What's in your DM binder?

[haiiro]

I really like some of these ideas (and all of them seem like useful suggestions). In particular...

Originally posted by grodog
I tend to keep lists of unused names in the binder, along with various mini-adventures that can be used at the drop of a dime. Also, maps, a complete and ready-to-go tavern/inn, stats on magic items the PCs don't know the full details about, wandering monster tables, etc., etc.

I love the idea of having ready-to-go items at hand. I often make up a list of useful names (male and female, different races, etc.), but a tavern with patrons and layout is something I would probably never have thought of. For those situations where the game is bogging down in details, I might also whip up an ambush or combat encounter of some sort -- or perhaps more than one (easy/moderate/difficult, etc.). Very cool.

Originally posted by WayneLigon
Stiff sheets from photo albums: these have pictures and drawings for NPC's or landscapes used for visual flavor.

This is also a great idea. By the time things were well undreway, you'd have a little album of campaign locations, NPCs, etc.

Thank you all for the ideas.

 

[Buttercup]

I use a standard 3 ring binder, divided with clear tabbed pockets.

In the first section, inside the clear pocket, I have a form I made up on which I can put brief stats for all the PCs on one page. behind that I have photocopies of all their character sheets & backgrounds.

In the second section, I have the current adventure notes. In the clear pocket at the front of this section, I have any handouts I'm planning on using, including a player's map if I'm using one. I'm a big fan of Google Image search so I usually have lots of pictures of people, places & things.

In the third section, I have a few side adventures, just in case the players go off on a tangent, also with appropriate handouts in the pocket.

Behind that I have a section with spare NPCs. I sort them by class, then level. These are not fleshed out NPCs, rather they are shopkeepers, barmaids, random people one might pass in the street. I have perhaps 3 or 4 lines of text for each one, with includes physical description, perhaps a skill or feat, what they're carrying, and so forth. I also have about a dozen who are much more developed, and include at least one plot hook each. If I don't use 'em, then they carry over indefinately.

In the back section I have house rules, various tables for things I think I might need, like random weather, a tavern, a temple, random rumors and so forth. I haven't had a list of unused names, but by golly I will now. That's a great idea.

 

[Desdichado]

I don't keep a binder, but when I DM (currently on break from doing so, although I'm certainly getting the itch again) I have folders with maps, NPCs, charts of names so I can instantly name an NPC that I didn't think of, PC character sheets and a legal pad for taking notes.

I'm probably not as organized as some, but I like to DM at least slightly by the seat of my pants. If I prepare too much, I find it's harder to let the PCs do their thing instead of trying to railroad them.

 

[dave_o]

First off, Buttercup, I have no idea why, but I just want to hug you. It's damn-near impulsive.

Anyway, when I used to run face-to-face (haven't had the pleasure in, oh, TWO YEARS), I had a pretty nice binder system going. I used one of those 1.5'' binders, with the clear plastic outside pockets. In the back one I kept a world map (hand-drawn, baby!), and in the front one, a custom drawing a player did featuring all the current PCs.

I handled NPCs on a need basis. Example, I'd need an assassin, I'd write up a one-page statblock, make a few different versions, and stick 'em in there. Then, I always have an assassin! So, I had a bulging section with statblocks for NPCs.

The rest was pretty standard, except for one other thing. I kept a section devoted to various abstract doodles. Interconnecting lines and circles, unlabelled diagrams, etc. These could be made into chase scenes, evil hirearchies, sewer systems, etc. on the fly.

But, since, I've gone all digital and play on IRC. *points to story hour*

 

[KnowTheToe]

Don't forget the Asprin! A packet of asprin can always come in handy, especially if a player comes to the game in a particularly goofy mood

 

[Buttercup]

First off, Buttercup, I have no idea why, but I just want to hug you. It's damn-near impulsive.

Aw shucks.

 

[dave_o]

Hahaha. I have no idea why.

But if you're at an ENWorld gathering, and see a blonde, punk rock, Bam Margera look alike trundling your way, arms akimbo - you shall know it is Dave.

(Bam Margera, btw, is one of the founders of CKY, the precursor to Jackass. )

 

[Buttercup]

Well, Dave, perhaps we'll meet each other at GenCon. I'm hoping to finally meet lots of ENWorld folks.

 

[Drawmack]

I keep almost everything on my laptop:
battle tracker, xp calculator, name generator, charater sheets, one off adventures, random encounter spread sheets, POIs.

Though I still do keep a binder. In it I have the following:
3 adventures of the currently level (city, wilderness, dungeon crawl), 100 sheets of blank paper, 150 index cards, 100 sheets of graph paper, Print Outs of all my maps.

 

[dave_o]

That'd rock most heinously. I'll hopefully be going with my pal, Fenrir, from the boards.

And to keep this on topic...

I'll show you what's in my DM's binder, there!