Suggestions for how to record a new campaign

[Razan de Ullapool]

I'm looking for some suggestions on how to record a new campaign I am starting in a week or two.

What would I record? Just a summary of each meeting? Character sheets?

Just looking for some ideas here.

I was thinking of using wikispaces.com or some other free wiki for this.

Obviously I'm aware I could do anything I want, just looking for some ideas before I get a few months into the campaign and go "darn! I should have been recording XYZ all along!"

Thanks!

[Jester of the FoS]

Do you mean a campaign log and summary of events or just basic information?

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

well, you can see what my decision on this issue was here:
http://themistway.com

Generally speaking, I get notes from my players and turn them into narrative, filling in details from my own notes and memory. I haven't bothered putting up character sheets because they change so often, so I have just a summary of each character. Besides, the background is more important than the stats anyway.

I've also tried to be sure to jot down any particularly funny or otherwise memorable quotes and make sure they make it into the journal. That sort of thing brings back good memories that would otherwise be lost, and makes the journal more than just a summary of a module.

I constantly struggle with how much detail to include, and you can see that my early journals are way less detailed than the later ones.

Hope that helps. I've seen lots of people do it different ways, so take my opinion with a grain of salt. do what works for you.

[Razan de Ullapool]

I've also tried to be sure to jot down any particularly funny or otherwise memorable quotes and make sure they make it into the journal. That sort of thing brings back good memories that would otherwise be lost, and makes the journal more than just a summary of a module.

Yeah, precisely. See, I'm a player in a campaign right now and I get so bored between meetings (sometimes they go more than a week because of people's travel schedules) and I was hoping this campaign log could provide some sort of creative outlet for me.

Maybe I could put up some backstories, tell the players to read them. I dunno, which is why I was asking for ideas. Just thinking of ways to enhance the campaign somehow and give the players a "fix" between gaming sessions. My players are chomping at the bit already daily sending me ideas for their characters, backstories, hopes for where they want to take their character, etc and they're pretty much like me - might only be able to meet in person once a week but daily they like to THINK about the game in some way. Was hoping this site might provide some sort of outlet.

The idea of a wiki also appealed to me in that I was thinking they might be able to edit it . . . again, not sure.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

(sometimes they go more than a week because of people's travel schedules)

Please forgive me for what I'm about to do, Razan.... BWAHAHAHAHAH!!! hah ... ha... hah...

I'm sorry, I really am. Just please treasure this time in your life. You don't know how lucky you are to be able to play every few weeks. My group's last session was in December, and our next won't be until next month. If we were able to play every week, I might actually run out of ideas.

Anyway, yeah, a wiki seems like a neat idea if you have players that want to contribute, and if you're not too hung up on consistent style.

[Jester of the FoS]

If you have a good computer, the other option is to literally record it. Set up a mike (even if you need a loooong cord) and just record. Given current MP3 and storage capacity, each session should only be 200 megs (assuming a long 5-hour game), less if you go for poor quality. That's 3 sessions on a single burn CD.

[Gonzoron of the FoS]

If you have a good computer, the other option is to literally record it.

Be warned. Some players might not be comfortable with this. I tried twice to record important conversations on a cassette tape (what's that, grandpa?) and both times we all seemed pretty uncomfortable and inhibited, even though we knew I'd erase the tape after transcribing it. Subconsciously, once the recorder came out, we all felt like we were performing, not playing.

[steveflam]

I do Miranda Cornelius' journal for Jonathan Winters campaign. I take notes during each session and type out the journal afterwards. We are at session 13 right now, and on the site are sessions 1-11 in the Veranda of the FoS! Anyways that's my take