After listening to the reckless dice podcast #23, I got turned on by the idea that using FreeMind could be useful for writing/organizing scenarios. Here's the tutorial:

At 4 minutes, it becomes VERY pertenent to how rpg scenarios tend to be organized.

Here's FreeMind (free, simple, mind mapping software): freemind.sourceforge.net/wiki/index.php/Download

I had just started writing a new scenario..and I'm going to swap the conceptual writing over to this to see how it goes.

Any of the rest of you use anything like this?

jh

I like the idea of using mindmaps. Could work well for city design too. The drill down heirachy style of information presentation both appeals and concerns me. Ideally I'd like a mindmaps app that could also present the nodes as a tag cloud or more free form schematic.

In a recent podcast I heard robin laws mentions a piece of software he uses to build scenarios in a way described in his Hamlets Hitpoints book. Can't recal if it was an Accidental survivors episode or a recent dragoncon seminar uploaded to yog-sothoth.com

Looks pretty interesting. I used to use handwritten bubble maps to design adventures, this looks like it might allow me to do the same again. Good for developing overall plots I would guess. Will have to see if I can fully flesh out an adventure this way, or if I go back to just typing it up in Word.

I do free style "scene" maps of adventures whether it's an official one and want to be sure I understand what leads where etc. (for when heroes get creative) or my own to make sure "there is actually a way through this mystery i've written".

Freemind is a very nice free program and easy to learn. However, I think it has flaws in being a "tree" whereas scenarios are often "networks".

Emirikol said:

I haven't listend to that episode yet but I have been using FreeMind to design the basis of my homebrew scenarios for almost 6 months. I also use it for work applications as well. Good program, easy to use and manage. Sometimes it can be limiting compared to pen and paper but for roleplaying purposes it suits me perfectly.

valvorik said:

Been fiddling with it myself since the podcast, and this is precisely the biggest problem I've come across. It's nice to be able to sort through a lot of things, but the inability to cross-reference keeps it from being everything I could hope for. (Also, adding custom icons is a hassle on a mac.)

I will still fiddle with it, but I think I'll end up using it more for keeping records of events that have transpired rather than active campaign materials.