Building the Foundry VTT Integration
A Developer Q&A
Published October 20, 2025 • 8 min read
Location Imported from Archivist & Integrated Chatbot
What began as a search for a better way to use his group's Discord recordings quickly evolved into the first-ever Foundry VTT integration powered by the Archivist API. In this developer Q&A, Cameron Llewellyn shares how the idea formed, what it was like collaborating with the Archivist team, and how this open-source module is already enhancing tabletop play for others.
Note: Cameron Llewellyn is 34, married with two daughters, and works as a senior software developer at Differential. He started playing TTRPGs about a year ago with Pathfinder 2e, dove in headfirst, and now juggles two active campaigns. Check out his work on GitHub.
Origin & Motivation: How the Foundry VTT Integration Began
How did you first come across Archivist AI, and what made you start using it in your own games?
I was looking for a way to capture the Discord voice recordings from our sessions and actually do something with them. We were using Craig to record the audio, but we weren't really using the files afterward. I came across an open-source project that looked promising, but it hadn't had any recent development. That developer mentioned he stopped maintaining his tool because he switched to Archivist. I decided to try Archivist and loved how well it worked.
What sparked the idea to build a Foundry module using the new Archivist API?
The idea came up because we have a player who doesn't talk a lot but often types in Foundry chat. It felt like there was valuable context in that chat data that Archivist could use if there were a Foundry VTT integration. That's what got me thinking about connecting the two.
Building the Module with the Archivist API
What's been the most exciting or rewarding part of developing the module so far?
By far, it's been the community involvement — especially the testing and feedback. Seeing how excited people are, not just about Archivist AI itself but also about the community-driven tools emerging around it, shows there's a real need for AI-assisted campaign tools like this.
What were some of the challenges you ran into while working with the Archivist API?
The first challenge was that the API didn't exist yet. However, Greg was quick to get it up and running, which made progress much easier.
How has collaborating with the Archivist team influenced the development process?
The Archivist team has been great. Since I have a full-time job, my time to work on the module was limited early on. Once I got the groundwork laid, the team jumped in quickly and made major progress on the core features. They were also very open to new architectural ideas when I brought them up.
Differentiation & Value: What Makes This Foundry VTT Integration Stand Out
Foundry has a lot of companion tools and integrations — what makes this module unique?
In my experience, the TTRPG community can be skeptical when it comes to AI. But Archivist's approach is different — it keeps creativity and storytelling in the hands of the GM and players. It doesn't generate unnecessary fluff or take over; it stays focused on enhancing the real story that's being told at the table.
How does this integration change the experience for GMs and players during and after sessions?
For GMs already using Archivist AI, this makes it easy to sync and import data directly in Foundry. The big new feature is the ability to Ask Archivist right inside Foundry VTT — so players and GMs can ask private, context-aware questions about their campaign data without leaving the game.
For GMs who are new to Archivist, it provides a smooth way to pull in context — characters, items, locations — without having to manually upload or process all their old session data.
In your opinion, what's the “killer feature” of combining Archivist AI with Foundry?
Right now, the killer feature is definitely Ask Archivist inside Foundry VTT. It lets GMs and players privately query campaign details without interrupting gameplay. In the future, I think the real power will come from behind-the-scenes improvements — like giving Archivist more context directly from Foundry to make its insights even richer.
Community & Future: Open-Source AI Tools for TTRPGs
What excites you most about the open-source nature of this module?
I've contributed to several open-source projects before, but this is the first one I've started and led. I love getting input from the community and being able to provide tools like this for free to others who are passionate about tabletop gaming.
How do you hope the Foundry/Archivist community will use and expand on what you've started?
I hope the community uses it as a foundation — whether that's by directly expanding the module or sharing ideas to grow it as both Archivist AI and Foundry VTT continue to evolve.
If you had a magic wand, what's the dream feature you'd love to see come to life through this module in the future?
The “magic wand” feature would be auto-mapping and syncing of entity details between Foundry and Archivist. Each system in Foundry stores data differently, and syncing that information effectively would be both the most complex and most rewarding challenge moving forward.
Personal Angle: The Impact of AI Campaign Notes
How has working on this project changed the way you think about tabletop games?
It has shown me a few different ways that other people use the tools and helped me better understand how things are structured.
Do you have a favorite moment where Archivist AI enhanced a campaign you were running or playing?
There have been a couple of times when the Ask Archivist feature helped us recall a small detail that none of us had written down — but Archivist had already recorded. Our group tends to be sarcastic, so there have also been moments when Archivist gave us a snarky response that made the game even funnier.
What advice would you give to other hobbyists who might be thinking about building tools for their favorite games?
Do it! If you're thinking about it, there's probably someone else who wants it too. Don't be afraid to ask the community for help or input — that's how tools like this grow.
Closing Thoughts
The Archivist Sync module connects Archivist's AI-powered campaign notes with Foundry VTT's gameplay, creating an open integration that helps groups stay organized and immersed during sessions. Built by the community for the community, it focuses on enhancing the tabletop experience rather than replacing it.
Our API and Foundry module are the first steps toward bringing AI out of the chat window and into the spaces where stories unfold, deepening immersion and supporting the creativity of every player.
You can find the Archivist Sync module on Foundry VTT and join the discussion in the Archivist Discord.
