Enhancing D&D 5e Spell Management With RPCs
Hey everyone! Today, we're diving deep into enhancing D&D 5e with Spell Management RPCs. This is super important for making spellcasting characters in our digital D&D worlds feel just right. We're going to break down the current state, what RPCs we need, and how they'll work. Let's get started!
Overview
In this article, we're focusing on adding comprehensive spell management Remote Procedure Calls (RPCs) to support the full functionality of spellcaster characters in D&D 5e. Spellcasting is a core mechanic in D&D, and having robust tools to manage spells can greatly enhance the player experience. We'll cover everything from getting a character's spells to managing their spellbooks, ensuring a seamless and intuitive way to handle magical abilities in our digital D&D environments. The goal is to provide a clear and detailed roadmap for implementing these features, making it easier for developers and players alike.
Current State
Currently, we have Spell, SpellcastingInfo, and SpellSelectionInfo messages in place, which is a great start. We also have the ListSpellsByLevel RPC for querying spells, but that's about it. We're missing RPCs for actually managing character spells, which is a pretty big gap. Right now, it's like having a library with books but no way to check them out or organize them. We need to build the systems that allow players to interact with their spells in a meaningful way. This means creating RPCs that handle everything from learning new spells to preparing them for the day's adventures. Without these, spellcasters feel incomplete, and the digital D&D experience suffers. It’s crucial to address this gap to fully realize the potential of digital D&D platforms.
Required RPCs
Okay, let's get into the meat of the issue. To fully support spell management, we need to add several RPCs to dnd5e/api/v1alpha1/character.proto. These RPCs will handle everything from retrieving a character's spells to managing their spellbook. Each RPC has a specific function, and together, they create a comprehensive system for spell management. We'll walk through each one, explaining its purpose and how it fits into the bigger picture. This is where we'll really see how we can make digital spellcasting feel as magical as it should.
1. Get Character Spells
First up, we need a way to get all the spells a character has. This is fundamental – you can’t manage what you can’t see. This RPC will retrieve all the spells known, prepared, and available to a character, along with their spell slots. The GetCharacterSpells RPC is the foundation for all other spell management operations. It provides a snapshot of the character's current spellcasting state. The goal is to provide a comprehensive view of the character's magical capabilities, including known spells, prepared spells, cantrips, domain spells, and available spell slots. This information is crucial for players to plan their strategies and for the game to enforce spellcasting rules. Without this RPC, we'd be flying blind, unable to provide players with a clear understanding of their magical arsenal. It’s like opening up the character sheet and seeing all your magical tools laid out in front of you, ready for action. Here's the proto definition:
rpc GetCharacterSpells(GetCharacterSpellsRequest) returns (GetCharacterSpellsResponse);
message GetCharacterSpellsRequest {
string character_id = 1;
}
message GetCharacterSpellsResponse {
CharacterSpells spells = 1;
}
message CharacterSpells {
repeated Spell known_spells = 1;
repeated Spell prepared_spells = 2;
repeated Spell cantrips = 3;
repeated Spell domain_spells = 4; // Auto-granted spells
SpellSlots spell_slots = 5;
}
message SpellSlots {
map<int32, int32> slots_by_level = 1; // level -> count
map<int32, int32> slots_used = 2; // level -> used count
}
2. Manage Known Spells
Next, we need to manage the spells a character knows. This includes adding new spells (like when leveling up) and, in some cases, replacing old ones. This is where the character's magical identity really starts to take shape. The Manage Known Spells RPCs handle the dynamic nature of a spellcaster's repertoire. As characters level up, they gain access to new spells, and sometimes they can even swap out old spells for new ones. This functionality is crucial for capturing the progression and customization of spellcasting classes. The ability to add and replace spells allows players to tailor their character's magical abilities to their playstyle and the challenges they face. Without this, spellcasters would be stuck with the same spells throughout their adventures, which would be pretty boring! It’s like curating your own magical playlist, picking and choosing the spells that best suit your style.
// Add a spell to known spells (level up)
rpc AddKnownSpell(AddKnownSpellRequest) returns (AddKnownSpellResponse);
message AddKnownSpellRequest {
string character_id = 1;
string spell_id = 2;
}
message AddKnownSpellResponse {
CharacterSpells spells = 1;
}
// Replace a known spell (some classes allow this on level up)
rpc ReplaceKnownSpell(ReplaceKnownSpellRequest) returns (ReplaceKnownSpellResponse);
message ReplaceKnownSpellRequest {
string character_id = 1;
string old_spell_id = 2;
string new_spell_id = 3;
}
message ReplaceKnownSpellResponse {
CharacterSpells spells = 1;
}
3. Prepare Spells
For many spellcasters, preparing spells is a daily ritual. This RPC allows characters to prepare their spells for the day, choosing which spells they'll have access to. This is a critical part of the spellcasting process, especially for classes like clerics and wizards. The Prepare Spells RPC simulates the daily preparation routine that many spellcasters undergo. This mechanic adds a layer of strategy to spellcasting, as players must choose which spells to prepare based on their expectations for the day's encounters. It also limits the number of spells a character can cast, adding a tactical element to combat. Without this, spellcasters would have unlimited access to their entire spell list, which would be overpowered and less engaging. It’s like packing your magical toolkit each morning, selecting the right spells for the challenges ahead.
// Prepare spells for the day
rpc PrepareSpells(PrepareSpellsRequest) returns (PrepareSpellsResponse);
message PrepareSpellsRequest {
string character_id = 1;
repeated string spell_ids = 2;
}
message PrepareSpellsResponse {
CharacterSpells spells = 1;
int32 max_prepared = 2; // Maximum spells that can be prepared
}
4. Spellbook Management
Wizards, in particular, rely heavily on their spellbooks. This RPC handles adding spells to a wizard's spellbook, whether they're learned on level up, found in the world, or copied from another source. The Spellbook Management RPC is specifically designed for wizards, whose spellcasting mechanics revolve around their spellbooks. This RPC allows spells to be added to the spellbook from various sources, such as leveling up, finding scrolls, or copying from other spellbooks. This feature is essential for capturing the unique flavor of wizard spellcasting, which emphasizes the collection and mastery of magical knowledge. Without this, wizards would lose a core part of their identity, and the thrill of discovering new spells would be diminished. It’s like building your own personal library of arcane knowledge, each spell a valuable addition to your magical repertoire.
// Add spell to wizard spellbook
rpc AddSpellToSpellbook(AddSpellToSpellbookRequest) returns (AddSpellToSpellbookResponse);
message AddSpellToSpellbookRequest {
string character_id = 1;
string spell_id = 2;
SpellbookSource source = 3;
}
enum SpellbookSource {
SPELLBOOK_SOURCE_UNSPECIFIED = 0;
SPELLBOOK_SOURCE_LEVEL_UP = 1;
SPELLBOOK_SOURCE_FOUND = 2;
SPELLBOOK_SOURCE_COPIED = 3;
}
message AddSpellToSpellbookResponse {
repeated Spell spellbook_spells = 1;
}
5. Available Spells Query
Finally, we need a way to query which spells are available to a character. This RPC allows us to filter spells based on various criteria, such as whether they can be learned or prepared, or by spell level. The Available Spells Query RPC provides a way to filter and retrieve spells based on specific criteria. This is incredibly useful for players who are leveling up or preparing spells, as it allows them to quickly see which spells are available to them. The filters include whether the spell can be learned, whether it can be prepared, and the spell level. This RPC makes it much easier to navigate the vast list of D&D spells and find the ones that are relevant to the character's current situation. Without this, players would have to sift through the entire spell list manually, which would be time-consuming and frustrating. It’s like having a magical search engine that helps you find just the right spell for the job.
// Get spells available to a character
rpc GetAvailableSpells(GetAvailableSpellsRequest) returns (GetAvailableSpellsResponse);
message GetAvailableSpellsRequest {
string character_id = 1;
SpellAvailabilityFilter filter = 2;
}
message SpellAvailabilityFilter {
bool can_learn = 1; // Spells the character can learn
bool can_prepare = 2; // Spells the character can prepare
repeated int32 spell_levels = 3; // Filter by spell level
}
message GetAvailableSpellsResponse {
repeated Spell available_spells = 1;
}
Notes
These RPCs are designed to support all D&D 5e spellcasting classes, which is super important for making sure everyone's covered. We also need to think about backwards compatibility – we don't want to break anything that's already working. And of course, we should follow the existing proto patterns in the repository to keep things consistent. These considerations will ensure that our new spell management system is robust, reliable, and easy to integrate with the rest of the system. It’s like building a house – we need to make sure the foundation is solid, the design is functional, and the new additions fit seamlessly with the existing structure.
By implementing these RPCs, we'll create a much more engaging and intuitive experience for spellcasters in our digital D&D environments. It's all about making the magic feel real!
