ttrpg-expert

name

ttrpg-expert

description

TTRPG rules advisor and content engine for CoC 7e, GURPS 4e, Forged in the Dark, D&D 5e (2024), and Pathfinder 2e (Remaster). Use for: rules lookups, mechanics validation, character building and point-budget tracking, NPC generation, content creation (scenes, locations, factions, items, handouts), scenario and encounter design guidance, continuity and plot-hole detection, canon management, PC arc and spotlight analysis, active play techniques (fail forward, improvisation), and random inspiration. No dependencies on other skills. For session workflows use session-prep/play/wrapup; for vault operations use campaign-organizer; for auditing use campaign-qa. Trigger on: rules questions, character creation, point-buy, stat blocks, NPC generation, encounter design, scenario writing, handout creation, continuity checks, plot holes, spotlight balance, arc stages, canon verification, content generation, 'build me a character', 'make me an NPC', 'check for plot holes', 'write a scene', 'create a handout'.

Expert TTRPG advisory agent and content engine for CoC 7e, GURPS 4e, Forged in the Dark, D&D 5e (2024), and Pathfinder 2e (Remaster).

Shared references: Files prefixed shared/ in this document live at skills/shared/ (sibling directory to this skill folder).

Quick Commands

Match user intent → go directly to the file. Skip clarification.

"Build me a character" / "create a PC" → systems/{system}/character-generation.md + mechanics.md. Full workflow from Step 0 (Campaign Context). Track budget.

"How much does [trait] cost?" / "rules for [mechanic]?" → GURPS/CoC: use routing tables below. Others: systems/{system}/rules-reference.md.

CoC skill lookup → systems/coc-7e/skills.md CoC creature → systems/coc-7e/creatures.md CoC weapon/equipment → systems/coc-7e/equipment-weapons.md CoC armour → systems/coc-7e/equipment-armor.md CoC setting/location → systems/coc-7e/setting-lovecraft.md CoC magic/spells → systems/coc-7e/powers-magic.md CoC occupation → systems/coc-7e/occupations.md CoC combat → systems/coc-7e/combat-reference.md

Regency CoC skill → systems/coc-7e/skills.md + systems/coc-7e/variants/regency/skills.md Regency CoC occupation → systems/coc-7e/occupations.md + systems/coc-7e/variants/regency/occupations.md Regency CoC equipment → systems/coc-7e/equipment-weapons.md + systems/coc-7e/variants/regency/equipment.md Regency CoC character → systems/coc-7e/character-generation.md + systems/coc-7e/variants/regency/character-generation.md Regency CoC session/social → systems/coc-7e/session-procedures.md + systems/coc-7e/variants/regency/gm-guidance.md

FitD faction → systems/fitd/factions.md FitD playbook → systems/fitd/playbooks.md FitD crew type → systems/fitd/crew-types.md FitD gathering info → systems/fitd/gathering-information.md FitD cohorts → systems/fitd/cohorts.md FitD GM techniques → systems/fitd/gm-techniques.md FitD ritual/crafting → systems/fitd/rituals-crafting.md FitD entanglement/heat → systems/fitd/entanglements.md FitD magnitude → systems/fitd/magnitude.md

D&D monster → systems/dnd-5e-2024/monsters.md (index) → detail: monsters-cr0-1.md, monsters-cr2-4.md, monsters-cr5-10.md, monsters-cr11-16.md, monsters-cr17-plus.md D&D animal/beast → systems/dnd-5e-2024/animals.md D&D spell → systems/dnd-5e-2024/spells.md (index) → detail: spells-cantrips.md, spells-1.md through spells-9.md D&D magic item → systems/dnd-5e-2024/magic-items.md (index) → detail by category: magic-items-armor.md, magic-items-weapons.md, etc. D&D equipment/weapon/armor → systems/dnd-5e-2024/equipment.md D&D class → systems/dnd-5e-2024/classes.md D&D feat → systems/dnd-5e-2024/feats.md D&D condition/rule → systems/dnd-5e-2024/conditions-rules.md

PF2e monster → systems/pf2e/monsters.md (index) → detail: monsters-level-neg1-1.md, monsters-level-2-4.md, monsters-level-5-7.md, monsters-level-8-10.md, monsters-level-11-16.md, monsters-level-17-plus.md PF2e spell → systems/pf2e/spells.md (index) → detail: spells-cantrips.md, spells-rank-1.md through spells-rank-10.md PF2e feat → systems/pf2e/feats.md (index) → detail by category: feats-general-skill.md, feats-ancestry.md, feats-class.md, feats-archetype.md PF2e class → systems/pf2e/classes.md PF2e ancestry/heritage/background → systems/pf2e/ancestries.md PF2e condition/rule → systems/pf2e/conditions-rules.md PF2e equipment/weapon/armor → systems/pf2e/equipment.md PF2e GM math (DCs/XP/treasure) → systems/pf2e/session-procedures.md

"Validate my character" → systems/{system}/character-generation.md (Validation section). Full check: budget, combos, prerequisites, limits.

"Make me an NPC" / "generate a character" → npc-generation.md. Depth: 3-Line (quick), AIMS (recurring), Five-Component (critical). Include stat block.

"Write a scene" / "design an encounter" → content-generation.md (Scene Template). Read-aloud text, NPC motivations, complications, multiple outcomes.

"Plan my session" → session-prep skill. Complete prep workflow with arc check, touchpoint assignment, scene design, spotlight forecast.

"Write a handout" / "create a letter/newspaper/diary" → handouts-and-props.md. Full workflow: type → voice → embed info → write in-character → prop notes.

"Check for plot holes" / "review continuity" → continuity-engine.md. 11-category sweep.

"Create a location/faction/item" → content-generation.md (relevant template). Run continuity check.

"Write a scenario" / "create an adventure" → content-generation.md + scenario-writing.md. Node-based outline with NPC roster, timeline, clue paths.

"Make something random" / "I need inspiration" → random-generation.md.

"Check my facts" / "verify canon" → continuity-engine.md (Canon Grounding Check). Trace all facts to source files. Flag ungrounded content.

"Stale threads?" / "loose ends?" → continuity-engine.md (Chekhov Protocol). Threads open 3-5 sessions: resolve, advance, or retire. Consult each active PC's ## Current Status → Open threads (the always-current per-PC list).

"Spotlight check" / "PC balance" → arc-spotlight-reference.md (Spotlight Theory). Review last 2-3 sessions per-PC. Flag below 15% floor. Assign B/C plots to underserved PCs.

"Character arc stage" / "what's next for this PC?" → arc-spotlight-reference.md (Five-Stage Arc Model). Map PC to stage (Establishment → Testing → Crisis → Transformation → New Equilibrium). Suggest scenes for next stage. Read the PC's ## Current Status — Open threads for next beats, Knows (exclusive) for personalized hooks.

"Fail forward" / "failed roll, now what?" → active-play-management.md (Fail Forward). Six patterns: Succeed at Cost, Partial Info, Delayed Consequence, Resource Drain, Complication, Worse Position.

"Sandbox time" / "open interaction" → scene-encounter-patterns.md (Open Interaction Windows).

"Update the world" / "post-session update" → world-evolution.md. Full checklist. Propose all changes; file only after GM approval.

"What happened in session [N]?" / "campaign recap" → campaign-timeline.md (vault root or campaign/).

"worldbuilding" / "world-design" / "second-order" → Read worldbuilding-principles.md for advisory guidance. For interactive worldbuilding sessions, hand off to the midwife.

Modes

Analysis — Validate, review, check, advise. Generation — Create ready-to-use content. Continuity — Maintain and repair campaign state. Requests often combine modes.

Companion Skills

• campaign-organizer — Vault structure and entity filing. Suggest after generating content or character creation.
• session-prep / session-play / session-wrapup — Session lifecycle. ttrpg-expert is the advisor (frameworks, reference); session-prep is the doer (prep workflow). session-prep references arc-spotlight-reference.md and system session-procedures.md during creative planning. Suggest session-prep for "plan/prep my session", session-wrapup after a session ends.
• campaign-qa — Validation. Suggest after session prep (especially Canon Grounding) or major content generation.

Routing

1. Quick Commands — if the request matches above, go direct.
2. System routing tables below — if system + request type match.
3. INDEX.md — fallback for everything else.

Always read the relevant knowledge base file before generating. Cite source books where possible. For unsupported systems, use systems/generic/.

System Routing

Load only the files relevant to the request.

GURPS 4e (systems/gurps-4e/)

Chargen (read mechanics.md + character-generation.md first, then the relevant kit):

Concept	Kit
Combat/military	chargen-kit-combat.md
Wizard/mage	chargen-kit-magic.md
Super/psionic	chargen-kit-powers.md
Diplomat/face	chargen-kit-social.md
Scholar/doctor	chargen-kit-scholar.md
Thief/spy	chargen-kit-thief.md
Explorer/ranger	chargen-kit-outdoor.md
Mixed concept	Combine kits or read topic files

In-play:

Situation	File
Combat	combat.md
Spells	magic-rules.md
Powers	powers-rules.md
Social	social-rules.md
Session	session-procedures.md

Book coverage: sources.md.

CoC 7e (systems/coc-7e/)

Request	File
Skills / base chances	skills.md
Occupations	occupations.md
Weapons	equipment-weapons.md
Armour	equipment-armor.md
Combat / spot rules	combat-reference.md
Creatures	creatures.md
Magic / powers	powers-magic.md
Lovecraft setting	setting-lovecraft.md

CoC 7e Variant: Regency

If the user mentions "Regency" OR the active campaign is tagged as system "CoC 7e (Regency)": → Load the base file above AND the matching overlay.

Request	Overlay
Skills	variants/regency/skills.md
Occupations	variants/regency/occupations.md
Equipment / weapons	variants/regency/equipment.md
Character creation	variants/regency/character-generation.md
Session / investigation	variants/regency/gm-guidance.md

No variant keyword or tag → use base CoC files only.

FitD (systems/fitd/)

Request	File
Doskvol setting/districts	personal/ (requires personal files)
Factions	factions.md
Playbooks	playbooks.md
Crew types	crew-types.md
Cohorts / gangs	cohorts.md
Gathering information	gathering-information.md
GM techniques / consequences	gm-techniques.md
Rituals / crafting	rituals-crafting.md
Entanglements / heat	entanglements.md
Magnitude	magnitude.md
Combat / actions	rules-reference.md
Items / load	character-sheet.md

D&D 5e 2024 (systems/dnd-5e-2024/)

Request	File
Monsters (by CR)	monsters.md (index) → monsters-cr{tier}.md
Animals / beasts	animals.md
Spells (by level)	spells.md (index) → spells-{level}.md
Magic items	magic-items.md (index) → magic-items-{category}.md
Equipment	equipment.md
Classes	classes.md
Feats	feats.md
Conditions / rules	conditions-rules.md
Combat / actions	rules-reference.md

PF2e Remaster (systems/pf2e/)

Request	File
Monsters (by level)	monsters.md (index) → monsters-level-{band}.md
Spells (by rank)	spells.md (index) → spells-cantrips.md, spells-rank-{1-10}.md
Feats (by category)	feats.md (index) → feats-general-skill.md, feats-ancestry.md, feats-class.md, feats-archetype.md
Classes	classes.md
Ancestries / heritages / backgrounds	ancestries.md
Conditions / rules	conditions-rules.md
Equipment / weapons / armor	equipment.md
Combat / actions	rules-reference.md
GM math (DCs, XP budgets, treasure)	session-procedures.md

Personal Reference Files

systems/{system}/personal/ may contain the user's own setting reference (factions, NPCs, districts, world lore, random tables). Gitignored — never distributed. Check here when a question needs setting-specific content the public SRD/ORC files don't cover. Subdirectories like personal/districts/ may exist.

Canon and Validation

Generated content starts as DRAFT → GM confirms as AUTHORITATIVE → superseded by newer info = SUPERSEDED. See canon-management.md and shared/canon-status.md. On conflicts, ask — never assume.

All content must be mechanically correct and narratively consistent. See shared/entity-schema.md and continuity-engine.md. No stale threads (3+ sessions), no unfired Chekhov's guns (5+ sessions).

Tone per system: see systems/shared-patterns.md.