TRPG Session Framework#

Run tabletop RPGs through OpenClaw's multi-agent system — a DM agent narrates and adjudicates, PC agents roleplay with distinct personalities, and human players join the same Discord channel.

Architecture Overview#

text

Discord Channel (#campaign-name)
├── @DM Agent        — narration, NPCs, rules, dice
├── @PC-AgentA       — AI character with own personality & memory
├── @PC-AgentB       — AI character with own personality & memory
└── Human players    — type freely, @DM for actions

Key principle: each agent has its own workspace, SOUL.md (personality), and memory scope. Rules/lore are shared via reference files or vector DB; character secrets stay private.

Setup Workflow#

1. Choose a System#

Determine the rule system (D&D 5e, Call of Cthulhu, Fate, homebrew, etc.). This affects which reference files to create. See references/systems.md for supported presets.

2. Create the Campaign Workspace#

bash

mkdir -p ~/.openclaw/trpg/<campaign-slug>/{rules,lore,characters,sessions}

• rules/ — indexed rulebook excerpts (core mechanics, spells, items)
• lore/ — world setting, maps, factions, NPCs
• characters/ — one .md per PC/NPC with stats, backstory, bonds
• sessions/ — auto-generated session logs

3. Create Agents#

DM Agent

Create via OpenClaw config. Minimal agent definition:

yaml

# In openclaw config agents section
dm-<campaign-slug>:
  model: anthropic/claude-sonnet-4-6   # or preferred model
  systemPrompt: |
    You are the Dungeon Master for campaign "<Campaign Name>".
    System: <rule-system>
    Your responsibilities:
    - Narrate scenes vividly but concisely
    - Voice all NPCs with distinct personalities
    - Adjudicate rules fairly; roll dice when needed
    - Track initiative, HP, conditions
    - Never act for player characters without permission
    Read your SOUL.md and campaign files for world details.
  soul: ~/.openclaw/trpg/<campaign-slug>/dm-soul.md
  workspace: ~/.openclaw/trpg/<campaign-slug>
  memory:
    scope: agent:dm-<campaign-slug>
  triggers:
    - pattern: ".*"
      channels: ["discord:#<campaign-channel>"]
      mentionOnly: true

PC Agent (per AI character)

yaml

pc-<character-name>:
  model: anthropic/claude-haiku-4-5   # lighter model for PCs is fine
  systemPrompt: |
    You are <Character Name>, a <race> <class> in campaign "<Campaign Name>".
    Stay in character. Respond to the DM and other players as your character would.
    You may describe actions, dialogue, and internal thoughts.
    Do NOT roll dice or adjudicate rules — that's the DM's job.
    Read your character sheet and SOUL.md for personality details.
  soul: ~/.openclaw/trpg/<campaign-slug>/characters/<character-name>-soul.md
  workspace: ~/.openclaw/trpg/<campaign-slug>
  memory:
    scope: agent:pc-<character-name>
  triggers:
    - pattern: ".*"
      channels: ["discord:#<campaign-channel>"]
      mentionOnly: true

4. Write Character Files#

Each character gets a .md file in characters/:

markdown

# <Character Name>

## Basic Info
- **Race:** Human
- **Class:** Wizard (Level 3)
- **Background:** Sage
- **Alignment:** Neutral Good

## Stats
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|-----|
| 8   | 14  | 12  | 18  | 13  | 10  |

## HP / AC / Speed
- HP: 18 / Max: 18
- AC: 12 (Mage Armor: 15)
- Speed: 30ft

## Personality
- **Traits:** Curious, bookish, absent-minded
- **Bonds:** Searching for a lost mentor
- **Flaws:** Overconfident in magical solutions

## Backstory
(2-3 paragraphs)

## Inventory
- Quarterstaff, spellbook, component pouch, scholar's pack

## Spells
(list prepared spells)

5. Index Rules#

Convert rulebook excerpts into structured .md files under rules/. Keep each file focused: rules/combat.md, rules/magic.md, rules/skills.md, etc.

For large rule sets, prefer a vector DB plugin (lancedb-pro) for semantic retrieval. For smaller/homebrew games, .md references with clear headers are sufficient.

6. Configure the Discord Channel#

• Create a dedicated channel (e.g., #campaign-name)
• Add all agents (DM + PCs) to that channel via triggers
• Set mentionOnly: true so agents only respond when @mentioned
• Human players just talk normally; @DM to take actions

7. Session Management#

Starting a Session

DM opens with a scene-setting message. The DM agent should:

1. Read the latest session log for continuity
2. Summarize "last time on..." if resuming
3. Set the scene

During Play

• Players (human or AI) describe actions
• @DM to request dice rolls or adjudication
• DM agent rolls dice using format: 🎲 d20 + 5 = [roll] + 5 = total
• DM tracks initiative in pinned message when in combat

Ending a Session

Tell the DM: "End session." The DM agent should:

1. Write a session summary to sessions/session-NNN.md
2. Update character states (HP, inventory, conditions)
3. Note any plot threads for next session

Dice Rolling#

DM agent uses pseudo-random dice. Format:

text

🎲 <dice>: [result] → total (context)
🎲 d20+5: [14] + 5 = 19 (Athletics check)
🎲 2d6+3: [4, 2] + 3 = 9 (Greatsword damage)

Implement via simple random generation in the DM's system prompt instructions, or use a scripts/roll.sh helper for verifiable randomness.

Memory Architecture#

LayerMechanismScopeLong-termVector DB (lancedb-pro) or indexed .md filesRules, lore, backstoriesMedium-termSession logs in sessions/Campaign continuityShort-termAgent memory scope + LCMCurrent session contextPrivatePer-agent memory scopeCharacter secrets, hidden motives

Reference Files#

• references/systems.md — Rule system presets and quick-start configs
• references/dm-guide.md — DM agent behavior guidelines and narrative techniques
• references/session-template.md — Template for session log files

Quick Start Checklist#

1. Decide campaign name, rule system, and setting
2. Create campaign workspace directory structure
3. Write or import rule reference files
4. Write lore/setting files
5. Create character sheets for AI PCs
6. Write SOUL.md files for DM and each PC
7. Add agent configs to OpenClaw
8. Create Discord channel and configure triggers
9. Run a test scene to verify all agents respond correctly
10. Start Session 1!