Travelling DMs: What do you tote your game in?

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I got a Targus backpack for my laptop carrying needs. That thing is huge, and great protection for this baby. Can carry all the books I need and all the minis and accessories.

 

[Kuld]

Originally posted by Doomed Battalions
How many books do you tote along? I just bring my DMG, PHB, MM, The Silvermarchs(FR) and my DM screen/notebook(paper type). My players have all the complete books and provide me the dice, beer/ coffee, and pencil's.

Well, unfortunately none of my players have purchased any books, save 1 PHB (Although they do supply the beer and chow). So, it's one of those "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it" problems. Especially when I have to travel 100+ miles to play.

Sounds to me like my players need to talk to yours. Maybe they will learn a thing or two about how to treat their DM.

 

[barsoomcore]

I usually carry five to seven hardbound books, plus a binder, a couple of folders and GMs screens. Along with dice, minis, a notebook, a battlemat and pens. And my Swashbuckling cards, of course.

The Charon bags look pretty nice.

AMG, which Targus bag do you have? I had one ages ago and loved it. Back when "a new laptop" was a PowerBook 160.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

AMG, which Targus bag do you have? I had one ages ago and loved it. Back when "a new laptop" was a PowerBook 160.

I honestly don't know what kind it is. Its a backpack. It says Targus, its blue and black...got it last January with my laptop. I think it was about $60. Ain't I helpful?

Really, my only complaint isn't with the backpack, but with the damn books. Those things are heavier than bricks when you get even three of them together.

EDIT: After searching the Targus site...seems they don't even have the same kind anymore. There's a couple that are close, though.

 

[Mark]

I usually carry five to seven hardbound books, plus a binder, a couple of folders and GMs screens. Along with dice, minis, a notebook, a battlemat and pens. And my Swashbuckling cards, of course.

The Charon bags look pretty nice.

You'd definitely want the larger one.

http://www.advancinghordes.com/product_info.php/products_id/81

I manage to squeeze nearly that much in the smaller Charon bag but it's an uncomfortable fit.

 

[Rel]

I got this sweet aluminum sided briefcase that looks like it should be handcuffed to my wrist and contain important, top-secret documents. My neighbor was selling it at a yard sale and it cost me $5.

It is wide enough to hold two stacks of books the size of the Core books so I can easily carry 8 such books at a time. Usually I tote about 5-6 books like that (PHB, DMG, MM, PsiHB, Eberron and Sharn) plus a plastic carrying case that holds all my dice, markers and a few minis. Aside from that I leave most stuff at the house where we game. It is only 5 minutes from my own house so if I need something I can easily run over and get it.

 

[barsoomcore]

After searching the Targus site...seems they don't even have the same kind anymore. There's a couple that are close, though.

Tease. You don't WANT to tell me which ones are close?

It's because I don't like The Phantom Menace, isn't it? I knew I should have kept my mouth shut...



Mark: thanks! That goes on my list.

 

[scourger]

Transporting the stuff is one of the big reasons I've stopped using minis when I DM. I love them as a player and for player characters, but it was too much to have a backpack full of books plus one or two figure cases. Now, I use counters made from Counter Collection Digital. That is a great time, space and weight saver. I make them 3D by printing them four times in Word with solid line borders. I print a whole bunch on a sheet of card stock, score the lines, cut, and throw them in my folder. I fold and tape them at the game table when needed, as needed. They fold flat for storage and reuse. When a campaign is done, out they go. My first try with this method was with scanned images for another game, and it worked great. I've also downloaded pictures from the internet, and WotC's web site has a large art gallery.

For the tactical battle map, there is an easel pad with one-inch grid at the location where I usually play & DM. I don't haul my own. I would leave one of mine there if necessary. Or, I would pre-draw the maps and carry the individual sheets I need. I got mine at an office supply store for $20 for 2 of them. A bargain.

My current load is too heavy becuase I carry too many dice and a wood dice rolling tray. I had a bad expereince with an uneven rolling surface a couple of years ago. I should probably leave that thing at the regular game location, too.

Otherwise, it's the core books and a folder with the module from Dungeon, a DM screen, and some other loose papers. I could probably stand to lighten the load some more, though. I gave up keeping a campaign binder. It's just too much work. At times, I've pondered running Star Wars to get the load lightened to 1 book. But, the hurricane did not destroy my gaming collection and Force me to start over.

Anyway, I hope there are some ideas in there for you.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

Tease. You don't WANT to tell me which ones are close?

Ask a lazy person...get a lazy answer. I'd actually already closed the other window...out of laziness. The first couple here are close.

It's because I don't like The Phantom Menace, isn't it? I knew I should have kept my mouth shut...

So you saw through that already? Guess we'll just have to make amends by working on that campaign setting based around Dinosaurs with lightsabers.

 

[kenobi65]

Oy. 90% of the games I run are at someone else's house, so I end up toting a ton.

I've got a big messenger bag that I got as a tchotchke from the ad agency where I work; it's got two big book-sized compartments (each of which can hold 4-5 hardcovers), and a smaller compartment for dice, initiative cards, pencils, calculator, etc. Fully loaded, I'm sure it weighs 20+ pounds, and will lead to a dislocated shoulder one of these days.

I've also got a Chessex box for the minis, and a big cardboard mailing tube for the Megamat.