[Mark Walton]

Closest I came to this sort of thing was in my events file - I made a number of "sets" of events, each with the same initial descriptions and then with a time delay, followed by variable results.

The idea is that you get a message, you have some idea what the outcome might be but don't know for sure.

For example :


Type := Ship - Experience Change
Severity := Low
Effect Amount := 50
Message To := Owner
Num Messages := 1
Message Title 1 := Quested Ship
Message 1 := The crew of [%VehicleName] was once again visited by the god-like alien. This being told the crew that your race requires 'guidance and support'. Helpless to resist, the crew's minds were altered. When they came to their senses, they found they had amazing skills and abilities...
Picture := OrdersNotCompleted
Time Till Completion := 5
Num Start Messages := 1
Start Message Title 1 := Quested Ship
Start Message 1 := The vessel [%VehicleName] has been visited by a powerful, god-like alien. This bizarre creature has warned the crew that they are being 'tested', but refused to say what form the test would take or the consquences of failure!

Type := Ship - Damage
Severity := Low
Effect Amount := 95
Message To := Owner
Num Messages := 1
Message Title 1 := Quested Ship
Message 1 := The crew of [%VehicleName] was once again visited by the god-like alien. The being thrashed about in wrathful spasms, causing significant damage to the vessel, then was gone...
Picture := OrdersNotCompleted
Time Till Completion := 5
Num Start Messages := 1
Start Message Title 1 := Quested Ship
Start Message 1 := The vessel [%VehicleName] has been visited by a powerful, god-like alien. This bizarre creature has warned the crew that they are being 'tested', but refused to say what form the test would take or the consquences of failure!

Type := Ship - Moved
Severity := Low
Effect Amount := 3
Message To := Owner
Num Messages := 1
Message Title 1 := Quested Ship
Message 1 := The crew of [%VehicleName] was once again visited by the god-like alien. The being expressed concern over the actions of the crew, and suggested that a character-building exercise may be in order. In the blink of an eye the ship was transported across the galaxy...
Picture := OrdersNotCompleted
Time Till Completion := 5
Num Start Messages := 1
Start Message Title 1 := Quested Ship
Start Message 1 := The vessel [%VehicleName] has been visited by a powerful, god-like alien. This bizarre creature has warned the crew that they are being 'tested', but refused to say what form the test would take or the consquences of failure!

I did similar things with planetary rebellions - the outcoem might be win, lose, riots, facility damage etc. So, you get a message there's trouble brewing, take action based on uncertain result.
(Not fully tested yet)