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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jcayer" data-source="post: 5719989" data-attributes="member: 76960">I stopped running around the room screaming because my wife complained about it.  Now I sit at the laptop and bang my head on the table.Seriously, my players like to be led around a bit, so it makes it easier for me to prep, particularly encounters.  I usually try to sit down 3 or 4 days before we play, already having some vague ideas.  Sometimes it's a terrain/room idea I come up with or a monster I've heard about and want to use.  Sometimes, just browsing through the monster builder will inspire me.  I try to daydream a bit during the week.But when it comes down to it, I'll fire up, Word, Maptools(projector), Monster Builder, and usually pandora(need music to drown everything else out).  Then I go at it.I will start with a brief description of where they have been or what they did last session, and where they are now...."When we last left our intrepid adventurers," always starts our sessions.If I know the map idea I want, I start drawing it in maptools.  Once I have a vague outline of the space, I'll consult the monster builder for what I want.  Then copy and paste it into the word doc.  If I know the monsters, I'll start with them and then design a map.  That at least is an encounter.I will sometimes write out whole paragraphs to read to the players, sometimes, just bullet points.  Sometimes I write it out like a module would.  I have no idea why.  Very few charts other than monster blocks.If I know the night will be more free form, like a city adventure, I'll do my best to have some NPC names handy, stores, location, etc.....I need more work on this kind of prep, but I'm getting better.  I might prep an alley map and encounter, but not feel like I have to use it.I grew up playing AD&D, so my prep isn't too far from those original modules, probably because I don't know better.</blockquote>

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