Let's talk about "plot", "story", and "play to find out."

[Crimson Longinus]

I don't think that making it like real life is possible. I think you can make it engaging by playing it out, and so you should do it for that reason, but that if you want to have a resolution method that isn't simply GM fiat then you should use some mechanics as well.

I think the aim should be to make it like real life at least in way any good fiction feels real and evokes real emotions. Now if rules can help with that, great, but often they cannot.

 

[Pedantic]

I think the aim should be to make it like real life at least in way any good fiction feels real and evokes real emotions. Now if rules can help with that, great, but often they cannot.

Here me out, you're both wrong, and the rules should provide the player a meaningful set of decisions to make in pursuit of their goal for that conversation.

If they can't do that, there's not enough difference between fiat and gambling to care.