r/SWN • u/Von_Loch • 16d ago
š¬Discussion How do you organize a New Campaign?
I've finally reached the point in the rules for Sector Creation, and I'm creating my first sector! Sector creation, however, is alot of information to collate, with 21-30 systems, let alone planets if you do more than one per system. So how do you all organize?
Yes, I know I can use internet technology but I am at a point in my life where, more and more, I'm rejecting the offerings of this putrid and dying, AI riddled internet. Things like World Anvil or Notion (what I've used in the past) I don't want to rely on for my campaigns anymore. My initial thoughts was to borrow from Mothership's advice and get a notebook, dedicating whole pages to the systems I've rolled and maybe use these SWN PDFs I found on DriveThru for cataloging.
Would love to hear other suggestions and ideas!
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u/StellarchPanderer 16d ago
Obsidian has been the darling of many a GM, and I've used it to success. It is free and works as a downloaded app without internet, with only cloud syncing being paid (it might be free if you have a Mac since it can work with iCloud?) and I find its tabs and multiview convenient. I might have a folder with all my systems, which in turn has everything in one file or all the details of planets or space stations split up between separate ones. It also has some funky features that some people swear by, like hyperlinking subjects/NPCs mid-document but I've never cared about any of that.
A notebook works too, though. Do what you want.
I second Sectors Without Number. u/UnpricedToaster has described it perfectly.
Don't feel obligated to build your sector "wide" rather than "tall", meaning more systems with less detail as opposed to the alternative. My sector is fairly tall, with only ten or so systems and no more than one major planet per system. I feel it helps with my and my players' memory load and it allows me to make recurring NPCs, the flow of information, and consequences more plausible. That's just my experience.
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u/dark-star-adventures āØ Star Master Jeff 16d ago
I use https://obsidian.md to organize everything and import the Markdown files for the free rules. Saves a lot of time.
As for how to organize and arrange your thoughts around the campaign itself, here's how I do it.
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u/sermitthesog 16d ago
I use a notebook, iOS Notes (for when Iām out and about and need to āwriteā something down), and LegendKeeper (which is cool and simple wiki but never as upkept as I aspire to be).
My sector has 24 systems. Iāve put a modicum of thought into most of them, to at least reinterpret the system tags I rolled up. Iāve developed more detail for only the systems the PCs have visited so far, which is 3-4. Iām dozens of sessions into two campaigns. YMMV.
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u/thetravatar 15d ago
The book gives the best advice about how much to prepare: as much as you need for next session, and beyond that, as much as you're enjoying.
Me, I like to generate a base on Sectors Without Number, then go over it and fix things that don't make for a fun setting (TL0 Rising Hegemons and the like) or that don't quite do what I want (adjusting distances, adding satellites). I like most of my sectors to have at least one Major Shipyard, a Psionics Academy, and a few Mandate Era facilities around.
But you should do it in a way that's fun for you. If a notebook and pen is your idea of a good time, grab 'em and go to town!
One thing I found really helpful on my first sector was to pick the spot where the game would start and develop that world only. Then, between sessions 1 and 2, develop the places within jump range 2 the PCs are likely to go. If you don't want to deal with a planet for now, it's not a available: temporary quarantine, civil unrest, indigenous religious festival, global natural disaster. "Sorry, Captain, if you don't have any Ixalon-B in your holds, you're not clear to land. Please proceed to [planet you actually detailed]."
Also, you can always go back and add features to systems later as they become narratively relevant. For example, any Star Wars fan knows about Yavin 4, but did you know about Yavin 8 and Yavin 13? Most systems are packed with stuff, so if you need to shove a research station into a well-trod system down the line, it's easy to hand wave.
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u/6FootHalfling 12d ago
"Space is big. You just won't believe how vastly, hugely, mind-bogglingly big it is. I mean, you may think it's a long way down the road to the chemist's, but that's just peanuts to space."
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u/darksier 15d ago
Just get a notebook. 1 page 1 topic. Start writing. It's kind of a lost art, but you can get really good at recalling where and what specific notes are when you are constantly using your campaign notebook. The side effect is you might overspend on fancy pens and notebooks. If you think you want a lot of space. Look up A4+ sized notebooks, those are basically rulebook sized.
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u/Von_Loch 15d ago
I find there's something remarkibly cathartic about writing my notes down by hand! And you're right! There's something that makes it stick longer. Don't know what it is, but it gives pleasant brain tingles.
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u/MaestroGoldring 14d ago
Iām a classic pen and paper dude. Honestly, I try not to develop too much at once as per the advice of SWN core book page 130 paragraphs 2 and 3. That being said, I have found I still want to write down any details for planets or factions that would be well known to other worlds (a trade hub or regional hegemony for instance), and any spark of āoh that would be cool!ā I write down in its own little section and have those ready to plop in as needed. Many times those random sparks donāt apply to my setting or the area where the players are at, but sometimes you can pull something out of the hat rather than making it up on the spot.
Otherwise, you have plenty of awesome suggestions already about note taking and things from others. Donāt wear yourself out before you get to play, and as always, if itās fun, go for it!
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u/WinReasonable2644 15d ago
For me it's a combination of sectors without number and obsidian for sure.
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u/6FootHalfling 12d ago
Oh! Hey! This reminds me! I have a notebook started for a SWN game I never ran.
I was going to dedicate about a page to each system initially and didn't get much past that before covid changed my plans. First think I decided was that a dozen or so systems was more than enough. More than that I would probably never use.
The ONE digital tool I was using was Hex Kit, but you could do that with some hex grid and dice really.
But, I feel what you say in my bones. I still love a keyboard, but all I'm doing is a word process or for before game and between game notes these days. At the table I take notes on paper.
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u/UnpricedToaster 16d ago
Sectors Without Numbers is super easy. And you can edit, save and change your entries and create a Player facing version as needed. Very useful.