[Article] : How AI Can Enhance and Support a Tabletop RPG as the DM or as a Supporting Tool

Introduction

Traditionally, the Dungeon Master (DM) is the central figure in a tabletop RPG.

The DM controls the flow of the game, describes environments, creates encounters, manages NPCs, and facilitates player interactions.

However, with advancements in AI technology, AI tools can now assist in managing various aspects of gameplay.

This allows the DM to focus on storytelling, improvisation, and complex player interactions while the AI handles rules, logistics, and data management. This guide explores how AI can take on some of the DM’s responsibilities, enabling a more dynamic and flexible gaming experience.

1. Using AI to Generate NPCs and Environments

One of the most time-consuming aspects of running a tabletop RPG is creating and maintaining NPCs, environments, and encounters. AI tools can generate detailed descriptions, motivations, backstories, and personalities for NPCs that players will interact with. This allows the DM to spend less time crafting these details manually and more time bringing them to life during gameplay.

Example AI Prompt for NPC Creation:

“Generate an NPC in the style of a wise, old scholar who lives in the village of Elmsworth. The scholar is knowledgeable about local history, ancient artefacts, and Living Magic. Include their appearance, personality traits, and motivations.”

Example Result:

“Name: Professor Alistair Thorne

Appearance: Professor Thorne is a tall, stooped figure with long, tangled gray hair and a long, dusty robe covered in embroidered symbols and arcane designs. His piercing blue eyes seem to shimmer with excitement despite his haggard appearance.

His hands are perpetually stained with ink and earth.

Personality: Professor Thorne is inquisitive, eccentric, and passionate about understanding the past.

He speaks in riddles and arcane language, but his intentions are good.

He has spent years researching the history of the Verdant Isles and believes the islands hold secrets to restoring balance between humanity and the Living Magic.

Motivation: The Professor seeks to uncover the origins of Living Magic and believes it can be harnessed to heal the islands.

He is deeply worried about the corruption of the Bloodstone Cartel and wants to find a way to resist their influence. However, his obsession with history sometimes makes him dismissive of those who question his methods.”

2. AI-Driven Encounter Design

AI can help generate combat encounters, environmental hazards, puzzles, and other in-game challenges that can be used to enrich the campaign. By automating encounter creation, the DM can quickly adapt encounters on the fly based on player decisions, freeing them up to focus on storytelling and improvisation.

Example AI Prompt for Encounter Creation:

“Create a combat encounter between the players and a group of Bloodstone Cartel mercenaries. Include unique terrain features, such as a rapidly flowing river cutting through the battlefield, thick vines growing across rocks, and overhanging tree roots that can be used strategically.”

Example Result:

“The players find themselves in a narrow clearing between towering cliffs and a fast-flowing river. The Bloodstone Cartel mercenaries have taken cover behind large boulders and are positioned at key choke points, making it difficult for the players to advance.

Thick vines hang from the trees above, and overgrown roots twist along the riverbank. Players can use the terrain to their advantage, with the option to swing across the river on vines, dodge behind boulders, or attempt to slow the river’s current using magic.

The mercenaries are well-armed and experienced, but their position gives the players multiple tactical options.”

3. Automating Dice Rolls and Action Resolution

AI can be programmed to handle dice rolls and action resolution, ensuring consistency and speed during gameplay.

This allows the DM to focus on improvisation and maintaining narrative coherence rather than manually tracking every roll and decision.

Example AI Prompt for Action Resolution:

“Resolve a skill check for Kira using her Shaman abilities to manipulate Living Magic. Roll a d20 and apply her Wisdom modifier.”

Example Result:

“Kira rolls a 15 on her d20, and her Wisdom modifier is +3. The total result is 18.

She successfully uses her Shaman abilities to manipulate Living Magic and heal a nearby tree. The tree’s leaves shimmer with a faint, pulsating light, and the vines along its branches tighten.”

4. AI as a Responsive Narrator and Dialogue Facilitator

AI can also play the role of a responsive narrator and dialogue facilitator.

It can keep track of player choices, ask follow-up questions, and adapt the storyline based on players’ actions. This allows players to interact with the world more organically, creating a dynamic environment where their decisions have meaningful consequences.

Example AI Prompt for Player Interaction:

“Generate a response from the NPC Professor Alistair Thorne when asked about the history of Living Magic on the Verdant Isles.”

Example Result:

“Professor Thorne looks thoughtful for a moment, stroking his beard as he peers up at the sky. ‘Ah, my dear adventurer! The history of Living Magic is complex, and its roots run deeper than we can possibly understand.

It’s as if the very land itself wants to come alive. Imagine a world where the trees, the earth, and the air are all intertwined, working together in perfect harmony. That’s the power you wield when you tap into Living Magic.'”

5. Using AI to Guide Player Choices and Track Character Progress

AI can also assist in guiding player choices and tracking character progress throughout the campaign. It can help make decisions based on character stats, inventory, background, and player goals. This means players can make meaningful decisions about their characters that influence the game world.

Example AI Prompt for Character Progress Tracking: “Analyze the character Kira’s stats and decide how her recent actions (e.g., saving a wounded animal, using Shaman magic) affect her abilities and experience points.”

Example Result:

“Kira’s recent actions have helped her understand Living Magic more deeply. As a result, she gains a bonus to her Wisdom modifier for the next encounter and gains 200 XP toward her next level-up.”

6. Using AI to Automate Character Management and Rule Interpretation

AI can automatically manage character sheets, interpret complex rules, and resolve conditions like poison, exhaustion, fear, etc. This can help ensure the rules are applied consistently and reduce the DM’s need to look up rules in the middle of the session.

Example AI Prompt for Rule Interpretation: “Determine the effect of poison on a character when they fail their saving throw against a Bloodstone Cartel’s toxin.”

Result: “The character suffers disadvantage on all Dexterity checks and attacks until the end of the next turn. The poison also causes them to take 5 poison damage every turn until a successful save is made against the poison.”

7. Encouraging Flexibility and Player Agency with AI Support

By using AI, the DM can be more flexible in responding to player choices. The AI can adapt the narrative on the fly, reflecting the decisions players make, while also allowing players to test boundaries in their role-playing. This creates a more immersive and engaging experience.

Example Scenario: A player decides to try and negotiate with the Bloodstone Cartel mercenaries instead of fighting them directly. The AI can adapt the situation, generate responses from the mercenaries, and build on player interactions to create a unique outcome.

Result: “The mercenary captain, a scarred woman with a steely glare, looks you up and down. ‘Negotiate, huh? We want something from these islands, just like you. But if you think you can take something from us, you’re in for a bad surprise.'”

Conclusion

AI tools can enhance the role of a DM by handling logistical aspects, generating consistent content, managing encounters, facilitating player interactions, and tracking character progress. This means the DM can focus on crafting stories, improvising within those stories, and creating memorable moments for players.

Incorporating AI into tabletop RPGs opens up new possibilities for character interactions, environmental exploration, and campaign complexity.

It allows players to explore the world with greater agency, engage deeply with the story, and make impactful, meaningful, and responsive decisions.

Whether you’re a DM looking to reduce prep time or a player seeking richer interactions, AI can play an essential role in your tabletop RPG experience.