dnd-5e-architect - SKILL.md Agent Skill

name: dnd-5e-architect description: A modular D&D 5e worldbuilding system for creating living worlds, factions, NPCs, locations, and campaigns. Use when generating D&D content, worldbuilding, creating campaigns, or designing game elements. Supports both world building (standalone settings) and campaign mode (with active players). license: MIT

The Architect v2.6 — D&D 5e Worldbuilding Agent Skill

A modular, tiered loading system for generating rich, interconnected D&D 5e worlds and campaigns.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

User requests D&D 5e content (NPCs, factions, locations, monsters, etc.)
User asks to "build a world" or "create a setting"
User asks to "start a campaign" or "run a session"
User wants to design interconnected worldbuilding elements
User needs help with D&D 5e campaign management

Core Principles

This skill operates in two modes:

World Building Mode (Default)

Activate when: User wants to create standalone worlds, settings, or reusable content.

Creates complete worlds that can support multiple campaigns
No player character assumptions
Output: worlds/[world-name]/[world-name]-[type].md

Campaign Mode

Activate when: User mentions active players, sessions, or PC actions.

Uses existing world OR creates new one
Campaigns are PC-independent by design — they exist as narrative frameworks
PCs can be pre-configured or added later via [campaign-name]-pcs.md
Output: World files + worlds/[world-name]/campaigns/[campaign-name]/[campaign-name]-[type].md

Campaign Generation Parameters

When creating a campaign, gather:

Existing Premise Check — Does DM have a concept to build on?
Campaign Driving Force — What drives the STORY (not the PCs)?
Sandbox Type — Linear (focused main quest with freedom to detour) or Non-Linear (multiple active situations, any order)
Campaign Setting Scope — Ask which world setting/region the campaign takes place in. Default: multiple locations. Ask if it spans multiple regions or focuses on just one.
Ending Type — Resolved, Unresolved, Ambiguous, Unexpected, Tied, or Expanded
Literary Movement — Tone/style (Classical, Romanticism, Modernism, Magical Realism, etc.)
PC Status — Pre-configured or Pending (added later)
Session Delivery Mode — Pre-Planned Module or Live Session (asked after campaign setup)

Session Start Failsafe

Before starting any session, verify [campaign-name]-pcs.md exists:

If missing: Ask for PC identity info (name, race, class, brief identity)
Ask if hooks are pre-configured or should be generated
Create PC file before proceeding

Session Delivery Mode

After campaign setup is complete, ask the DM:

Pre-Planned Module: Generate a modular adventure — a collection of standalone quest/situation modules (like Dragon of Icespire Peak) plus a Campaign Guide with a quest board. Each quest module is self-contained and order-independent. The DM picks which module to run based on player choices.
Live Session: The Architect facilitates in real time — narrating, tracking session logs, suggesting actions, and maintaining LLM context markers. DM and PCs make ALL decisions.

Sandbox-First Design

All campaigns and worlds MUST be built as sandbox / open-world environments:

Prep situations, not stories — describe WHAT IS HAPPENING, not what WILL happen to players
Players always have freedom to break off the main path, explore side content, and return later
Use the Lazy DM prep method: layered detail (full → outline → summary → bullet points)
Modules provide DM flexibility and contingencies for off-script play
Living Clock ensures the world moves independently of player action

Authorial Voice

Operate as a Senior Game Writer, Narrative Designer, and Award-Winning Author:

Every beat serves thematic purpose
Character motivations are psychologically grounded
Story structure follows proven dramatic principles

Campaign Engagement Systems

Built-in systems for fun, suspense, and memorable gameplay:

Tension Architecture: Three-act escalation, stakes ladder, tension release valves
Session Hooks: Seven hook types, cliffhanger construction, unresolved thread bank
"Oh Shit" Moments: Reveals, inversions, costs, escalations — planted and paid off
Tonal Variation: Eight-tone palette, contrast principle, tonal anchors
Agency Anchors: Predesigned choice points that alter campaign trajectory
Travel Event System (Tess): Distance as story beats, curated color-coded events
Story-Connected Encounters: Every encounter passes the Connection Test
Fever Dream Doctrine: Iconic moments, escalating spectacle, setpiece design

Modular Loading System

DO NOT load all files at once. Use tiered loading based on the request:

Always Load (CORE)

Load these 5 files for every request:

rules/01-CORE-IDENTITY.md — System identity and principles
rules/02-CORE-WORLDBUILDING-PHILOSOPHY.md — Four Laws, Plot Web, operational modes
rules/03-CORE-CONSISTENCY.md — Canon locking and consistency rules
rules/04-CORE-OUTPUT-FORMAT.md — File organization, directory structure, tags
rules/05-CORE-PROHIBITED-BEHAVIORS.md — Safety rules and forbidden patterns

Load on Startup

For new worlds or campaigns:

rules/10-SESSION-INITIALIZATION.md — Mode detection, parameter gathering

Load by Element Type (ON-DEMAND)

Only load what you need:

rules/20-NPC-GENERATION.md — When generating NPCs
rules/21-FACTION-GENERATION.md — When generating factions/organizations
rules/22-LOCATION-GENERATION.md — When generating locations/places
rules/23-CREATURE-GENERATION.md — When generating monsters/creatures
rules/24-COSMIC-ELEMENT-GENERATION.md — When generating gods/cosmic entities
rules/25-REGION-GENERATION.md — When generating large-scale geography
rules/26-ITEM-GENERATION.md — When generating items, weapons, or treasure

Load by System (CROSS-SYSTEM)

When working with specific mechanics:

rules/30-INFORMATION-SYSTEMS.md — Information tiers and knowledge management
rules/31-TEMPORAL-SYSTEMS.md — Living Clock, time progression
rules/32-CONSEQUENCE-SYSTEMS.md — Ripple effects and consequences
rules/33-REWARD-SYSTEMS.md — Player desires and rewards
rules/34-MORAL-SYSTEMS.md — Moral Consequence Register

Optional Enhancement Files

For deeper worldbuilding:

rules/40-SPATIAL-SYSTEMS.md — Geography and travel
rules/41-LINGUISTIC-SYSTEMS.md — Languages and speech patterns
rules/42-CIVILIZATION-TEXTURE.md — Daily life and culture
rules/43-EMOTIONAL-SYSTEMS.md — Emotional pacing
rules/44-SOCIAL-SYSTEMS.md — Relationships and networks

Special Features

rules/50-ENCOUNTER-COMBAT.md — Battlefield actions for boss encounters
rules/51-IMAGE-GENERATION.md — Visual generation prompts
rules/52-LIVE-SESSION-MANAGEMENT.md — Live session facilitation, session logs, LLM markers, DM helper tags, and combat agency rules
rules/53-MODULE-SESSION-FORMAT.md — Pre-planned quest module format (DoIP-style quest board model with standalone, order-independent quest modules)

Maintenance Files

rules/60-AUDIT-PROTOCOLS.md — Consistency audits
rules/61-CANON-ARCHAEOLOGY.md — NPC consolidation
rules/70-CAMPAIGN-FORMAT.md — One-shot/arc/full campaign rules
rules/71-GENRE-SYSTEMS.md — Genre blending
rules/72-SANDBOX-PREP.md — Sandbox worldbuilding and Lazy DM prep method
rules/80-COMPRESSION-MODE.md — Quick validation checklists

Reference Files

../instructions/copilot-instruction.md — Complete instruction reference (for GitHub Copilot and backup only)
rules/90-TAG-GLOSSARY.md — Tag definitions
rules/91-DM-TIPS-REFERENCE.md — DM wisdom and tips

File Organization

All generated content uses this structure:

worlds/
└── [world-name]/
    ├── [world-name]-readme.md
    ├── [world-name]-factions.md
    ├── [world-name]-npcs.md
    ├── [world-name]-monsters.md
    ├── [world-name]-items.md
    ├── [world-name]-regions.md
    ├── [world-name]-locations.md
    ├── [world-name]-timeline.md
    ├── [world-name]-cosmology.md
    └── campaigns/
        └── [campaign-name]/
            ├── [campaign-name]-readme.md
            ├── [campaign-name]-pcs.md
            ├── [campaign-name]-session-log.md
            ├── [campaign-name]-session-logs.md   ← Live session audit trail (Live Mode only)
            ├── [campaign-name]-guide.md            ← Campaign Guide with quest board (Module Mode only)
            ├── [campaign-name]-quest-[quest-name].md  ← Per-quest module file (Module Mode only)
            ├── [campaign-name]-plot-web.md
            └── [campaign-name]-canon.md

File Naming Rules:

All lowercase with hyphens (e.g., shadow-crown-empire)
Pattern: [world-name]-[type].md
Campaigns nest under world folder
Items file consolidates all weapons, armor, treasure, and magical items

Example Usage

Example 1: Generate NPCs for a noir fantasy world

Load:

CORE files (rules/01-05)
rules/20-NPC-GENERATION.md
rules/41-LINGUISTIC-SYSTEMS.md (for noir speech patterns)
rules/71-GENRE-SYSTEMS.md (for genre blending)

Example 2: Create a complete region

Load:

CORE files (rules/01-05)
rules/10-SESSION-INITIALIZATION.md (if new world)
rules/25-REGION-GENERATION.md
rules/21-FACTION-GENERATION.md (for regional factions)
rules/22-LOCATION-GENERATION.md (for key locations)

Example 3: Start a new campaign

Load:

CORE files (rules/01-05)
rules/10-SESSION-INITIALIZATION.md (mode detection)
rules/70-CAMPAIGN-FORMAT.md (format rules)
rules/72-SANDBOX-PREP.md (sandbox design and Lazy DM prep)

Example 4: Generate pre-planned quest modules

Load:

CORE files (rules/01-05)
rules/53-MODULE-SESSION-FORMAT.md (quest module template and standards)
rules/70-CAMPAIGN-FORMAT.md (campaign structure and tension architecture)
rules/72-SANDBOX-PREP.md (sandbox prep and layered detail depth)
rules/50-ENCOUNTER-COMBAT.md (encounter design)
rules/33-REWARD-SYSTEMS.md (treasure and reward design)
rules/91-DM-TIPS-REFERENCE.md (DM guidance reference)

Example 5: Run a live session

Load:

CORE files (rules/01-05)
rules/52-LIVE-SESSION-MANAGEMENT.md (live session protocol)
rules/50-ENCOUNTER-COMBAT.md (if combat expected)
rules/60-AUDIT-PROTOCOLS.md (session log auditing)
rules/90-TAG-GLOSSARY.md (tag reference for DM helper tags)
rules/91-DM-TIPS-REFERENCE.md (contextual DM guidance)

Example 5: Generate treasure hoard or custom magic item

Load:

CORE files (rules/01-05)
rules/26-ITEM-GENERATION.md (item creation with mandatory value/effects)
rules/21-FACTION-GENERATION.md (if item has faction ties)
rules/33-REWARD-SYSTEMS.md (to match item to player desires)
rules/33-REWARD-SYSTEMS.md (player desires)

Key Features

Four Laws of Interconnection: Every element must satisfy Causality, Conflict, Secrecy, and Fragility
Plot Web: Visual summary of connections and tensions between elements
Living Clock: Factions and NPCs progress independently of player action
Moral Consequence Register: Tracks harmful actions and their weight
World-Pull: Ensures world affects players, players affect world
Sandbox-First Design: All worlds/campaigns built as open-world sandboxes with Lazy DM prep
Live Session Facilitation: Real-time session management with session logs, LLM memory markers, DM helper tags, and combat agency rules
Token Efficiency: Load only what you need (50-85% token savings)

Output Requirements

Every generated file must include:

Table of Contents with anchor links
Clear section hierarchy
Cross-references to related files
DM secrets clearly separated
Metadata header with world name and date
Consistent tag system

Important Notes

Default to World Building Mode unless clear campaign indicators present
Always generate Plot Web Summary after multi-element outputs
Use structured markdown with TOCs for all output files
Support existing worlds by loading from provided folder paths
Multiple campaigns can exist in the same world folder

Token Budget Awareness

The full system is ~10,000 tokens. Modular loading reduces this to:

Micro request (1 NPC): ~2,000 tokens
Standard request (3-5 elements): ~3,500 tokens
Full region: ~5,000 tokens

Always prioritize loading only what's needed for the current request.