Which AI assistant can create the best D&D story — I put Copilot, Gemini and ChatGPT to the test

Chris Pine as Edgin the Bard in Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves
(Image credit: Paramount Pictures)

AI has been a part of tabletop gaming for a while now, with some apps like Roll20 using the feature to help generate maps quickly. however, one area that is often underutilized is crafting backstories. 

As a Dungeons and Dragons fan, I wanted to see how good AI-generated characters would be, so I asked three AI chatbots a simple question:  "Write me a backstory for a D&D character."

Crafting a backstory is arguably one of the biggest initial hurdles when starting with D&D. While it isn't imperative, it does help to improve the experience for everyone. 

So if AI can write a reasonably good backstory it might help people. After all, isn't helping people what AI is really all about?

What makes a good D&D backstory

I have four conditions for what makes a good D&D backstory: 

  • The first is that it needs something for the Dungeon Master to use as a hook to craft a more personal experience.
  • Secondly, the acts of the character need to be reasonable, there's no point in having a level 1 character who has already killed a dragon.
  • Third, give space for the player to add their own twist and build the character as they play.
  • Fourth, keep the backstory simple enough to be broken down into a few sentences.

For a bit of fun, I also used the base descriptions to generate images of the characters on Leonardo.AI, something that is becoming more prevalent nowadays in the D&D circuit.

ChatGPT's D&D backstory

Female Half Elf Ranger

(Image credit: Leonardo/Future AI generated)

The first on our list is from the ChatGPT app on my iPhone 14 Pro Max. As arguably one of the most popular chatbot AIs, ChatGPT can do everything you would need, from holding conversations to writing term papers. As such, this should be an easy task for the AI. 

When I asked ChatGPT it crafted the story of Elysande “Ely” Ravenshadow, a half-elf Ranger. The story goes into detail about her past and how her parents taught her all she knew. Her father Thaloin teaches her the ways of an elven ranger while her mother, Celeste, teaches her herb craft. Sadly, both parents were killed by bandits, forcing Ely to run into the forests and survive on her own with a burning desire for revenge.

This is a great backstory, it's complex but can easily be broken down into the essential points. The character of Ely is given some context for who she is and why she acts the way she does, but it also gives the player room to grow her as the quest continues. The DM can also use this plot to add some Ely-centric quests to the game, maybe with hunting down the bandits.

Microsoft Copilot's D&D backstory

Male Half-Elf Ranger Outlander

(Image credit: Leonardo/Future AI generated)

Microsoft Copilot was originally released alongside Windows 11 but has since spread to be a feature on every device as a downloadable app. The Microsoft Edge and Bing-powered chatbot has some impressive features, with full connectivity to Microsoft 365 and even your phone's text conversations. The question is, how good is it at crafting an AI story?

Copilot gives us the story of another Half-Efl Ranger, although this one is called Thalion. Thalion was born to an elven mother and a human father and was always caught between two worlds, his mother taught him the skills of a Ranger while his father taught him the language of men. Sadly, his family was slaughtered by a band of Orcs with only Thalion surviving and he set out to find and destroy them, all while struggling with his dual nature as both a man and an elf.

Copilot's story was shorter than the ChatGPT plot, although it too was easy enough to cut down into a single sentence. however, I wasn't a big fan of the character and found him a bit too generic. Saying that, the Orc plotline gives a DM something to work with and the concept of being between two worlds could be fun for the player to explore. However, it lacked some of the touches in the prior story that helped to flesh it out, like giving the parents names.

Google Gemini's D&D backstory

Female Variant Monster Hunter

(Image credit: Leonardo/Future AI generated)

Google Gemini is Google's foray into the world of large language model AI and it's an impressive start. Gemini comes in three flavors, Ultra, Pro and Nano, each of which offers something a little different. While there have been some complaints about how it was marketed, there is no doubt that Gemini is a powerful piece of software.

Gemini told me the story of Elara, a variant human ranger, who was born with an appetite for knowledge, some of which was darker than many were comfortable with. However, this knowledge would help her when her village was attacked by a chimera that tore through the defenders. However, Elara was able to use her knowledge to defeat the creature and save the village. Now she has set out with a backpack full of books and a burning need to protect others.

If I am honest, this was my least favorite backstory out of all of them. While I like the base concept, the idea of a level one character beating a chimera is foolish. I also think there isn't enough for a DM craft into the campaign for the player. Added to this is the issue that Elara's character arc is started and completed in the story, she is an outcast but saves the village and is no longer an outcast. This means there's really nowhere for the player to take her. However, it was easy to summarize, if only because it was the shortest of all the stories I was shown. 

Which AI model created the best backstory

With all that said it's time to crown the winner and it is undoubtedly ChatGPT. While the others had their moments they didn't flesh out the characters like OpenAI's model did. The introduction of little bits of information like the nickname and the parent's names helps to make it feel more real, which in turn helps both the player and the DM and makes it so that everyone has a more engaging time at the table. 

However, all three stories were great and show off just how advanced AI has become. While I deplore the concept of AI writing books I think I can see how shorter stories like this can be a great starting point. However, the focus should always be on personalizing your backstory, so use AI to help you get started and then slowly build on it as you get more comfortable. 

However, the current question is if Apple's AI could create an even better story. We are waiting until WWDC to hear more about iOS 18 and Apple's rumored AI features, which could perhaps take ChatGPT's crown.

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Josh Render
Staff Writer

Josh is a staff writer for Tom's Guide and is based in the UK. He has worked for several publications but now works primarily on mobile phones. Outside of phones, he has a passion for video games, novels, and Warhammer. 

  • Melfast
    It looks like ChatGPT will be providing the core of the new Apple AI.
    Reply
  • Mr Ali K
    If you want an AI for D&D story creation, Lorekeeper.co.uk is literally made for this.

    It does what GPT doesn't do and allows you to save and remember your story so you can build upon it. You can also upload source material for it to use as context for its replies.
    Reply
  • denisp
    They are half elf ranger and name is yada yada and the parents profession was yada yada and totally lone wolf everybody killed, seeking revenge and restore heritage yada yada.

    And they are low level character killing chimera. Who would believe that

    Yeah, konosuba is boring and everyone loves them half elf rangers since LOTR and Dragonlance.
    Reply
  • wiz1000
    Curious why the author would not ask Anthropic's LML, Claude. It's the most powerful model on the market and would likely win this task.
    Reply
  • Lovagrend
    Been using Poe which has several of these to play around with. They even have GPT4o so a little sample of some of the stuff I've used.

    Prompt-
    "Write me a detailed DnD setting based in a mushroom world that is dominated by a fungi tyrant who is obsessed with corruption and decay."

    Output-
    "# The Mycelian Dominion: A D&D Setting

    ## Overview

    In the shadowed depths of the world lies the Mycelian Dominion, a vast and eerie subterranean realm dominated by colossal fungi. This underground empire is ruled by the malevolent Fungal Tyrant, Myxothrax the Corrupter, whose insidious influence spreads decay and corruption throughout the land. The Mycelian Dominion is a place of dark beauty, where bioluminescent mushrooms illuminate caverns and fungal forests with an eerie glow, and where every breath carries the spores of the tyrant's corruption.

    ## Geographic Features

    ### The Sporeveil Caverns

    The Sporeveil Caverns are the heart of the Mycelian Dominion, an immense network of underground tunnels and chambers. Here, the air is thick with spores, and the walls glisten with bioluminescent fungi. The caverns are home to countless species of mushrooms, from the luminescent Glowcaps to the towering Spore Giants.

    ### The Rotting Forest

    This vast fungal forest is dominated by enormous mushroom trees, their caps forming a dense canopy that blocks out even the faintest light from above. The forest floor is a treacherous mire of decaying organic matter, teeming with parasitic fungi and carnivorous plants. The Rotting Forest is a place of perpetual twilight, where the boundary between life and death is blurred.

    ### The Sporeswamp

    A vast, stinking swamp where fungal growths rise from the murky waters like grotesque islands. The Sporeswamp is a place of constant change, as new fungal forms burst forth from the muck and older ones collapse into putrescence. It is said that the heart of the Sporeswamp holds ancient secrets and powerful relics, but few dare to venture into its depths.

    ### The Mycelium Sea

    An underground sea of fungal filaments, the Mycelium Sea is a living network that connects the entire Mycelian Dominion. The sea pulses with a slow, rhythmic life, and its surface is dotted with floating fungal platforms. The Mycelium Sea is both a transportation network and a source of sustenance for the Dominion, its filaments carrying nutrients to all corners of the realm.

    ## Inhabitants

    ### Myxothrax the Corrupter

    The Fungal Tyrant, Myxothrax, is an ancient and powerful being, a massive entity of intertwined fungal growths. Myxothrax is obsessed with corruption and decay, seeking to spread his influence to every corner of the world. His lair is a sprawling complex deep within the Sporeveil Caverns, where he sits upon a throne of rotting matter, surrounded by his most loyal minions.

    ### Spore Servitors

    These humanoid fungi are the foot soldiers of Myxothrax's armies. Spore Servitors are created from the corrupted bodies of those who have succumbed to the tyrant's spores. They are mindless and relentless, driven by an insatiable desire to spread their master's corruption.

    ### Mycelian Druids

    Not all who dwell in the Mycelian Dominion serve Myxothrax. The Mycelian Druids are a secretive order who seek to harness the power of fungi for the greater good. They believe in the natural cycle of decay and rebirth, and they work tirelessly to prevent Myxothrax's corruption from spreading beyond the Dominion.

    ### Fungoid Beasts

    The Mycelian Dominion is home to a plethora of mutated and corrupted creatures. From the towering Fungus Golems to the swift and deadly Spore Hounds, these beasts are the result of Myxothrax's twisted experiments. Each one is more dangerous and unpredictable than the last, making travel through the Dominion a perilous endeavor.

    ## Adventure Hooks

    ### The Corrupted Grove

    A once-beautiful grove above ground has been overtaken by Myxothrax's corruption. The local villagers are desperate for help to cleanse the grove and prevent the spread of decay to their homes.

    ### The Lost Relic

    Rumors speak of an ancient relic hidden deep within the Sporeswamp, a powerful artifact that could either amplify Myxothrax's power or be used to destroy him. Adventurers must navigate the treacherous swamp and contend with its many dangers to recover the relic.

    ### The Druid's Plea

    A Mycelian Druid seeks the help of brave adventurers to infiltrate the heart of Myxothrax's domain and sabotage his latest plan to spread his spores to the surface world. This mission will require stealth, cunning, and a deep understanding of the fungal realm.

    ### The Rotting Beast

    A colossal beast, corrupted and enhanced by Myxothrax's spores, has begun terrorizing nearby settlements. The adventurers must track down and defeat this monstrosity before it leaves a trail of decay and destruction in its wake.

    ## Conclusion

    The Mycelian Dominion is a setting of dark wonder and perilous adventure"

    I've used this for creating the foundation of a few DnD ideas, characters, campaigns, and when I just get stuck on ideas. Poe is nice because it adds after the output the option to expand or clarify on what it created so for instance I was given a few options like what are some of the weaknesses of the big baddie or describe the realm/lair of the big baddie.

    https://poe.com/s/DARkhDP21vgtA2tY9Zst
    Enjoy
    Reply