3 Steps to Creating Starting Scenarios for your RPG Campaign using AI GPTs
- Danny McKeever
- Jan 10
- 13 min read
Updated: Jan 23
Dreaming: Using AI to Create Starting Scenarios for Your Campaign
AI tools can be a game-changer for Game Masters, helping you create dynamic and engaging starting scenarios for your campaigns. Whether you’re brainstorming ideas or refining the details, prebuilt GPTs can save time and spark creativity. Here’s how you can use three specific GPTs to craft a memorable beginning for your campaign.
Read this blog, (Transforming D&D Campaigns with AI: Why Story-First Matters >>), as to why story first is an important approach when creating campaign scenarios.
1. Campaign Idea Generator GPT
The first step in building your campaign is generating a solid foundation. The Campaign Idea Generator GPT helps you brainstorm overarching concepts and themes for your campaign, villains, factions, and player hooks.
This GPT will help you come up with ideas for a campaign.
You will want to save off a starting campaign template document from this first step.
How It Works:
You will be asked a series of questions to help think through the type of campaign you want to create.
The GPT will provide you 3 different outputs for you to choose from and refine.
The GPT will then write a summary for you that you should save as a starting campaign template.
Example GPT Campaign Output for Template
Campaign Title: Ashes of the Weeping Crown
Campaign Type: Gothic Fantasy/Decay
Theme: Forbidden Knowledge/Madness
Elements: Religious Dogma/Forbidden Love
Overview:The kingdom of Tormalas, once a beacon of divine splendor, now lies in ruin. Its cathedrals crumble, its people starve, and its faith is tainted by the dark whispers of betrayal. The reigning King Halvinar, a man hollowed by grief, enforces brutal religious decrees to erase the memory of his late queen, Althera. Her death—shrouded in mystery—has fractured the kingdom, as rumors of her forbidden love with an otherworldly being spread like wildfire.
The queen’s tragic end marked the beginning of Tormalas’s decay. Strange phenomena plague the land: nightmarish visions in the countryside, a rising cult that venerates the forbidden lover, and an eerie spectral light haunting the palace halls. The populace teeters between rebellion and despair as the king’s Inquisition scours the land for heretical relics tied to the queen’s memory.
The players find themselves in a web of deceit, prophecy, and madness. To uncover the truth, they must infiltrate a court rife with dangerous secrets, outwit fanatical inquisitors, and navigate a kingdom on the brink of collapse. But as they delve deeper into forbidden knowledge, the question arises: will they save Tormalas, or hasten its descent into darkness?
Player Character Types:
The Guilty Guard – A former royal guard haunted by their failure to protect the queen.
The Scorned Lover – A secret partner of the queen, seeking answers and justice.
The Rebel Mage – A practitioner of forbidden magic who believes the queen’s forbidden power can restore balance.
The Revolutionary Leader – A charismatic firebrand rallying the oppressed against the king’s tyranny.
The Devout Apostate – A former priest torn between loyalty to their faith and the truth of the queen’s legacy.
Primary Quest Hooks:
The Broken Diary – The players must recover fragments of the queen’s diary, which hold clues to her forbidden love and her death.
Cult of the Veiled Crown – A mysterious cult claims to speak in the queen’s name and promises salvation through her forbidden lover. Their rise threatens the kingdom’s fragile stability.
The Coronation Ritual – Prevent an ancient ritual that King Halvinar plans to perform, one that could erase the queen’s soul forever or unleash her wrath.
Secondary Quest Options:
The Singing Dissenter – Protect or silence a bard who performs treasonous songs about the queen’s forbidden love.
The Cathedral’s Secrets – Explore a desecrated cathedral where the queen was last seen alive, now overtaken by maddening visions.
The Oracle’s Testimony – Convince a reclusive oracle, once the queen’s confidant, to reveal the prophecy tied to her death.
Special NPCs:
King Halvinar – A grieving, tyrannical ruler obsessed with erasing Althera’s memory.
Althera’s Shade – The queen’s ghost, a fragmented figure appearing in mirrors and dreams, hinting at truths she cannot fully recall.
Archbishop Caelus – The manipulative head of the faith, who uses the king’s madness to consolidate his own power.
Seraphine the Bard – A subversive performer spreading the queen’s tragic tale, rallying both hope and rebellion.
Environmental Challenges:
Religious Purges – Avoid the king’s zealous enforcers during curfews and public purifications.
Fallen Sanctuaries – Navigate the crumbling remains of temples and ruins filled with traps and maddening illusions.
The Wailing Mists – Endure the supernatural fogs surrounding the palace that induce hallucinations and sap willpower.
2. Campaign Detail Generator GPT
Once you’ve selected a core idea, the Campaign Detail Generator GPT helps you flesh out the campaign plot, story structure, details—locations, factions, notable NPCs, and overarching goals.
This GPT will help you flesh out the details of your campaign.
How It Works:
Provide your campaign template and walk through a series of questions to flesh out your campaign into plot structures, campaign crux a Story Spine and 3 Acts.
The GPT creates rich lore and details, tailored to your campaign helping you the GM to get clarity and flesh out the nitty gritty details of your campaign.
The goal is to give you a detailed outline for you to edit and update.
GPT Campaign Detail Generator Output
Campaign Overview
The Ashes of the Weeping Crown, set in the decaying kingdom of Tormalas, weaves a tale of shattered faith, forbidden love, and the price of knowledge. Once a bastion of divine glory, Tormalas is now plagued by eerie omens and a populace torn between despair and rebellion. The players must uncover the truth behind Queen Althera’s death and her rumored love with an otherworldly being, navigating a kingdom poisoned by grief and religious fervor. To succeed, they must unravel deadly secrets, outmaneuver the king’s inquisitors, and face the spectral echoes of the past to determine the kingdom's fate.
Campaign Story Spine
Once upon a time, Tormalas was a radiant kingdom, its faith and monarchy unshakable.
Every day, its people prayed in awe of the divine light of their queen and the decrees of their king.
But one day, Queen Althera died under mysterious circumstances, and the king’s grief drove him to tyrannical zealotry.
Because of that, the kingdom decayed into ruin, its people haunted by whispers of the queen’s forbidden love and the rise of a cult venerating her memory.
Because of that, rebellion brews, while supernatural phenomena spiral out of control, threatening to consume the land.
Until finally, the players confront the legacy of Althera’s love, the cost of the king’s madness, and the haunting truths hidden in Tormalas’s past, deciding whether to save or doom the kingdom.
Crux of the Story
The players uncover and confront the truth of Queen Althera’s forbidden love and tragic death in a decaying kingdom ruled by a grieving, tyrannical king. The campaign pits them against powerful forces: fanatical inquisitors, scheming nobles, and supernatural entities linked to the queen's love. With Tormalas spiraling into madness, the players must decide whether to restore balance or let the kingdom burn.
Plot Arc Outline
Setup: The players are drawn into Tormalas’s conflict, discovering hints of the queen’s tragic story and its links to current unrest.
Rising Action: They delve into the queen’s secrets, face increasing danger from the Inquisition, and encounter the spectral forces of Althera’s forbidden love.
Climax: A confrontation with King Halvinar and the cult reveals the truth of the queen’s death and the price of forbidden knowledge.
Falling Action: The players must make critical choices that determine Tormalas’s fate.
Resolution: The kingdom’s future, shaped by the players’ actions, is resolved—whether it’s salvation, further decay, or destruction.
Background
The once-prosperous kingdom of Tormalas has been plunged into ruin by grief, political scheming, and the whispering madness of forbidden knowledge. Queen Althera’s mysterious death shattered not only her husband, King Halvinar, but the very fabric of Tormalas’s divine order. Her forbidden love with an otherworldly entity haunts the kingdom, its tendrils reaching into the present as a cult rises in her name. The players must navigate this fractured world of zealotry, rebellion, and supernatural dread, unraveling the truth of Althera’s story while facing choices that will shape the kingdom’s destiny.
Questions for Campaign Background Output
What is the lead into the campaign?The campaign begins during Saint’s Day, a once-glorious festival now twisted by the king’s oppressive decrees. The players, drawn together in the capital of Elarion, find themselves targeted by the Inquisition after an incident involving a fragment of Queen Althera’s diary. Whether by accident, fate, or design, the diary hints at a prophecy tied to the queen's death and her forbidden love, compelling the players to band together.
What is the central conflict or mystery of the campaign?The central mystery revolves around the truth behind Queen Althera’s death, the nature of her forbidden love, and the growing influence of the cult that venerates her. This is complicated by King Halvinar’s escalating madness and the manipulations of those within his court.
Who is the main antagonist, and what are their motives?King Halvinar, once a benevolent ruler, is the primary antagonist. Consumed by grief and manipulated by Archbishop Caelus, he seeks to erase Althera’s memory through brutal purges and a final, desperate coronation ritual that could banish her soul forever—or unleash her wrath upon Tormalas. His actions stem from a twisted mix of love, guilt, and religious fervor.
What is the setting or location for the campaign, and what makes it unique?The campaign unfolds in Tormalas, a kingdom of crumbling cathedrals, spectral ruins, and mist-shrouded wilderness. Unique elements include the Wailing Mists, supernatural fogs inducing madness, and the haunting remnants of Althera’s presence, such as visions in mirrors and eerie spectral lights in the royal palace.
What key events or historical elements shaped the current situation?
The Queen’s Tragedy: Althera’s forbidden love with an otherworldly being and her mysterious death.
The Rise of the Cult: A growing movement venerating the queen and promising salvation through her forbidden lover.
The Inquisition: Brutal purges led by King Halvinar and Archbishop Caelus to suppress heresy and rewrite history.
Who are the important NPCs, and what roles do they play?
King Halvinar: The grief-stricken king enforcing tyranny to erase Althera’s legacy.
Althera’s Shade: A fragmented ghost of the queen, guiding and haunting the players with cryptic visions.
Archbishop Caelus: A cunning priest manipulating the king to consolidate power.
Seraphine the Bard: A rebellious performer spreading the queen’s story, serving as an ally or risk.
What are the main factions or organizations involved, and what are their goals?
The Inquisition: A fanatical group enforcing the king’s decrees, hunting for heretical relics.
Cult of the Veiled Crown: Venerates Althera and her forbidden love, seeking to complete her lover’s work.
Rebel Factions: Disparate groups resisting the king, some inspired by the queen’s tragic tale.
How does the conflict impact the surrounding world or community?The kingdom is collapsing under purges, starvation, and rebellion. Villages are abandoned, cathedrals desecrated, and fear permeates daily life. Supernatural events, like spectral lights and madness-inducing fogs, further destabilize Tormalas.
What do the players stand to gain or lose by participating in the campaign?The players can uncover forbidden truths, gain fame or infamy, and shape the fate of Tormalas. However, they risk their sanity, lives, and even their souls in confronting the kingdom’s descent into madness.
Are there any unique or magical elements affecting the world?
The Wailing Mists: Envelop parts of the kingdom, causing hallucinations and madness.
Althera’s Relics: Her diary and personal items possess strange, otherworldly properties.
The Forbidden Lover: A mysterious otherworldly entity whose influence permeates Tormalas.
What tone or themes does the campaign explore?
Tone: Gothic, tragic, eerie, with a balance of suspense and grandiosity.
Themes: Forbidden love, grief, the corruption of power, and the cost of knowledge.
What is the expected resolution or end goal of the campaign?
The players must decide whether to redeem King Halvinar, destroy the cult, or embrace the forbidden power Althera represents. Their choices will determine whether Tormalas rises from the ashes or succumbs to eternal ruin.
3 Act Structure Output
Act 1: Shattered Faith
Overview
The players are drawn into the unraveling tragedy of Tormalas as they witness the kingdom's decay firsthand. Their journey begins with uncovering the fractured story of Queen Althera, placing them on a path where religious zealotry, rebellion, and forbidden knowledge converge.
Act 1 Image
The Weeping Cathedral: A towering structure of cracked stained glass and crumbling spires. Inside, faint echoes of hymns mix with unsettling whispers. A central mural depicting the queen now weeps blood, further eroded by time.
Key Scenes
Scene 1: The Fragmented Diary
Overview: The players retrieve the first piece of Althera's diary during a confrontation with the Inquisition at a public gathering on Saint’s Day.
Milestone: They discover cryptic clues about Althera’s forbidden love and her prophecy.
Scene 2: Beneath the Cathedral
Overview: The players explore the desecrated Weeping Cathedral, uncovering a hidden reliquary tied to Althera's final days.
Milestone: A spectral vision reveals the growing influence of her forbidden lover.
Scene 3: The Bard’s Warning
Overview: Seraphine the Bard contacts the players in secret, offering aid if they protect her from the Inquisition.
Milestone: Her knowledge reveals the Cult of the Veiled Crown and its plans.
Transition to Act 2
The players acquire a critical piece of the diary or artifact, linking the Cult to Althera’s death. The Inquisition tightens its grip, forcing the players to choose between open defiance or subterfuge.
Act 2: The Crown’s Secrets
Overview
As the players delve deeper into the web of lies surrounding Althera’s death, they face intensifying dangers from both the Inquisition and the cult. Supernatural phenomena begin to take a toll, and the line between ally and enemy blurs.
Act 2 Image
The Wailing Mists: Dense, shimmering fog encircles the royal palace. Whispers float through the air, and shadowy figures emerge and vanish without warning, inducing unease and paranoia.
Key Scenes
Scene 1: The Rebel’s Path
Overview: The players infiltrate a rebel faction tied to Althera’s legacy. Trust must be earned, as some rebels view the players with suspicion.
Milestone: The rebels provide intelligence on the Cult and its intentions.
Scene 2: The Oracle’s Vision
Overview: The players seek the reclusive oracle, once Althera’s confidant, who resides deep within the Wailing Mists.
Milestone: The oracle reveals a chilling prophecy tied to the coronation ritual.
Scene 3: The Cult’s Stronghold
Overview: The players confront the Cult of the Veiled Crown, navigating its dangerous lair and uncovering its ties to the forbidden lover.
Milestone: The confrontation yields knowledge of King Halvinar’s coronation ritual and the cult’s plans to twist it.
Transition to Act 3
The players now hold the key to stopping—or aiding—the coronation ritual. However, the supernatural influence of Althera’s forbidden lover begins to affect their minds and choices.
Act 3: Ashes of the Crown
Overview
The climactic final act centers on the coronation ritual in the heart of the Wailing Mists. The players must navigate through a collapsing kingdom, contend with their own haunted pasts, and confront King Halvinar, the cult, and the queen’s ghost.
Act 3 Image
The Throne of Grief: A shattered throne room filled with spectral light. Althera’s shade flickers between fury and sorrow, and the air crackles with the energy of the coronation ritual.
Key Scenes
Scene 1: The Spectral Siege
Overview: The players battle through the Wailing Mists, confronting twisted spirits and hallucinations while racing against time.
Milestone: They reach the royal palace, bruised and fractured.
Scene 2: The Coronation Ritual
Overview: The players interrupt—or aid—the ritual, where King Halvinar wields forbidden power. The cult attempts to co-opt the ritual, forcing a three-way confrontation.
Milestone: The truth of Althera’s death and her lover’s nature is fully revealed.
Scene 3: The Ashen Verdict
Overview: The final decision is made: redeem King Halvinar, empower the forbidden lover, or destroy the remnants of Althera’s legacy.
Milestone: The fate of Tormalas is sealed by the players’ actions.
3. Starting Scenario GPT
The final step is crafting the perfect introduction for your players. The Starting Scenario GPT connects your players’ characters to your campaign through one of the nine concepts outlined in this blog.
This GPT will help you connect your players to your campaign.
How It Works:
Input your campaign details and choose one of the nine starting scenarios (e.g., “The Relic’s Call”).
The GPT generates several tailored starting scenarios, complete with challenges, player motivations, and campaign hooks.
Why It’s Useful: This GPT ties your campaign world to the players’ characters, ensuring everyone has a personal reason to engage while establishing immediate stakes.
Example Output: The Unified Banner
Setting the Scene
Crux: The players are members of a fledgling rebel faction within Tormalas, bound by shared disillusionment with King Halvinar’s tyranny. They are united under the secretive Veil of Ash, a resistance group inspired by whispers of Queen Althera’s forbidden legacy.
Organization: The Veil of Ash is a clandestine network of rebels and outcasts devoted to exposing the truth of the queen’s death and combating the king’s fanatical rule.
Mission: The group is tasked with retrieving a stolen fragment of Althera’s diary from the hands of the Inquisition. This relic is rumored to reveal part of the prophecy that could alter the kingdom’s fate.
Characters and Their Roles
Azariel Duskforge (Human Warlock)
Role: Mystic Advisor. His forbidden knowledge makes him the group’s expert on supernatural threats.
Motivation: To uncover the queen’s ties to his patron and determine his place in the prophecy.
Nyssa Veylin (Elf Cleric)
Role: Spiritual Anchor. As a former cleric, she provides both healing and moral guidance.
Motivation: To restore faith in the kingdom by unraveling the corruption within its church.
Kaelen Thornstride (Half-Orc Fighter)
Role: Enforcer. He provides brute strength and tactical leadership.
Motivation: To protect the banner at all costs and reclaim a sense of purpose in the fight against tyranny.
Sira Windshade (Tiefling Rogue)
Role: Infiltrator. Her stealth and cunning are essential for the group’s survival.
Motivation: To reconcile her past ties to the cult with her loyalty to the banner.
The Catalyst
Complication: As the mission begins, the Inquisition ambushes the group in an abandoned chapel, believing the rebels have more relics than the diary fragment they seek.
Impact: The ambush forces the group to reveal their abilities and loyalties to one another, solidifying their bond as they narrowly escape. However, they learn the Inquisition is aware of their banner and has begun hunting their allies.
The Shared Objective
Challenge: The players must retrieve the diary fragment while evading the Inquisition. Along the way, they encounter a fragment of Althera’s ghost, which offers cryptic warnings about betrayal and sacrifice.
Roles:
Azariel interprets the ghost’s message and uncovers the diary’s supernatural protections.
Nyssa rallies the group with her resolve, providing support during skirmishes.
Kaelen’s tactical decisions ensure their survival against the Inquisition’s relentless pursuit.
Sira uncovers a hidden trail that leads to the diary’s location while avoiding deadly traps.
Campaign Connection
Hook: The diary fragment reveals part of Althera’s prophecy, hinting at the forbidden lover’s return and the impending coronation ritual. This discovery thrusts the players into the heart of Tormalas’s unraveling conflict.
Next Steps: The Veil of Ash faces a grim choice: consolidate their resources to resist the Inquisition or risk further missions to uncover the remaining pieces of Althera’s prophecy.
Supporting Documents
Conclusion: Bringing It All Together
A strong start can set the tone for your entire campaign, creating memorable moments and uniting your party through shared challenges and purpose. Whether your characters are escaping captivity, answering a mysterious summons, or chasing a powerful relic, these nine creative starting types provide endless opportunities to draw players into your world.
With tools like AI-powered GPTs, you can elevate your game even further.
Use the Campaign Idea Generator to spark your imagination, the Campaign Detail Generator to flesh out your world, and the Starting Scenario GPT to connect your players to the story in a way that feels personal and exciting.
Additional Resources
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