So, I have been DMing a group of friends for about a year now and I am looking to step up my game and dive into a homebrew campaign. The problem is, my organization is trash. Keeping track of NPCs and players are really slowing me down and disrupting the flow of the game. Are there any tools or tips that you use to help speed up the process of tracking these sorts of things https://vidmate****/ ?
Have you ever looked into project management apps like Trello? That can help you pre-plan content and adventures. From there I suggest going old school. My major NPCs are printed and put in an old-fashioned binder. They don't change much so I can flip to their page, remember their motivations, and also their adventure hooks. After a session, if anything has changed, I can update their file and reprint them for the binder.
Also, the recent FP article Everything's a Dungeonis fantastic and lends to order. Check it out!
There’s a few websites designed for such a purpose. World Anvil is really popular, not sure how good it is with the free version. Pop in your maps from inkarnate and there you go. There’s quite a few others.
During games I usually just take quick notes with pen and paper, then after each session I transfer all my notes into a Google doc. Then I can post links to the various sections in the campaign page here on DDB for the players to have convenient, easy access to it all.
Honestly I use Google Docs but I play online. Would be different a bit when playing in person.
I have a separate doc for NPCs, locations, History, Factions, Session log, etc. Although I don't do it, I think I could link between docs too for cross referencing.
Wide-ruled composition notebook. Facing page is planning for this session, and the back of the opposite leaf is for whatever leftovers from previous sessions are waiting in the wings.
Second for Google docs. I have pages for what I plan in the session, a page for each characters individual story and progression, a few "overarching narrative" type pages that I update as the game changes, etc. Organizing like that really helps you get inspired to make your world sprawling and lived-in as well.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
So, I have been DMing a group of friends for about a year now and I am looking to step up my game and dive into a homebrew campaign. The problem is, my organization is trash. Keeping track of NPCs and players are really slowing me down and disrupting the flow of the game. Are there any tools or tips that you use to help speed up the process of tracking these sorts of things https://vidmate****/ ?
Most NPCs need little more than a name/occupation and some basic info for interaction.
I have three levels of NPC that I use in my games and they are on lists...I make a session specific list for those I plan to use.
level 1 is very basic: Jane the barmaid, very basic stats, works the bar and nearby tables in ??? tavern/inn, quick description and attitude. (intended for one-off or only casual interaction, possible informant) - sometimes these are made up on the spot and scribbled down to be added to my list
level 2 is a bit more robust: Jane the barmaid, basic stats and minor inventory, works the bar and nearby tables in ??? tavern/inn, some background info/events, motivations, specific skills and friends/enemies. (intended for recurring involvement, informant or hireling, possibly as source for adventures or quests or target for rescue)
Level 3 is all out: Jane the barmaid, full character sheet ready to be played as NPC or PC and updated as the campaign evolves. (intended as ally or "ride-along" for the party short or long term)
In my current campaign I foisted much of the tracking (levels 1 and 2) to the party. if they don't remember the name and situation around the NPC then I tell them they have forgotten it all (or the NPC has died or forgotten them!)
Old School original D&D/AD&D veteran.Started playing (@1977-78) before the original bound volumes or modules. Player/DM in the process of redeveloping my world atlas from memories. Avid Fantasy/Sci-fi fan. among those who used the original AD&D rules to re-enact The Hobbit (and yes most of the dwarves still died).
Star Wars fan with an old fan-fic blog for those interested: Tales from Soma III
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So, I have been DMing a group of friends for about a year now and I am looking to step up my game and dive into a homebrew campaign. The problem is, my organization is trash. Keeping track of NPCs and players are really slowing me down and disrupting the flow of the game. Are there any tools or tips that you use to help speed up the process of tracking these sorts of things https://vidmate****/ ?
Have you ever looked into project management apps like Trello? That can help you pre-plan content and adventures. From there I suggest going old school. My major NPCs are printed and put in an old-fashioned binder. They don't change much so I can flip to their page, remember their motivations, and also their adventure hooks. After a session, if anything has changed, I can update their file and reprint them for the binder.
Also, the recent FP article Everything's a Dungeon is fantastic and lends to order. Check it out!
There’s a few websites designed for such a purpose. World Anvil is really popular, not sure how good it is with the free version. Pop in your maps from inkarnate and there you go. There’s quite a few others.
During games I usually just take quick notes with pen and paper, then after each session I transfer all my notes into a Google doc. Then I can post links to the various sections in the campaign page here on DDB for the players to have convenient, easy access to it all.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Obsidian.md Josh Plunket has a channel and does excellent videos on how to use the software.
Just published a map on DriveThruRPG The Forgotten Temple
Honestly I use Google Docs but I play online. Would be different a bit when playing in person.
I have a separate doc for NPCs, locations, History, Factions, Session log, etc. Although I don't do it, I think I could link between docs too for cross referencing.
Wide-ruled composition notebook. Facing page is planning for this session, and the back of the opposite leaf is for whatever leftovers from previous sessions are waiting in the wings.
Second for Google docs. I have pages for what I plan in the session, a page for each characters individual story and progression, a few "overarching narrative" type pages that I update as the game changes, etc. Organizing like that really helps you get inspired to make your world sprawling and lived-in as well.
I know what you're thinking: "In that flurry of blows, did he use all his ki points, or save one?" Well, are ya feeling lucky, punk?
Most NPCs need little more than a name/occupation and some basic info for interaction.
I have three levels of NPC that I use in my games and they are on lists...I make a session specific list for those I plan to use.
level 1 is very basic: Jane the barmaid, very basic stats, works the bar and nearby tables in ??? tavern/inn, quick description and attitude. (intended for one-off or only casual interaction, possible informant) - sometimes these are made up on the spot and scribbled down to be added to my list
level 2 is a bit more robust: Jane the barmaid, basic stats and minor inventory, works the bar and nearby tables in ??? tavern/inn, some background info/events, motivations, specific skills and friends/enemies. (intended for recurring involvement, informant or hireling, possibly as source for adventures or quests or target for rescue)
Level 3 is all out: Jane the barmaid, full character sheet ready to be played as NPC or PC and updated as the campaign evolves. (intended as ally or "ride-along" for the party short or long term)
In my current campaign I foisted much of the tracking (levels 1 and 2) to the party. if they don't remember the name and situation around the NPC then I tell them they have forgotten it all (or the NPC has died or forgotten them!)
as a quick NPC solution there is also:
The Game Master's Book of Non-Player Characters: 500+ unique bartenders, brawlers, mages, merchants, royals, rogues, sages, sailors, warriors, weirdos ... RPG adventures (The Game Master Series): Ashworth, Jeff, Stanko, John, Kalle, Jasmine, Bhullar, Jasmine, Egloff, Ben: 9781948174800: Amazon.com: Books
Old School original D&D/AD&D veteran.Started playing (@1977-78) before the original bound volumes or modules. Player/DM in the process of redeveloping my world atlas from memories. Avid Fantasy/Sci-fi fan. among those who used the original AD&D rules to re-enact The Hobbit (and yes most of the dwarves still died).
Star Wars fan with an old fan-fic blog for those interested: Tales from Soma III