Keep the official record authoritative
Use the campaign sheet or log for information the rules explicitly require. That may include unlocked locations, character changes, resources or named story entries. Copy required wording accurately when later instructions refer to it. A colourful summary is not a substitute for a mechanically important flag.
If the group keeps a digital copy, decide which version is current and update it consistently. Two partly updated logs are harder to trust than one simple paper sheet. Photograph the finished sheet as a backup if useful, while keeping any private information in the appropriate person's control.
Write a recap around decisions
Record the important situation, the choice the group made and its known consequence. You rarely need a transcript of dialogue or a list of every enemy defeated. A few sentences can remind players why the next scenario matters without requiring them to reread several pages.
Distinguish facts from guesses. 'We suspect the missing guide went north' is different from 'The guide went north'. Campaign stories often turn on incomplete information, and notes can accidentally convert a theory into accepted history. Mark an unresolved possibility clearly so it remains a possibility at the next session.
Capture the next starting point
Name the next scenario, location or decision that is available, and note whether the group has actually chosen it. If several options remain open, list only the ones currently relevant rather than copying every unlocked entry from the campaign sheet.
Add practical setup information that will save real work: which character is joining, where a changed deck is stored or which rulebook page answers a recurring question. Keep these instructions distinct from narrative notes so the person setting up can find them quickly.
A note about a proposed plan should say 'consider' rather than imply the group already agreed to it.
Protect discoveries and private information
Do not put hidden objectives, unrevealed card text or future scenario details into a shared recap. A player who was absent may want to hear what the group experienced, but that does not mean they should see everything another player privately learned.
If one person has previously completed the campaign, ask them to avoid adding explanations based on later knowledge. The notes should reflect this group's current experience. Even an apparently harmless correction can reveal that a character or location will become important later.
Finish the note while the table is still there
Spend a few minutes after resolution checking the required entries and writing the recap. The board and components can answer questions while they remain arranged. Waiting until the next morning makes it easier to confuse rewards, names or the order of decisions.
At the next session, read the short recap aloud and let players correct any clear omission before setup. If a rule question remains unresolved, check the official source before continuing rather than quietly choosing the version that produces the most favourable result.
