Recapping the previous session is an essential part of having a strong start to any Dungeons and Dragons game. Not only does it help to refresh players' memories and get them back into the story, but it also sets the stage for the current session and can help establish goals and motivations for the party. In this blog, we'll explore some effective ways to recap the previous session using examples of NPCs with names, classes, situations, and motivations.
Use ChatGPT to write a summary recap for you.
Start with a Brief Summary: The first step in recapping the previous session is to give a brief summary of what happened. This should be a concise and straightforward retelling of the events that occurred, highlighting key plot points, major NPCs, and any significant actions taken by the players. For example:
"In our last session, our party arrived in the seaside town of Havenport in search of a powerful artifact. Along the way, they encountered a group of pirates who tried to steal their boat, but were defeated in a battle on the docks. They also met a local blacksmith named Greta, who offered to help them repair their damaged ship in exchange for some rare metals found in a nearby mine."
Introduce Key NPCs: Once you've provided a summary of the previous session, it's important to introduce any key NPCs who may be relevant to the current session. This can help to establish relationships and motivations for the party, as well as set the stage for any new developments in the story.
In this blog I create an NPC from scratch using ChatGPT and Midjourney
Here are some examples of key NPCs with their names, classes, situations, and motivations:
Captain Barbossa (Pirate Captain): The leader of the pirate group that attacked the party, Captain Barbossa is a fearsome and cunning foe. He was defeated in the previous session, but his crew is still at large and seeking revenge.
--Midjourney: /imagine **Character Design, Victorian age male pirate standing on his ship, wide view, Black skin,Dreadlocks, High collar grey coat, Lovecraftian, Gothic 1790 London, Concept art by Eve Ventrue, Luis Royo, full body, dramatic, fog, cinematic, static, film burn, old kodak photo, grainy, film scratches, news archive photo, polaroid photo, Depth of Field, F/2.8, high Contrast, 8K, Cinematic Lighting--
Greta (Blacksmith): A skilled blacksmith in Havenport, Greta has offered to help the party repair their ship in exchange for rare metals found in a nearby mine. She's eager to get her hands on the materials and get to work on the ship.
--Midjourney: /imagine **Character Design, female blacksmith, dwarvern, standing in her shop, holding a hammer, wide view, Brown hair, leather apron, Lovecraftian, Gothic 1790 London, Concept art by Eve Ventrue, Luis Royo, full body, dramatic, fog, cinematic, static, film burn, old kodak photo, grainy, film scratches, news archive --
Lord Darian (Nobleman): The ruler of Havenport, Lord Darian is known for his wealth and influence. He's also rumored to have ties to the dark arts and is suspected of hoarding powerful artifacts in his mansion on the outskirts of town.
--Midjourney: /imagine nobleman, intricate, sharp details, high resolution, extremely detailed, symmetric, lens 35mm photo, fantasy, Spotlight, Cinematic Lighting, Volumetric Lighting, Gothic 1790 London, static, Use lighting to create a sense of depth and contrast in the portrait, emphasizing the wrinkles and lines on his face that speak to his many years of experience and wisdom, --ar 1:2 --q 2 --c 33
Set Up Goals and Objectives: Finally, it's important to set up goals and objectives for the party to accomplish in the current session. This can help to create a sense of urgency and direction, as well as provide a clear focus for the players. Here are some examples of goals and objectives for the party:
Track down and defeat the remaining pirate crew: With Captain Barbossa defeated, the party must now track down and defeat the rest of his crew before they can cause any more trouble in Havenport.
Explore the mine and gather the rare metals: In order to repair their ship, the party must venture into a nearby mine and gather the rare metals Greta needs for the repairs. However, the mine is rumored to be haunted by ghosts, and there may be other dangers lurking within.
Infiltrate Lord Darian's mansion and recover the artifact: With suspicions mounting about Lord Darian's true motives, the party must find a way to infiltrate his heavily-guarded mansion and recover the powerful artifact they've been seeking. But with his influence and resources, it won't be an easy task.
By recapping the previous session in this way, you can set the stage for a strong and engaging start to the current game. Introducing key NPCs, setting up goals and objectives, and establishing relationships and motivations for the party can all help to create a sense of urgency or importance around the adventure. All of these factors can contribute to a more successful and enjoyable D&D game for both players and the DM.