Dndtale

Dndtale - DnD Campaign & Adventure Creator

Dndtale is a specialized skill designed to assist Dungeon Masters and creative content creators in building complete, engaging Dungeons & Dragons campaigns and adventures.

Quick Start

For New Campaigns

1. Use TodoWrite immediately to create a planning checklist
2. Follow the workflow: workflows/campaign-creation-workflow.md
3. Use AskUserQuestion to gather requirements if not provided
4. Use templates: All templates are in templates/
5. Quality check: Use checklists/campaign-quality-checklist.md when done

For Updating Existing Campaigns

1. Read existing content before making changes
2. Follow the iteration workflow: workflows/iteration-workflow.md
3. Check consistency: Use checklists/consistency-checklist.md
4. Use Edit tool for targeted changes to existing files

Need an Example?

See the complete sample campaign: examples/the-stolen-flame/

What Dndtale Does

This skill helps you create:

• Complete Campaigns - Multi-session story arcs with interconnected plots, factions, and long-term consequences
• One-Shot Adventures - Single-session adventures with clear objectives and satisfying conclusions
• NPCs - Memorable characters with personalities, motivations, secrets, and stat blocks
• Locations - Detailed settings with atmosphere, history, and interactive elements
• Encounters - Balanced challenges with multiple solutions and meaningful consequences
• Story Frameworks - Narrative structures that preserve player agency while ensuring coherent plots
• Image Prompts - Detailed prompts for AI image generation tools

Core Principles

Player Agency First

• Always provide multiple solutions to problems
• Design consequences that matter
• Avoid railroading (forced single paths)
• Let player choices shape the story

Usability at the Table

• Write clear, scannable DM notes
• Provide concise read-aloud text
• Include quick reference tables
• Anticipate common DM needs

Completeness and Consistency

• Cross-reference between documents
• Maintain timeline and logic
• Keep names and facts consistent
• Check dependencies when changing content

Use the Right Tools

• TodoWrite: Track complex campaign creation tasks
• AskUserQuestion: Clarify requirements and gather preferences
• Read: Always read existing files before editing
• Edit: Make targeted changes to existing content
• Write: Create new files from templates

File Organization

Every campaign should follow this structure:

campaigns/[campaign-name]/
├── campaign-overview.md         # Master document with full campaign arc
├── briefing.md                  # Player-facing session zero document (spoiler-free)
├── chapter-01.md                # Detailed session content
├── chapter-02.md                # Continue for each chapter/session
├── npcs.md                      # Important characters with stats and motivations
├── locations.md                 # Key places with descriptions
├── factions.md                  # Organizations and their goals (optional)
└── art/                         # Image prompts and artwork
    ├── [scene-name].md          # Image generation prompts
    └── [generated-images]       # Actual images (if generated)

Resource Library

Templates

Use these as starting points for all campaign documents:

• campaign-overview.md - Master campaign document
• chapter-template.md - Individual session structure
• briefing.md - Player-facing session zero document
• npcs.md - NPC roster and details
• locations.md - Location descriptions and maps
• factions.md - Organizations and politics

Modules

Reference these for detailed guidance:

• campaign-types.md - Linear, Sandbox, Event-Based, Setting-Based
• world-building.md - Creating settings, NPCs, and interactions
• formatting-conventions.md - How to format all content

Workflows

Step-by-step processes for different tasks:

• campaign-creation-workflow.md - Complete campaign creation from start to finish
• iteration-workflow.md - Updating and refining existing campaigns

Checklists

Quality assurance for your work:

• campaign-quality-checklist.md - Ensure completeness, balance, and quality
• consistency-checklist.md - Maintain consistency when making changes

Examples

Complete sample campaigns demonstrating all templates:

• The Stolen Flame - One-shot adventure showing all templates in action

Workflow Overview

Creating a New Campaign

Phase 1: Gather Requirements (15-30 minutes)

1. Use TodoWrite to create planning checklist
2. Use AskUserQuestion if briefing incomplete
3. Collect: story idea, length, level, setting, tone

Phase 2: Campaign Framework (1-2 hours)

1. Choose campaign type (see modules/campaign-types.md)
2. Create campaign-overview.md (use template)
3. Plan chapter breakdown
4. Identify 3-5 major NPCs and locations

Phase 3: Detailed Development (3-5 hours for short campaign)

1. Write each chapter (use template)
2. Detail NPCs (use template)
3. Detail locations (use template)
4. Create factions if needed (use template)

Phase 4: Player-Facing Content (30-60 minutes)

1. Write briefing.md (use template)
2. Ensure NO SPOILERS in briefing

Phase 5: Polish & QA (1-2 hours)

1. Create image prompts for key scenes
2. Run through campaign-quality-checklist.md
3. Read entire campaign for flow and consistency

See detailed workflow: workflows/campaign-creation-workflow.md

Updating an Existing Campaign

1. Read all affected files first
2. Plan changes and identify dependencies
3. Edit existing files with targeted changes
4. Update cross-references
5. Check consistency with consistency-checklist.md

See detailed workflow: workflows/iteration-workflow.md

Important Guidelines

Always Do This

Use TodoWrite for Complex Tasks

• Create planning checklist immediately
• Track progress through creation phases
• Mark tasks completed as you finish them
• Keep exactly ONE task in_progress at a time

Ask Questions When Needed

• Use AskUserQuestion for unclear requirements
• Clarify tone, content boundaries, player preferences
• Ask about multiple valid approaches
• Don't guess—confirm with the DM

Read Before Editing

• Always Read existing files before using Edit
• Understand the full context
• Check dependencies and cross-references
• Maintain consistency with existing content

Preserve Player Agency

• Provide multiple solutions to every problem
• Design meaningful consequences
• Allow creative approaches
• Avoid forced single paths

Follow Templates

• Use the templates in templates/
• Maintain consistent formatting
• Include all required sections
• Match the style of examples

Never Do This

Don't Railroad Players

• Never force a single solution
• Don't invalidate player choices
• Avoid "the NPC does everything" solutions

Don't Skip Quality Checks

• Always use checklists before completion
• Verify cross-references work
• Check name consistency
• Test story logic

Don't Forget Documentation

• Cross-reference between documents
• Link to related content
• Include DM notes and tips
• Provide stat blocks or references

Don't Break Existing Content

• When editing, maintain story logic
• Update all references to changed content
• Check timeline consistency
• Preserve what works

Session Zero Considerations

Unless stated otherwise, campaigns are written for consenting adults. When content might be disturbing or NSFW:

• Include content warnings in briefing.md
• Suggest Session Zero discussion topics
• Recommend safety tools (X-Card, Lines & Veils)
• Clearly mark mature content

Standard D&D Adventure Structure

The skill follows professional D&D adventure conventions (see STRUCTURE.md for full details):

Front Matter: Introduction, synopsis, hooks Core Structure: Chapter breakdown with scenes, encounters, NPCs Climax: Epic final encounter with multiple resolution paths Back Matter: Appendices with stat blocks, magic items, handouts

Each Chapter Includes:

• Read-aloud text for scene setting
• DM information and secrets
• Encounter design (combat, social, skill challenges)
• NPCs with personality and stats
• Treasure and rewards
• Connections to other chapters

Formatting Standards

Follow conventions in modules/formatting-conventions.md:

Read-Aloud Text:

> Text the DM reads to players
> Detailed, evocative, multi-sensory
> Present tense, no secrets

DM Notes: Regular text with mechanical details, secrets, contingencies

Stat Blocks: Reference Monster Manual when possible, or provide custom stats

Cross-References: Use markdown links: [Chapter 2](chapter-02.md) or [NPCs](npcs.md#npc-name)

Image Prompts: Create in art/ folder with proper metadata

Quick Reference

Campaign Types

• Linear: Sequential chapters, clear path (easiest to prep)
• Sandbox: Central hub, many options (most prep)
• Event-Based: Timeline of events, player actions affect outcomes
• Setting-Based: Location-focused, exploratory

See: modules/campaign-types.md

Encounter Design

• Mix combat, social, and exploration
• Multiple solutions always
• Appropriate difficulty for level
• Meaningful consequences

NPC Design

• Appearance, personality, mannerisms
• Wants (surface goal) and needs (deeper motivation)
• Secrets and relationships
• Stat block or reference

See: templates/npcs.md

Location Design

• Atmosphere (sights, sounds, smells, feel)
• History and current situation
• NPCs present and encounters
• Secrets to discover

See: templates/locations.md

Tone and Content

Adjust to DM's requested tone:

• Heroic & Epic
• Dark & Serious
• Humorous & Lighthearted
• Mystery & Intrigue
• Horror
• Adult-themed/NSFW (with appropriate warnings)

Always:

• Match requested tone consistently
• Warn about mature content in briefing
• Provide Session Zero guidance for sensitive topics

Image Generation Integration

Create detailed prompts for AI image generation (reference dndig tool if available):

Format:

---
title: filename-prefix
aspect_ratio: "16:9"
resolution: 2K
instructions: optional-style-file.md
---

Detailed visual description based on scene read-aloud text...
Include: composition, lighting, mood, style

Create prompts for:

• Key locations and scenes
• Important NPCs
• Climactic encounters
• Maps (as needed)

Examples in Action

Example: Starting a New Campaign

DM: "I want to create a 3-session campaign about smugglers in a port city"

You:
1. TodoWrite: Create planning checklist
2. AskUserQuestion: Clarify tone, starting level, player count
3. Choose campaign type: Sandbox (city hub with multiple quest lines)
4. Create campaign-overview.md from template
5. Create 3 chapters, npcs.md, locations.md
6. Create briefing.md for players
7. Run quality checklist
8. Deliver organized campaign

Example: Updating Existing Campaign

DM: "The players killed the quest-giver NPC. I need to adapt."

You:
1. Read campaign-overview.md and affected chapters
2. Read npcs.md to understand the NPC's role
3. Follow iteration-workflow.md
4. Options:
   - Introduce heir/assistant to replace NPC
   - Redistribute quests to other NPCs
   - Show consequences of NPC death
5. Edit affected chapters
6. Update npcs.md and cross-references
7. Run consistency checklist

Success Criteria

A campaign is ready when:

• All chapters are complete and detailed
• NPCs have personality, motivations, and stats
• Locations are described with atmosphere and features
• Multiple solutions exist for every problem
• Cross-references are accurate
• Briefing is complete and spoiler-free
• Quality checklist passes
• DM can run Session 1 with current materials

Getting Help

Stuck on something?

• Check the relevant module in modules/
• Review the workflow in workflows/
• Look at the example in examples/the-stolen-flame/
• Use AskUserQuestion to clarify with the DM

Need to verify quality?

• campaign-quality-checklist.md
• consistency-checklist.md

Remember

You're helping a DM create memorable experiences for their players. Focus on:

✓ Usability - Easy to run at the table ✓ Flexibility - Multiple solutions, player agency ✓ Completeness - All necessary information present ✓ Consistency - Names, facts, timeline all align ✓ Quality - Engaging stories, balanced encounters, memorable moments

Good luck, and may your campaigns be legendary!