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Guide7. DM Toolkit & Resource Index

7. DM Toolkit & Resource Index

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This section serves as the Dungeon Master’s complete toolkit — a curated index of all materials, templates, guides, and reference documents needed to run a smooth and consistent cohort. These resources support session planning, facilitation, communication, project guidance, and Demo Day execution.

Use this index as your prep checklist before each cohort.

7.1 Core DM Resources (High-Level)

These materials explain RaidGuild culture, structure, and cohort philosophy.

  • RaidGuild Handbook Guild culture, roles, expectations, and core lore.

  • RaidGuild Agency Deck Overview of services, internal structure, and BD narrative.

  • Cohort Info Session Deck (Template) Used on Week 1, Day 1. Explains the cohort arc, rules, expectations, and theme.

  • Cohort Overview README (Markdown) A concise reference for participants: timeline, rules, standup schedule, how to ask for help.

  • Theme Deep Dive Deck (per Cohort) Short technical introduction to the cohort theme.

7.2 Week 1 Resource Pack (Daily Session Materials)

These resources support the live sessions of the interactive first week.

Day 1 — Welcome & Theme Reveal

  • Info Session Deck
  • Participant Introductions Template
  • Cohort Expectations & Culture Script
  • Theme Reveal Slide or Narrative Script
  • Day 1 Feedback Form

Day 2 — Raider Showcase (Standup)

  • Standup Guide (“What you’re about to see”)
  • RIPs and RAIDs overview sheet
  • Post-Standup Reflection Form

Day 3 — Demo Day (Previous Cohort)

  • Demo Day Run-of-Show
  • Demo Note-Taking Template
  • “What Makes a Good Demo?” Guide
  • Debrief Questions Sheet

Day 4 — Divergent Ideation

  • Meme Driven Development (MDD) Guide
  • Idea Generation Worksheets
  • Miro / FigJam Board Templates
  • Theme Use Case Prompt Pack
  • Lightning Talk / Brown Bag Guidance

Day 5 — Convergence & Team Formation

  • Project Scoping Template
  • Roles & Skills Matrix
  • Team Formation Checklist
  • Idea Clustering Tool Link
  • “What Makes a Good Team?” Guide
  • Team Launch Form (roles, repo, comms, scope)

Build phase resources icon7.3 Build Phase Resources (Weeks 2–4)

These are used during async weeks when teams are building their projects.

Planning & Spec (Week 2)

  • Product Spec Template
  • Architecture Worksheet
  • Repo Setup Checklist
  • PM Board Template (Notion / Linear / GitHub Projects)
  • Communication Protocol Template (Discord channel setup, standup format)

Implementation (Week 3)

  • Technical Review Guide
  • “How to Ask for Help” Document
  • Mentor Office Hours Sign-up Sheet

Demo Prep (Week 4 / Boss Rush Mode)

  • Demo Script Template
  • Slide Deck Template
  • Demo Freeze Rules
  • Bug Triage Checklist
  • “One Feature That Works” Scope Guidance
  • Boss Rush Mode Tracker Sheet

Demo day resources icon7.4 Demo Day Resources

Used by teams, judges, and DMs.

  • Demo Day Run-of-Show (Reader and Host version)
  • Timer / Cue Cards
  • Demo Day Scorecard (Judging Rubric)
  • Membership Sponsorship Rubric
  • Raider of the Month Nomination Form
  • Screenshot & Recording Checklist
  • Demo Day Streaming Setup (optional)

Mentorship and expert resources icon7.5 Mentorship & Expert Resources

For mentors, presenters, and guest experts.

  • Lightning Talk Template
  • Brown Bag Structure Guide
  • “How to Be a Good Mentor in RG” One-Pager
  • Example office-hours prompts
  • Expert Topic Pack (per theme)

Communications resources icon7.6 Communications Resources

Templates that DMs can paste directly into Discord.

  • Welcome Message (pre-cohort)
  • Daily Session Announcements (Week 1)
  • Async Weekly Check-in Template
  • Progress Signal Format
  • Reminder Messages (meetings, deadlines)
  • Demo Day Announcement
  • Post-Demo Day Congratulatory Message
  • Post-Cohort Retro Message + Form

📑 7.7 Forms & Feedback Loops

These keep the cohort running smoothly and evolving.

  • Day 1 Feedback Form
  • Idea Submission Form
  • Team Registration Form
  • Weekly Progress Form
  • Mentor Feedback Form
  • Project Hand-Off Form (for teams continuing post-cohort)
  • Cohort Retro Form
  • Host Retro Form (internal only)

Archive and documentation icon7.8 Archive & Documentation Resources

For collecting outputs and preserving cohort history.

  • Cohort Archive Template (Notion or Markdown)
  • Demo Video Template
  • Final Project Summary Template
  • Cohort Roll Call Sheet
  • “How to Archive a Cohort” Checklist

Optional extras icon7.9 Optional but Useful Extras

  • Icebreaker question list
  • Dream Project Prompt Pack (for last-minute idea sparks)
  • Cohort Poster Template
  • MDD Memes Gallery
  • Cohort Stickers / Badge Assets
  • Role Cards (fun RPG-style cards for team formation)

DM prep checklist icon7.10 DM Prep Checklist (Quick Reference)

Before Cohort Starts:

  • Select theme
  • Prepare Info Session deck
  • Prepare Theme Deep Dive
  • Schedule Week 1 sessions
  • Set up Discord channels
  • Recruit presenters & mentors
  • Prep resource links

During Week 1:

  • Run daily sessions
  • Capture ideas
  • Facilitate team formation
  • Ensure every participant is on a team

During Async Weeks:

  • Send weekly check-ins
  • Monitor progress
  • Run office hours as needed

Before Demo Day:

  • Confirm demos
  • Prep judging materials
  • Confirm run-of-show
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