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Session Meta

• Session #:
• Target date:
• Expected length:
• Table goals (fun, spotlight, safety tools):
• Logistics notes (breaks, tools, handouts):

Thinking in Beats

Use beats (moments that shift the scene) instead of scripting every detail.

• Opening beat (hook/image):
• Rising beats (complications/reveals):
• Turning beat (choice/reversal):
• Closing beat (change/state after scene):

Scene Beats (duplicate per scene)

Scene: [Name]

• Purpose: advance plot / reveal info / challenge PCs
• Setting & mood (sensory details):
• Participants & agendas:
• Beats:
  • Beat 1:
  • Beat 2:
  • Beat 3:
• Conflict & twists:
• Outcomes:
  • Success:
  • Mixed:
  • Failure:
• Foreshadowing / callbacks:
• Handouts / assets:

Countdowns

Track off-screen plans and time pressure.

Standard Countdown (steps to event)

• Frame (what’s happening off-screen):

Progress Countdown (PC progress toward goal)

• Goal (distance/time/effort to cover):
• Scale (ticks per roll/scene/day):
• Triggers to advance:

Example skeleton (edit as needed)

• Invasion/Coup steps (copy and customize):

Combat Preparation (Narrative-First)

Narrative Function

• Why this battle now? What truth/theme does it show?
• What’s at stake beyond HP?

Adversary Motives

• What do foes want? When do they surrender/flee?
• If choosing between objective vs. killing PCs, what do they pick?

Dynamic Environment

• Terrain features (hazards, cover, elevation):
• Home-field prep (fortifications, choke points):
• Environmental moves/features (timers, pulses, lair actions):
• Flight/range considerations for party features:

Objectives (pick or roll 1d12)

1 Acquire important item(s)
2 Capture one or more opponents
3 Activate a magical device
4 Frame/tarnish a target
5 Drive foes into a corner/ambush
6 Stop a ritual/ceremony/time‑sensitive spell
7 Hold the line (protect area/group)
8 Plant evidence/tracker
9 Secure a location before rivals arrive
10 Harass to drain resources or stall
11 Destroy architecture/shrine/weapon
12 Investigate/confirm information

Chosen objective(s):

Using Fear for Drama

• Reserve Fear to interrupt momentum (reinforcements, shift terrain, trigger features).
• Planned Fear spends:

Phased Battle Ideas (optional)

• Change terms (fight → chase; ally flip; temporary truce):
• Change battlefield (weather, collapse, flooding, magic locus):
• Change foes (phase change, split/merge, new powers):

Social Conflict

Stakes & Motive

• What the NPC wants vs. what PCs want:
• What concessions/price unlock cooperation?

Stress Track (extended negotiation)

• NPC Stress: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• What actions mark Stress (deceit, proof, leverage, etc.):

Patience/Consequence Countdown (optional)

• Countdown: [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ] [ ]
• Consequence on trigger (ejection, guards called, deal worsens):

Prompts:

• Evidence to show:
• Leverage to apply:
• Relationship to improve/maintain:

Crafting Scenes (Sensory)

• Sight:
• Sound:
• Smell:
• Touch:
• Taste:
• One unique/unexpected detail:

Sharing the Spotlight

• Action tracker (who acted least?):
• Planned spotlights (hooks for quieter players):
• Ties to weave other PCs into the focus:

Downtime (if applicable this session)

Short/Long Rest Effects

• Short rest: GM gains 1d4 Fear; notes:
• Long rest: GM gains PCs + 1d4 Fear; advance long-term countdowns:

Projects (Progress Countdown)

• Project:
• Starting ticks:
• Tools/aid:
• Advancement per roll:
• On failure still advances 1 tick? (Y/N)

Montage notes for extended downtime:

Rewards

Information (primary)

• Clues revealed this session:
• New questions raised:

Loot / Upgrades (cadence-driven)

• Gear appropriate to tier:
• Alternate upgrades (enchantments, blessings, craftwork):

After-Session Log

• Summary of events:
• New threads created:
• NPCs changed (attitudes, status):
• Clocks/Fronts advanced:
• Level-up cadence check (when/why):
• Prep seeds for next session: