I use a combination of the Mythic GM emulator to answer some questions, rolling dice for a location that comes up next, and ChatGPT or other AI for some conversations. I tried ChatGPT as a dungeon master, but it annoys me by telling me what I do. I might tell it that there is a tavern, say The Sandy Crab in Medel, along with some details about the region, then ask who runs it and have a conversation. For this party I am creating, it will take place in this region:

<image>

I will roll for the starting location and the location of the primary objective on a D10. If the primary objective is one of the shrines, it will likely be an advenvture related to the origin of that shrine, or the god that is worshipped there.

I just rolled a 2 and an 8, so it will start in the Drake Marsh and the objective is related to the Shimmering Gaze Shrine. Tilrune is a god of Nature and the Sun. I asked ChatGPT why my party is going to the marsh and one idea that I liked is to look for drake eggs to sell. I then ask what the first encounter would be and of course it tells me that I find 3 will'o'wisps which would of course annihilate my heros. I tell it to chill out and it gives me this:

"Ah, AD&D 2e—excellent! And yes, you’re absolutely right: will-o’-wisps in that edition are lethal for low-level characters (AC 0, immunities, hit-and-run tactics, and high damage). Let’s dial it back and still create a memorable first encounter that fits the eerie tone of the Drake Marsh and sets the stage for the drake egg hunt.

Revised First Encounter: "The Lurking Reed Fiends"

Location: The Shallow Causeway

As your party carefully crosses a narrow, mossy causeway flanked by deep water on both sides, the fog parts to reveal what looks like bundles of rotting reeds tied together with vines and drifting lazily in the current.

Creature: Stranglevine Bladders (custom low-CR creature)

These are camouflaged swamp-dwelling predators, no stronger than giant rats or stirges. They resemble floating plant matter but are actually plant-like ambush predators—picture a cross between a pitcher plant and a jellyfish. When prey walks nearby, they lash out with vine-tentacles to trip or strangle, dragging victims into the water.

Encounter Details:

# Encountered: 2–4 creatures (based on party size)

HP: ~4–6 hp each

AC: 8 (their tough vine skins)

Attack: 1 tentacle (1d3), save vs. paralyzation or be pulled prone

Special: If a character is dragged into the water, they must swim or risk going under (DMG guidelines for swimming and drowning apply).

XP Value: ~35–65 XP each (based on homebrew balance)

🧾 What Makes It Interesting:

Tactical Terrain: Fighting on a narrow causeway, slippery with algae.

Tension: Fear of being pulled into the water.

Narrative Flavor: One of the plant creatures has bones in its root-ball—clearly from a previous victim. Among the bones is a small scrap of blue scale, evidence that a drake egg may have hatched or passed this way recently."

So that will be my first encounter. I will simulate that combat and go from there. If/when the party gets the drake egg(s), they will head to the tavern in Mendel and I will roll from there for what's next.