Using ChatGPT to Generate NPCs and Quests for Your D&D Campaign

Dungeon Master sitting at a table with a laptop or tablet, surrounded by a group of adventurous-looking players. The DM is gesturing excitedly while the players listen attentively, and in the background, there is a looming tower or castle that suggests the location of their campaign. The image conveys a sense of excitement, creativity, and collaboration. Midjourney image, prompt created by ChatGPT - Edited by LE Christensen

Dungeons & Dragons is a game that relies heavily on the creativity of the dungeon master (DM) to create engaging and entertaining campaigns for their players. However, coming up with interesting non-player characters (NPCs) and quests can be a time-consuming process that can take away from the fun of actually playing the game. Luckily, with the help of artificial intelligence (AI), DMs can now generate unique and interesting content for their campaigns with relative ease.

NPC Generation

One way to use AI for NPC generation is to use a tool like Chat GPT to generate descriptions of NPCs based on prompts provided by the DM. GPT-3 is an AI language model that can generate text based on prompts given to it by users. For example, a DM could input a prompt like "Generate a description of a mysterious wizard who lives in a tower on the edge of the forest", and GPT-3 could provide a detailed description of the wizard's appearance, personality, and motivations. This can save DMs a lot of time and help them come up with unique and interesting NPCs that their players will enjoy interacting with.

Another approach could be to use an AI-powered character creator tool, like Lore Genie or D&D Beyond, which allow users to customize the appearance and abilities of their NPCs using a variety of different options. These tools can help DMs create unique and interesting NPCs without having to spend a lot of time coming up with details from scratch.

NPC Example 1:

DM: "Generate a description of a powerful wizard who lives in a tower on a remote mountain peak. Give the wizard a name."

ChatGPT: "The wizard's name is Arcturus. He is tall and thin, with a long white beard and piercing blue eyes. He wears a flowing blue robe adorned with silver stars and carries a staff topped with a glowing crystal. He is a master of the arcane arts and has spent his life studying the secrets of magic. His tower is filled with books and artifacts from across the realms, and he rarely leaves his mountaintop sanctuary."

NPC Example 2:

DM: "Generate a description of a gruff human warrior who leads a band of mercenaries. Give the warrior a name."

ChatGPT: "The warrior's name is Grimgor. He is a large and imposing man with a bushy beard and a scar across his cheek. He wears battered plate armor and carries a massive two-handed sword. He leads a band of mercenaries who will fight for anyone willing to pay their fee. Despite his rough exterior, he is a skilled tactician and a capable leader. His loyalty can be bought, but once he has pledged it, he will not waver."

NPC Example 3:

DM: "Generate a description of a sneaky goblin thief who haunts the alleyways of a bustling city. Give the goblin a name."

ChatGPT: "The goblin's name is Snikch. He is small and wiry, with beady red eyes and a sharp-toothed grin. He wears tattered black clothes and carries a bag full of stolen goods. He is a master thief and has made a name for himself in the city's criminal underworld. He is quick and agile, able to slip past guards and disappear into the shadows. He is always looking for his next mark, and woe to anyone who gets in his way."

Quest Generation

Another way to use AI for campaign preparation is to use a tool like AI Dungeon or Questgen to generate randomized quests for the players to complete. These tools use machine learning algorithms to create quests based on different parameters, such as the party's level, location, and previous actions. For example, the DM could input something like "Generate a quest for a party of level 5 adventurers who are exploring a haunted mansion", and the AI could provide a variety of different quest options that fit that criteria.

Alternatively, the DM could use AI-powered language models like GPT-3 to generate their own custom quests. By inputting prompts like "Generate a quest where the players have to retrieve a valuable artifact from a dangerous dungeon", the AI could provide a detailed quest description that the DM could then tweak and adapt to fit their campaign.

Quest Example 1:

DM: "Generate a quest where the players have to retrieve a powerful artifact from a dungeon guarded by a powerful demon."

ChatGPT: "The players are approached by a desperate wizard who needs their help retrieving an ancient artifact from a dungeon guarded by a powerful demon. The wizard has been searching for the artifact for years, but has been unable to locate it on his own. He offers the players a large sum of money if they can retrieve the artifact for him. The demon is known to be extremely powerful, so the players will need to use all of their skills and resources to overcome it."

Quest Example 2:

DM: "Generate a quest where the players have to rescue a kidnapped princess from a band of goblins."

ChatGPT: "The players receive a message from the king, who informs them that his daughter, the princess, has been kidnapped by a band of goblins. The goblins have taken the princess to their lair deep in the mountains, and the players must rescue her before it's too late. The king promises a reward of gold and land to the players if they can bring his daughter back safely. The players must navigate the treacherous mountain terrain and fight their way through the goblin stronghold to rescue the princess."

Quest Example 3:

DM: "Generate a quest where the players have to investigate a series of disappearances in a small village."

ChatGPT: "The players arrive in a small village where a number of people have disappeared under mysterious circumstances. The villagers are frightened and don't know what to do. The players are approached by the village elder, who asks them to investigate the disappearances and find out what's going on. The players must talk to the villagers and gather information, investigate the scenes of the disappearances, and ultimately confront the source of the problem. They discover that a group of dark cultists has been sacrificing villagers to a dark deity in an attempt to gain power. The players must stop the cultists before they can complete their ritual and unleash the deity upon the world."

AI-Powered map making:

Dungeon Alchemist is a software tool developed by Briganti that allows dungeon masters and game designers to create and customize digital maps for their tabletop RPGs. The tool uses procedural generation and machine learning algorithms to create detailed and realistic maps that can be tailored to fit a variety of settings and scenarios. The software includes features like lighting and weather effects, terrain types, and object placement, which can be used to create dynamic and immersive game environments.

If you are going to try it out, I heavily suggest you also take a look at the Steam Workshop - where other Dungeon Masters upload their maps for you to use in your campaigns, or as inspiration to build your own amazign maps.

Conclusion

Using AI for NPC and quest generation can be a great way for DMs to save time and add some creative inspiration to their D&D campaigns. By using tools like Chat GPT, Lore Genie, and Dungen Alchemist, DMs can generate unique and interesting content that can help keep their players engaged and entertained.

Additionally, these tools can help DMs who may be struggling to come up with ideas or who simply want to add some unpredictability to their campaigns. With the help of AI, DMs can take their campaigns to the next level and create truly immersive and exciting experiences for their players.