[Tutorial] : How to Use ChatGPT to Create Lore #26: Crafting Criminal Underworlds and Law Systems

The criminal underworld and law enforcement systems of your world can provide endless opportunities for intrigue, conflict, and story-driven drama in your RPG. Whether it’s a network of shadowy figures pulling strings behind the scenes or a rigid, complex legal system struggling to maintain order, these elements can add rich layers to your setting.

ChatGPT is an excellent tool for brainstorming and refining both the dark corners of society and the law that governs it. In this guide, we’ll walk you through creating compelling criminal organizations and the systems that try to keep them in check, with prompts and examples to help guide you through the process.

Step 1: Define the Political and Social Context

Before diving into the criminal underworld, it’s important to understand the environment in which it operates. Is your world a city-state with a corrupt government? A sprawling empire with a fractured legal system? Knowing the political climate will help shape the nature of crime and the way law enforcement functions.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe a corrupt kingdom where crime syndicates operate freely, with the ruling monarch’s family secretly involved in illegal activities.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
In the Kingdom of Valdorra, the ruling monarch, King Eldarion, publicly presents himself as a strict enforcer of law and order. However, behind closed doors, his family is entangled in a network of crime syndicates, from smuggling and racketeering to espionage and assassination. The kingdom’s elite guard turns a blind eye to these activities, as many of its officers are on the syndicates’ payroll. The common folk are unaware of the kingdom’s hidden dealings, but rumors of the royal family’s involvement are whispered in taverns and alleyways.

Step 2: Design the Criminal Underworld

The criminal underworld is often a hidden, shadowy force that operates in the background. Criminal organizations can range from small gangs to vast, interconnected syndicates that span multiple regions. Use ChatGPT to flesh out the structure, leadership, and illicit activities of these groups.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Create a crime syndicate in a large city that controls the black market for rare magical artifacts.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Cobalt Hand is a ruthless syndicate operating in the city of Gorinth, specializing in the black market trade of rare magical artifacts. Led by the enigmatic figure known only as The Violet, the syndicate maintains a complex network of fences, mages, and informants, dealing with both outlawed magical items and dangerous enchantments. Their business reaches into every corner of the city, from underground auction houses to corrupt nobles’ estates. The Cobalt Hand uses fear and intimidation, often employing magical assassins or bounty hunters to silence those who betray them.

Step 3: Craft the Legal System

In contrast to the criminal networks, the law enforcement system can range from rigid, rule-bound bureaucracies to corrupt and ineffective institutions. You can use ChatGPT to explore the type of justice system your world operates under and how it deals with crime.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Describe the law enforcement system in a city where corruption is widespread, but the legal process is still technically functional.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The City Watch of Velderon is an organization caught between law and corruption. Technically, the city has a functional legal system: judges rule on cases, and criminals are arrested, tried, and sentenced according to written laws. However, bribery runs rampant, and many officers are in league with criminal organizations. The Watch is often too underfunded to address major crimes, and powerful guilds and aristocrats manipulate the system to protect their own interests. Despite this, some idealistic officers work tirelessly to uphold justice, leading to a tense dynamic where the Watch may root out corruption from within, but is often undermined by external forces.

Step 4: Flesh Out Crime and Punishment

The way crimes are punished in your world can reflect the nature of the legal system and the morality of the society. ChatGPT can help you develop laws, penalties, and punishments that reflect the attitudes toward crime in your setting.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Design a law system where petty theft is punished severely, while murderers receive light sentences due to political corruption.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
In the City of Astrelis, the justice system is deeply unbalanced. Petty theft—such as shoplifting or pickpocketing—is harshly punished with imprisonment or even forced labor. However, those involved in political crimes, such as murder or assassination of rivals, often face no more than a brief sentence or even a small fine if they are well-connected. The city’s elite, who are frequently involved in high-level conspiracies, use their influence to avoid justice, creating a divide between the rich and the common people. The disparity in sentencing causes widespread discontent among the lower classes.

Step 5: Introduce Lawmen and Criminal Figures

The lawmen who enforce the laws and the criminals who break them are the heart of the conflict in any story. Use ChatGPT to create complex, morally gray characters that bring your criminal networks and law systems to life.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Create a complex lawman character who is secretly working with criminals but still believes in justice.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
Sergeant Karis Valemore is a seasoned officer in the Velderon City Watch, known for her strict adherence to the law. On the surface, she is a dedicated officer with an impeccable record, but secretly, she is indebted to the Cobalt Hand, a criminal syndicate. In exchange for her family’s safety, Karis has agreed to tip off the syndicate about Watch investigations and protect their interests within the city. Despite her involvement in criminal activities, Karis genuinely believes in the concept of justice and often tries to help the innocent, leading to an inner conflict as she struggles to balance her moral compass with her criminal obligations.

Step 6: Develop a Crime Story Arc

Criminal networks and law enforcement systems can provide the perfect backdrop for a gripping story. Use ChatGPT to brainstorm story ideas involving crime, justice, and the characters caught in the middle.

Example Prompt for ChatGPT:
“Write a brief story arc where a rookie lawman uncovers a criminal conspiracy within the ranks of the city’s law enforcement.”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
The Silent Betrayal: Rookie officer Jovan Darnell is assigned to the Velderon City Watch, eager to make a name for himself. However, as he rises through the ranks, Jovan begins to notice inconsistencies in the way cases are handled. Small-time criminals walk free, while innocent people are punished for minor infractions. His investigation uncovers a shocking truth: several high-ranking officers, including his own mentor, are secretly working with the Cobalt Hand. Torn between his loyalty to the Watch and his desire to bring justice, Jovan must navigate a treacherous path to expose the truth without becoming the next target.

Step 7: Refine with ChatGPT’s Help

Once you’ve built the foundation of your criminal underworld and law system, use ChatGPT to refine and tweak your ideas, ensuring they fit within the broader world.

Example Counter-Prompt:
“Can you make the corruption in the law system even deeper, involving bribery of judges and a secret criminal court?”

AI’s Reply (Simplified):
In Velderon, the corruption runs so deep that even the judges have their prices. The city’s elite criminals don’t just rely on bribing officers; they’ve established a secret court known as the Midnight Tribunal, where high-profile criminals are tried in the dead of night. This court is presided over by bribed judges, and the verdicts are always in favor of the criminal elite. Those found guilty in the Tribunal are often quietly released, their crimes erased from public records. The general population is unaware of this, believing the law system is still functional, while the true justice is reserved for the powerful.

Final Thoughts

Crafting criminal networks and law enforcement systems can add layers of complexity and conflict to your world. By using ChatGPT to brainstorm and refine these elements, you can create a realistic and dynamic legal landscape where justice is constantly in flux.

Start using these prompts to develop the intricate web of crime and law in your world, and let the stories of corruption, betrayal, and redemption unfold!