D&D Session Prep Template (Free, Printable)
This free D&D session prep template gives DMs one page to plan a session: character hooks, a strong opening, possible scenes, secrets and clues, locations, NPCs, encounters, and rewards, plus a short table checklist. It follows the eight prep steps from Mike Shea's Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master, so it stays short and flexible.
The Template
# Session Prep: [Campaign Name], Session #___ Date: ___________ Expected players: ________________________ ## 1. Review the Characters | Character | Player | What they want right now | Hook for this session | |-----------|--------|--------------------------|-----------------------| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Last session ended: _______________________________________________ ## 2. Strong Start (Something happens in the first five minutes. Not a recap; an event.) ## 3. Possible Scenes (Rough list. The players will skip some and invent others.) - [ ] - [ ] - [ ] ## 4. Secrets and Clues (10 short facts the party could learn. Don't attach them to a place; drop them wherever the party looks.) 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. ## 5. Locations | Location | 3 details (sight, sound, smell) | What can happen here | |----------|--------------------------------|----------------------| | | | | | | | | ## 6. NPCs | Name | Wants | Voice / quirk | Knows (which secret?) | |------|-------|---------------|-----------------------| | | | | | | | | | | ## 7. Monsters and Encounters | Encounter | Monsters | Difficulty | Stat block source / page | |-----------|----------|------------|--------------------------| | | | | | ## 8. Rewards | Reward | Who it's for | Why it matters | |--------|--------------|----------------| | | | | ## Table Checklist - [ ] Maps / handouts ready - [ ] Music or ambience queued - [ ] Initiative tracker set up - [ ] Names list for improvised NPCs - [ ] Recording on (if your table records)
Plain markdown: pastes cleanly into Notion, Obsidian, Google Docs, or a Discord channel. Free to use and share.
How to Use It
- Start from last session's notes. The unresolved threads and where you stopped feed straight into steps 1 and 2.
- Fill in the sections in order, but stop when you feel ready. Most sessions don't need every box filled.
- Write secrets and clues as single sentences. During play, give one out whenever the party searches, asks, or rolls well.
- Prep situations, not plots. Scenes are possibilities; cross them off or ignore them as the players choose.
- After the session, mark which secrets were revealed so you can reuse the rest next time.
Tips
Keep the prep to one page
If it does not fit on one page, you are writing a novel the players will never read. Cut scenes before you cut secrets.
Balance encounters before the table
Check fights with our encounter difficulty calculator so a "medium" fight doesn't turn into a TPK.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long should D&D session prep take?
It varies by group and style. A one-page template like this one keeps prep focused on what you will actually use at the table: a strong start, a few scenes, and a list of secrets you can drop anywhere.
What are the eight steps of the Lazy DM?
From Mike Shea's Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master: review the characters, create a strong start, outline potential scenes, define secrets and clues, develop fantastic locations, outline important NPCs, choose relevant monsters, and select rewards. This template uses those eight steps as its sections.
What is a strong start in D&D?
An opening scene where something happens right away, such as an ambush, a visitor, or a disaster, instead of starting with the party deciding what to do. It pulls players into the game in the first few minutes.
Do I need session notes to prep?
They help a lot. Knowing exactly where the party stopped, which NPCs they met, and what threads are open is most of the work for steps 1 and 2.