Making action apply to player

Not if you’ve intercepted the look command with an instead rule, which is what you’ve done. Your instead rule will fire anywhere, at any time. This is definitely the problem. Here’s a simple test game that demonstrates it:

[code]The Lab is a room. “Many devious tests are conducted here.”

The Porch is north of the Lab. “A scenic view of the lawn.”

Harry is a man in the Porch.

Instead of doing anything except jumping in the presence of Harry:
end the story saying “Too bad, Joe!”[/code]
The description of the Lab never prints, because the Instead rule prevents that initial automatic LOOK command. As I indicated earlier, this fixes the immediate problem:

Instead of doing anything except jumping: if Harry is in the location: end the story saying "Too bad, Joe!"; else: continue the action.
But it’s still a puzzle that will irritate most players.

Thanks.

Oops, that was my mistake. It should be “…anything other than stepping aside while in the presence…” to get the precedence right.

EDIT: And as others have said, this will be a very very irritating puzzle for players. I would advise against it.

I’d give them 3 turns to do it.

“Step aside, peasant,” she commands.

Examine horse
A fine looking beast.
“Step aside,” she says again, “or I shall ride you down!”
kiss lady
Difficult. She’s on a horse.
“Last chance, I tell thee,” she commands, “or else thy flesh shall be riven by my horse’s hooves.”
punch horse
It looks at you with a jaundiced eye.
Losing patience, the lady spurs her horse and rides you down.
You are dead

McT

I was going to give it up, but I kind of like that last suggestion.