Like the title says, I'm curious how DMs here are keeping track of their campaigns. Are you super organized or off the cuff? Do you have a particular trick or product that helps you organize the chaos you've created?
I started out with careful, detailed notes, maps and descriptions in a Word file, then printed out and put in a binder.
As the campaign goes on and the players run off in directions i didn't expect and not into my carefully planned areas, I changed to brief scribbled notes and descriptions. (So, like I know what's going to happen in each town and important area, but no longer have detailed maps and descriptions.)
And lately, to keep track of what has been happening, I've actually been posting session summaries in the How Was Your Last Session? thread on the forums, and go re-read to refresh my memory for the next session. Which might be a problem, since I'm thinking of running a PBP of my rl campaign
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) WoodElf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2 Last Tree StandingTabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1 Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Electronic Files, specifically Google Docs. Running notes during the session, updating NPC/Faction notes after the session, based on events just past, updating what they know/believe/plan next. With my particular campaign style, that's enough for the unfolding plot lines.
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I would add that, but I don't see any way to modify the poll choices... :/
Myself, I'm mostly a notebook scribbler, but I'm making an effort to move into an organizer type thing so my players spend less time waiting for me to find information. I suppose a word doc would be even more efficient due to the search function, but there's something about having a physical tome of secrets in front of me while playing. My players are always scheming to get a look at it. Little do they know they'd find mostly empty pages and nonsense writing. lol
Scribbles for short term, a combo of MS Word and Adobe In Design after that. Of course those are mostly shorthand gibberish in random file folders too so it has the overall effect of an electronic version of Kevin Spacey’s character’s notebook library in 7.
I use a shared Google docs folder with everything we need. A campaign journal, a magic item price guide, party treasure, a FAQ for questions that come up during play and a list of house rules.
Mindmap software. I plan, run the table, and record there. It’s awesome and freeform.I use IthoughtsX specifically because it allows concept maps as well as. Mind maps are a strict hierarchy, but concept maps allow arbitrary linkages with an optional label. All the nodes support markdown and I can link heavily to dndbeyond.
Some samples here. These are on my iPad. More room on my laptop.
I just hang on to my quest/adventure notes for some time. I will toss stuff out eventually once the players have gone long beyond the quest or adventure. Sometimes I will go back on something that happened during the game and have it rear its ugly face. Often times this it just from memory. Also if a player brings up something from the past I can use that as well. To me this says that it was a memorable thing and I might be able to use it and have it... rear its ugly head again. I also use a calendar that I made for the game (pdf format) world I can jot down things that I may want to note. I will even use it to set a time with major events that are about to happen if the players dont act on it. That part is up to them though. They also have their own calendar. I keep mine separate. Im really considering making a timeline to help track events as the game plays out. I know I may have gone a bit off topic but thats what I do anyway.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
To post a comment, please login or register a new account.
Like the title says, I'm curious how DMs here are keeping track of their campaigns. Are you super organized or off the cuff? Do you have a particular trick or product that helps you organize the chaos you've created?
I need an All/Most of the Above choice.
I started out with careful, detailed notes, maps and descriptions in a Word file, then printed out and put in a binder.
As the campaign goes on and the players run off in directions i didn't expect and not into my carefully planned areas, I changed to brief scribbled notes and descriptions. (So, like I know what's going to happen in each town and important area, but no longer have detailed maps and descriptions.)
And lately, to keep track of what has been happening, I've actually been posting session summaries in the How Was Your Last Session? thread on the forums, and go re-read to refresh my memory for the next session. Which might be a problem, since I'm thinking of running a PBP of my rl campaign
Edeleth Treesong (Aldalire) Wood Elf Druid lvl 8 Talaveroth Sub 2
Last Tree Standing Tabaxi Ranger, Chef and Hoardsperson lvl 5, Company of the Dragon Team 1
Choir Kenku Cleric, Tempest Domain, lvl 11, Descent Into Avernus Test Drive
Poinki Goblin Paladin, Redemption, lvl 5, Tales from Talaveroth
Lyrika Nyx Satyr Bard lvl 1, The Six Kingdoms of Talia
Scribblings in a notebook along with I record my sessions with web cam and mic. Then I watch them back during the week while bored at work.
I take notes on my phone through the week for next sessions events.
Then get out there laptop, open up notepad++ and get to typing out everything. Once done, print everything out and put labels on the areas.
Have an idea on how to make life easier but I'll work that out in time.
Physical notepads for short term notes and planning documents. Product posted in to Worldanvil.
Electronic Files, specifically Google Docs. Running notes during the session, updating NPC/Faction notes after the session, based on events just past, updating what they know/believe/plan next. With my particular campaign style, that's enough for the unfolding plot lines.
My DM Philosophy, as summed up by other people: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1rN5w4-azTq3Kbn0Yvk9nfqQhwQ1R5by1/view
Disclaimer: This signature is a badge of membership in the Forum Loudmouth Club. We are all friends. We are not attacking each other. We are engaging in spirited, friendly debate with one another. We may get snarky, but these are not attacks. Thank you for not reporting us.
I would add that, but I don't see any way to modify the poll choices... :/
Myself, I'm mostly a notebook scribbler, but I'm making an effort to move into an organizer type thing so my players spend less time waiting for me to find information. I suppose a word doc would be even more efficient due to the search function, but there's something about having a physical tome of secrets in front of me while playing. My players are always scheming to get a look at it. Little do they know they'd find mostly empty pages and nonsense writing. lol
Scribbles for short term, a combo of MS Word and Adobe In Design after that. Of course those are mostly shorthand gibberish in random file folders too so it has the overall effect of an electronic version of Kevin Spacey’s character’s notebook library in 7.
Creating Epic Boons on DDB
DDB Buyers' Guide
Hardcovers, DDB & You
Content Troubleshooting
Odd notes in various places both digital and physical. Encounters I usually have print-outs for.
Narratively I make blog posts that cover the broad strokes of what the party has done.
I assume at some point I'll need something more robust, but my players are 6 and 3 so I can brush off mistakes and inconsistencies pretty easily.
My DM's Guild Content - Mostly quick rules and guides.
I use a shared Google docs folder with everything we need. A campaign journal, a magic item price guide, party treasure, a FAQ for questions that come up during play and a list of house rules.
Current Characters I am playing: Dr Konstantin van Wulf | Taegen Willowrun | Mad Magnar
Check out my homebrew: Items | Monsters | Spells | Subclasses | Feats
Mindmap software. I plan, run the table, and record there. It’s awesome and freeform.I use IthoughtsX specifically because it allows concept maps as well as. Mind maps are a strict hierarchy, but concept maps allow arbitrary linkages with an optional label. All the nodes support markdown and I can link heavily to dndbeyond.
Some samples here. These are on my iPad. More room on my laptop.
I just hang on to my quest/adventure notes for some time. I will toss stuff out eventually once the players have gone long beyond the quest or adventure. Sometimes I will go back on something that happened during the game and have it rear its ugly face. Often times this it just from memory. Also if a player brings up something from the past I can use that as well. To me this says that it was a memorable thing and I might be able to use it and have it... rear its ugly head again. I also use a calendar that I made for the game (pdf format) world I can jot down things that I may want to note. I will even use it to set a time with major events that are about to happen if the players dont act on it. That part is up to them though. They also have their own calendar. I keep mine separate. Im really considering making a timeline to help track events as the game plays out. I know I may have gone a bit off topic but thats what I do anyway.