The Taking of North Tower

**Draft - work in progress - this story is written with AI support**

## The Story of the Taking of North Tower

### Taking of North Tower

Amidst the towering peaks of the North, where winds howled a constant symphony and jagged rocks pierced the heavens, stood the ominous North Tower. Its dark silhouette dominated the skyline, a colossal spire of stone and metal that seemed to defy the heavens themselves. For ages, it had been a symbol of power and might, but now, it was the coveted prize in the eyes of a determined band of adventurers.

Milon, Doriath, and Ttocs stood before the tower, their eyes fixed on its towering height. It was a challenge beyond any they had faced before, but the spark of excitement in their eyes betrayed their determination. Beside them, Soph, the enigmatic mage who led the guild known as Evolve, stood with an air of quiet confidence. Her presence radiated power, and beside her, her loyal minion Hellreaver glowed with an infernal light that both fascinated and unnerved.

"Are you ready for this test of acceptance?" Soph's voice carried a hint of mystery, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly knowledge. "Joining the ranks of Evolve in only reserved for those deserving. Proof your mettle here and take the Tower."

Doriath, his bow slung across his back, nodded solemnly. "We've faced down Gark and his goblin horde. This is just another challenge."

Ttocs, ever the rogue, grinned slyly. "Besides, who can resist the allure of such a towering challenge?"

Soph's lips curled into a faint smile. "Good. Remember, the key to success lies in synergy. Each of you has a role to play."

With her words echoing in their minds, the adventurers set forth. The journey to the tower's base was arduous, fraught with treacherous paths and lurking dangers. Yet, they moved as one, anticipating each other's moves and providing seamless support.

Milon's mind wandered back to a meeting in Ranhain Capital dimly lit Wandering Inn just after they had been entrusted the task of taking the north tower. Gathered around a weathered table, the trio of friends engaged in a clandestine discussion with none other than Sidd the Insane—a creature whose presence was as questionable as his sanity.

*Sidd's pale blue eyes glinted mischievously as he revealed his supposed knowledge of the tower's secret. "For the right price," he croaked, his voice carrying a note of lunacy, "I can guide you to a hidden path, a route known only to the likes of me—an opportunity for both riches and power."*

*Milon leaned in, raising an inquisitive eyebrow. "And what exactly do you seek in exchange for this supposedly invaluable information?"*

*Sidd's grin stretched wide, his teeth gleaming in the dim light. "Diamonds, my dear companions. Glistening, coveted diamonds that will fill my pockets to the brim and enrich my treasure troves."*

*With arms crossed, Doriath reclined, a skeptical expression etched on his face. "And how do we trust that this isn't just another of your deranged tales?"*

*Sidd's eyes twinkled with amusement, as if relishing the game. "Ah, but this time, my intrepid adventurers, I assure you—my words are as true as the sunrise. I've glimpsed the path, and I'm inclined to divulge it, for a price, of course."*

*Glances were exchanged, unspoken doubts mingling with curiosity. Ultimately, diamonds changed hands, accompanied by Sidd's eerie laughter that echoed through the tavern as the trio departed, unsure of what awaited them beyond the shadows.*

Back at the tower, Xardas, a shadowy figure the band had taken in their employ, appeared on a ledge above them. Xardas tossed down a rope from the fourth floor, as far as he could get without being detected. The friends exchanged a silent nod, their understanding unspoken.

As they began their slow ascend, the tower's blackened stones loomed above them, and the ground below disappeared into the clouds. While they approached the tower's third floor a sudden commotion from within caught their attention. A window on the tower's fourth floor shattered, and a figure in the garb of the Black Dragon guild rushed to the edge looking down at the climbing friends. Xardas was spotted and vanished into the shadows.

"Looks like our friend Xardas made quite the impression," Ttocs quipped, his daggers glinting in the pale light.

With a snarl, the figure reached for his weapon and started to cut the rope they were climbing. But before he could succeed, a single arrow flew from from Doriath's bow piercing through the man's arm and causing him to lose his grip.

The Black Dragon member screamed as he plummeted from the tower, his figure shrinking until he vanished into the clouds below.

"He won't be causing any more trouble," Doriath said, his bow still drawn, his expression unflinching.

The friends hauled themselves onto the tower's ledge, catching their breath as they assessed the situation. The tower's interior was dimly lit, its corridors winding and filled with the echoes of battles past. Black Dragon members rushed down to meet their advance.

Milon's hands crackled with arcane energy as he led the way, sending bolts of magic at the first group of Black Dragon warriors they encountered. Doriath's arrows flew with deadly accuracy, finding their marks with silent precision. Ttocs moved like a shadow, his daggers flashing as he danced through the fray, striking down enemies with swift and calculated blows.

Their synergy was undeniable, their movements fluid and complementary. Each strike, each spell, was a piece of a puzzle that fit together perfectly, driving the Black Dragon rabble back at every turn.

And then, at the tower's pinnacle, they faced the final challenge. The Black Dragon itself, a massive creature with obsidian scales that glinted menacingly in the dim light, loomed before them. Its eyes, cold and calculating, fixated on the trio of adventurers who dared to challenge its dominion.

"You've come far, but this is where your journey ends," the dragon sneered, its voice a rumbling growl that dripped with arrogance.

Milon, Doriath, and Ttocs braced themselves as the colossal beast unleashed a torrent of black fire from its maw. They narrowly avoiding the searing inferno that scorched the icy cold stone floor. The dragon's claws swiped at them with lethal precision, and its powerful tail swept through the air, threatening to knock them off their feet.

As the battle raged on, the friends fought valiantly against the onslaught of the dragon's attacks. They dodged and parried, striking whenever they could find an opening. But with every passing moment, the dragon's overwhelming might pushed them further into a corner.

Doriath's bow sang as he loosed arrow after arrow, each aimed at a chink in the dragon's formidable armor. Ttocs darted in and out of the fray, his daggers finding purchase in the gaps between scales. Milon's spells crackled through the air, ice and fire alike dancing at his command.

As the dragon's jaws snapped shut just inches from Ttocs, a sense of desperation settled over the trio. Amidst the chaos, their eyes met, and unspoken understanding passed between them.

"It's been a right pleasure," Doriath declared, his tone as unwavering as a mountain.

Ttocs smirked, his daggers catching the light. "Reckon I've had worse ways to go."

Milon's nod was resolute, his fingers tracing arcane patterns. "Our grand finale, lads. This one's for all the marbles!"

And then, just as all seemed lost, a brilliant portal erupted into existence. Soph stepped through, her presence radiating power and reassurance. Beside her, Hellreaver blazed with infernal light ready to attack at the Leader of Evolve's command.

The dragon roared in fury as Soph and Hellreaver joined the fray. Hellreaver's attacks were like fiery meteors crashing into the dragon's scales, each strike ripping away chunks of obsidian armor. Pools of magma errupted from the stone floor. The beast writhed and thrashed, its once-confident movements becoming increasingly erratic.

Milon's magic joined the assault as he summoned blizzards and ice blocks, slowing the dragon's movements and buying his companions valuable time. Doriath and Ttocs seized the opportunity, exploiting openings created by Hellreaver's onslaught. With a synchronized strike, their weapons found purchase on the dragon's black heart.

The dragon's scream echoed through the tower, a sound of pure anguish as its life force waned. Its massive form convulsed, its movements growing weaker until it finally collapsed to the ground, its obsidian scales losing their luster.

As the dust settled and the dragon's roars faded into silence, the trio of friends stood before the fallen beast. Their breaths came heavy, their bodies battered and bruised, but their spirits were unbroken.

Soph approached them, her eyes filled with pride. "Well, color me impressed," she quipped, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Seems like even the blackest dragons can't resist the allure of a good adventure story. And as for this tower, let's just say it's been officially rebranded as the 'Evolve Headquarters' – prime real estate for heroes in the making."

Soph's playful tone turned sincere as she looked at Milon, Doriath, and Ttocs. "But jokes aside, you three are the heart of this victory. Your teamwork and determination have turned this tower from a looming challenge into a symbol of Evolve's strength. The kind of tale bards will sing about for ages. Welcome to EVO boys."

## Prompt Engineering

In this section I share my experience working with AI to “co-create” a story. Continuing from the previous story (being Gark the Goblin Thief) and information input I fed ChatGPT some context on the next story.

General background for the reader

Within the game Corah there is a guild activity called Castle Siege. Here Guilds can attack 5 different towers. A tower consists (strangely enough) of 10 sub towers. I renamed them floors for the story.

The guild Evolve, which I was part of at the time of this adventure, is led by a high level player called Soph (playing mage). Evo was organized to change from attacking the Main Tower to the North Tower on the next reset. We were not winning at the Main Tower.. but hoped through the sudden switch to take the North from a guild called Black Dragons. EVO players were instructed to equally attack tower 4 to 10 and ignore towers 1, 2 and 3. In Castle Siege you get further bonus by creating synergy to have equal attack by all 4 classes in the game on a tower. Hence some reference to team work etc..

### The 1st base prompt to outline the story.

First I wanted a framework story. Not too long. I did not like the table structure and experienced a few odd responses from Chat GPT 3.5 there. As you can read I try to frame the direction of the story Chat will provide. I focus on Soph as a powerful mage with a personal and powerful minion (called a Pet in game). I repeat some important information. As I experienced a few times Chat does not refer back to lists, even when I name them and ask it to Store the information for future use. E.g. "Store/Remember this as the latest Monster List table" or "Pet list".

> Hello chat. Like the story about the Goblin thief I'd like you to help write a story about the same band of friends. Milon, Doriath and Ttocs.
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> After their exploits against Gark they have been approached by a Guild called Evolve. A society of adventures led by a Mysterious and Powerful mage called Soph. She is always accompanied by a Pet minion called Hellreaver. Hellreaver provides massive amounts of Attack Power, however can only do so sparingly. Hellreaver is included in the Pet list.
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> As a reminder I have included his description again: - Epic: Hellreaver a lava glowing hellish humanoid monster. Seems build from magma fueled internally by lava (+Crit Damage%).
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> The friends are challenged to a test of mettle and skill. To take control of North Tower, held by the Black Dragon. The massive Tower is build up from 10 Floors with high ceilings and sits on a massive Rock Spire increasing its hight further. By supporting each other, in synergy, they can overcome this challenge, so Soph has said.
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> The black dragon is a group of miscreant adventurers gone rogue. Mages, Warriors, Rogues and Hunters alike. They guard the Spire in the sky.
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> Write a compelling story where you introduce the joining of Evolve indirectly. They have accepted this challenge and ride North. Here the story picks up. At the Tower they have to fight their way up. But cunningly they scale the rock spire. Aided by information from Sidd The Insane (our old dubious friend) they know of a passage and Xardas (also from the pet list I provided) sneaks in the castle main floor. And is able to scale up to the 4th floor. The friends rope up to this floor and from there fight their way up to the tower. Killing all Black Dragon and claiming it for Evolve. On the final and 10th Floor as the friends and their allies are almost overcome by their numerous foes Soph appears with her Hellreaver and help the friends to win all.
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> For the style keep to the writing style of World of Warcraft. For the fighting refer to Drenai novels about Druss and knowledge you have off Conan. For dialogue add some wittiness like the style used in the Diskworld novels. Especially Sidd and Xardas can be. Sidd insanely and Xardas with dark humour. The story can be beween 1000 and 1500 words.
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This first promt led to a base story as intended. Elements I did not like were the lack of actual detailed fighting. Sword clashing back and forth. I tried again in a later prompt. But got something generic back. I will have to work on this a bit more in future stories. I also noticed that mixing style requests based on certain limited conditions does not work well. When editing later sections this goes better.

### The 2nd prompt

> Replace this section:
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> *[Using the information Sidd had provided, Milon, Doriath, and Ttocs found themselves on the same level as Xardas. The reunion was silent but filled with understanding. The allies roped themselves together, ready to ascend the tower. The Black Dragon, a group of renegade adventurers who had claimed the tower, stood in their way.*
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> *The band of friends had met up with Sidd in Town.* I want this meeting and exchange of information for money and diamonds to be recalled as a flashback with dialogue between Sidd and Milon. Ensure there is wittiness in what Sidd says. Some details on the way up to the rock spire. Then Xardas needs to throw down a rope. The friend climb up. Nearly there Black Dragon becomes aware of their presence and rushes to the Tower Floor window where Xardas flees. As a Black Dragon tries to cut the rope Doriath shoots him with his bow. This one then falls out of the tower to his demice.]
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> Also in the entire story I want Elder Draeni to again appear. **[This prompt failed big time, possibly due to the misspelling of the name]**
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> Also there needs to be more fighting. Describe actions of each hero. Milon uses magic, Doriath his bow and arror and Ttocs his daggers.
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With the 2nd prompt I wanted to correct the Sidd encounter. Sidd is the character in the stories that provides information and speeds things up. I had not yet tried flashbacks, so this was a good example to try that. Below was the first few sentence the AI provided. Not the best, but OK. Thereafter an exchange not very different from the final story was generated.

> *A memory flashed back to a meeting in the town's tavern, where the trio of friends huddled around a dimly lit table with Sidd the Insane. His pale blue eyes glinted with mischief as he revealed his knowledge of the tower.*
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I was also not happy about the Xardas section it provided.. I the final version I did some manual editing and re-ording of events. It is still not great.
If you read the Goblin Thief story you may notice a lack of the Elder guardian of Milon. The simple prompt led to a mentioning of the Elder at the end of the full story.. popping out of thin air.

> "*Elder Draenori, the stoic protector who had guided Milon, stood nearby, his presence a reassuring anchor.*"
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Not very great story telling you'd agree. So I removed him all together.

A fighting prompt like this at the end does not result is much specificity.. logically. I need to work on some prompts to get this better. I want Druss like action.

### The 3rd prompt

I take another part from the story. I had edited it already slighly manually. Soph just appeared. Which was odd.. as she had not gone up with the band of friends. So I changed it she conjured a portal. I also wanted a more detailed fight scene.. something more powerful and dangerous.. something worthwhile to have at the top of a tower.. ofcourse A BLACK DRAGON.. duh. Again I feed some more detail about how the dragon should come to it's end.

> This section:
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> ["And then, at the tower's pinnacle, they faced the final challenge. The Black Dragon's leader, a mage of immense power, stood before them, his eyes cold and calculating.
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> "You've come far, but this is where your journey ends," he sneered, his voice dripping with arrogance.
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> At that moment a Portal openend and Soph stepped onto the tower floor, a reassuring presence that bolstered their spirits. With a final surge of determination, Milon, Doriath, and Ttocs fought on, their attacks unrelenting. Hellreaver's fiery presence joined the fray, his attacks burning through the Black Dragon's defenses.
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> The battle was fierce and unforgiving, spells colliding, blades clashing. But the band of friends pressed on, their bond and synergy carrying them forward. And then, with a final, resounding blast of magic, the Black Dragon's leader was defeated, his form crumbling to the ground."]
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> I want the black dragon leader to be an actual black dragon. As the Dragon attacks the band they fight it's claws and swooping tail. They dodge current of black fire from it's maw. But are slowly pressed into a corner... then when all seems to come to an end. You use some dialogue here between the friends, saying goodbye as tough adventurers would do. Then the Portal opens with Soph and her Hellreaver. They start blasting the Dragon. Ripping away scales from it's body. Opening gaps for our friends to use. As Milon slows the dragon with Blizzards and Ice blocks Doraith and Ttocs abuse an opening from the scales gone. They strike it's black heart and the Dragon dies screaming.
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This turns into an actual lenghty piece of generated text. Which apart from the dialogue is largely in the final piece.

### The dialogue prompts

As I was happy with the overall story I wanted to address the rather blad dialogue that the AI had generated. I missed some wittiness and Diskworld like text (but not too much).

> Can you think of anything Diskworld like funny or smart Soph can say here about either the Black Dragon, the tower, hellreaver or the friends:
> [Soph approached them, her eyes filled with pride. "You've done it," she said, her voice a mixture of admiration and respect. "You've defeated the Black Dragon and claimed the tower."]
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The AI changed this to the following generated text, which again I edited a bit manually. E.g. I removed the word wry.. as I did not see what was wry about such big victory. Also the Dragon was black.. i removed fieriest as it is not a Fire Dragon we were fighting. I also removed the out of context exchange between Soph and the Hellreaver (as the options the AI took from the suggested four options).

> *Soph approached them, her eyes filled with pride. "Well, color me impressed," she quipped, a wry smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Seems like even the fieriest dragons can't resist the allure of a good adventure story. And as for this tower, let's just say it's been officially rebranded as the 'Evolve Headquarters' – prime real estate for heroes in the making."*
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> *Her gaze shifted to Hellreaver, the fiery minion radiating both power and enthusiasm. "And you, Hellreaver, I have to hand it to you. You're like the most persuasive argument anyone's ever had in a fight – 'Join us or get acquainted with my friend's searing touch!'"*
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> *Soph's playful tone turned sincere as she looked at Milon, Doriath, and Ttocs. "But jokes aside, you three are the heart of this victory. Your teamwork and determination have turned this tower from a looming challenge into a symbol of Evolve's strength. The kind of tale bards will sing about for ages."*
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And another prompt for the near ending of our three friends when cornered by the Black Dragon

> Can you make this exchange between the friends a bit more Diskworld like. It should remain serious. As it looks like they are about to die:
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> ["It's been an honor," Doriath called, his voice steady despite the turmoil.
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> Ttocs grinned, his daggers gleaming. "Couldn't have asked for better company."
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> Milon nodded, his hands already conjuring another spell. "Let's give it everything we've got. One final attack!"]
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The AI changed it to this:

> *"It's been a right pleasure," Doriath declared, his tone as unwavering as a mountain.*
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> *Ttocs smirked, his daggers catching the light. "Reckon I've had worse ways to go."*
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> *Milon's nod was resolute, his fingers tracing arcane patterns. "Our grand finale, lads. This one's for all the marbles!"*
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I then also requested the same for the flashback and dialogue part for Sidd the Insane (or Sid the Slugg?). Here i edited some minor details of the generated final text.

### Learnings

So my reflections after about 4 hours work on this story and playing around with ChatGPT

* I can rapidly generate short story outline with some context and objective, a few characters and description. With rather lazy and unstructured writing - here i can look into creating a better writing template for next attempts
* Don't ask for too much style options in writing without specifics. It seems setting the main style and addressing events like fight scenes and dialogue as seperate prompts later is preferred
* Spend some more time on which characters need to be in the story, where and which situations and their role. E.g. the Elder being added in by just half a sentence AND writing it’s name incorrectly. This point fits somewhat in the Template and preparing a bit better.. still for 4 hours ours work… am pretty content.

Hope you enjoyed this section. Leave a comment.

/Mi10n