Assuming that you’re using the XP system pretty much as-is, just provide a list of CRs to one player, let them calculate XP for the party, and then add bonus/story/etc. XP into the mix yourself.

Anyone, DM or player, can post a session report on Dire Finch. What I ran into is trying to keep a record of behind the scenes stuff, while still giving the players a concise series of player actions/events. Since I am very familiar with Excel, I started a spreadsheet beginning with Session 4, and asked Sebben how to put on the Weblog. He suggested keeping a running tally, sending him the updates, and he would append the Timeline page with the new info I sent him. This way, all I have to do is excerpt the Player stuff, send it to Sebben, and voila, it winds up on the Timeline page within days.

Relevent to one of your later posts, one of my biggest foibles is procrastination. Currently I’m two sessions behind on the Timeline. Got to get to “work”…

Mark

With the right group, I could see that working quite well (as it does for you), and it seems like the key ingredient would be having a player who is interested in writing up session logs — or a GM who has time to write them, but not keep a campaign blog going.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and keep posting!

You’re welcome, and I intend to!

Sebben runs my Campaign site, and has been a godsend in setting everything up. As he points out, I really don’t have any extra time to spend on customizing a weblog, so he does it all for me. When I have a need to change something, he responds almost always with a great suggestion on how to apply.

From my perspective, what it really comes down to is who wants to do it, and who has the time to do it. I don’t have the time, and early on, Sebben volunteered to do it. His enthusiasm for the implementation and pursuit of the site has never waivered, and is much appreciated.

I have recently begun to employ some of your suggestions from this Post and other Posts on your site, and I hope to do more.

Thanks for all the suggestions, and keep posting!

Mark

I might also add that the GM is not necessarily the best person to setup and administer the site. In fact, it is my opinion that since a GM puts so much non-session time into a campaign already, a player is generally a better choice (unless your GM really wants to do it). This is especially true if your choice of blogging application is one of the more flexible ones, and you intend to take advantage of its customizability, like WP or MT.

You might also want to check out one of my earlier posts, Running a Campaign Website — although it sounds like it might cover a lot of ground you’ve already covered.

I decided to go with the forums at Silven Publishing, since they have a nice layout and a good community. Of course, I am using the campaign to generate added exposure for Shaintar: Immortal Legends, so that drove the decision to use a public space like that.

I also provide incentives to my players for posting, thus increasing the content refresh. Since I am using Savage Worlds, this comes in the form of additional Bennies for their characters in the sessions following their posts. I also provide Bennies to the note-takers in my group, so that they help me keep track of all the information that most often develops extemporaneously as I run the game.

Just found this site, thanks to Talisman Studios’ PR Manager, Erskin Cherry, and I am looking forward to reading and posting more.

SEAN PATRICK FANNON
Creator and Developer, SHAINTAR: IMMORTAL LEGENDS
Senior Writer/Designer, Talisman Studios
Author, The Fantasy Roleplaying Gamer’s Bible

Matt: Ditto with your approach, using the laptop as “GM central.” That sounds excellent!

I typically prepare for my sessions by writing up notes on my laptop, which has become my most invaluable GMing asset. I’ll make maps, write up condensed monster stats, and preroll on treasure tables, so I’m not fumbling through several books at once during a game. I find it helps me run things much more smoothly. (I can also get mood music playing with less hassle than using a CD player.) Following up on Korvar’s comments about typing as you go, I think the key is finding a balance between taking notes and splitting your attention. If I were to implement something like this, I’d probably keep a Word doc open and jot down some bullet-points during the game, then go back during the next 24-48 and turn those bullet-points into a narrative. That way nothing important is lost – and you have the added benefit of getting quotes down verbatim.

The advantage I find is that off-the-cuff lines can quickly be added while they’re fresh in the memory.

Of course, the downside is that they’re obviously notes, rather than an even semi-polished log of a session. But they do serve to keep us reminded of wht happened previously.