Module Overview

The template’s metadata:

---
# Template metadata
id: module_overview
title: Module Overview
type: module_overview
level: module
purpose: Complete runnable adventure module with catalog references and playable content
author: Mimir Team

# Module-specific metadata
# These fields are filled in when creating a module from this template
module_number: 1
theme: "[Theme]"
tone: "[Tone]"
estimated_hours: 4

# Catalog references (machine-readable)
# The system parses these arrays and syncs to database tables
# Full stat blocks are generated in separate monsters.md, npcs.md, items.md files

monsters:
  # Group monsters by encounter tag for organization
  # - encounter: Tag name matching Adventure Content encounters
  # - name: Exact catalog name
  # - source: Source book abbreviation (MM, PHB, DMG, etc.)
  # - quantity: Number of creatures
  # - notes: Context for this encounter
  - encounter: entrance_fight
    name: "[Monster Name]"
    source: MM
    quantity: 2
    notes: "Guards at the entrance"
  - encounter: boss_fight
    name: "[Boss Monster]"
    source: MM
    quantity: 1
    notes: "Main antagonist"

npcs:
  # NPCs can reference catalog entries or campaign-specific characters
  # - role: quest_giver, ally, antagonist, informant, wild_card
  # - source: "campaign" for custom NPCs, or source book for catalog NPCs
  - role: quest_giver
    name: "[NPC Name]"
    source: campaign
    location: "[Location]"
    notes: "Provides the hook"
  - role: antagonist
    name: "[Antagonist Name]"
    source: campaign
    location: "[Location]"
    notes: "Primary opposition"

items:
  # Magic items and significant treasure
  # - location: Where found (matches encounter tags or location names)
  - location: boss_chamber
    name: "[Magic Item]"
    source: DMG
    quantity: 1
    notes: "Primary reward"
  - location: hidden_cache
    name: Potion of Healing
    source: PHB
    quantity: 3
    notes: "Optional discovery"

variables:
  - name: module_name
    type: string
    description: Name of the module
    default: "[Module Name]"
    required: true
  - name: module_number
    type: number
    description: Module number in campaign sequence
    default: 1
    required: true
---

Module {{module_number}}: {{module_name}}

---

1. Overview

Pitch: [One sentence that captures the essence of this module]

Theme: [What this module is really about - the deeper meaning]

Tone: [Serious / Light / Dark / Adventure / Horror / Mystery]

Estimated Play Time: [X hours]

The Hook

Inciting Incident: [What starts this module - the event that pulls players in]

Why Now: [The urgency factor - why this can’t wait]

Personal Stakes: [Why the PCs specifically care about this]

Module Structure

[START] → [LOCATION 1] → [LOCATION 2] → [CLIMAX] → [RESOLUTION]
 (hook)     (challenge)    (challenge)    (boss)     (aftermath)

[Brief description of the structure - linear, branching, hub-and-spoke, etc.]

---

2. Locations

Hub: [Where PCs operate from or return to]

Challenge Sites

#	Location	What Happens Here	Key Features
1	[Location Name]	[Primary activity/challenge]	[Notable features]
2	[Location Name]	[Primary activity/challenge]	[Notable features]
3	[Location Name]	[Primary activity/challenge]	[Notable features]

---

3. Critical Path

Must Happen

1. [Essential event or discovery]
2. [Essential event or discovery]
3. [Essential event or discovery]

Should Happen

• [Important but flexible event]
• [Important but flexible event]

Could Happen

• [Bonus content or easter egg]
• [Bonus content or easter egg]

---

4. Information Architecture

Essential Clues

Clue	Source A	Source B	Source C
[What players learn]	[Where/how]	[Where/how]	[Where/how]
[What players learn]	[Where/how]	[Where/how]	[Where/how]

Bonus Information

Info	How to Find It
[Interesting detail]	[Method/location]
[Interesting detail]	[Method/location]

---

5. Adventure Content

Part 1: [Scene Name]

Setup: [Context for this scene - what’s happening, why players are here]

Read Aloud: “[Evocative description of what players see, hear, and sense. Write in second person present tense. Include sensory details - sights, sounds, smells. Set the mood.]”

Features:

• [Environmental detail or interactive element]
• [Environmental detail or interactive element]
• [Notable object or NPC present]

Encounter: entrance_fight

• Tactics: [How enemies fight - their strategy and behavior]
• Terrain: [Environmental factors affecting combat]
• Complications: [What might go wrong or change mid-fight]

Outcomes:

• Success: [What happens if players succeed]
• Failure: [Consequences if players fail - should not end the adventure]
• Transition: [How this leads to the next scene]

---

Part 2: [Scene Name]

Setup: [Context for this scene]

Read Aloud: “[Description for players]”

Features:

• [Environmental details]
• [Interactive elements]

Challenge: [Puzzle, social encounter, or exploration challenge]

• Objective: [What players need to accomplish]
• Approach Options: [Different ways to succeed]

Outcomes:

• Success: [What happens]
• Partial Success: [Alternative outcome]
• Transition: [To next scene]

---

Part 3: [Climax Scene Name]

Setup: [Building to the climax]

Read Aloud: “[Dramatic description setting up the final challenge]”

Features:

• [Key environmental features]
• [Dramatic elements]

Encounter: boss_fight

• Tactics: [Boss behavior and phases]
• Legendary Actions: [If applicable]
• Lair Effects: [Environmental dangers]

Outcomes:

• Victory: [Rewards and consequences]
• Defeat: [What happens - avoid TPK unless appropriate]
• Resolution: [Wrapping up the module]

---

6. Puzzles & Challenges

[Puzzle Name]

Location: [Where this puzzle appears]

Setup: [What players see when they encounter the puzzle]

Read Aloud: “[Description of the puzzle environment]”

The Puzzle:

• Objective: [What players need to accomplish]
• Components: [Interactive elements]
• Solution: [How to solve it]

Hints (Progressive):

1. [Subtle hint - free or low DC]
2. [Medium hint - moderate DC or cost]
3. [Direct hint - if they’re really stuck]

Consequences:

• Solved: [Reward or progression]
• Failed Attempt: [What happens on wrong answer]
• Brute Force: [Alternative solution if applicable]

---

7. DM Notes

Pacing

[Tips for managing time and momentum through the module. When to speed up, when to slow down, natural break points.]

Tone Calibration

[How to adjust the mood for different groups. What elements to emphasize or downplay.]

Scaling

• Weaker Party: [Adjustments for struggling players - reduce HP, remove abilities, add NPC help]
• Stronger Party: [Adjustments for experienced players - add enemies, buff abilities, add complications]

Common Pitfalls

[Things that might derail the module and how to get back on track]

• [Pitfall]: [How to handle it]
• [Pitfall]: [How to handle it]

---

8. Connections

From Previous Module

[What carries forward - plot threads, NPC relationships, consequences of prior choices]

To Next Module

[What this sets up - hooks planted, information revealed, new threats introduced]

Campaign Themes

[How this module reinforces the overarching campaign themes and narrative]

---

9. Post-Module Notes

What Happened

• [Key decision point - which way did they go?]
• [Key decision point - what choice did they make?]
• [Important NPC interaction - how did it go?]
• [Unexpected player action worth noting]

Continuity Notes

[Important facts for future modules - what players know, what they missed, relationships changed]

Player Feedback

[What worked well, what to adjust for future sessions]

---

Status: [Planning / Ready / Active / Complete] Started: [Date] Completed: [Date]