Adventure Design & Campaign Prep: 4 Features Every TTRPG Module Needs

From Short Rest Studios · 00:10:36

Show by Jud Kossum

Running published TTRPG modules often means wrestling with dense walls of text, confusing page layouts, and endless prepping. Jud breaks down four essential features that every published tabletop RPG adventure from one-shots to full campaigns needs to have for seamless table play.Using examples from his level 1 Nimble adventure, Riddle of the Veiled Isles, Jud highlights how smart formatting and layout choices empower game masters to run smoother, faster sessions with far less preparation time.Four Essential Features for Published TTRPG Adventures:Scannable Page Layouts: Ditch prose-heavy walls of text for bullet points, bold keywords, inline stat blocks, and color-coded information to help GMs find key information instantly during play.Purposeful Random Encounters: Travel tables should never feel like filler content. Encounters must offer world flavor, story clues, or unique mechanical situations rather than generic monster attacks.Cohesive Thematic Challenges: Encounter design and monster choices need to match the setting and overall story narrative rather than just filling a challenge rating gap.Active Game Master Support: Modules should include built-in GM notes to help with pacing, session length adjustments, and handling potential party wipes or TPK situations gracefully.00:00 - The Problem with Published TTRPG Adventures00:52 - 4 Non-Negotiable Features Every Module Needs01:06 - 1. Scannable Layouts and Color Coding04:43 - 2. Meaningful Random Encounters06:30 - 3. Challenges and Encounters That Make Sense08:22 - 4. Active Game Master Support and TPK Prep09:47 - Final Thoughts and Community FeedbackGet Jud's Nimble Adventure "Riddle of the Veiled Isles" on DriveThruRPG:https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/585446/riddle-of-the-veiled-isles-1st-level-adventure-for-nimbleMore ways to support Short Rest Studios!Short Rest Studios Merch: https://short-rest-studios.printify.meShort Rest Studios PDFs: https://www.patreon.com/ShortRestStudios/shopJoin the Adventurers Guild on Patreon: https://Patreon.com/ShortRestStudiosJoin the Discord! https://discord.gg/C89CBNZpbeMy website: https://shortreststudios.comMy DriveThruRPG Affiliate Link: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/?affiliate_id=3260793Shop D&D, DCC, the gear I use to make these videos, and more in my Amazon storefront:https://www.amazon.com/shop/shortreststudiosGet 10% off dice and accessories at https://MistyMountainGaming.com/shortreststudiosGet 10% off game tables and furniture at https://legacygametables.com/shortreststudiosGet 20% off with Homie and the Dude: https://hatdbuilder.com/?coupon=shortrest

More episodes of Short Rest Studios

More episodes

PodSearch is a free, independent podcast search engine. Read about PodSearch, the privacy policy or contact us.