The Module Creation Process

Building a module follows a systematic four-phase process that transforms initial ideas into playable content. This workflow ensures you create complete, engaging adventures while respecting your prep time.

The Four-Phase Creation Process

Phase 1: Concept Development (2-3 hours)

Transform triggers into actionable module concepts.

Step 1: Define the Core

What’s the central conflict/mystery/challenge?
How does it connect to campaign themes?
What makes this module memorable?

Step 2: Establish Stakes

What happens if players succeed?
What happens if they fail?
What happens if they don’t engage?

Step 3: Create the Hook

How do players learn about this?
Why must they act now?
What makes it personally relevant?

Concept Template:

Module: [Title]
Core Concept: [One sentence summary]
Stakes: Success = [outcome], Failure = [outcome]
Hook: [How players get involved]
Theme: [What this module is really about]
Estimated Sessions: [2-6]

Phase 2: Structure Design (2-3 hours)

Build the module’s skeleton before adding flesh.

The Five-Room Dungeon Model

This is a structural framework (not literal rooms) that works for any module type:

Entrance/Guardian: Initial challenge establishing tone
Puzzle/Roleplay: Non-combat challenge requiring thought
Setback/Twist: Complication changing the situation
Climax/Boss: Major confrontation or decision
Revelation/Reward: Payoff and future hooks

Think of it as a story structure - whether you’re running a mystery, heist, or dungeon crawl, you still want these dramatic beats. The Module Type Templates (Mystery, Heist, etc.) define WHAT kind of story you’re telling, while the Five-Room structure helps you pace HOW you tell it.

Session Breakdown Planning:

Session 1: Hook, introduction, initial challenge
Session 2-3: Investigation, development, complications
Session N-1: Rising action, point of no return
Session N: Climax, resolution, aftermath

Critical Path Mapping: Identify the minimum required elements:

Information players MUST discover
NPCs they MUST encounter
Locations they MUST visit
Choices they MUST make

Then add optional content around this spine.

Phase 3: Population (3-4 hours)

Fill your structure with engaging content.

NPC Creation Priorities:

Quest Giver: Who presents the module?
Primary Antagonist: Who opposes the players?
Key Informant: Who provides crucial information?
Wild Card: Who complicates matters?
Supporting Cast: 2-3 minor but memorable NPCs

Location Development:

Hub Location: Where players return/resupply
Challenge Sites: Where conflicts occur
Information Sites: Where clues are found
Transition Spaces: How players move between

Encounter Design Mix:

40% Combat (varied difficulty and type)
30% Social (negotiations, investigations)
20% Exploration (discovery, problem-solving)
10% Wildcard (unique to your module)

Information Architecture:

Essential Clues: Multiple sources for each
Bonus Information: Rewards thorough investigation
Red Herrings: 1-2 maximum, must be interesting
Foreshadowing: Next module seeds

Phase 4: Pressure Testing (1-2 hours)

Ensure your module survives contact with players.

The Three-Path Test: Can players complete your module if they:

Combat Path: Fight everything possible?
Social Path: Talk their way through?
Stealth Path: Avoid direct confrontation?

The Failure Cascade: What happens when:

Players miss crucial information?
Key NPCs die unexpectedly?
Players skip major locations?
Time pressure expires?

The Interest Check:

Does each session end with a cliffhanger?
Are there meaningful choices throughout?
Do player actions visibly matter?
Is the climax worth the buildup?

Creating Module Documents

Your final module package should include:

Session Notes (Your Reference Document)

Complete NPC stats and personalities
Location descriptions and maps
Encounter details and alternatives
Information/clue placement
Contingency plans

Quick Reference Sheets

Initiative tracker templates
NPC name/voice notes
Critical rule references
Improvisation tools

Time Management

Total Creation Time: 8-12 hours for a 3-4 session module

Time Breakdown:

Concept: 2-3 hours
Structure: 2-3 hours
Population: 3-4 hours
Pressure Testing: 1-2 hours
Documentation: 1-2 hours

Efficiency Tips:

Reuse NPC templates
Build location libraries
Create encounter formulas
Maintain clue patterns

Common Creation Pitfalls

Over-Planning

Symptom: 40+ pages for a 3-session module Solution: Focus on critical path + improvisation tools

Under-Planning

Symptom: “I’ll just improvise everything” Solution: Minimum viable structure prevents aimless sessions

Railroad Design

Symptom: One solution to every problem Solution: Three-path test ensures flexibility

Kitchen Sink Syndrome

Symptom: Every cool idea crammed into one module Solution: Save ideas for future modules

Module Creation Checklist

Before running your module, verify:

Concept

Clear central conflict
Meaningful stakes
Compelling hook
Thematic unity

Structure

Session breakdown planned
Critical path identified
Multiple solution paths
Satisfying climax

Content

NPCs statted and motivated
Locations described
Encounters balanced
Information redundancy

Testing

Three paths work
Failure states planned
Interest maintained
Documents complete

Module Creation Summary

The four-phase process transforms vague ideas into playable content:

Concept (2-3 hours): Core conflict, stakes, hook
Structure (2-3 hours): Session breakdown, critical path
Population (3-4 hours): NPCs, locations, clues
Testing (1-2 hours): Multiple paths, failure states

Total: 8-12 hours for a complete module

Remember: Theory becomes practice through repetition. Each module you create becomes easier as you develop your own templates and understand your players better.

Next Steps

With your module created, the next chapter covers specific templates for different module types, from mysteries to heists to political intrigue. The final chapters address running modules effectively and creating your first 2-session module after Session Zero.

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