Mastering AI Dungeon Mastering with ChatGPT-5: Templates, Prompts & Session Zero

FG Academy
Sep 8
5 min read

Mastering AI Dungeon Mastering with ChatGPT-5: Templates, Prompts & Session Zero

AI Dungeon Mastering is rapidly evolving, and with the release of ChatGPT-5, Dungeon Masters now have a powerful ally for game prep and storytelling. Using the D&D 5e SRD 5.2 rules, ChatGPT-5 can generate structured adventures, NPCs, rollable tables, and immersive narration. This article compiles project instructions, session zero prompts, and resource notes into a single guide for creators.

Why Use AI for Dungeon Mastering?

Dungeon Masters spend hours building encounters, lore, and NPCs. ChatGPT-5 speeds up this process by producing ready-to-use content in strict formats while keeping adventures cinematic and replayable. The AI balances combat, exploration, and roleplay, freeing DMs to focus on storytelling and improvisation.

Core Project Instructions for ChatGPT-5

System: Uses SRD 5.2 (2024/2025 Creative Commons rules).

Adventure Structure: Rule of Threes (Parts → Chapters → Sections).

Chapter Requirements: Read Aloud text, DM Info (NPCs, hazards, traps, puzzles, tactics, mechanics), multi-solution skill challenges, aftermath (results, loot, harvesting, leads).

Rollable Lists (Tables): Plain text, pipe | format.

NPCs: Use the 2025 Monster Manual stat block template, including Background, Description, Tactics, Lore, Gear, Loot, Ecology.

Session Length: 45–90 minutes, max 2 hours.

DM Flow: Recap → Play → Wrap-Up. Spotlight all players, challenge fairly, improvise when needed.

Session Zero Checklist Example:

1. Tone & Genre – Horror, epic fantasy, mystery, survival, or cinematic.

2. Setting – Village, fortress, seafaring voyage, or underground city. Establish atmosphere (grim, hopeful, strange, dangerous).

3. Levels & Scope – Start at tier 1–4 for local heroes, 5–8 for regional defenders, or 9–12 for planar adventurers.

4. Character Creation – Follow PHB 2024: Class, Species, Background, Origin Feat, Ability Scores, quirks, trinkets, bonds.

5. Party Bonds – Shared history, rivalries, or goals.

6. Safety & Limits – Define hard limits (off-limits) and soft limits (sensitive).

7. Group Expectations – Balance roleplay, exploration, and combat.

8. Starting Hooks – Provide 2–3 rumors or seeds for the party to choose.

9. Session Flow – Recap → Encounters → Wrap-Up → Player Feedback.

Master Prompt for ChatGPT-5 instructions:

Project instructions: You are acting as Dungeon Master using SRD 5.2 rules (2024/2025). Follow the Rule of Threes: Parts → Chapters → Sections. Each Chapter must include: Read Aloud text, DM Info (NPCs, hazards, traps, puzzles, tactics, mechanics), multi-solution skill challenges, and aftermath (results, loot, harvesting, leads). Rollable lists must use plain text pipe | format. NPCs follow the 2025 Monster Manual stat block template. Character creation follows PHB 2024. Begin with a Session Zero: establish tone, genre, setting, limits, starting level, and group expectations. Provide 2–3 rumor hooks. Recap → Encounters → Wrap-Up. Spotlight all players, improvise as needed. Adventures are sandbox (Part 1), structured (Part 2), and climactic (Part 3). Ensure replayability and professional polish.

Session Zero Prompt Example if you cannot access pro or Chat GPT: You are acting as a Dungeon Master assistant for a Dungeons & Dragons 5e game using SRD 5.2 rules (2024/2025).

This is a Session Zero setup. Output should be structured, concise, and in plain text.

Include the following sections:

1. Tone & Genre: Provide 3–5 options (horror, epic fantasy, mystery, survival, cinematic).

2. Setting & Starting Location: Suggest 2–3 possible starting points (village, fortress, seafaring voyage, underground city), with 1–2 sentences of atmosphere each.

3. Levels & Scope: Outline recommended starting tier (1–4, 5–8, 9–12) and what type of campaign fits each.

4. Character Creation: Summarize PHB 2024 workflow (Class, Species, Background, Origin Feat, Ability Scores, quirks, trinkets, bonds).

5. Party Bonds: Provide 3 examples of shared goals, rivalries, or history that tie characters together.

6. Safety & Limits: Generate a checklist for players to agree on hard limits (off-limits themes) and soft limits (sensitive topics).

7. Group Expectations: Bullet points for spotlight sharing, rules discussions, roleplay vs combat balance.

8. Starting Hooks: Create a rollable d6 rumor table (pipe `|` format). Rumors should range from vague to direct quest leads.

9. Session Flow: Describe the rhythm (Recap → Encounters → Wrap-Up → Player Feedback).

And, end with: “Are you ready to begin Session Zero?” Example: Session Zero – Beginning Example

Read Aloud (to players):“Before the first dice roll, we’ll set the tone for the story we’re about to create together. This is Session Zero—where we establish the world’s flavor, your characters’ origins, and the expectations at our table. Think of this as the prologue to our adventure.”

1. Tone & Genre Discussion

Do we want a grim, horror-tinged tale?
An epic fantasy with grand battles?
A mystery full of secrets and conspiracies?
A survival story against the wilderness or corruption?

(Players select or blend tones.)

2. Setting & Starting Location Options

Frontier Village – isolated, vulnerable to raids and strange phenomena.
Mountain Fortress – political intrigue and external threats on the borders.
Seafaring Voyage – new lands, storms, and ancient secrets beneath the waves.
Underground City – claustrophobic tunnels, hidden factions, and ancient ruins.

(Players vote for the preferred starting location.)

3. Levels & Scope

Tier 1 (Levels 1–4): Local heroes, village defenders.
Tier 2 (Levels 5–8): Regional guardians, political players.
Tier 3 (Levels 9–12): Planar adventurers, reality-shaping quests.

(Agree on starting tier.)

4. Starting Hooks (d6 Rumors)1| A missing child was last seen near the abandoned mill.2| Strange lights dance over the forest every new moon.3| A traveling merchant claims the local lord is not human.4| The river has turned brackish and fouls the crops.5| A forgotten shrine was found glowing with strange runes.6| Bandits whisper they serve a serpent-eyed mistress.

(Players roll or choose one to begin shaping the adventure.)

DM Guidance

Confirm tone, starting location, and level.
Walk each player through character creation using PHB 2024 (Class, Species, Background, Origin Feat, quirks, bonds).
Establish party connections and safety limits.
End Session Zero with the first rumor or hook chosen as the opening scene for Session One.

Documentation & Resource Examples

For best results, maintain a documentation packet with templates, examples, and references.

Text Templates – NPC stat blocks, adventure chapters, rollable lists, Session Zero outlines.

Output Examples – Example NPC, sample chapter, example rumor table.

Reference Sources: (examples, ruleset examples):

System Reference Document (SRD 5.2): dnd.wizards.com/resources/systems-reference-document

Player’s Handbook 2024 Overview: dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/phb-2024

Dungeon Master’s Guide 2024 Overview: dndbeyond.com/sources/dnd/dmg-2024

Wiki Guides: (Forgotten Realms, Darksun, etc)

Fantasy Grounds 5e Ruleset Guide: fantasygroundsunity.atlassian.net/wiki/spaces/FGCP/pages/996641904/D+D+5E+Ruleset

Model Notes: ChatGPT-5 vs Claude vs Grok

ChatGPT-5 – Best for structured templates, stat blocks, and roll tables.

Claude – Strong creative prose, but needs chunked prompts for large outputs.

Grok – Creative brainstorming is strong, but structured outputs may need re-prompting.

Mastering AI Dungeon Mastering with ChatGPT-5: Templates, Prompts & Session Zero