As a DM, how do you prepare for published adventures?

[Oryan77]

I'm curious about how people prepare themselves to run a published module for players. Sometimes it's hard to memorize so much information and use it smoothly in a session.

Do you read the whole module beforehand and only glance at the module during play when you need to?

Do you study it so much that you remember everything?

Do you skim over the module just to get an idea of what to expect and basically learn it as you are running it?

Do you study the module first and just run what you remember and wing the rest?

Is it frowned upon for a DM to quickly review a portion DURING the game because he forgets the details?

And what about running a huge module that's 150 pages or more? Do you study sections of it between each session or do you learn the whole module and then run it?

Do you usually study several adventures at once so you can use multiple scenarios in the same game so players don't feel railroaded? For example; you study 3 different modules so if the players start to head in one direction that is part of adventure A, and then take a turn down Adventure B because you presented the opportunity, they can end up taking a turn down Adventure C and they won't feel railroaded.

Oh and my last question, do you take notes while studying a module, and if so, what kind of notes?

 

[Morpheus]

Do you read the whole module beforehand and only glance at the module during play when you need to?
I try to read most of it beforehand and review the part(s) that we are going to use for the next session.

Do you study it so much that you remember everything?
Nope, but I know it pretty well.

Do you skim over the module just to get an idea of what to expect and basically learn it as you are running it?
See above.

Do you study the module first and just run what you remember and wing the rest?
See above.

Is it frowned upon for a DM to quickly review a portion DURING the game because he forgets the details?
Nope-especially if there is text that is to be read aloud.

And what about running a huge module that's 150 pages or more? Do you study sections of it between each session or do you learn the whole module and then run it?
Study between sessions.

Do you usually study several adventures at once so you can use multiple scenarios in the same game so players don't feel railroaded? For example; you study 3 different modules so if the players start to head in one direction that is part of adventure A, and then take a turn down Adventure B because you presented the opportunity, they can end up taking a turn down Adventure C and they won't feel railroaded.
Nope-one at a time.

Oh and my last question, do you take notes while studying a module, and if so, what kind of notes?
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[Thanee]

I browse through it once or if available (highly prefered) only read the plot overview section (and maybe look up a few things, which are not immediately clear) to get an idea how the whole thing is meant to work and where I find what for quick reference.

Then I read what I need for the session shortly before or (often) even during the session (when players are busy among themselves ).

Highest preparation time would be reading through the whole adventure once.

However, in the end, I do read some sections multiple times, often to look something up.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Crothian]

I read through at least once memorizing most of the important stuff. I do change a lot of stuff taking notes and making the module actually make sense in my world for my campaign.

 

[Brund the Decrepit]

Well I like to read through the whole adventure first to get a good 'feel' for it. If it is exceptionally large I will read through it a couple of times and maybe take a few notes (Barakus for example) but for the smaller ones I will just do a read through and then refresh before each gaming session (Cruicible of Freya).

I will also refer to the adventure during the play session as it mentioned above so that I can read pre-generated descriptions to the players or to refer to any tables.


-Brund

 

[scourger]

I read it first. Lately, I've just been re-reviewing enough to get me through the next session. And, I will refresh my memory at the table as needed.

 

[Altamont Ravenard]

I try to memorize most of the module, but end up looking up some stuff during play. I usually re-write the descriptive passages (because I play in french, so I need to translate them). I try to mark the maps with useful information, usually monster placement, but also traps, etc.

The first couple of times I read the module, I highlight the important passages. I often make corrections, and re-write whole encounters to better suit my perception and my group's preferences / strengths / weaknesses, etc.

That's about it.

AR

 

[Oryan77]

I always feel like I'm doing a bad thing if I pause the game so I can read up on some info that I forgot about. I've never asked the players what they would think if I did that every so often. I usually just wing-it if I forgot a section, or if I'm really desperate I'll take a bathroom break (more to read than to take care of business)

So I'm a little relieved that people actually will pause the game to double check the module.

 

[Americano]

I tend to do a lot of work on published adventures before using them.

I scan and OCR the module into InDesign, then rewrite what needs rewriting to fit the adventure into my world. At the same time I also make changes to tailor the scenario to my group, making notes to myself where needed regarding various evil... uh, interesting things to do to particular characters.

Some adventures I change more than others, it all depends on the content. For instance, Sunless Citadel I pretty much only relocated to the Forgotten Realms, while Heart of Nightfang Spire received extensive additions, subtractions and reworkings.

Monsters and NPCs get their own section, using a stat bloc of my own creation that works better for my own purposes than any other I've seen.

Once all this is done, I print the pages and insert into plastic page holders that go in my big campaign binder.

After OCRing a module, I'm pretty familiar with it, but the night before we play I will usually reread what I think we will cover in the session.

 

[Wraith Form]

I tend to do a lot of work on published adventures before using them.

In this vein, I also go through and re-name all the "silly-name" characters and locations.

Oh, and I remove all fairies and magic pixie-dust. Bastards.