Looking for a way to track the PC's from level to level

[dagger]

I am looking for a good way to keep track of the players characters from level to level. I would like something quick for them to use (update?) after they level so I can know what they spent feats and skills on (and everything else).

Any ideas? A webpage/database type thing that is free and easy to use would be nice. I am open to anything though, even the method of paper and pencil.

The easier and quicker it is to use, the more likely the players will actually do it.



UPDATE:

Has anyone used http://www.3eprofiler.net before...looks interesting??

 

[IronWolf]

We tend to use a message board hosted by one of the player's in the group. We each get our own private forum that only the DM can see. When one levels up you post where you put your skill points, what feat(s) you took and anything else that is relevant to levelling up. It worked well in the campaign I ran over the past six months.

As for 3eProfiler.net. I have used them before. It works pretty well. Both the DM and player can update the character sheet and as long as you have access to the Internet and a printer your printed copy of the sheet is only a click or two away. On some rare occasions the site is unavailable and being free you never know if they will be there in a year. But you can back your character sheet up to an XML file and the source code is available for download so you can run it on your own server if you are so inclined making it a little less likely you would be in a bind if the site suddenly went under.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Set up a Yahoo group. You could put the characters in the message threads or do what I do and set up a folder so people can upload their characters. We use PCGen for our characters and I have everyone post their .pcg file and the html character sheets, but you could just use text files.

If someone forgets a sheet I just print out the latest version; if it's old I make them use the old stats as punishment for not brining a sheet or updating the site. It's also easy for me to grab all the files to make off-line backups.

A Y! group is also good for recording who got what treasure, what items were sold, and posting maps and the like. I don't recommend keeping anything on it that you can't afford to lose, though. You never know when any free service will go away.