I am running a homebrew campaign that is going really well. I plan to run this game long-term, taking the PCs to some pretty cool places. I am looking for an easy way to document it. I want to keep track of my NPCs, things going on behind the scenes, my notes on PCs, places, etc. At the moment I'm experimenting with different iPad apps. I also have a notebook that I write in during the game and then type up what happened in the game later on in the week.
I haven't yet found an app that gives me the kind of detail and interconnectedness that I'm looking for. For example, I have an NPC cleric who has a merchant father that she recently contacted because of something the PCs did. Her father is doing something behind the scenes, and I want to keep track of it for later in-game repercussions.
How do other DMs who have big homebrew campaigns document their game? I was considering looking into making my own wiki, but with something like that I would like to be able to limit what other users could see unless they log into a username that gives them more access.
Whatever I use, I would like to be able to access it easily from my iPad. I am trying to organize my homebrew notes and encounters similar to an AP or module, because I like that format. I also want to have it like this in case I decide to run it again or if someone else is interested in running it. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Aaaand I just realized I posted this in the wrong forum. It's meant to be in the Pathfinder RPG section. I'm so sorry! Is it possible to move this?
An admin can move it. They notice it faster if it gets flagged. In the mean time, social custom now dictates that while you wait for it to be moved you do everything you possibly can to give the card game a try. It is the polite thing to do. But do not worry, the card game population is a forgiving lot, and will gladly except your apology.
Now it is in the right place. Good luck tracking your homebrew campaign.
Dotting for later, as I have similar questions!
While I've used a wiki to do this myself its almost too much work, historically, several notebooks written in pen is how I document games/settings/campaigns I run - it works fine, and has worked fine for 30+ years.
It's a problem I've run against myself as well. Sometimes I have a new idea but then get stuck working on the technology instead of the campaign.
How are your computer skills? If you have HTML or LaTeX skills for example, there are more options available to you.
I have some HTML skills but not LaTeX. However I am fairly computer-savvy and willing to learn some new skills.
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I use Realmworks. I love it, I'm only using half its current features, and it's going to keep getting better since it's a new release and they're still adding features.
I think it's exactly what you're looking for as long as you're willing to pay for the software (IMO it's worth it) - though I'm not sure how an iPad interface would work.
I haven't yet found an app that gives me the kind of detail and interconnectedness that I'm looking for. For example, I have an NPC cleric who has a merchant father that she recently contacted because of something the PCs did. Her father is doing something behind the scenes, and I want to keep track of it for later in-game repercussions.
Interconnectedness is a big feature - it supports linking topics like locations or NPCs like a webpage would, and can create the links automatically (by recognizing the name of an existing topic) or manually. It also allows you to annotate images, for example placing landmarks, which in turn link to those pages.
How do other DMs who have big homebrew campaigns document their game? I was considering looking into making my own wiki, but with something like that I would like to be able to limit what other users could see unless they log into a username that gives them more access.
Realmworks has a neat thing called "Fog of World" that makes it easy to mark off what your PCs have discovered, or where they have explored on a map. Players currently can't access the info, BUT adding a player access mode where players can look up the info revealed to them is in development. (At first it'll only work with the software but a web interface that's free for players is planned, and revealing info to specific players is also in development.)
I keep a bunch of unruly half-printed, half hand-written documents, sketches and organigrams in a binder (or several, depending on the campaign).
I have several versions which I keep, go back to, revert to, rework from as I go.
Nothing like writing (with paper and pen and all, 20th century style) to cristalyse your thoughts. As a method it has its limits, especially when it's time to share this information with players, but that's the one that work for me.
I paid the $10 for Apple's word processor called Pages. It lets you save in different formats including PDF and Word doc. There are a bunch of free ones too though. I use Notepad when I'm brainstorming though.
The ipad should be able to store quite a bit, but I recommend trying the DropBox app. Its free file storage. If you know other people who use the app, you can choose to share whichever folders you like, and vice versa.
I'm trying to organize my own adventure path, and I'm using Scrivener, which is made for writing, but much more dynamic at organization than a usual word processor. The way I use it, it allows me to do everything I used to do with 3-ring binders, only much more neatly. Everything is sorted and I can make a separate "player's" binder.
Scrivener supports links within itself, as well as web links, picture files, and PDFs. So you can throw in whatever online resources you want right into your document.
The software is $40, but the trial period is 100% functional for 30 days. A lot of writers love the software, and if you give it a try I think you'll understand why.
Synching with the iPad is available now, but you'll have to read up on it to be sure, as I don't use an iPad.
A wiki is still a good option if you prefer having everything online, but I feel like Scrivener gives me just a bit more reassurance because it reminds me more of how I used to work with real paper and binders (which probably reveals that I'm just old *sigh*).
I just use pen and paper, or type things up in Word, then stick it in a binder (paper) or its own folder (word documents).
I had tried using Obsidian Portal when I made an attempt to run a game online, but the game fell apart after 2 sessions because the players stopped showing. Really destroyed any confidence.
Personally I use LaTeX, but then I use that for almost everything that's more than 1 page long.
I just looked up LaTex. The screenshots make it look more like programming HTML than word processing. :)
Sorry to hear about that Adjule. If the game fell apart that quickly, its likely that it was never meant to be, rather than your own fault.
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LaTeX is indeed somewhere between programming and HTML. I believe it's possible to do actual programming, but that'd be awkward. It's original aim was typesetting mathematics articles.
But it's got very sophisticated support for applying consistent styles to your entire document, importing text from multiple (hierarchical) files and automatically maintaining cross-connections (indexing, hyperlinks) between pieces of text.
If you want to document your RPGs in a pdf form where such things are important, I think LaTeX is the most powerful tool available. It takes a bit more work to learn, but there's a lot of support to be found just by googling for it.
Not totally on topic but I have found facebook groups very useful for conveying all my homebrew rules to my PC's. Make a nice private group upload documents and maps and stuff.
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Homebrew SOPs
I have tried a lot of different combo, currently I have been using my Tablet. I have a Sam Galaxy Note 10.1 and with the S Pen have hand written most of my Standard Operrating Proceedures for Home brew & Campaign materials.
The Good is I can out sections to players as required but even better I can update material on the fly and resolve any parts people may find need reworking. The same goes for campaign construction as I have done the same this plus I can add in any relevant maps and artwork that fits.
The Bad would be to forget charge up before any Game session (sound a bit like a no brainer but I have forgetten to do it heaps of times in a last minute rush)and not forget your cords. And the S Pen is a bit tetchy works better if you write a certin way, my hand writing in cursive is a bit messy.
I have cut my Homebrew rules into small blocks and most blocks only go for 2-3 pages. I did this to keep it simple and for the ease of updates. Hope this helps.