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

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

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:

# 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)

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/:

# <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:

🎲 <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

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!