Enhancing D&D Campaign Management with AI Tools

As a Dungeon Master (DM) overseeing a long-running Dungeons & Dragons campaign, I often find myself juggling a myriad of notes and intricate details from each session. Recently, I decided to experiment with AI to help manage all this information, specifically by inputting my D&D notes into Gemini, an AI tool designed for various reference queries.

My goal was straightforward: to have a virtual assistant I could consult when I struggled to recall specific details, such as “Have the adventurers ever encountered Mike the Blacksmith?” or “Who currently possesses this magical item?” Given the extensive history of my campaign, it’s essential to have a reliable resource for all my players’ interactions and item whereabouts.

Initially, my experience with Gemini was promising. The AI provided insightful references based on the data I had fed into it. However, I soon encountered a limitation: it appeared to ‘forget’ prior information, focusing primarily on recent updates, which wasn’t particularly helpful. This raised some pertinent questions—was I using the wrong tool for my needs, and if so, what alternatives might serve me better?

Determined to optimize my campaign management, I discovered another tool: NotebookLM. With this newfound resource, I devised a plan to streamline my recording process and ensure my D&D notes remained comprehensive and accessible. Here’s the step-by-step strategy I intend to implement:

1. Capture Ideas on the Go: I’ll take a walk while using voice-to-text on Google Docs, aided by discreet Bluetooth earphones. This allows me to brainstorm game ideas, recap notes from the previous session, and conduct world-building discussions.

2. Refine the Draft: Once I’ve dictated my thoughts, I’ll edit the transcript to correct any misinterpretations, particularly names and specific terms that may not be accurately recognized by the voice recognition software.

3. Organize and Upload: The next step will involve breaking down the information into relevant documents. These will be exported as PDFs and uploaded to NotebookLM for further processing.

4. Engage with the AI: I will select the appropriate files that relate to my inquiry and pose specific questions, such as “What details do you have about session 67?”

5. Document the Insights: Upon receiving an answer, I’ll create a note summarizing this information, ensuring it is well-organized for future reference.

6. Audio Summary for Players: I’ll mark the newly created source and generate an