SRD-to-Campaign Linking System
📚 Complete Documentation Suite
Your campaign vault now includes a complete system for creating frontmatter metadata links between your campaign content and the Daggerheart SRD.
Core Documents
1. srd-linking-strategy (Start Here for Understanding)
What it is: Comprehensive strategy document explaining the complete linking system
Contains:
- Overview of metadata schema
- Implementation patterns for each content type (characters, NPCs, sessions, etc.)
- Discovery workflows
- Integration with Bases
- Maintenance guidelines
Read this when: You want to understand the why behind the system
2. srd-linking-implementation-guide (Start Here for Doing)
What it is: Step-by-step practical guide with templates and examples
Contains:
- Template snippets for each content type
- How to find SRD file paths
- Practical examples (before/after)
- Batch update workflows
- Troubleshooting guide
Read this when: You’re ready to add links to your files
3. SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference (Bookmark This)
What it is: One-page cheat sheet for quick reference
Contains:
- Copy-paste frontmatter snippet
- SRD category reference
- Content type checklist
- Common file paths
- Quick workflow (5 minutes)
Use this when: You’re actively adding links and need quick lookups
4. SRD-Linking-Example (See It In Action)
What it is: Live example using Reese Blackwood NPC
Contains:
- Real example frontmatter (Reese’s equipment links)
- Explanation of each field
- Benefits this enables
- Step-by-step discovery workflow
- Common questions answered
Read this when: You want to see concrete examples before implementing
🎯 Quick Start Path
For Impatient Users (5 Minutes)
- Open SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference
- Copy the frontmatter snippet
- Add to one character sheet
- Save and check graph view
- Repeat for other characters
For Methodical Users (30 Minutes)
- Read SRD-Linking-Strategy sections 1-2 (overview)
- Read srd-linking-implementation-guide section “Practical Examples”
- Review SRD-Linking-Example to see pattern
- Start with character sheets (highest priority)
- Reference SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference as you work
For Comprehensive Understanding (1-2 Hours)
- Read entire srd-linking-strategy
- Work through srd-linking-implementation-guide with real files
- Review SRD-Linking-Example section “How It Works”
- Plan your implementation phases
- Reference docs as you execute
📋 Frontmatter Fields Summary
Required Fields (Minimum)
srd-references:
- "04-RESOURCES/daggerheart-srd/category/Item.md"
srd-categories: [category1, category2]Recommended Fields
srd-references:
- "04-RESOURCES/daggerheart-srd/category/Item.md"
srd-categories: [category1, category2]
srd-context:
- "why this reference matters"Optional Enhancement
srd-notes: |
Longer explanation of how this SRD content is used
or customized in your specific campaign context.🚀 Implementation Priority Guide
Phase 1: Character Sheets (Highest ROI)
Time: 30-45 minutes for 4 characters
Benefit: Quick access to all PC builds and mechanics
Files to update:
- Banjo (Gareth’s character)
- Vaerenth (Andi’s character)
- Augustus (Mark’s character)
- Aster (Luie’s character)
What to link: Domains, subclasses, weapons, armor, key spells
Phase 2: Recent Sessions (High Engagement)
Time: 15-20 minutes per session
Benefit: Immediate context for ongoing campaigns
Files to update: Sessions 6-9 (most recent)
What to link: Adversaries encountered, environments, spells cast
Phase 3: Major NPCs (Campaign Context)
Time: 10-15 minutes per NPC
Benefit: Quick reference for NPC capabilities
Files to update: Reese Blackwood, other key NPCs
What to link: Equipment, abilities, services offered
Phase 4: World & Story (Deep Integration)
Time: Variable
Benefit: Thematic connections and comprehensive context
Files to update: Locations, story threads, building guides
What to link: Environments, creatures, mechanics
🔍 Discovery Methods After Implementation
Via Graph View
1. Open Graph View (top right)
2. Search for "Troubadour"
3. See all files using this subclass
4. Expand nodes to see connections
Via Vault Search
Search: "srd-references:*"
Result: All files with SRD linking
Via File Links
1. Open character sheet
2. Click srd-references link
3. Instantly jump to SRD content
4. Use graph to see who else uses it
Via Bases (If Using)
Create Base filter: contains(srd-categories, "weapons")
Group by: player-name
See: All PC weapons organized by character
💡 Key Concepts
What Gets Linked?
- Campaign content (characters, NPCs, sessions, locations, stories)
- → References
- → SRD content (weapons, spells, domains, adversaries, environments)
Why Link?
- One-click access from campaign to mechanics
- Graph relationships show usage patterns
- Discovery - Find all uses of specific items
- Consistency - Everyone uses same reference
- Campaign impact - See what’s actually used
How It Works?
- Frontmatter metadata (YAML) in your campaign files
- Points to SRD file paths
- Creates discoverable connections in Obsidian
- Requires no plugins (works with graph, search, etc.)
- Optional integration with Bases for views
📊 Expected Benefits Timeline
Immediate (First Session)
- Faster prep: Quick access to NPC/enemy stats
- Better reference: Don’t hunt for weapon mechanics
- Cleaner notes: No duplicated stat blocks
Short-term (Weeks 1-2)
- Pattern recognition: See what items party uses most
- Quick builds: Reference similar character builds
- Session prep: 20% faster due to quick lookups
Medium-term (Weeks 2-4)
- Campaign intelligence: Understand equipment distribution
- Strategic planning: See optimization opportunities
- Player communication: Point to official SRD for rulings
Long-term (Ongoing)
- Knowledge base: Comprehensive campaign-SRD relationship map
- Archive value: Future reference for similar campaigns
- System mastery: Deep understanding of game mechanics
- Community resource: Shareable documentation pattern
⚙️ Technical Details
File Format
- Type: YAML frontmatter metadata
- Location: Top of each .md file (between
---markers) - Syntax: Standard Obsidian frontmatter
- Compatibility: Works with all Obsidian features
Path Format
04-RESOURCES/daggerheart-srd/[category]/[Item Name].md
Categories Available
weapons, armor, gear, spells, domains, subclasses,
classes, ancestries, adversaries, environments,
contents, abilities, and more
🔗 Maintenance Schedule
Daily (During Prep)
- Reference srd-references when planning sessions
- Check graph for related content
Weekly (Session Prep)
- Add srd-references to next session’s encounters
- Update NPC equipment if changed
Monthly (Maintenance)
- Review all active campaign files
- Check for missing standard links
- Update completed sessions with final references
Quarterly (Deep Audit)
- Full consistency check
- Update archived sessions
- Refine category organization
- Archive old content
🎓 Learning Resources
Concepts to Understand
- Frontmatter metadata - YAML in .md files
- Obsidian graph view - Relationship visualization
- File paths - Exact references to SRD content
- Backlinks - How files reference each other
External Resources
- Obsidian Help: https://help.obsidian.md/
- YAML Syntax: https://yaml.org/
Within This Project
- srd-linking-strategy - Deep dive into strategy
- srd-linking-implementation-guide - Hands-on walkthrough
- SRD-Linking-Example - Real-world example
❓ FAQ
Q: Do I need to link everything?
A: No! Start with characters/sessions/NPCs. Expand from there.
Q: Can I start with just one character?
A: Absolutely! Great way to test the system.
Q: Will this slow down Obsidian?
A: No - frontmatter is efficient and improves organization.
Q: Can I stop using this system?
A: Yes - just don’t add new srd-references fields. Existing links stay.
Q: What if SRD content changes?
A: File paths won’t change. Update path if file is renamed.
Q: Do I need Bases or plugins?
A: No - works standalone. Plugins enhance but aren’t required.
📝 Implementation Checklist
- Read srd-linking-strategy overview
- Review SRD-Linking-Example for concrete example
- Bookmark SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference
- Start Phase 1: Add links to character sheets
- Test graph view - verify links work
- Move to Phase 2: Recent session notes
- Continue with Phase 3: Major NPCs
- Plan Phase 4: Deep integration
📞 Support & Questions
Not sure where to start?
→ Read SRD-Linking-Example first
Want to understand the full system?
→ Study srd-linking-strategy
Ready to implement?
→ Use srd-linking-implementation-guide + SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference
Need quick facts?
→ Bookmark SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference
🎉 Success Indicators
You’ll know the system is working when:
✅ You can click from NPC to equipment in seconds
✅ Graph view shows interesting relationships
✅ Session prep is 15-20% faster
✅ You rarely search for basic mechanics anymore
✅ Campaign files feel more connected
✅ New players can explore SRD from campaign content
System Created: 2025-10-24
Status: Ready for Implementation
Next Step: Read SRD-Linking-Example → Start with Phase 1
Document Navigation
| Document | Purpose | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| This Index | Overview of entire system | First-time orientation |
| srd-linking-strategy | Strategic deep-dive | Understanding the why |
| srd-linking-implementation-guide | Tactical how-to | Actually doing the work |
| SRD-Linking-Example | Concrete demonstration | Seeing it in action |
| SRD-Linking-Quick-Reference | Cheat sheet | Bookmarked reference |