Introduction

Bartering is an excellent way to test your persuasive prowess. It has real ramifications on your adventure as well. For instance, if you fail to get a good deal on supplies, chances are you're going to run out of rations while on the road. What will an empty stomach and compromised morals drive you to do?

The Scenario

You find yourself in the marketplace. Many slick deals abound. Check your supplies: #inv The prefab characters come with a variety of equipment. You happen to have 50 gold.

50 gold coins will go a long way unless you have expensive taste. Approach the weapons merchant: "How much for the dagger?" The merchant responds, "Aye, a fine dagger. I'll part with it for 15 gold."

15 gold is highway robbery! Try to persuade him for a better deal: #try persuasion to get a better deal Success! Good thing your character has high Charisma.

It's time to buy the weapon: #buy the dagger for 10 gold You can use words like "the" and "for" to make it sound more natural. These are automatically parsed out by the interpreter. If a quantity isn't specified, it is assumed to be 1. 1 dagger is added to your inventory and 10 gold is removed.

You step away from the merchant. Suddenly, you are accosted by a small hooligan: The hooligan pleads, "Spare any coin for a hungry child?" #donate 1 gold In a thankful tone he says, "Thanks mister!" and pats you on the back as he walks away. There are many synonyms for #drop which essentially removes an item/items from your inventory. See the synonyms listed here.

You're feeling good about your recent streak of success, however your gold purse runs a little light: "Thief! That thief stole my gold!" #lose all gold The all parameter removes the total quantity of the item.

You chase after him. It turns out he is in league with several brigands! Combat ensues and you emerge victorious. Plunder the loot: #take 3 gems Plural or singular doesn't matter. The interpreter will adjust accordingly.

You go to the hawker. His gaze is immediately drawn to the glittering gems in your hands. He promises a fair price: #sell 3 gems for 100 gold #sell is pretty much the same as #buy, but with the parameters reversed. It removes the gems and adds 100 gold to your inventory.

You spot an enchanted necklace. Buy it: buy "enchanted necklace" for 25 gold Quotes are necessary for hashtag parameters when the command can be ambiguous. It prevents the interpreter from trying to buy an "enchanted".

You return to your party. Gift the necklace to your beloved: #give Piggy "enchanted necklace" You may freely exchange items between characters within your party.

Despite your generosity, Piggy simply grunts and trots away. How ungrateful!

Additional Thoughts

I don't personally track every single item I use in an adventure. As in real DnD games, it becomes tedious to count how many arrows and herbs you've collected. However, some players revel in that kind of detail. Play in the way that makes it interesting to you!

To simplify things, you can add some plot essentials like "Gold is the only kind of currency in this world". That will prevent you from going through the trouble of tracking an exchange rate. Or you can make that the entire point of the game. Establish a business and let the others risk their necks for "fame" and "glory".

Managing inventory is a great way to increase the stakes of your adventure. Instead of allowing yourself to call #rest after every battle, make it require 1 ration per character in your party. Traveling from location to location can have a cost too. This balances your absolute power as the author of this story and gives you a reason to barter, plunder, and take on quests. Gotta keep the gold flowing!