1.3) is by John Harper.<br/>[email protected]<br/>onesevendesign.com")
        ]]></look>
        <alias>credits</alias>
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist">
          <value>Look at</value>
          <value>Drop</value>
        </inventoryverbs>
        <take />
      </object>
      <object name="create_ship">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <alias>create ship</alias>
        <displayverbs type="stringlist">
          <value>Look at</value>
        </displayverbs>
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist">
          <value>Look at</value>
          <value>Use</value>
        </inventoryverbs>
        <feature_usegive />
        <use type="script"><![CDATA[
          firsttime {
            create_ship.alias = "Raptor"
            game.raptor_strength = NewStringList()
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Fast")
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Nimble")
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Well-Armed")
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Powerful shields")
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Superior sensors")
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Cloaking Device")
            list add (game.raptor_strength, "Fightercraft")
            ShowMenu ("pick the first strength for your raptor", game.raptor_strength, false) {
              create_ship.strength1 = result
              list remove (game.raptor_strength, result)
              // next question
              ShowMenu ("pick the second strength for your raptor", game.raptor_strength, false) {
                create_ship.strength2 = result
                // next question
                game.raptor_problem = NewStringList()
                list add (game.raptor_problem, "Fuel Hog")
                list add (game.raptor_problem, "Only One Medical Pod")
                list add (game.raptor_problem, "Horrible Circuit Breakers")
                list add (game.raptor_problem, "Grim Reputation")
                ShowMenu ("pick one problem for your raptor", game.raptor_problem, false) {
                  create_ship.problem = result
                  msg ("Your ship is set<br/>Click look at raptor to see its details")
                }
              }
            }
          }
          otherwise {
            msg ("Your ship have already been created")
          }
        ]]></use>
        <look type="script">
          msg ("Raptor")
          msg ("Strength1: "+this.strength1)
          msg ("Strength2: "+this.strength2)
          msg ("Problem: "+this.problem)
        </look>
      </object>
      <object name="attack">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <displayverbs type="stringlist" />
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist" />
        <attr name="feature_usegive" type="boolean">false</attr>
        <use type="script">
        </use>
        <increase type="script">
          game.pov.attack = game.pov.attack+1
        </increase>
        <decrease type="script">
          game.pov.attack = game.pov.attack-1
        </decrease>
      </object>
      <object name="health">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <displayverbs type="stringlist" />
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist" />
        <attr name="feature_usegive" type="boolean">false</attr>
        <use type="script">
        </use>
        <increase type="script">
          game.pov.health = game.pov.health+1
        </increase>
        <decrease type="script">
          game.pov.health = game.pov.health-1
        </decrease>
      </object>
      <object name="dice">
        <inherit name="editor_object" />
        <rollone type="script">
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice: "+rng)
        </rollone>
        <rolltwo type="script">
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice: "+rng)
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice: "+rng)
        </rolltwo>
        <rollthree type="script">
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice: "+rng)
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice: "+rng)
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice: "+rng)
        </rollthree>
        <displayverbs type="stringlist" />
        <inventoryverbs type="stringlist" />
      </object>
    </object>
    <exit alias="north" to="room1">
      <inherit name="northdirection" />
    </exit>
  </object>
  <verb>
    <property>delete</property>
    <pattern>delete</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " delete " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
  <object name="room1">
    <inherit name="editor_room" />
    <alias>spacewalk</alias>
    <enter type="script"><![CDATA[
      firsttime {
        msg ("<br/>Oh no!<br/>You are walking in space, are you prepared for it?<br/><br/>Roll 1d6 to find out how it goes<br/>Roll +1d if you're prepared: If you have a space walk suit<br/>+1d if you are's an expert: If you are an android or explorer<br/><br/>Since this is a science event,<br/>Each roll equals or under your number counts as one success")
        wait {
          msg ("<br/>If none of your dice succeed: You suffered an asthma, you lose 15 health<br/><br/>If one die succeeds: You barely manage it, you lose 5 health<br/><br/>If two dice succeeds: You do it well, continue on!<br/><br/>If three dice succeed: You get a critical success! you gain 1 attack")
        }
      }
      otherwise {
        msg ("You flew through the space easily")
      }
    ]]></enter>
    <exit alias="south" to="room">
      <inherit name="southdirection" />
    </exit>
    <exit alias="north" to="room2">
      <inherit name="northdirection" />
    </exit>
  </object>
  <verb>
    <property>increase</property>
    <pattern>increase</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " increase " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
  <verb>
    <property>decrease</property>
    <pattern>decrease</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " decrease " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
  <object name="room2">
    <inherit name="editor_room" />
    <alias>a bad encounter</alias>
    <exit alias="south" to="room1">
      <inherit name="southdirection" />
    </exit>
    <object name="enemy1">
      <inherit name="editor_object" />
      <alias>Zorgon</alias>
      <battle type="script"><![CDATA[
        msg ("You fired your pistol with no mercy!")
        msg ("The enemy hides well and starts shooting back!")
        game.pov.health = game.pov.health-this.attack
        this.health = this.health-game.pov.attack
        if (this.health>0) {
          msg ("The enemy is still standing!")
          msg ("Enemy attack: "+this.attack)
          msg ("Enemy health: "+this.health)
        }
        else {
          msg ("The enemy has fainted, looks like you have found something")
          MakeObjectVisible (loot1)
        }
      ]]></battle>
      <attack type="int">3</attack>
      <health type="int">5</health>
    </object>
    <object name="loot1">
      <inherit name="editor_object" />
      <visible type="boolean">false</visible>
      <alias>assassination plot</alias>
      <take />
      <look type="script">
        msg ("There is an assassination plot against the mining leader, you should warn him!")
      </look>
    </object>
    <exit alias="north" to="room3">
      <inherit name="northdirection" />
    </exit>
  </object>
  <verb>
    <property>battle</property>
    <pattern>battle</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " battle " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
  <object name="room3">
    <inherit name="editor_room" />
    <alias>tundra mine</alias>
    <enter type="script"><![CDATA[
      firsttime {
        game.success = 0
        msg ("You have found the mining leader!<br/>You tried to explain that someone is eyeing his mining territory and trying to off him, will you succeed?<br/><br/>Since this is a feeling event,<br/>Each roll equals or over your number counts as one success")
        rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
        msg ("Player number: "+game.pov.number)
        if (rng >= game.pov.number) {
          game.success = game.success+1
        }
        msg ("Dice rolled: "+rng)
        if (Got(loot1)) {
          msg ("Since you have the assassination plot letter evidence, you roll +1d")
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice rolled: "+rng)
          if (rng >= game.pov.number) {
            game.success = game.success+1
          }
        }
        if (game.pov.style="Heroic" or game.pov.role="Envoy" ) {
          if (game.pov.style="Heroic") {
            msg ("Since your character is Heroic, you roll +1d")
          }
          else {
            msg ("Since your character is an Envoy, you roll +1d")
          }
          rng = GetRandomInt(1,6)
          msg ("Dice rolled: "+rng)
          if (rng >= game.pov.number) {
            game.success = game.success+1
          }
        }
        msg ("Number of successes: "+game.success)
        if (game.success >= 1) {
          msg ("<br/>You managed to convince the darren the burrower that the mining leader is in danger, however he is not the mining leader!")
          msg ("<br/>You're on the right track! + 1 attack (automatically updated)")
          game.pov.attack = game.pov.attack+1
        }
        else {
          msg ("<br/>You talk, talk and talk again, but darren looks at you in disbelief, eventually, he shoos you off by telling you he is not the mining leader, and you can't tell whether it is the truth or not")
        }
      }
      otherwise {
        msg ("<br/>darren: Are you going to sit there and watch me do all the digging, or are you going to help?")
      }
    ]]></enter>
    <exit alias="south" to="room2">
      <inherit name="southdirection" />
    </exit>
    <object name="npc1">
      <inherit name="editor_object" />
      <alias>darren the burrower</alias>
      <look type="script">
        msg ("Beardy and sad looking face")
      </look>
    </object>
  </object>
  <verb>
    <property>rollone</property>
    <pattern>roll one</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " roll one " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
  <verb>
    <property>rolltwo</property>
    <pattern>roll two</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " roll two " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
  <verb>
    <property>rollthree</property>
    <pattern>roll three</pattern>
    <defaultexpression>WriteVerb(game.pov, "can't") + " roll three " + object.article + "."</defaultexpression>
  </verb>
</asl>

[Deckrect]

Thank you! This is very very interesting. I liked to see some of the solutions in your game are the same I plan using!

Of course, I'll write my own story. In time. I still just studying what I could do and how.

Also, I did something a little different. I created an attribute for the numer of dice to be rolled. On each challenge, the game reads if the player has elements to increase the numer of dice. And then the game rolls the adequate number. I decided also modifying Lasers & Feelings a little bit, creating more positive conditions and also negative conditions. They anihilate one each other to sort how many dice to roll, but the minimum ammount of dice is always one and the maximum is always 4. I'll also change a little bit some of the character styles to fit better the sort of game I plan doing. Sometimes I ask myself why I'm doing it, because L&F is not very good. It would be for the fanfarre, or just because the "your number" mechanics is somewhat limited. I'll also get rid of hitpoints. I plan using, perhaps, damage types or levels. Or just use "hurt" or "unhurt". I'll also noticed people gets the combat in a very "I go, you go" type. I'll change it for a simple roll made by the player. A little bit like Powered by the Apocalypse.

I think the dice stuff will work better if in separate functions and, in the case of evaluating the the number of dice rolled, I'll judge case by case. Each scene will do the maths, exclusivelly for that situation.

Also, I decided using something I did for my project using fate. Most of the elemets will be presented as inventory items. Including such conditions, as I did to all Aspects in Fate. It will help the player to keep tracking of each element in game.

I really don't know why I'm explaining all of this. Perhaps it's a weird way of expressing gratitude for you amazing reply and help.