In this post, I’ve taken a prompt, made a start on it, then tested the mettle of Chat GPT 3.5. I think writers are safe, but maybe in possession of an interesting new tool – see what you think…

Story Engine Prompt: An honest hero wants to gain the power of a shrine, but it will mean taking on a debt they cannot pay.

The shrine is located in the hills at the site of the First Tree. It was abandoned when trade routes changed but a respected thinker has made a startling prediction about the supernatural world.

***

Shamori left the inn after breakfast and made for the Northern Gate.

Used to be this was the busiest part of White Hill Junction, when trade came over the hills. Then an invasion, a treaty, and a marriage to bind them both, meant goods carried by twenty wagons for two weeks along the winding trail of the Wily Hills Pass could now be delivered by one ship in a week. Less if the winds played nice.

She took her time through the old trade town, leading Blythe rather than riding her. Best to be on a level with the locals around here. Doran was leading his horse too, dogging her footsteps, eyes darting right and left, ready for danger. He needed to learn to relax. Not that the trip they were setting out on was a merry little daytrip with picnic, but this wasn’t an ‘assassins on every rooftop’ scenario either. Not that she’d ever been in one of those, mind.

Quite why Scholar Geran had seen fit to saddle her with a companion / bodyguard was still a mystery. The old man could bend an answer to a perfectly reasonable question until it met itself coming the other way.

They were waved through the gate with barely more than a glance. The guards were more interested in what was coming in, than anything going out.

Once clear, they mounted their horses and followed the trickle of traffic on the old trade road into the hills.

Doran’s tension eased as the walls of White Hill Junction receded. Maybe he just had an issue with towns, or that town in particular, Shamori wasn’t about to pry.

They stayed that night in a small inn, lucky to find a room as two larger groups – one travelling each way – happened to converge. The innkeeper was delighted, and thankfully well prepared, dinner was generous and conversation lively.

***

I wrote the first part, then got curious – what would happen if I pasted the above into Chat GPT and asked it what happened next? This is the result…

The next morning, Shamori and Doran resumed their journey towards the hills where the shrine and the First Tree were located. The landscape gradually changed from the bustling town to serene countryside as they ventured deeper into the hills. The air grew crisp, and the scent of pine trees filled their nostrils.

As they travelled, Shamori couldn’t help but ponder the weight of the task ahead. The shrine held a mystical power, rumoured to grant incredible abilities to those who proved themselves worthy. It was said that the power of the shrine could tip the scales in the ongoing conflicts plaguing the realm. The idea of gaining such power both thrilled and unsettled her.

Scholar Geran’s prediction lingered in her mind. What had he discovered about the supernatural world that made the shrine’s power even more significant? The respected thinker had a reputation for unravelling secrets and uncovering hidden knowledge. Shamori trusted his judgment, but she also knew that sometimes knowledge came at a great cost.

As they approached the hills, the path grew steeper, winding through dense foliage. Shafts of sunlight pierced through the canopy, creating an enchanting play of light and shadow. Shamori and Doran pressed on, their horses steady and sure-footed.

Finally, they reached the site of the First Tree, a towering ancient oak that stood as a sentinel over the shrine. Its branches stretched wide, as if embracing the heavens, while its roots delved deep into the earth, anchoring it firmly in place.

Shamori dismounted and approached the shrine, a weathered stone structure covered in ivy and moss. She could feel the hum of ancient power emanating from within, beckoning her to enter. Doran remained by her side, his gaze alert and wary.

Taking a deep breath, Shamori stepped into the shrine’s hallowed interior. The air was heavy with an otherworldly presence. The shrine seemed to pulse with a subtle energy, as if it held the collective memories and aspirations of those who had sought its power before.

In the dim light, Shamori spotted a pedestal at the center of the shrine. Resting atop it was a glowing artifact—a key to unlocking the shrine’s power. The debt she would incur by claiming it weighed heavily on her conscience.

As she reached out to grasp the artifact, a voice echoed through the shrine, both ancient and ethereal. “Only the worthy may wield this power,” it whispered, sending shivers down Shamori’s spine. “But be warned, the debt must be paid.”

Shamori hesitated, her hand hovering inches away from the artifact. She knew that once she took hold of it, her path would be forever altered. The debt would bind her, demanding a price she might never be able to repay.

Yet, the weight of responsibility pressed upon her shoulders. She yearned to make a difference, to be a force for good in a world riddled with darkness and turmoil. And if gaining the shrine’s power meant taking on a debt she could never fully repay, she would accept that burden willingly.

With determination in her eyes, Shamori closed her fingers around the artifact and lifted it from the pedestal. As she did, a surge of power coursed through her veins, intertwining her fate with the shrine and the debt she now carried.

Leaving the shrine, Shamori and Doran embarked on their journey back to White Hill Junction, their minds filled with questions and their hearts burdened with the weight of the power they now possessed. Only time would reveal the true cost of their actions and the impact they would have on the realm and its people.

***

In all, I’d call the AI section generic, general, a little ponderous, and predictable (which makes sense given how Large Language Models work). Nice descriptions though. What do you think?