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 TaskCreate 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

Creative Voice

• Write with evocative, atmospheric prose — lead with mood, not measurements (see creative-voice.md)
• Engage multiple senses in every scene description
• Give every NPC a want, a speech pattern, and an opinion
• Design encounters as drama engines, not math problems

Player Agency First

• Always provide multiple solutions to problems
• Design consequences that matter and ripple forward
• Avoid railroading (forced single paths)
• Let player choices shape the story
• Character backstories are campaign fuel — weave them in

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

• TaskCreate/TaskUpdate: 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
• dndig: Generate campaign artwork (see dndig-reference.md)

File Organization

Every campaign should follow this structure:

campaigns/[campaign-name]/
├── campaign-overview.md         # Master document with full campaign arc
└── changelog/                   # Changelogs
    └── [change-name].md         # Documented changes to the campaign
├── README.md                  # Player-facing session zero document (spoiler-free)
├── chapter-01.md                # Detailed session content
├── chapter-02.md                # Continue for each chapter/session
├── chapters-summary.md          # Chapter/Scene-level summaries for all chapters of the campaign
├── npcs.md                      # Important characters with stats and motivations
├── locations.md                 # Key places with descriptions
├── factions.md                  # Organizations and their goals (optional)
├── timeline.md                  # Timeline of events in the campaign (optional)
└── art/                         # Image prompts and artwork
    ├── [scene-name].md          # Image generation prompts for scenes
    ├── [location-name].md       # Image generation prompts for locations/environment
    ├── [npc-name].md            # Image generation prompts for unique NPCs
    └── [generated-images.jpg]   # Actual artwork *.jpg (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
• chapters-summary.md - Scene-level overview for all chapters of the campaign
• timeline.md - Timeline of events in the campaign
• README.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:

• creative-voice.md - Creative identity, voice guidelines, writing philosophy
• campaign-types.md - Linear, Sandbox, Event-Based, Setting-Based
• world-building.md - Settings, NPCs, villain design, moral complexity, themes
• encounter-design.md - Encounter philosophy, checklist, variety matrix, boss design
• session-pacing.md - Session arc, dramatic structure, pacing tools
• literary-adaptation.md - Adapting novels, films, mythology into campaigns
• formatting-conventions.md - How to format all content
• dndig-reference.md - AI image generation tool reference

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-research-checklist.md - Pre-creation foundation and research checklist
• 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

1. Use TaskCreate to build a planning checklist
2. Use AskUserQuestion if briefing incomplete
3. Collect: story idea, length, level, setting, tone
4. If adapting source material, follow literary-adaptation.md
5. Complete campaign-research-checklist.md

Phase 2: Campaign Framework

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

Phase 3: Detailed Development

1. Write each chapter using creative-voice.md for writing quality
2. Design encounters using encounter-design.md for variety and depth
3. Detail NPCs using tiered framework in world-building.md
4. Detail locations (use template)
5. Create factions if needed (use template)

Phase 4: Player-Facing Content

1. Write README.md (use template)
2. Ensure there are NO SPOILERS in the briefing

Phase 5: Polish & QA

1. Create image prompts for key scenes using dndig-reference.md
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 TaskCreate/TaskUpdate for Complex Tasks

• Create planning checklist immediately with TaskCreate
• Track progress through creation phases
• Mark tasks completed with TaskUpdate 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 README.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

• Every fight answers: "Why is this fight happening, and what changes when it's over?"
• Terrain is the third combatant — environment should force choices
• Give enemies goals beyond "kill the party" (escape, protect, buy time, capture)
• Use the Encounter Design Checklist: dramatic question, stakes, environment, multiple approaches, escalation, connection
• Track variety with the Encounter Variety Matrix (combat/social/exploration/hybrid subtypes)
• Boss fights need phases, legendary actions, emotional stakes, and multiple victory conditions

See: modules/encounter-design.md

NPC Design

• Tier 1 (Walk-On): One trait, one useful thing, a rememberable name
• Tier 2 (Recurring): Want vs. need, opinions about other NPCs, a secret, speech patterns
• Tier 3 (Major): Full inner life, independent arc, mechanical weight, voice, relationship web
• Villains: Motivation, Method, Vulnerability, Escalation, Mirror

See: modules/world-building.md, templates/npcs.md

Location Design

• Atmosphere (sights, sounds, smells, feel)
• History and current situation — use environmental storytelling
• NPCs present and encounters
• Secrets to discover — layered puzzles that reward curiosity

See: modules/world-building.md, 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 with dndig

Use dndig (../dndig) to generate campaign artwork from prompt files. See dndig-reference.md for complete documentation.

Quick usage:

dndig campaigns/my-campaign/art/throne-room.md --verbose

Prompt file format:

---
title: throne-room
aspect_ratio: "16:9"
resolution: 2K
temperature: 0.8
batch: 2
instructions: campaign-style.md
references:
  - refs/gothic-castle.jpg
---

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

Key features:

• Style consistency: Create a shared instructions file for the campaign's visual style
• Reference images: Up to 14 reference images for style grounding (character consistency, architectural style)
• Batch generation: Generate 1–4 variations per prompt
• Aspect ratios: 1:1, 2:3, 3:2, 3:4, 4:3, 4:5, 5:4, 9:16, 16:9, 21:9
• Resolutions: 512px, 1K, 2K, 4K

Create prompts for:

• Key locations and scenes (16:9 or 4:3 at 2K)
• Important NPCs and character portraits (2:3 or 3:4 at 2K)
• Climactic encounters (16:9 at 2K)
• Maps and dungeons (1:1 or 4:3 at 2K+)
• Items and artifacts (1:1 at 1K)

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. TaskCreate: 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 README.md for players
7. Run quality checklist
8. Create image prompts and generate art with dndig
9. 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!