TheFrogboy's page

Wow, just wow. That's A LOT of good material that I'm going to use. Some of the stuff I never thought about, like cliga mentioning relying on a strong theme. I've always tried to maintain reoccurring themes, but I've never really thought about a whole campaign or storyline devoted to powerful theme. Very interesting. Also, I've never really tried using flowcharts, as Kolokotroni mentioned. Gotta try that.

Using a binder to organize my notes and stats seems to be the way to go as I start out. I'll probably at least try out many of the different ideas that were presented to see which would really fit my style.

That Obsidian Portal looks pretty nifty, but the idea of having all my material available for the world to see feels a bit weird. Nonetheless I'll probably fiddle around with it.

Unfortunately, I don't think posting my campaign work on an online message board would be all that beneficial to the group I game with. We're lucky enough to be able to meet for a game about once a week in our busy schedules, but that means that the players don't have a whole lot of time to go online or check their emails for the gaming information during the rest of the week. If there is a lot of information that the players need, I tend to make a printout as a kind of “campaign player's journal” for them to have on-hand during the game. It doesn't have all of the information about people and places, just from what they discovered so far.

While I appreciate the valuable advice on campaign building, it's not really the issue that I'm trying to resolve. I seriously want to know the physical methods that other GMs use for their sessions on organizing their material. What do you actually use during the game? Notebooks, note cards, laptop, filing folders, binders, loose-leaf paper, or do you simply go by memory? I don't care if this sounds like a stupid, simple question. I just want to know what methods are being used. If everyone uses scribbled notes on a pad, at least I know that the system works for some people.

Eel, you mentioned how you write down a few sentences and worry about the details during the game. How do you organize those notes while playing? Do you use note cards, or do you simply use a notebook? Do you have them separated or put in any specific order?

Hey you. Ya you, the guy or gal reading reading this. Have you ever ran a game? Yes?! Please tell me, what did you have in front of you on the table behind the GM screen? What is that you say? Never ran a game but you know someone who has? What do they have behind that screen? Forget what they're snacking on. What are they reading back there? Go on, tell me. I can keep a secret.

Those are some interesting sources. I never seriously thought about using a map creator, but the Campaign Cartographer 3 looks pretty solid. Thanks Leonal.

Making a detailed campaign from 1 to 20 would definitely be rough. You're right, Gailbraithe, I need to make sure to keep much of the future ideas vague. It's just that the games that I have run were all done with a sandbox approach. It felt like I was making up one story after another on the fly, even though the players thought it was all intentional (hope they're not reading this...). The stories never felt that they lead anywhere. Another problem was I felt as though I suck at improvising with this system. Don't get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy the system, but I just seem to always have trouble creating an unexpected encounter on the fly. I simply hate the feeling of being totally unprepared.

For this reason, I want to be as prepared as I possibly can. Now, I'm no novice when it comes to running games, I've just not had too much experience with this system. The plot-points beyond the the initial encounters are vague ideas that I have. There are, however, many key elements that I want to present in this game, namely developed villains, widespread events, and unique “dungeons.” Even though I don't know when or where they may pop up, the players may think they were intended there the entire time when they do. If I make them ahead of time, I don't have to scramble to make them up when a good moment arrives for their appearance. They could simply be tweaked to be made appropriate for the situation.

Influential villains and NPCs could be murdered upon the first meeting, and certain dungeons may be completely unusable based upon the circumstances. This will always be a possibility in gaming. I just like the idea that there are tailored people and places that are ready to be thrown in or thrown out at a moments notice that help along the main concept of the campaign.

Another reason I'm making a ton of notes is because I'm attempting to use *breathe* material from several different sources. I'll be using the Pathfinder's updated rules, the Forgotten Realms setting, and tech from various other sources. The tech is integral to the themes and plot of the game, while the location is due to the fact that the players seem to be a bit reluctant to try anywhere new.

This all leads me back to my main issue: organization. I heard some people use note cards with not just creature stats, but also events and locations. I've also heard that some DMs simply use a small notebooks, like a moleskines, where they jot down all of their notes. There's also using a laptops but I'm not sure if they are truly effective during a game. What are some effective methods organization?

I want to start a long-term campaign but I'm having a bit of trouble organizing all of the information that I've made.

Though I've played the game quite a bit, I've only been the DM with this system a few times. Normally I have ran a series of short games that would rarely take the players beyond 3 or 4 levels from where they started. This, however, will be my first attempt at making a story that will build up to a significant ending that spans many levels.

The main issue that I came across is all of the notes I have written. First off, I don't really have too much trouble with coming up with ideas or building encounters. It takes me a while, but I enjoy the process. Keeping track of everything that I've done is the problem. I'm trying to make a main plot line, alternate paths, and even sub-adventures for the PCs to keep the story dynamic (and not too linear). I know I can't account for all of the players decisions, but I would like to be as prepared as I can possibly be.

I started with a notebook, but it quickly became a mess of scribbled notes and sporatic information. (like maps, stats, backgound, etc. on different pages). Even with my computer, I find it a challenge to keep the information that I created handy.

I'm curious to see how other DMs have organized all the work they have made for their long-term games. I'm looking for any kind of advice I can get, whether it be templates, worksheets, or even programs.