Tell Me How? Even tell me What!

So, we’ve asked Why.

Now—what about How?

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How you defend the traveller against the mooncursed angels? Ami Thompson

How is the inverse of Why. It is action. The external. It is the key word that invites the player to show exactly what they think is Awesome. Because a How doesn’t necessitate deepening the meaning of an action like a Why does. Instead, it zooms in—or out—across time or space. It contracts whole episodes into a few phrases. It determines and targets. It says This, not That. It creates a space within the imagined world which then gains definition. It splashes color onto the largest mountain or the smallest rock.

The most powerful question in the great game Swords Without Master—a question any player can ask any other—is:

“Show me how [your character] [a specific action].”

The player in focus answers—but first, they roll 2d6, and depending on the die roll will have their answer bound to these terms:

1. It succeeds with a moral complication that may be learnt from later.

2. The action is stymied, stiffled, unsuccesful.

3. A mystery whose reason may be revealed later changes the actions course, stymies or affects it greatly.

4. They get to do what they will.

Notably, this is done within the rogues phase, where we get to say as players what makes that rogue who they are, as the rogues actions are revealed. Free them from that yoke, and let the How be core to your game playing. Take the others hand and cleave a world.

How do you show your paramour appreciation for the first time? Ami Thompsnon

Try these Hows. You are the character above. Answer them. Imagine the results. Use a d4 and follow the instructions above if you feel spicy. Reincorporate morals and mysteries on repeat 1's.

“Show us how you traverse Mount Mirganash with great difficulty over four months.” 

“Show us how you lead your protege to the summit of Mount Mirganash.” 

“Show us how you lead your paramour past Mount Mirganash."

"Show us how you do battle with the willowsnake"

"Show us how you strike down the willowsnake, even as its fangs delivers the thrice-cursed venom into your veins" 

        "Show us how your blade earned the ghastly crack on its side.”

“Show us how you first react to seeing the horrific death-mask of the last moon-hooked finger.”

“Show us how you react to the dawning realization that the golden death-mask is the phylactery of the lich of the sun-gaol.”

“Show us how you keep the soul-withering curse of the death-mask [just] at bay for the day, as its power courses through your body.” 

“Show us how you cradle your lover on the first night together for a year.” 

“Show us how you cradle your lover on the first night together for a year—knowing it may be the last time.”

See how chaining the questions give a different meaning: Story is not the goal, it is the byproduct of interesting how's and why's.

Reflect on the pace of your answers. Cadence. Notice how changes in words, an "Even", or a "What" changes the response. The world they cleaved from your imagination changes - elements are made to contrast one another, or linked inextricably.

How do you curse the gods as the red steel consumes you with rage? Ami Thompson

OK - But what if the answer doesn’t fit the character?

Good question.

Better answer: the How should be open to inversion, refusal, or redirection—with care.

“Show us how your blade earned the ghastly crack on its side.”
“I don’t have a single nick on my blade. It’s immaculately straight and sharp.”
“Oh—show us then how you keep it so keen?”

How do you beg your lover to not pick up the redsteel blade, even knowing that the act is fruitless? Ami Thompson

What if you just wanted to splash color onto their character?

Then it’s not a How born of interest. It’s self-interest in disguise. You are not a painter.

You are a lover first: A conductor among shamans. You give the shared hallucination direction, throw ghosts and illegal passengers of the train car. You make sure that the symphony has proper intensity. You give the spirits that others conjure individually a definite form. You funnel imagination to a meaningful point. You make sure that everyone are aligned. Remember that. And your tool is love:

Ask with care.
Interest in the receiver.
Radical openness to the answer
Interest again.
Rinse. Repeat. 

How do you broker a deal with the victorious god for your lovers life? What concessions are you willing to make? Ami Thompson

That’s the How!..

How do you steel yourself against the pain of an arm lost, but rail against the knowledge that your lover will not remember you when she wakes? Ami Thompson

... And Even But Not a What