CLAUDE.md#

This file provides guidance to Claude Code (claude.ai/code) when working with code in this repository.

Project Overview#

This is an Obsidian vault for managing a D&D 5e campaign called “Tempus.” It contains session notes, character sheets, locations, items, homebrew rules, and campaign recaps spanning 45+ sessions (November 2022 - October 2025).

Directory Structure#

The vault uses numbered prefixes for organization:

  • 01 - session-notes/ - Per-session DM prep notes (45 sessions)
  • 02 - characters/ - NPCs, party members, adversaries, monster stat blocks
    • main-party/ - Player characters and party reference sheet
    • adversaries/ - Villain narrative lore pages and stat blocks (CR up to 17)
    • allies/ - NPC ally narrative lore pages (Arbiter, Trius, Elara Sunforge, Vidrir, etc.)
    • monsters/ - Creature stat blocks
  • 03 - locations/ - Setting descriptions and maps
  • 04 - items/ - Magical and homebrew equipment
  • 05 - planning/ - Campaign arcs, encounter design, session prep, DM reference material (reveal FAQs, guest player briefings, encounter tables)
  • 06 - factions/ - Organizations (Chained Library, Massa’Ista)
  • 07 - rules/ - Homebrew mechanics (Minion Rules)
  • 08 - recap/ - Campaign summaries, quest log, timeline, dramatized narratives

Automation Scripts#

_link_characters.py#

Scans markdown files for unlinked character name references and converts them to Obsidian [[wiki-links]]. Run from the tempus-campaign directory:

python _link_characters.py          # apply changes
python _link_characters.py --dry-run  # preview without modifying files
  • Targets: 01 - session-notes/, 02 - characters/, 03 - locations/, 05 - planning/, 06 - factions/, 08 - recap/ (recursive)
  • Skips: Tempus Campaign Dramatization.md
  • Links 21 characters from 02 - characters/adversaries/ and 02 - characters/allies/
  • Case-insensitive matching with proper display text (e.g., serenity → [serenity](/02---characters/adversaries/serenity))
  • Uses pipe syntax for partial names (e.g., Elara → [Elara](/02---characters/allies/elara-sunforge))
  • Skips: frontmatter, code blocks, headings, text already inside [[...]], self-references (e.g., Manus.md won’t link to [Manus](/02---characters/adversaries/manus))
  • Safe to re-run — idempotent (0 changes if already linked)
  • To add new characters: update the CHARACTERS list at the top of the script

_link_factions.py#

Scans markdown files for unlinked faction name references and converts them to Obsidian [[wiki-links]]. Run from the tempus-campaign directory:

python _link_factions.py          # apply changes
python _link_factions.py --dry-run  # preview without modifying files
  • Targets: 01 - session-notes/, 02 - characters/, 03 - locations/, 05 - planning/, 06 - factions/, 08 - recap/ (recursive)
  • Skips: Tempus Campaign Dramatization.md
  • Links 8 factions: Cult of the Eclipse, Order of Seasons, Chained Library, Massa’Ista, Summer Court, Winter Court, Spring Court, Autumn Court
  • Handles both curly and straight apostrophe variants for Massa’Ista
  • Case-insensitive matching with proper display text
  • Skips: frontmatter, code blocks, headings, text already inside [[...]], self-references
  • Safe to re-run — idempotent (0 changes if already linked)
  • To add new factions: update the FACTIONS list at the top of the script

_link_locations.py#

Scans markdown files for unlinked location name references and converts them to Obsidian [[wiki-links]]. Run from the tempus-campaign directory:

python _link_locations.py          # apply changes
python _link_locations.py --dry-run  # preview without modifying files
  • Targets: 01 - session-notes/, 02 - characters/, 03 - locations/, 05 - planning/, 06 - factions/, 08 - recap/ (recursive)
  • Skips: Tempus Campaign Dramatization.md
  • Links locations from 03 - locations/ (currently: Tannis)
  • Case-insensitive matching with proper display text
  • Skips: frontmatter, code blocks, headings, text already inside [[...]], self-references
  • Safe to re-run — idempotent (0 changes if already linked)
  • To add new locations: update the LOCATIONS list at the top of the script

Hugo Integration#

These scripts ensure frontmatter compatibility for publishing campaign notes to a Hugo-based website. A separate project contains the Hugo site and copy scripts.

obsidian_frontmatter_script.py#

Processes all markdown files to add/update YAML frontmatter. Run from the tempus-campaign directory:

python obsidian_frontmatter_script.py
  • Adds standardized frontmatter (tags, date, title, author)
  • Derives section tags from parent directory names
  • Preserves existing frontmatter values

add_yaml_frontmatter.py#

Adds frontmatter specifically to session note files matching pattern Tempus Session [NUMBER] (YYYY-MM-DD).md. Run from 01 - session-notes/:

python ../add_yaml_frontmatter.py

File Conventions#

Frontmatter format:

---
tags:
  - [section-name]
  - tempus
date: YYYY-MM-DD
title: [Title]
author:
  - Mark Molea
---

Session note naming: Tempus Session [NUMBER] (YYYY-MM-DD).md

Internal linking: Uses Obsidian wiki-style links [[Character Name]], [[Location]]

Index files: Each directory has _index.md for navigation

Narrative Lore Page Format#

Character and location files follow a consistent narrative structure (established with Nidhogg, then applied across adversaries, allies, and locations):

  • Adversaries: Nidhogg, Weaver, Serenity, Manus
  • Allies: Trius, Arbiter, Elara Sunforge, Vidrir
  • Locations: Tannis

Format:

  • Frontmatter: tags (Villain, Ally, Location, etc.), date, title, created
  • # Heading followed by top-level identity bullets summarizing the entity at a glance
  • ## thematic sections organized by narrative significance (not stat-block-first)
  • [[wiki-links]] throughout for cross-referencing characters, locations, and factions
  • Stat blocks go in separate files (e.g., Manus - Original StatBlock.md, Manus - Chaos Duelist.md) linked from the narrative page under a ## Stat Block section
  • DM reference material (reveal FAQs, roleplay guides, encounter tables) goes in separate files in 05 - planning/, linked from the narrative page (e.g., [Vidrir - Odin Reveal](/05---planning/vidrir---odin-reveal), [Trius Quick Reference](/05---planning/final-battle/trius-quick-reference))
  • Quotes from session notes or journals included where available for flavor
  • Images are preserved at the bottom of the file

DM Style and Prep Evolution#

The DM’s session prep has evolved through three phases (detailed in 08 - recap/Session Prep Evolution.md):

  1. Experimental (Sessions 00-05) - Theater of mind philosophy, simple structure, light prep
  2. Structured Consistency (Sessions 10-23) - Adopted Sly Flourish’s “Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master” template with consistent sections (Strong Start, Scenes, Secrets/Clues, Fantastic Locations, NPCs, Monsters, Treasure)
  3. Enhanced Preparation (Sessions 30-47) - Visual formatting (emojis), exhaustive stat blocks with DPR calculations, elaborate encounter frameworks (d12 tables with multiple scenarios), narrative “Cold Open” prose sections

Key insight: Despite “lazy DM” philosophy, prep has become more detailed over time—preparing multiple contingencies and frameworks that enable better improvisation rather than minimal notes.