Quick generators

When to use quick generators

Mid-session surprises:

• Players befriend an NPC you improvised
• They go somewhere unexpected
• Combat breaks out with an unprepared enemy
• They ask what’s in that chest you didn’t stock

Filling gaps:

• Need a name for the guard they’re talking to
• Need treasure for the encounter you just ran
• Need a Campaign Marker to drop at the tavern

Inspiration moments:

• Drawing a blank on NPC dialogue
• Need an interesting complication
• Want to add flavor to a scene

Accessing generators during sessions

Session Companion - quick generators tab

The fastest mid-session access point. The Session Companion is global, so it’s always one shortcut away:

1. Open the Session Companion with Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C
2. Switch to the Quick Generators tab
3. Choose your generator, set the tone, and generate
4. Use the result immediately

The same panel’s AI Chat tab handles dialogue and reactions when a generator isn’t quite what you need.

Quick Prep page

For the full generator layout, with your recent creations shown alongside each generator:

1. Open your campaign dashboard
2. Click the Quick Prep card (or sidebar entry) to open the Quick Prep page
3. Choose a generator, configure, and generate

The 8 generators

For detailed information on each generator, see Quick Prep generators. Here’s a quick reference:

Most generators return in a few seconds; the Session Outline takes a little longer since it builds a whole package.

Speed tips

Pre-session setup

Before game time:

1. Open the Quick Prep page or the Session Companion’s Quick Generators tab
2. Set the tone you’ll use most
3. Keep it open for quick access

Fastest generators

When time is critical:

• Dialogue Starter - Instant NPC speech
• Random Event - Quick complication
• Treasure/Loot - Fast treasure

Chaining

Generate related content in sequence:

1. Location (where are they?)
2. NPC (who’s here?)
3. Campaign Marker (what’s interesting?)

Complete scene in under 30 seconds.

Using ephemeral content

Quick-drafted material is ephemeral by default - it appears as recent creations alongside the generator, not your permanent library.

Why ephemeral?

• No clutter from one-time NPCs
• Generate freely without organizing
• Promoted work stays; throwaway disappears

Recent creations

Your drafted material is shown alongside each generator - on the Quick Prep page or in the Session Companion’s Quick Generators tab:

1. Open the Quick Prep page (or the Session Companion’s Quick Generators tab)
2. See the content you just generated
3. Reference it during sessions

Promoting on the fly

When something becomes important mid-session:

1. Find the content among the generator’s recent creations
2. Click Promote to Campaign
3. Set the Creation Name and click Confirm in the compact dialog
4. It’s now a permanent Creation in your library

Tip: If players love an NPC, promote immediately before you forget.

Generator-specific session tips

NPC now!

• Generates a complete NPC; combat stats are included where they fit
• Lean on tone to steer the result - Gritty for a hardened enforcer, Comedic for a bumbling clerk
• Voice and mannerisms come back in the output for instant roleplay cues

Quick encounter

• This generator has a Difficulty dropdown - set it to match the party’s state
• The result includes environmental factors you can use as-is or modify on the fly
• For a social encounter, the stakes and resolution paths come through in the output - steer it with a Mysterious or Heroic tone

Location generator

Describe on arrival:

• Read the sensory details directly to players
• Sights/Sounds/Smells are designed for this
• Features give you interactable elements

Dialogue starter

Voice an NPC instantly:

• Set the tone to match the character’s vibe
• Get opening lines and speech patterns
• Use the suggested topics for conversation direction

Session Companion for improvisation

When generators aren’t quite right, use Session Companion:

Quick dialogue

“What would a scared informant say when cornered?”

Get character-appropriate speech instantly.

Reactions

“The party just revealed they killed the baron’s son. How does the court react?”

Get complex NPC responses.

Descriptions

“Describe the moment the portal tears open.”

Get dramatic narrative.

Rules questions

“How does grappling work when the target is larger?”

Get quick rules reference.

Offline considerations

Quick generators require internet for AI processing.

Prepare for offline sessions

Before going offline:

• Generate extra NPCs (promote or keep as recent creations)
• Create spare encounters
• Generate location options
• Stock some treasure

Offline alternatives

When offline:

• Reference promoted content
• Use your prepared session
• Traditional improvisation
• Random tables (if you have them)

Flow example: unexpected tavern

Players decide the throwaway tavern is now their favorite hangout. You have nothing prepared.

30 seconds: Generate the location

• Location Generator -> “Tavern”
• Tone: Match your campaign
• Now you have atmosphere and features

30 seconds: Generate the bartender

• NPC NOW! -> set a fitting tone (e.g. Gritty)
• Now you have personality and mannerisms

30 seconds: Generate an interesting patron

• NPC NOW! -> try Mysterious for someone with secrets
• Now you have a complication

30 seconds: Generate a hook

• Campaign Marker
• Now there’s something interesting to overhear

Total: 2 minutes Result: A complete tavern scene with atmosphere, personalities, and story potential.

Related

• Quick Prep overview - Full Quick Prep documentation
• Quick Prep generators - All 8 generators in detail
• Session Companion - AI chat for improvisation
• Session flow - Managing active sessions

Note: The only global shortcut is Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + C for the Session Companion (and Ctrl/Cmd + Enter to send within the chat). There is no separate Quick Prep hotkey.