For recaps, i would suggest to prepare a "recap game" where inspiration or other prizes are given to players. In my case I prepared a crossword puzzle with 20-30 terms with an online free tool (it took me just 30 minues) and my players loved it. This helped to remember important names and things happened in last sessions.
I ran my own version of a recap session where the party was trying to pinpoint the location of the BBEG with the help of an extraplanar entity. The being asked the party to focus on their world so it could learn more about it and find their target. To do so they had to mention a unique location from each of the previous 20+ adventures in the campaign as I read off the adventure titles. The more spots they named, the closer they would get to finding the BBEG.
@@davidwatchesan entire recap session actually feels like a filler episode hahaha I never thought of making it a whole session, and it seems a great idea for long campaigns!
I really like the idea of in world calendars. And making the calendars be different when you travel. [if you wanna put in the work] It really does help the players figure out the world and how things flow.
If you have an in home group, "regional meals" Have not just a snack but something that you can weave into the setting. As you travel, you can mix it up and have folks saying, "Man, I can't wait to get back to (city name) and that one tavern with the amazing pan fried noodles" . The Broken Cask solo rpg is a great way to make the taverns and inns more memorable.
A game calendar, brilliant!!! I will definitely be incorporating that in my games from here on out. Most of these I’m already doing, our recaps are more like a diary, I bought some leather bound books with antique paper & learned how to write calligraphy style with a dip pen & after each session I write a few pages down to keep track of what’s going on. As far as music I have several different play lists made from DND/fantasy/soundtracks on apple play that I utilize depending on what’s going on, if the party is just traveling around interacting with the world I have a playlist of low key music. Combat? Hard driving fantasy music for that, I even have a playlist of sea shanties for when my PC’s hit the high seas. All great ideas, thanks again for sharing!!!
Recaps have been one of the greatest tools both for player recollection and for tying previous NPCs or events in to new adventures in my "Broken Chain" campaign, so much so that I turned the first five of our sessions into narrated videos on my channel. Recaps are also a great way to relive the excitement of the campaign months or even years after it happens. Game Masters: Don't dismiss the power of the recap. [Edit: A lot of this is just a repeat of what you said, but I had to get it out as soon as you started talking about recaps.]
Not a problem at all, I love when people agree with me! But I’m glad you’ve gotten so much out of your recaps, I’ve been surprised by how much they’ve helped me remember things and make sure I’m not forgetting past decisions and events!
@@davidwatches question, is there a less time consuming way of writing down a recap? my sessions are weekly and I don't have time to write down a recap with the prepping for next sesh taking up most of my free time.
@@DalfAxolotl It takes me one hour or so to do a recap. But my recaps also scratch my creative writing itch. A simple recap should only take three paragraphs. I can post one my recaps here if you like.
@@DalfAxolotl The only real advice I can give you is jot down notes as you play or immediately after the session when it's fresh on your mind, focus on the main story points rather than every single detail, and make a note things you specifically want to remember for later such as NPC or place names. A recap shouldn't take long to write, and if it does then you can probably leave some of it out.
These are great ideas, and I'm going to combine them into a bard who sings the recap over an instrumental track from that session's playlist. Who's that bard who knows so much? A very good question, to be answered in a future that never quite arrives. (Also, I critted my players last week, just as you recommend. I had their ill-advised magical experiment go completely out of control; it spawned a hangry magic-eating elemental and tipped the environmental balance so far, it released the BBEG from his prison early. They LOVED it. Next session is tonight!)
Another suggestion for combat narration: If your players roll low, don't describe it as a miss but rather the opponent anticipating their attack and blocking or dodging it effortlessly. This will let them feel more engaged and less embarrassed after unavoidably rolling low.
Check the old phone books. Some have the 14 year calendar printed in them. Also determine where the location is in the real world. Hmm Balder's Gate is New York City etc. This way you can on the fly include weather. On music, I like it as introduction and the occasional sample. But having it always on in the background is a bother. I always roll out in the open. But I also have the AC and HP of the monsters in the open. I do recaps. I just wish my players would read them. My new rule is if the data is in the recap, I not giving any hints on the information. (ARRGH trying to teach casuals the importance of taking notes. Bangs head against the desk).
Music will definitely depend on the person and group, but I’ve found that having long tracks on in the background really helps with immersion! I like the ideas of grabbing an old phone book for a calendar and comparing your city’s weather to real life places, makes thinking of the climate easy!
For recaps, i would suggest to prepare a "recap game" where inspiration or other prizes are given to players. In my case I prepared a crossword puzzle with 20-30 terms with an online free tool (it took me just 30 minues) and my players loved it. This helped to remember important names and things happened in last sessions.
That’s so fun, as someone who loves crosswords I would absolutely be earning that inspiration! Thanks for sharing!
I ran my own version of a recap session where the party was trying to pinpoint the location of the BBEG with the help of an extraplanar entity. The being asked the party to focus on their world so it could learn more about it and find their target. To do so they had to mention a unique location from each of the previous 20+ adventures in the campaign as I read off the adventure titles. The more spots they named, the closer they would get to finding the BBEG.
@@davidwatchesan entire recap session actually feels like a filler episode hahaha
I never thought of making it a whole session, and it seems a great idea for long campaigns!
I really like the idea of in world calendars. And making the calendars be different when you travel. [if you wanna put in the work]
It really does help the players figure out the world and how things flow.
Having different holidays for different nations and kingdoms definitely adds some work, but is a great touch!
If you have an in home group, "regional meals" Have not just a snack but something that you can weave into the setting. As you travel, you can mix it up and have folks saying, "Man, I can't wait to get back to (city name) and that one tavern with the amazing pan fried noodles" . The Broken Cask solo rpg is a great way to make the taverns and inns more memorable.
That's awesome, regional foods are definitely fun to throw out there! Thanks for the suggestion!
A game calendar, brilliant!!! I will definitely be incorporating that in my games from here on out. Most of these I’m already doing, our recaps are more like a diary, I bought some leather bound books with antique paper & learned how to write calligraphy style with a dip pen & after each session I write a few pages down to keep track of what’s going on. As far as music I have several different play lists made from DND/fantasy/soundtracks on apple play that I utilize depending on what’s going on, if the party is just traveling around interacting with the world I have a playlist of low key music. Combat? Hard driving fantasy music for that, I even have a playlist of sea shanties for when my PC’s hit the high seas. All great ideas, thanks again for sharing!!!
Glad I could help! Your Campaign journal sounds incredible, way cooler than the Google doc I use!
Recaps have been one of the greatest tools both for player recollection and for tying previous NPCs or events in to new adventures in my "Broken Chain" campaign, so much so that I turned the first five of our sessions into narrated videos on my channel. Recaps are also a great way to relive the excitement of the campaign months or even years after it happens.
Game Masters: Don't dismiss the power of the recap.
[Edit: A lot of this is just a repeat of what you said, but I had to get it out as soon as you started talking about recaps.]
Not a problem at all, I love when people agree with me! But I’m glad you’ve gotten so much out of your recaps, I’ve been surprised by how much they’ve helped me remember things and make sure I’m not forgetting past decisions and events!
@@davidwatches question, is there a less time consuming way of writing down a recap? my sessions are weekly and I don't have time to write down a recap with the prepping for next sesh taking up most of my free time.
@@DalfAxolotl It takes me one hour or so to do a recap. But my recaps also scratch my creative writing itch. A simple recap should only take three paragraphs. I can post one my recaps here if you like.
@@RottenRogerDM sure I would love to see some examples
@@DalfAxolotl The only real advice I can give you is jot down notes as you play or immediately after the session when it's fresh on your mind, focus on the main story points rather than every single detail, and make a note things you specifically want to remember for later such as NPC or place names.
A recap shouldn't take long to write, and if it does then you can probably leave some of it out.
These editors notes crack me up 😆
Glad you like them! They always make me laugh, so I’m happy at least one other person does, too!
These are great ideas, and I'm going to combine them into a bard who sings the recap over an instrumental track from that session's playlist. Who's that bard who knows so much? A very good question, to be answered in a future that never quite arrives.
(Also, I critted my players last week, just as you recommend. I had their ill-advised magical experiment go completely out of control; it spawned a hangry magic-eating elemental and tipped the environmental balance so far, it released the BBEG from his prison early. They LOVED it. Next session is tonight!)
As the name implies, I love a good mysterious bard! And glad you Crit your players, that sounds like a very fun session! Have fun tonight!
thank you for the combat help! ive been wanting to make combat more engaging so this helps so much!!
Glad I could help! It’s such a simple thing but those descriptions can really bring your combat to life!
Another suggestion for combat narration: If your players roll low, don't describe it as a miss but rather the opponent anticipating their attack and blocking or dodging it effortlessly. This will let them feel more engaged and less embarrassed after unavoidably rolling low.
100%, great tip!
@@davidwatches thank you so much! any bit helps!
Check the old phone books. Some have the 14 year calendar printed in them. Also determine where the location is in the real world. Hmm Balder's Gate is New York City etc. This way you can on the fly include weather.
On music, I like it as introduction and the occasional sample. But having it always on in the background is a bother.
I always roll out in the open. But I also have the AC and HP of the monsters in the open.
I do recaps. I just wish my players would read them. My new rule is if the data is in the recap, I not giving any hints on the information. (ARRGH trying to teach casuals the importance of taking notes. Bangs head against the desk).
Music will definitely depend on the person and group, but I’ve found that having long tracks on in the background really helps with immersion! I like the ideas of grabbing an old phone book for a calendar and comparing your city’s weather to real life places, makes thinking of the climate easy!