Tools I'm using to run D&D sessions.

Originally, I meant to include this as part of how I got into D&D and decided this probably should get its own spotlight.

There's nothing special I think in how I'm running things, or doing my prep, but I think it's a good example of how someone new getting started could do things. I'm going to make a couple assumptions, like having a basic screen, but mostly break it up into shared tools, on-line, and off-line play.

Shared Tools

These are kind of the ones that I use regardless if I'm running the session in person or on-line.

D&D Beyond

I unfortunately was introduced to playing using dndbeyond, and have mostly bought into using it on a regular basis for managing digital books and the campaigns. Mostly for the books and to share what I've purchased with the players. I have lots of gripes with 'Wizards of the Coast' with how they've integrated the new 2024 edition into it. Other than not giving me an option for restricting which content I get to use (there's no saying no to the 2024 SRD), I like how simplifies managing the character if you're new. As the DM the campaign screen is invaluable to have quick access to everyone's AC and current HP.

Obsidian

Obsidian has a lot of great features, with a pretty great and robust plugin system. I can definitely say I'm not leveraging nearly as much as I could.
Since it's really just allowing me to write in Markdown format, with some extra features added, I don't have to do much other than write what I want and organize whatever is making sense for me.

I prefer to group single encounters, setting it up so that the scene is one document, creatures/combat is another page, and miscellaneous stuff that might be useful. I also have a separate folder for any world building information I'm working on, mostly broken up into generic plots for everyone, character specific stuff, as well as tracking background stuff that is either to happen or will be happening.

There's a couple plugins that I could not get by without, mostly the dice roller and fantasy statblocks.

<cover why dice roller is great, mostly the formulaic sidebar and random tables with a roller built-in>

Fantasy Statblocks is by far a required item, if you are reskinning an existing or even using it for something that exists already. By default, it only has access to creatures from the SRD, but has the ability to import JSON objects into it's bestiary from a variety of different sources. I went and added all the creatures I have access to from the books I own using a site that is a little gray. Each statblock I add to my notes is editable by modifying fields.

Above is an example of a standard Green Hag. Let's tweak it slightly … 100 HP, less AC just because and definitely needs to be named Greenie McWitchface of the famous Waterdeep McWitchfaces.

```statblock
creature: Green Hag
name: Greenie McWitchface
dice: false
hp: 100
ac: 12
```

Dice set to false is really only needed because I have it set to randomly roll based on the hit dice. So, if I want it to be hard-coded to 100, I have to tell it not to roll.