Secrets and clues
A secret or clue is an atomic piece of relevant information that matters to the players.
Secrets and clues should not be tied to any delivery method but be rewarded to plausible situations.
When a secret or clue has not been discovered it can be discovered later or they can be thrown away and might not even be canon to the adventure.
Reference
E. Schea, M. (2018). Sly flourish’s return of the lazy dungeon master. Sly flourish shop
Highlights or timestamps
Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- A secret or clue is a single sentence that encapsulates a piece of your game world, it’s history, or the current story.
— What is a secret from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- Secrets and clues are never trivial, they contain information that matters to the players.
— Relevant to players from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- Don’t tie secrets and clues to the people, places or things where they might be discovered. You don’t worry about how the characters will uncover these.
— Delivery method does not matter from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- That [secrets and clues] doesn’t make it part of the campaign story until the characters discover it.
— Canon or not canon from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights
- Sometimes unrevealed secrets will make their way to your next session list. Other times they will simply fade away.
— Unrevealed secrets from Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master highlights