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Message: <blockquote data-quote="AlViking" data-source="post: 9671699" data-attributes="member: 6906980">A lot of my prep comes early on when we decide what kind of campaign we're going to run.  I have a homebrew world I've used for a long time, so I can start a campaign in a wide variety of locations with different thematic elements.  When we decide the broad outline of the starting campaign I pick a spot on the map, look up notes from previous campaigns if any, fill in details.  Then I'll create a handful of factions and NPCs  with a mix of helpful, adversary and neutral that will be relevant at the start of the campaign.  I also generate random lists, NPCs, store names and so on, a chart that breaks down the different species that inhabit the city so when I come up with an NPC I can randomize it.From there I can create hooks and options for the players to pursue.  Once they choose an option they typically follow it for a session or three and at the end of that arc or between sessions they'll decide what they want to do next.  There's always going to be some obvious options, things that I dropped hints about during the game or rumors that they pick up on.  They can always add their own goals.By having an idea where they're going next I can plan ahead, come up with who's involved, how and why.  Most of my notes are on background of what's really going on, what important NPCs know and what their goals and attitudes are, that kind of thing.  Since I run a living world I'll take into consideration things the characters have done in the past and if their reputation or previous connections make a difference.The last thing I do is crack open DndBeyond and start looking for monsters and NPCs that would make sense for combat encounters.  My encounter planning is minimal, typically a sentence or two if that and a list of monsters and how many there are.  Most of the time I include something like there will be 4 bandits if I want a medium encounter or 6 for a hard encounter.  I will also include a couple extra encounters of things they could come across when they go in an unanticipated direction, something they do on a regular basis.When running the game most of what happens is improv.  I don't usually do detailed maps, I don't really care how they approach the encounters, whether they fight NPC X or make them an ally.  I don't have preplanned goals or any idea of what they must accomplish, just their starting goal and what potential obstacles and aids there are.  The rest is up to them.</blockquote>

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