How do I create and organize session plans?

Session plans help you prepare for upcoming games by organizing objectives, key scenes, and linked content. Track your session lifecycle from draft through completion, and record outcomes afterward for campaign continuity.

Creating a Session Plan

1. Click Session Plans in the sidebar
2. Click Create Session Plan
3. Enter a name (like "Session 15: Into the Dungeon")
4. Set the scheduled date
5. Fill in your preparation notes
6. Click Save

Session Plan Fields

Basic Information

Planning Fields

Prepared Content Links

DM Notes

Post-Session Fields

The Session Lifecycle

Sessions follow a status workflow that tracks your preparation progress.

Draft

You are still planning. Content is incomplete, ideas are forming.

What to do: Add objectives, brainstorm key scenes, start linking entities.

Ready

Preparation is complete. You are confident you can run this session.

What to do: Final review of linked content, last-minute additions.

In Progress

You are currently running this session.

What to do: Reference linked entities, take notes on outcomes.

Completed

The session is finished and you have recorded what happened.

What to do: Fill in outcomes, note unresolved threads, update relevant entities.

Cancelled

The session did not happen (scheduling conflict, etc.).

What to do: Consider moving content to a future session.

Session Preparation Workflow

One Week Before

1. Create the session plan (Draft status)
2. Review previous session outcomes for continuity
3. List objectives - what should happen?
4. Identify key scenes or encounters
5. Start linking existing entities

Two Days Before

1. Generate or create any missing content
2. Link all relevant entities
3. Write DM notes for key moments
4. Prepare contingency plans
5. Change status to Ready

Day Of

1. Review the session plan
2. Click through linked entities to refresh memory
3. Open Super Swift for emergency generation access
4. Change status to In Progress when you start

After the Session

1. Change status to Completed
2. Record actual duration
3. Write outcomes summary
4. Note unresolved threads
5. Add player feedback
6. Update affected entities (changed relationships, resolved hooks, etc.)

Writing Good Objectives

Objectives guide your session focus. Clear objectives make preparation and improvisation easier.

Vague objective:

"Progress the main plot"

Clear objective:

"The party learns that Lord Varen is connected to the cult, setting up the confrontation in Session 16"

Good objectives are:

• Specific about what should happen
• Flexible about how it happens
• Achievable in the session's time
• Connected to larger story arcs

Example Objectives

• "Introduce the Thieves Guild as a faction the party can work with or against"
• "Run the dungeon entrance encounter - first real test of the new party composition"
• "Resolve the Missing Merchant plot hook one way or another"
• "End on a cliffhanger: the party discovers the villain's true identity"

Recording Outcomes

After each session, capture what happened for future reference.

Outcomes Summary

What actually occurred - major events, key decisions, surprises:

"Party infiltrated the warehouse, discovered smuggling operation is larger than expected. Captured lieutenant but let him escape in exchange for information about the boss. Aldric was injured in the fight - the player leaned into this for roleplay. Ended with the party deciding to report to the guard captain, not knowing she's compromised."

Unresolved Threads

What is left hanging for next session:

"- The escaped lieutenant will warn the boss

• Party doesn't know the guard captain is corrupt
• The smuggled goods are still unidentified
• Aldric's injury needs magical healing they can't afford"

Player Feedback (Mental Notes)

What worked and what did not:

"Combat was exciting - environmental hazards worked well. Investigation section dragged a bit - need fewer clues next time. Players really responded to the lieutenant's desperation. Consider bringing him back."

This becomes your campaign's history.

Using the Calendar View

Session plans appear in a calendar view:

1. Click Session Plans in the sidebar
2. Toggle to calendar view
3. See sessions on their scheduled dates
4. Click dates to create new sessions
5. Drag sessions to reschedule (if supported)

The calendar helps you see your campaign pacing and upcoming commitments.

Tips for Better Session Planning

Link More Than You Need

You will not use everything you link. That is fine - it is better to have backup content than to need something you did not prepare.

Use DM Notes for Reminders

Things you might forget at the table:

• NPC voice notes
• Secret information to reveal
• Pacing cues ("if this takes too long, skip to...")
• Rules you looked up during prep

Write Contingency Plans

Players will surprise you. Prepare for common alternatives:

• "If they attack instead of negotiate..."
• "If they ignore the hook..."
• "If they go somewhere unexpected..."

Review Previous Sessions

Before prepping a new session, read the previous session's outcomes and unresolved threads. Continuity makes your campaign feel cohesive.

Keep Post-Session Notes Brief

You do not need a novel. Capture:

• Key events (1-2 paragraphs)
• Unresolved threads (bullet list)
• What worked/did not (a few notes)

Future you will thank present you.

Related Articles

• How do I link entities together in my session plan?
• How do I use Super Swift mode for rapid prep?
• How do I capture notes and updates after a session?