DMing an online, real time DnD game. What do I need?

[jasamcarl]

I was considering trying to launch a chat-based campaign. I have limited time before I need to hang up gaming as a who for a fair bit, so this might be preferable to pbp.

So, what does anyone and everyone recommend in terms of software; chat clients, dice bots, widely used mapping software, etc? The more reasonable the price (i.e. free) the better.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Agamon]

Fantasy Grounds and ScreenMonkey are both good online gaming tools. Neither are free, though. ScreenMonkey needs only the DM to buy the client, players just need a web browser. Fantasy Grounds has 2 versions, a more expensive DM version, and pared-down cheaper player version.

 

[DMFTodd]

I use klooge.werks for the dice and mapping with Ventrilo for the voice chat. Typing chat is just too darn slow.

There's also OpenRpg which is free and GhostOrb (not really sure if they are up and running yet) as well.

 

[IronWolf]

I use klooge.werks for the dice and mapping with Ventrilo for the voice chat. Typing chat is just too darn slow.

There's also OpenRpg which is free and GhostOrb (not really sure if they are up and running yet) as well.

Just adding links to DMFTodd's post, not much else to add...

 

[TheYeti1775]

Several options

You have Fantasy Grounds (I have the Full Verision and love it).
To learn about it goto the Message boards at their site. http://www.fantasygrounds.com
Another site to talk about it is http://www.adventuresomedreams.com/forums/index.php
It's a lot of the same people but a lot of freebies for those interested in getting extra add on's. My groups on it back it up with Yahoo Group Message boards, for offline RP'ing.
Another beanie to me is that with RPGToolkit (http://www.codemonkeypublishing.com) coming out, they plan an export that you can import into F.G. for your characters and what not.

I've heard a lot use OpenRPG as well.

 

[The Lost Muse]

I've been using MSN messenger (which works ok, but doesn't have any RPG functions) and I recently found a program called "Dungeons and Dragons Chat" at http://www.triaxe.co.uk/dnd/index.php?page=Online Chat

It has a die roller (although you cannot add modifiers yet) and a simple map board. I just ran a session with it last night, and it went fairly well. And it's Free.