Best free programs for PBEM?

[Arclight]

Hello!

I'm about to run an Omega World PBEM and I've been sifting through the various free software. The problem is there are so many! And they're complicated! I need suggestions.

1) I need to be able to run combats. I don't care how long the actual battles will take as long as they remain true to the D20 rules. I want to be able to send maps to all the players so they can make their own moves. I found a program that was almost perfect (I forgot the name!), but it was buggy. It let you make a grid over any map, but the feature that allowed you to slowly reveal the map to players didn't work.

2) I'd like to be able to make maps as well.

3) I'm using something called Dungeon Manager as a central locale for all the PC sheets. Is there something better?

4) I've been making random OW mutation and loot tables for Tablesmith for the past week. TS is complicated (.xml, etc.), and seems to actually do something completed different that what I'm using it for. Is there another, simpler program that generates random items from a list?

5) I'd like to start compiling a monster database (w/pics) of all my favorite Gamma World creatures. Mostly just for posterity, but I might want to use a laptop at the gaming table in the future.

Opinions on the best programs to accomplish all this would be greatly appreciated!

Sorry for the rambling!

Quetzal

 

[MythosaAkira]

I'm not sure what you mean by this:

4) I've been making random OW mutation and loot tables for Tablesmith for the past week. TS is complicated (.xml, etc.), and seems to actually do something completed different that what I'm using it for. Is there another, simpler program that generates random items from a list?

Generating random items from a list is something TS has always done. You don't need to worry about things like XML or some of the other advanced features to do something like that.

If all you want is random items from a list, it's as simple as doing something like this:

;Start
1,anklet
1,armband
1,bracelet
1,brooch
1,buckle
1,circlet
1,clasp
1,earring
1,locket
1,necklace
1,pendant
1,ring
1,tiara
1,torc

Put that into a text file, throw it into a folder in the "Tables" folder, and you're good to go.

 

[Arclight]

I tried that but it didn't work for me. I ended up having to use an existing table name that had an .xml doc counterpart in this other file. I played around a bit with an .xml editor and I think I can insert a table of my own, but basically it would involve renaming existing files.

I will experiment with it again tomorrow following your advice.

 

[MJEggertson]

3) I'm using something called Dungeon Manager as a central locale for all the PC sheets. Is there something better?

Can't say I've ever really tried Dungeon Manager, I'm partial to 3EProfiler. But I'm kind of biased...

 

[Maraxle]

4) I've been making random OW mutation and loot tables for Tablesmith for the past week. TS is complicated (.xml, etc.), and seems to actually do something completed different that what I'm using it for. Is there another, simpler program that generates random items from a list?

My JH NameGen program (www.jhanson.com) has a magic item generator. I'm not sure if that is what you're looking for. The rule file is easily modified in Notepad, or any other text editor.

 

[MythosaAkira]

I tried that but it didn't work for me. I ended up having to use an existing table name that had an .xml doc counterpart in this other file. I played around a bit with an .xml editor and I think I can insert a table of my own, but basically it would involve renaming existing files.

I will experiment with it again tomorrow following your advice.

Sounds like a bad first example

The default TS installation gives you a number of sample tables. Take a look at the following tables in the "Tables" folder: Ruins (in "Adventuring"), Shakespearean Insults (in "Miscellaneous"), and Orc Names (in "Names"). These are all good examples of very basic tables. You can use these as examples for making your own.

Avoid any table that uses functions (stuff between "{}"), variables, or XML until you're more comfortable with the table format.

 

[Arclight]

The table I have been experimenting with/modifying/using is the 'Insanities' one. I'll try using one of the one's you mentioned.

Thanks for your help!


So.... any ideas on the mapping front?

 

[Maraxle]

My favorite is Fractal Mapper from www.nbos.com. It isn't free, however, and carries a $35 pricetag if I remember correctly. I think it has a free trial, though.

 

[MythosaAkira]

The table I have been experimenting with/modifying/using is the 'Insanities' one. I'll try using one of the one's you mentioned.

Thanks for your help!

That's a good basic one, too, though I really need to update that, since the "CC~" you see is no longer supported. Originally that was used to capitalize what was returned from a group call, but that's been replaced by a function ("Cap"). "CC~" still works, but it will be going away in the future.

If you need any more help, feel free to contact me in e-mail.

So.... any ideas on the mapping front?

I use CC2 for most stuff myself, though I've been looking at Dungeon Crafter (www.dungeoncrafter.com), and it looks pretty good. Autorealm (URL?) is supposed to pretty good, and its free (Dungeon Crafter is, too).