Streamlining NPC and Location Creation

In Part 1 of this series, we started off with setting clear goals for your session. Now we work on ways to take the time out of the time consuming parts of prep.

NPCs and locations are essential components of any D&D campaign. They bring your world to life and provide players with engaging interactions and memorable experiences. Streamlining the creation of NPCs and locations can save you valuable prep time while maintaining high-quality content.

Quick NPC Generation:

1. Random NPC Generators: 

Online Tools: Use random NPC generators available online to quickly create NPCs with detailed descriptions, traits, and backgrounds. Websites like Dungeon Master Tools, Donjon and Fantasy Name Generators offer a wide range of options. 

Example: Generate an NPC using Dungeon Master Tools, which provides a name, appearance and personality traits with just a single click. 

Customization: Start with a generated NPC and customize it to fit your campaign's needs. Adjust details such as motivations, skills, and relationships to align with your story. 

Example: Modify a generated merchant NPC by adding a personal connection to one of the player characters, making the interaction more meaningful. 

2. Pre-made NPCs:
o Sourcebooks and Modules: Utilize pre-made NPCs from official sourcebooks and adventure modules. These NPCs are often well-developed and ready to use. 

Example: Incorporate an innkeeper from "The Lost Mine of Phandelver" into your campaign, adjusting their role and background as needed. 

NPC Compendiums: Explore NPC compendiums available on platforms like DMs Guild, which offer collections of fully fleshed-out NPCs for various settings and scenarios. 

Example: Download an NPC compendium that includes a variety of characters like city guards, tavern owners, and wandering bards. 

3. Focusing on Key Traits:
Essential Details: Focus on the most important traits and characteristics of an NPC rather than creating an exhaustive background. This approach saves time and keeps the NPC relevant to the story. 

Example: For a merchant NPC, detail their appearance, a distinct mannerism (e.g., constantly adjusting their spectacles), and their primary motivation (e.g., greed or curiosity). 

Role-Specific Traits: Tailor NPC traits to their role in the story. For example, a villain should have traits that make them threatening and memorable, while an ally should have traits that foster trust and camaraderie. 

Example: A villain might have a cold, calculating demeanor and a signature weapon, while an ally might be cheerful and always willing to lend a hand. 

Location Descriptions:

1. Templates and Stock Descriptions:
Location Templates: Use templates for different types of locations such as cities, villages, dungeons, and natural landmarks. Include sections for key features, important NPCs, and notable events.

Example: Create a village template with fields for population, primary industries, key buildings, and a notable figure. 

Stock Descriptions: Develop a library of stock descriptions for common elements like taverns, marketplaces, and wilderness areas. Customize these descriptions as needed for specific sessions. 

Example: Have a stock description for a bustling marketplace that can be adapted for various towns, detailing the sights, sounds, and notable vendors. 

2. Borrowing and Adapting:
Existing Sources: Borrow descriptions from published materials, adventure modules, or online resources. Adapt these descriptions to fit your campaign's unique setting. 

Example: Use the description of Waterdeep's Dock Ward from "Waterdeep: Dragon Heist" and adapt it for a different port city in your campaign. 

Inspiration from Real Life: Draw inspiration from real-world locations, architecture, and landscapes. Use photographs, travel guides, and historical texts to create rich and believable settings. 

Example: Model a desert city in your campaign after ancient Petra, incorporating its rock-cut architecture and hidden passages. 

3. Key Location Features:
Focal Points: Focus on a few key features that make each location unique and memorable. These can be landmarks, cultural practices, or significant events. 

Example: A city might be known for its grand cathedral that houses a mysterious relic, or a village might have a unique festival that attracts visitors from afar. 

Sensory Details: Include sensory details to bring locations to life. Describe what the players see, hear, smell, and feel as they explore. 

Example: In a dense forest, describe the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy, the rustling of leaves, the earthy scent of moss, and the cool, damp air. 

Efficient Use of Maps: 

1. Pre-made Maps:
Official Maps: Use pre-made maps from official D&D books and adventure modules. These maps are often detailed and professionally designed. 

Example: Incorporate the map of Baldur’s Gate from "Baldur’s Gate: Descent into Avernus" into your campaign. 

Community-Created Maps: Explore maps created by the D&D community, available on websites like Reddit, DMs Guild, and various D&D forums. 

Example: Download a user-created map of a medieval city from a D&D subreddit, saving you time on map creation. 

2. Map-Making Tools: 

Digital Tools: Use digital tools like Inkarnate, Dungeon Painter Studio, Dungeondraft or Wonderdraft to create custom maps quickly and efficiently. 

Example: Design a detailed map of a hidden temple using Inkarnate, complete with traps, secret passages, and treasure rooms. 

Reusable Assets: Develop a library of reusable map assets, such as terrain features, buildings, and tokens. These can be easily dragged and dropped into new maps. 

Example: Have a set of modular dungeon tiles that you can arrange in various configurations to create different dungeon layouts. 

By streamlining NPC and location creation through the use of random generators, pre-made resources, templates, and efficient map-making tools, you can significantly reduce your prep time while maintaining high-quality content. This approach allows you to focus on the essential elements that bring your world to life and provide your players with an immersive and engaging experience.

Organizing Session Notes

Effective note-taking and organization are critical for running a smooth and engaging Dungeons & Dragons session. Keeping your notes organized ensures you can quickly find the information you need during play, reducing downtime and keeping the story flowing. Here are some strategies for organizing your session notes efficiently:

Effective Note-Taking:

1. Structured Note-Taking: 

Sections and Headings: Divide your notes into clear sections with headings for different aspects of the session, such as plot points, encounters, NPCs, and locations. This helps you quickly locate specific information during the game. 

Example: Use headings like "Plot Overview," "Combat Encounters," "Key NPCs," and "Important Locations" to organize your notes. 

Bullet Points: Use bullet points for concise and easily scannable information. Avoid lengthy paragraphs, as they can be harder to navigate during a session. 

Example: Under "Combat Encounters," list enemies, their stats, and any special abilities as bullet points for quick reference. 

2. Digital vs. Physical Notes: 

Digital Notes:

Advantages: Digital notes are easy to edit, search, and organize. Tools like Microsoft OneNote, Evernote, and Google Docs allow you to access your notes from any device and share them with co-DMs or players. 

Example: Use OneNote to create a notebook for your campaign, with separate sections for each session, and use tags to highlight important information. 

Physical Notes: 

Advantages: Some DMs prefer physical notes for their tactile nature and ease of quick annotation. Notebooks, index cards, and binders can be effective for organizing physical notes. 

Example: Keep a binder with dividers for different categories (e.g., encounters, NPCs, maps) and use sticky notes for quick additions and updates. 

3. Summarizing Key Points: 

Session Summaries: At the end of each session, write a brief summary of what happened. This helps you remember important events and plot developments for future sessions. 

Example: "Session 5 Summary: The party successfully negotiated an alliance with the elven kingdom, discovered a hidden temple in the forest, and defeated a group of bandits." 

Player Actions and Decisions: Note significant player actions and decisions, as these can have long-term consequences for your campaign. 

Example: "Player Actions: Thalia chose to spare the bandit leader, who may now become a recurring NPC seeking redemption." 

Keeping Notes Accessible: 

1. Organized Digital Files: 

Folder Structure: Create a logical folder structure for your campaign notes, with folders for each session, important NPCs, locations, and other relevant categories. 

Example: Have a main campaign folder with subfolders for "Sessions," "NPCs," "Locations," and "Encounters." 

File Naming Conventions: Use consistent file naming conventions to make it easy to find specific documents. Include dates or session numbers in file names for chronological organization. 

Example: Name your session files "Session_01_Introduction" or "Session_05_Forest_Temple." 

2. Search Functions and Tags: 

Searchable Notes: Utilize the search functions in your digital note-taking tools to quickly find specific information. Tag important notes with keywords for easy retrieval. 

Example: Tag notes related to a key NPC with their name, such as "Lord Blackwood," so you can quickly pull up all related notes. 

Index Cards for Quick Reference: If using physical notes, keep a set of index cards with key information for quick reference during sessions. Organize them by category or importance. 

Example: Create index cards for major plot points, NPCs, and frequently referenced rules, and keep them within easy reach during your session. 

3. Session Prep Checklist: 

Pre-Session Review: Before each session, review your notes and update any necessary information. Use a checklist to ensure you’ve covered all essential prep tasks. 

Example: Your checklist might include tasks like "Review plot summary," "Update NPC statuses," "Prepare combat encounters," and "Print maps." 

Session Start Checklist: Have a checklist for things to do right before the session starts, such as setting up your gaming area, checking your notes, and ensuring all materials are ready. 

Example: "Session Start Checklist: Set up map, distribute character sheets, check encounter stats, and ensure all notes are accessible." 

By adopting structured note-taking practices and organizing your notes effectively, you can ensure that all the information you need is at your fingertips during your session. This not only saves time but also enhances your ability to run a seamless and engaging game. Whether you prefer digital or physical notes, the key is to find a system that works for you and stick with it consistently.

Involving Players in Prep 

One of the most effective ways to enhance your Dungeons & Dragons sessions and streamline your preparation is to involve your players in the process. By encouraging player contributions and collaboration, you can create a richer, more immersive world while reducing your workload. Here are some strategies for involving players in your session prep: 

Player-Driven Content: 

1. World-Building Contributions: 

Shared Creation: Invite players to contribute to the world-building process. This can include creating towns, NPCs, factions, or even entire regions. By involving them in these creative aspects, you make the world feel more alive and personal. 

Example: Ask a player to design their character's hometown, including notable NPCs and local customs. This not only enriches the world but also provides the player with a deeper connection to the setting. 

Collaborative Storytelling: Encourage players to suggest plot hooks, story arcs, and side quests. This collaborative approach can lead to unexpected and exciting developments in your campaign. 

Example: A player might propose a side quest where their character seeks out a mentor figure from their past, leading to new adventures for the entire party. 

2. Player Backstories: 

Incorporating Backstories: Use player backstories to drive session content. Integrate elements from their backgrounds into the main plot, creating personalized story arcs that engage players on a deeper level. 

Example: If a player's character has a long-lost sibling, introduce plot points or NPCs related to this sibling, such as clues to their whereabouts or encounters with people who knew them. 

Character Motivations: Align session objectives with character motivations. This ensures that players are invested in the story and have clear reasons for their actions. 

Example: If a character is motivated by revenge, create scenarios where they encounter their nemesis or uncover information about their enemy's plans. 

Session Zero and Planning: 

1. Conducting a Session Zero: 

Aligning Expectations: Hold a session zero before starting the campaign to align expectations, discuss campaign themes, and establish group norms. This helps ensure everyone is on the same page and reduces potential conflicts. Our FREE Session Dungeon Master's Zero Guide  has all the templates and checklists you need to be confident that you cover everything needed in your Session Zero. 

Example: Use the session zero to discuss the campaign's tone (e.g., dark and gritty vs. lighthearted and whimsical), the level of player involvement in world-building, and any house rules you plan to use. 

Player Input: Encourage players to share their preferences for the campaign, such as desired themes, types of encounters, and character development opportunities. 

Example: Ask players what types of challenges they enjoy most (e.g., puzzles, combat, social interactions) and incorporate their preferences into your session plans. 

2. Collaborative Plot Development: 

Planning Major Story Arcs: Work with your players to plan major story arcs and key plot points. This collaborative approach can lead to more engaging and unexpected storylines. 

Example: During a planning session, outline the main quest and solicit ideas from players for potential twists, side quests, and character-driven subplots. 

Player-Led Sessions: Occasionally allow players to take the lead in planning and running a session. This can provide a fresh perspective and give you a break from prep work. 

Example: Assign a player to run a one-shot adventure within the campaign world, giving them the opportunity to develop their DM skills and contribute to the story. 

Gathering Feedback and Adjusting: 

1. Post-Session Discussions: 

Feedback Sessions: After each session, hold a brief discussion with your players to gather feedback on what worked well and what could be improved. Use this feedback to adjust your prep and enhance future sessions. 

Example: Ask players what they enjoyed most about the session and if there were any moments that felt slow or confusing. Use their feedback to refine your encounter design and pacing. 

Anonymous Surveys: Occasionally use anonymous surveys to collect more candid feedback from your players. This can provide valuable insights into their preferences and experiences. 

Example: Create a simple online survey with questions about session enjoyment, preferred types of encounters, and suggestions for future adventures. 

2. Adapting to Player Choices: 

Responsive Storytelling: Be flexible and adapt your prep based on player choices and actions. This responsiveness creates a dynamic and interactive campaign where players feel their decisions truly matter. 

Example: If players decide to ally with a faction you hadn’t planned for, adjust your prep to incorporate this new alliance and its consequences. 

Improvisation Skills: Develop your improvisation skills to handle unexpected player actions smoothly. Having a few flexible plot hooks and encounters prepared can help you adapt on the fly. 

Example: Keep a list of generic encounters and NPCs that can be inserted into the story as needed, ensuring the session continues to flow even when players go off-script. 

By involving your players in the prep process, you not only reduce your workload but also create a more engaging and collaborative campaign. This approach fosters a sense of shared ownership and investment in the story, leading to richer and more memorable experiences for everyone at the table.

In the next post, we'll go into how to streamline yourPost Session prep