SRD Linking - Live Example

How SRD Linking Works - Live Demo with Reese Blackwood

What We Added

Three new frontmatter fields were added to Reese Blackwood’s NPC file:

1. srd-references - Direct file paths to relevant SRD content
2. srd-categories - Category tags for filtering and discovery
3. srd-context - Brief explanations of each reference’s relevance
4. srd-notes - Optional longer context about how SRD content fits the character

Benefits This Enables

For Campaign Management

• One-click access to Reese’s equipment specs via SRD links
• Visual context in graph view showing NPC → equipment relationships
• Discovery - See all NPCs using “Improved Crossbow” at a glance

For Rules Reference

• Quick lookup of crossbow mechanics when Reese is in a scene
• Equipment comparison - What do other NPCs/characters carry?
• Consistency - All references point to same SRD source

For Campaign Evolution

• Equipment tracking - Update once in SRD, reflects everywhere
• Build analysis - Compare Reese’s equipment to PC builds
• Adventure planning - What gear would be useful as loot?

The References Explained

Weapon: Improved Crossbow

• Reason: Fits a professional huntmaster’s toolkit
• Mechanical link: Shows Reese’s primary combat approach
• Discovery: Graph will show “Who carries Improved Crossbow?” → Reese

Armor: Legendary Leather Armor

• Reason: Balances protection with wilderness mobility
• Mechanical link: Shows AC/defense without being heavy
• Discovery: Armor comparison view → “What do NPCs wear?”

Gear: Hunting Kit

• Reason: Essential for professional tracker
• Mechanical link: Supports wilderness survival mechanics
• Discovery: “What gear enables hunting?” → Find Hunting Kit

Gear: Rope

• Reason: Universal tool for wilderness navigation/rescue
• Mechanical link: Practical for climbing/traversal challenges
• Discovery: Common item with multiple uses

How to Use This in Your Campaign

Finding Reese’s Equipment

From: 03-WORLD/npcs/reese-blackwood.md
→ Click "srd-references" or any listed path
→ Opens Improved Crossbow stats (04-RESOURCES/...)
→ Use for combat mechanics, compare to PC weapons

Graph View Discovery

1. Open Graph View
2. Search for "Reese Blackwood"
3. See connected files:
   - Party members (backlinks)
   - Sessions mentioning Reese
   - SRD equipment (srd-references)
4. Visually understand Reese's role in campaign

Base Query Example

Filter: contains(path, "npc") AND contains(srd-categories, "weapons")
Result: All NPCs with weapon references
View: "Which NPCs are combat-capable and with what weapons?"

Next Steps: Apply to Your Campaign

Phase 1: Character Sheets (Highest Priority)

• Add srd-references to: Banjo, Vaerenth, Augustus, Aster
• Link their domains, subclasses, weapons, armor
• Use as quick combat reference during sessions

Phase 2: Session Notes

• Add srd-references to adversaries in recent sessions
• Link environments/locations where combats occurred
• Track spell usage via spell SRD links

Phase 3: Major NPCs

• Add srd-references to key NPCs
• Link their equipment, abilities, services offered
• Show NPC-PC equipment relationships

Phase 4: Deep Integration

• Story threads with relevant mechanics
• World locations with thematic SRD connections
• Build guides comparing multiple options

Example: How It Works Step-by-Step

Scenario: You’re prepping Session 10, Reese Blackwood will be in combat

Old Workflow:

1. Open Reese’s NPC file
2. See “Equipment: [To be established in play]”
3. Remember he’s probably carrying a crossbow
4. Search vault for crossbow stats
5. Open Improved Crossbow SRD file
6. Reference damage/range/traits

New Workflow (with SRD linking):

1. Open Reese’s NPC file
2. See “srd-references” section
3. Click “Improved Crossbow.md”
4. Instantly have all stats
5. See what damage/traits apply to this combat

Time saved: ~90 seconds per NPC lookup during prep

Common Questions

”Why not just put the weapon stats in the NPC file?”

• Single source of truth: One official SRD file for “Improved Crossbow”
• Consistency: Everyone uses same mechanics
• Comparison: See who else uses this weapon
• Graph relationships: Understand equipment distribution

”Won’t this be a lot of metadata to maintain?”

• Start small: Just character sheets + recent sessions
• Copy-paste: Most characters use standard equipment
• One-time setup: Once added, information is stable
• Backlinks work both ways: Update visible in graph

”What if I want to customize equipment?”

• Keep SRD clean: Reference standard version in metadata
• Add customization notes: In srd-notes field explain changes
• Example: “Uses Improved Crossbow with custom goblin-bone coating"

"Does this require any plugins?”

• No: Pure frontmatter metadata
• Optional: Bases for table views, Dataview for queries
• Works: Graph view, backlinks, search all work immediately

Quick Reference: What to Link by Content Type

Content Type	Link To	Reason
Character Sheet	Domains, Subclasses, Weapons, Armor, Spells	Shows complete mechanical build
NPC	Equipment, Abilities, Gear	Shows capabilities and resources
Session Note	Adversaries, Environments, Spells Cast	Shows what was used in play
Story Thread	Related Mechanics, Thematic Domains	Shows mechanical connections
World Location	Environments, Creatures, Gear	Shows what exists in location
Build Guide	Domains, Subclasses, Spells, Weapons	Shows analyzed options

See Also

• srd-linking-strategy - Detailed strategy and patterns
• srd-linking-implementation-guide - Step-by-step how-to

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This example demonstrates how a simple update creates powerful relationships
between your campaign content and the comprehensive Daggerheart SRD.

Created: 2025-10-24
Status: Implementation Ready