Using AI to Make Adventures (5e Sourcebook)/Backgrounds

The first trick is to convince Playground that you want a background in the context of the 5th edition PHB mechanic, and not just a general character background.

Phrasing the instruction as

Create 5th edition D&D background called "Marshal of Always"

(name made up by me) gave me the following.

I also had do a few additional instructions to fill in the lead description.

Marshal of Always

A Marshal of Always is a powerful protector of the known worlds, an arbiter of justice, and a force for good in a world filled with darkness.

You were once a Marshal of Always. It may be that you were wrongfully accused of a crime, and now must clear your name. Alternatively, you returned to your world and found out that you had been gone longer than you thought, and you are now an older man with a younger body. It may also be that you were driven out of Always by forces beyond your control, or you left of your own accord.

Skill Proficiencies: Persuasion, Intimidation.

Tool Proficiencies: None.

Equipment: A set of common clothes, a set of Plate and Chain mail armour, a badge or other token from an authority figure, and a belt pouch containing 10 gp.

Feature: Verity

You are privy to certain secrets about the strange land of Always. Birds that wear boots and walk like men, a world between theirs and yours where things go to die, and a terrible foe from before time. You are also bound by duty not to speak of these things to others.

Suggested Characteristics

d8 Personality Trait

1. I’ve got a soft spot for the underdog.
2. People don’t tend to take me seriously, but that doesn’t bother me.
3. I’m always suspicious of new people that I meet.
4. I can’t say no to a good story.
5. I love to share stories with new people I meet.
6. I have an incredibly short temper.
7. I am a strict disciplinarian.
8. I’m inherently suspicious of authority figures.

d6 Ideal

1. Freedom. We must survive the horrors of Always without our choices being taken away from us. (Chaotic)
2. Courage. It takes a strong person to face the demons of Always. (Good)
3. Spite. I want to make the world pay for everything it has taken from me. (Evil)
4. Knowledge. I want to unravel the mysteries of Always, and how it connects to my world. (Neutral)
5. Duty. It’s my duty to protect my family, my homeland, and everything I hold dear. (Any)
6. Discovery. There is so much to learn, and I wouldn’t give the opportunity up to do so for the world. (Any)

d6 Bond

1. I am somewhat emotionally detached from the world, and I’m okay with that.
2. I am haunted by the horrors that I have seen in Always, and I do what I do to ensure that they do not happen to other people.
3. I hate the monsters of Always with a burning passion.
4. I have a crippling fear of death.
5. I lost my way in Always once, and I’m still trying to find my way back.
6. I want to help everyone I can because I want to feel something.

d6 Flaw

1. I am not emotionally stable enough to handle the task before me.
2. I do not know how to ask for help when I need it.
3. I tend to get tunnel vision, and don’t always consider other options.
4. I am not the best at following orders.
5. I have difficulty distinguishing between those who are my allies and those who are not.
6. I have a bad habit of forgetting things.

Evaluation

I am impressed that Playground nailed the 5e format on the first try, and it did well with the scant information I gave it. When I came up with the name, I didn't give any consideration what I meant by "Always", but the result implies that Always is a particular place, which could tie into the game world.

The feature is a little lacking: it is unclear how it might impact the game. You can always use Edit mode to add more detail or change things. I instructed:

Change the feature into something different

And it altered the text to say:

Feature: Marshal's Authority

The people of Always are frightened by the thought of the Marshal, a person who hands out justice without mercy to all who break the law. You may speak the name of the Marshal in full confidence of being able to enforce the law, whether or not that is your true intent. If you are lying, the Marshal may send a force to deal with you.

Tinkering with prompts and collaborating with the AI could produce more interesting results.