The Session Prep That Made Me Cancel My Anxiety Medication

Sunday Night, Every DM's Personal Hell

It's 10 PM. Session is tomorrow at 7.

I'm staring at my notes from last session. They say "Aldric dead, party sad, emerald bad, Miri??????"

Super helpful, past me. Really comprehensive.

I have seventeen tabs open trying to piece together:

• What happened to Teponotanga after his bloodlust incident?

• Did I ever introduce Miri Thorne or just mention her?

• Which player hasn't had spotlight time recently?

• What was that plot thread about the Iron Legion?

• Where the hell were they going next?

My heart rate is climbing. That familiar session-prep anxiety is setting in.

"What if they ask about that NPC from three sessions ago?"
"What if they go somewhere I'm not prepared for?"
"What if I forget a major plot point and break continuity?"

I used to take actual medication for my Sunday night panic attacks. Not joking.

Then, three weeks ago, I clicked a button that changed everything.

The Button That Broke My Brain

I'd just finished entering our last session notes into StormScape. The aftermath of the Old Barrows. Aldric dead. Party traumatized. The usual cheerful D&D stuff.

This little gradient button appeared: "Generate Session Plan"

I clicked it, expecting... honestly, I don't know. Maybe a basic outline? Some bullet points?

What I got made me literally stand up from my desk and walk around my apartment.

What Appeared After 60 Seconds

First: The Perfect Recap

Not just "last time on D&D" but an emotional, narrative recap that captured the WEIGHT of what happened:

"Previously, the party ventured into the Old Barrows to find Aldric Thorne. They faced undead, and Teponotanga succumbed to bloodlust, attacking Mycaria. Deeper within, they found Aldric undergoing a necromantic ritual. The party now stands in the aftermath, Aldric's body before them, with a heavy journey back to Thornhaven ahead."

It remembered EVERYTHING. Every emotional beat. Every named NPC. Every dangling thread.

Second: The Session Structure

Not vague suggestions. ACTUAL SESSION BEATS WITH TIMING:

Beat 1: Barrows Aftermath & Reflection (~20 min)
"Party deals with immediate aftermath. Focus on emotional processing, checking for loot, discussing Teponotanga's bloodlust."

Beat 2: Exit and Ezra's Reaction (~15 min)
"Encounter Ezra the Gravekeeper, who will inquire about their success and react to news of Aldric's death."

Beat 3: Journey Back to Thornhaven (~15 min)
"Opportunity for quiet reflection or subtle re-introduction of Cassandra Vale surveillance."

Nine beats total. Each with purpose. Each with timing. Each connecting to larger story arcs.

Third: NPCs Ready to Run

Not just names. COMPLETE PREP:

Ezra the Gravekeeper

• Personality: Ancient, stoic, somber

• Current Goals: Maintain peace of the dead, understand what happened

• Secret: Knows more about the barrows' corruption than he lets on

• Why They Matter: First NPC after the barrows, will react to Aldric's death

Miri Thorne

• Personality: Grieving, distraught, vulnerable

• Current Goals: Understand what happened to Aldric, find closure or vengeance

• Secret: Aldric had been acting strangely, drawn by something

• Why They Matter: Emotional roleplay encounter for delivering tragic news

Every NPC. Ready to run. With personality, goals, and secrets.

Fourth: The Part That Made Me Cry

Player Spotlight Moments.

The AI had analyzed my sessions and noticed something I hadn't:

Mycaria Faengus - Priority: HIGH

"Why They Need Attention: The burden of the Emerald, the moral weight of her mercy kill, and her connection to the corruption."

"What To Do: During the Barrows aftermath, describe the Emerald pulsing in sync with her emotions regarding Aldric's death. Give her a moment to reflect on The Warden's words and the weight of 'protecting the emerald'."

It knew Mycaria needed spotlight. It knew WHY. It told me EXACTLY how to give it to her.

For EVERY. SINGLE. PLAYER.

The Feature That No DM Believes Until They See It

Contingency Plans

You know that moment when players say "Actually, we're going to completely ignore the obvious quest and go somewhere random"?

StormScape planned for that.

"Party decides to avoid Miri Thorne"

"If they send an NPC, Miri will be distraught and seek them at the inn. If they avoid her, she'll eventually seek them out at the Weary Wanderer with a plea for vengeance or answers."

NPCs Ready: Miri Thorne, Brynn Aldenmoor
Locations Ready: The Weary Wanderer Inn
Plot Hooks: Miri Thorne's Reaction

"Party doesn't go to Woodgrove immediately"

"Have Mayor Crowley or Sister Thalia express urgency about corruption spreading. Cassandra Vale and Iron Legion could appear, investigating the corruption and concerned about the party's inaction."

NPCs Ready: Mayor Crowley, Sister Thalia, Cassandra Vale
Locations Ready: Thornwood Grove, Temple of Erathis
Plot Hooks: Woodgrove Corruption, Cassandra Vale's Watch

SIX DIFFERENT CONTINGENCIES.

Each with NPCs ready. Locations prepped. Plot hooks loaded.

My players could go completely off the rails and I'd be ready.

The Hidden Magic: Continuity Callbacks

This destroyed me (in the best way):

"Teponotanga's Bloodlust" (HIGH Priority)

"How to bring it back: During Barrows aftermath and long rest, prompt Teponotanga for feelings of guilt/fear. Have Kavorix or Mycaria express concern. Old Garrick can offer advice or listening ear."

First mentioned: Session #4
Last referenced: Last session
Connects to: Beat #1

"The Emerald's True Power" (HIGH Priority)

"What is the emerald? How does it connect to the Sundering Road and The Crown? What does 'protect the emerald' truly mean?"

First mentioned: Session #2
Still unresolved after: 3 sessions

It found EVERY dropped thread. EVERY forgotten NPC. EVERY unresolved mystery.

And told me exactly when to weave them back in.

How It Actually Works

Choose Your Prep Mode

Quick Prep (5 min): Just the essentials - recap, hook, 3-5 beats
Standard Plan (15 min): Full plan with beats, NPCs, and spotlight moments
Deep Dive (30+ min): Everything plus contingencies, pacing guide, combat encounters

Add Context (Optional)

Type what you're thinking:

"They should confront the vampire lord tonight"
"Focus on Aria's backstory with her father"
"They're likely returning to the tavern after the dungeon"

The AI uses this to shape the plan to YOUR vision.

Get Everything in 60 Seconds

• Previously On... - Perfect recap for players

• Opening Hook - How to start with impact

• Session Beats - Structured story moments with timing

• NPCs to Prepare - Everyone they might meet, fully detailed

• Locations - With atmosphere, features, purpose

• Items & Props - Important objects and when to introduce them

• Continuity Callbacks - Forgotten threads to weave in

• Player Spotlights - Ensure everyone gets their moment

• Contingency Plans - For when players go rogue

• Pacing Guide - Keep the session flowing

The Sunday Night That Changed Everything

Last Sunday. 9:45 PM.

Old me would be deep in panic mode. Heart racing. Notes scattered. Discord messages from players asking "we still on for tomorrow?" making me sweat.

New me:

1. Opened StormScape

2. Clicked "Generate Session Plan"

3. Selected "Standard Plan" (15 min depth)

4. Added context: "Party needs to deal with Miri Thorne, then head to Woodgrove"

5. Waited 58 seconds

6. Received a better session plan than I'd ever created manually

Then I did something I hadn't done in three years of DMing:

I went to bed before midnight on a Sunday.

No panic. No anxiety. No frantic note-taking until 2 AM.

Just... ready.

What Happened at the Table

Monday night. 7 PM. Players arrive.

"Previously on..." I read the AI-generated recap. Players nod, fully oriented.

Beat 1 happens exactly as planned. Emotional aftermath in the barrows. Teponotanga opens up about his bloodlust (the AI reminded me to prompt this).

Beat 2 - They exit. Meet Ezra. I know his personality, goals, and secrets. The conversation flows naturally.

Beat 3 - Journey back. I weave in subtle Iron Legion surveillance (contingency plan activated when they mentioned looking for threats).

Beat 4 - Here it comes. The Miri Thorne moment. I'm ready with her emotional state, her secrets, her goals...

"We're not dealing with that now. Let's go straight to Woodgrove."

Old me: PANIC

New me: Scrolls to Contingency Plan #2

Cassandra Vale appears at the town gate. "The corruption spreads while you delay. Every hour costs lives." She offers to handle Miri if they handle Woodgrove.

Players: "Whoa, the Iron Legion is watching us?"

Me, internally: Thank you, StormScape AI

The session continues. Every player gets their spotlight moment EXACTLY when the AI suggested. Mycaria's emerald pulses during her emotional beat. Kavorix gets offered leadership of the Woodgrove expedition. Myra confronts her patron's silence.

Best session we've ever had.

The Data That Proves This Is Magic

StormScape analyzed for my last session plan:

• 12 past sessions

• 47 NPCs

• 23 locations

• 156 lore entries

• 892 individual character moments

• 1,847 recorded interactions

It found patterns I never saw:

• Kavorix always protects Mycaria specifically (not just "the party")

• The emerald gets mentioned every time someone dies

• Cassandra Vale appears exactly 2 sessions after major events

• Teponotanga's bloodlust triggers near ancient magic

And used them to build the perfect session.

Features That Make DMs Weep With Joy

Customizable Depth

• Quick Prep for simple sessions

• Standard for normal games

• Deep Dive for complex episodes

Edit Everything

Every section is editable. It's YOUR session plan, enhanced by AI, not replaced by it.

Learns Your Style

The more sessions you run, the better it understands your pacing, your style, your world.

Spotlight Balance

Tracks who's had attention across sessions. Ensures quiet players get moments.

Thread Weaving

Finds connections between disparate elements you didn't even realize existed.

Emotional Intelligence

Knows when to push emotional beats vs action vs investigation based on recent session flow.

The Features Other Platforms Can't Touch

Roll20: Great maps. No session planning.
D&D Beyond: Character sheets. No campaign intelligence.
World Anvil: Wiki building. No session structure.
Notion/Obsidian: Note taking. No AI analysis.

StormScape: Everything above PLUS AI that understands your campaign better than you do.

Your Next Session Can Be Your Best Session

Here's what happens when you use Session Plan:

1. No more panic - You're prepared for anything

2. No more forgotten threads - Every plot point tracked

3. No more imbalanced spotlight - Every player gets moments

4. No more continuity breaks - Perfect recall of everything

5. No more Sunday night anxiety - Just confidence

The Real Magic

It's not just about saving time (though saving 4 hours is incredible).

It's about what happens when you're not stressed:

• You roleplay better because you're not checking notes

• You improvise confidently because you have contingencies

• You notice player reactions because you're not panicking

• You enjoy DMing again because it's not homework

You become the DM you always wanted to be.

Try This Next Sunday

1. Enter your session notes into StormScape (even messy ones)

2. Click "Generate Session Plan"

3. Choose your depth (start with Standard)

4. Add any context about where you want the session to go

5. Wait 60 seconds

6. Read your plan

7. Go to bed before midnight

8. Run your best session ever

Then come back and tell me how your players reacted when you seamlessly wove in that plot thread from 10 sessions ago.

Your turn: What's your worst session prep nightmare? The time you forgot a major NPC? Mixed up plot points? Share your prep horror stories below.