D&D Session Notes: What DMs Actually Need to Remember + free checklist
- Jan 18
- 4 min read
So you just wrapped another epic D&D session ... someone's making jokes about that critical fail, dice are being put back into bags, and you're riding that post-sesh DM high.
Here's the thing: that fuzzy, satisfied feeling? It's also your brain's way of saying, "I'm about to delete like 60% of what just happened". Unless you capture the important stuff NOW, you're going to be three days out asking yourself, "wait, did they actually kill the shop owner or just threaten him?".
Let's talk about what you actually need to remember after your session ends, and how to make it painless.
The stuff that WILL bite you later
NPCs they interacted with: Write down every NPC name that came up (even the rando inmate your players decided to trust for no reason) because they WILL bring that NPC up again at some point, especially if you made them up on the fly. All you'll need to jot down in the meantime is a quick one-line note about what happened with the players and that NPC.
Promises and commitments: Did your players accept a side quest? Swear an oath (that the paladin will for sure break)? Write it down, because your players might forget... or worse, they'll remember when it's narratively inconvenient and you've already moved the story forward.
New items they picked up in town: Okay, now this includes the stuff they found, bought, or anything the rogue "creatively acquired". Take note of any item that might become important to the campaign later, or your players might try to sell it and you'll need to remember what it actually does.
Loot and treasure distribution: Who got what? How much gold did they earn? Write it down now before someone shows up next session claiming they definitely got 500gp when it was actually 50gp.
Combat (optional): Did your session end during combat and someone got hit with a spell that has lingering effects? Note it. Also jot down initiative order (in case DnDBeyond rolls a nat 1), any active spells the players cast (ie. bardic inspiration, guidance, etc.), or current conditions (ie. poisoned, charmed, frightened, etc.). Basically, take note of any details that are important from combat so you can pick things back up next session, easy peasy.
Unresolved mysteries: What questions did your players ask that you couldn't answer before the session ended? What plot threads are dangling? List them out so you can weave them back in later instead of accidentally abandoning them.
How to recap for your players:
Quick Discord/Group Chat version
Type up a 3-5 bullet point summary and drop it in your group's Discord or text chat before game day. Keep it brief and focus on the key things that happened during the session, important NPCs, items bought by players (and loot), and (if the session ended mid-combat) the current initiative of the round you're going to start in. This takes like 5 minutes and your players can reference it right from their phones.
I keep a text channel in my D&D Discord server called 'in-game-info' that I use during a session to keep my group informed in-game of any new info they learned, and maps or images from the session.
Session recap screens
Here's a game-changer that'll make your next session start smoother: session recap screens. They can be used as a visual summary of what happened last session or a quick overview of the campaign so far (if you've been on hiatus like my group).
I started making my session recap screens as a creative way to show my players what happened during the last session and to give them any extra info that they probably forgot the moment I info-dumped it on them. Your players show up, see the recap, and boom, they're immediately back in the headspace without you spending 20 minutes trying to jog everyone's memory.
Grab my free editable Session Recap Screen Canva templates. I included recap screens for: previous session recap, continuing combat recap, and campaign recap (to quickly info-dump the important NPCs, active quests, and keep your players on track). You can add images, customize them to match your campaign's vibe, and either:
Display it on your VTT (upload the recap screen to the Maps in DnDBeyond)/laptop screen/TV at the start of the session)
Print it as a handout for live sessions
Share it digitally with your group through group text chat or on Discord
THB tip: If you're feeling fancy, include a mini-map or image that sets the scene for where they are in the story. Visual cues definitely help players out tremendously.
The beauty of Session Recap Screens is they do double duty! They help your players remember what happened AND they give you a chance to subtly emphasize the plot points you want them focused on.
Don't forget to grab your free downloads!
I've created a free printable DM Post-Session Checklist that covers all of this and more. Print it, keep it in your DM binder, and thank yourself later when you're not frantically scrolling through group texts trying to figure out what the hell happened.
Grab the checklist on my D&D Resources page, and pair it with a free Session Recap Screen editable Canva templates next time. Your future self (and your players) will thank you.
