What's your most surprising go-to DMing resource?

[JoelF]

When looking for a name for a new character or NPC, I often use this website:

http://www.behindthename.com/

It has all sorts of names from many many cultures.

 

[Silver Moon]

2nd Edition Monsterous Manual - a surprise because I don't play 2nd Edition - but I find it is the quickest and easiest to use of the various editions as nearly all monsters are in a thick single volume with a full color illustration to show the players.

 

[Particle_Man]

Yes, yes, you use the core books/SRD/True20 rulebook/C&C Castlekeepers Guide all the time. We expect that.

I can assure you that no one (outside of the alpha and beta testers, and developers, perhaps) uses the C&C Castlekeepers Guide, as it has not yet been published.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

2nd Edition Monsterous Manual - a surprise because I don't play 2nd Edition - but I find it is the quickest and easiest to use of the various editions as nearly all monsters are in a thick single volume with a full color illustration to show the players.

Actually I use that quite a bit as well, since it has more fluff info than the 3E monster manuals. And some of the art is very good.

 

[SpiderMonkey]

Sigh...Wikipedia. I'm so lame.

 

[Tetsubo]

A second vote for the -Pocket Ref Guide-. Heck I keep one on my computer desk and one at work...

The Aurora's Guide book from 2E FR is also a great resource...

 

[wolfpunk]

A friend of mine told me that he found inspiration for his campaign from the Book of Mormon. Have to say I would be surprised to have that show up at the table.

 

[Particle_Man]

A friend of mine told me that he found inspiration for his campaign from the Book of Mormon. Have to say I would be surprised to have that show up at the table.

Insert obligatory "Dogs in the Vinyard" reference.

 

[CanadienneBacon]

Wikipedia. I love that site. Use it all the time. I second the chap above me who already mentioned it.

Other than that, lately I've been using some of the imagery from the Bible and weaving those images into plot devices and NPCs. Revelation has some very interesting and useful (to me) items. I also like to crib a lot of the prophecy from Isaiah and Psalms. Can't say that's a particularly novel approach, though. And my players--those who know me--probably expect it.

 

[Edgewood]

I frequently use 1E Oriental Adventures as a great resource. Especially for running Kingdoms and Dynasties.