Hey guys!

The following blogpost is a summary written by our Dungeon Master Gabe with all the steps he used to prepare our next D&D session. Maybe there are some tips and tricks, that you can use to help preparing, or you also have some steps you want to share with us!

How to start

With a few bullet points I write down what will happen over the next session. These contain tasks, the interests and motivations my players have at the moment. After that, I think about where I can bring it up within the story. It’s important, that the players get the feeling of being a part of the whole thing. Otherwise a player might feel misunderstood or just as a part of something he is not really involved in.

I’m working with Dropbox. So, when I got an idea, I have an easy access to my notes everywhere I am and can write them down. As you may know: The best ideas are popping up in your head in the moments you don’t expect them!

Keep track of the story

And there we got to the next point. It’s really important to think about background-stories from characters and cities that might become a big part of your adventure. Also I make notes from everything that’s happening within cities or within relationships to NPC’s. Maybe the group is lending someone a hand, so they get discount at the next time they enter a shop, where the helped one is working. You need to take a lok on the behavior your players are doing, because it affects the storytelling.
Moreover it’s impossible to keep everything in mind, so, you have all on hand, when it gets important. Most part of my game is improvised. Without noting down, I wont be able to tell you the names of the places they went so far.

Then there is my list of character names. In the most unpleasant times the group want’s to know the name of the barkeeper or the little elf in alchemist-shop. To prepare those situations I created a list with different races and names on it. On this way I cut out the used one, write them down on my notes and go on with the story and no one is aware of it.

And remember: You may not know, when this character might get important in the future.

This is nothing that happened to me the first time. I’m always preparing some scenarios, also to avoid, more or less planable, character deaths. That helps you to think about persons the adventurers will meet in the next town, or the encounter they need to fight on their way to the castle. Also think about the background from your players characters and when you want to bring them up, to get them more involved (and hyped) again.
When there is something you haven’t planned write it down immediately. If they get back to it later you’re prepared for it then!

Gameday

And now we get into the gameday itself: Be authentic! Play the roles you’re creating for them and let the players know where they are. Give them a feeling of sitting in a tavern, listening to some music and enjoying some drinks. Let them take part of the gambling the table next to them. Make changes in your voice, when one of the NPC’s talks to them, so they get unique. Make the game one to remember.

And last but not least: Don’t be scared of mistakes. We’re all humans and imperfect. If it’s obvious that you made one, just say sorry, find a solution and go on. If no one noticed. Then fine, you’re doing your job right. It’s okay. At least you’re the creator of the world, the story and the rules within. But don’t stay on top of it.

And now: Let’s play Dungeons&Dragons