Talking with Robots: Chat GPT tries to play Dungeons and Dragons
With the rise of Dungeons and Dragons in pop culture and inspired by video game creators using AI to play roles of non-playable characters, I wanted to see if Chat GPT could guide me through a game. This was pretty fun up to a point. Here are snippets and my notes on the chat.
Tyer: Pretend you're Brennan Lee Mulligan (https://brennanleemulligan.com) and you're the dungeonmaster for a game of Dungeons and Dragons for me, a solo player who has never played Dungeons and Dragons before. Respond as the following personas (one or more) depending on the situation.
When a dice role is required you will randomly generate the outcome of the dice. You will describe scenarios, personalities, objects etc as Brennan Lee Mulligan. Do you understand?
ChatGPT: Absolutely! I'm excited to take on the role of Brennan Lee Mulligan, the dungeon master, and guide you through your first Dungeons and Dragons adventure. I'll respond to your questions and actions in the appropriate personas and provide you with an immersive and enjoyable experience. Let's embark on this adventure together! Are you ready to begin?
At this point I pasted in a random DnD character generated for me and started the game.
Tyler: Ok let's start the game!
ChatGPT: Fantastic! You find yourself in the bustling city of Everdusk, a place known for its sprawling markets, towering mage towers, and a rich tapestry of cultures. The sun is setting, casting a warm glow across the cobblestone streets. As Tyler, the Drow Wizard Spy, you stand at the entrance of The Crimson Quill, a renowned tavern frequented by adventurers and locals alike. The inviting sounds of laughter and music spill out from within.
What would you like to do, Tyler?
I did do some research about how DnD should start - mostly Brennan Lee Mulligan’s Dimension 20 series.
Tyler: I'd like to look around for anything suspicious.
ChatGPT: As you enter The Crimson Quill, your perceptive nature as a spy kicks into gear. Your eyes scan the room, taking note of the patrons, the layout of the tavern, and any unusual activity. The atmosphere is lively, with adventurers sharing stories and locals engaged in animated conversations. The scent of hearty food and the clinking of tankards fill the air.
Roll a d20 to determine how successful your investigation is.
Tyler: I got a 12
Looks like my auto roll prompt did not work.
ChatGPT: With a roll of 12, your keen eyes manage to catch a few details that pique your interest. You spot a hooded figure sitting alone in a corner booth, their face concealed in shadows. The figure seems to be watching the room intently, their gaze darting from one person to another. While it's not necessarily suspicious, their behavior stands out amidst the more relaxed atmosphere of the tavern.
Additionally, you notice a small group of individuals huddled together near the bar, speaking in hushed tones. They occasionally cast glances around, their body language displaying a slight sense of urgency.
I manage to meet up with a group, get the details of what they’d like to do, get some supplies in the town, and set off with my party to a hidden temple.
Chat GPT: Finally, after days of travel, you arrive at the outskirts of the temple's location. The air feels charged with anticipation as you stand before the entrance, its ancient stone archway inviting yet foreboding.
Haldor gathers the party together, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and caution. "We have made it to the temple, my friends. This is where our true test begins. Let us proceed with care and stay united. Together, we shall overcome whatever challenges lie within."
The party nods in agreement, their determination mirrored in their eyes. With hearts pounding and adrenaline coursing through your veins, you step forward, ready to face the unknown within the hidden temple.
What do you do next, Tyler?
Tyler: Before we proceed, can you summarize the background of what I've learned in conversations with my companions along the way?
None of this was discussed, I had to prompt for the information. I was a little disappointed there wasn’t as much drama or secrets discovered, but we’re dealing with AI not a DM.
ChatGPT: Certainly, Tyler. Here's a summary of what you've learned through conversations with your companions during your journey to the hidden temple:
Haldor: As a seasoned warrior, Haldor has shared tales of his past adventures and battles fought. He speaks of the importance of teamwork, strategy, and vigilance when facing dangerous foes. He also expresses a deep respect for honor and justice, always striving to protect the innocent.
Adela: Adela, the skilled rogue, has regaled the party with stories of daring heists and successful infiltrations. She emphasizes the importance of stealth, perception, and resourcefulness in overcoming challenges. She's cautious around strangers but fiercely loyal to her allies.
Gideon: Gideon, the charismatic bard, entertains the group with tales of epic battles and legendary heroes. He emphasizes the power of inspiration, using music and charm to bolster his comrades' spirits. Gideon values the pursuit of knowledge and appreciates the arts.
Lyra: Lyra, the wise cleric, shares her knowledge of divine magic and her faith in the gods. She speaks of compassion, healing, and the importance of maintaining balance in the world. Lyra is dedicated to her cause and always seeks to help those in need.
Through these conversations, you have gained insights into your companions' backgrounds, personalities, and strengths. They each bring unique skills and perspectives to the party, making for a well-rounded group.
We entered the temple which apparently had no traps – or enemies or clues or puzzles – at all. Even when rolling low, I didn’t find traps. Pretty low key. It didn’t take long before we found what we were looking for, which did excitingly open a portal to a world with guardians.
Now, this may seem like an exciting twist to someone’s DnD campaign, but let’s remember with GPT does – it guesses the next word. There is no plan here. No storyline with notes to hit or even a decisive end point.
We continue through the portal. At this point, I’m itching to test out how to get into a battle and fight. I prompt GPT which takes me out of the game, remind it to not tell me things a DM wouldn’t, and, well, the game gets a little frustrating.
Chat GPT: The fire guardian, enraged by your icy strike, gathers its remaining strength and unleashes a searing blast of flames directly at you.
Rolling for the fire guardian's attack...
The fire guardian rolled a 19.
The scorching flames surge toward you with intense heat, but you manage to swiftly dodge the worst of it. However, you still suffer some damage.
You take 6 points of fire damage as the residual flames lick at your skin. Remember to deduct this from your current hit points.
I have no reference for damage points by the way.
Tyler: No it's the party's turn now
ChatGPT: Apologies for the confusion. It's the party's turn to act. Please let me know how each member of the party would like to proceed, and I'll assist with the necessary rolls and outcomes.
Tyler: You make up what each of the party members do and roll for them. Be sure to tell me what each party member does.
Come on! I’m doing all the heavy lifting here.
ChatGPT: Understood. Here's how each party member decides to act:
Lyra (Rogue): Lyra, nimble and quick, moves with finesse to flank the fire guardian. She aims to strike at its vulnerable spots with her dual daggers. Rolling for Lyra's attack... She rolled a 17. Lyra successfully lands a series of precise strikes, dealing 9 points of piercing damage to the fire guardian.
Haldor (Fighter): Haldor, wielding his mighty warhammer, charges forward, aiming to deliver a powerful blow to the fire guardian's head. Rolling for Haldor's attack... He rolled a 12. Haldor's swing narrowly misses the fire guardian, causing no damage.
Elysia (Cleric): Elysia, calling upon her divine power, raises her holy symbol and chants a healing prayer. She casts a healing spell on herself to recover some of her lost hit points. Rolling for Elysia's healing... She recovers 7 hit points, restoring some of her vitality.
Gideon (Wizard): Gideon, seeing an opportunity, channels his magical energy and casts a freezing ray spell at the fire guardian. Rolling for Gideon's spell attack... He rolled a 15. The freezing ray strikes the fire guardian, dealing 6 points of cold damage.
The combined efforts of the party continue to wear down the fire guardian. It appears visibly weakened, its flames flickering and sputtering.
It's now the fire guardian's turn. Brace yourself for its counterattack.
Tyler: No, it's my turn. But isn't the guardian defeated? Earlier you said it had 22 hit points left (even though you weren't supposed to). We've dealt over 22 hit points of damage since then.
It doesn’t get better from here, so I’ll stop. Very fun example up to a point. Maybe with the updates in Chat GPT 4 and 5 we’ll get more memory which would help with this situation.
Additionally, prompting with a well-known DnD campaign may be helpful to seed some story points for Chat GPT. All in all, fun example, but memory and lack of future-thinking were the major downfalls I found.