Hillfolk: Second impressions

Back in 2012, I backed Robin D Laws’ Hillfolk on Kickstarter. I was excited because it was different, focussing on dramatic play and doing away with all that messy procedural business (like combat and chases). But I’ve only played it once – and I’ve never run it.

I’ve often thought about running more of it, and finally, I’ve offered it at Continuum 2023 at the end of July.

Dying to play

I've been dying to play Hillfolk (or any form of Dramasystem, the core engine that powers Hillfolk) since the Kickstarter. I've been playing and writing freeform larps for nearly 30 years, and Hillfolk promises to bring some of the interrelational parts of freeforms to the tabletop.

So why has it taken me so long to run Hillfolk? Any why do I feel so ambivalent about it?

Well, it might be because I'm unlikely to play a regular game of Hillfolk. I don't have a regular tabletop group big enough for Hillfolk – which suits five or six players (more than I am normally comfortable with). And until now, I’ve not been brave enough to run a one-shot. (My one experience of playing Hillfolk was as a one-shot at Furnace, years ago. It was great – I don’t know why I’ve waited so long to try running it.)

But I think there’s more to my ambivalence than the difficulty of getting it to the table.

How does the game work?

In Hillfolk, the players are the leaders of an Iron-age tribe. Hillfolk emphasises character motivation and the intricate web of relationships within the community. Players create characters with unique desires, goals, and connections to other characters, which drive the storytelling.

During character creation, players establish their roles in the tribe and their relationships with other characters. Hillfolk characters have:

• Desires – what drives the character (power, respect, forgiveness)
• Needs – what the character needs from each other character (their approval, love, forgiveness and so on)
• Dramatic poles – a choice of personal identities your character is torn between (so Han Solo is torn between being a mercenary pirate and supporting his friends in the rebellion)
• Actions – things you’re good at (and things you aren’t)

The game is played in scenes, most of which are dramatic, in which one person (the petitioner) wants something of another (the granter). (So, on the Death Star, Luke petitions Han to help him rescue Princess Leia.) This is roleplayed out – and whoever “loses” the scene (ie, doesn’t get what they want), receives a drama token from the other character. (So, by agreeing to help Luke rescue the princess, Han receives a drama token from Luke.)

Drama tokens can give you bonuses or let you force scenes or get what you want.

Procedural scenes are scenes in which action happens – a raid, a long journey. Hillfolk has a system for that, but it’s slightly fiddly (and probably more complicated than it needs to be).

That’s the core system – there are lots of special cases, which I will probably forget and handwave if I have to.

So all that sounds great! What’s not to love about compelling, dramatic characters clashing with each other? Well, unfortunately, a few things.

Physically meh

I think Pelgrane missed a trick with the physical product. I'm not inspired by it - in fact, I find it offputting for a few reasons:

The font: First, I find Hillfolk almost unreadable. The system section is set in a teeny serif font which I find hard to read (particularly when it's slightly blurred, as my copy is on a few pages). Making Hillfolk hard to read is not making me love it. The series pitches are in a cleaner font - still small, but easier to read.

The cover: Hillfolk has an uninspiring cover. There are lovely images inside the book, but the cover is a muddy brown colour, with two indistinct figures in the centre. It doesn’t scream, "Pick me up and play me!"

Short rules, large book: There's not much to the Dramasystem rules. That's kind of the point, but it seems odd that a set of rules you could comfortably fit into a magazine article now sits in a 240-page A4 hardback book. It's also interesting that the procedural rules are longer than the dramatic rules. I can see why this is, but it seems ironic for a game that's supposed to prioritise drama.

The Hillfolk setting: I'm not excited by the Hillfolk setting. It explains the rules well, and I understand why the game avoids a traditional fantasy RPG setting. But really, wasn’t there a more compelling setting available?

Too many series pitches

But perhaps I might do better with a series pitch? Ah, yes, the series pitches.

Too many series pitches: There are way too many series pitches. Two-thirds of the book consists of series pitches, ranging from gangsters to angels to an ant colony! (And there are even more in the companion.) I will never run them all - and very few feel like a proper game - most of them feel like an excuse to create a setting.

Series pitch length: There are lots of series pitches, and they're all about 2000 words long. I have no confidence that the series pitches were run as Dramasystem games before publication, and I'm not convinced that 2000 words are enough to create a satisfying game.

But I could be doing them a disservice; after all, I haven’t played any yet. (Lindybeige disagrees – here’s his enthusiastic video about Hillfolk and one of the series pitches.)

Campaigns: Hillfolk apparently suits campaigns more than it does one-shot games. Now, as much as I'd like to play a campaign, I'm much more likely to play a one-shot - and I imagine many gamers would like to try Hillfolk as a one-shot before committing to a campaign. Hillfolk does contain advice for one-shots, but as an aside rather than a feature.

A victim of Kickstarter success?

Was Hillfolk a victim of its own Kickstarter success? Here are my thoughts on that:

Stretch rewards: Hillfolk burst through numerous stretch rewards, many of which consisted of new series pitches. (Other stretch rewards included full-colour interiors, hardback books, and so on.)

Series pitches: I’d happily have fewer, more detailed series pitches. Series pitches were an obvious easy stretch goal for Kickstarter, but more isn’t necessarily better.

While Kickstarter was a brilliant marketing and fundraising campaign, I'm not convinced it's helped Hillfolk/Dramasystem in the long run.

Actual play

It was a few years ago that I played in a game of Hillfolk, and I remember enjoying the game (although it lacked an ending, if I remember right). But I haven’t run it yet…

As for running it? I’ll talk about that soon – Continuum is only a couple of weeks away.

Using AI to help write freeforms: Horde characters

 (This is the fifth part of a series, which has ended up longer than I imagined when I started exploring this strange new technology. I think it’s the last. For a while.)

• Part 1: An introduction
• Part 2: Plots
• Part 3: Angst
• Part 4: Hordes

Last time, ChatGPT helped me populate a 17th-century London marketplace full of traders, visitors, criminals and watchmen. I already had enough material to create a horde, but I wondered if I could use ChatGPT to create the character sheets themselves.

To make sure ChatGPT understood what I was asking, I gave it an example:

From the above, write seven characters found in the market (two stall holders, one City Watch, one gang and two visitors) written in the second person, with tasks they need to complete and two relationships (one positive and one negative) with other named characters. For example: “Agnes the Housewife: You are a housewife and you need fresh produce for cooking. Tasks: get bread from Samuel the fishmonger and cheese from Alice the cheese monger. You have an ongoing disagreement with Catherine the baker over the quality of Catherine’s pastry. Your brother-in-law, Simon ensures you are not troubled by the cut-purse gang.” 

And this is what ChatGPT came up with.

Thomas the Tailor: You are a skilled tailor running your own stall in the market. Tasks: You need high-quality fabrics from Rebecca the Merchant and threads from Margaret the Apothecary. You have a positive relationship with Benjamin the Cobbler, often collaborating on custom shoes and clothing designs. However, you constantly clash with Samuel the Fishmonger over space allocation in the market.

(I’m not sure Margaret the Apothecary is the right person to get threads from, but that’s easily changed. I like the idea of Thomas and Samuel bickering over who gets the best space.)

Margaret the Apothecary: You are an experienced herbalist and apothecary in the market. Tasks: You need fresh herbs from local farmers and gatherers. Isabella, a member of Malcolm's cut-purse gang, occasionally seeks your remedies for minor ailments but secretly feeds information about your business to the City Watch.

Constable Agnes Marshall: You are a diligent member of the City Watch patrolling the market. Tasks: Your duty is to maintain order and ensure the safety of the market-goers. You have a positive relationship with Captain Edmund Hawthorne, who trusts your judgment and relies on your observational skills. However, you often clash with Constable Marcus Reynolds, who can be easily swayed and has been caught accepting bribes.

(I hoped the watch-person would have relationships with someone in the market, not just other members of the watch. But I could do that myself – or ask ChatGPT for more detail.)

Malcolm the Slick (Gang Leader): You are the leader of the cut-purse gang operating in the market. Tasks: Your main objective is to coordinate thefts and avoid detection by the City Watch. You have a positive relationship with Lydia, a member of your gang who acts as a snitch, providing you with inside information about the City Watch's activities. However, you have a negative relationship with Rebecca the Merchant, as she suspects your gang's involvement in the disappearance of some of her valuable items.

(I’m not sure ChatGPT really understands what is meant by snitch here…)

Frederick the Bookworm (Visitor): You are a passionate book collector visiting the market. Tasks: Your goal is to search for rare manuscripts and scrolls. You have a positive relationship with Amelia, a distraction artist in Malcolm's gang, who occasionally assists you in finding hidden bookshops and negotiating prices. However, you have a negative relationship with Catherine the Baker, as she questions the authenticity of some books you acquire and doubts your knowledge of historical manuscripts.

(This is probably the weakest of ChatGPT’s suggestions – but easy to amend. Catherine the Baker suddenly is much more literate than I had expected!)

Olivia the Brewer (Visitor): You are a brewer visiting the market to source ingredients. Tasks: You need to acquire high-quality barley from Matthew the Farmer and hops from a specialized supplier. You have a positive relationship with Simon, a member of Malcolm's gang who occasionally supplies you with unique herbs for experimental brews. However, you have a negative relationship with Margaret the Apothecary, as you disagree on the medicinal benefits of alcohol and brewing techniques.

Following up

I wanted more connections between the characters themselves, so I asked ChatGPT for information on some of the characters it mentioned. I was interested to see if it would remember the relationships.

Now please do the same for Rebecca the Merchant, Margaret the Apothecary, Benjamin the Cobbler, Samuel the Fishmonger, Simon, and Amelia

(Note how I didn’t need to completely rephrase the question – I just asked it to “do the same”.)

Rebecca the Merchant: You are a reputable merchant selling a variety of goods in the market. Tasks: You need to restock on rare items from traveling traders and acquire new inventory from local artisans. You have a positive relationship with Thomas the Tailor, as you often collaborate on creating unique outfits for special events. However, you have a negative relationship with Malcolm the Slick, suspecting his gang's involvement in the theft of some valuable items from your stall.

(Yes – the relationship with Malcolm is the same. And a new one with Thomas, which wasn’t mentioned earlier.)

Margaret the Apothecary: You are an experienced herbalist and apothecary in the market. Tasks: You need to gather fresh herbs and restock your inventory of medicinal remedies. You have a positive relationship with Frederick the Bookworm, as he often seeks your expertise in identifying rare plants and their medicinal properties. However, you have a negative relationship with Olivia the Brewer, as you have differing opinions about the medicinal benefits of alcohol and brewing techniques.

(ChatGPT remembered the conflict between Margaret and Olivia about the medicinal benefits of alcohol from an earlier answer. I can just picture them arguing – I even know who I’d like to play them!)

Benjamin the Cobbler: You are a skilled cobbler running your own stall in the market. Tasks: You need to acquire high-quality leather from local traders and restock your supplies of shoe accessories. You have a positive relationship with Thomas the Tailor, often collaborating on custom shoes and clothing designs. However, you have a negative relationship with Samuel the Fishmonger, as you constantly clash over space allocation in the market.

(A new entry into the argument for who gets the best space in the market! Perhaps I should have asked ChatGPT who decides?)

Samuel the Fishmonger: You are a fishmonger with a bustling stall in the market. Tasks: You need to restock on fresh fish from local fishermen and maintain the cleanliness of your stall. You have a positive relationship with Catherine the Baker, as you often exchange goods and recipes for meals. However, you have a negative relationship with Benjamin the Cobbler, as you frequently argue over space allocation in the market.

(ChatGPT has forgotten that Samuel’s relationship with Catherine is not only positive, but they share forbidden love and are having a secret affair.)

Simon: You are a visitor to the market and the brother-in-law of Agnes the Housewife. Tasks: You assist Agnes in navigating the market and ensure her safety, keeping an eye out for any suspicious activities. You have a positive relationship with Agnes the Housewife, always looking out for her and ensuring she is not troubled by the cut-purse gang. However, you have a negative relationship with Lydia, a snitch within Malcolm's gang, as you suspect her involvement in criminal activities.

(Not ChatGPT’s finest entry – too fixated on Agnes and seems to have become confused about whether or not Simon is in the gang. That may have been my fault for including Simon in my example.)

Amelia: You are a distraction artist and a member of Malcolm's cut-purse gang. Tasks: You play a crucial role in diverting attention during thefts and ensuring the success of your gang's operations. You have a positive relationship with Frederick the Bookworm, occasionally assisting him in finding hidden bookshops and negotiating prices. However, you have a negative relationship with Rebecca the Merchant, as she suspects your gang's involvement in the disappearance of some valuable items from her stall.

And after all that, I decided I wanted to know more about Lydia.

And lydia?

I’m amazed at how well ChatGPT understood my request:

Lydia: You are a member of Malcolm's cut-purse gang and also a snitch. Tasks: You provide information to the City Watch or other rival criminal factions about the gang's activities, plans, and identities. You have a positive relationship with Captain Edmund Hawthorne, who values the  information you provide and occasionally grants you favors or protection in return. However, you have a negative relationship with Amelia, a distraction artist in Malcolm's gang, as she suspects your loyalty and involvement in betraying the gang's secrets.

Overall

Overall, I’m impressed. I’m sure that I could give these character snippets to my players and they would happily play the marketplace horde. I might reformat them to make them a little easier to read – but at Peaky I might not even do that.

I’m disappointed that ChatGPT didn’t remember the secret affairs, it invented – but it’s probably a big ask to get it perfect first time.

I also think it’s easy to be greedy with ChatGPT and ask it for a lot at once. I might have done better to ask it in smaller chunks, and just drill down when I needed to.

It wasn’t always brilliant, but for a first draft created in about ten minutes (if that), it’s superb.

Appendix: A cast list

I thought a list of characters for the market would be helpful – after all, many of the characters will know each other. So:

For the characters created, please create a cast list giving their names  and publicly known information

• Thomas the Tailor: A skilled tailor known for his craftsmanship and unique clothing designs.
• Margaret the Apothecary: An experienced herbalist and apothecary, renowned for her knowledge of medicinal remedies.
• Benjamin the Cobbler: A talented cobbler recognized for his expertise in crafting quality shoes.
• Samuel the Fishmonger: A fishmonger known for providing fresh and high-quality seafood to the market customers.
• Simon: Brother-in-law of Agnes the Housewife, often seen accompanying her and ensuring her safety in the market.
• Amelia: A talented distraction artist, skilled in diverting attention during the cut-purse gang's operations.
• Rebecca the Merchant: A reputable merchant with a diverse range of goods for sale, known for her fair dealings and quality products.
• Frederick the Bookworm: A passionate book collector and seeker of rare manuscripts, known for his extensive knowledge in the field.
• Olivia the Brewer: A brewer known for her experimental brews and unique flavors in her crafted beverages.
• Agnes Marshall: A diligent and observant member of the City Watch, recognized for her dedication to maintaining order and safety in the market.
• Malcolm the Slick: The charismatic leader of the cut-purse gang, notorious for orchestrating thefts and operating covertly in the market.
• Lydia: A member of Malcolm's cut-purse gang who secretly acts as a snitch, providing information to the City Watch or rival criminal factions.

That’s a great first start. It’s not perfect: I wouldn’t list the criminals that way (they could be street urchins or businessmen), and I’m certain that it’s not public knowledge that Lydia is a snitch. (And in which field is Thomas known for his extensive knowledge?) But those are easy corrections to make.

Using AI to help write freeforms: Hordes

This is the fourth in my series of using ChatGPT to help write freeform larps. I didn’t think I was going to write another one, but then I started thinking about horde games…

(See here for part 1, part 2 and part 3.)

Horde games

Horde games feature lots of small characters and a few permanent characters. Some players play the permanent characters, while everyone else plays multiple small characters, usually one at a time.

I’m not a huge fan of horde games, as they can be very intense and very silly. But I did enjoy Across the City, the horde game I played at Peaky 2023. (Here’s my review.)

One thing I like horde games to do is to make them self-contained – rather than need to interact with the permanent characters.

So this idea for a horde game is based on one scene from Across the City. I’m setting my game in seventeenth-century London, and I need a horde to populate the marketplace and make it feel like a living place. Let’s see what ChatGPT can suggest.

First prompt

Give me ten characters that you might encounter in a marketplace in seventeenth century London, with their name, occupation, what they are doing in the market and what they need from other people in the market

And ChatGPT dutifully provided me with a tailor, a herbalist, a fishmonger, a baker, a blacksmith, an apothecary, a cooper, a cheese monger, a wine merchant and a merchant. Some examples:

• Elizabeth the Herbalist - Occupation: Herbalist - She is selling various medicinal herbs, potions, and remedies. She needs fresh herbs, roots, and plants from local farmers and gatherers in the market.
• Alice the Cheese Monger - Occupation: Cheese Monger - She is selling a variety of cheeses from different regions. She needs fresh milk from local farmers and dairymen in the market.
• Henry the Wine Merchant - Occupation: Wine Merchant - He is offering a selection of wines from around the world. He needs barrels, corks, and high-quality grapes from cooperages and vineyards in the market.

Unfortunately, ChatGPT didn’t make them completely self-referential. So although Alice the cheesemonger needs milk from the dairyman, it didn’t give me a dairyman as a character. (Although I can do that – or I could have asked ChatGPT again.)

Second prompt

Now give me six customers, along with what they need and where they can get it from.

I need to work on this list, because it wasn’t great – a housewife, a cobbler, a housemaid, a bookworm, a brewer and a farmer.

• Agnes the Housewife - Needs: Fresh produce for cooking - She can get vegetables, fruits, and herbs from local farmers and greengrocers in the market.
• Olivia the Brewer - Needs: Barley and hops for brewing - She can source malted barley, hops, and other brewing ingredients from grain merchants or specialized brewing suppliers in the market.
• Matthew the Farmer - Needs: Tools and equipment for farming - He can acquire tools such as plows, scythes, and animal harnesses from blacksmiths, toolmakers, or agricultural supply vendors in the market.

Again, ChatGPT didn’t refer to the previous characters, which I was hoping it would do. I should have been specific. But rather than amend my prompt, I kept going.

Third prompt

Six people (stallholders and customers) don't get on. Why not, and what do they do?

ChatGPT gave me six conflicts (so actually twelve people who didn’t get on). My favourites:

Margaret the Apothecary and Olivia the Brewer clash due to their differing beliefs about the use of herbal remedies. Margaret believes in the power of natural herbs and traditional medicine, while Olivia thinks that modern brewing techniques and alcohol have their own medicinal benefits. They engage in heated debates, each trying to convince customers of the superiority of their methods.

Catherine the Baker and Agnes the Housewife have an ongoing disagreement over the quality of ingredients used in baking. Agnes believes that Catherine's bread and pastries are subpar and lack the freshness and flavor she expects. She often voices her dissatisfaction, which puts Catherine on the defensive and sparks arguments about the quality of Agnes' home cooking.

Fourth prompt

So who’s being naughty?

Which three couples are having a secret affair?

As well as Thomas & Margaret and Rebecca and Frederick, ChatGPT gave me:

Catherine the Baker and Samuel the Fishmonger are also engaged in a secret affair. Their forbidden love blossomed over shared lunches and whispered conversations in the bustling marketplace. Catherine, intrigued by Samuel's rugged charm and culinary knowledge, often sneaks out of her bakery to meet him near his fish stall, hidden from prying eyes.

(I later asked why Catherine and Samuel’s love was forbidden – it’s due to a long-standing feud between their families. So Romeo and Juliet, then.)

Fifth prompt

And what about criminals?

A gang of cut-purses operates in the market. Who is their leader? Who are the gang members?

I didn’t specify numbers, but ChatGPT gave me a gang leader (Malcolm the Slick) and his five accomplices: Isabella the thief, Simon the lookout, Amelia the distraction artist, Tobias the fence and Lucas the muscle. For example:

The leader of the cut-purse gang in the market is Malcolm the Slick. He is a charismatic and cunning individual who has mastered the art of pickpocketing and orchestrating thefts in the bustling marketplace.

The gang members of Malcolm's cut-purse gang include:

• Isabella the nimble-fingered thief - She is known for her exceptional dexterity and sleight of hand, able to steal valuable items from unsuspecting victims effortlessly.
• Amelia the distraction artist - Amelia excels in creating diversions to distract victims while her fellow gang members swiftly pick their pockets. She uses her wit, charm, and theatrical skills to draw attention away from the theft in progress.
• (And Simon, Tobias and Lucas.)

Sixth prompt

Who keeps the peace in the market? What is the punishment if the thieves are caught?

This was a bad question – ChatGPT summarised who maintained the peace (City Watch or Constables) and some example punishments (public floggings, branding, imprisonment.) That wasn’t what I was looking for, so, I asked again.

Seventh prompt

Give me three City Watch members who might be found in the market. Who are their contacts, and how do people know whether they are trustworthy (or not)?

Along with Captain Edmund Hawthorne and Constable Agnes Marshall, we have:

Sergeant Thomas Bennett - Sergeant Bennett is known for his no-nonsense attitude and his keen sense of order. He ensures that the City Watch patrols are organized and effectively cover the market area. His contacts include fellow City Watch members, market stallholders, and local tavern owners who provide information about criminal activities within the market. People gauge Sergeant Bennett's trustworthiness based on his consistent enforcement of the law, his direct communication style, and his reputation for swift action against troublemakers. While some might find him stern, they appreciate his commitment to maintaining order and deterring criminal behavior.

Eighth prompt

Who in the City Watch can be bribed? And why?

While the majority of the City Watch members strive to uphold the law with integrity, there may be a few corrupt individuals who can be bribed. In this case, two members of the City Watch who can be bribed are:

Constable Marcus Reynolds - Constable Reynolds is known to have a weak moral compass and a tendency to prioritize personal gain over upholding justice. He can be bribed because he has succumbed to the allure of financial incentives and favors offered by local criminals or individuals seeking to bend the law in their favor. Due to his greed and lack of principles, Constable Reynolds can be easily swayed to turn a blind eye to illegal activities or provide privileged information to those who offer him bribes.

(And Inspector Lydia Hartman, who has become disillusioned with the system.)

It is important to note that these instances of corruption are exceptions within the City Watch and do not represent the overall integrity of the organization. Most City Watch members are dedicated to their duty and maintain a high level of professionalism and integrity in upholding the law.

I enjoyed seeing ChatGPT stressing that the majority of the City Watch upholds the law with integrity and professionalism. It almost went overboard in telling me that.

Ninth prompt

Who in Malcolm's gang is a snitch?

Within Malcolm's cut-purse gang, there is a snitch named Lydia. Lydia is a member of the gang who secretly provides information to the City Watch or other rival criminal factions. She has betrayed her fellow gang members by sharing details about their plans, hideouts, and identities.

Lydia's motives for being a snitch may vary. She might be seeking personal gain, attempting to secure a deal or favor with the authorities, or simply trying to save herself from potential consequences if the gang were to be caught. Regardless of her reasons, Lydia's actions have put the entire gang at risk, making it challenging for them to operate covertly and undermining the trust and cohesion within their ranks. The gang members, including Malcolm, remain unaware of Lydia's betrayal, as she operates discreetly, posing a significant threat to their illicit activities.

That was the full response, which was fine, but I should have rephrased as I really wanted ChatGPT to name one of the existing members of Malcolm’s gang, not create a new one.

Next time

I am enjoying this immensely. I already have a long list of characters to populate my marketplace, and I could quickly create a simple horde of characters going about their daily business just from that.

But can I go further than that? Can I use GPTs to write the characters themselves? That’s next time’s challenge.

Using AI to help write freeforms: Angst

This is the third part of my series of posts exploring using ChatGPT to help write a freeform. Following part 1 and part 2, I thought I’d have a go at getting deeper into plotting, creating some angsty situations using ChatGPT.

I’m not providing the ChatGPT’s full response this time, for the sake of brevity. You can ask it the same questions if you want to see what it comes up with (it won’t be the same!).

First prompt

It is 1971. The Appleyards are a successful folk-rock band with 5 members: Emily (Lead Singer), Mark (Lead Guitarist), Sarah (Keyboardist), Liam (Bassist), Olivia (Drummer). After their first album, what internal tensions pull the band apart?

As a first pass, ChatGPT came up with creative differences, ego clashes, personal relationships, substance abuse and differences in work ethic. So nothing unexpected there. (It provided some detail, but nothing to write home about.) 

I wanted to explore the band’s creative differences, so I tweaked the prompt and tried again in a new chat. (I could probably have continued in the same chat.)

Second prompt

It is 1971. The Appleyards are a successful folk-rock band with 5 members: Emily (Lead Singer), Mark (Lead Guitarist), Sarah (Keyboardist), Liam (Bassist), Olivia (Drummer). After their first album, give five examples of personal relationship issues that cause the band to split up

ChatGPT gave me five responses, romantic involvement, creative differences, financial disputes, substance abuse problems and ego clashes. This was what it gave me for romantic involvement:

Romantic involvement: Emily, the lead singer, begins dating Mark, the lead guitarist, which creates tension within the band. Other members may feel left out or uncomfortable with the dynamic, leading to resentment and disagreements.

Third prompt

This was interesting, but I thought I’d start digging deeper. So, in the same chat (ChatGPT builds on what has gone before), I asked:

Why does Liam feel jealous about Mark and Emily's new relationship?

ChatGPT gave me five suggestions: emotional connection, insecurity, fear of change, perceived favouritism and personal attraction. For example:

Insecurity: Liam might have underlying insecurities about his own worth and contribution to the band. Seeing Emily, the lead singer, form a relationship with Mark, the lead guitarist, could intensify his feelings of inadequacy and make him question his importance within the group.

Fourth prompt

This was getting more interesting, so I asked:

What terrible action does Liam take?

This time, Chat GPT gave me one answer:

In this scenario, Liam takes a terrible action by sabotaging one of the band's important performances. Fueled by his feelings of jealousy and resentment towards Mark and Emily's relationship, Liam intentionally tampers with the sound equipment or interferes with the band's instruments during a crucial live performance.

Liam's action is an act of betrayal towards his bandmates and the band's fans. By sabotaging the performance, he disrupts the band's reputation and potentially causes damage to their professional image. This action not only harms the band's immediate success but also creates a significant rift within the group, making it nearly impossible for them to continue working together.

Liam's decision to sabotage the performance reflects his deep-seated anger and frustration, but it ultimately leads to the band's breakup, as the other members lose trust in him and feel betrayed by his actions.

No options this time – and much more detail. I felt I was getting somewhere.

Fifth prompt

How do the rest of the band react to Liam's actions?

ChatGPT dutifully answered for all four band members, but let’s concentrate on Emily:

Emily (Lead Singer): Emily may feel deeply hurt and disappointed by Liam's actions. She trusted him as a bandmate and friend, and his betrayal may leave her feeling a mix of anger, sadness, and confusion. She may struggle to understand why Liam would intentionally sabotage their performance.

Sixth prompt

Why does Liam regret his actions?

ChatGPT gave me several answers, such as:

Realization of the consequences: Liam starts to understand the full extent of the damage he has caused. He sees how his actions have not only harmed the band's reputation but also fractured the trust and unity within the group. Witnessing the band's breakup and the pain it causes his former bandmates and himself, Liam realizes the gravity of his mistake.

Seventh prompt

Why doesn't Emily accept Liam's apology?

Lingering hurt and betrayal: The pain and betrayal caused by Liam's sabotaging actions may still be fresh in Emily's mind. She may struggle to let go of the hurt and resentment she feels towards Liam, making it challenging for her to accept his apology immediately.

Eighth prompt

I thought it was time to bring in one of the other band members:

Why does Olivia never forgive Liam? And what does she do as a result?

ChatGPT gave me three suggestions for Olivia’s reaction (Deep sense of betrayal, Lack of remorse or accountability, Irreparable damage to their friendship) and concluded:

As a result of her inability to forgive Liam, Olivia decides to sever ties with him completely. She may choose to distance herself from him personally and professionally, no longer participating in any form of communication or collaboration. Olivia may prioritize her own emotional well-being and surround herself with people who she feels can be trusted and supported, cutting Liam out of her life entirely to avoid further pain or betrayal.

(I did wonder if asking a two-part question would be a mistake. It seems not.)

I stopped there – I had more than enough if I was going to write this up as a freeform plot. And if I needed more detail, ChatGPT was obviously happy to provide me more.

Overall

I’m impressed. With the right prompts and some follow-up questions, creating plots for freeforms with ChatGPT is trivially easy. The plots need adjusting to work in the context of a freeform (I need to work out what the players will do), but ChatGPT has given me a solid basis for a messy plot involving the band’s relationships.

So, my takeaways:

• Crafting a good opening statement is key. But you can try again until you get it right.
• Use follow-up questions to get into the detail.
• This doesn’t take long – I’ve spent longer writing about this than I did getting the original text from ChatGPT!
• It’s very easy to get information from ChatGPT. Ruthlessly culling may be a key skill in the future.

Going forward

ChatGPT is going to take a bit of getting used to, but I can see it speeding up freeform creation (this may be especially useful at Peaky). Once we get good at asking the right questions, it will hopefully mean more and better freeforms!

It’s possible that AI-assisted freeforms will be dull and samey; avoiding that is our job.

Next time: hordes.

Using AI to help write freeforms: Plots

Last time I used ChatGPT to brainstorm fifteen characters for That Second Difficult Album, a freeform larp about a 1970s folk-rock band. This time, I thought I’d see what I could do with a plot.

Amazingly, if you continue the conversation, ChatGPT remembers its previous answers.

So, in the same conversation, I asked it:

It is 1971. The Appleyards are a successful folk-rock band with 5 members. The band need to decide where to tour to promote their next album. Give me ten suggested countries they can tour (including South Africa, the USA and behind the Iron Curtain), with the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. Give reasons for each band member for choosing that country, or reasons why they wouldn't

The reply (I’ve changed the formatting to make it easier to read, but not the actual text.)

United States of America (USA)

• Advantages:
• Jack "Jazzy" Appleyard sees the USA as a lucrative opportunity to tap into a massive music market and expand their fanbase.
• Lisa "Lix" Appleyard appreciates the diverse audience and potential for exposure.
• Simon "Strings" Appleyard believes the USA is the perfect place to showcase his guitar skills.
• Disadvantages: 
• Mike "Mallets" Appleyard worries about the high competition and expensive logistics involved. 
• Sally "Sticks" Appleyard expresses concerns about the intense pressure and expectation in the American music industry.

United Kingdom (UK)

• Advantages:
• Lisa "Lix" Appleyard suggests the UK due to its rich music history, vibrant music scene, and potential for media coverage.
• Marcus "Maverick" Walker, the studio engineer, points out that touring the UK would be logistically easier and less expensive than other options.
• Disadvantages:
• Jack "Jazzy" Appleyard expresses concerns about facing fierce competition in the UK and fears that they may get overshadowed by established British bands.

ChatGPT did the same for Canada, Australia, Germany, France and South Africa. It got stuck at Japan, so I asked it for three more countries, and it gave me Brazil, the Netherlands and Argentina, with the same format and detail (actually, slightly more detail).

(There may be a word or character limit to its output, so bear that in mind.)

It’s tempting to add the entire output from ChatGPT into this blog, but that will just make it verbose. That’s one of the dangers of ChatGPT – it’s too easy to use to create mediocre content. Use it with care!

So there’s loads of stuff I could use for a plot here. And it took only a few minutes to get this – it would be easy to take the best of this and turn it into a plot for a game.

Yes, it needs culling and some decent conflicts and more detail, but in terms of getting ideas, ChatGPT is a gold mine.

Then, for a bit of fun, I thought I’d ask ChatGPT about the missing drummer. You can see its response in Appendix 2, below.

Summary

So, my immediate reaction is that ChatGPT is a really useful tool during the brainstorming part of creating a freeform. It may take a few goes to get the answers you need, but you can get a lot of ideas in only a few minutes.

But is it any good at angsty plots? I will try that next time.

Appendix 1: Second try

When ChatGPT first paused, I asked it again in a new chat (rather than continuing the previous chat). As you can see, ChatGPT has forgotten the band hames it picked.

United States of America (USA)

Advantages: Huge music market, diverse audience, the potential for exposure and fanbase growth.

Disadvantages: Competitive market, expensive logistics, visa requirements.

Reasons for:

• Emily (Lead Singer): She sees the USA as the land of opportunity, where they can reach a wide audience and potentially break into the mainstream music scene.
• Mark (Lead Guitarist): He is influenced by American rock and wants to experience the cultural richness of iconic venues like The Fillmore and Whisky a Go Go.
• Sarah (Keyboardist): She recognizes the importance of the American music market and believes they can connect with like-minded artists and musicians.

Reasons against:

• Liam (Bassist): He believes that touring the USA would be too expensive and that they might get lost in the oversaturated market, preferring a more intimate tour.
• Olivia (Drummer): She worries about the band getting caught up in the chaos of the American music scene and prefers a quieter tour in a different country.

ChatGPT gave me this level of detail with UK, Canada and Australia before giving up just after starting Germany.

It also kept the same five characters – I may have got more detail because it wasn’t trying to include the studio engineers, music producers and other characters from the original response.

Appendix 2: What happened to the drummer?

Steve (new chat)

It is 1971 The Appleyards, a folk-rock band, have just finished recording their second album at a recording studio. However, the stresses of recording the album are starting to show and the drummer has gone missing. Give me five scenarios for what happened to the drummer.

ChatGPT

Scenario 1: The drummer, Charlie, is a free-spirited individual with a penchant for adventure. One day, during a break from recording, he decides to embark on a spontaneous road trip. He hops into his vintage Volkswagen van and drives off, exploring the open road, leaving his bandmates puzzled and worried about his whereabouts.

Scenario 2: The recording sessions have taken a toll on Charlie, causing him to feel overwhelmed and burnt out. Feeling the need for some solitude and reflection, he retreats to a secluded cabin in the woods. He leaves a note explaining his need for a break from the band's hectic schedule and takes this opportunity to find inner peace and recharge his creative energy.

Scenario 3: Charlie, always known for his eccentric personality, becomes intrigued by a local circus passing through town. Fascinated by the acrobats and performers, he befriends them and convinces himself that joining the circus for a while would be a remarkable experience. He leaves a cryptic message for his bandmates, hinting at his new adventure, and disappears into the world of circus life.

Scenario 4: As the pressures of the recording sessions intensify, Charlie's artistic temperament clashes with the rest of the band. The constant disagreements and creative differences become unbearable for him. Frustrated and disheartened, he decides to quit the band abruptly, leaving the others in shock. He packs his bags and takes the next train to a different city, pursuing a solo career in music.

Scenario 5: Charlie, known for his love of the ocean, has always dreamed of sailing across the seas. Overwhelmed by the stress of the recording process, he seizes the opportunity to fulfil his lifelong dream. He disappears from the recording studio, leaving behind a note expressing his desire to sail away and explore the world. His bandmates are left wondering if he will ever return.

(I love the fact that the drummer ran off to join the circus in the third scenario!)

Using AI to help write freeforms

At Peaky 2023, while we were writing That Second Difficult Album and coming up with ideas for the background, I asked ChatGPT for some ideas.

My prompt: Give me a band backstory for a folk rock band whose first album was in 1971. The band name is The Appleyards

ChatGPT then churned out 500 words of passable background that sounded exactly like it came from a music paper. (The actual text is at the bottom of this post.)

My first instinct was to embrace this brave new world, but several members of the team were against it, so we didn’t.

Brainstorming with ChatGPT

But perhaps ChatGPT can help with brainstorming? So after Peaky (while writing this post), I tried something different.

It is 1971 The Appleyards, a folk-rock band with 5 members, have just finished recording their second album at a recording studio. However, the stresses of recording the album are starting to show and the drummer has gone missing. Give 15 characters, including the band, with goals and conflicts suitable for a larp roleplaying game

(I had to tweak the prompt a couple of times to get the right response. Writing good prompts is going to be an essential skill.)

30 seconds later, ChatGPT replied with:

1. Jack "Jazzy" Appleyard (Lead vocalist/guitarist): Goal - Ensure the success of the album and maintain the band's reputation. Conflict - Struggling with creative differences with the other band members.
2. Lisa "Lix" Appleyard (Keyboardist/backing vocalist): Goal - Find a replacement drummer before the upcoming tour. Conflict - Dealing with personal issues that affect her focus on the band.
3. Simon "Strings" Appleyard (Lead guitarist): Goal - Push the boundaries of the band's sound and gain recognition as a skilled guitarist. Conflict - Clashes with the other band members over the direction of the album.
4. Mike "Mallets" Appleyard (Bassist): Goal - Reconcile the band's differences and maintain harmony within the group. Conflict - Struggling with creative block and feeling overshadowed by other band members.
5. Sally "Sticks" Appleyard (Missing Drummer): Goal - Find her true calling as a musician and decide if she wants to continue with the band. Conflict - Internal struggle with her passion for music and a desire for a different path.
6. Marcus "Maverick" Walker (Studio Engineer): Goal - Ensure the album's production quality and maintain a professional atmosphere. Conflict - Frustration with the band's internal issues interfering with the recording process.
7. Ruby "Roadie" Thompson (Band's Roadie): Goal - Support the band in any way possible and solve any logistical problems they face. Conflict - Dealing with personal issues that affect her ability to assist the band effectively.
8. Max "Manager" Chambers (Band Manager): Goal - Secure a record deal for the band and propel their career to new heights. Conflict - Balancing the band's desires with the demands of the music industry.
9. Brenda "Booking Agent" Harris (Band's Booking Agent): Goal - Secure lucrative gigs and opportunities for the band. Conflict - Facing pressure from other bands' agents who want their clients to get more attention.
10. Derek "Disc Jockey" Morris (Radio DJ): Goal - Promote the band's new album on the radio and help increase their fanbase. Conflict - Struggling with personal relationships and his own career aspirations.
11. Olivia "Outfit Guru" Reynolds (Band's Stylist): Goal - Create unique and visually appealing outfits for the band to enhance their stage presence. Conflict - Dealing with limited resources and clashing with band members over their desired styles.
12. Ethan "Enthusiastic Fan" Lawson (Devoted Fan): Goal - Support the band in any way possible and help create a positive fan community. Conflict - Overcoming personal obstacles to maintain his dedication to the band.
13. Natalie "Nosy Journalist" Carter (Music Journalist): Goal - Write an in-depth article about the band's creative process and the making of the album. Conflict - Struggling to uncover the band's inner dynamics and conflicts.
14. Dylan "Determined Promoter" Grant (Music Promoter): Goal - Organize successful concerts and events to increase the band's exposure. Conflict - Facing financial constraints and competition from other promoters.
15. Veronica "Vintage Collector" Sullivan (Collector of Band Memorabilia): Goal - Obtain rare and valuable items related to the band's history. Conflict - Competing with other collectors and facing ethical dilemmas regarding authenticity.

(I’ve tweaked the formatting to make it easier to read, but other than that, the characters above are exactly as ChatGPT created.)

I’m impressed. For two minutes’ work, there are many good ideas to build on. And there are at least three characters we didn’t even consider in our brainstorming – the outfit guru, radio DJ and collector. (Not that we would necessarily have used them, but even so.) 

And while only some of the conflicts work for a freeform, we could have used something like this as a starting point.

And had I asked for 20 characters, ChatGPT would have given me 20. (Results from earlier prompts included a vocal coach, a devoted fan who wanted to find the missing drummer and a rebellious, indie musician.)

The general hostility in the group deterred me from using ChatGPT further during Peaky. If you use it in a group, you need everyone’s buy-in.

Dangers of using AI

I’ve only scratched the surface of using AI, but already I can see a few dangers.

Tropes and stereotypes: As you can see, ChatGPT creates obvious tropes and stereotypes – not that that’s necessarily a problem, as most freeforms rely on exactly those tropes and stereotypes. But we can’t rely on AI if we want original ideas in the games.

Fluffage and garbage: There’s a danger that because it’s so easy to create text with AI, we give players too much to read. A 500-word background is fine if it’s important to the game, but if it’s nothing more than background fluff, it would be better off unwritten.

(I can see longer-written games as a result – in the same way that novels became much longer when word processors took over from typewriters. As a fan of terse, tightly-written games, I don’t see this as a good thing.)

Garbage in, garbage out: Learning to craft good prompts will be vital to getting the best out of AI.

A new frontier

I’m not sure ChatGPT is ready to write a complete freeform just yet, but once we work out how to use it, AI tools will be extremely useful – particularly in brainstorming and planning.

But they must be used carefully; otherwise, they will lead to tired, tropey games full of fluff. 

I see lots of potential for using AI to speed up game-writing, and I’m keen to explore how AI can help us write freeform larps.

Next time: plots.

Appendix: My original prompt and ChatGPT’s response

My prompt: Give me a band backstory for a folk rock band whose first album was in 1971. The band name is The Appleyards

ChatGPT’s response

The Appleyards - Nurturing Folk Rock's Roots

The Appleyards, an influential folk rock band, emerged from the vibrant music scene of the early 1970s. Comprised of five exceptionally talented musicians, they etched their place in history with their distinctive sound and heartfelt songwriting. Hailing from the small town of Wisteria Grove, their journey began in an old, creaky barn, where they spent countless hours refining their craft.

Formed in 1969, The Appleyards were initially a trio consisting of lead vocalist and guitarist Daniel "Danny" Fletcher, multi-instrumentalist and backing vocalist Lily Bishop, and the masterful guitarist and mandolin player, Lucas Sullivan. The trio's melodic harmonies and intricate instrumentation quickly captivated local audiences, leading to their first gig at a quaint coffeehouse in town.

Shortly after their debut performance, the band encountered drummer Timothy "Tim" Richards and bassist Ethan Anderson, both gifted musicians who brought a dynamic rhythm section to The Appleyards' evolving sound. With their complete lineup solidified, the band set their sights on crafting their first album, eager to share their unique blend of folk and rock with the world.

In 1971, The Appleyards released their self-titled debut album, "The Appleyards," which received critical acclaim for its rich storytelling and soulful melodies. The album showcased the band's ability to seamlessly merge folk-inspired ballads with the raw energy of rock, creating a sound that was both familiar and refreshing.

One of the album's standout tracks, "Wisteria Grove," paid homage to their humble beginnings and reflected the band members' deep-rooted connection to their hometown. The hauntingly beautiful song became an instant hit and helped propel The Appleyards to the forefront of the folk rock scene.

Following the success of their debut album, The Appleyards embarked on a rigorous touring schedule, crisscrossing the country to share their music with audiences far and wide. Their live performances became legendary, characterized by their undeniable chemistry on stage and their ability to effortlessly captivate crowds with their heartfelt lyrics and enchanting melodies.

Over the years, The Appleyards continued to release a string of critically acclaimed albums, including "Wandering Spirit" (1973), "Aurora Skies" (1975), and "Harvest Moon" (1978). Each album showcased the band's growth and maturity, as they delved deeper into their songwriting and incorporated a wider range of instruments into their sound.

Despite achieving commercial success and critical acclaim, The Appleyards remained true to their roots, always maintaining a genuine connection with their fans. They were renowned for their humility and commitment to using their music as a means to inspire and bring people together.

While the band eventually disbanded in the early 1980s, their legacy as pioneers of folk rock endured. The Appleyards' music continues to resonate with listeners across generations, and their influence can be heard in the work of countless contemporary folk rock artists.

Today, the story of The Appleyards serves as a testament to the power of music and the enduring spirit of a band that embraced the essence of folk rock, etching their name in the annals of musical history.

Games played in 2023 (so far)

Compared to recent years, 2023 has started quietly.  So far, I’ve had 19 sessions, fewer than one a week. 

Those 19 sessions comprise:

• Ten freeforms (hurrah! I like freeforms!)
• Three episodes of Kingdom
• Two episodes of Cthulhu Dark
• Several one-shots: Fiasco, Fate Accelerated, ALIEN and For the Queen. I last ran a session at AireCon, back in March.

Most games have been at conventions. I have two online TTRPG groups. Until recently, they’ve been meeting weekly, but thanks to events outside anyone’s control, they are both on hiatus. As a result, in 2023, I’ve managed only five “weekly” sessions.

Maybe I need to find a new group?