Adventures in ChatGPT

Did you know you can use ChatGPT as your Game Master for many popular role-playing games? In this example, I set the parameters of ChatGPT to follow a ruleset and use an established adventure. From there, the adventure began in earnest.

An exerpt from the game…

My Text Entry
I want to explore the module the Tomb of Horrors as a conversational text-based game.

ChatGPT
Certainly! The Tomb of Horrors is a classic module for the tabletop role-playing game Dungeons & Dragons, known for its deadly traps and puzzles. As a conversational text-based game, we can adapt its elements to create a similar experience for you.

First, we need to establish the basic premise of the game. The players will take on the roles of adventurers seeking to enter the Tomb of Horrors, a deadly dungeon filled with traps and puzzles, in order to retrieve a valuable treasure hidden within.

As the players progress through the tomb, they will encounter a series of challenges, including traps that require careful investigation and puzzle-solving skills. We can use branching dialogue options to allow the players to choose their approach to each challenge and determine their own fate.

For example, if the players encounter a pressure plate that triggers a deadly trap, they might have the option to search for hidden switches or attempt to disarm the trap. Depending on their choices, they could either successfully avoid the trap or suffer the consequences.

We can also incorporate combat encounters with deadly monsters and other creatures, requiring the players to use their combat skills and tactics to survive.

To get started with the game, we can create a character creation process for the players, allowing them to choose their race, class, and abilities. We can also establish the game’s rules and mechanics, including dice rolls and skill checks.

Overall, the goal of the game is to reach the treasure at the heart of the Tomb of Horrors and return it safely to the outside world. However, the journey will be filled with danger and uncertainty, and the players will need to use their wits and skills to survive.

My Text Entry
My character is a 3rd level thief with the following stats: Hit Point 34, Armor Class 0, Strength 10, Dexterity 19, Constitution 12, Wisdom 16, Intelligence 12, Charisma 10

ChatGPT
Great! With those stats, your 3rd level thief looks quite formidable. Let’s get started with the game.

As you approach the entrance to the Tomb of Horrors, you can see that it is a massive stone structure, towering over you. The entrance is a set of large, double doors, covered in runes and symbols that you can’t quite decipher.

What do you want to do?

1. Approach the doors and try to decipher the symbols.
2. Look around for any other entrances or hidden paths.
3. Attempt to pick the lock on the doors.

My Text Entry
I want to search around for other entrances

ChatGPT
As you look around the perimeter of the Tomb of Horrors, you see that there are no other visible entrances or exits. However, you do notice that there is a section of the wall that looks slightly different from the rest. It appears to be a hidden door, camouflaged to blend in with the rest of the wall.

What do you want to do?

1. Attempt to open the hidden door.
2. Go back to the main entrance and try to decipher the symbols.
3. Look for any traps or hazards around the hidden door.

My Text Entry
Look for traps

ChatGPT
You carefully approach the hidden door, examining the area around it for any signs of traps or hazards. As you inspect the area, you notice that the ground in front of the hidden door is slightly uneven, with small cracks and crevices that seem out of place.

After a few moments of investigation, you determine that the area in front of the hidden door is rigged with a pressure plate trap. If you step on the plate, it will trigger a deadly trap that will cause the ground to collapse beneath you.

What do you want to do?

1. Attempt to disarm the trap.
2. Try to find an alternative way to access the hidden door.
3. Step on the pressure plate and see what happens.

My Text Entry
I want to throw a heavy rock onto the pressure plate from 10 feet away

ChatGPT
You pick up a nearby heavy rock and throw it towards the pressure plate from a safe distance of 10 feet away. As the rock lands on the pressure plate, you hear a loud clicking sound and see a mechanism trigger in the ground in front of the hidden door. However, the trap seems to have been disarmed without any harm to you.

Now that the trap is disarmed, you are able to approach the hidden door and open it.

What do you want to do?

1. Open the hidden door and enter the Tomb of Horrors.
2. Take a moment to rest and regain any health or spells that were used during the trap investigation.
3. Search around for any other hidden traps or secret passages before proceeding.

My Text Entry
Open the hidden door

ChatGPT
You open the hidden door and find yourself in a long, dark corridor. The walls are made of rough, hewn stone and the air is damp and musty. As you walk down the corridor, you notice that there are several torches lining the walls, casting flickering shadows all around you.

As you move deeper into the Tomb of Horrors, you come across several branching paths and doorways. It’s clear that the Tomb is designed to confuse and disorient intruders, making it difficult to navigate.

What do you want to do?

1. Use your navigational skills to determine the correct path to take.
2. Take a random path and hope for the best.
3. Look for any clues or signs that might lead you in the right direction.

My Text Entry
Look for clues

ChatGPT
You start to search around for any clues or signs that might help you navigate through the Tomb of Horrors. As you investigate, you notice that the torches on the walls seem to be placed in a specific pattern. You follow the pattern and it leads you to a small alcove in the wall.

Inside the alcove, you find a small piece of parchment with some writing on it. The writing is in an ancient language, but you are able to make out a few words that seem to be directions:

“Three paces north, then two paces east, then one pace south, and the door shall be revealed.”

What do you want to do?

1. Follow the directions on the parchment to find the hidden door.
2. Keep searching for more clues or signs that might lead you in the right direction.
3. Ignore the parchment and continue down the path you were on.

My Text Entry
Follow the directions

ChatGPT
You decide to follow the directions on the parchment to find the hidden door. You take three paces north, then two paces east, and finally one pace south. As you take the final step, you hear a faint clicking sound and notice that the wall in front of you has shifted, revealing a hidden doorway.

As you enter the doorway, you find yourself in a small room with a chest sitting in the center. The room is empty except for the chest and a faint, greenish light coming from the corners of the ceiling.

What do you want to do?

1. Open the chest and investigate its contents.
2. Look for any traps or hazards around the chest.
3. Ignore the chest and continue on your path through the Tomb of Horrors.

My Text Entry
I want to investigate the chest for traps.

ChatGPT
You approach the chest and start to investigate it for any traps or hazards. As you examine the chest, you notice that there are several wires and mechanisms attached to the lock. It appears that the chest is rigged with a trap that will trigger if the lock is picked or tampered with.

After a few moments of careful examination, you determine that the trap can be disarmed by using a small, metal key that is hidden in the keyhole of the lock. If you turn the key in the lock, it will disarm the trap and allow you to safely open the chest.

What do you want to do?

1. Use the key to disarm the trap and open the chest.
2. Look for any other clues or signs around the room before proceeding.
3. Ignore the chest and continue on your path through the Tomb of Horrors.

My Text Entry
use the key

ChatGPT
You carefully insert the metal key into the lock and turn it. As you do, you hear a faint clicking sound and the wires and mechanisms attached to the lock start to retract. You realize that the trap has been disarmed and it’s now safe to open the chest.

You slowly lift the lid of the chest and see that it is filled with gold and jewels. It appears that this is a treasure hoard, left by a previous adventurer who may have met their demise in the Tomb of Horrors.

What do you want to do?

1. Take some of the treasure and add it to your inventory.
2. Leave the treasure untouched and continue on your path through the Tomb of Horrors.
3. Investigate the room further to see if there are any other hidden treasures or clues.

My Text Entry
I want to move the chest to the entrance of the tomb and then continue on my path

ChatGPT
Moving the chest will be a difficult task as it appears to be quite heavy due to the treasure inside. However, with some effort, you manage to move the chest to the entrance of the Tomb of Horrors.

You leave the chest at the entrance and continue on your path through the Tomb. As you move further into the depths of the Tomb, the air grows colder and the darkness becomes more oppressive. You start to hear strange noises and whispers echoing through the corridors, and you feel a sense of foreboding growing within you.

What do you want to do?

1. Press on and continue through the Tomb.
2. Return to the entrance and take a break to rest and recover before continuing.
3. Investigate the strange noises and whispers to see if they are a threat or a clue.

My Text Entry
Investigate the whispers

ChatGPT
You decide to investigate the strange noises and whispers that you’ve been hearing. As you move forward, the whispers grow louder and you begin to discern words and phrases. The whispers seem to be coming from a nearby chamber.

You cautiously enter the chamber and see a strange, glowing orb floating in the center of the room. The whispers seem to be emanating from the orb, which pulsates with a dim, green light.

What do you want to do?

1. Approach the orb and investigate it further.
2. Cast a spell or use an ability to detect any magic or energy coming from the orb.
3. Leave the chamber and continue on your path through the Tomb.

My Text Entry
Throw a heavy rock at the orb

ChatGPT
As you pick up a nearby heavy rock, you notice that the whispers seem to grow louder and more intense. You take aim and hurl the rock at the glowing orb.

As the rock makes contact with the orb, there is a sudden burst of energy and a deafening explosion. You are thrown back by the force of the blast and feel a searing pain in your eyes.

When you regain your senses, you find that you are blind and cannot see anything. It appears that the explosion has damaged your eyes and caused temporary blindness.

What do you want to do?

1. Wait for your vision to return and try to continue on your path.
2. Use a healing spell or ability to try to restore your vision.
3. Retreat from the chamber and try to find a way to recover from your injuries.

My Text Entry
Do I hear anything?

ChatGPT
As you take a moment to gather your bearings and assess your situation, you strain your ears to listen for any sounds or movement in the chamber. Despite your temporary blindness, you hear the sound of shuffling footsteps coming from somewhere nearby.

What do you want to do?

1. Stay put and listen carefully to try to determine the source and direction of the footsteps.
2. Call out and try to speak to whoever is approaching.
3. Prepare for combat and get ready to defend yourself against any potential threats.

My Text Entry
Has my vision returned?

ChatGPT
Unfortunately, your vision has not yet returned, and you are still experiencing temporary blindness. You will need to wait a bit longer for your vision to clear up.

My Text Entry
I shout out a warning that “I am armed and not afraid!”

ChatGPT
You shout out your warning, hoping to alert whoever is approaching that you are prepared to defend yourself. The shuffling footsteps stop for a moment, and you hear a faint whispering sound, as if someone is talking to themselves. Then, the footsteps start up again and come closer to your position.

You can hear the sound of someone or something moving closer to you, but you still cannot see anything due to your blindness.

What do you want to do?

1. Continue to wait and listen, trying to determine the intentions of whoever is approaching.
2. Attack with a weapon or spell, hoping to hit your target even though you cannot see them.
3. Try to communicate more clearly with the approaching entity and attempt to reason with them.

My Text Entry
“Hello? Is anyone there?”

ChatGPT
You call out in a friendly tone, hoping to make contact with whoever is approaching you. The shuffling footsteps pause for a moment, and you hear a faint whispering sound again. Then, a voice responds to you.

“Who are you?” the voice asks, sounding cautious and unsure.

“I am a traveler exploring this Tomb,” you reply. “I was temporarily blinded by an explosion, and I am waiting for my vision to return. Who are you?”

There is a moment of silence, and then the voice responds again. “I am a servant of Acererak, the lord of this Tomb. You are not welcome here. Leave at once, or face the consequences.”

What do you want to do?

1. Try to reason with the servant and convince them to let you continue your exploration.
2. Attack with a weapon or spell, hoping to defeat the servant and continue on your path.
3. Retreat from the chamber and try to find another way to bypass this obstacle.

My Text Entry
I tell the servant that I will leave, just as soon as my vision is restored. Could the servant help me with my eyes?

ChatGPT
The servant of Acererak responds to your request, “I cannot restore your vision, but I can offer you a deal. If you agree to leave this Tomb immediately and never return, I will provide you with a magical salve that will heal your eyes.”

What do you want to do?

1. Accept the servant’s offer and leave the Tomb with the salve.
2. Refuse the servant’s offer and continue exploring the Tomb despite your temporary blindness.
3. Attempt to negotiate with the servant and see if there is a way to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

My Text Entry
“First restore my vision, and then we can talk about me leaving.”

ChatGPT
The servant of Acererak responds to your request, “I cannot restore your vision, but I can offer you a deal. If you agree to leave this Tomb immediately and never return, I will provide you with a magical salve that will heal your eyes.”

It seems that the servant is not willing to restore your vision without a guarantee that you will leave the Tomb. What do you want to do?

1. Accept the servant’s offer and leave the Tomb with the salve.
2. Refuse the servant’s offer and continue exploring the Tomb despite your temporary blindness.
3. Attempt to negotiate with the servant and see if there is a way to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

My Text Entry
I drink my potion of healing to restore my vision.

ChatGPT
You quickly retrieve your potion of healing from your backpack and drink it, feeling the magical energy flow through your body. The healing potion immediately takes effect, and you feel a warm sensation in your eyes as your vision returns.

As your vision clears, you see a figure standing before you. The figure is dressed in black robes and is carrying a staff, which emits a faint blue light. The figure looks at you with a stern expression, waiting for your response.

What do you want to do?

1. Accept the servant’s offer and leave the Tomb with the salve.
2. Refuse the servant’s offer and continue exploring the Tomb despite the servant’s warning.
3. Attempt to negotiate with the servant and see if there is a way to reach a mutually beneficial agreement.

My Text Entry
I attack the servant

ChatGPT
You decide to attack the servant of Acererak. You draw your weapon and charge at the figure, hoping to catch them off guard.

As you approach, the figure raises their staff and utters a few words in a strange language. Suddenly, a blast of energy shoots out from the staff and strikes you, knocking you back several feet.

You take 12 points of damage from the blast and fall to the ground, stunned and dazed. The servant stands over you, their staff still glowing with power.

“Do not underestimate the power of Acererak,” the servant warns you. “Leave this Tomb at once, or face the consequences.”

What do you want to do?

1. Retreat from the chamber and try to find another way to bypass this obstacle.
2. Try to reason with the servant and convince them to let you continue your exploration.
3. Surrender to the servant and accept their terms, leaving the Tomb immediately.
4. Attempt to attack the servant again.

My Text Entry
I throw my magical dagger of assassination at the servant

ChatGPT
You throw your magical dagger of assassination at the servant of Acererak, hoping to take them by surprise. The dagger flies through the air with incredible speed, but the servant is quick to react. They raise their staff and deflect the dagger with a burst of energy, causing it to fly harmlessly to the side.

The servant looks at you with a mixture of annoyance and disappointment. “I warned you not to underestimate me,” they say. “But you have made your choice. Now face the consequences.”

The servant raises their staff once more, and this time the blast of energy is even stronger than before. You are struck by the blast and thrown back against the wall, taking 18 points of damage in the process.

As you struggle to get up, the servant approaches you and says, “You are no match for the power of Acererak. Leave this Tomb now, or face certain doom.”

What do you want to do?

1. Retreat from the chamber and try to find another way to bypass this obstacle.
2. Try to reason with the servant and convince them to let you continue your exploration.
3. Surrender to the servant and accept their terms, leaving the Tomb immediately.
4. Attempt to attack the servant again.

My Text Entry
Drink a potion of healing

ChatGPT
You quickly reach into your backpack and retrieve a potion of healing. You quickly unstopper the bottle and drink its contents, feeling the magical energy flow through your body.

The healing potion immediately takes effect, and you feel your wounds start to close and heal. You recover 10 hit points from the potion.

However, the servant of Acererak does not seem to be impressed by your actions. They stand before you, staff at the ready, still warning you to leave the Tomb immediately.

What do you want to do?

1. Retreat from the chamber and try to find another way to bypass this obstacle.
2. Try to reason with the servant and convince them to let you continue your exploration.
3. Surrender to the servant and accept their terms, leaving the Tomb immediately.
4. Attempt to attack the servant again.

My Text Entry
I pull out a scroll of the spell, True Polymorph, and cast it at the servant in an attempt to Polymorph them into a small mouse.

ChatGPT
You quickly retrieve your scroll of True Polymorph and begin to read the arcane words inscribed upon it. The air around you begins to shimmer and twist, and you can feel the magical energies building up around you.

You focus your mind on the servant of Acererak and chant the final words of the spell. The servant’s body begins to contort and twist as their form starts to change. However, to your surprise, the spell does not seem to have any effect on them.

The servant of Acererak chuckles as they watch your futile attempt at magic. “Did you really think a simple spell like that could defeat me?” they say. “You are even more foolish than I thought.”

The servant raises their staff and prepares to unleash another blast of energy at you. What do you want to do?

1. Try to dodge the servant’s attack and retaliate with a weapon or spell of your own.
2. Attempt to reason with the servant once again, pleading with them to spare your life.
3. Surrender to the servant and accept their terms, leaving the Tomb immediately.
4. Try to make a run for it and flee the chamber, hoping to find safety elsewhere in the Tomb.

My Text Entry
I run!

ChatGPT
You quickly turn and run in the opposite direction, hoping to put some distance between yourself and the servant of Acererak. You hear them shout something after you, but you don’t stop to listen.

As you run, you notice that the passageway seems to be twisting and turning in unpredictable ways. You’re not sure if you’re going in the right direction, but you keep running anyway.

Suddenly, you hear a loud grinding noise, and the passageway starts to shake and shudder. You feel the ground beneath your feet start to give way, and before you know it, you’re falling.

You plummet down a dark, narrow shaft, the wind rushing past your ears. You have no idea how far you’re falling or where you’re going to land, but you know that it’s not going to be good.

As you fall, you frantically try to think of a way to save yourself. Do you:

1. Try to cast a spell to slow your fall or create a cushion of air to land on.
2. Try to grab onto the sides of the shaft and slow your descent.
3. Close your eyes and hope for the best, bracing for impact.
4. Something else (please specify).

My Text Entry
I put on my ring of feather fall

ChatGPT
You quickly remember the magical ring of feather fall that you have in your possession. With trembling hands, you reach for the ring and slide it onto your finger.

Almost immediately, you feel a sensation of weightlessness as the magical energies of the ring take hold. You begin to slow down, and the rushing wind dies away. You can now see the walls of the narrow shaft passing by you at a more leisurely pace.

Finally, after what seems like an eternity, you come to a soft landing at the bottom of the shaft. You quickly take off the ring and look around to get your bearings.

You find yourself in a small, dimly lit chamber, with a single door leading out. You can see no other exits or obvious ways to escape, but you can hear strange, unsettling noises coming from beyond the door.

What do you want to do?

1. Investigate the room more closely for any clues or hidden passageways.
2. Approach the door cautiously and try to listen for any useful information or sounds.
3. Ready your weapons and spells and prepare for a fight, just in case.
4. Something else (please specify).

My Text Entry
Kick open the door and scream loudly

ChatGPT
You take a deep breath, ready your weapons, and kick open the door with a mighty shout. The door flies open with a crash, revealing a long, narrow passageway stretching out before you.

As you step forward into the passageway, you hear a chorus of growls and hisses. A group of small, vicious-looking creatures have taken notice of your presence and are advancing toward you.

You can see that they are armed with sharp claws and teeth, and they look hungry for blood. What do you want to do?

1. Fight the creatures with your weapons and spells.
2. Try to intimidate the creatures with a show of force or a threatening gesture.
3. Use your agility and speed to dodge the creatures and run past them.
4. Something else (please specify).

My Text Entry
2

ChatGPT
You take a step forward, drawing yourself up to your full height and brandishing your weapons. You let out a fierce roar, trying to intimidate the creatures and make them back off.

To your surprise, the creatures seem to hesitate for a moment, seeming unsure whether to continue their attack or back off. You take advantage of this momentary hesitation and press your advantage, continuing to shout and gesture aggressively.

Finally, the creatures seem to realize that you are not an easy prey and they retreat, growling and hissing. You breathe a sigh of relief and continue down the passageway, on guard for any further dangers that may come your way.

As you walk, you notice that the passageway seems to be leading downward, deeper into the earth. The air grows colder and damper, and strange, eerie noises can be heard echoing in the distance. You steel yourself for what lies ahead and continue on your journey.

My Text Entry
I sneak forward

ChatGPT
You decide to move forward cautiously and quietly, keeping a low profile and trying to avoid making any noise. You move forward slowly, scanning the area around you for any signs of danger.

As you progress, you notice that the passageway seems to be growing narrower and darker. You have to hunch over slightly to avoid bumping your head on the low ceiling, and the walls are closing in around you.

You hear a faint sound up ahead, a soft, scraping noise that echoes through the darkness. You slow your pace, trying to get a better sense of what is going on.

As you round a bend in the passageway, you catch a glimpse of a figure up ahead, silhouetted against the faint light of a distant chamber. The figure seems to be hunched over, moving slowly and deliberately. You can’t make out any details from this distance, but you get the sense that they are up to something.

What do you want to do?

1. Try to sneak closer and get a better look.
2. Call out and try to get the figure’s attention.
3. Retreat and find another way forward.
4. Something else (please specify).

My Text Entry
I attempt to back-stab this figure using my Dagger of Assassination

ChatGPT
You decide to try to take out the figure with your Dagger of Assassination. You move forward slowly and quietly, trying to get as close as possible without alerting the figure to your presence.

As you approach, you see that the figure is a small humanoid, dressed in ragged clothes and hunched over a pile of stones. They seem to be digging through the pile, searching for something.

You take advantage of the figure’s distraction and move in for the kill, holding your Dagger of Assassination at the ready. As you get within striking distance, you leap forward, bringing the dagger down with all your strength.

To your surprise, the figure spins around at the last moment, narrowly avoiding your attack. They jump back, their eyes wide with fear and surprise.

It is then that you see that the figure is actually a goblin, one of the creatures that are known for their cunning and skill in battle. The goblin hisses at you, drawing a crude weapon from its belt.

What do you want to do?

1. Fight the goblin.
2. Try to negotiate with the goblin.
3. Retreat and find another way forward.
4. Something else (please specify).

My Text Entry
Throw the Dagger of Assassination at the goblin.

ChatGPT
You decide to throw the Dagger of Assassination at the goblin, hoping to take it out before it can attack you. You take aim and throw the dagger with all your might, watching as it spins through the air and heads straight towards the goblin.

To your satisfaction, the dagger finds its mark, striking the goblin in the chest and causing it to fall to the ground, dead.

You approach the goblin’s body and retrieve your dagger, wiping it clean before sheathing it once more. You continue on your way, wondering what other dangers may lie ahead.

My Text Entry
Search the pile

ChatGPT
You approach the pile of stones that the goblin was digging through and begin to search it for any clues or valuable items. As you sift through the pile, you find a few copper coins and a rusty dagger, but nothing else of interest.

After searching for a few minutes, you decide to move on, as there doesn’t seem to be anything else of value here. You continue on your way, cautiously moving forward and keeping an eye out for any other dangers that may lie ahead.

My Text Entry
search the goblin

ChatGPT
You search the goblin’s body, hoping to find any valuable items or clues that may help you on your journey. As you search through its pockets and belongings, you find a few more copper coins, a small pouch containing a handful of beads, and a scrap of parchment with a crude map sketched on it.

The map appears to show a rough outline of the area you’re in, with several landmarks and key locations marked out. It’s difficult to make out all of the details, but you get the sense that it could be useful in navigating your way through the wilderness.

You tuck the map and other items into your backpack and continue on your way, feeling slightly more prepared for whatever challenges may lie ahead.