The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

There are two intentions behind every offer: The intention of the character, and the intention of the inter-actor playing the character. These two intentions are not always the same.

A robber is holding a tourist at gunpoint, and the gun shakes nearly as much as his voice as he declares, “Hand over all your money!” There are two intentions at work here. The nervous robber wants to pull off a successful robbery, but the inter-actor playing the robber wants the tourist to refuse, perhaps even turn the tables on him.

If following an offer means going along with the intention of the offer, which intention do you follow? If you have a clear sense of what your fellow player’s intention is, follow that, even if it seems contrary to what the player’s character wants. This is an inverse follow. If you aren’t sure what the players intention is, follow the character’s intention.

Don’t use the inverse follow as an excuse to resist offers just because you feel like it. Do it because you truly believe it’s what your fellow player wants to happen.