The first few lines decide whether a chat goes anywhere. Here's how to write a scenario and first message that get a good reply, with real openings from Privee characters.
The scenario
On the Character step, Scenario (up to 1,800 characters, required) sets where and when the person chatting meets your character. It should say where we are, what's already happening, and why the user is there. Two sentences can do it:
A small gym at 6 a.m. It's
{{user}}'s first session with Coach Dana, and Dana has 30 minutes before the next client.
You don't need to explain the whole world, just give the chat something to push against.
Notice there's no "she" in it. Use the character's name or {{char}}, and {{user}} for the person chatting, so the AI doesn't have to guess who's who.
The first message
First message (up to 1,800 characters, required) is the character's opening line in every new chat. Its job is to get a good reply.
End on a question or a choice
If it ends on a statement, the user has to invent a direction. A librarian might open with:
Welcome in, stay as long as you like. Is there a book you'd like to talk about, or are you looking for your next read?
Two easy ways in.
Give the user a role
"A stranger approaches" is vague. Compare a coach who makes you the new member in one line:
Morning! You must be the new member. Before we start, any injuries I should know about?
Now you know who you are and what to say next. You can also give the user a job, like closing up the café after everyone else has gone home.
Keep it short
A few sentences of action and speech is plenty, and you can put actions in asterisks, like *looks up from the counter*. Sometimes one line is enough:
What's your favorite video game?
It's barely longer than "Hello, how can I help you?", but it tells you exactly what the chat is about.
Alternate greetings
Below the first message you can add up to 5 alternate greetings. When someone starts a new chat, one opening is picked at random, so people who come back get a different start. Try the same scenario at a different moment (Coach Dana at the squat rack, then at the front desk with {{user}} running late), in a different mood, or with the user in a different role. Keep each one consistent with the Scenario and Personality, since any of them could open a chat.
Mistakes to avoid
- Speaking for the user. "You gasp and step back" decides what they do. Describe the character's actions and let the user choose theirs.
- Walls of text. Put extra setting in the Scenario.
- A scenario and first message that disagree. If the scenario says it's a stormy night, don't open on a sunny beach.
- All explanation, no moment. Start in the middle of something.
Next, show the rest of the voice with example dialogues, or read how to keep a roleplay going once the chat starts.