How to organize a campaign session as a DM with Bitzy the Bard

This is the 18th of an 18 part series on How to be a DM. To start at the beginning, click here.

Box of DM Notecards — Bitzy’s Box of Adventure

As the DM, you are the leader of the game session and in the spotlight. You are responsible for making sure that your friends, the players, have a good time. Your friends need to feel that they are in control of the story, but you are responsible for making sure that the story moves along. You want them to feel that sense of excitement at the end of the evening.

That’s a lot of pressure. Add to that the fact that you are new at this job. Add to that the fact that you have to improvise and speak in different voices. Add to that the fact that you will be stared at by the whole group if you forget something critical or a puzzle doesn’t work out. This can cause a lot of what I call “New DM Anxiety”.

Preparation is Key

In my career, I learned an important lesson that helps here. Whenever I had to teach a class or speak at conference, the more prepared I was, the less worried I was. Knowing your subject area is the best antidote to New DM Anxiety.

About a week before each game session, I go through the next parts of the adventure and adjust it based on the current situation. I then prepare notes for each scene the party will encounter.

Binder with Notes for each Encounter — Binder with Notes on Each Encounter

For each scene in the story, I write detailed notes:

Description of encounter or page reference of original source
Number and HP for each monster
Miniatures required
Props needed to set the scene
Item to craft or purchase
Magic items to print out
Letters, maps, or other goodies the PCs may find
Possible issues that might occur

I give each scene its own page in the binder, so there is plenty of room to add notes during the game session.

I then label index cards with the name of each encounter to put in a small index box that sits next to me when I run a session. Each section in the box has all of the monster cards, spell, cards, magic items, and other items needed for that scene.

Organize Props

To organize the props used in the scene, I usually use an adjustable Plano organizer. I can group in one section all of the minis and other small props needed for each scene. I have an additional Plano organizer with extra basic items I might need if I have to improvise something on the spot.

For complex scenes, I keep the items in small storage boxes I picked up at the local dollar store.

For indoor scenes, I often just stack large props on the assembled interior room, which is hidden under the table where I can reach it during the game.

Getting organized like this helps keep the plotline going and New DM Anxiety down. But the biggest help is experience!

You Can Do This!

The more you play, the more you realize you can handle the unexpected things that are thrown your way. These people sitting around the table are all your friends and they appreciate all the work you are doing and understand if you make a mistake.

Keep in mind that it’s really just a game you are sharing with some of your closest friends. So just relax and watch the show!

Bitzy the Bard
“Life is an adventure story and you are the star. Choose to play a hero!”