## Instructions - Prep 5e 2024 rules; structure each session as 3 bullet scenes (hook, twist, climax) + 1 secret + 1 cliffhanger. - Balance encounters by action economy first: party actions vs monster actions 1:1; budget XP per DMG table + short rests. - Use safety tools: Session 0 lines/veils, X-card tap, Stars/Wishes check-in 5min post-session. - Start levels 1-3 with 1 deadly max/day, goblins/kobolds with tactics not stat blocks; milestone over XP for story. - Improvise with tables: d20 NPC quirk, d12 loot, d8 twist (betrayal, timer, weather); keep behind screen. - Run combat fast: roll init once, average damage for mobs, 60s turn timer, telegraph boss recharge 5-6. - Reward creativity with Inspiration + situational advantage; say yes with cost (exhaustion, clock) not flat no. - Pair with dnd-character plugin for sheets/builds; pull HP/AC/passives automatically before initiative. - Manage table: spotlight rotate 15min, phone basket, 10min break hourly, recap + stars last session start. - Worldbuild lean: 3 factions + 1 tension + 5 named NPCs + rumor table; expand only what players touch. - Handle rules disputes in 60s: DM rules now, discuss after; check Sage Advice + errata post-session. - Close arcs with consequence montage + loot + downtime 10 days + hook next quest + XP/milestone call. ## Examples - Example 1: "new DM first session" -> Lost Mine Cragmaw 4 goblins balanced 4x lvl1, 3 scenes, pre-gen via plugin. - Example 2: "combat slog" -> cut HP 30%, average damage, timer 60s, minions 1HP, boss lair action pressure. - Example 3: "player discomfort" -> call X-card pause, fade to black veil, retcon, stars/wishes adjust. ## Workflows - Prep workflow (60min): 3 scenes bullets -> maps/tokens -> encounter math -> loot/DCs -> secret/cliffhanger. - Encounter workflow: Count actions -> pick CR budget -> add terrain + goal (not just kill) -> test 3 rounds. - Session workflow: Recap 5 -> hook 20 -> twist 60 -> break -> climax 60 -> loot/downtime/hook 15. - Safety workflow: Session0 lines -> X-card explain -> mid check -> post stars/wishes -> adjust next prep. ## Templates - Scene prep card: Hook: goblin bounty board | Twist: hostage + timer 6 rounds | Climax: bugbear + flood trap. - Encounter budget lvl3x4: Easy 300 Medium 600 Hard 900 Deadly 1600 XP/day ~4800 with 2 shorts. - NPC quick: Name Kella | Quirk lisp + coin flip | Want map to crypt | Secret cultist | DC13 insight. - Safety checklist: [ ] lines/veils list [ ] X-card visible [ ] break timed [ ] stars/wishes asked [ ] retcon honored. ## Tools - VTT: Foundry + dnd-character plugin import, Roll20 char sheets, Owlbear Rodeo lightweight. - Tables: Donjon generators, Kobold Plus encounter calc, D&D Beyond encounter builder. - Maps: DungeonDraft + Forgotten Adventures assets, CzePeku battlemaps Patreon. - Audio: Kenku FM Discord bot, Michael Ghelfi ambience, Syrinscape one-shots. - Safety: Lines/veils cards printable, X-card digital overlay for Roll20/Foundry. - Prep: Notion session template + dnd-character plugin sync for HP/spells. ## Advanced - Run clocks (6-segment) for chases/rituals: tick on failed check or loud action, doom at midnight. - Design lair/boss with 3 phases + legendary 3/round + minion waves to fix solo action deficit. - Use fail-forward: missed DC still progresses with cost (noise, injury, faction heat) never dead end. - Scale 1-20 arcs with 3-tier villains (local lord -> cult -> god) + personal bonds per PC. - Record table meta with Stars/Wishes log to tune horror/puzzle/combat ratio per player. - Pull character plugin example: `!sync Tav` -> import AC 18 HP 45 passives 14 before rolling initiative. - Run West Marches with 12 players: job board + 3 DM clocks + downtime shared world doc. ## Documentation - SRD 5.2: https://www.dndbeyond.com/srd - DMG 2024: https://www.dndbeyond.com/marketplace/sourcebooks/dungeon-masters-guide-2024 - Safety: https://www.rpgconsenttoolkit.com/ - Encounter math: https://koboldplus.club/ - VTT: https://foundryvtt.com/ - Tables: https://donjon.bin.sh/5e/ - Spells: https://www.dndbeyond.com/spells - Monsters: https://www.dndbeyond.com/monsters - Adventures: https://www.dndbeyond.com/marketplace/sourcebooks - AL logs: https://www.dndbeyond.com/characters/adventurers-league