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Mimir

Session Outline (Archived)

The template’s metadata:

---
id: session_outline
title: Session Outline
type: session_outline
level: module
purpose: Plan and track individual game sessions
author: Mimir Team
variables:
  - name: session_number
    type: number
    description: Session number
    default: 1
    required: true
  - name: session_title
    type: string
    description: Session title
    default: "[Session Title]"
    required: true
---

Session {{session_number}}: {{session_title}}

Section titled “Session {{session_number}}: {{session_title}}”

Date: [Date]
Module: [Current Module]
Expected Duration: [X hours]

1. Review Characters

Section titled “1. Review Characters”

Party Status

Section titled “Party Status”
Character Player HP Resources Personal Goal
[Name] [Player] [Current/Max] [Spell slots, etc] [What they want]
[Name] [Player] [Current/Max] [Spell slots, etc] [What they want]
[Name] [Player] [Current/Max] [Spell slots, etc] [What they want]
[Name] [Player] [Current/Max] [Spell slots, etc] [What they want]

Recent Events Affecting Characters

Section titled “Recent Events Affecting Characters”
  • [Character]: [What happened to them specifically]
  • [Character]: [What happened to them specifically]

2. Create a Strong Start

Section titled “2. Create a Strong Start”

Opening Scene

Section titled “Opening Scene”

Location: [Where]
Situation: [What’s happening as we begin]
Immediate Decision: [What choice faces the PCs]

Previously On…

Section titled “Previously On…”

[1-2 sentence recap of last session ending]

3. Outline Potential Scenes

Section titled “3. Outline Potential Scenes”

Design to fit your session length

Session Arc for [X]-Hour Session

Section titled “Session Arc for [X]-Hour Session”

Structure: [e.g., “Setup → Investigation → Combat → Cliffhanger”]
Target Ending: [Natural stopping point you’re aiming for]

Expected Scenes

Section titled “Expected Scenes”
  1. [Opening Scene Name]: [Purpose and likely outcome] (~[X] min)
  2. [Development Scene]: [Purpose and likely outcome] (~[X] min)
  3. [Development Scene]: [Purpose and likely outcome] (~[X] min)
  4. [Climax Scene]: [Purpose and likely outcome] (~[X] min)
  5. [Ending/Cliffhanger]: [Where we aim to end] (~[X] min)

Contingency Scenes

Section titled “Contingency Scenes”
  • If PCs go to [location]: [What happens]
  • If PCs talk to [NPC]: [What they learn]
  • If PCs avoid [thing]: [Consequence]

4. Define Secrets and Clues

Section titled “4. Define Secrets and Clues”

Core Information (PCs Should Learn)

Section titled “Core Information (PCs Should Learn)”
  1. [Critical clue]: Found via [method 1], [method 2], or [method 3]
  2. [Critical clue]: Found via [method 1], [method 2], or [method 3]
  3. [Critical clue]: Found via [method 1], [method 2], or [method 3]

Bonus Secrets (Rewards for Exploration)

Section titled “Bonus Secrets (Rewards for Exploration)”
  1. [Interesting detail]: [Where it’s hidden]
  2. [Character-specific info]: [Who it relates to]
  3. [World lore]: [How it’s revealed]
  4. [Future hook]: [What it sets up]
  5. [Red herring]: [Misleading but interesting]
  6. [NPC secret]: [Personal information]
  7. [Hidden treasure]: [Location and guards]

5. Develop Fantastic Locations

Section titled “5. Develop Fantastic Locations”

Location 1: [Name]

Section titled “Location 1: [Name]”

First Impression: [What PCs notice immediately]
Three Fantastic Aspects:

  1. [Unique visual feature]
  2. [Atmospheric detail]
  3. [Interactive element]

Location 2: [Name]

Section titled “Location 2: [Name]”

First Impression: [What PCs notice immediately]
Three Fantastic Aspects:

  1. [Unique visual feature]
  2. [Atmospheric detail]
  3. [Interactive element]

6. Outline Important NPCs

Section titled “6. Outline Important NPCs”
Section titled “Featured NPCs This Session”
Name Appearance Personality Wants Useful Info
[Name] [1 memorable trait] [2 characteristics] [Immediate goal] [What they know]
[Name] [1 memorable trait] [2 characteristics] [Immediate goal] [What they know]

NPC Relationships

Section titled “NPC Relationships”
  • [NPC] thinks [NPC] is [opinion because reason]
  • [NPC] needs [NPC] for [specific purpose]

7. Choose Relevant Monsters

Section titled “7. Choose Relevant Monsters”

Potential Combat Encounters

Section titled “Potential Combat Encounters”
Encounter Monsters Difficulty Environment Tactics
[Name] [Number and type] [Easy/Med/Hard/Deadly] [Terrain features] [How they fight]
[Name] [Number and type] [Easy/Med/Hard/Deadly] [Terrain features] [How they fight]

Non-Combat Creatures

Section titled “Non-Combat Creatures”
  • [Creature]: [How PCs might interact peacefully]
  • [Creature]: [What service/info they provide]

8. Select Magic Item Rewards

Section titled “8. Select Magic Item Rewards”

Treasure Parcels

Section titled “Treasure Parcels”
Item Location Guardian Attunement?
[Item name and rarity] [Where found] [What protects it] Yes/No
[Consumable] [Where found] [How obtained] No

Story Rewards

Section titled “Story Rewards”
  • Achievement: [What it grants access to]
  • Information: [How it advances plot]
  • Ally: [Who they’ve earned trust of]
  • Reputation: [How perception changes]

Session Materials Checklist

Section titled “Session Materials Checklist”
  • Initiative tracker ready
  • NPC stat blocks bookmarked
  • Maps printed/loaded
  • Handouts prepared
  • Rules referenced checked
  • Music playlist queued
  • Props gathered (if any)
  • Backup dice available

Floating Elements

Section titled “Floating Elements”

Encounters/scenes that can happen anytime if pacing needs adjustment

Social: [Quick NPC interaction]
Combat: [Simple encounter]
Discovery: [Minor secret/treasure]
Complication: [Minor obstacle]

Post-Session Reminder

Section titled “Post-Session Reminder”
  • Update character resources
  • Note major decisions
  • Track treasure given
  • Record NPC impressions
  • Plan next session’s start