Blog 1/2: Step-by-Step Guide to Using ChatGPT to Build RPG Adventures from Images
- Danny McKeever
- Aug 11, 2024
- 13 min read
Updated: Jan 23
As artificial intelligence tools carve their niche in creative industries, their impact on tabletop role-playing games (RPGs) is becoming increasingly profound. Today, Game Masters (GMs) are not just storytellers but innovators, using AI to transform images into complex, vivid game settings and encounters. ChatGPT, a versatile AI model, emerges as a game-changer in this arena, offering the ability to generate rich narratives and detailed campaign elements from mere visuals. This capability not only enhances the creative process but also enriches the gaming experience, pushing the boundaries of imagination in RPGs. Let’s explore how GMs can leverage ChatGPT, alongside strategic image use, to craft immersive worlds that captivate and engage.
In this 2-part blog I will cover the process of creating a location and then building an adventure around that location.
Blog 1: Location Development
This is the image that brought me inspiration and I wanted to create an adventure around this location. So, let's begin.
Step 1: I uploaded the image and asked ChatGPT to describe this image
ChatGPT description output
This image depicts a breathtaking mythical village nestled within a dramatic cliffside setting. The village is intricately detailed, composed of multiple tiers of rustic houses and buildings, climbing up the rocky cliff face. At the upper tiers, larger structures, including a church with a tall spire, dominate the scene, while smaller cottages populate the lower tiers. The entire village is connected by wooden bridges and staircases, intricately carved into the cliff. A river winds through the base of the village, adding a dynamic element to the landscape.
The architecture is traditional and appears to be from an ancient or fantasy world, with each building featuring wooden frames and tiled roofs. The surrounding cliffs are steep and rugged, framing the village in a dramatic fashion. In the background, a massive waterfall cascades down the opposite cliff, enhancing the mystical and isolated feel of the village. The image is rendered in a monochrome ink style, which highlights the textural details and shadows, creating a stark and captivating visual narrative.
Step 2: I want to get a sense of who lives here and why
In this step I wanted ChatGPT to provide me feedback on the different questions that I should ask when building an adventure. Here is the prompt I used.
This is a great set of questions that GMs can ask about any location in their setting.
ChatGPT output with the 10 questions
Creating a storyline around such a visually striking town can be a fascinating process. Here are 10 questions to guide your world-building and deepen the narrative around this cliffside village:
Who founded the village and why was it built in such a challenging location?
This question can explore the origins of the village, possibly tied to safety, seclusion, or proximity to a unique resource.
What is the historical significance of this village?
Consider any legends, battles, or significant events that might have taken place here or the historical figures associated with its past.
What are the main occupations of the villagers?
Understanding what the villagers do for a living can help define the economy and daily life. Are they miners, craftsmen, fishermen, or something more unique like spell-ingredient gatherers?
How do the villagers manage their resources and trade, especially given their isolated location?
This could involve unique methods of transportation, trade agreements with distant lands, or self-sufficiency strategies.
What kind of government or leadership structure exists in the village?
Is there a council, a singular leader, or a form of democracy? How does the community handle justice, disputes, and governance?
What are the main cultural or religious beliefs that shape the village society?
Religion and culture can influence festivals, laws, and daily interactions among villagers, providing rich details for your story.
What is the architectural style and why was it chosen?
The design of the buildings might be influenced by environmental factors, available materials, or cultural significance.
What threats or conflicts face the village?
These could be natural, like harsh winters or predatory beasts, or societal, such as bandits or political strife.
How do the villagers interact with the surrounding environment and its creatures?
Consider any unique flora and fauna that might be integral to their way of life or pose significant threats.
What myths, legends, or superstitions are prevalent among the villagers?
Every culture has its tales that shape their understanding of the world, especially in a setting that may involve magical or mystical elements.
Step 3: I wanted ChatGPT to start to answer the questions
The 10 questions give me a baseline to start from. I will now work my way through these questions step-by-step.
ChatGPT output with 7 reasons for why this village exists
The founding of the village in such a dramatic and challenging location can be woven into a rich tapestry of history and myth. Here are a few intriguing ideas on who founded the village and why:
Refuge from Conflict:
The village was founded by a group of settlers fleeing a devastating war in their homeland. The cliffs offered a natural fortress, secluded and nearly impregnable, ideal for those seeking safety and a fresh start away from the turmoil.
Sacred Site:
The location was chosen because it is a sacred site, believed to be blessed by a deity or imbued with magical properties. The founders were a religious sect or followers of a mystical order who sought proximity to the divine power, which they believed would grant them protection and prosperity.
Mining Community:
Rich veins of a rare and valuable mineral (like mythril or starstone) were discovered within the cliffs. The original settlers were miners who built the village to exploit these resources. The dangerous location was a necessary compromise to access and protect their valuable find.
Strategic Military Outpost:
The village was originally established as a military outpost by an ancient empire looking to secure its borders. The cliffs provided a strategic vantage point over a significant trade route or pass, making it an essential location despite its challenging terrain.
Survivors of a Natural Disaster:
After a catastrophic natural disaster (like a flood or volcanic eruption) destroyed their previous homes, the survivors stumbled upon this area. The cliffs and the waterfall offered natural protection and a fresh water source, crucial for rebuilding their lives.
Pilgrimage Terminus:
The village could have started as the endpoint of a pilgrimage route, where a miraculous event once occurred, such as the appearance of a holy figure or the discovery of a powerful artifact. Over time, what was once a temporary camp grew into a permanent settlement.
Escape from Society:
Founded by a group of people who were ostracized or chose to withdraw from society due to their beliefs or practices (such as magic users in a magic-fearing world), the remote and difficult-to-access village offered a sanctuary where they could live without fear.
Step 4: I asked ChatGPT which option it thinks is the best for a Dungeons and Dragons encounter.
Step 5: Choosing an option, I went with ChatGPT's suggestion of a sacred site.
ChatGPT sacred site reasons
For a captivating D&D encounter, the concept of the village being a Sacred Site offers a rich backdrop that naturally integrates adventure, mystery, and magical elements, making it an excellent choice for several reasons:
Magical Elements:
A village built around a sacred or magical site can introduce various mystical occurrences, artifacts, and ancient powers. This allows for the inclusion of magical challenges, enchanted objects, and arcane rituals that players must navigate or solve.
Cultural Depth:
The religious or mystical significance of the site provides opportunities to explore unique cultural practices, festivals, and customs. Players can interact with devoted pilgrims, zealous priests, or secretive cults, each with their own agendas and secrets.
Diverse Quest Opportunities:
The sacred site can be the focal point for multiple quest lines. Players might need to protect the village from factions intent on desecrating the sacred grounds, uncover lost relics, or delve into underground caverns beneath the cliffs to find the source of the site's power.
Moral and Ethical Dilemmas:
Players can face complex moral choices, such as deciding whether to support the villagers’ protective measures over their sacred site or aiding outsiders who wish to study and possibly exploit the site's powers for the greater good.
Dynamic NPC Interactions:
The village can be populated with a diverse cast of NPCs, from devout guardians of the site to skeptical outsiders, providing players with a range of interaction opportunities. This can lead to alliances, conflicts, and negotiations, enriching the role-playing experience.
Supernatural Conflicts:
The sacred nature of the site might attract supernatural entities, both benign and malevolent. This can lead to encounters with celestial beings, spirits, or cursed creatures that challenge the players in unique and unexpected ways.
Step 6: Exploring different options from fantasy works. ChatGPT knows so much more than I do about fantasy stories. I wanted to ask it to suggest a few locations from written works that I might further be inspired from.
ChatGPT output listing different fantasy locations
Creating a cross-reference between your sacred site and famous locations from fantasy literature can offer a broader context and inspire deeper narrative elements. Here's a list of well-known sacred or mystical sites from fantasy novels and how they were used in the stories:
Rivendell (The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien):
Rivendell is a hidden valley home to Elves, known as a place of peace and profound knowledge. It serves as a sanctuary for characters and a meeting ground where critical decisions and alliances are formed, like the Council of Elrond which decided the fate of the One Ring.
The Stone of Tear (The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan):
This fortress houses a sacred object, Callandor, in a chamber only the chosen one can enter. It's a focal point for various prophecies and power struggles, highlighting its sacred and strategic importance.
The Godswood of Winterfell (A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin):
The Godswood, with its heart tree, serves as a sacred place for the old gods. It's a place of worship and quiet reflection and plays a crucial role in the spiritual life of the Stark family, often used for private prayer and pivotal character decisions.
The Grove of Dodona (The Trials of Apollo by Rick Riordan):
A sacred grove that provides prophetic visions and guidance through the whispering of the wind among the leaves. This site is central to quests and the resolution of larger plot conflicts involving divine intervention and prophecy.
Hogwarts (Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling):
While not traditionally sacred, Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry holds a mystical and protective role. It's a center of magical learning and pivotal events in the wizarding world, imbued with historical significance and ancient magic.
Avalon (The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley):
A mythical island where high priestesses practice ancient rites. It represents a place between worlds and is crucial for the education and empowerment of the protagonist, Morgaine, as well as the political and spiritual machinations of the Arthurian legends.
The Dark Tower (The Dark Tower Series by Stephen King):
The titular tower is a metaphysical structure that is the nexus of all universes. It's a sacred site in the sense that it holds the fabric of reality together, drawing various characters across different worlds to find and protect or utilize it.
The Warded City of Illian (The Painted Man by Peter V. Brett):
This city is built to be a bastion against demonic forces, protected by ancient wards. Its sacred nature is tied to its role as a sanctuary and a key location for the protagonists to learn about and fight back against the night-time terrors.
The Unseen University (Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett):
A hub for wizards and a repository of magical knowledge, playing a critical role in the magical education and political landscape of Discworld, often with a humorous twist on the concept of sacred academic institutions.
Uluru/Ayers Rock (The Songlines by Bruce Chatwin):
Though not a traditional fantasy novel, "The Songlines" treats Uluru as a sacred site within the narrative, exploring its significance to Australian Aboriginal cultures. It’s a real-world example often mirrored in fantasy settings, embodying spiritual significance and ancient power.
Step 7: I asked ChatGPT to begin writing an encounter that can be dropped into any world. I asked ChatGPT to keep the encounter to a local area. This is important otherwise it will give you large world changing scenarios.
Step 8: Anchoring on a theme. ChatGPT will now use this location as guidelines when coming up with our encounter. Here is the location that I chose.
ChatGPT output, The Godswood of Winterfell
Given the desire to keep the history localized and suitable for any GM to drop into their campaign without affecting grand world events, basing your sacred site on the concept of The Godswood of Winterfell from "A Song of Ice and Fire" by George R.R. Martin would be an excellent choice. This model offers a number of advantages:
Localized Significance: The Godswood in Winterfell is primarily significant to the people who live there or visit. It's a place of personal reflection, local customs, and small-scale spiritual rituals, making it a deeply personal and localized sacred site.
Flexible Integration: Just as the Godswood fits seamlessly into the larger narrative of Winterfell without dominating it, your sacred site can similarly be integrated into any campaign setting. It can serve as a peaceful sanctuary, a source of local legends, or a quiet place of power without requiring it to impact larger world events.
Cultural and Spiritual Depth: The Godswood's role as a spiritual center allows for rich character development and storytelling. Your site can similarly offer spiritual insights, serve as a meeting place for clandestine gatherings, or even be a place where important personal decisions are made, providing depth without extensive world-building.
Environmental Interaction: The natural setting of the Godswood—marked by its ancient trees and the central heart tree—highlights the interaction between the environment and the sacred. Your cliffside village's environment, with its dramatic waterfalls and rugged cliffs, can similarly be woven into the spiritual and cultural life of its inhabitants.
Adventure Hooks: The Godswood serves as a backdrop for various smaller scale conflicts and personal stories. Your site can offer similar hooks, such as defending the village from a band of raiders drawn to its mystical reputation, solving a mystery that revolves around an ancient prophecy told by village elders, or discovering hidden passages within the cliffs.
Using these elements as a foundation, you can create a sacred site that serves as a versatile, engaging, and meaningful encounter area that any GM can easily adapt to fit into their ongoing campaign.
Step 9: Building the location
This is where it all comes together. I now re-upload the image and copy and paste the 10 questions from above into a single prompt.
Doing so game me this output. I chose the option on the right. This now serves as the base for my adventure.
Step 10: Encounters
5 Encounters from ChatGPT for the location of Keth’Lorra
Creating engaging D&D encounters for Keth’Lorra can bring the cliffside village and its lore to life. Here are five encounters that vary in their focus, from combat and exploration to mystery and diplomacy:
Encounter 1: Echoes of the Eternal Word
Description: The PCs discover a hidden chamber beneath the main library, where an ancient artifact is said to amplify the knowledge it bestows—but at a cost.
Hook: A young scholar begs the party to retrieve a forbidden manuscript from the chamber, believing it contains a cure for his sister's mysterious illness.
Outcomes:
Success: The PCs navigate the traps and retrieve the manuscript. The scholar's sister is cured, and the PCs gain a valuable ally in the village.
Fail: The chamber's defenses overwhelm the PCs, causing significant injury and alerting the Circle of Elders to their trespass. The party is banished.
Pass: The PCs decide not to risk the dangers of the chamber. The scholar's sister's condition worsens, but the PCs avoid potential catastrophic consequences.
Encounter 2: The Keeper’s Test
Description: The High Keeper offers the PCs a chance to prove their worth by undergoing a trial in the sacred waterfall’s cavern.
Hook: Completing the trial promises not only the village's gratitude but also a glimpse into ancient, powerful knowledge.
Outcomes:
Success: The PCs pass the test, gaining access to rare spells and historical insights, enhancing their abilities and knowledge.
Fail: The PCs are deemed unworthy, straining relations with the village and closing off future assistance from the Keepers.
Pass: The PCs decline the trial, maintaining neutrality but missing out on the secrets and powers that could have been theirs.
Encounter 3: Shadows Over Keth’Lorra
Description: Shadows and whispers hint at a malevolent spirit disturbed by the villagers' recent excavations.
Hook: Attacks on the villagers have increased, and the PCs are asked to investigate and appease or banish the spirit.
Outcomes:
Success: The PCs successfully banish the spirit, restoring peace and earning them a revered place in village lore.
Fail: The spirit wreaks havoc, damaging significant parts of the village and harming innocent villagers. The PCs are held responsible.
Pass: The PCs avoid the conflict, leaving the village to fend for itself, which could lead to long-term repercussions for both the villagers and the PCs.
Encounter 4: The Pilgrim’s Plight
Description: A group of pilgrims seeking the sacred waterfall have gone missing, last seen entering the treacherous lower cliffs.
Hook: The villagers are stretched thin and enlist the PCs' help to find and rescue the pilgrims.
Outcomes:
Success: The PCs find and save the pilgrims from cliffside dangers, earning heartfelt thanks and valuable, rare herbs known to grow only in the cliffs.
Fail: The pilgrims are lost, and their tragic fate sows despair and distrust towards outsiders in Keth’Lorra.
Pass: The PCs choose not to intervene, missing the chance to strengthen ties with the village and gain unique rewards.
Encounter 5: The Unseen Path
Description: An ancient pathway is revealed following a landslide, leading to unknown parts of the cliff.
Hook: The PCs are asked to explore this new area to ensure it's safe and to report any findings of historical or magical significance.
Outcomes:
Success: The PCs discover a lost extension of the village with invaluable artifacts and historical texts, significantly boosting their reputation.
Fail: The pathway is unstable, and a careless step leads to a collapse, sealing it off permanently and causing injury.
Pass: The PCs decide the risk is too great, leaving the mystery unsolved and the potential treasures undiscovered.
I chose the following direction.
Encounter 3: Shadows Over Keth’Lorra
Description: Shadows and whispers hint at a malevolent spirit disturbed by the villagers' recent excavations.
Hook: Attacks on the villagers have increased, and the PCs are asked to investigate and appease or banish the spirit.
Outcomes:
Success: The PCs successfully banish the spirit, restoring peace and earning them a revered place in village lore.
Fail: The spirit wreaks havoc, damaging significant parts of the village and harming innocent villagers. The PCs are held responsible.
Pass: The PCs avoid the conflict, leaving the village to fend for itself, which could lead to long-term repercussions for both the villagers and the PCs.
In the next blog I will go into detail around how I created a playable adventure from this location.
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