CharGen: The Ultimate 2025 DM & Player Tool Compendium: 140 Resources for DMs & Players

TL;DR: Struggling with D&D prep? CharGen offers powerful free AI tools for generating NPCs, taverns, shops, and loot that can save you hours of prep time and make your game more immersive. These tools are easy to use, require zero AI knowledge, and are completely free!

Introduction

Look, I get it—you don't have time to dig through fifty Reddit threads just to find a halfway‑decent initiative tracker. So I did the legwork (and drank the coffee) for you. Below you'll find 140 battle‑tested tools, neatly sorted into 14 categories so you can skip the fluff and get straight to the shiny buttons. Bookmark, share, tattoo on your arm—whatever helps your game run smoother.

Virtual Tabletops (VTTs)

When it comes to replicating the tabletop experience online, Virtual Tabletops are indispensable. They offer a shared visual space for maps, tokens, and dice rolls, bringing your adventures to life no matter where your players are. The market is brimming with options, each catering to different needs, from ultra-simple interfaces to deeply customisable powerhouses. Let's delve into some of the top contenders for 2025.

Foundry Virtual Tabletop — Modular, self-hosted powerhouse

URL https://foundryvtt.com | Latest update: May 2025

What it does
Foundry VTT is a one-time purchase, self-hosted virtual tabletop application designed for unparalleled customisation and control. Its open-module architecture means that if you can imagine a feature, chances are someone in the vibrant community has already built it, or you have the tools to create it yourself. It's a robust platform that empowers Game Masters to craft truly unique gaming experiences, supporting a vast array of game systems beyond the usual suspects, thanks to dedicated fan-made systems. Full offline control is a massive boon, meaning your game isn't reliant on a company's server status.

Why you'd use it

You crave absolute dominion over your game data, preferring to host it yourself and avoid ongoing subscription fees. Foundry's model means you buy it once and it's yours forever.
Your game involves intricate rulesets or you enjoy tinkering with automation. Foundry excels at deep rules integration for numerous systems, taking the mechanical load off the GM.
You want a VTT that can grow with your needs. The sheer volume of community-created modules means you can tailor Foundry to your exact playstyle, adding everything from sophisticated weather effects to bespoke inventory systems.

Key features

Effortless drag-and-drop for compendium content and System Reference Document (SRD) materials, making adventure setup much quicker.
Superb native dynamic lighting that reacts realistically to token vision and light sources, alongside an integrated soundboard for immersive audio cues.
Simplified one-click migrations for modules and entire worlds, easing the update process considerably.
A powerful API that allows developers to create incredibly detailed game systems and add-on modules.

Pros

A single, very reasonable $59 licence fee grants you lifetime access without the dreaded monthly subscription model that plagues many alternatives. This is a significant cost saving in the long run.
The module ecosystem is genuinely vast and incredibly active, with developers constantly pushing out new features, game systems, and quality-of-life improvements. The development cycle for the core software is also impressively rapid.
It performs admirably even on modest hardware, including the capability to run entirely offline on a device as unassuming as a Raspberry Pi, offering true portability and independence from internet connectivity.
The level of customisation is practically limitless. If you're a GM who enjoys building a truly bespoke gaming environment, Foundry provides all the tools you'll ever need.

Cons
− The self-hosting aspect, while a strength for many, does demand a degree of technical know-how. Setting up port forwarding or using a hosting service might be a hurdle for less tech-savvy users. − Unlike some competitors, there isn't an official marketplace for premium content bundles from major publishers, meaning you might need to input or adapt commercial adventures manually. − The sheer number of options and modules can, ironically, be overwhelming for newcomers. Finding the 'perfect' setup can involve a fair bit of trial and error.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No | Paid from $59 one-time

Best for
Technically inclined Game Masters who relish deep customisation, desire full ownership of their data, and aren't afraid to get their hands a little dirty with the setup. It's the tinkerer's dream VTT.

CharGen tie-in
Consider developing a "CharGen Token Pack" module. This could offer a selection of 128-pixel, ready-made tokens that auto-import seamlessly into any Foundry VTT world, providing instant, high-quality visuals for NPCs and player characters alike.

Fantasy Grounds Unity — Heavy-automation licence hub

URL https://www.fantasygrounds.com | Latest update: Apr 2025 (v4.7.0)

What it does
Fantasy Grounds Unity (FGU) is a long-standing, robust virtual tabletop known for its deep automation of official Dungeons & Dragons 5E, Pathfinder, Savage Worlds, and other licensed rulesets. It operates on a client-server model and aims to replicate the traditional tabletop experience with a focus on reducing manual bookkeeping for GMs and players. It's less about flashy presentation and more about getting the rules right, with official content directly integrated.

Why you'd use it

You primarily run games with officially licensed content (like D&D 5E or Pathfinder) and want the VTT to handle as much of the mechanical lifting as possible, such as spell effects, damage calculation, and monster abilities.
You prefer a dedicated desktop application over a browser-based solution, valuing stability and offline access once content is downloaded.
Your group isn't afraid of a steeper learning curve if it means powerful, accurate rules automation in the long run.

Key features

Comprehensive automation of conditions, effects, and combat actions, particularly for its core supported game systems. This can significantly speed up combat encounters.
Dynamic line-of-sight (LOS) and support for animated map tiles, adding a layer of visual immersion to your games.
A Steam-style downloadable content (DLC) storefront where users can purchase official rulebooks, adventure modules, and asset packs directly within the application.
Character creation and management tools that are deeply integrated with the rulesets, often auto-filling abilities and stats based on class and level.

Pros

Arguably the best-in-class for rules automation, especially concerning officially licensed D&D 5E and Pathfinder content. If a spell says it does X, FGU usually makes X happen with minimal GM intervention.
The "Ultimate" licence is a fantastic offering, allowing an unlimited number of players to join a GM's game using only the free demo version, which drastically lowers the barrier to entry for players.
Viable offline play is possible using a Local Area Network (LAN) connection, which is great for in-person games where internet might be unreliable.
A very established platform with a wealth of official content available, meaning less manual data entry for popular adventure paths.

Cons
− The user interface, while powerful, often feels dated, sometimes described as reminiscent of early 2000s software. This contributes to a notoriously steep learning curve for new users. − The cost of acquiring a substantial library of official DLC can quickly escalate, making it one of the more expensive VTT options if you want all the bells and whistles for multiple game systems. − While very powerful for its supported systems, creating or adapting content for unsupported or homebrew systems can be significantly more complex than in more open platforms.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Demo only (players can join a GM with an Ultimate licence) | Paid from $39 one-time (Standard licence) or $9.99 /mo Ultimate (or $149 one-time Ultimate)

Best for
Groups that are heavily invested in rules-heavy systems like D&D 5E or Pathfinder, appreciate deep automation, and want a "click to resolve" combat experience. It's particularly good for GMs who run a lot of official, pre-written adventures.

CharGen tie-in
An interesting integration would be to embed a CharGen portrait-export button directly within Fantasy Grounds Unity's character sheet XML. This could allow players to automatically update their character's portrait in FGU with a freshly generated image from CharGen, ensuring visual consistency.

AboveVTT — Chrome overlay for D&D Beyond

URL https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/abovevtt/ipcjcbhpofedihcloggaichibomadlei | Latest update: Apr 2025 (v1.38)

What it does
AboveVTT is a clever browser extension that seamlessly transforms any D&D Beyond campaign page into a functional, lightweight virtual tabletop. It requires no separate application, no hosting, and no additional logins for players already using D&D Beyond. It's ingeniously simple, overlaying map and token functionalities directly onto the familiar DDB interface. This makes it an incredibly accessible option for groups already embedded in the D&D Beyond ecosystem.

Why you'd use it

Your group lives and breathes D&D Beyond for character sheets, sourcebooks, and campaign management, and you want the absolute quickest way to add maps and tokens to your online sessions.
You need a zero-setup VTT for players; they simply need the Chrome browser and the D&D Beyond campaign link you provide.
You're looking for a free, straightforward solution for casual D&D 5E games without the complexity of standalone VTT applications.

Key features

Brilliant one-click import of official D&D Beyond maps and monster tokens directly from the encounters and sourcebooks you own on DDB.
Surprisingly robust dynamic lighting and fog of war capabilities for a browser extension, adding tactical depth to your maps.
Inline dice rolling directly from D&D Beyond character sheets, keeping everything within a single browser tab.
Basic drawing tools and pinging system for highlighting areas of interest on the map.

Pros

It's completely free to use, with no server costs or subscription fees, making it exceptionally budget-friendly.
It leverages your existing D&D Beyond purchases, so all the official maps and monster art you own become instantly usable on the VTT.
It runs efficiently on most computers, even low-specification laptops, due to its lightweight, browser-based nature.
The integration with D&D Beyond is incredibly smooth, making it feel like a natural extension of the DDB platform.

Cons
− Its primary limitation is being exclusive to the Google Chrome browser (and Chromium-based browsers like Edge). Users of Firefox, Safari, or other browsers are unfortunately left out. − Support for game systems other than Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition is practically non-existent, as it's intrinsically tied to D&D Beyond's infrastructure. − While it offers basic VTT functionalities, it lacks the advanced features, automation, and customisation options found in dedicated VTT applications like Foundry VTT or Fantasy Grounds. It's very much a "what you see is what you get" tool.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Paid? None

Best for
Groups that are heavily reliant on D&D Beyond and want the most straightforward, no-fuss method to get maps and tokens onto the screen for their 5E games. It's perfect for quick pickup games or for GMs who find other VTTs overly complex.

CharGen tie-in
A useful feature would be to provide "Copy CharGen prompt" snippets. These pre-formatted prompts could be used with CharGen to generate token art that stylistically matches the official D&D Beyond character avatars, ensuring a consistent look and feel.

Shard Tabletop — 5E-first cloud VTT

URL https://shardtabletop.com | Latest update: Mar 2025

What it does
Shard Tabletop is a modern, browser-based virtual tabletop with a strong focus on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, including tight integration with the 5E SRD and the latest 2024 rules revisions. It's designed for ease of use, aiming to automate many of the complex calculations involved in 5E, such as those for summoned creatures, Wild Shape forms, and custom character features, all without requiring client installs. It also features a built-in marketplace for independent creators to sell their adventures and supplements.

Why you'd use it

You want robust, native 5E automation without the hassle of installing software, preferring a clean, accessible browser-based experience.
You're interested in exploring a marketplace of indie 5E content directly within your VTT.
You need a VTT that's intuitive for players and supports features like real-time character sheet synchronisation.

Key features

Real-time synchronisation of character sheets, meaning changes made by a player are instantly visible to the GM, and vice-versa.
An intuitive drag-and-drop monster builder that simplifies the creation of custom stat blocks.
JSON import and export functionality for homebrew content, allowing for easy sharing and backup of your creations.
Built-in support for the latest D&D 2024 rules updates, ensuring your game is using the most current mechanics.

Pros

Offers exceptionally fast and streamlined character creation specifically for D&D 5E, getting players into the game quickly.
The user interface is generally clean, modern, and mobile-friendly, making it accessible on a wider range of devices compared to some older VTTs.
A generous free tier allows GMs to run up to three campaigns with a good range of core features, making it easy to try out before committing to a subscription.
The developers are known for being responsive to community feedback and actively updating the platform.

Cons
− Being a newer platform, Shard Tabletop has a smaller user base compared to giants like Roll20 or Foundry VTT. This can mean fewer community-made resources, tutorials, and pre-made modules available. − Some of the more advanced features, particularly sophisticated fog of war options and higher storage limits, are locked behind a monthly subscription. − While excellent for 5E, support for other game systems is currently limited, making it less versatile if you play a wide variety of TTRPGs.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (up to 3 campaigns, core features) | Paid from $4.99 /mo

Best for
D&D 5E Game Masters who prioritise ease of use, strong rules automation for the system, and a clean, modern interface. It's particularly good for GMs who dislike dealing with spreadsheets but still want to run rules-intensive encounters smoothly.

CharGen tie-in
To better integrate with Shard's typically dark user interface, CharGen could offer a selection of colour-matched texture overlays. These overlays could be applied to CharGen portraits, helping them blend more seamlessly with Shard Tabletop's aesthetic when imported.

Quest Portal — AI-assisted narrative VTT

URL https://www.questportal.com | Latest update: Mar 2025 ("Campaign Library 2.0")

What it does
Quest Portal is carving out a unique niche as a cloud-based virtual tabletop that cleverly integrates an AI assistant directly into the gaming experience. This AI can be fed your campaign's rulebooks and lore, allowing players (and the GM) to ask questions and get instant answers mid-game. It's a very forward-thinking approach, coupled with dedicated mobile applications that mirror the desktop view for a consistent experience across devices. The focus is less on granular tactical maps and more on supporting narrative play with smart tools.

Why you'd use it

You're intrigued by the idea of having a GPT-style "rules concierge" or lore master available at the virtual table, capable of quickly looking up obscure rules or campaign details.
You need a VTT that offers a polished experience on iOS and Android devices, allowing players to participate fully without needing a computer.
Your gaming style leans more towards story-driven adventures where quick access to information is more valuable than complex grid combat.

Key features

Custom AI libraries that can be trained per-campaign with your specific rulebooks, homebrew documents, and world lore.
A sophisticated notes system with nested folders and deep linking capabilities, excellent for organising complex campaign information.
Support for light-source tokens and basic vision mechanics on maps, catering to essential tactical needs.
An upcoming marketplace for licensed books, aiming to expand its AI's knowledge base with official content.

Pros

Its AI-powered rule and lore lookup is genuinely impressive and potentially a game-changer for GMs who struggle to remember every detail or rule nuance.
The mobile user experience is sleek and intuitive, arguably one of the best among VTTs that offer dedicated apps.
The platform is rapidly evolving, with a clear roadmap and responsive developers who are actively engaging with their community.
The free tier is quite usable, offering a good taste of the AI functionalities.

Cons
− As a relatively new and ambitious platform, it can occasionally suffer from latency spikes or minor bugs, which is common for early-stage software. − Its grid and tactical mapping tools are currently less developed than those in more combat-focused VTTs. It's not (yet) the platform for highly detailed, large-scale set-piece battles. − The effectiveness of the AI is highly dependent on the quality and formatting of the documents you feed it; "garbage in, garbage out" very much applies.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (with core AI features) | Paid from $7 /mo GM Pro

Best for
Story-forward gaming groups and Game Masters who value rapid information retrieval and a smooth mobile experience over deep, crunchy tactical automation. It's ideal for games where narrative and lore are paramount.

CharGen tie-in
A creative integration could involve publishing "CharGen slideshow" scripts. These scripts could synchronise the reveal of CharGen-generated character portraits with specific ambient music triggers or scene changes within Quest Portal, enhancing dramatic moments.

Let's Role — Community-driven multilingual VTT

URL https://lets-role.com | Latest update: Nov 2024

What it does
Let's Role is an open and community-focused virtual tabletop that stands out for its excellent multilingual support (including French, German, and Spanish user interfaces out of the box) and an accessible character sheet builder that doesn't require coding knowledge. It's entirely browser-based and has a strong emphasis on supporting a wide variety of indie game systems, facilitated by its active community and shared asset shop. It excels at facilitating quick pickup games.

Why you'd use it

Your gaming group is international, or you need a VTT interface in a language other than English.
You want the ability to create or heavily customise character sheets for obscure or homebrew systems without needing to write any code.
You prefer a completely browser-based VTT that requires zero installations for anyone involved and is free for running unlimited games.

Key features

Live character sheet editing, where changes are reflected instantly for all users without needing a page refresh – a small but very welcome quality-of-life feature.
A marketplace for community-created assets, including animated tokens and character sheet templates.
SRD automation for several popular systems, including features like automatic tracking of rests and resource recovery.
A very active Discord community where users share sheet templates, provide support, and discuss new features.

Pros

Being 100% browser-based, it requires absolutely no software installations for the GM or players, making it incredibly accessible.
The character sheet builder is genuinely user-friendly, allowing for impressive customisation without diving into code.
It's free to use for running an unlimited number of games with core features, with an optional paid tier for extra storage and perks.
Strong multilingual support is a significant advantage for non-Anglophone gaming groups.

Cons
− Users have reported occasional server performance issues, particularly during peak European gaming hours, though this seems to be improving. − While it offers some rules automation, it's generally lighter in this department compared to more specialised VTTs like Foundry VTT or Fantasy Grounds, especially for complex systems. − The interface, while functional, might not feel as polished or modern as some of the newer VTTs on the market.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (unlimited games, core features) | Paid from €5 /mo Plus (for extra storage etc.)

Best for
Polyglot gaming tables, indie game designers who need flexible sheet creation, and groups looking for a free, accessible, browser-based VTT for a variety of systems.

CharGen tie-in
To leverage its multilingual strengths, CharGen could bundle language-specific prompt presets. These presets would help users quickly generate character portraits with descriptions and styles that match the locale and language of the character sheets being used in Let's Role.

Alchemy RPG — Cinematic theatre-of-the-mind VTT

URL https://alchemyrpg.com | Latest update: Oct 2024 (Version One Beta)

What it does
Alchemy RPG is a visually striking, scene-based virtual tabletop that prioritises cinematic presentation and theatre-of-the-mind gameplay. It focuses on stunning animated backdrops, particle effects, and synchronised music to create atmosphere, only transitioning to a tactical grid when combat or detailed positioning becomes essential. It's designed to make online sessions feel more like an interactive movie or a professionally streamed game.

Why you'd use it

You want to stream or record your TTRPG sessions and desire a VTT that offers built-in tools for high-quality visual presentation and mood setting.
Your GMing style prioritises narrative flow and immersive storytelling over constant grid-based tactical combat.
You're looking for a platform with strong publisher partnerships, offering access to beautifully realised official content.

Key features

Scene playlists that allow GMs to curate sequences of animated backgrounds, ambient sounds, and music, complete with timed audio cues.
Integrated voice and video chat, keeping all communication within the platform.
A marketplace for "cinematic modules" – adventures and assets designed to take full advantage of Alchemy's presentation features.
One-click switching between immersive "theatre-of-the-mind" scenes and a more traditional tactical grid view.

Pros

The visual presentation is genuinely gorgeous, often requiring minimal preparation from the GM to achieve a highly immersive atmosphere.
The ability to seamlessly switch between narrative scenes and tactical grids offers great flexibility in pacing and gameplay style.
Strong partnerships with TTRPG publishers mean a growing library of official content that is specifically designed for Alchemy's unique strengths.
The user interface is modern, intuitive, and geared towards creating a visually rich experience for players.

Cons
− The platform is still officially in beta (as of the latest update), which means there might be occasional feature gaps, bugs, or performance quirks as development continues. − There is currently no offline mode, requiring a stable internet connection for both GMs and players. − While the tactical grid is functional, it may not offer the same depth of features or automation as VTTs that are primarily focused on grid-based combat.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (with core features) | Paid from $8 /mo Creator (planned, for advanced features and content creation tools)

Best for
Streamers, actual-play podcasters, or any Game Master who wants to run highly narrative, visually stunning campaigns and values atmosphere and immersion above all else.

CharGen tie-in
A fantastic integration would be for CharGen to offer motion-parallax portraits. These could be layered PNGs or simple animated portraits that slot directly into Alchemy RPG scenes, adding dynamic character visuals that react to mouse movements or scene transitions.

Owlbear Rodeo 2 — The "sticky-note" of VTTs

URL https://www.owlbear.rodeo | Latest update: Oct 2024 (v2.3 "Warp Core")

What it does
Owlbear Rodeo 2 is the epitome of a lightweight, incredibly easy-to-use browser-based virtual tabletop. Its philosophy is simplicity: drag a map image into your browser, paste or upload some tokens, and you're ready to play. Don't let its minimalist approach fool you; version 2.3 introduced impressive GPU-powered dynamic fog and support for massive 144-megapixel maps, showing it can punch above its weight. It's the digital equivalent of throwing a map and some minis on the kitchen table.

Why you'd use it

You need to get a game, especially a one-shot or a quick encounter, up and running in literally under a minute.
Your players (or you) are using very low-specification computers or have unreliable internet connections where heavier VTTs would struggle.
You value simplicity and ease of use above all other features and dislike complex interfaces or mandatory account creation.

Key features

Real-time dynamic fog of war that is surprisingly smooth and effective, powered by your computer's GPU.
A simple, integrated audio board for playing sound effects or music, and a basic dice tray for shared rolls.
A tag-based asset manager for organising your maps and tokens, making it easier to find what you need quickly.
No accounts are required to start a game; the GM simply shares a link, and players can join.

Pros

There is practically zero learning curve. If you can use a web browser, you can use Owlbear Rodeo. It's incredibly intuitive.
It performs exceptionally well even on very low bandwidth connections and older hardware, making it highly accessible.
The free tier is very generous, allowing up to 10 players and offering significant storage for assets.
The recent updates, particularly the improved fog of war and large map support, have made it a much more capable tool without sacrificing its core simplicity.

Cons
− It offers no rules automation whatsoever. All dice interpretation, status tracking, and rules adjudication must be handled manually by the GM and players, just like at a physical table. − Campaign management features are minimal. It's designed for session-by-session play rather than managing long, complex campaigns with lots of persistent data. − While you can upload custom assets, there's no integrated marketplace or direct support for official content from publishers.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (up to 10 players, 500MB asset storage) | Paid from $5 /mo Plus (more players, more storage, extra features)

Best for
Pickup games, convention tables, one-shots, or any group that is tech-averse or simply wants the quickest, easiest way to get a map and tokens online. It's also an excellent backup VTT if your primary choice is having technical difficulties.

CharGen tie-in
CharGen could provide a downloadable "CharGen Token Stamp" set. This would be a collection of pre-sized and styled tokens, perfectly dimensioned for Owlbear Rodeo's default grid, allowing for instant, visually consistent character and monster representation.

TaleSpire — 3-D minis on a digital board

URL https://store.steampowered.com/app/720620 | Latest update: Aug 2024

What it does
TaleSpire, available on Steam, offers a unique take on the virtual tabletop by providing a fully 3-D sandbox environment. GMs build intricate multi-level dioramas using a wide array of digital tiles and props, and players move their 3-D miniatures across these environments with true line-of-sight calculated by the engine. It plays less like a traditional VTT and more like a highly customisable digital miniatures game or a diorama simulator, focusing heavily on visual fidelity and environmental interaction.

Why you'd use it

You and your players love the aesthetic of physical miniatures and detailed terrain, and you want to replicate that "wow" factor in your online games with cinematic camera angles and tilt-shift map effects.
Your game benefits from true three-dimensional environments, with verticality and complex structures playing a key role in encounters.
You enjoy the process of digital "set building" and want to create visually stunning, immersive battle maps.

Key features

Impressive volumetric lighting and weather effects that can dramatically alter the mood and visibility on your 3-D boards.
An initiative tracker that is directly integrated with the 3-D miniatures on the board, making it easy to see whose turn it is.
Community board sharing via Steam Workshop, allowing GMs to download and use or adapt creations from other TaleSpire users.
Support for cutaway views, allowing players to see inside buildings or underground areas.

Pros

The visuals are genuinely jaw-dropping, offering a level of immersion that 2-D VTTs simply cannot match. It truly feels like playing with high-quality miniatures on an elaborate set.
Smooth perspective swaps and camera controls make it an excellent choice for GMs who stream their sessions or want to create cinematic recordings.
Boards can be built and edited offline, allowing GMs to prepare their elaborate creations without needing a constant internet connection.
The tactile feel of moving minis in a 3D space can be very satisfying for players who miss that aspect of in-person play.

Cons
− It is quite GPU-hungry and generally requires a decent gaming PC for both the GM and players to run smoothly, which can be a barrier for some groups. − TaleSpire offers no rules automation. It is purely a visual simulator; all dice rolling, stat tracking, and rules implementation must be handled outside the application (e.g., with physical dice or a separate dice roller app). − The building tools, while powerful, can be time-consuming to master, and creating truly elaborate boards requires a significant time investment.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No | Paid $24.99 one-time (per person on Steam)

Best for
Gaming groups who highly prioritise visual spectacle, have access to gaming-capable PCs, and treat combat encounters like cinematic showcases. It's for GMs who love to build and players who love to explore detailed 3-D environments.

CharGen tie-in
A neat integration would be for CharGen to export character portraits not just as flat tokens, but as PNG busts or standees. These could then be easily dropped onto 3-D bases within TaleSpire, providing instant visual consistency between character art and the 3-D minis.

Role VTT — Device-agnostic, sheet-builder sandbox

URL https://www.playrole.com | Latest update: Apr 2025

What it does
Role VTT is a versatile browser-and-mobile virtual tabletop that distinguishes itself with an intuitive drag-and-drop character sheet designer, allowing GMs and players to easily create or customise sheets for virtually any game system without coding. It also incorporates built-in safety tools (like an X-card) and offers HD video chat, positioning itself as an excellent choice for theatre-of-the-mind play and indie games, with a strong emphasis on accessibility across various devices.

Why you'd use it

You frequently play indie TTRPGs, one-page RPGs, or homebrew systems that lack official digital support, and you need a quick, easy way to create functional custom character sheets.
You want a VTT that performs reliably on tablets and mobile phones, allowing players to participate fully without being tied to a desktop or laptop.
You value built-in safety tools that help ensure a comfortable and respectful gaming environment for everyone at the table.

Key features

A powerful yet remarkably easy-to-use drag-and-drop character sheet builder where variables can be directly linked to the integrated dice roller.
Asset tabs within the interface for conveniently organising and displaying PDFs, artwork, maps, and notes during the game.
Built-in safety tools, including an anonymous X-card and a "pause for thought" alert system, fostering a safer play space.
Integrated HD video and voice chat, aiming to provide an all-in-one communication and play solution.

Pros

The codeless character sheet builder is a standout feature, making it incredibly simple to support a vast range of game systems.
True device-agnostic performance means it works well on almost any modern device with a web browser, including smartphones, which is a big plus for accessibility.
The free tier is quite generous, offering GMs the ability to run games with most core features, making it easy to get started.
The focus on safety tools is a commendable and increasingly important aspect of modern online gaming.

Cons
− While the integrated video chat is a convenient feature, its reliability and performance can still be somewhat inconsistent compared to dedicated video conferencing solutions. − It offers minimal rules automation, particularly for crunchier, more complex game systems. The focus is more on providing a flexible canvas than automating mechanics. − The overall feature set for map handling and tactical combat is more basic compared to VTTs designed specifically for grid-based play.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (core features, limited sheets/assets) | Paid from $7 /mo Patron (more storage, advanced features)

Best for
Indie game enthusiasts, groups that play a wide variety of rules-light or narrative-focused systems, and GMs who need a highly accessible, mobile-first VTT with excellent custom sheet capabilities.

CharGen tie-in
To streamline character creation, Role VTT's sheet templates could feature one-click "Import CharGen Portrait" buttons. This would allow players to instantly populate their custom character sheets with art generated via CharGen, making the process quicker and more visually engaging.

Map & Terrain Generators

A compelling map can transform a good game into a great one, offering vital context for exploration and combat. Whether you need a sprawling continent, a detailed city, a quaint village, or a perilous dungeon, the right generator can save you countless hours. These tools range from simple sketchers to complex world-builders, many offering AI assistance to bring your settings to life. Here are some of the best for 2025.

CharGen Tavern & Inn Generator — Drop-in taverns with art & lore

URL https://char-gen.com/tavern-generator | Latest update: Sep 2024

What it does
The CharGen Tavern & Inn Generator is a remarkably swift AI-powered tool that constructs a complete, ready-to-use tavern or inn from a simple prompt. It doesn't just give you a name; it delivers a sketched floor plan, a bespoke menu (complete with period-appropriate pricing), a cast of staff NPCs with brief descriptions, a handful of local rumours to seed adventure, and even a high-resolution exterior image of the establishment. All of this is presented in a clean format, ready to be dropped into your game notes or directly onto a VTT.

Why you'd use it

You're in dire need of a fully-realised tavern or inn right now, perhaps because your players have taken an unexpected detour, and you want something richer than "it's a generic pub."
You appreciate the convenience of having matching artwork and narrative elements generated together with a single click, ensuring a cohesive feel for your new location.
You want to quickly populate a settlement with distinct, memorable locations without spending hours on individual designs.

Key features

Procedurally generated interior layouts, including a basic seating chart, giving an immediate sense of the tavern's size and character.
An automatically generated menu with thematic food and drink items, complete with suggested prices, saving you the effort of inventing fantasy cuisine on the fly.
Basic portraits and short descriptions for key staff members, alongside a few intriguing adventure hooks or local rumours tied to the establishment.
Consistent and high-quality AI-generated exterior artwork that gives a strong visual identity to the tavern.

Pros

A generous free tier allows for plenty of experimentation, with export options including PNG and JPG for images, and Markdown for easy text integration into various note-taking apps or VTTs.
Seamlessly integrates with other CharGen tools, such as the NPC and Loot generators, allowing you to flesh out the tavern's patrons or stock its cellars with just a few more clicks.
The AI maintains a commendably consistent art style across all generated outputs, ensuring that elements created for the same setting feel harmonious.
Incredibly fast generation times mean you can have a new location ready for your players in under a minute.

Cons
− Its focus is, quite specifically, on taverns and inns. If you need a different type of building, like a shop or a temple, you'll need to look elsewhere or adapt the output significantly. − The generated sketch map is schematic and intended for flavour and basic layout understanding rather than being a grid-perfect, VTT-ready battlemap. You'll likely need another tool to create a detailed tactical map if combat ensues. − While the AI is good, the generated details are sometimes generic and may require some GM polish to truly shine or fit a very specific campaign tone.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Paid from $5 /mo credits (for higher volume usage or premium features)

Best for
Game Masters who frequently need to improvise memorable social hubs or points of interest, especially when players venture off the beaten path. It's a lifesaver for quickly establishing a believable and engaging location between combat encounters.

CharGen tie-in
The generator provides direct links into the CharGen NPC and Loot generators. This means you can instantly populate the bar with unique characters or decide what's in the strongbox behind the counter in just two additional clicks, making for incredibly efficient world-building.

Watabou Medieval City Generator — Instant sprawling city maps

URL https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator | Latest update: Feb 2025 (v0.11.4 “Forests”)

What it does
Oskar Stålberg's (Watabou) Medieval City Generator is a brilliant piece of procedural generation wizardry, available directly in your web browser. With a single click, it conjures up a complete, stylised map of a medieval fantasy city, complete with named districts, defensive walls, gates, and even a sense of organic growth. The maps are not just pretty pictures; they're logically structured and can be exported as high-resolution PNG images or, crucially, as SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) files, allowing for infinite scaling and editing.

Why you'd use it

You need a detailed city map for your game session tonight, and simply don't have the hours (or inclination) to draw one from scratch.
You require an editable vector output, perhaps for creating a high-resolution print for your game table, or for use in a published adventure where professional-quality cartography is a must.
You want a visually appealing and believable city layout to serve as a backdrop for urban adventures, without getting bogged down in micro-managing every street and building.

Key features

Automatic district coloration and labelling, providing an immediate overview of the city's different quarters (e.g., market district, temple district, noble's quarter).
Options for varying levels of roof detail and other visual elements, allowing for some customisation of the map's appearance.
The ability to export the city data as a JSON file, which can be invaluable for developers or technically-minded GMs wanting to further process or integrate the map data into other tools.
The recent "Forests" update intelligently incorporates green spaces and wooded areas within and around the city, adding to the realism.

Pros

It's completely free to use and runs directly in your browser, requiring no downloads or installations. It's incredibly accessible.
The SVG export option is a massive boon for anyone needing to scale maps to very large sizes (like poster prints) without any loss of quality, or for those who wish to edit the map in vector graphics software like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator.
The developer maintains a regular devlog, providing insights into the generation process and frequently adding new features and refinements.
The generation is incredibly fast, providing complex cityscapes in mere seconds.

Cons
− The generator focuses on the city-scale overview and does not produce any building interiors or detailed street-level views. You'll need other tools for battlemaps within the city. − The visual style, while charming and distinctive, is relatively fixed. While some parameters can be tweaked, you have limited control over the colour palette or the fundamental aesthetic of the generated cities. − The labels and names are procedurally generated and can sometimes be a bit generic or repetitive, often requiring some manual renaming for more flavourful results.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Paid? Donateware (you can support the developer via itch.io if you find the tool useful)

Best for
Worldbuilders, authors, and Game Masters who need vast, believable, and visually appealing city maps generated quickly. It's particularly useful for establishing the broader geography of an urban environment before zooming in on specific locations.

CharGen tie-in
A fantastic way to use this in conjunction with CharGen is to take the labelled districts from Watabou's city map (e.g., "The Merchant's Quarter," "The Old Docks") and then use CharGen's Tavern & Inn Generator (or other relevant CharGen tools) to create specific points of interest within those districts. This gives you both the macro view and instant, detailed micro locations.

Watabou Village Generator — Quaint settlements in a click

URL https://watabou.itch.io/village-generator | Latest update: Feb 2025 (v1.6.6)

What it does
Following the same design philosophy as the Medieval City Generator, Watabou's Village Generator creates charming, small-scale settlement maps. It procedurally generates layouts for villages and hamlets, complete with winding roads, numbered houses, and optional features like palisades or central greens. Like its city-focused sibling, it exports to PNG or SVG, maintaining a consistent and clean visual style, perfect for populating the rural areas of your campaign world.

Why you'd use it

You need to quickly populate the countryside between larger towns or cities with believable small settlements, giving your world a sense of lived-in depth.
You want simple, clear maps for villages that players might pass through or where minor encounters might occur, without needing overly complex details.
You appreciate the consistent art style when used alongside the Medieval City Generator, ensuring your world maps have a cohesive look.

Key features

Options for generating villages at crossroads, along rivers, or with other simple geographical constraints, adding a touch of realism to their placement.
Houses are typically numbered, making it easy for GMs to key specific locations or inhabitants.
The ability to add features like wooden palisades, small farming plots, or village squares, allowing for quick visual differentiation.
JSON export is available, enabling users to potentially script modifications or integrate the village data into other applications.

Pros

Like all of Watabou's browser-based generators, it's entirely free, incredibly lightweight, and runs instantly in your browser.
The JSON export, though a niche feature, allows for interesting possibilities like programmatically renaming houses or assigning specific properties based on external data.
The inclusion of options for palisades, basic shading, and varied building clustering helps to create surprisingly realistic and varied small settlement layouts with minimal effort.
It's an excellent tool for generating 'filler' locations that make a region feel more populated and provide opportunities for spontaneous encounters.

Cons
− It provides no interior details for any of the buildings, nor does it typically generate specific notable structures like inns or temples by default (though a larger building might be inferred as such). − Visual customisation is quite limited; the aesthetic is fixed to match the other Watabou generators, which, while pleasant, might not suit every campaign style. − The generated village names (if any are displayed directly on map, often they are not) are very basic and will almost certainly need customisation.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
Game Masters who need to quickly create maps for numerous small hamlets, thorpes, and villages to sprinkle across their overland campaign maps, especially when a detailed battlemap isn't immediately required.

CharGen tie-in
A powerful workflow is to generate a village with Watabou, then take the numbered houses and systematically pipe those numbers (or your own names for the houses) into CharGen's NPC generator. In a matter of minutes, you can have a basic roster of inhabitants for the entire village, complete with portraits and brief descriptions.

Dungeon Scrawl — Sketch-style battlemaps, now on Roll20

URL https://dungeonscrawl.com | Latest update: Feb 2025 (Roll20 integration LIVE)

What it does
Dungeon Scrawl is a wonderfully intuitive, browser-based mapping tool that specialises in creating crisp, clear, black-and-white sketch-style dungeon plans and battlemaps. It's designed for speed and ease of use, with smart wall-snapping tools and simple controls. A major recent development is its official integration with Roll20, allowing for one-click export of maps, including wall and door data, directly into the VTT. It also exports to standard PNG for use in any other VTT or for print.

Why you'd use it

You need to whip up a custom battlemap quickly, either during prep or even on-the-fly during a session, and you prefer a clean, hand-drawn aesthetic over more complex, asset-heavy map styles.
You are a Roll20 user and want the most seamless way to get custom maps with pre-configured dynamic lighting walls into your games.
You appreciate tools that are free, require no login, and get straight to the point.

Key features

Extremely intuitive wall and door drawing tools that snap together intelligently, making the creation of complex room layouts surprisingly fast.
A selection of fill styles, textures (like rubble or water), and simple object stamps (stairs, pillars, etc.) to add detail to your maps.
The standout one-click Roll20 scene export, which not only sends the image but also the underlying wall data necessary for dynamic lighting and line of sight.
Layers for organising map elements, and options for grid customisation.

Pros

It costs absolutely nothing to use and doesn't require you to create an account or log in, offering immediate access to its full feature set.
The exported map data for Roll20 (and potentially other VTTs that can use its generic export formats) includes wall, door, and window information, which is a massive time-saver for setting up dynamic lighting.
The developer is active and maintains a clear feature roadmap, with regular updates and improvements being added to the tool.
Its minimalist style is printer-friendly and very clear for players to understand at a glance.

Cons
− Currently, Dungeon Scrawl is exclusively black-and-white and does not offer a colour tileset or a way to import coloured assets. If you want full-colour maps, you'll need to export and then colourise the map in another program. − While generally very performant, creating extremely large or complex maps can sometimes lead to a bit of browser lag, especially on older computers. − The range of included objects and textures, while growing, is still more limited than dedicated, asset-heavy mapping software.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
Game Masters who need to create clear, functional, and aesthetically pleasing sketch-style battlemaps quickly, especially for use in Roll20. It's brilliant for on-the-fly map creation when players go somewhere unexpected.

CharGen tie-in
While Dungeon Scrawl itself is monochrome, you can export your finished map as a PNG and then use CharGen's texture overlays or image editing features to creatively colourise the map. This could involve adding subtle colour washes to rooms or using texture fills from CharGen to give different areas a distinct visual identity, ready for import into VTTs like Foundry or Fantasy Grounds.

Dungeon Alchemist — AI-assisted 3-D room builder

URL https://store.steampowered.com/app/1588530 | Latest update: Jun 2024 “Magic!”

What it does
Dungeon Alchemist is a standalone application (available on Steam) that uses AI to help you create highly detailed 2D and 3D maps of rooms and small dungeons. You define the room shapes and pick a theme (like "castle," "cave," or the recent "Magic!" theme), and the AI intelligently populates the space with appropriate props, lighting, and shadows. It then produces beautiful, print-ready or VTT-ready 2D renders (including isometric views) and can even export to formats compatible with 3D VTTs.

Why you'd use it

You desire gorgeous, professional-looking isometric or top-down maps filled with clutter and detail, but you want to achieve this in minutes rather than hours of manual prop placement.
You use a VTT that supports 3D map import (like some advanced Foundry VTT modules) or you simply want stunning 2D visuals for any VTT or for printing.
You enjoy the idea of AI assisting in the creative process, taking care of the tedious bits of set dressing.

Key features

A wide array of thematic presets (castle, crypt, tavern, caves, and the newly added "Magic!" theme for wizard towers and enchanted lairs) which dictate the AI's choice of props and architecture.
Support for creating round rooms, multi-level structures, and dynamic adjustments to room contents based on your inputs.
Versatile export options including high-resolution PNG and JPG for 2D maps, and specific export formats that include wall and lighting data for VTTs like Foundry VTT.
An active community regularly sharing creations via the Steam Workshop.

Pros

The quality of the lighting and the automatic prop placement is genuinely beautiful right out of the box, creating atmosphere with minimal effort.
Development is continuous, with new themes, assets, and features being added regularly, often driven by community feedback. The Steam Workshop integration also provides a steady stream of user-created assets and rooms.
It's a one-time purchase, so once you own it, you have access to all its current and future core mapping capabilities without ongoing subscriptions.
The AI is surprisingly good at making rooms feel "lived in" and appropriately cluttered for the chosen theme.

Cons
− It's a desktop application available only for Windows and Mac, and it can be quite demanding on your computer's GPU, especially when working with larger or more complex scenes. − As of the latest updates, its primary strength lies in interior spaces. It does not yet have robust features for creating outdoor terrain, wilderness maps, or cityscapes. − While the AI is clever, achieving a very specific layout or prop combination can sometimes require a bit of wrestling with the controls or manually adjusting the AI's choices.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No | Paid $44.99 one-time

Best for
Game Masters who want to produce AAA-quality, highly detailed dungeon and interior maps without needing the complex skills (or time investment) typically associated with 3D modelling software like Blender. It's fantastic for creating visually impressive set pieces.

CharGen tie-in
A great way to ensure thematic consistency is to generate your map in Dungeon Alchemist, note the room's biome or theme (e.g., "musty crypt," "opulent library"), and then use CharGen to create NPC or monster art that specifically matches that environment. This allows you to quickly produce cohesive encounter handouts or VTT scenes.

DungeonFog — Pro-grade battlemap editor with AI text

URL https://www.dungeonfog.com | Latest update: Jun 2024 (AI Map Description)

What it does
DungeonFog is a powerful, vector-based online editor designed for creating highly detailed, professional-quality battlemaps. It boasts extensive libraries of art assets and texture brushes, supports multi-level floor plans, and offers robust export options for both print and various VTTs (including dynamic lighting data). A newer feature is its AI-powered map description tool, which can generate flavour text and room summaries based on your map's content.

Why you'd use it

You aim to produce maps of a quality suitable for commercial publication, your own Patreon, or simply for a very polished home game, and you need granular control over every detail.
You want a tool that not only helps you draw the map but can also assist in writing the descriptive "box text" or room summaries, saving you writing time.
You need flexible export options that include wall and light data compatible with major VTT platforms.

Key features

Access to a vast library of over 10,000 high-resolution art assets and versatile texture brushes, allowing for rich and varied map designs.
Intuitive tools for creating multi-level dungeons and buildings, with clear ways to manage different floors.
An innovative AI feature that analyses your created map and generates descriptive flavour text and concise room summaries, which can be a great starting point for your GM notes.
A dedicated notes section for each map, allowing you to embed your own text and details directly alongside the visual.

Pros

The paid tiers offer a commercial licence, which is essential for creators looking to sell adventures or map packs made with the tool.
It exports wall, door, and lighting data in formats compatible with all major VTTs (Roll20, Foundry VTT, Fantasy Grounds, etc.), streamlining the VTT setup process.
The developers frequently release new asset packs, often themed, ensuring a constant supply of fresh visual elements to work with.
The vector-based nature of the editor means maps can be scaled without loss of quality, and elements can be precisely manipulated.

Cons
− While powerful, DungeonFog has a steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools like Dungeon Scrawl, especially when trying to master all its advanced features and asset management. − High-resolution, non-watermarked exports and access to the full asset library typically require a subscription, making the free tier somewhat limited for serious use. − The sheer number of assets and options can sometimes feel overwhelming, and finding the perfect piece can take time.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (watermarked exports, limited assets) | Paid from €4.90 /mo

Best for
Professional GMs, adventure writers, and content creators who are selling modules or producing map packs for platforms like Patreon. It's also excellent for home GMs who demand a high level of detail and control over their battlemap designs.

CharGen tie-in
A clever integration is to take the AI-generated descriptive text from DungeonFog for a particular room and feed that text into CharGen's NPC or Loot generators. This can help auto-generate perfectly themed inhabitants or treasures that align with the room's description, creating a highly cohesive encounter.

Worldographer — Hex & world-map workhorse

URL https://worldographer.com | Latest update: Apr 2024 (rotate presets)

What it does
Worldographer (the successor to the classic Hexographer) is a robust desktop application specifically designed for creating large-scale continental maps, regional maps, and detailed hex-crawl environments. It includes features for simulating climate, placing cultures, tracking political borders, and even supports custom calendar integration for campaign timelines. It's a true workhorse for GMs who love building expansive sandbox worlds.

Why you'd use it

You are designing a world from the ground up, needing tools to map out entire continents, kingdoms, or large geographical regions with a focus on verisimilitude.
Your campaign involves significant overland travel, hex-crawling, or managing faction territories, and you need integrated tools to support these logistical elements.
You prefer a one-time purchase desktop application that works offline and gives you deep control over map generation parameters.

Key features

Flexible mapping modes, allowing for traditional hex grid-based drawing or more freeform, organic landmass creation.
Features for automatic placement of settlements, terrain features (mountains, forests, rivers), and political borders based on user-defined parameters.
The ability to create nested child maps, allowing you to zoom from a world overview to a regional map, and then potentially to a city map (though city-level detail is less of its core strength).
Generation of realistic river networks and climate zones.

Pros

It's a one-time licence fee for the full version, and the software works entirely offline, which is great for focused, distraction-free world-building.
Offers a variety of export options, including PNG for easy sharing, SVG for scalable vector graphics, and even GeoJSON for use in some GIS applications or more advanced mapping tools.
Includes built-in support for creating and managing campaign calendars, timelines, and noble family trees, integrating these elements directly with your world map.
The level of detail you can go into with generating tectonic plates, wind patterns, and rainfall to create believable climates is impressive for dedicated world-smiths.

Cons
− The user interface, being Java-based, can feel somewhat dated and less intuitive compared to more modern, web-based mapping tools. It has a definite old-school software feel. − While it offers different icon sets, the overall art style variety is somewhat limited. Achieving a highly unique or stylised aesthetic can be challenging without importing custom assets. − The learning curve can be moderately steep, particularly when delving into the more advanced world generation parameters and data layers.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (limited features, cannot save in full version format) | Paid $40 one-time (for Worldographer Pro)

Best for
Dedicated hex-crawl enthusiasts, sandbox campaign builders, and any Game Master who revels in the detailed minutiae of large-scale world creation and cartography. It's excellent for creating a solid geographical foundation for your campaigns.

CharGen tie-in
When you've mapped out a region in Worldographer, you can identify specific hexes of interest (e.g., "Hex 1207: Ruined Watchtower," "Hex 0815: Dense Forest"). Then, use CharGen to generate specific lore snippets, encounter ideas, or notable NPCs for each of those hexes, quickly populating your blank map regions with engaging content.

Azgaar Fantasy Map Generator — Browser worldbuilder

URL https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator | Latest update: Aug 2024 (v1.99 routes rework)

What it does
Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator is a remarkably powerful, open-source, browser-based tool that excels at creating detailed and visually rich political and cultural maps of entire worlds or large regions. With a click, it generates continents, then populates them with states, cultures, religions, cities, and even dynamic elements like trade routes and conflict zones. It offers an astonishing array of customisation options and data layers.

Why you'd use it

You need to generate an entire, complex fantasy world – complete with political entities, cultural groups, and geographical features – in a very short amount of time.
You love tinkering with procedural generation settings and want deep control over the parameters that shape your world, from tectonic plate movement to language families.
You require editable layers and multiple export formats for further customisation or use in other applications.

Key features

Automatic generation of realistic height maps, climate zones, and biome distributions across your landmasses.
A sophisticated algorithm for generating political states, assigning cultures and religions, and simulating their interactions and borders. The recent routes rework has significantly improved the logic for roads and trade paths.
Extensive export options, including SVG for scalable vector graphics, high-resolution PNG, and even GEOJSON for those wishing to use the map data in geographic information systems.
Numerous data layers that can be toggled on or off, showing everything from dominant religions to population density and military strength of nations.

Pros

It's completely free and open-source, with an active development community and a helpful Discord server. No logins or payments are required.
The sheer depth of customisation available through its myriad parameter sliders and options is staggering, allowing for fine-tuned world generation.
The ability to edit generated features (like state borders or city names) directly on the map provides a good balance between procedural generation and manual artistic control.
It can generate not just the map, but also rudimentary cultural details, naming languages, and even basic emblems for different states.

Cons
− Due to the complexity of its calculations and the amount of data it handles, it can be quite memory-heavy and may run slowly or become unresponsive on older computers or in browsers with limited resources, especially when generating very large or detailed maps. − The default visual style is somewhat locked into a specific "atlas" or "political map" aesthetic. While highly functional and informative, achieving a radically different artistic look directly within the tool is difficult. − The interface, while packed with features, can be initially overwhelming for new users due to the sheer number of available options and layers.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
Game Masters and worldbuilders who enjoy diving deep into the nuts and bolts of procedural generation and want to create richly detailed, data-driven worlds. It's fantastic for those who appreciate tweaking settings to achieve unique global cartographic results.

CharGen tie-in
A very effective workflow is to generate your world map with Azgaar's tool, then click on any generated city or town. With that location in mind, you can immediately switch to CharGen to spawn its primary tavern (using the Tavern Generator), its mayor or key leader (using the NPC Generator), and perhaps even a local legend or rumour (using creative prompting with the general text generation capabilities if available, or by adapting NPC backstories). This rapidly fleshes out your procedurally generated world with specific, actionable details.

DunGen — Procedural dungeon module (Foundry)

URL https://dungen.app | Latest update: 2024 (Foundry module v3.0)

What it does
DunGen is a clever tool that algorithmically spawns random dungeon or cave layouts. While it has a web interface for previewing, its primary power for many users comes from its direct integration as a module within Foundry Virtual Tabletop. This allows GMs to generate new, unique map sections directly inside their VTT, complete with pre-configured walls and basic lighting, ready for immediate use.

Why you'd use it

You're a Foundry VTT user and need an endless supply of unique dungeon layouts during game prep, or even to generate a new room or wing on the fly if players go completely off-script.
You want the convenience of auto-generated walls and basic dynamic lighting setups for your procedurally generated maps within Foundry, saving significant setup time.
You like the idea of quickly generating varied layouts based on simple parameters like theme (dungeon, cave) and density.

Key features

Simple sliders and options for controlling the theme (e.g., "dungeon," "caverns"), size, and density/complexity of the generated layout.
Support for generating multi-level dungeons, adding verticality to your random encounters.
Seamless one-click scene creation within Foundry VTT, which takes the generated layout and automatically builds it as a new scene with walls and basic lighting already in place.
A web-based previewer on the dungen.app site that allows you to see what kind of layouts it produces before using it in Foundry.

Pros

The direct integration into the Foundry VTT workflow is incredibly convenient for GMs who use that platform, making the process from generation to play almost instantaneous.
The ability to preview the dungeon layout before committing to its creation in Foundry is a useful touch, preventing unwanted or unsuitable maps.
It's free and open-source (often supported by donationware model), making it a very accessible tool for the Foundry community.
Great for creating those "filler" sections of a megadungeon or a quick side cave when you need something new without manual design.

Cons
− Its strongest integration and most convenient use-case is specifically for Foundry VTT. While the web app allows for viewing, standalone export options for other VTTs or image formats are more limited or non-existent compared to dedicated map drawing tools. − The artistic style of the generated maps within Foundry will heavily depend on the tile sets and assets you have installed and configured in your Foundry setup. DunGen primarily provides the layout and wall data. − The generation, while random, can sometimes produce layouts that feel a bit too similar or lack a specific "designed" feel if used repeatedly without any manual touch-ups or additions.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (donationware)

Best for
Foundry VTT Game Masters who need to quickly improvise or generate random dungeon sections, side-rooms, or small cave systems mid-session or during rapid adventure prototyping.

CharGen tie-in
After DunGen creates a new room or series of rooms in Foundry, you can immediately use CharGen's Loot Generator to decide what treasures, if any, are hidden in chests or forgotten corners. Similarly, the NPC Generator can quickly populate these new spaces with thematic monsters or denizens.

Eigengrau's Generator — Towns with stories baked in

URL https://www.eigengrausgenerator.com | Latest update: Oct 2022 (coherent town pass)

What it does
Eigengrau's Generator is a unique, text-focused procedural generation tool that creates entire fantasy towns and villages, not just as maps, but as rich narrative constructs. It generates demographics, key businesses (with owners and staff), complex NPC relationships, local rumours, points of interest, and even socio-economic details, all presented in a readable, paragraph-style format perfect for GMs to use as read-aloud text or detailed notes. While it can produce a very rudimentary visual layout, its real strength is in the depth of its generated social fabric.

Why you'd use it

Your players have unexpectedly decided to visit a town you haven't prepared, and you need a location with believable depth, history, and interconnected NPCs, not just a name on a map.
You want a source of ready-made adventure hooks, gossip, and social dynamics to make your settlements feel alive and reactive.
You prefer detailed textual descriptions and social webs over purely visual map representations.

Key features

Detailed, paragraph-style descriptive output for the town as a whole and for its various districts, businesses, and notable NPCs.
Generation of linked NPCs with stated relationships (family, friends, rivals), personal histories, motivations, and even personality traits.
A wealth of randomly generated rumours, local legends, and potential adventure seeds woven into the town's description.
Export options to Markdown or HTML, making it easy to incorporate the generated text into digital note-taking systems or websites.

Pros

It's completely free to use and generates an astonishing amount of interconnected narrative detail almost instantly.
The depth of the generated interpersonal networks between NPCs is surprisingly sophisticated, often creating emergent story possibilities that the GM can pick up and run with.
It works offline once loaded in your browser cache, making it usable even without an internet connection.
The "coherent town pass" update significantly improved the logical consistency of the generated towns, making them feel more believable.

Cons
− It is almost entirely art-free; the visual map it produces is extremely basic and schematic, serving more as a rough guide than a usable map for VTT or print. Its focus is firmly on the textual and narrative generation. − Development has been noticeably slower since the last major update in late 2022, so the pace of new features or significant overhauls may be infrequent. − The sheer volume of text generated can sometimes be overwhelming, and GMs will likely need to pick and choose the most relevant details rather than trying to use everything.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
Narrative-focused Game Masters who highly value social depth, intricate NPC relationships, and readily available story hooks over fancy graphics or detailed battlemaps. It's a goldmine for GMs whose players love to explore social intrigue.

CharGen tie-in
The most potent combination here is to generate a town with Eigengrau's Generator, then take each of its named NPCs (the blacksmith, the mayor, the shifty-looking merchant) and feed their names and perhaps a snippet of their Eigengrau-generated description into CharGen's portrait maker. This allows you to create a fully illustrated roster of key town figures in minutes, bridging Eigengrau's textual depth with CharGen's visual flair.

Encounter Builders

Crafting compelling encounters is a cornerstone of any TTRPG, and a well-balanced fight can be the difference between a memorable session and a frustrating slog. Encounter builders are designed to take the mathematical heavy lifting out of balancing combat, helping you select appropriate adversaries, calculate experience point budgets, and ensure the challenge is pitched just right for your party. Whether you need a quick sanity check for a random encounter or a meticulously planned boss battle, these tools are invaluable for the modern GM. Let's explore some of the top options for 2025.

Kobold Plus Fight Club — Modernised 5E encounter math

URL https://koboldplus.club | Latest update: Mar 2025

What it does
Kobold Plus Fight Club is a highly regarded community-driven fork and a ground-up rewrite of the original, much-loved Kobold Fight Club. This web-based tool is a lifeline for Dungeon Masters running Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, offering robust encounter building capabilities. It expertly handles the complex mathematics of XP thresholds, adjusted XP values for multiple monsters, and daily adventuring budgets. Crucially, it supports both the original 2014 D&D rules and the updated 2024 rulesets, making it an indispensable tool for navigating the evolving landscape of 5E.

Why you'd use it

You need swift and, above all, rules-accurate calculations for encounter difficulty, ensuring your carefully planned battles are challenging but fair, regardless of which iteration of the 5E rules you're using.
You appreciate the ability to export your crafted encounters easily, either to a print-friendly format for at-the-table use or as a JSON file for integration with other digital tools or for sharing with fellow GMs.
You want a tool that stays current with rule updates and offers a clean, efficient interface without unnecessary visual clutter.

Key features

A clear toggle to switch monster stat blocks and encounter calculations between the 2014 Player's Handbook/Monster Manual and the 2024 revised core rulebooks, ensuring accurate balancing for your chosen ruleset.
Comprehensive filtering options for the monster database, including Challenge Rating (CR), monster type, size, movement types, environment tags, and even a spellcaster flag, allowing you to quickly find the perfect creatures for your encounter.
A handy one-click "run combat" initiative mode, which provides a basic interface for tracking turns if you need a quick-and-dirty combat tracker alongside your encounter building.
Support for importing custom monster stat blocks, allowing you to integrate your homebrew creations seamlessly into the encounter balancing calculations.

Pros

Being entirely web-based, it's accessible from any device with a browser and is notably mobile-friendly, perfect for last-minute adjustments on the go.
It leverages an open monster database, meaning it contains a vast array of creatures from various official and community sources (respecting SRD limitations where applicable), and the homebrew import functionality is straightforward.
The ability to save your created encounter libraries to the cloud (with a free account) is exceptionally useful for campaign planning and accessing your work across different devices.
The interface is clean, uncluttered, and focused on functionality, making it very quick to learn and use efficiently.

Cons
− Its primary focus is exclusively on Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. GMs running other systems will need to look elsewhere for their encounter balancing needs. − The tool is purely functional and offers no fancy visuals, map integration, or token management. It's a calculator and database, not a VTT. − While it includes SRD content, for access to monsters from all official D&D sourcebooks, you'll rely on community-maintained databases or manual entry, which can vary in completeness or accuracy outside of officially sanctioned content.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Paid? Donateware (you can support the project through contributions if you find it valuable)

Best for
Diligent Dungeon Masters who meticulously plan their D&D 5E encounters but still want a quick and reliable method for sanity-checking the difficulty based on the official rules. It's excellent for those who run games using either the 2014 or 2024 rules and appreciate a tool that respects both.

CharGen tie-in
A brilliant workflow is to design your encounter in Kobold Plus Fight Club, then export the encounter data as a JSON file. This JSON can then be dropped into CharGen (assuming such import functionality is built) to automatically generate portraits for every creature in the encounter, and perhaps even populate a tailored treasure hoard based on the encounter's difficulty and monster types.

D&D Beyond Encounter Builder — Official wizard-hat calculator

URL https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounters | Latest update: Oct 2024 (beta refresh)

What it does
The D&D Beyond Encounter Builder is an integrated tool within the official D&D Beyond platform. It allows Dungeon Masters to construct encounters using monsters from the full breadth of their purchased D&D Beyond compendium content. Beyond just building, it offers functionality to run these encounters, featuring live Hit Point tracking that can be synchronised with player character sheets managed on the platform.

Why you'd use it

You are heavily invested in the D&D Beyond ecosystem, owning a significant library of digital sourcebooks and running your campaign with players who also use DDB for their character sheets.
You value the convenience of automatic synchronisation of player character stats and levels, eliminating the need for manual data entry when balancing encounters.
You want access to official monster art and stat blocks directly within your encounter building and tracking tool.

Key features

Clear colour-coding for encounter difficulty (Trivial, Easy, Medium, Hard, Deadly) based on the number of characters and their levels, automatically calculated as you add monsters.
An inline dice roller for monster attacks and other checks, plus a notes field for adding custom reminders or tactics for each encounter.
A one-click transition to D&D Beyond's integrated Combat Tracker, allowing you to move seamlessly from planning to running the encounter with HP tracking and initiative.
Access to all monster statistics and abilities from any D&D Beyond sourcebooks you have purchased.

Pros

Utilises official monster art and the most up-to-date monster stat blocks directly from Wizards of the Coast, ensuring accuracy with the source material you own.
The user interface is generally mobile-responsive, allowing for encounter management on tablets or even phones, albeit perhaps a little cramped on smaller screens.
For groups fully committed to D&D Beyond, the import/export hassle is non-existent; player character data and monster data are all natively available.
The integration with the DDB Combat Tracker offers a streamlined experience for running encounters, especially if players are also using DDB for their sheets.

Cons
− The Encounter Builder, even after its beta refresh, still has some limitations. Filtering options for monsters can feel less granular than some third-party tools, and creating or adjusting custom CR for homebrew monsters isn't as straightforward. − It is, by its very nature, locked into the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition ruleset. Furthermore, access to the majority of monster options is paywalled behind individual D&D Beyond book purchases. − While it calculates difficulty, it doesn't offer as much nuanced insight into why an encounter is a certain difficulty (beyond raw XP numbers) as some other analysers do.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (limited to SRD monsters) | Paid via D&D Beyond book purchases or subscriptions for content sharing

Best for
Groups who are already deeply embedded in the D&D Beyond platform for their campaigns, character management, and content ownership. It provides the most seamless official experience for those users.

CharGen tie-in
For a truly memorable boss fight, after designing the encounter in D&D Beyond, you could use CharGen to generate unique, custom art for your main villain. Then, upload this artwork as the monster's avatar within the D&D Beyond encounter for an instant visual upgrade and a more impactful reveal.

Improved Initiative — Browser combat board with SRD

URL https://www.improvedinitiative.app | Latest update: Aug 2024

What it does
Improved Initiative is a sleek, open-source, browser-based application designed primarily as a combat tracker for D&D 5E, but it also includes robust encounter building features. Users can import monsters from the SRD, add player characters, and then seamlessly transition into running the encounter with tools for initiative, HP tracking, condition management, and even lair actions, all within a clean and responsive web interface.

Why you'd use it

You need a comprehensive tool that not only helps you build encounters based on SRD content but also serves as a fully functional combat tracker to run them live.
You like the idea of having a player-facing display for initiative order and key combat information, which can be shown on a second screen or shared via a URL.
You appreciate open-source software that works well offline once loaded and offers the option for self-hosting if desired.

Key features

Monster stat blocks pop out conveniently on hover, allowing for quick reference during encounter building or live play.
Detailed tracking for concentration, spell effects with durations, and monster ability recharge rolls.
A dedicated player-facing URL that can display the initiative order, current turn, and (optionally) simplified status information without revealing hidden GM details.
Encounter building allows for quick addition of SRD monsters and manual entry of player characters with their core combat stats.

Pros

Being open-source, it's entirely free to use, with the added benefit of a self-hosting option for those who prefer to run their own instance. The code is also available on GitHub for community contributions.
The ability to quickly add improvised damage or temporary hit points during combat is very fluid and intuitive.
It functions effectively offline as a Progressive Web App (PWA) after its initial load, making it reliable even with spotty internet connections.
The interface is clean, well-organised, and generally very responsive, making it a pleasure to use.

Cons
− Importing homebrew monsters or monsters from non-SRD sources requires manual data entry or finding community-created files, which can be time-consuming. − Out of the box, its monster database is limited to the D&D 5E Systems Reference Document. Accessing a wider range of official monsters requires manual input. − While it has encounter building capabilities, its primary strength and deepest features lie in the combat tracking aspect.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (supported by Patreon)

Best for
Dungeon Masters who want a combined encounter builder and combat tracker with a clean interface, SRD monster support, and an excellent player-facing view for displaying initiative at the table (either physically or online).

CharGen tie-in
Imagine this: during combat tracked in Improved Initiative, you click on a generic monster's name. A small button or context menu option appears: "Generate token in CharGen." Clicking this could (via API or a simple URL scheme) send the monster's name to CharGen, which then generates and displays a matching portrait. This would allow for dynamic, on-the-fly visual upgrades for your creatures mid-fight.

Shieldmaiden — Mobile-first combat & encounter hub

URL https://shieldmaiden.app | Latest update: Dec 2024

What it does
Shieldmaiden is a versatile application available for iOS, Android, and web, designed as a comprehensive hub for D&D 5E combat. It allows GMs to build encounters, roll initiative, and meticulously track Hit Points (often with clear colour bars for visual status), conditions, and other combat variables. A key feature is its ability to import D&D Beyond character data via OAuth, streamlining player setup for GMs whose groups use DDB.

Why you'd use it

You primarily run your D&D sessions from a tablet (like an iPad) or even your smartphone, and you need an encounter builder and combat tracker optimised for touch-based interfaces.
You appreciate a visually clean, modern user interface that makes tracking numerous conditions, hit points, and turn order feel intuitive and less like data entry.
You use D&D Beyond for character management and want a smooth way to pull that data into your combat tracker.

Key features

A built-in library of monsters (typically SRD-based with options for homebrew) and quick-add presets for common enemy groups, speeding up encounter creation.
Combat management tools such as a turn timer, a button to quickly skip inactive or delayed combatants, and clear visual indicators for health and status effects.
Cloud synchronisation across your devices, allowing you to prep an encounter on your computer and then run it from your tablet at the game table.
Direct D&D Beyond character import via OAuth, pulling in essential stats for your players.

Pros

The user interface is exceptionally slick, modern, and genuinely well-designed for mobile and touch-screen use. It's one of the more aesthetically pleasing options available.
It works reliably offline after an initial synchronisation, making it dependable even if your game venue has poor Wi-Fi.
The development team is known for frequent updates, often incorporating community feedback and adding quality-of-life improvements.
The free tier is quite functional for smaller campaigns or for trying out the core features.

Cons
− While it supports homebrew monsters, the process for adding them can be slower or more manual compared to platforms with extensive, easily searchable community databases for non-SRD content. It remains quite 5E-centric. − To manage more than a small number of campaigns or unlock all features, a subscription is typically required, which adds to the ongoing cost of DMing tools. − Some advanced filtering or sorting options for monsters during encounter building might not be as robust as dedicated desktop applications.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (typically 1 campaign, limited features) | Paid from $4.99 /mo (or regional equivalent)

Best for
Tech-savvy Game Masters who prefer running their D&D 5E sessions directly from a tablet or mobile device and value a polished, modern user interface with good D&D Beyond integration.

CharGen tie-in
Shieldmaiden could potentially allow for custom image URLs for creature tokens. If so, you could use CharGen to generate unique portraits for your monsters and important NPCs, then embed the CharGen-hosted image URLs into Shieldmaiden. This would display your custom creature art directly beside their HP bars and initiative order, greatly enhancing visual engagement.

Game Master 5e (iOS) — All-in-one pocket DM screen

URL https://apps.apple.com/app/id1286983620 | Latest update: May 2020 (noted as still iOS 17 compatible)

What it does
Game Master 5e by Lion's Den is a long-standing and popular iOS application that aims to be an all-in-one digital DM screen and campaign management tool, specifically optimised for iPad but also functional on iPhone. It covers encounter building, initiative tracking, loot management, XP calculation, and general campaign note-keeping, all within a single, offline-capable app.

Why you'd use it

You are an iOS user and need a comprehensive suite of DM tools that works entirely offline, making it perfect for game venues with unreliable or non-existent internet access.
You want a single application to manage most aspects of your D&D 5E campaign preparation and execution, from building encounters to tracking treasure parcels.
You appreciate a one-time purchase model rather than ongoing subscriptions for your core DMing tools.

Key features

Encounter builder with drag-and-drop monster functionality, typically pulling from the D&D 5E SRD by default, with options for manual entry of custom creatures.
Integrated initiative tracker with HP, condition, and note tracking for each combatant.
Calculators for XP distribution and generating treasure parcels appropriate for character level and encounter difficulty.
Campaign logs and note-taking features to help organise your adventure details.
Creature builder/scaler to create or modify monsters.

Pros

Its ability to work completely offline is a significant advantage for many GMs, removing any dependency on internet connectivity during a session.
It's a one-time purchase to unlock the full feature set, which can be more cost-effective in the long run compared to subscription-based tools.
The app has been around for many years and is generally considered stable and reliable, despite its less frequent update schedule in recent times.
It offers a good breadth of features, covering many common tasks a DM needs to handle.

Cons
− It is an Apple-exclusive application, so Android and web users are unable to use it. − The user interface, while functional, is considered somewhat dated by modern app standards. Its last noted update was in May 2020, and while it remains compatible with current iOS versions, it does not benefit from the UI/UX refinements of newer apps and does not yet support the 2024 D&D rules revisions explicitly. − Importing non-SRD content often relies on manual input or finding community-created files, which can be a bit fiddly.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (limited functionality, e.g., one campaign) | Paid ~$8.99 one-time (price may vary by region) for Premium Version.

Best for
In-person D&D 5E Dungeon Masters who are invested in the Apple ecosystem, prioritise offline functionality, and prefer a one-time purchase for a comprehensive set of campaign and encounter management tools. Particularly good for those who dislike Wi-Fi dependence at the gaming table.

CharGen tie-in
A practical way to integrate CharGen would be to generate your desired monster or NPC artwork using CharGen, save the images to your iPad's or iPhone's camera roll, and then import these images as custom creature icons or portraits within the Game Master 5e app. This allows you to personalise the visual representation of your combatants.

BattleTrack — Android encounter & HP tracker

URL https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dm.battletrack | Latest update: Sep 2022 (or Oct 2024, conflicting info found, Sept 2022 more consistently cited for core app com.dm.battletrack vs com.techtev.battletrack)

What it does
BattleTrack is a lightweight and straightforward Android application designed to help Dungeon Masters pre-build D&D 5E encounters and then track turn order, Hit Points, and conditions during live play. It focuses on providing a clean, no-fuss interface for managing combat logistics on an Android device.

Why you'd use it

You are an Android user looking for a dedicated, simple-to-use encounter builder and initiative/HP tracker, perhaps as an alternative to more complex or iOS-centric options.
You prefer a clean interface with simple numeric fields for HP and straightforward condition tracking, without too many bells and whistles.
You need an app that works offline and is light on system resources and battery consumption.

Key features

An encounter library system that allows you to save and organise pre-built encounters, often with a basic Challenge Rating (CR) calculation to estimate difficulty.
A bulk initiative roll button to quickly get combat started, with manual override options.
Simple icons or tags for tracking common conditions and a notes field for each combatant.
SRD monster database included by default, with options for adding custom monsters.

Pros

Good offline capability, making it reliable for games in any location, regardless of internet access.
Generally very lightweight, ensuring it runs smoothly on a wide range of Android devices and is kind to your battery during long sessions.
Typically free to use, with some versions being ad-supported or offering a tip-jar option for an ad-free experience, making it highly accessible.
Its simplicity can be a strength for DMs who find other tools overly complex.

Cons
− Being Android-only, it's not an option for iOS users. − Most versions lack cloud backup or cross-device synchronisation features, meaning your encounter data is usually tied to the specific device it's on. − The user interface, while functional, may appear somewhat basic or dated compared to newer, cross-platform applications with more modern design aesthetics. − Updates may be infrequent depending on the specific fork or version, and support for the latest D&D rule revisions (e.g., 2024 updates) might not be present.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Often Tip-supported or with a small one-time purchase to remove ads.

Best for
Dungeon Masters using Android devices who need a simple, reliable, and offline-capable tool for building D&D 5E encounters and tracking combat in low-tech environments or where battery life is a concern.

CharGen tie-in
You could use CharGen to rapidly generate a set of monster or NPC thumbnails (small, simple portraits). Save these to your Android device, and then, if BattleTrack allows custom images for combatants (some similar apps do, this specific feature varies), you could attach these CharGen-created thumbnails for quick visual reference during combat.

DM Tools Initiative Tracker — System-neutral turn list

URL https://dm.tools/initiative-tracker (formerly https://dm.tools/tracker) | Latest update: Apr 2023 (site shows ongoing dev)

What it does
The Initiative Tracker from DM Tools is a wonderfully straightforward, web-based utility designed for one primary purpose: tracking initiative order for any tabletop RPG. Users enter character/monster names and their initiative scores, and the tool clearly cycles through turns, highlighting the active combatant. It is intentionally system-neutral, making it broadly applicable.

Why you'd use it

You play a variety of RPG systems, not just D&D 5E, and need a simple, universal initiative tracker that isn't tied to a specific game's rules or monster database.
You want the option to share the current turn order with your players via a public URL, which is excellent for online games or if you have a screen visible to players at the physical table.
You value simplicity and speed; this tool has virtually no learning curve.

Key features

The ability to colour-code rows for different combatants or factions, aiding visual organisation.
Options to re-roll initiative for individual entries or edit scores on the fly as circumstances change.
Export functionality, often to CSV (Comma Separated Values), allowing you to save your encounter Roster for later use or analysis.
Basic HP and AC tracking fields are available, though its strength is in initiative.
D&D Beyond monster stat block auto-completion and linking if desired.

Pros

It works on any device with a modern web browser, offering true cross-platform compatibility (desktops, laptops, tablets, phones).
There is absolutely zero learning curve; its function is immediately obvious and usable within seconds.
It's open-source and free to use, making it highly accessible to everyone.
The public URL sharing option is a great feature for player visibility.

Cons
− It offers no Hit Point tracking beyond a simple field, no condition tracking, and no rules automation. It focuses solely on the initiative order and whose turn it is. − All data entry (names, initiative scores, HP/AC if used) is entirely manual. There's no integration with character sheets or monster databases beyond the optional DDB lookup. − While it can save encounters if you register an account, it's primarily designed for in-session use rather than extensive campaign planning.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (with options for supporting the creator/site)

Best for
Game Masters running rules-light RPGs, one-shots, convention demonstrations, or any game where a quick, no-frills, system-agnostic initiative tracker is all that's required. Also great for online DMs who want a simple way to show players the turn order.

CharGen tie-in
While DM Tools Initiative Tracker is very minimalist, you could creatively pair it with CharGen. For instance, if CharGen includes a "Combat Quote" or "Monster Taunt" generator, you could generate a flavourful line of dialogue for the current active combatant (as shown on the tracker) and read it out or post it in chat each round to add a little personality to the otherwise purely mechanical turn tracking.

Avrae — Discord bot powerhouse

URL https://avrae.io | Latest update: Oct 2023 (though development is ongoing)

What it does
Avrae is an incredibly powerful and popular Discord bot designed to facilitate almost every aspect of playing Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition within a Discord server. It can roll dice with complex syntax, look up rules, spells, and monster stat blocks (often integrating directly with D&D Beyond for users who link their accounts), manage character sheets, and, crucially, run entire combat encounters by tracking initiative, HP, conditions, and automating many game mechanics through text commands.

Why you'd use it

Your D&D group primarily plays via Discord using voice and/or text (play-by-post), and you want a comprehensive bot to handle the mechanical aspects of the game directly within that environment.
You need robust, filterable logs of all dice rolls, actions, and combat progression for record-keeping or resolving disputes in a play-by-post game.
You and your players use D&D Beyond for character sheets and want seamless integration for attacks, saves, ability checks, and spellcasting.

Key features

Advanced dice parsing that supports virtually any rolling convention in D&D (advantage, disadvantage, crits, rerolls, exploding dice, etc.).
Deep character sheet integration with D&D Beyond, DiceCloud, and Google Sheets, allowing players to use commands like !attack longsword or !cast fireball that automatically use their character's stats and spell slots.
A comprehensive initiative tracker (!init) that manages turn order, HP, AC, resistances, status effects, and allows for automated monster actions and player attacks against targeted foes.
Extensive alias and customization system, allowing users and server admins to create custom commands and automate complex game mechanics or homebrew content.
Lookup commands for spells, items, monsters, conditions, and rules directly from D&D Beyond or SRD sources.

Pros

Unparalleled integration with D&D Beyond makes it incredibly smooth for groups already in that ecosystem. Character actions and resource expenditure are often just a command away.
The level of automation possible for combat and character actions significantly speeds up play-by-post games and can reduce DM workload even in live voice sessions.
Being a Discord bot, it's accessible wherever Discord is, on desktop or mobile.
It's free to add to your server, with a massive and active support community and extensive documentation.
The alias system is extremely powerful for tailoring the bot to specific campaign needs or homebrew rules.

Cons
− The learning curve for mastering all of Avrae's commands and, especially, its aliasing system can be quite steep. It's a very powerful tool, but unlocking that power takes effort. − It is almost exclusively focused on D&D 5th Edition. While some basic dice rolling can be used for other systems, its core strengths are all 5E-specific. − Running complex combats entirely through text commands can sometimes feel less intuitive or slower than a visual, GUI-based combat tracker for some users, particularly in fast-paced voice games. − Reliance on D&D Beyond for full monster/spell access means that if DDB is down or if a user doesn't own the content there, Avrae's capabilities are more limited to SRD information.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
D&D 5E groups that play primarily or exclusively on Discord, especially play-by-post (PBP) campaigns. It's also a fantastic tool for DMs who want powerful automation and D&D Beyond integration for their online games.

CharGen tie-in
Given Avrae's command-based nature, a potential CharGen integration could involve custom Avrae aliases. For example, a DM could type an alias like !chargenPortrait [monster name]. This alias would then call out to a CharGen API (if available) or open a pre-formatted CharGen URL, to quickly generate and display a portrait for that monster directly in the Discord chat, adding a visual element to Avrae-run encounters.

NPC Builders

CharGen NPC Generator — Illustrated NPCs with lore in one click

URL https://char-gen.com/npc-generator | Latest update: May 2025

What it does
CharGen NPC Generator is a rather clever tool designed to breathe life into your non-player characters with remarkable ease. At its core, it crafts fully-fledged biographies, offers sensible statistic suggestions, and, most notably, generates a unique portrait for any fantasy NPC you can imagine. Whether you prefer to leave it to chance with a random generation or have a specific vision in mind that you can input as a prompt, CharGen aims to deliver a character that feels authentic and ready to populate your world. It's not just about a pretty picture; the tool endeavours to provide a foundation for a character that can be immediately impactful in your game.

Why you'd use it

You might find yourself turning to CharGen for a multitude of reasons. Perhaps you're a Dungeon Master pressed for time, needing a compelling NPC on the fly without sacrificing quality. Or maybe you're looking for that spark of inspiration, a visual cue to kickstart your creative process for a new character.

If you need an NPC who already "looks" the part, saving you the trouble of sourcing or creating artwork separately, this is a brilliant option.
For those who want more than just a name and a job, but desire hooks, goals, and quirks already thoughtfully baked into the character's description, CharGen truly shines. It provides a solid narrative starting point.
It's also particularly handy if you want to maintain a consistent art style for your campaign's characters, as the AI generation can be guided to produce visuals that align with your desired aesthetic.

Key features

The generator boasts several features that make it stand out.

The AI-rendered head-and-shoulders art is undoubtedly a headline feature, offering a visual identity for your NPCs that can range from heroic to nefarious, all based on your inputs or the roll of the dice.
Each character comes with a thoughtfully constructed paragraph detailing their personality, ideals, bonds, and flaws. This isn't just flavour text; it's designed to provide actionable roleplaying prompts and plot hooks.
The convenience of one-click export to Markdown or Foundry VTT JSON streamlines the process of getting the NPC from the generator into your game notes or virtual tabletop, a real boon for busy GMs.
Beyond individual NPCs, CharGen also offers broader world-building tools, such as loot and tavern generators, allowing for a more holistic approach to populating your game world.

Pros

The most significant advantage is the cohesive package of art and text. The portrait and biography are developed in tandem, leading to a more unified and believable character concept.
The ability to use prompts to control for race, class, role, or even a general 'vibe' gives you a good degree of creative direction over the output.
An API is available, which is a fantastic option for those looking to batch create multiple NPCs or integrate CharGen's capabilities into their own custom tools or workflows.
The platform is continually updated, with new features and improvements regularly rolled out, showing a commitment to enhancing the user experience.
The free tier is quite generous, allowing you to generate a significant number of NPCs without immediate cost, which is great for trying it out or for GMs on a budget.

Cons

At present, the generator is primarily focused on the fantasy genre. While this covers a vast swathe of popular TTRPGs, those running sci-fi, modern, or horror games might find it less directly applicable, at least for now.
For the highest resolution artwork or some premium features, there's a credit system or subscription involved. While the free options are robust, power users might find themselves needing to invest.
As with any AI generation, sometimes the results can be a little bit unpredictable or may require a few attempts to get exactly what you're looking for. A bit of iteration can be part of the process.

Pricing snapshot
Free? Yes, a very usable free tier is available, with premium options for enhanced features and higher usage.

Best for
This tool is truly a godsend for Dungeon Masters and Game Masters who value having a memorable face and a compelling story for their NPCs but don't have the time or inclination to search for art and write extensive backstories from scratch for every character. It's particularly useful for those who want to quickly populate a town with interesting individuals or need a key villain or ally to make an instant impression.

CharGen tie-in
The beauty of CharGen is its direct output. There's no complicated extra step needed to get your NPC ready for use. It can feed portraits and character information straight into your Virtual Tabletop setup or help you quickly assemble a PDF handout for your players, making the entire process remarkably efficient.

Kassoon NPC Generator — Quick stat-block filler

URL https://www.kassoon.com/dnd/npc-generator | Latest update: Jan 2024

What it does
The Kassoon NPC Generator is a remarkably robust tool for Dungeon Masters who need Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition NPCs generated with a strong emphasis on the mechanical aspects. It doesn't just give you a name and a quirky habit; it outputs a rather concise and well-organised NPC sheet. This includes all the crucial numbers: ability scores, Armour Class (AC), Hit Points (HP), alongside personality ticks and physical traits. You can select from a wide array of races, including the standard Player's Handbook options and a good few more exotic ones. Similarly, class choices cover player classes as well as NPC-specific ones like 'Adept' or 'Commoner', which is jolly useful. The level of detail extends to alignment, and even methods for generating ability scores (4d6 drop lowest, classic 3d6, etc.), ensuring the NPC fits neatly within the ruleset.

Why you'd use it

This generator is your go-to when speed and rules-adherence are paramount.

If you find yourself needing a rules-legal commoner to populate a village, a sturdy thug for a back-alley encounter, or even a fledgling adventurer, Kassoon can furnish one in moments. The stat blocks are presented clearly, ready for immediate use.
For those DMs who prefer their information in a text-only format, perfect for quick copy-pasting into digital notes, virtual tabletops, or even a simple document, Kassoon excels. There are no frills, just the data you need.
It's also splendid for generating a batch of NPCs if you need to quickly populate a faction or a small settlement, as you can request multiple NPCs at once.
The sheer number of customisation options, from race and class down to how their stats are rolled, means you can get something quite specific without much fuss.

Key features

Kassoon packs a fair few useful features into its straightforward interface.

A Challenge Rating (CR) slider and class picker allow for quick mechanical adjustments, ensuring the NPC is an appropriate challenge or fit for the role you envision.
The inclusion of a random bond or secret field can add a little narrative spice, giving you an instant hook or a hidden depth to the character that you might not have considered.
A simple but effective "Generate again" hotkey or button makes iterating through options incredibly fast if the first result isn't quite what you're after.
You can also specify the number of NPCs to generate at once, from one to ten, which is a real timesaver.
The generator provides not just stats but also a brief physical description, personality notes, a snippet of history, and their main motivation, offering a rounded, albeit concise, character profile.

Pros

The speed is a massive plus; you can have a usable NPC in seconds, with no login or sign-up required to get started. This makes it ideal for mid-session emergencies.
It performs wonderfully on mobile devices, meaning you can generate an NPC discreetly on your phone or tablet if your players take an unexpected turn.
The stat block is already presented in a familiar D&D 5E format, reducing any mental gymnastics needed to integrate it into your game.
The depth of options for race, class, and even stat generation methods is impressive for a free tool, allowing for a good degree of control.
The output includes not just combat stats but also suggested possessions and even their total gold pieces, which adds a nice touch of completeness.

Cons

The most notable omission is the lack of any images or portraits. If you need a visual for your NPC, you'll have to source that elsewhere.
While you can generate NPCs freely, you cannot save them directly on the site without creating an account. This might be a bit of a faff if you want to keep a persistent digital rogues' gallery.
The descriptions and personality traits, while functional, can sometimes feel a bit generic. They provide a starting point, but you'll likely want to embellish them to make the NPC truly memorable.
The interface, while functional, is quite utilitarian. It's not the prettiest tool out there, but it certainly gets the job done.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the core NPC generation features are entirely free to use.

Best for
Kassoon is an excellent choice for rules-first Dungeon Masters who need to populate their towns, dungeons, and wilderness with mechanically sound and balanced NPCs, especially when time is of the essence. It's perfect for quickly generating a shopkeeper with stats, a group of city guards, or even a surprise monster that happens to be an NPC. Its strength lies in providing the numbers and basic traits swiftly and efficiently.

CharGen tie-in
While Kassoon provides the textual meat and statistical bones of an NPC, it lacks the visual flair. A great way to get the best of both worlds is to generate your mechanically sound NPC in Kassoon, then paste the generated description into CharGen's portrait tool to visualise the face in mere seconds. This combination allows for rapid creation of fully realised NPCs, both in terms of gameplay mechanics and visual presence.

Donjon Random NPC Generator — Flavor-rich quickie

URL https://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/random/#npc | Latest update: Jul 2023

What it does
Donjon's Random NPC Generator is a wonderfully straightforward and effective tool for injecting instant personality into your fantasy settings. It doesn't get bogged down in complex stat blocks; instead, it focuses on delivering a concise, flavourful blurb for an NPC. With a click, you get a name (with options for various real-world cultural origins, which is a nice touch for varied naming conventions), their race, a brief physical appearance, distinctive mannerisms, and often a rumour or a bit of local gossip associated with them. The output is intentionally system-neutral, making it broadly applicable to almost any fantasy roleplaying game you can imagine. It's all about providing that spark of character, a memorable detail that can bring a background figure to life.

Why you'd use it

This generator truly shines when you need to quickly populate a scene with individuals who feel distinct but don't necessarily require a full mechanical breakdown.

If you're after colourful background extras for a bustling marketplace, a crowded tavern, or a royal court, Donjon provides them in spades. It's less about their combat prowess and more about their presence and the immediate impression they make.
A particularly brilliant feature is its ability to work entirely offline once the page is loaded in a browser tab. This is an absolute lifesaver for those moments when your internet connection is unreliable, or you're gaming in a location without access.
When you just need a quick idea, a starting point for a more developed NPC, Donjon gives you enough to get your imagination going without overwhelming you with too much pre-defined information.
Its system-neutral nature means you're not locked into D&D specific tropes if you're running a different fantasy game, offering wider applicability.

Key features

Despite its minimalist approach, Donjon has some neat features.

You can easily toggle between "common" or "exotic" races, allowing you to quickly adjust the typical denizens of an area. This helps in maintaining the feel of a particular settlement or region.
There's an option to include a plot hook or a rumour directly with the NPC generation. This is fantastic for spontaneously introducing small adventure leads or interesting tidbits of local lore for the players to discover.
The generator offers a printable list mode. If you're preparing for a session and want a hard copy of several quick NPCs, this feature is surprisingly handy for quick reference at the table.
The choice of naming conventions based on different cultures is a simple but very effective way to add a layer of world-building depth.

Pros

It is incredibly fast and completely free of advertisements, offering a clean and uninterrupted user experience. You click, you get an NPC.
It is absolutely perfect for generating descriptions for tavern crowds, nameless villagers, or any situation where you need a distinct personality on the fly without any mechanical baggage.
The purely text-based output is system-agnostic, meaning you can adapt the descriptions to fit any fantasy RPG system with minimal effort.
The offline functionality is a huge boon for GMs who can't always rely on a stable internet connection during their games.
The information provided, though brief, is often evocative enough to spark further ideas for the GM, making it a great brainstorming companion.

Cons

The most obvious limitation is the complete absence of any game statistics or images. If you need an NPC ready for a fight or a visual reference, Donjon won't provide that directly.
The output style is fixed to plain text. There are no formatting options or ways to export it into specific VTT formats, beyond simple copy and paste.
While you can select general class archetypes (like 'Arcane Class' or 'Martial Class'), these are very broad and don't offer specific abilities or skills.
Sometimes the generated rumours or plot hooks can be a little generic, but they still often serve as a decent starting point.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, it is entirely free to use.

Best for
Donjon is the ideal tool for Dungeon Masters and Game Masters who need to fill their social scenes with distinct voices and memorable quirks, without getting bogged down in creating full stat blocks for every minor character. If you want to make your world feel lived-in and populated by individuals rather than faceless mannequins, Donjon is your friend. It's particularly good for improvising NPCs when players go off the beaten path.

CharGen tie-in
Donjon provides the descriptive seeds, but CharGen can make them bloom visually. Feed the appearance line generated by Donjon directly into CharGen to get a matching piece of character art on the fly. This workflow allows you to quickly generate a unique look for the interesting personalities that Donjon creates, giving your players a face to put to the name and rumour.

NPCGenerator.com — Paragraph-style backstories

URL https://www.npcgenerator.com | Latest update: Sep 2024

What it does
NPCGenerator.com, found at npcgenerate.com, carves out a niche by focusing on providing rich, narrative-driven Non-Player Characters. Rather than just spitting out a list of stats or a single quirky trait, this tool endeavours to produce a more rounded character concept. For each NPC generated, you receive a full paragraph detailing their biography, a clearly stated motive that drives their actions, a suggestion for their game statistics (often in a more descriptive D&D 5E style), and a plot hook designed to be immediately usable in your campaigns. It aims to give you an NPC who feels like they have a history and a purpose within your game world from the moment they are created. The emphasis here is very much on the story elements, providing a solid foundation for roleplaying encounters.

Why you'd use it

This generator is particularly appealing if you prioritise narrative depth and want NPCs that come with ready-made story potential.

If you often find yourself wanting a ready-to-read introductory sentence or a short descriptive blurb that immediately establishes who the NPC is and what they're about, this tool is excellent. It saves you the effort of writing that initial flavour text.
For Dungeon Masters who prefer slightly longer and more detailed backstories than what ultra-quick generators like Donjon provide, NPCGenerator.com hits a sweet spot. It gives enough detail to be substantial without becoming an unmanageable wall of text.
It's a great source of inspiration when you're feeling a bit stuck for ideas, as the combination of biography, motive, and plot hook can often spark new directions for your adventures or side quests.
The generated plot hooks are often quite specific and can be directly woven into an ongoing campaign, or used as the seed for a new, self-contained encounter.

Key features

NPCGenerator.com offers several handy features for crafting these story-focused characters.

It provides filters for alignment and occupation, allowing you to narrow down the type of NPC you're looking for. This is useful if you need, say, a chaotic neutral rogue or a lawful good blacksmith.
There's a "secret roll" column or feature mentioned, which suggests an element of hidden information or a twist related to the NPC, adding another layer for potential intrigue.
The ability to download all generated data as a CSV file is a practical feature for those who like to manage their NPC information in spreadsheets or databases for larger campaigns.
More recent versions allow for exporting the NPC data as a JSON object, which is great for digital GMs, and even an option to download an image of the NPC's key information.
You can lock certain attributes (like name, race, or a specific trait) and re-roll the rest, allowing for iterative design until you get the perfect combination.

Pros

The primary strength is its story-forward output. The generator excels at creating NPCs that feel like they have a past and a present, making them easier to integrate into a narrative.
No login is required to use the basic generation features, meaning you can get straight to creating NPCs without any barriers.
The inclusion of both a light and dark mode is a nice touch for user comfort, catering to different preferences and environments.
The generated stat suggestions, while not always full stat blocks, are usually descriptive enough to give a good sense of the NPC's capabilities within a 5E-style framework (e.g., "꽤 강하다" or "민첩하다").
The plot hooks are often more than just a single sentence, providing a bit more context and making them more immediately actionable.

Cons

Like some other text-focused generators, it does not produce any images or visual portraits for the NPCs. You'll need to find or create art separately if that's a requirement.
The stat suggestions are sometimes a bit vague (e.g., Challenge ≈ value, or descriptive Korean phrases if accessed via certain mirrors/versions). While this offers flexibility, DMs wanting precise, ready-to-use stat blocks might need to do some additional work or use this in conjunction with another tool for the crunchy bits.
The interface, while clean, can sometimes feel a little dense with options, particularly in the "Modifiers" section, which might be initially overwhelming for new users.
The reliance on master lists for generation means that while there's variety, you might occasionally see patterns or repeated elements if you generate a very large number of NPCs.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the core functionality is available for free.

Best for
This generator is best suited for narrative-heavy games where the motivations and backstories of NPCs are central to the unfolding plot. If you're running a game that thrives on social interaction, intrigue, and characters with clear goals and histories, NPCGenerator.com provides excellent fuel for your storytelling. It's great for creating key supporting characters or quest-givers who need a bit more substance than a simple name and job title.

CharGen tie-in
NPCGenerator.com gives you the words, but CharGen can provide the face. Copy the detailed biography and personality traits into CharGen to auto-generate a fitting portrait. Furthermore, you can use CharGen to develop additional plot hooks or refine the existing ones, creating an even richer character profile. This combination is excellent for building out a cast of memorable and visually distinct NPCs for your campaign.

Illusory Script NPC Generator — Roleplay-ready personalities

URL https://www.illusoryscript.com/npc-generator | Latest update: Dec 2023

What it does
The Illusory Script NPC Generator is a rather nifty tool that carves a specific niche for itself by focusing intently on the aspects of an NPC that directly fuel roleplaying. Instead of prioritising exhaustive stat blocks or lengthy biographies, this generator provides concise, actionable prompts designed to make an NPC memorable and easy for a Dungeon Master to portray. It typically offers a name, a core personality trait or two, a distinctive mannerism or vocal quirk, and often an "interaction tip" or a "gimmick". The philosophy behind it, as detailed in their accompanying articles, is to give you just enough information to spark an engaging interaction, making NPCs feel unique without requiring extensive preparation from the DM. It's built for those moments when players unexpectedly engage with a minor character, and you need to bring them to life instantly.

Why you'd use it

This generator becomes invaluable when you find yourself struggling to give distinct voices or mannerisms to your NPCs, or when you simply need a quick burst of inspiration mid-session to make an encounter more dynamic.

If you often feel that your NPCs tend to blend together, or you find it challenging to improvise unique speech patterns or behaviours on the fly, Illusory Script provides excellent, targeted prompts to overcome this. It's like a cheat sheet for instant characterisation.
When you need quick improv prompts during a game session – perhaps the players decide to interrogate the third guard on the left, who you hadn't planned for – this tool can give you the essential flavour in seconds.
It's also a great way to gently nudge yourself out of your own roleplaying ruts, offering suggestions for personalities or quirks you might not typically gravitate towards.
The focus is less on what the NPC is (in terms of stats or history) and more on how they present themselves and interact, which is often the most crucial element for player engagement with minor characters.

Key features

While streamlined, the Illusory Script NPC Generator has some clever features geared towards its specific purpose.

An "Attitude slider" (or similar mechanic if implemented) that can shift the NPC's general disposition (e.g., from friendly to hostile) is a practical way to quickly tailor the generated prompts to the specific context of an encounter.
It often includes a "Speaking style" tag or a direct suggestion for a voice description (e.g., "speaks in a gravelly whisper" or "has a nervous stammer"), which is an immediate handle for the DM.
A "Quick copy to clipboard" function is usually present, allowing for swift transfer of the information to your notes or VTT chat if needed.
The generator is designed to provide just a few key bullet points – name, a core trait, a mannerism/voice, and perhaps an interaction hook – keeping it incredibly focused and easy to digest at a glance.

Pros

Its greatest strength lies in providing excellent, targeted cues for actual roleplaying. The suggestions are almost always immediately usable at the table to make an NPC distinct.
The generator is typically very lightweight and mobile-friendly, making it easy to pull up on a phone or tablet during a game without fuss.
Generally, there's no sign-up or login required, ensuring quick and barrier-free access when you need it most.
The prompts are often quite creative and can lead to genuinely memorable NPC interactions that might not have emerged from more generic or stat-focused generators.
It encourages DMs to think about how they portray NPCs, not just what their stats are, which can significantly enhance the immersiveness of the game.

Cons

By design, it provides absolutely no "crunch" or game statistics. If you need to know an NPC's Armour Class or attack bonus, you will have to look elsewhere or create it yourself.
The amount of detail regarding an NPC's appearance or background is usually very limited. The focus is almost entirely on their interactive traits.
While great for minor or spontaneously encountered NPCs, it might not provide enough depth for more significant, recurring characters without substantial additional development by the DM.
The output is usually very brief; if you're looking for a paragraph of backstory or detailed motivations, this isn't the tool for that.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the generator is typically offered for free.

Best for
This tool is an absolute gem for Game Masters who want to inject fresh, distinctive dialogue hooks and memorable mannerisms into every NPC encounter, especially those that arise unexpectedly. If you prioritise the performative aspect of DMing and want to ensure even your minor characters leave an impression, Illusory Script provides the perfect bite-sized inspiration. It's for the DM who thinks, "How does this goblin sound?" not just "What are its hit points?"

CharGen tie-in
Illusory Script gives you the soul, CharGen can give it a body. After generating a vivid personality and set of mannerisms with Illusory Script, generate a matching portrait in CharGen. Then, you can even paste the NPC's unique catch-phrase or interaction tip onto a digital handout or token created with CharGen, reinforcing their memorable trait both visually and textually for your players.

RPG Tinker — Custom 5E NPC stat-block forge

URL https://rpgtinker.com | Latest update: Apr 2024

What it does
RPG Tinker is a powerful and remarkably granular tool designed for Dungeon Masters who love to get their hands dirty with the nuts and bolts of D&D 5th Edition NPC and monster statistics. At its core, it allows you to take a base template – think common archetypes like Bandit, Cultist, Guard, Mage, or even specific monsters – and then meticulously tweak almost every aspect of their stat block. You can adjust ability scores, select different types of armour and weapons (which often auto-calculate AC and attack/damage bonuses), choose spells from comprehensive lists, and modify hit points and other combat-relevant features. The real magic lies in its ability to spit out an official-looking, 5E-formatted NPC or monster stat block, ready for your game table, often in PDF or PNG format, and even Foundry VTT compatible JSON.

Why you'd use it

This tool is indispensable when you need to create a mechanically unique villain, a specifically tailored ally, or just want to ensure an NPC is perfectly balanced for your party's current capabilities.

If you have a concept for a unique monster or a boss NPC but want to ensure its Challenge Rating (CR) and abilities are appropriate and fair, RPG Tinker provides the controls to build it from the ground up or heavily modify an existing creature.
It's fantastic for creating variants of existing monsters – perhaps an "elite" version of a goblin with better stats and a nasty new ability, or a weakened version of a powerful creature for lower-level parties.
When you need to quickly export a printable, 5E-formatted stat block that looks like it came straight out of an official sourcebook, this tool is exceptionally good. The PDF and PNG outputs are generally very clean and professional.
For DMs who use Foundry VTT, the ability to export directly to a compatible JSON format is a massive time-saver, allowing for seamless integration into their digital games.

Key features

RPG Tinker is packed with features aimed at detailed stat block customisation.

A wide selection of base templates to choose from, covering many common NPC roles (Bandit Captain, Priest, Veteran, etc.) and even some iconic monsters, provides a solid starting point for your creations.
The fine-grained control over ability scores, armour types, weapon choices, and spell lists allows for deep customisation. You're not just picking from a few options; you're often adjusting numerical values directly.
One of its standout features is the automatic (or easily updated) Challenge Rating calculation. As you add abilities, increase stats, or change equipment, the tool helps you see how these changes impact the NPC's overall difficulty.
It supports the creation of custom actions, legendary actions, and special traits, allowing you to design truly unique and memorable abilities for your NPCs and monsters.
The export options are robust: download your creation as a PNG image, a print-ready PDF, or a JSON file specifically formatted for Foundry VTT.
Being a Progressive Web App (PWA), it can be "installed" to your device and work offline, which is a fantastic feature for GMs who may not always have reliable internet access during prep or play.

Pros

The level of fine-grained control over every aspect of a 5E stat block is its biggest advantage. If you can imagine a mechanical tweak, RPG Tinker can probably accommodate it.
The automatic CR calculation (or clear indication of how to recalculate it) is invaluable for DMs concerned with encounter balance.
The ability to generate rollable Foundry JSON files is a huge boon for users of that VTT platform, streamlining the import process significantly.
The offline functionality offered by its PWA nature means you can tinker with your creations anywhere, anytime, once the app is loaded.
For a tool offering this much mechanical depth, it is surprisingly intuitive to use, especially if you are already familiar with 5E stat block conventions.

Cons

RPG Tinker is almost entirely focused on the "crunch" – the mechanical data of an NPC or monster. It provides little to no assistance with generating personality text, backstory, motivations, or physical descriptions.
Because it's so focused on mechanics, it does require the user to write any flavour text or descriptive elements themselves. This isn't a tool for narrative inspiration.
While powerful, the sheer number of options and fields could be a little daunting for DMs who are new to 5E monster design or who prefer simpler, more abstract NPC generation.
It assumes a good understanding of D&D 5E rules and monster design principles to get the most out of it; it's a powerful tool, but it won't hold your hand through the design process itself.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the vast majority, if not all, of its core functionality is free to use.

Best for
RPG Tinker is the power DM's best friend. It's for those who enjoy crafting bespoke stat blocks for their unique villains, customising monsters to surprise their players, or ensuring that key NPCs are mechanically robust and perfectly tailored to their campaign's needs. If you want to go beyond pre-published stat blocks and forge your own balanced (or deliberately unbalanced!) creatures, this is the anvil and hammer for the job.

CharGen tie-in
Think of RPG Tinker as the forge for your NPC's mechanical chassis, and CharGen as the workshop for its soul and appearance. Once the stat block for your fearsome villain or unique ally is locked in with RPG Tinker, jump straight over to CharGen to create that character's visual representation and flesh out their backstory, motivations, and personality. This two-step process can result in incredibly well-rounded and impactful NPCs.

Monstershuffler — CR resizer & variant maker

URL https://www.monstershuffler.com | Latest update: Nov 2023

What it does
Monstershuffler is an impressively sophisticated tool for D&D 5th Edition that excels at editing, creating, and, crucially, dynamically scaling NPC and monster stat blocks. Its standout capability is taking an existing 5E monster or NPC, or one you build from its extensive options, and automatically adjusting its statistics, including Challenge Rating (CR), as you change its level (Hit Dice). You can import stat blocks via text paste or by using its built-in templates, races, and classes. It allows for detailed customisation of almost every aspect of a stat block, from ability scores and skills to actions, reactions, and even legendary actions. The system uses expressions to make many statistics dynamic, meaning a creature can be designed to be a suitable challenge across a wide spectrum of CRs. It's a dream for DMs who want to create truly scalable encounters or quickly make variants of existing creatures.

Why you'd use it

This tool is a game-changer when you need to adapt existing monster statistics for different party levels or when you want to create a creature template that can be easily modified on the fly.

If you need a lower-level version of a particularly cool high-CR monster (or a tougher version of a low-CR one), Monstershuffler makes this process far simpler than manual calculation. The dynamic scaling is its killer app.
It's brilliant for creating quick "elite" or "weak" templates for existing creatures. Want a goblin boss that's a bit tougher but not a completely different monster? Monstershuffler can handle that with finesse.
The ability to build NPCs by applying races, classes (like Barbarian, Cleric, etc.), and templates (like "Brute" or "Skirmisher") with a single click, and then further tweak them, is incredibly powerful for rapid custom NPC creation.
For DMs who like to have a library of adaptable creatures, Monstershuffler allows you to design a core monster and then easily generate variants suitable for different CRs without rebuilding from scratch each time.

Key features

Monstershuffler is laden with features for the discerning monster-crafter.

The dynamic CR scaling based on Hit Dice is central. It uses a "Two Points Method" where you define the CR at two different Hit Dice levels, and the tool intelligently interpolates for levels in between, adjusting proficiency bonuses and other stats accordingly.
You can import stat blocks by pasting text, which is useful for quickly modifying creatures from official books or third-party sources.
An extensive editor allows modification of nearly every stat: AC, HP, speed, ability scores, saves, skills, resistances, immunities, senses, languages, and all types of actions (standard, bonus, reaction, legendary).
It supports the use of expressions (e.g., LVL/4 * 2 + 2 for ability score increases based on class levels) to make statistics truly dynamic and level-dependent.
You can add custom races, classes, and templates, or use a wide variety of pre-existing ones.
Export options include Markdown text (useful for notes) and Improved-Initiative JSON, catering to different VTT and digital toolset users.
It includes a basic NPC generator that can also produce a short background and personality trait to add a dash of flavour.

Pros

The dynamic scaling of CR and stats is revolutionary, saving DMs countless hours of manual recalculation when they want to reuse or adapt a creature for a different party level.
It works exceptionally well with any OGL (Open Game License) stat block, making it versatile for homebrew and official content alike.
The tool is free to use and doesn't bombard you with advertisements, offering a clean and focused experience.
The depth of customisation available is staggering. If you want to fine-tune a specific mechanic or create a truly unique action, Monstershuffler provides the tools to do so.
The ability to save and manage your creations in a personal collection (with an account) is very useful for building a bespoke monster manual.

Cons

While incredibly powerful, the interface can be quite dense and may have a steeper learning curve than simpler generators, especially when diving into expressions and advanced editing features.
It primarily focuses on the mechanical statistics and their scaling; it offers minimal assistance with descriptive text, lore, or detailed personality beyond a single trait.
The CR calculation, while sophisticated, is still an estimation based on its internal algorithms and the DMG guidelines. DMs should always apply their own judgment and playtest more complex creations.
It currently lacks direct export to PDF or image formats for the stat blocks, though Markdown can be converted elsewhere.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, all core features appear to be free.

Best for
Monstershuffler is the ultimate tool for DMs who love to reskin published stat blocks to fit their party's level, create truly scalable monster templates, or generate mechanically diverse NPCs with classes and races. If you've ever wished you could easily make that CR 10 dragon a CR 5 wyrmling (or a CR 15 ancient terror) without hours of maths, this is the tool for you. It's particularly powerful for campaign play where encounters need to evolve with the party.

CharGen tie-in
Once you've used Monstershuffler to perfectly scale your monster or NPC to the desired Challenge Rating, it's time to give it a face and a story. Generate a fresh portrait in CharGen to visually signify this new "elite" or "minion" variant. You can then use CharGen to write a more detailed backstory or description that reflects its adjusted power level and role in your encounter, creating a truly cohesive and intimidating (or helpful) presence.

Fast Character — Instant PC/NPC sheets

URL https://fastcharacter.com | Latest update: Jul 2023

What it does
Fast Character lives up to its name by offering an incredibly swift way to generate complete, playable D&D 5th Edition character sheets. With virtually a single button press, it builds a character from level 1 to 20, populating everything from ability scores (with several generation methods available, including standard array, point buy, and various rolling options), to starting equipment, known spells, and all relevant class and racial features. While it's primarily geared towards creating Player Characters (PCs) – perfect for convention games, new players, or backup characters – its output is detailed enough to serve admirably for creating fully-statted Non-Player Characters (NPCs), especially those who might function as hirelings, companions, or even significant recurring allies or rivals who operate with PC-like abilities.

Why you'd use it

This tool is a lifesaver when you need a complete character sheet, and you need it now.

It's absolutely brilliant for generating ready-made adventurers or hirelings. If your players suddenly decide to recruit a companion, or a new player joins the group unexpectedly, Fast Character can provide a usable sheet in seconds.
For Dungeon Masters who want to quickly print out sheets for NPC companions, skilled adversaries, or even a party of rival adventurers, this tool streamlines the process immensely. You get all the mechanical details without the manual effort.
It's also a fantastic resource for players who want to try out a new class or build quickly, or for those who simply don't enjoy the character creation process but want a mechanically sound character to play.
The speed and ease of use make it perfect for one-shots or short campaigns where extensive character customisation isn't the primary focus.

Key features

Fast Character packs a lot of utility into its simple interface.

A straightforward level selector allows you to generate a character at any level from 1 to 20 instantly.
It offers various ability score generation methods, including "Hard" (likely a robust array), "Standard" (standard array), and several "Rolled" options (like 4d6 drop lowest), catering to different preferences for stat generation.
The generated character sheets are comprehensive, including calculated attack bonuses, damage, spell save DCs, skills, equipment, and a list of prepared or known spells appropriate for the character's class and level.
It provides options for PDF and JSON download. The PDF is a neatly formatted character sheet, and the JSON can be useful for digital tools or VTT integration.
The site supports not only the latest D&D 5E rules (including options for the 2014 and 2024 Player's Handbooks) but also older editions like D&D B/X and even entirely different game systems like Cypher System and Marvel Multiverse RPG, showcasing its versatility.

Pros

The sheer speed of character creation is its most significant advantage. You can go from zero to a complete, levelled character sheet in literally seconds.
The output is remarkably complete, providing all the necessary mechanical information to play the character immediately.
The ability to export to PDF makes it incredibly easy to print sheets for table use. The JSON export is a nod to digital DMs, particularly those using D&D Beyond, as it can support their homebrew importer.
No login or account is required to use the core generation features, making it exceptionally accessible.
It's a fantastic tool for rapidly prototyping character builds or for understanding how a character of a certain class and level would look in terms of their abilities and stats.

Cons

The generator is almost entirely focused on the mechanical aspects of a character. It provides no personality text, backstory, ideals, bonds, or flaws. These narrative elements must be created entirely by the user.
The formatting of the output, while functional, is fixed and not editable directly within the tool. What you see is what you get, which is generally good but offers no customisation of the sheet's appearance.
Because it's designed for speed and completeness based on standard rules, it might not accommodate very specific or niche homebrew options unless you manually edit the output afterwards.
While it can generate high-level characters, the equipment provided is typically standard starting gear or based on general wealth-by-level guidelines, so DMs might want to customise magic items for higher-tier NPCs/PCs.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the core character generation is free.

Best for
Fast Character is the go-to for anyone needing sidekick NPCs, backup Player Characters, or pre-generated characters for any situation, literally in seconds. It's perfect for DMs who need a fully statted NPC companion for the party or a quick, rules-legal character for a guest player. Its strength is its unparalleled speed and the completeness of the mechanical character data it provides.

CharGen tie-in
Fast Character delivers the mechanical framework of a character with lightning speed. Once you have this robust, levelled build, you can feed the character's class, race, and general concept into CharGen to generate a matching portrait and begin crafting their personality outline, backstory, and motivations. This combination allows you to quickly produce fully realised characters that are both mechanically sound and narratively engaging.

Eigengrau's NPC Generator — Townsfolk with relationships

URL https://www.eigengrausgenerator.com | Latest update: Oct 2022

What it does
Eigengrau's NPC Generator, more accurately a full Town Generator, is a monumentally ambitious project that doesn't just create individual NPCs; it procedurally generates entire towns and settlements, populating them with a web of interconnected inhabitants. When you generate a town, each resident comes with not just a name, job, and demeanor, but often with established links to family members, friends, rivals, and associates also living in the same settlement. It delves into the socio-economic fabric of the community, assigning roles and relationships that create an instant sense of a lived-in world. This tool is less about single, isolated characters and more about crafting a dynamic social ecosystem for your players to explore.

Why you'd use it

This generator is an unparalleled resource when you need a believable, breathing town or village filled with NPCs who have reasons to interact with each other, offering a rich tapestry for emergent storytelling.

If you want intricate social webs ready-to-play, where the innkeeper is the cousin of the blacksmith who is rivals with the head of the town guard, Eigengrau's provides this depth automatically. It's a goldmine for DMs who love intrigue and social maneuvering.
When you need to generate dozens, or even hundreds, of unique NPCs for a larger settlement all at once, this tool can do the heavy lifting, ensuring a diverse and interconnected populace.
It's fantastic for creating a home base for a campaign, providing a rich environment with numerous potential plot hooks stemming from the relationships and an NPC's personal circumstances.
The sheer depth of detail, from individual NPC personalities to the descriptions of their homes and workplaces, can save a DM an enormous amount of preparation time when fleshing out a new location.

Key features

Eigengrau's is packed with features that contribute to its deep world-building capabilities.

The most prominent feature is the relationship graph it generates. NPCs aren't created in a vacuum; they have families, allegiances, grudges, and professional connections, all mapped out.
It assigns socio-economic class tags and detailed professions to NPCs, influencing their lifestyle, possessions, and potential role in the community.
The generator allows for export to HTML or plain text, making it possible to save and reference the vast amounts of information it produces. The HTML export often maintains some of the interactive linking between NPCs and locations.
It generates not just people, but also detailed buildings, including taverns, shops, and homes, often with associated NPCs (like a shopkeeper for a store).
Once loaded, much of the generator can function offline within your browser, which is a boon for GMs with intermittent internet access.
It attempts to create logical connections – a noble family will have a manor, a blacksmith will have a smithy, and these locations will be populated appropriately.

Pros

The unparalleled depth of interpersonal hooks and relationships is its greatest strength. It generates instant drama, gossip, and plot threads.
It provides an incredible number of instant gossip prompts and potential sources of information (or misinformation) for players to uncover.
The ability to generate a fully populated town that feels somewhat organic, with different social strata and points of interest, is a massive time-saver and inspiration source.
The sheer volume of content means you'll rarely run out of new faces or locations if your players decide to explore every nook and cranny.
It's open source, with an active community and ongoing development (though updates to the live version can sometimes lag behind the GitHub development).

Cons

The generator produces no artwork or visual portraits for the NPCs or locations. It is entirely text-based.
The output can be absolutely overwhelming. It often generates vast walls of text that require significant time to parse, digest, and trim down to the most usable information for a game session.
While incredibly detailed, the prose can sometimes be a little dry or repetitive. It provides the raw data for a living world, but the DM will need to inject the performative flair.
Due to its complexity and the sheer amount of data being processed, it can sometimes be slow to load or generate, particularly for larger settlements.
The user interface, while functional for navigating the generated town, can feel a bit like exploring a complex wiki and might not be immediately intuitive for all users.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, it is entirely free and open source.

Best for
Eigengrau's is an absolute dream for Dungeon Masters running intrigue-heavy campaigns, sandboxes where players can freely explore a detailed settlement, or any game that thrives on social drama and complex NPC relationships. If you want to create a town that feels like a real place with a history and a pulse, and you're prepared to sift through a lot of information to find the gems, this tool is phenomenal.

CharGen tie-in
Eigengrau's provides the intricate social network and detailed backgrounds of an entire community. To bring these characters to life visually, pick out the key townsfolk – the mayor, the suspicious priest, the gossiping merchant – and generate their portraits in CharGen. You can then assemble these into a printable "faces in the crowd" sheet or a VTT landing page for your town, instantly giving your players a visual connection to the complex web of relationships you've just generated.

HeroMachine Portrait Maker — Old-school 2D art kit

URL http://www.heromachine.com/heromachine-3-lab | Latest update: Legacy (HTML5 lab / Ruffle for HM2)

What it does
HeroMachine is a venerable and much-loved online tool that functions like a sophisticated 2D paper doll or digital art kit. It empowers users to create character portraits by selecting a base figure and then meticulously layering on a vast array of modular components. This includes hundreds of options for body types, poses, hairstyles, facial features, clothing items, armour pieces, weapons, and accessories, primarily geared towards superhero, fantasy, and sci-fi genres. Rather than AI generation, HeroMachine relies on the user to manually select, position, resize, and colour these elements to construct a unique visual representation of their character. It has a long history, with several iterations (HeroMachine 2.5 and HeroMachine 3 being the most well-known recent versions), and has always been about giving users direct, hands-on control over their character's appearance.

Why you'd use it

This tool is a fantastic choice for those who want a high degree of control over their character's visual design without needing traditional artistic skills, or for those who prefer a non-AI approach to portrait creation.

If you need stylised, comic-book-esque tokens or portraits for your characters, HeroMachine can produce excellent results, particularly if you have a clear visual concept in mind.
It offers a way to generate character art offline (once assets are loaded, or if using a standalone version, though this has become more complex with Flash's demise) without relying on AI algorithms, which some users may prefer for stylistic or ethical reasons.
For GMs or players who enjoy the process of piecing together a character's look from a multitude of options, like building with digital LEGOs, HeroMachine provides a satisfying and creative experience.
It can be a great tool for quickly concepting a character's appearance, even if you later decide to commission an artist or use AI for a final version. It helps solidify visual ideas.

Key features

HeroMachine's strength lies in its extensive library of art assets and customisation options.

A vast selection of layered items, poses, and colour palettes gives users an enormous number of combinations to work with. You can tweak colours, opacity, and the layering order of each component.
The ability to save and load character designs using character code strings was a hallmark feature, allowing users to save their work-in-progress or share their creations with others who could then load and modify them.
It typically allows for transparent PNG export (or easy screen capture for older versions), which is ideal for creating tokens that can be used directly in Virtual Tabletops without a background.
Different versions have catered to various themes, from classic superheroes to fantasy adventurers, and even more niche concepts in its various spin-off "mini-machines.”
The community around HeroMachine has historically been very active, often sharing tips, custom items (where possible), and showcasing their creations.

Pros

It offers an impressive degree of full visual custom control over the character's appearance. If you have the patience, you can create very detailed and specific looks.
Once loaded, many versions could work in any modern browser (with Flash emulation like Ruffle now often required for older Flash-based versions) or via standalone players, offering some offline usability.
The core functionality has always been totally free, with some versions offering premium features or asset packs for a fee in the past.
For those who enjoy the "kitbashing" approach to visual design, it's an incredibly engaging and often fun tool to use.
The distinct, somewhat comic-book art style is very recognisable and has a certain old-school charm.

Cons

The user interface, particularly in older versions, can feel outdated and sometimes clunky, showing its Flash-based roots. Navigation and finding specific items can occasionally be a chore.
Achieving a truly polished and professional look requires significant manual effort and a good eye for composition and colour. It's easy to make something that looks a bit thrown together if you're not careful.
The reliance on Flash for its original versions means that accessing and running HeroMachine can now be more complicated, often requiring browser extensions like Ruffle or specific standalone Flash players, and even then, some features (like direct image export in HM3) may not work as originally intended.
The art style, while distinctive, might not suit all tastes or all types of fantasy settings. It leans heavily towards a more graphic, less realistic look.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the core versions have always been free to use, though the future of any premium monetisation is uncertain given its legacy status.

Best for
HeroMachine is best for users wanting to create retro-style character tokens or quick visual concept sketches without resorting to AI image generation. It's for those who appreciate a hands-on, detailed approach to building a character's look from a vast library of pre-made parts and who don't mind a bit of a learning curve or the technical hurdles of running legacy Flash content. It's a nostalgic favourite for many long-time online RPG players.

CharGen tie-in
If you've crafted the perfect visual representation of your character in HeroMachine and exported it as a PNG, you can then import those finished PNGs into CharGen's Token Transformer tool. This allows you to add matching borders, apply sizing presets for popular Virtual Tabletops, and generally integrate your HeroMachine creations seamlessly into a more modern digital workflow, giving your bespoke portraits a final layer of polish for VTT use.

Loot & Shop Generators

CharGen Shop Generator — Fully-stocked fantasy storefronts

URL https://char-gen.com/shop-generator | Latest update: Sep 2024

What it does
The CharGen Shop Generator is a rather splendid and remarkably comprehensive tool, expertly designed to breathe considerable life into the commercial aspects of your fantasy role-playing adventures. At its core, it automates the creation of richly detailed shops, populating them with almost everything a Dungeon Master might conceivably need for a bustling marketplace or a forgotten corner store. This includes a unique and often thematic shop name, perfect for adding that little bit of local colour. You'll also find a meticulously sorted inventory, helpfully organised by item rarity – an absolute boon for quick assessment when your players are eager to spend their hard-earned coin. Prices are dynamically generated but can be tweaked to reflect local economic conditions or a particularly grasping merchant.

Furthermore, each establishment comes with a distinct shopkeeper non-player character (NPC). These NPCs are often furnished with their own charming quirks and, sometimes, a few customer rumours or intriguing snippets of local gossip. These can serve as delightful plot hooks or simply add to the immersive quality of your world. The generator truly aims to provide a one-stop solution for Dungeon Masters looking to quickly establish a believable and thoroughly engaging storefront, whether that's a grand city emporium, a dusty village stall, or a mysterious wizard's den. It offers commendable support for various popular game systems, including the ubiquitous D&D 5E and Pathfinder, and boasts over a dozen diverse shop types. This variety ensures a good fit for almost any scenario, ranging from the humble yet essential general store, purveying everyday goods, to the more specialised and intriguing alchemist or a master blacksmith, whose forge rings with the promise of finely crafted arms and armour. The depth of options means you can swiftly generate precisely what your narrative requires, saving you a king's ransom in preparation time.

Why you'd use it

Effortless World-Building: If you find yourself in sudden need of a believable, fully-stocked store – perhaps between tightly scheduled game sessions, or when your adventuring party takes an unexpected detour down a winding side street they've never explored before – this generator can save you a considerable amount of precious preparation time. It is particularly useful when you wish to avoid the often tedious and time-consuming task of manually creating exhaustive inventories from scratch and meticulously calculating pricing for every last potion, parchment, and piece of pie. It allows you to conjure a vibrant commercial hub with just a few clicks, leaving you more time to focus on the grander sweep of your adventure.
Narrative Richness: Beyond simply presenting a list of items for sale with their attendant costs, this tool provides a significant injection of narrative flavour into what could otherwise be a dry transaction. The thoughtful inclusion of a shopkeeper NPC, often equipped with unique personality traits, a memorable turn of phrase, and a handful of potential customer rumours or local news, can effortlessly spark engaging roleplaying opportunities. This transforms what could be a mundane shopping trip into a more memorable and interactive experience for your players, helping to build a small, yet vibrant and believable, piece of your campaign world. A simple query about an item might lead to a new quest or reveal a vital clue.
Consistency and Balance: The generator can be instrumental in helping you maintain a degree of economic consistency and game balance within your campaign world, which is crucial for long-term play. By allowing for controls related to the party's level, it ensures that the items available are appropriate for the adventurers' current capabilities and renown. This intelligently prevents frustrating situations where low-level characters might stumble upon game-breakingly powerful items far too early in their careers, upsetting the carefully planned progression. Conversely, it also avoids scenarios where high-level, seasoned heroes find absolutely nothing of interest or value in even the largest of cities, which can be just as disheartening for players. The tool helps ensure the rewards feel earned and appropriate.

Key features

Shop Customisation: A wonderfully handy size slider allows you to define the scale of the establishment with considerable ease. You can opt for anything from a modest, perhaps slightly rickety, market stall, selling a few choice trinkets, right up to a sprawling, opulent megastore, a veritable cornucopia of goods that could rival the grandest bazaars. This choice directly and logically impacts the variety and sheer quantity of goods available for purchase, as well as potentially influencing the number of staff and the general hubbub of the place.
Economic Controls: You are afforded the ability to adjust mark-up or discount percentages across the board. This grants you granular control over the local economy and allows you to decide how generous (or indeed, how grasping and opportunistic) a particular merchant might be. This can reflect different market conditions, the remoteness of the location, the merchant's personality, or even the players' standing with them. A 10% "friends of the town" discount or a 25% "wartime scarcity" surcharge can add a nice touch of realism.
NPC Details: Each generated shop thoughtfully comes with its own shopkeeper, who is more than just a name. These often include a visual portrait – a fantastic aid for player immersion, helping them put a face to the name – and a defining quirk or two that makes them memorable. This immediately provides the Dungeon Master with tangible material to work with for roleplaying interactions, making the NPC feel more alive from the outset, rather than a mere purveyor of goods. Perhaps the shopkeeper is notoriously hard of hearing, or obsessively polishes their spectacles.
Multiple Shop Types: The generator is not limited to a single, generic kind of shop, which is a real blessing. You can specify from a wide array of over a dozen types, such as general stores, sturdy blacksmiths (complete with the clang of the hammer), mystical magic emporiums (humming with arcane energies), bubbling potion shops (redolent with strange odours), and many more. This ensures the inventory aligns perfectly with the shop's stated theme and purpose, preventing anachronistic or nonsensical stock lists.
Thematic Cohesion: Clever options to influence the underlying theme or even the "weirdness" level of the shop allow for further detailed customisation. This ensures the generated outlet fits seamlessly into the specific tone and atmosphere of your campaign, region, or even a particular city district. You might want a "grimy dockside" theme or an "elven high magic" feel, and the generator can often accommodate such requests, influencing item descriptions and even the shopkeeper's demeanour.

Pros

All-in-One Package: It commendably bundles text descriptions for the shop itself, comprehensive inventory lists (often sortable and filterable), detailed NPC profiles for the shopkeeper, and often even potential artwork for characters or the location into a single, remarkably convenient output. This holistic approach is a significant time-saver for busy GMs, preventing the need to consult multiple different tools or resources.
Versatile Export Options: The ability to export the generated content to common and widely used formats like Markdown (perfect for personal notes and integration into digital note-taking apps), PDF (for easy sharing with players or for printing), and even Foundry VTT JSON is a massive boon. This makes integrating the generated material into your existing notes or your preferred virtual tabletop setup remarkably straightforward and efficient, cutting down on manual data entry.
CharGen Ecosystem Integration: For users already invested in the broader suite of CharGen tools (such as their excellent Loot or NPC generators), this shop generator seamlessly syncs, allowing for a more cohesive and interconnected world-building experience. For instance, treasure generated elsewhere within the ecosystem can be effortlessly populated into a shop's inventory for sale, or an NPC created in another module can become the shopkeeper.
User-Friendly Interface: The web interface is, for the most part, refreshingly intuitive and easy to navigate. It allows you to specify crucial parameters like party level, desired shop type, thematic elements, and other customisation options with considerable ease before hitting the generate button. You are not bogged down in overly complex menus.
Free Tier Availability: The presence of a completely free tier is an excellent feature, offering substantial utility without demanding an immediate outlay. It allows Dungeon Masters to thoroughly test its capabilities and generate a good amount of useful content without any immediate financial commitment, which is always appreciated by the gaming community.
Inspiration Source: Even if you prefer to hand-craft your shops down to the last detail, the generator can serve as a fantastic source of inspiration. It can quickly provide a base list of items, an interesting NPC concept, or a shop name that you can then tweak, expand upon, and make your own, jump-starting your creative process.
Reduces GM Burnout: The constant demand for new content can be draining. Tools like this help alleviate some of that pressure, particularly for elements like shops which, while important, can be repetitive to create manually time and time again. This allows GMs to focus their creative energies on plot and character development.

Cons

Fantasy Genre Focus: It must be said that the stock list, item descriptions, and overall aesthetic are predominantly geared towards traditional high fantasy settings. If you are running a science fiction epic, a gritty modern-day investigation, or indeed any other non-fantasy campaign, its direct applicability will be somewhat limited without significant and potentially time-consuming modification on your part. You might find the generated content needs heavy reskinning.
Credit Costs for High-Quality Assets: While the core generation of shop details might be free or included as part of a subscription, obtaining the highest resolution images for shopkeepers or unique, eye-catching items (if offered) often requires the use of specific credits or a higher tier of subscription. This can, over time, become an additional ongoing cost to factor in, especially if you rely heavily on visual aids.
AI Quirks and Repetition: As is often the case with any AI-driven generator, there can occasionally be slight oddities, somewhat repetitive elements in the generated descriptions, or NPC traits that don't quite make sense. These usually require a Dungeon Master's discerning eye and perhaps a light touch of editing to refine and ensure they fit the specific context of the campaign. A quick read-through is always advisable.
Depth vs. Breadth: While the generator produces a substantial amount of content very quickly, the actual depth of individual item descriptions or NPC backstories might sometimes feel a little generic when compared to truly bespoke, hand-crafted content. It provides a fantastic and robust starting point, but Dungeon Masters may well wish to embellish these details further to truly make them their own and weave them more deeply into their world's lore.
Internet Reliant: Being a web-based tool, you will naturally need an active internet connection to use it effectively. This might be a consideration for GMs who prepare or play in locations with unreliable or non-existent internet access, such as at a remote cabin or during a convention with spotty Wi-Fi.
Potential for Over-reliance: While a fantastic time-saver, there's a slight risk of becoming overly reliant on the generator, potentially leading to a degree of homogeneity in shops if not carefully curated or customised by the GM. It's a tool to assist, not entirely replace, creativity.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, with certain limitations on available features and the overall quality or quantity of some assets, but still very usable. | Paid subscriptions start from approximately $5 per month (or its regional equivalent, for example, around £9.99 per month for the "Plus" tier in the UK). These paid tiers grant access to a wider range of features, higher generation quotas, enhanced editing capabilities, and generally better quality outputs for things like images. Prices can vary based on the selected tier and specific features included, so it is worth checking their site for the latest details.

Best for
This tool is an absolute godsend for Dungeon Masters who find themselves frequently needing to create shops on the fly, perhaps due to unexpected player choices ("We want to find a fletcher!"), or for those who simply detest the often painstaking minutiae of pricing every single potion, arrow, and short sword. It is a brilliant and efficient tool for adding quick, yet flavourful, commercial hubs to any D&D 5E, Pathfinder, or similar fantasy campaign, especially when time is of the essence. It particularly shines for Dungeon Masters who appreciate having both the mechanical aspects (like a full inventory and accurate prices, adjusted for level) and the narrative elements (such as a memorable NPC and intriguing local rumours) conveniently covered in one package, ready to drop into their game. It's superb for maintaining momentum during a session.

CharGen tie-in
This generator offers direct output capabilities, which is a rather powerful feature if you are embedded in their ecosystem. This means it can feed tokens, character portraits, and markdown text straight into any CharGen-ready Virtual Tabletop (VTT) module or connected application. This streamlined workflow represents a significant advantage for users of the broader CharGen suite, allowing for the rapid and consistent population of various campaign elements with a unified look and feel. For example, a shopkeeper generated here could have their portrait created using another CharGen tool, ensuring visual consistency.

CharGen Tavern Generator — Ready-to-serve inns with hooks

URL https://char-gen.com/tavern-generator | Latest update: Sep 2024

What it does
The CharGen Tavern Generator is a genuinely delightful and highly practical tool for Dungeon Masters aiming to swiftly conjure up atmospheric and fully functional inns or taverns – those quintessential hubs of any fantasy world. It ventures far beyond simple name generation, constructing what can only be described as a fairly complete social hub, ready for immediate player interaction the moment they push open the creaky door. This typically includes a sketched floor-plan, offering a tangible sense of the establishment's layout, which is jolly useful for describing the scene or even for rough combat positioning. You get a full menu complete with priced items, saving a lot of on-the-spot guesswork when the barbarian inevitably orders a pint of your finest ale.

A cast of distinct staff NPCs, often accompanied by characterful portraits and brief, flavourful backstories, mans the establishment. Clear room rates for weary travellers seeking lodging are also provided, because adventurers always need a kip. Rather crucially, it includes a selection of intriguing adventure hooks or tantalising rumours that might be circulating amongst the patrons, whispered over flagons of mead. The overarching idea is to furnish the busy DM with a ready-to-deploy location that can effortlessly serve as a quest hub, a much-needed place for rest and recuperation, or a valuable source of local information and burgeoning intrigue. It supports a variety of popular fantasy RPG systems and allows for useful customisation based on parameters such as party level and the desired type of tavern – be it a cosy, welcoming inn with a roaring fire, or a more rowdy, disreputable dockside pub smelling faintly of fish and desperation. The level of detail provided is quite impressive for a generated output, giving you a solid foundation to build upon.

Why you'd use it

Instant Atmosphere: For those moments when your players unexpectedly decide to pay a visit to "that inn you mentioned in passing three sessions ago," or when they veer off the beaten track into a new village, this generator can truly save the day. It provides a rich and detailed foundation for a social encounter in mere seconds, elegantly preventing those awkward pauses whilst you desperately try to invent suitable details on the spot for the innkeeper's name, the cost of a room, or what's on the menu beyond "stew".
Integrated Elements: The clever combination of a visual element (the floor-plan sketch, however simple it may be), the practical details (menu, room rates, services available), and the vital narrative components (named NPCs with quirks, adventure hooks, local gossip) all bundled into one convenient package is incredibly efficient. It assists greatly in crafting a cohesive and believable setting without the faff of juggling multiple different resources or trying to cross-reference scattered notes during a session. It all just works together rather well.
Sparking Adventures: Taverns are, by long-standing tradition in fantasy role-playing, classic starting points for quests and daring exploits; many a grand campaign has begun with a mysterious stranger in a shadowed corner. The included adventure hooks, often subtly tailored to the tavern's specific theme and the potential motivations of its patrons, can provide wonderfully organic ways to introduce new storylines or engaging side quests. This makes the game world feel more dynamic and responsive to player actions, rather than relying solely on pre-planned narratives. A casual drink can lead to a dangerous delve.

Key features

Menu Customisation: It generates a full menu, thoughtfully complete with Gold Piece (GP) values (or other appropriate currency, depending on your game system), taking the guesswork out of what fare is available and precisely how much it costs. This can range from basic, hearty ale and a questionable stew to more exotic or perhaps regionally specific dishes and potent liquors, depending on the selected tavern type and overarching theme you've chosen. No more blank stares when a player asks, "What's good here?"
Atmosphere Control: A 'mood slider' or similar selection options (such as 'cosy', 'bustling', 'rowdy', or 'decidedly seedy') allows you to directly influence the general vibe and ambience of the establishment. This, in turn, affects the type of NPCs generated as staff and patrons, the typical background noise one might expect, and the sorts of events or encounters that might naturally occur there. A 'seedy' tavern is more likely to host a clandestine meeting than a 'welcoming' village inn.
Innkeeper Details: Much like its esteemed shop-generating counterpart, this generator often provides a distinct and memorable innkeeper (or barkeep). This character frequently comes with a portrait – a boon for visual GMs – and a brief backstory or personality sketch, perhaps noting their defining mannerisms or a secret they keep. This offers an immediate and engaging NPC for players to interact with, question, or even befriend (or indeed, antagonise).
Variety of Tavern Types: You are not restricted to a single, one-size-fits-all template. You can select from over ten different archetypal types of taverns, such as a bustling city tavern teeming with life and commerce, a quiet and secluded village inn offering a peaceful respite, a rough-and-tumble dockside dive, or even a more disreputable and shadowy establishment catering to the underworld. Each comes with appropriately tailored ambiance and clientele suggestions.
Plot Hook Integration: Each generated tavern comes with a set of potential plot hooks, intriguing rumours that are being whispered by the locals, or noteworthy local events that might draw the players in. These provide ready-made starting points for fresh adventures or spontaneous roleplaying encounters, adding layers to your game with minimal effort. A simple rumour about a haunted nearby ruin can blossom into a full adventure.

Pros

Rapid Deployment: The sheer speed at which a Dungeon Master can go from an empty spot on their campaign map (or an unexpected player decision) to a lively, detailed, and functional inn is undoubtedly its primary strength. It genuinely facilitates on-the-fly world-building and reactive storytelling, making you look like a GM who has prepped for every eventuality.
Visual and Textual Blend: The inclusion of a floor-plan sketch, even if it is admittedly schematic at times rather than a tactical battle map, alongside the textual descriptions, menus, and NPC details, offers a more complete and immediately usable package than many simpler, text-only generators. It helps everyone at the table visualise the space.
Inspires Roleplay: With named NPCs (often with memorable quirks and perhaps a secret or two), defined services on offer (beyond just ale and beds), and snippets of local gossip or news, the generator provides numerous prompts for player interaction and for the DM to improvise further, building upon the provided foundation. It sets the stage beautifully.
Useful Export Formats: The practical ability to export a map overlay as a PNG file (useful for VTTs), or text-based details in common formats like Markdown or Foundry VTT JSON, is highly valuable for seamlessly integrating the tavern into existing game notes or popular virtual tabletop platforms. This reduces manual transcription and streamlines prep.
Synergy with Other Tools: The adventure hooks and NPCs generated here can often tie into, or be expanded upon by, other tools within the CharGen ecosystem, such as their quest generator or the NPC portrait builder. This creates a more unified and efficient creative workflow for the GM, allowing for consistency across generated assets.
Free Tier: The availability of a free tier is a significant plus, especially for GMs on a budget. It allows users to generate a substantial amount of content and thoroughly test the tool's capabilities and output before needing to commit to a paid subscription plan. You can get a lot of mileage out of the free version.
Reduces Prep Time: For recurring locations (like the party's favourite haunt), or for GMs who run sandbox-style games where players have a lot of agency in where they go, having a tool that can instantly create such a common social hub can drastically cut down on overall preparation time. This allows GMs to focus on other, perhaps more unique, aspects of the adventure.

Cons

Geographic Limitation: Its primary focus is, quite naturally, on taverns and inns. If you find yourself needing other types of social hubs (like a guildhall or a temple), specific municipal buildings, or unique establishments not covered by its archetypes, you will likely need to look elsewhere or significantly adapt the output to fit your requirements. It does one thing, but it does it well.
Basic Floor Plans: The floor-plan sketches provided are generally schematic in nature and are not always immediately ready for use on a gridded battle map for detailed tactical encounters without some DM embellishment or the use of a separate, dedicated mapping tool. They primarily provide a layout concept and atmosphere rather than a print-and-play high-resolution map. They are more for flavour than for fights.
Art Style Consistency: While generally functional and often evocative, the art style of any generated portraits or sketches might not always perfectly align with every Dungeon Master's desired campaign aesthetic or the style of other assets they are using. This, however, is a common challenge with AI-generated art assets across many platforms and is a minor quibble for many.
Potential for Genericity: While impressively feature-rich for an automated tool, some of the generated details (such as certain NPC motivations, the precise wording of rumours, or even tavern names) might occasionally feel a little generic or may require some DM customisation to truly make them unique and deeply integrated into an ongoing, bespoke campaign. A little personal touch can go a long way.
System Specificity: While it supports popular systems, the default flavour and itemisation will lean heavily towards traditional fantasy settings like those found in D&D or Pathfinder. Adapting it for a very different genre, such as science fiction or a historical setting, might take some considerable work to reskin the descriptions and items.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, absolutely. Paid plans, which start from similar price points to the Shop Generator (for instance, around $5 per month or approximately £9.99 per month for enhanced features in the UK), offer benefits such as more generations per month, access to higher quality assets (like portraits), and more advanced customisation options. Check their website for the most current rates and features.

Best for
Dungeon Masters who frequently need to quickly populate their worlds with memorable watering holes, quiet roadside inns, or bustling city taverns. It is absolutely ideal for those situations where players might unexpectedly seek out such an establishment, or for DMs who desire a solid, flavourful foundation for a social encounter or a new quest launch point without wishing to spend many hours on meticulous preparation. Its effective blend of practical details (menu, prices, room availability) and engaging narrative hooks (NPCs, rumours) makes it an exceptionally versatile tool for almost any fantasy campaign, helping to make the world feel alive and reactive.

CharGen tie-in
This tool can chain quite effectively into the CharGen Shop Generator. For instance, one could use it to quickly stock a small general store or a concession stand that might be run by the innkeeper's family or located within the tavern premises itself – perhaps the innkeeper sells a few adventuring essentials on the side. Furthermore, its generated NPCs can be directly fed into the CharGen portrait builder for visual representation if you want a different style or more customisation, and its menu items or any discovered loot from adventure hooks could potentially link to the Loot Generator for further detail if players, say, find a treasure map tucked into a menu.

CharGen Loot Generator — Balanced hoards with flavour text

URL https://char-gen.com/loot-generator | Latest update: Sep 2024

What it does
The CharGen Loot Generator is a rather sophisticated and genuinely useful tool designed to assist Dungeon Masters in producing appropriate and engaging treasure parcels or complete hoards, all carefully tailored by Challenge Rating (CR) or party level. This is a critical aspect of game balance often overlooked. Beyond merely listing items like a dusty inventory sheet, it excels at adding flavourful, often unique, item names that can spark the imagination. It can also provide optional art thumbnails for a more visual representation of the discovered riches, which is a lovely touch for players who appreciate such things. It aims to streamline the often tricky and sometimes contentious process of rewarding players, ensuring that found treasures are both mechanically balanced for the game system and narratively interesting for the story.

The system can even take into account the specific monsters fought, helping to generate loot that feels thematically connected to the encounter – a giant spider might yield potent venom or spinneret silk, for example, rather than just a random assortment of coins. Whether you need a small cache of goods from a defeated group of common bandits (perhaps a few silver pieces and a tarnished dagger) or the grand, glittering hoard of a vanquished ancient dragon (piled high with gold, jewels, and legendary artefacts), this generator is built to deliver suitable results quickly and efficiently. Its primary goal is to enhance the overall reward experience for players, making those moments of discovery feel truly special and worthwhile, rather than just an accounting exercise.

Why you'd use it

Replace Dry Tables with Story-Ready Loot: Instead of relying on standard, sometimes uninspiring, random roll tables from a core rulebook which can feel a bit mechanical, this generator provides loot with inherent story potential. Descriptive names for magic items, or small details about the origin of an art object, and thematic links to the source of the treasure can spark player imagination and make even minor treasures feel more special and integrated into the campaign world. A simple "Longsword +1" becomes "The Blade of the Forgotten Knight," instantly more evocative.
Auto-Balance Treasure Against XP Budgets: One of the core challenges for any Game Master is ensuring that treasure distribution remains balanced throughout a campaign. Give out too much, and the party becomes overpowered too quickly, trivialising challenges. Give out too little, and players may feel consistently under-rewarded and frustrated. This tool helps to automate that delicate balancing act, aligning loot value with the party's current level and the challenges they have overcome, thereby supporting a more consistent game economy and a smoother power curve for the characters.
Save Precious Preparation Time: Manually curating unique and balanced loot for every single encounter, every trapped chest, or every hidden stash can be an incredibly time-consuming part of game preparation. Many GMs find this a particular chore. This generator significantly cuts down on that prep work, allowing Dungeon Masters to focus their valuable time and creative energy on other aspects of adventure design, such as plot development, NPC interactions, or map creation, safe in the knowledge that rewarding discoveries are just a few clicks away when needed.

Key features

CR and Rarity Sliders/Inputs: These crucial controls are at the heart of the generator, allowing the Dungeon Master to fine-tune the generated loot to precisely match the party's current power level and the nature of the specific encounter or location. This ensures that rewards scale appropriately throughout a long campaign, from humble beginnings to epic confrontations. You won't find a vorpal sword in a goblin's pocket (unless you specifically want to!).
Magic-Item Naming AI: The generator often employs clever algorithms or extensive name lists to devise evocative and memorable names for magic items. This moves beyond generic labels like "Sword +1" or "Ring of Protection" to something that hints at a forgotten history, a unique property, or a legendary previous owner, instantly making items more desirable and intriguing to the players. It is these little details that players often remember.
Choice of Individual vs Hoard Format: Whether you need to quickly determine the contents of a single fallen enemy's pouch (a few coins, a lucky charm) or detail the riches piled high in a major villain's treasure vault (chests overflowing with gold, priceless art, and powerful artefacts), the generator can accommodate both individual loot drops and larger, more complex hoard compilations. This flexibility is very welcome for different game situations.
Thematic Generation: Options to input themes (like "Undead Crypt," "Dwarven Treasury," or "Ancient Elven Ruins") or even specific monsters fought (e.g., "Orc War Chief," "Beholder Lair") allow the generated loot to feel more connected to its source and the narrative context. A slain red dragon might yield fire-resistant scales or uniquely draconic items, for example, rather than generic magic items.
Variety of Item Types: You can expect to find a good mix of rewards, including piles of coins (in various denominations), glittering gemstones of differing values, unique art objects (from statuettes to tapestries), common mundane items that might still be useful, and, of course, the coveted magical treasures. This reflects the diverse types of wealth found in typical fantasy settings and caters to different player desires.

Pros

Descriptions Ready for Read-Aloud: Many generated items, particularly magic items or significant art objects, come with pre-written flavour text or descriptive elements that are suitable for being read directly to the players. This enhances immersion at the moment of discovery and saves the GM from having to improvise compelling descriptions on the spot.
Token Art for Items on Demand: The option to generate or include small art thumbnails for items is a fantastic boon, especially for games played on Virtual Tabletops (VTTs) like Foundry or Roll20. Giving players a visual representation of their newfound gear makes it more tangible and exciting than just a name on a character sheet.
CSV Export for Bookkeeping: For Dungeon Masters who like to keep meticulous records of treasure distributed throughout a campaign (essential for tracking party wealth and maintaining economic balance), the ability to export loot lists in CSV format is a very practical feature. This data can then be easily imported into spreadsheets for campaign management and tracking.
Reduces GM Bias: Using a generator can help avoid unintentional patterns or personal biases in loot distribution. It is easy for GMs to inadvertently favour certain types of items or be overly generous or stingy. A generator ensures a more varied and unpredictable array of treasures over the course of a long campaign.
Encourages Player Engagement: More interesting and descriptively named loot is often far more engaging for players than simple mechanical bonuses. It can lead to more discussion about the items, creative use of their properties (even non-magical ones), and a greater overall sense of reward and accomplishment. Players love cool stuff!
Supports Different Playstyles: Whether you prefer a game with scarce, powerful magic items or one where minor enchantments are more common, the controls allow you to tailor the output to your campaign's specific style and power level, ensuring it fits your world.

Cons

Primarily 5E Price Assumptions for GP Totals: While highly useful, the underlying gold piece values and economic assumptions for generated items are often based on the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition ruleset and its typical wealth progression. Game Masters using other systems (like Pathfinder or older editions) might need to make adjustments to the pricing or overall value to align with their game's specific economy.
Credits for High-Resolution Item Illustrations: Similar to other CharGen tools, while basic functionality and some art may be free or part of a subscription, obtaining the best quality, high-resolution illustrations for unique items might require the use of credits or a premium subscription tier. This could potentially incur extra costs for GMs who heavily rely on top-notch visuals.
Can Sometimes Lack Specificity for Niche Items: For very specific or obscure types of treasure, or items with complex, plot-specific mechanics that are unique to your campaign, a generator might provide a good starting point (perhaps a base item to enchant) but will likely require further GM customisation and detailed write-ups to fully realise them.
Randomness Can Still Need Curation: While the balancing features are generally good, there might be occasional combinations of items in a hoard that feel slightly off, don't perfectly fit a specific narrative beat, or are inappropriate for a particular character. A quick GM review and potential tweak of the results is always recommended before presenting loot to players.
Potential for Item Overload: If not used judiciously, especially with higher-level hoard generation, it is possible to overwhelm players (and the GM) with too many items at once. It is often better to provide fewer, more memorable items than a deluge of minor trinkets that get forgotten.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, which is excellent for trying out the core features and generating a decent amount of loot for your games without any upfront cost. Paid tiers, consistent with other CharGen offerings (typically starting around $5/mo or a regional equivalent like £9.99/mo for a "Plus" plan), unlock more generations, potentially better quality or a wider variety of art, and more detailed customisation options, including advanced editing or saving features.

Best for
This tool is absolutely fantastic for Dungeon Masters looking to transform potentially mundane random treasure rolls into memorable and narratively rich rewards for their players. It excels at quickly generating balanced loot parcels that save valuable preparation time while adding a significant layer of flavour and excitement to the discovery of treasure. It fits seamlessly into ongoing D&D 5E or Pathfinder campaigns, and indeed many other fantasy RPGs where treasure is a key motivator. It is particularly good for GMs who want to ensure fairness in rewards while still surprising their players with unique finds.

CharGen tie-in
A particularly strong integration point, and a real time-saver, is the ability to push generated loot straight to the CharGen Shop Generator. This is incredibly useful if the player characters decide they want to sell their newfound treasures in the next town they visit. It allows for a quick and seamless transition from discovery to market, populating local shop shelves with their unwanted (or perhaps ill-gotten) items, ready for the next group of adventurers, or even for the original party to buy back later at a mark-up!

5e Magic Shop Generator — Price-tagged inventories in seconds

URL https://5emagic.shop | Latest update: v0.16.9, 2025

What it does
The 5e Magic Shop Generator is a wonderfully straightforward and notably efficient web-based tool, specifically and purposefully designed for Dungeon Masters running Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Its primary function, and where it truly excels, is to generate magic item shop inventories with commendable speed. Crucially, it populates these inventories with prices derived from the widely respected and often referenced "Sane Magical Item Prices" guide by Saidoro. This adherence ensures a level of economic consistency that many Dungeon Masters find invaluable, preventing the wild price fluctuations that can occur when GMs pluck numbers from thin air or rely on vague rarity guidelines alone.

The generator allows users to select the desired shop size, with options typically ranging from a tiny, humble stall (perhaps with just a few curios) to a legendary emporium literally overflowing with powerful and wondrous magical artefacts. Users can also specify the types of items they wish to include (such as armour, potions, weapons, scrolls, or wondrous items), allowing for thematic shop creation. A particularly useful feature is the ability to adjust the overall mark-up or discount percentage on all items in the shop. This is splendid for reflecting a shopkeeper's avarice, a special town-wide sale, the remoteness of the location, or even the results of successful (or indeed, disastrous) player negotiation or persuasion attempts. The tool focuses on delivering a functional, clearly price-balanced list of magical goods with minimal fuss and bother, making it an excellent resource for quick preparation when time is short, or inspiration is lacking. It's a real boon for busy GMs.

Why you'd use it

Need Price-Balanced Stock Instantly: When your players announce an unexpected shopping trip for magical wares, perhaps after a particularly lucrative dungeon delve, or when you simply haven't had the requisite hours to prepare a bespoke inventory for 'Mystra's Marvels' in the next town, this generator provides a complete, price-tagged list in a matter of seconds. This is invaluable for maintaining game flow and preventing long pauses while you frantically flip through rulebooks or search online forums for appropriate items and their costs.
Uses Familiar "Sane" Price List: For many, if not most, 5E Dungeon Masters, the "Sane Magical Item Prices" guide is a go-to resource for valuing magical items in a way that feels, well, sane. This generator's direct adherence to that standard means the prices will feel consistent and generally fair within that widely accepted framework. This significantly reduces the likelihood of arguments or confusion at the virtual or physical table regarding item costs, as many players are also familiar with this pricing structure or similar community-accepted guidelines.
Quick Customisation for Context: The ability to filter by item type (for example, allowing only weapons and armour for a blacksmith that dabbles in enchantments, or perhaps just potions and scrolls for an alchemist's shop) and by rarity (common, uncommon, rare, etc.), alongside the various shop size presets, means you can tailor the generated inventory to suit the specific context of the shop your players are visiting. This allows for differentiation, from a small village alchemist with a few common potions to a major city's exclusive arcane guild store stocking very rare and legendary items.

Key features

Size Presets (Tiny → Legendary): A simple dropdown menu or a series of selection buttons allows you to quickly define the general scale and presumed quality of the magic shop. This choice directly influences the number and rarity of items stocked. Options typically range from "tiny" or "small town" (expecting mostly common and a few uncommon items) right up to "legendary" or "metropolis" (where even very rare or legendary items might be found), giving a good spectrum to match the settlement's importance.
CSV/Print Export: The practical ability to export the generated shop list to a CSV (Comma Separated Values) file is a boon for GMs who like to manage their campaign notes digitally, as it allows for easy integration into spreadsheets or other database tools. Alternatively, a printer-friendly format is usually available for quick reference at the table, which is great for those who prefer physical notes or don't have a screen handy during play.
Shareable Permalink: Often, these types of focused online generators offer a permalink (a permanent link) for a specific generated shop inventory. This is a brilliant feature for saving a particular inventory you liked and want to reuse later, or for sharing it directly with your players if they are browsing remotely or if you want to provide them with a 'catalogue' before a shopping session. It makes collaboration and record-keeping much simpler.
Markup/Markdown Adjustment: A slider or input field allows you to globally adjust the prices of all items in the generated list by a certain percentage. This lets you easily make items more expensive (to reflect high demand, a greedy merchant, or a remote location with difficult supply lines) or cheaper (perhaps for a special sale, a favoured customer discount, or if the items are slightly damaged or cursed!) without needing to recalculate each one individually.
Item Type Filtering: Users can usually select which specific categories of magic items they want to appear in the shop. Common filterable categories include armour, weapons, potions, scrolls, wands, rings, rods, and the ever-popular wondrous items. This provides excellent granular control over the thematic content of the inventory, ensuring a weapon shop sells weapons, and a potion shop sells potions.

Pros

Clear Price Column for Haggling: Having an explicit, listed price for every single item provides a clear and unambiguous starting point for any haggling or negotiation your players might wish to engage in. This makes these social interactions smoother and provides a baseline from which discounts (or surcharges!) can be applied based on roleplaying, dice rolls, or faction allegiances.
Works on Mobile: Being a web-based tool, it is generally accessible and fully functional on most mobile devices, such as smartphones and tablets. This is fantastic for Dungeon Masters who use tablets at the game table for their notes, or for those moments of last-minute preparation on the go, perhaps on the bus journey to the game venue!
Free, No Login (Usually): Typically, these sorts of focused, single-purpose generators are offered completely free of charge and do not require any annoying account creation, sign-up process, or login. This allows for immediate access and use, which is a massive plus for convenience when you just need a list quickly without any fuss.
Speed and Simplicity: The core strength of this tool lies in its remarkable speed and its inherent ease of use. It does one job – generating a D&D 5E magic shop inventory with prices based on a well-regarded community standard – and it does that job very well and incredibly quickly. There's no steep learning curve.
Great for Impromptu Shops: It truly shines when you need a magic shop inventory right now, with absolutely no time available for detailed manual creation or curation. It elegantly fills a very common Dungeon Master need, especially in sandbox campaigns or when players take an unexpected turn towards commerce.
Reduces Pricing Arguments: By defaulting to a widely known and generally accepted pricing guide, it helps to head off potential disagreements at the table about how much a particular magic item should cost, allowing the game to flow more smoothly.

Cons

5E Magic Items Only: As the name rather strongly suggests, and as is its stated purpose, this tool is exclusively focused on magic items found within the Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition ruleset. It will not be directly useful for other fantasy game systems (which may have different items or economies) or for generating inventories of mundane, non-magical equipment, provisions, or services.
No Mundane Gear or NPC: The generator typically focuses solely on the magic items themselves and their associated prices. It does not usually generate details about any mundane stock the shop might also carry, nor does it create a shopkeeper NPC, provide a description of the shop's appearance or atmosphere, or include any associated plot hooks or rumours. The DM will need to supply these narrative elements separately.
Limited Flavour Text: While some item names are inherently evocative by their nature in D&D, the descriptions provided are usually just the standard, official D&D item descriptions from the rulebooks. You generally won't find unique lore, individual histories, or extensive additional flavour text for individual items beyond what the core rules already provide. It is mechanically focused.
Dependent on "Sane Prices" Logic: If you or your gaming group do not use, or perhaps do not agree with, the specific valuations within the "Sane Magical Item Prices" guide, then the core pricing logic of this tool might not align with your campaign's intended economy or the perceived value of magic. However, the markup/markdown feature can help to adjust this to some extent.
Can Lack Unique Character: Because it draws from standard item lists, even with price adjustments, the shops can sometimes lack a truly unique or memorable character unless the DM adds their own bespoke items or significant flavour on top of the generated list. It provides a solid foundation, not a fully decorated house.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, this tool is typically offered completely free of charge, which is a fantastic boon for the D&D community. Some similar tools might have Patreon or supporter options for ad-free versions or very minor extra features, but the core functionality is usually free.

Best for
This generator is an absolutely excellent quick-reference tool for Dungeon Masters when their D&D 5E players unexpectedly decide to go shopping for magic items mid-session, or when a new town is reached and a magical emporium is sought. It is especially valuable if the DM uses or appreciates the economic framework provided by the "Sane Magical Item Prices" guide. It is perfect for generating a believable, price-balanced inventory in mere seconds when preparation time is critically short or entirely non-existent. It's a true time-saver for a very common scenario.

CharGen tie-in
While not a direct, automated integration, a savvy Dungeon Master could very easily copy the generated list of magic items (and their prices) from this tool and import or manually input them into the CharGen Shop Generator. Once the items are listed there, CharGen could then be used to auto-generate a fitting shopkeeper portrait, come up with a unique shop name and description, create a storefront sign, and perhaps even flesh out the shop with other thematic details or mundane stock, effectively combining the strengths of both tools: the precise 5E pricing of one with the broader atmospheric and NPC generation of the other.

Donjon Random Treasure Generator — Classic DMG rolls online

URL https://donjon.bin.sh/fantasy/treasure | Latest update: 2023

What it does
The Donjon Random Treasure Generator is a truly venerable and widely utilised web tool that, for many long-time Dungeon Masters, feels like an old, reliable friend. It faithfully emulates the process of rolling on traditional Dungeon Master's Guide (DMG) treasure tables, particularly those found in older editions of D&D and similar d20-based systems. It is designed to quickly provide GMs with results for coin hoards (copper, silver, gold, platinum), various types of gemstones (from agates to diamonds), an assortment of art objects (like statuettes or tapestries), and, of course, the ever-exciting magic items. A key characteristic of Donjon's entire suite of rather excellent random generation tools, including this treasure generator, is its fundamentally system-agnostic approach at its core, especially on its more general pages. However, it does also offer specific, tailored generators for various D&D editions (such as AD&D, 3.5/Pathfinder, and 5E) under different sub-pages or sections of the site, which is jolly useful.

The /fantasy/treasure/ link typically defaults to, or provides options for, a more generalised d20 system output, often reflecting a 3.x or Pathfinder style of treasure generation. It is a no-nonsense, wonderfully straightforward generator that focuses on delivering table results quickly and without any unnecessary frippery. This makes it a firm favourite for GMs who prefer a direct digital interpretation of book-based random rolling, effectively like having an automated dice roller and table look-up all in one. It cuts straight to the chase: you tell it what you need, and it gives you the raw results. For many, its minimalist charm is part of its enduring appeal in an age of increasingly complex applications.

Why you'd use it

Need Official d20 Treasure Fast: If you adhere closely to the treasure generation methodologies and specific random tables presented in older D&D editions (like 1st, 2nd, or 3rd/3.5 Edition) or Pathfinder, and you require a quick and accurate way to get those results without physically rolling a multitude of dice and laboriously consulting multiple tables and sub-tables in a hefty rulebook, Donjon is exceptionally efficient. It is, for all intents and purposes, the digital equivalent of cracking open the Dungeon Master's Guide to the relevant treasure section and letting the dice fall where they may, but much, much faster.
Works Offline Once Cached: A significant, and often underestimated, advantage of Donjon's famously lightweight and minimalist design is that once the relevant generator page has been loaded in your web browser, it can often function correctly even if your internet connection becomes unstable or drops entirely. This is because many of its generators run primarily using client-side scripting. This is an absolute boon for GMs who might be preparing or playing in locations with unreliable connectivity, such as at a remote convention hall, a friend's basement with dodgy Wi-Fi, or during a commute.
Simplicity and Speed Above All: There are no overly complex options to configure, no mandatory sign-ups, and no lengthy tutorials to wade through. You typically select the encounter level or desired hoard size/type, choose what elements you want to generate (coins, gems, art objects, magic items, etc.), click the button, and it instantly provides the results. This makes it one of the fastest and most accessible random treasure generators available online, perfect for when you need something now.

Key features

Individual or Hoard Modes: The generator can typically produce results appropriate for a single monster's carried loot (perhaps a few coins and a dagger in a scabbard) or for a larger, accumulated treasure hoard found in a lair or chest. This offers crucial flexibility based on the specific game situation, from pickpocketing a guard to plundering a dragon's den.
Trade-in Coin for Valuables Slider/Option: Some Donjon treasure generator versions or settings allow for a degree of customisation in the composition of the treasure. For instance, an option might exist to convert a certain percentage of the generated coinage into an equivalent value of gems or art objects. This provides a handy way to vary the physical make-up of a hoard, making it more interesting than just a big pile of gold pieces every time.
Toggle Magic, Psionic, or Chaositech Tables: Depending on the specific Donjon generator page you are using (for example, the general d20 System one as opposed to a 5E-specific page), you might find options to include items drawn from different or more esoteric categories. These can include standard magic items, psionic items (for campaigns featuring mental powers), or even more unusual options like 'chaositech' (for a touch of the weird and corrupting), catering to different campaign flavours and more niche rule systems.
Output by Level/CR: You can usually specify an encounter level or a Challenge Rating (CR), and the generator will attempt to provide treasure parcels appropriate to that power tier. This is based on the classic D&D treasure progression expectations, ensuring that low-level encounters yield modest rewards while high-level challenges offer suitably impressive riches. This helps maintain a semblance of game balance regarding wealth by level.

Pros

Lightning-Fast, Zero Ads: Donjon's website is famously minimalist, almost stark, and refreshingly free of intrusive advertising, pop-ups, or trackers. This leads to incredibly fast loading times and a wonderfully clean, uncluttered user experience. It gets straight to the point of generation without any distractions, which is highly appreciated.
Edition-Agnostic Options (on general pages): While specific edition generators exist on the site (and are very useful for those games), the general fantasy tools are often flexible enough to be used with a variety of d20-based games with only minimal conversion or interpretation needed from the GM. At the very least, they can serve as a fantastic source of inspiration even if you are not using the exact system they emulate.
Printable Summary: The output is typically plain text or very simple HTML, which is incredibly easy to copy, paste into your own notes, or print out for reference during a game session. No complex formatting gets in the way, making it highly practical for at-the-table use.
Reliable and Long-Standing: Donjon has been a trusted and respected resource in the RPG community for many, many years. It is well-known for its stability, the general accuracy of its table implementations (based on the source material), and its longevity. It is a site many GMs have relied upon for over a decade.
Great for Old-School Play: For Game Masters running older editions of Dungeons & Dragons (like B/X, AD&D 1e/2e), retro-clones, or OSR (Old School Renaissance) games, Donjon often feels like the most direct and faithful digital tool for treasure generation according to those systems' original tables and philosophies. It captures that classic, sometimes brutally random, feel perfectly.
Extensive Range of Generators: Beyond just treasure, Donjon offers a vast array of other generators for names, dungeons, inns, towns, weather, and much more, making it a comprehensive toolkit for GMs.

Cons

No Pricing Tweaks for Items (Generally): The generator typically outputs items without specific gold piece values assigned, especially for magic items in many of its versions (though some edition-specific ones might include them based on book values). It tells you what you found (e.g., "Longsword +1", "Potion of Healing"), but not necessarily its market price or resale value. This requires the GM to reference other sources (like rulebooks or other tools) for that information if precise costing is needed.
Dry Output Text: The results are purely functional and very plain. There is generally no flavour text, no unique naming conventions (beyond standard D&D item names like "Boots of Elvenkind"), and no artistic presentation or item images. It is a purely mechanical output, which some DMs might find lacking in inspiration or a bit too stark compared to more modern, flavour-focused generators.
Interface Can Feel Dated: The website's design is intentionally very minimalist and has not changed significantly much over the many years it has been active. While this greatly contributes to its speed and simplicity, some users, particularly those newer to the hobby, might find it aesthetically dated or less visually appealing compared to more contemporary web tools with richer graphical interfaces.
Can Require Manual Filtering/Interpretation: Sometimes the sheer volume of options on a page (especially if using the main random generator page which covers many things) can be a bit overwhelming. You might need to mentally filter out results that don't perfectly fit your specific D&D edition or campaign style if you are not using an edition-specific sub-generator. For example, a 5E GM using the generic d20 treasure page might get items not present in 5E.
System Specificity in Places: While some pages are edition-agnostic, many are clearly labelled for specific systems (AD&D, 5E, Pathfinder). Using the wrong one for your game can lead to inappropriate or unbalanced results if you are not careful to select the correct generator for your needs.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, Donjon and all its generators are entirely free to use. There are no subscriptions, no premium features locked behind paywalls, and no advertising. It is a passion project provided to the community.

Best for
This generator is absolutely ideal for old-school referees and Dungeon Masters who strictly adhere to, or simply appreciate, the treasure generation mathematics and random tables found in the Dungeon Master's Guides of various d20 systems, particularly earlier editions of D&D and Pathfinder. It excels when you need fast, no-frills, by-the-book treasure results without any added descriptive layers or artistic flair. It is perfect for maintaining a classic game feel or when you just need a quick mechanical result to build upon with your own flavour.

CharGen tie-in
While there is no direct automated tie-in between Donjon and CharGen, the raw output from Donjon (such as a list of gems, art objects, or basic magic items like "potion of climbing" or "scroll of fireball") can be quite effectively pasted or manually inputted into CharGen's Loot Generator or perhaps into its upcoming 'Loot Beautifier' features, if available. CharGen could then be used to add more evocative names (turning "potion of climbing" into "Gecko's Draught"), assign appropriate artwork or icons, and weave more detailed story context or flavour text around the mechanically generated items from Donjon. This approach essentially allows you to use Donjon for the core mechanical roll and then 'dress up' the results using CharGen for a more modern, flavourful presentation to your players.

Kassoon Treasure Generator (2024 Edition) — CR-based loot with descriptions

URL https://www.kassoon.com/dnd/2024/treasure-generator | Latest update: 2024

What it does
The Kassoon Treasure Generator (specifically its 2024 iteration, which suggests ongoing development and refinement) is a rather handy online tool designed primarily for Dungeon Masters of Dungeons & Dragons, likely with a strong focus on 5th Edition compatibility given the site's other offerings. Its main purpose is to generate loot parcels, scaling them according to Challenge Rating (CR) and the perceived size or significance of the treasure (e.g., individual monster loot versus a larger hoard). A particularly nice touch, and a key differentiator from some more basic generators, is its inclusion of descriptive flavour text, especially for non-magical valuables like gemstones and art objects. This aims to add a bit more character and interest to what can otherwise be a rather dry list of items and coin values.

Instead of just stating "3 x 50gp gems," Kassoon might offer something like, "Three lustrous pieces of amber, each with a tiny, perfectly preserved insect trapped within." This immediately gives the DM more to work with when describing the find to the players, making the treasure feel a bit more unique and memorable. The generator allows users to select treasure type (individual or hoard) across various CR bands (0-4, 5-10, 11-16, 17+), and provides options for themes such as Arcana, Armaments, Implements, or Relics, which can help tailor the magic items found. It also offers control over the percentage of money versus items. The emphasis seems to be on providing not just the mechanics of treasure, but also a sprinkle of narrative seasoning to make the rewards more engaging straight out of the generator, saving the DM a bit of creative effort in describing mundane valuables in an interesting way. It also helpfully includes tables for D&D money conversion and trade good values for quick reference.

Why you'd use it

Want Narrative Text Plus GP Totals: This is the core appeal. If you are a Dungeon Master who appreciates having a bit of descriptive flair for your treasure without wanting to write it all yourself, particularly for mundane items like gems and art objects which often get overlooked in the flavour department, Kassoon is a good shout. It tries to give you ready-to-read descriptions alongside the all-important gold piece values and item lists, which is a nice balance of practical information and evocative detail.
Updated for 2024 Rule Considerations (Potentially): The "2024 Edition" moniker suggests that the tool is actively maintained and likely incorporates considerations from the latest D&D rulebooks, errata, or prevailing community standards for treasure distribution as of that year. For DMs wanting to stay current with any nuanced changes in official guidance or popular homebrew consensus on treasure, this is a reassuring sign. This is particularly relevant with the ongoing evolution of D&D rules and new sourcebook releases that might impact item availability or typical wealth.
Quick CR-Based Generation: Like many good treasure generators, it allows for quick generation based on Challenge Rating, which is essential for ensuring that the loot dropped is appropriate for the level of the party and the difficulty of the encounter they just overcame. This helps maintain game balance and ensures players feel suitably rewarded without becoming too powerful too quickly, or vice-versa.

Key features

Hoard Size Drop-Down/Selection: Users can typically select from standard D&D treasure parcel sizes, often categorised by Challenge Rating bands (e.g., CR 0-4, CR 5-10, etc.) for both individual creature loot and larger treasure hoards. This provides a quick way to get a suitable quantity and quality of treasure.
Embed Gem/Art Descriptions: This is a standout feature. The generator doesn't just list "100 gp art object"; it will often provide a short, descriptive sentence for it, such as "A silver locket with a portrait of a long-forgotten elven princess." This is immediately more interesting for players and gives the DM something to work with narratively.
Links to Magic-Item Generator (Potentially): The site also hosts a separate, more detailed magic item generator. It is likely that the treasure generator either directly incorporates results from that tool or provides easy links if players find a generic "magic item" and further details are needed. This creates a useful synergy between tools on the same platform.
Thematic Loot Options: The ability to select a theme like "Arcana" or "Armaments" helps to ensure that any magic items generated are more likely to fit a certain style, which can be very useful if the treasure is found in a specific type of location (e.g., a wizard's tower vs. a warrior's tomb).
Money/Item Percentage Control: Sliders or input fields often allow the GM to adjust the desired ratio of raw currency versus physical items (gems, art, magic items) in the hoard, offering another layer of customisation to fit their campaign's economy or player preferences.

Pros

Adds Colour to Mundane Loot: This is its strongest suit. The descriptive text for gems and art objects really helps to elevate them beyond simple monetary values, making even non-magical treasure feel a bit more special and worthy of attention. It sparks the imagination more than a simple list.
Mobile-Friendly Interface: The website appears to be designed with responsiveness in mind, meaning it should work well on tablets and smartphones. This is excellent for GMs who use these devices at the table or for quick prep on the move. Accessibility is always a plus.
Free, No Account (Typically for Core Features): Like many such community-focused tools, the basic treasure generation functionality is usually offered free of charge and without requiring user registration, allowing for quick and easy access. Some advanced features or campaign-level saving might be premium, however.
Clear Presentation: The output is generally well-organised, making it easy to read and distinguish between coins, valuables, and magic items. This is helpful when you need to quickly relay information to players during a game.
Useful Reference Tables: The inclusion of D&D money conversion charts and trade good prices directly on the page is a thoughtful addition, saving the GM from having to look up these common points of reference elsewhere.

Cons

Magic Items Still 2014 List (Potentially for some items): The blog mention from the original source indicated that magic items might still reference the 2014 core rulebook lists. While the "2024 Edition" tag suggests updates, it is worth double-checking if the magic items generated include newer options from supplementary books, or if it primarily sticks to the original Dungeon Master's Guide items. This could be a limitation for GMs wanting a wider variety from more recent publications.
No Export Formats Beyond HTML (Typically): While the webpage itself is clear, dedicated export options like CSV, PDF, or JSON for easy integration into other tools (like VTTs or note-taking apps) might be lacking. This would mean relying on copy-pasting, which can be less convenient for some workflows.
Flavour Can Be Formulaic: While the descriptive text is a nice addition, as with any generator, if used very frequently, the patterns or style of description for gems and art objects might start to feel a little repetitive. A touch of GM customisation can help here.
Limited Customisation of Descriptions: While descriptions are provided, the GM likely has little to no control over the specifics of those descriptions beyond what the generator outputs. If you have a very particular type of art object in mind, you will still need to write that yourself.
Potential for Premium-Only Features: The interface hints at "Campaign drops are premium-only," suggesting that some more advanced features, perhaps for saving or organising loot over a campaign, might be locked behind a paywall. This is common but worth noting for those expecting full functionality for free.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the core treasure generation with descriptions appears to be free. There are mentions of "premium-only" features, suggesting a paid tier likely exists for more advanced functionality, possibly related to campaign tracking or expanded generation options. Specific pricing for such tiers would need to be checked on the Kassoon website itself.

Best for
This generator is particularly good for Dungeon Masters who want to quickly generate CR-appropriate treasure but desire a bit more narrative spice for their mundane valuables like gems and art objects, without having to write all those little descriptions themselves. It hits a sweet spot if you find standard loot tables too dry but do not have the time or inclination to embellish every single garnet or silver ewer. It is a good tool for sprucing up these often-overlooked parts of a treasure hoard and making them more engaging for players with minimal extra effort from the GM.

CharGen tie-in
While a direct automated link is unlikely, the descriptive text for art objects generated by Kassoon could serve as excellent prompts for CharGen's image generation capabilities (if available and suitable). For example, if Kassoon generates "a jade statuette of a dancing monkey," you could feed that description into CharGen to try and create a matching visual illustration for your players. This combines Kassoon's textual flavour with CharGen's visual prowess. Similarly, any magic items generated could be noted, and then CharGen could be used to create custom art or tokens for them if desired.

5eTools Loot Generator — Configurable, up-to-date tables

URL https://5e.tools/lootgen.html (Note: The primary access for 5etools and its generators can sometimes shift, but the 5e.tools domain is the main hub) | Latest update: v2.8.3, 2025 (reflects ongoing site updates)

What it does
The 5eTools Loot Generator is an integral part of the much larger 5eTools website, which is an extensive, fan-maintained digital compendium and toolset for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. This specific loot generator is essentially a powerful, browser-based application that allows Dungeon Masters to meticulously tweak almost every conceivable parameter of the 5E treasure generation tables. It is renowned for its completeness and for being remarkably up-to-date with official D&D sourcebooks, often including content from the very latest releases, right through to materials like the Monster Manual 2025 (as per the latest update information) and beyond, as the site is continuously updated by its dedicated community.

This tool isn't just a simple roller; it often provides granular control over which sourcebooks are included for item selection, the precise types of treasure tables to be used (e.g., individual treasure by CR, hoard treasure by CR), and can even allow for rolling on specific sub-tables if desired (like individual gem tables or art object tables). It aims to be a comprehensive digital recreation and extension of the treasure generation rules found in the Dungeon Master's Guide and other supplementary books like Xanathar's Guide to Everything. Its interface, while dense with options, is designed for DMs who want maximum control and access to the widest possible range of official D&D content for their loot generation needs. It is, for many, the definitive digital resource for 5E rules look-up and generation due to its sheer breadth of content and dedication to accuracy with published materials. It also often includes options for generating party loot based on character level and progression tiers, as suggested in Xanathar's Guide.

Why you'd use it

Unmatched Content Access: If you want a loot generator that has the highest probability of including items, tables, and variants from almost every official 5E sourcebook ever published, 5eTools is usually the first port of call. Its commitment to comprehensive content aggregation is second to none in the fan community. You are unlikely to find a more complete list of magical items to be potentially rolled.
Granular Control Over Sources and Tables: Unlike simpler generators, 5eTools often allows you to specify exactly which sourcebooks contribute to the item pool. Don't want items from a particular adventure book appearing? You can usually deselect it. Want to roll only on the specific art object tables from the DMG? You can probably do that too. This level of control is invaluable for DMs who are very particular about their campaign's item availability.
Accuracy to Official Rules: The team behind 5eTools prides itself on accurately reflecting the rules and tables as written in the official D&D books. For DMs who want their randomly generated treasure to strictly adhere to the methodologies presented by Wizards of the Coast, this tool is designed to provide that, acting as a digital assistant for by-the-book rolling.
Integrated with a Wider Toolset: The loot generator is just one part of the vast Qohelet (site name for 5etools). This means you can easily cross-reference generated magic items with their full descriptions, check monster stats that might have dropped the loot, or look up related spells, all within the same interconnected website. This seamless integration is incredibly efficient for campaign preparation and in-session look-ups.

Key features

Sourcebook Selection: A cornerstone of 5eTools is the ability to filter content by sourcebook. This extends to the loot generator, allowing you to include or exclude items based on their published origin. This ensures, for example, that items unique to the Eberron setting only appear if you are running an Eberron campaign and have that source selected.
Individual and Hoard Generation by CR: Standard functionality includes generating treasure for individual creatures or for larger hoards, based on the established Challenge Rating tiers from the Dungeon Master's Guide (0-4, 5-10, 11-16, 17+).
Specific Table Rolling: Often, you can choose to roll on very specific tables, such as "Magic Item Table A," "Gems (100 gp value)," or "Art Objects (250 gp value)," giving pinpoint accuracy if you know exactly what kind of random result you are after.
Xanathar's Guide to Everything Options: It typically incorporates the treasure and item distribution guidelines from Xanathar's Guide, including rules for awarding items to a party over certain level tiers, and common magic item tables from that book, which significantly expanded the range of lower-powered but flavourful magic items.
Up-to-Date Content: The site is known for its rapid inclusion of new D&D releases. This means the loot generator is likely to have items from the newest books far quicker than many other tools. This is a massive draw for GMs wanting the latest shiny things.
No Frills, Data-Focused Interface: The interface is typically utilitarian, prioritising information density and functionality over elaborate visual design. This appeals to users who want quick access to data and comprehensive options without graphical fluff.

Pros

The Most Comprehensive Data: Its database of items, particularly magic items, from across all official 5E books is generally unparalleled. If an item exists in print, it's probably in 5eTools. This means a huge variety in potential loot.
Precision Control: The ability to fine-tune exactly what tables are rolled on and which source materials are included gives the DM an exceptional level of precision, far beyond most other generators. You can be as broad or as specific as you need.
Strict Adherence to Rules as Written (RAW): For DMs who prioritise playing strictly by the book, 5eTools aims to be the most accurate digital reflection of those rules for treasure generation. This can be very reassuring.
Completely Free: The entire 5eTools site, including the loot generator, is a free, community-driven resource. There are no subscriptions or paywalls for accessing its vast content stores.
Excellent for Research and Cross-Referencing: Even if you don't use it for primary loot generation, it's an invaluable tool for quickly looking up the details of any D&D item, spell, or monster, making it a one-stop research hub.
Offline Capability (with PWA): Many parts of 5eTools, once loaded, can function offline or be installed as a Progressive Web App (PWA), which is a huge benefit for GMs with intermittent internet or those who prefer local copies.

Cons

Legality and Ethics Concerns (for some): 5eTools operates in a grey area regarding copyright, as it reproduces a vast amount of content from official D&D sourcebooks. While an invaluable resource for those who own the books, some users may have ethical concerns, and its availability can sometimes be subject to legal pressures or domain changes. This is an important consideration for any user.
Potentially Overwhelming Interface: For new users, the sheer number of options, filters, and the data-dense presentation can be quite intimidating. It has a steeper learning curve than simpler, more streamlined generators. It is built for power users.
No Flavour Text or Unique Descriptions: Unlike some other generators, 5eTools typically provides the raw, official descriptions for items. It doesn't usually add extra flavour text, unique names for generic items, or artistic embellishments. It is purely a data tool in this regard.
Can Be Slow on Older Devices/Connections: Due to the vast amount of data it handles, the site can sometimes be a little slow to load or respond, especially on older hardware or less stable internet connections, though the PWA can mitigate this.
Assumes Deep System Knowledge: To get the most out of it, a good understanding of D&D 5E's treasure tables and sourcebooks is beneficial, as it presents options that directly mirror those often complex structures.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, 5eTools is entirely free. It is supported by the community and does not have paid tiers or subscriptions for its core content access.

Best for
Dungeon Masters who demand the most comprehensive access to official D&D 5E item lists and treasure tables, and who desire granular control over which source materials are used for generation. It is the go-to tool for DMs who want to ensure their generated loot strictly adheres to the rules as written across the widest possible range of published books. If you want to be sure you are seeing every possible item from every book when you roll, and you value accuracy and completeness above all else, 5eTools is likely your best bet. It is also invaluable as a general rules and item lookup reference.

CharGen tie-in
Given 5eTools' focus on raw data and official descriptions, its output is prime material for feeding into CharGen's more creative or artistic modules. For example, if 5eTools generates a specific magic item (e.g., a "Mace of Smiting" from the DMG), you could then take that item name and use CharGen to: a) generate a unique piece of art or a token for that mace, b) potentially use an AI writing feature within CharGen to create a more flavourful, unique history or description for this specific Mace of Smiting, differentiating it from others. CharGen could add the narrative flair and visual appeal that 5eTools, by design, does not provide for standard items.

Settlement & Dungeon Generators

CharGen Tavern & Inn Generator — AI-filled social hub

URL https://char-gen.com/tavern-generator | Latest update: Sep 2024

What it does
Generates a complete tavern: floor-plan sketch, menu, staff portraits, prices and rumours.

Why you'd use it

Need a fleshed-out inn between sessions
Want matching art and narrative in one click

Key features

Mood & size sliders
Menu with GP values
Export PNG, Markdown, Foundry JSON

Pros

Art + text package
Syncs with other CharGen tools
Free tier available

Cons

Limited to tavern/inn locale
Schematic map, not grid-ready

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Paid from $5 /mo credits

Best for
Instantly dropping a memorable watering hole anywhere on your map.

CharGen tie-in
Natively feeds its NPCs to the CharGen portrait builder and its menu to the Loot Generator.

Watabou Medieval City Generator — One-click sprawling cities

URL https://watabou.itch.io/medieval-fantasy-city-generator | Latest update: Feb 2025 (v0.11.4 "Forests")

What it does
The Watabou Medieval Fantasy City Generator is a widely acclaimed and incredibly useful browser-based tool that procedurally creates aesthetically pleasing and surprisingly detailed medieval-style city maps with just a few clicks. Developed by Oleg Dolya (Watabou), it is renowned for its ability to instantly generate sprawling urban landscapes, complete with city walls, winding streets, distinct districts (often with names), temples, markets, castles or keeps, and even surrounding farmland or forests. The generator doesn't just draw lines; it intelligently places structures and features to create a map that feels organic and believable, albeit with a charmingly stylised aesthetic. Users can adjust parameters such as city size, whether it has features like a river or coast, and then regenerate maps until they find one that suits their needs. The output is not just a static image; it often includes labels for districts and major landmarks, and importantly, offers export options like PNG for a quick image and SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics) for those who wish to edit the map in more detail in external graphics programs.

It is designed more for visual appeal and quick inspiration than for strict adherence to historical city planning models, but the results are consistently engaging and highly suitable for tabletop role-playing games. The generator has seen continuous development, with new features and refinements added over time, such as improved labelling, more detailed roof options, and even basic integration with other tools for 3D viewing (like Watabou's own City Viewer). It's a favourite amongst GMs for its speed, ease of use, and the quality of the maps it produces, providing a fantastic visual aid for any fantasy urban setting.

Why you'd use it

Need a Believable City Map, Fast: This is its primary superpower. If your players are about to arrive in a new city and you need a map to show them (or for your own reference) in a matter of minutes, or even seconds, Watabou's generator is an absolute lifesaver. It cuts out potentially hours of manual map drawing or searching for suitable pre-made maps, delivering a unique city layout every time you hit 'generate'.
Want Editable Vector Output for Customisation: The ability to export the map as an SVG file is a massive boon for GMs who like to tinker. SVGs can be imported into vector graphics software (like Inkscape or Adobe Illustrator), allowing you to edit street names, add specific locations, change colours, remove or add buildings, and generally customise the map to perfectly fit your campaign's specific needs. This offers a great balance between procedural generation and bespoke design.
Visual Inspiration for Urban Adventures: Even if you don't use the generated map directly in your game, simply looking at a few outputs can provide a wealth of inspiration for city-based adventures, district characteristics, potential points of interest, and the overall feel of an urban environment. The visual layout can spark ideas for quests, encounters, and NPC locations within the city's various quarters.
Consistency in World-Building: If you use other Watabou generators (like the Village Generator or the regional map tools), using the City Generator helps maintain a consistent visual style across all your settlement and world maps, which can be very pleasing and aid player immersion.

Key features

District Colouring & Roof Detail Layers: The generator often provides options to display different districts in varying colours, making it easy to visually distinguish between, say, the temple quarter, the market district, or the noble's ward. More recent versions have added layers for roof details, adding to the visual texture and realism of the city from a bird's-eye view.
Forest/Park Auto-Placement: The generator can intelligently place green spaces like forests, parks, or farmland around and sometimes within the city, adding to its believability and providing natural boundaries or points of interest. The recent "Forests" update (v0.11.4) likely enhanced this capability further.
JSON Export for Scripts/3D Viewing: Beyond image formats, the generator can export city data as a JSON file. This is particularly useful for more technically-minded users who might want to parse this data for their own scripts or tools. Crucially, this JSON output can often be imported into Watabou's companion "City Viewer" tool to render a simple but effective 3D representation of the generated city, which is a fantastic extra.
Customisable Generation Parameters: Users typically have some control over the generation process, such as desired city size (small, medium, large, or even custom parameters), and toggles for features like city walls, rivers, and coastal locations. This allows for a degree of tailoring before generation.
Named Districts and Landmarks: The maps are often automatically populated with procedurally generated names for districts (e.g., "Merchants' Quarter," "Old Town") and sometimes for key buildings (like "The King's Keep" or "The Grand Temple"), saving the GM some initial naming effort.

Pros

Free and Browser-Based: The generator is completely free to use and runs directly in your web browser, requiring no downloads or installation. This makes it incredibly accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
SVG Scales to Poster Size: Because you can export to SVG (a vector format), the maps can be scaled up to virtually any size without loss of quality. This means you could potentially print a generated city map as a large poster for your game room if you wished.
Frequent Dev Updates and Active Community: Watabou is known for actively developing and updating these tools, often adding new features and responding to community feedback. There's a dedicated subreddit and itch.io page where users can follow development and share their creations.
Aesthetically Pleasing and Unique Maps: The generation algorithms produce maps that are not only functional but also visually appealing, with a distinct, slightly organic, hand-drawn feel. Each generated city is unique, providing endless variety.
Simple, Intuitive Interface: Using the generator is incredibly straightforward. You can get a decent map with a single click, and the options for customisation are generally easy to understand and use.
Generous Usage Policy: Watabou typically allows free use of the generated maps, even for commercial RPG adventures, with attribution appreciated but not always strictly required. This is a great boon for independent creators.

Cons

No Building Interiors: The generator creates an external layout of the city only. It does not provide floor plans or interior details for any of the buildings shown on the map. These would need to be created separately by the GM if required.
Fixed Art Style: While the art style is widely liked, it is relatively fixed. If you have a very specific or different aesthetic in mind for your city maps (e.g., highly realistic, or a particular cultural style not covered), this generator might not be a perfect fit without significant post-export editing.
Labels Can Be Basic or Overlap: While district and landmark labelling is a feature, the procedurally generated names can sometimes be a little generic, and occasionally labels might overlap or be awkwardly placed, requiring manual adjustment in an SVG editor for a polished final map.
Can Be Random (which is the point, but...): Sometimes, you might need to generate quite a few maps before you get one that perfectly matches the specific layout or features you had in your mind's eye. The randomness is a strength but can also mean a bit of re-rolling is needed to find the 'right' one.
Performance on Very Large Cities: While generally very fast, generating extremely large or complex cities, or interacting with very detailed view options, might occasionally cause minor slowdowns in some browsers, though this is rarely a significant issue.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, this tool is completely free to use. Watabou often has a Patreon for those who wish to support the continued development of these popular generators, but the tools themselves are accessible without charge.

Best for
Worldbuilders and Dungeon Masters who need quick, visually appealing, and unique medieval fantasy city maps with minimal effort. It is absolutely perfect for generating a cityscape when players are about to enter a new urban environment, providing an instant visual anchor for exploration. Its SVG export also makes it great for GMs who like a procedurally generated base that they can then customise and detail further to their own specifications. It's a cornerstone tool for many fantasy campaigns.

CharGen tie-in
The Watabou City Generator maps provide an excellent canvas for more detailed CharGen content. For example, a GM could generate a city map with Watabou, identify several interesting-looking buildings or districts (like a large temple, a dockside warehouse, or a cluster of shops around a square), and then use CharGen's Tavern Generator or Shop Generator to create the specific details for those establishments. The named districts from Watabou can also inspire themed CharGen outputs – perhaps the "Scribe's Quarter" gets a CharGen-generated library, complete with a quirky librarian NPC and related plot hooks. The visual map from Watabou provides the macro layout, and CharGen can fill in the micro details for key locations within it.

Eigengrau's Generator — Towns with tangled relationships

URL https://www.eigengrausgenerator.com | Latest update: Oct 2022 (Note: Development pace may have slowed, check GitHub for latest activity)

What it does
Eigengrau's Essential Establishment Generator (often shortened to Eigengrau's Generator or EEEG) is an incredibly ambitious and deeply detailed browser-based tool designed to produce entire fantasy towns, hamlets, or even small cities from the ground up. What sets Eigengrau apart from many other settlement generators is its profound focus on the inhabitants and their intricate social fabric. It doesn't just create buildings; it populates them with unique Non-Player Characters (NPCs), complete with generated personalities, professions, family ties, secrets, and, crucially, relationships with other townsfolk. It can generate businesses, from taverns to temples, each with their own staff and associated details. Furthermore, it often weaves in local rumours, potential plot hooks, and even a sense of history and socio-economic standing for the settlement. The output is often presented in a rich, descriptive text format, almost like reading a gazetteer, making it highly immersive for Dungeon Masters.

The generator aims to provide a living, breathing settlement that feels far more dynamic than a simple map with a list of shop names. It delves into the 'why' and 'who' of a town, not just the 'what' and 'where'. While its interface can be complex due to the sheer depth of information it handles, the level of detail it can produce for a fully realised small community is quite remarkable. It uses a sophisticated system of interconnected data to ensure that the generated elements make sense in relation to each other – for example, a blacksmith might have a supplier relationship with a local mine, or a town guard might have a grudge against a particular thief. The project is open source, with a strong community focus, though active development pace can vary, so checking its GitHub repository for the most current status is often a good idea.

Why you'd use it

Need Dozens of Named, Interconnected Townsfolk at Once: If your campaign is heading into a new settlement and you need not just a mayor and a blacksmith, but a whole cast of believable minor characters with their own lives, jobs, and opinions, Eigengrau can deliver this in spades. It saves an enormous amount of time compared to manually creating and linking so many NPCs.
Want Gossip, Rumours, and Plot Hooks Auto-Generated: One of the generator's great strengths is its ability to create a web of local intrigue. The rumours and social links it produces can be fantastic starting points for investigations, side quests, or simply for adding depth to roleplaying encounters as players uncover the town's secrets and scandals. It can make a town feel alive with undercurrents of drama.
Desire Deep Social Simulation for Intrigue Campaigns: For campaigns that thrive on social interaction, political manoeuvring, faction play, or uncovering hidden relationships, Eigengrau provides an incredibly rich sandbox. The generated relationship graphs and NPC motivations can fuel complex social puzzles and character-driven plots without the GM having to map it all out manually.
Flesh out a Home Base or Recurring Location: If your players decide to settle in a particular town or use it as a recurring base of operations, Eigengrau can provide a deeply detailed foundation that can evolve over time. The sheer number of NPCs and locations gives players plenty to explore and interact with over many sessions.

Key features

Relationship Graph Generation: This is a core feature. Eigengrau often explicitly or implicitly generates a complex web of relationships between NPCs – family ties, friendships, rivalries, professional connections, secret affairs, and more. This creates a dynamic social landscape full of potential interactions and conflicts.
Socio-Economic Tags and Details: Towns and NPCs are often generated with details about their economic status, the general wealth of the community, and the types of industries or professions prevalent. This adds a layer of realism and can inform trade opportunities or sources of conflict.
HTML/Markdown Export: The ability to export the generated town data, often in formats like HTML (for easy viewing in a browser) or Markdown (for integration into personal notes or wikis), is extremely useful for GMs to organise and reference the vast amounts of information produced.
Detailed NPC Profiles: Each significant NPC often comes with a name, race, profession, personality traits, a brief physical description, and sometimes even secrets or personal goals. This makes them much more than just a name on a list.
Procedural Histories and Lore: The generator can sometimes create snippets of local history, legends, or details about the town's founding and development, adding to its depth and providing lore for players to discover.
Customisable Generation Parameters: While complex, users often have some control over the type of settlement, its size, general atmosphere, and other high-level parameters that influence the generation process, allowing for some tailoring to campaign needs.

Pros

Unparalleled Depth of Interpersonal Webs: The sheer complexity and believability of the social connections it can generate are its most significant advantage. Towns feel less like static collections of buildings and more like living communities with their own internal dynamics and dramas. This is gold for GMs who love social intrigue.
Free, No Login (Typically for Core Use): Like many community-driven RPG tools, the core generator is usually free to access and use directly in a browser without needing an account, making it highly accessible.
Works Offline Once Loaded (Potentially): As a browser-based tool built with technologies like Twine, once the initial data and scripts are loaded, it may be possible to continue using it or interacting with a generated town even if the internet connection is lost, which is a handy feature.
Sparks Countless Plot Ideas: The sheer density of information – from NPC secrets to faction tensions and local rumours – provides a fertile ground for GMs to develop numerous plot hooks and adventure seeds that feel organic to the settlement.
Reduces NPC Creation Time Drastically: Creating even a handful of detailed NPCs with interconnected backstories can take hours. Eigengrau can produce dozens, if not hundreds, in minutes, providing a massive head start for GMs populating their worlds.
Open Source and Community Driven: Being open source means that dedicated users can contribute to its development, report bugs, or even fork the project for their own custom versions. This often leads to a passionate community around the tool.

Cons

No Art or Maps (Typically): Eigengrau's Generator is primarily a text-based tool. It excels at generating descriptive content and social data but does not usually produce visual maps of the town or portraits for the NPCs. GMs will need to use other tools for these visual elements if desired.
Dev Pace Can Be Slower at Times: As a complex, often community-driven project, the pace of updates and new feature implementation can vary. The last noted significant update was in October 2022, so it is always wise to check the project's GitHub page for the most current development status and any community forks that might be more active.
Interface Can Be Overwhelming: Due to the vast amount of data it generates and the many parameters it considers, the user interface can sometimes feel dense or overwhelming, particularly for new users. It can take some time to learn how to best navigate and utilise all its features effectively.
Output Can Be Very Text-Heavy: The detailed descriptions are a strength, but they also mean the output can be very lengthy. GMs need to be prepared to read through and synthesise a lot of text to get the most out of it, or use the export features to organise it effectively.
Potential for Inconsistencies or Oddities: As with any highly complex procedural generator, occasional logical inconsistencies, slightly bizarre NPC traits, or repetitive phrases can occur. A GM's guiding hand and a bit of editing are often beneficial to smooth out any rough edges.
Requires GM Interpretation and Weaving: While it provides a rich tapestry, the GM still needs to interpret the generated information and weave it into their ongoing campaign, deciding which plot hooks to pursue or which NPC relationships to highlight.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, Eigengrau's Generator is typically free to use. It is an open-source project, often supported by Patreon or community contributions, but core access is usually not behind a paywall.

Best for
This generator is an absolute powerhouse for Dungeon Masters who crave deep, socially complex settlements filled with interconnected NPCs, hidden secrets, and emergent narrative possibilities. It is particularly well-suited for intrigue-heavy campaigns, sandbox games where players might spend a lot of time in one location, or for any GM who wants to quickly generate a town that feels genuinely alive with its own internal dramas, relationships, and history. If you value narrative depth and social complexity over simple map generation, Eigengrau is a tool worth exploring, despite its potential learning curve.

CharGen tie-in
Eigengrau's Generator and CharGen could be a potent combination. After Eigengrau generates a town full of fascinating NPCs with their roles and relationships, you could select key residents – the troubled mayor, the secretive guild leader, the rumoured spy – and run them through CharGen's portrait generator to give them a visual identity. Furthermore, any plot hooks or backstories Eigengrau creates for these NPCs (e.g., "is searching for a lost family heirloom") could then be fed into CharGen's loot or item generation systems to create tangible representations of these narrative elements, or into a quest generator to flesh out the associated adventure. Eigengrau provides the social skeleton and narrative seeds; CharGen can add the visual flesh and a more detailed look at specific items or quest objectives.

Watabou Village Generator — Quaint rural settlements

URL https://watabou.itch.io/village-generator | Latest update: Feb 2025 (v1.6.6)

What it does
Complementing his excellent Medieval City Generator, Watabou's Village Generator is another splendid browser-based tool designed for the rapid creation of maps for smaller, more rural settlements. It focuses on producing charming and believable layouts for villages, hamlets, and thorps. The generator creates compact settlements, typically featuring a network of winding roads and paths, with individual houses and other small buildings dotted alongside them. It often includes features like surrounding fields, small wooded areas, and sometimes a simple palisade or defensive ditch, depending on the generation parameters. A key feature is the option to have buildings individually numbered on the map, which is incredibly useful for DMs wanting to key specific locations or residents. Like its city counterpart, it exports to both PNG for a quick image and SVG for more detailed editing in vector graphics software. The aesthetic is consistent with Watabou's other map generators, providing a clean, top-down view that is both visually appealing and highly functional for gameplay.

This tool is perfect for quickly populating the countryside of a fantasy world with unique-looking small communities. It understands that villages are not just miniature cities but have their own distinct character, often more organic and less formally planned. Recent updates have added features like crossroads, improved shading, and even palisades appearing in the JSON export (useful for the City Viewer 3D tool). It's all about providing a quick, attractive, and useful map for those essential smaller points of interest on a campaign map, saving the GM considerable time that might otherwise be spent sketching out every little farming community the players stumble upon.

Why you'd use it

Populate Countryside Between Major Cities: Large, detailed city maps are great, but campaigns often involve significant travel through rural areas. This generator allows a GM to quickly create unique maps for all the little villages and hamlets the players might pass through or decide to visit, making the world feel much more fleshed out and less like empty space between big urban centres.
Keep Aesthetic Consistent with Watabou's City Maps: If you are already using the Medieval City Generator for your larger urban areas, using the Village Generator for smaller settlements ensures a consistent cartographic style across your entire campaign world. This visual harmony can be very satisfying and helps players intuitively understand the maps presented to them.
Quickly Create Bases for Rural Adventures: Many adventures start in or revolve around a small village. This tool can provide an instant map for such a location, giving a clear layout for the GM to populate with NPCs, plot hooks, and encounter locations. No more abstract descriptions of "a small village at the edge of the woods"; now you have a map for it.
Generate Numbered Locations for Easy Keying: The option to have buildings automatically numbered is a simple but powerful feature. It allows the DM to quickly create a key for the village, noting what each numbered building is (e.g., "1. Farmer Giles' cottage," "2. The Sleeping Dragon Inn," "3. Abandoned Shrine"), which is invaluable for organising notes and running the location during a game.

Key features

Crossroads & Numbered-House Toggle: Recent updates have explicitly added or improved features like the generation of villages around crossroads, a very common real-world settlement pattern. The toggle for numbered houses is excellent for DMs who like to key their maps with specific inhabitants or points of interest for each building.
JSON for Automated Scripts and 3D Viewing: Similar to the City Generator, villages can often be exported as JSON data. This allows for integration with Watabou's City Viewer tool to get a simple 3D impression of the village layout, and also opens possibilities for technically adept users to parse the data for other custom uses.
Same Art Style as City Generator: The visual style is intentionally consistent with the Medieval City Generator, featuring clear lines, good use of negative space, and easily understandable iconography for buildings, roads, and natural features. This makes the maps easy to read and use at the table.
Palisade Generation: The ability for the generator to include simple defensive structures like palisades around the village (or parts of it) adds a nice touch of realism and can be an important feature for villages in more dangerous, frontier regions of a campaign world.
Customisable Parameters (Tags): Users can often influence the generation through tags or simple parameters, perhaps requesting a village by a river, or a more isolated feel. This allows for some tailoring of the output to better fit the desired environment.

Pros

Free, Lightweight, and Browser-Based: Like Watabou's other core map generators, this tool is free, loads quickly, and runs entirely in the browser, making it incredibly accessible. No software installation is needed.
SVG for Easy Editing and Scaling: The SVG export is a major advantage, allowing for detailed customisation in vector editing programs and lossless scaling if you want to print larger versions or zoom in on specific areas.
Regular Improvements and Updates: Watabou is known for consistently refining these tools based on usability and community feedback, so the generator tends to get better over time with new features and improved algorithms.
Ideal for Hexcrawls or Pointcrawls: For GMs running sandbox campaigns using hexcrawls or pointcrawls, this generator is perfect for quickly creating the map for each village or hamlet encountered as players explore the wilderness.
Visually Clear and Charming: The maps have a clean, almost minimalist charm that is very easy on the eyes and highly functional for gaming purposes. They convey the necessary information without being overly cluttered.
Instant Inspiration for Small Settlements: Just clicking 'generate' a few times can spark ideas for the types of small communities that might exist in your world, their likely primary industry (e.g., farming, fishing), and their general layout.

Cons

No Interiors or NPCs: The generator focuses on the external layout of the village and its buildings. It does not provide any interior floor plans for houses or other structures, nor does it generate any information about the inhabitants, their names, professions, or relationships. These details must be added by the GM.
Limited Colour Options (in the core generator): While the style is clean, the default colour palette within the generator itself might be somewhat limited. However, the SVG export allows for complete colour customisation in an external editor. Watabou also provides style preset files that can be loaded.
Can Feel Repetitive if Overused Without Variation: While each map is unique, the core building blocks and overall aesthetic are consistent. If a GM generates dozens of villages for the same region without any manual tweaking or using different style presets, they might start to feel a little too similar in broad strokes.
Fewer Grand Landmarks than Cities: Naturally, villages will have fewer large, distinctive landmarks compared to cities. Most buildings will be simple houses or cottages, with perhaps a slightly larger structure for an inn or a reeve's hall. This is realistic but means less immediate built-in 'wow' factor compared to a city map with a huge castle.
Focus on External Layout: The primary utility is the bird's-eye map. It doesn't provide textual descriptions of the village, its atmosphere, or its key features beyond what can be inferred from the visual layout itself.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, absolutely. The Watabou Village Generator is free to use. Watabou's work is often supported via Patreon, allowing fans to contribute to ongoing development, but the tools themselves remain freely accessible.

Best for
Dungeon Masters who need to quickly populate their campaign world's countryside with believable and visually distinct hamlets, thorps, and small villages. It is particularly useful for generating maps for travel encounters, small quest hubs, or providing a sense of scale and life to the rural areas between larger towns and cities. Its ease of use and SVG export make it a very flexible tool for both quick-and-dirty map needs and more customised creations.

CharGen tie-in
The numbered houses on a Watabou village map are a perfect invitation for CharGen integration. A GM could generate a village map, then for each numbered house (or a selection of them), use the CharGen NPC Generator to create a unique inhabitant or family. For instance, house #1 gets Farmer McGregor (generated by CharGen), house #2 gets Elara the herbalist (CharGen again), and so on. If the village map shows a slightly larger building, that could be designated as an inn, and its details (landlord, menu, rumours) could be fleshed out using the CharGen Tavern Generator. This combination allows for rapid creation of a fully mapped and partially populated village with minimal effort.

Azgaar Fantasy Map Generator — Browser world-map workhorse

URL https://azgaar.github.io/Fantasy-Map-Generator | Latest update: Aug 2024 (v1.99 "Routes" rework)

What it does
Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator is an extraordinarily powerful and deeply customisable browser-based application for creating detailed world maps, continental maps, and even regional maps. It goes far beyond simple landmass generation, incorporating a staggering array of geographical, political, and cultural layers. At its core, it procedurally generates a landmass, then overlays it with features like heightmaps (showing mountains and lowlands), intricate river systems, diverse biomes (deserts, forests, jungles, tundra, etc.), and even simulates climatic zones with temperature and precipitation data. But where Azgaar truly shines is in its socio-political simulation. It populates the map with distinct cultures, religions, and nations (states), each with their own generated names, emblems, and territories. It can then simulate the growth of these states, the development of provinces, the rise of cities and towns (burgs), and the establishment of complex trade routes and political relationships (diplomacy).

This tool is less about generating a single, quick map and more about creating an entire, dynamic world that feels historically and geographically plausible. Users have an incredible amount of control over almost every aspect of the generation and display, with numerous layers that can be toggled and customised, from political borders and cultural spread to trade routes and even military unit dispositions. The recent "Routes" rework in v1.99 suggests ongoing refinement of its sophisticated simulation capabilities. It is an open-source project with a very active community and a vast feature set that can initially seem daunting but offers unparalleled depth for dedicated worldbuilders. It's not just a map; it's a world simulation engine with a cartographic output.

Why you'd use it

Need an Entire Detailed World in Minutes (then spend hours tweaking!): If you require a comprehensive world map as the foundation for your campaign, complete with continents, nations, cultures, and even basic political situations, Azgaar can generate this incredibly quickly. The real joy (and time investment) then comes in exploring, customising, and refining this generated world to fit your vision.
Want Deeply Editable Layers and Multiple Export Formats: The generator offers extensive control over which map layers are visible (political, cultural, religious, physical, etc.) and how they are styled. It supports a variety of export formats, including SVG for vector editing, PNG for raster images, and even GeoJSON, which can be used with professional GIS (Geographic Information System) software, showcasing its technical depth.
Desire a Tool for Simulating World History and Politics: Azgaar's isn't just static. It can simulate changes over time, such as the expansion of empires, the shifting of borders, or the rise and fall of cultures. This makes it invaluable for GMs who want their world to have a sense of history and dynamism, rather than being a fixed snapshot in time.
Create a Foundation for In-Depth Worldbuilding: The sheer amount of data Azgaar generates – from country names and capital cities to dominant religions and cultural traits – provides a massive springboard for more detailed worldbuilding. Each generated element can be a seed for further creative development.

Key features

Heightmap & Climate Generation: It creates believable landmasses with varied topography and then simulates climate patterns, including temperature zones and precipitation, which in turn influence the distribution of biomes across the map. This creates a naturally plausible world environment.
Cultural and Religious Mapping: The generator doesn't just draw borders; it populates the world with distinct cultures and religions, showing their areas of influence and how they interact. This adds a rich layer of socio-political texture to the map.
State, Province, and City Generation: Nations (states) are generated with capitals, provinces, and numerous smaller settlements (burgs), each often having procedurally generated names. The generator can even simulate population density and distribution.
Route/Road Algorithm Overhaul (v1.99): The recent rework of the routes algorithm indicates a focus on creating more realistic and intricate networks for trade, travel, and communication between settlements and across nations, a vital part of any believable world map.
SVG/PNG/GeoJSON Export: Offering multiple export formats caters to a wide range of user needs, from simple image sharing (PNG) to detailed vector editing (SVG) and advanced geospatial data analysis (GeoJSON).
Vast Customisation Options: Users can tweak an enormous number of parameters, from the initial world generation settings (number of states, cultures, map template) to the visual style of every map element (colours, fonts, icons, line thickness). The level of control is immense.

Pros

Free & Open-Source with Active Development: Azgaar's FMG is a completely free tool, and its open-source nature means a dedicated community contributes to its ongoing development, ensuring it stays up-to-date and continues to evolve. The project lead, Azgaar, is also notably active.
Huge Parameter Control for Deep Customisation: If you are a worldbuilder who loves to get into the nitty-gritty details, this tool provides an almost overwhelming number of options to fine-tune every aspect of your world map. This allows for the creation of truly unique and specific worlds.
Active Mod Scene and Community Resources: There is a vibrant community around Azgaar's FMG, producing tutorials, custom style presets, and even mods or tools that integrate with it. This extends its functionality and provides support for users.
Incredibly Detailed and Immersive Maps: The sheer density of information and the coherence of the generated world (where climate influences biomes, which influence cultures, etc.) can lead to incredibly immersive and believable fantasy maps that feel like real places.
Excellent for Macro-Level Worldbuilding: It excels at creating the big picture – continents, nations, vast cultural swathes. It provides the grand stage upon which more detailed adventures can be set.
Educational Potential: Beyond gaming, the tool can even be educational, demonstrating concepts of geography, political science, and cultural development through its simulations.

Cons

Memory-Heavy on Old PCs or Very Large Maps: Due to the complexity of the simulations and the amount of data being handled, generating or interacting with very large or extremely detailed maps can be demanding on system resources, potentially leading to slowdowns on older computers or in less optimised browsers.
Atlas-Style Aesthetic Only (Primarily): While highly customisable, the default visual style of the maps tends towards a classic political or physical atlas style. Achieving radically different artistic aesthetics (e.g., a hand-drawn parchment look) might require significant post-export work in other software, though various style presets are available.
Steep Learning Curve: The sheer number of features, options, and layers can be intimidating for new users. It takes time and exploration to understand and effectively utilise all of its capabilities. It is not a pick-up-and-play tool for the casual user wanting a quick, simple map.
Generated Names Can Be Eclectic: While it generates names for everything, the procedural name generation can sometimes result in names that feel a bit inconsistent, hard to pronounce, or not perfectly fitting for a specific desired cultural feel without some manual tweaking.
Focus on Large Scale; Less on Micro Detail: While it generates cities and towns, it doesn't provide street-level maps or details for individual buildings within those settlements. It's a world-builder, not a town or dungeon mapper in itself.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, Azgaar's Fantasy Map Generator is completely free and open-source. The creator accepts support via Patreon, but all features are available to everyone.

Best for
Dedicated worldbuilders and cartography enthusiasts who want to create incredibly detailed and dynamic fantasy worlds from the continental scale down to regional layouts. It is perfect for GMs planning epic campaigns that span vast geographical areas and involve complex political and cultural landscapes. If you enjoy the process of world creation itself and love to tinker with layers of data to craft a unique setting with a sense of history and verisimilitude, Azgaar's FMG is an unparalleled resource.

CharGen tie-in
Azgaar's FMG provides the perfect macro-level world for CharGen to populate with micro-level details. For example, after generating a world map with Azgaar, a GM could click on any generated city or town. This might give them the city's name, its ruling nation, and dominant culture from Azgaar. They could then take this information to CharGen and instantly spawn a tavern specific to that culture (using CharGen Tavern Generator), generate a mayor or key NPC fitting the cultural profile (CharGen NPC Generator), and perhaps even create a local legend or quest hook related to the region's history as hinted at by Azgaar's data layers (using CharGen's plot or rumour capabilities). Essentially, Azgaar builds the world, and CharGen can populate its specific locations with life.

Dungeon Alchemist — AI-assisted 3-D room builder

URL https://store.steampowered.com/app/1588530 | Latest update: Jun 2024 ("Magic" token pack) / Early Access (targeting early 2025 for full release)

What it does
Dungeon Alchemist is a highly innovative and visually impressive standalone map-making application, currently in Early Access on Steam, that leverages AI-powered procedural generation to help Dungeon Masters create beautiful, detailed 3D maps for their tabletop role-playing games, particularly those played on Virtual Tabletops (VTTs). Instead of painstakingly placing every wall, door, and piece of furniture, users of Dungeon Alchemist typically define room shapes and select a theme (such as "Castle," "Cave," "Tavern," or various interior styles like "Mage Quarters" or "Dungeon Cells"). The AI then intelligently auto-fills these rooms with appropriate props, objects, textures, and even dynamic lighting, creating a fully realised environment in seconds. Users can then further customise these AI-generated rooms by adding, moving, scaling, or deleting objects, changing textures, adjusting lighting, and much more.

The core appeal is its ability to rapidly produce high-quality, atmospheric isometric or top-down maps that would traditionally take many hours of manual work in other mapping software. It aims to take the tedium out of map creation, allowing GMs to focus on the overall design and storytelling aspects. It offers export options for 2D map renders (often with lighting and shadow information baked in) suitable for use in popular VTTs like Foundry VTT and Roll20, and can even export wall data for these platforms to facilitate dynamic line of sight. The developers explicitly state they do not use generative AI/LLMs for room content; all procedural algorithms are developed in-house using assets from their own paid artists. The software is actively developed, with regular updates adding new themes, objects, and features, such as the recent "Magic" token pack and ongoing work towards multi-level buildings and roofs.

Why you'd use it

Want Gorgeous Isometric or Top-Down Maps Quickly: If you desire visually stunning maps for your VTT sessions but lack the time, artistic skill, or patience to create them from scratch in traditional 2D or 3D modelling software, Dungeon Alchemist is a game-changer. It dramatically speeds up the process of producing good-looking, immersive maps.
Need Foundry/Roll20-Ready PNGs with Lighting: The tool is designed with VTT integration in mind. It can export maps in formats that are easy to import into platforms like Foundry VTT or Roll20, often including pre-rendered lighting and shadows which add a lot of atmosphere. Some export options also include data for VTT walls, which is a huge time-saver for setting up line of sight.
Enjoy AI-Assisted Design with Manual Control: Dungeon Alchemist strikes a balance between automated generation and manual customisation. The AI gets you 80-90% of the way there by populating rooms, and then you have the tools to fine-tune every detail to your exact liking, moving furniture, adding clutter, or changing colour schemes.
Inspiration for Room Layouts and Dressing: Even if you have a specific layout in mind, seeing how the AI populates and dresses a room within a chosen theme can provide a great deal of inspiration for details you might not have considered, making your environments richer and more believable.

Key features

AI-Powered Room Population: Users draw out room shapes, assign a theme (e.g., library, barracks, treasury, crypt), and the AI automatically fills the space with relevant objects, architectural details, and lighting appropriate to that theme. This is the core time-saving mechanic.
Theme Presets: Comes with a variety of themes (castle, cave, forest, tavern, mansion, etc.) and sub-themes for different types of rooms within those environments. New themes and asset packs are added through updates (like the "Magic" token pack).
Extensive Object Library: Features thousands of high-quality 3D objects and props that the AI uses to populate rooms, and which users can manually place and manipulate. These objects are often thematically consistent and detailed.
Dynamic Lighting and Effects: The software includes a robust lighting system, allowing for the placement of light sources, adjustment of ambient light, and creation of atmospheric effects like fog or glowing runes. These lighting effects can often be baked into exported 2D maps.
VTT Export Options (Foundry, Roll20, etc.): Provides tailored export options for popular Virtual Tabletops, including high-resolution 2D map images (often with different perspectives like top-down or isometric) and, importantly, wall data for dynamic line of sight in VTTs.
Multi-Level and Roof Support (Upcoming/In Progress): A significant planned feature, currently in development, is full support for multi-level buildings and the automatic generation of various roof types, which will greatly expand its utility for creating complex structures.
Steam Workshop Integration: Allows users to share their created maps and potentially custom assets (depending on Workshop capabilities) with the wider community, providing a vast library of user-generated content to draw from or get inspired by.

Pros

Beautiful, Atmospheric Maps Out of the Box: The visual quality of the maps Dungeon Alchemist produces is generally very high, with excellent lighting, detailed objects, and a cohesive aesthetic. This can significantly enhance player immersion during games.
Massive Time Saver for VTT Map Creation: For GMs who run games on VTTs, the ability to quickly generate and export fully-dressed maps with lighting and wall data can save countless hours of preparation time per session.
Intuitive User Interface (Generally): Despite its power, the interface for drawing rooms and making basic modifications is generally user-friendly and easy to pick up, especially compared to more complex 3D modelling software.
Active Development and Responsive Devs: The Briganti team is known for being active in their community (especially on Discord), listening to feedback, and regularly releasing updates with new content and features. The Early Access period is being used to refine the product based on user input.
Steam Workshop for Community Content: Access to a library of maps created by other users via the Steam Workshop provides a wealth of ready-to-use content and inspiration, extending the value of the software significantly.
One-Time Purchase (Currently): Unlike some subscription-based mapping tools, Dungeon Alchemist is currently sold as a one-time purchase on Steam, which many users prefer for software.

Cons

GPU-Hungry Desktop App: Being a 3D application with a focus on visual quality, Dungeon Alchemist can be demanding on system resources, particularly the graphics card (GPU). Users with older or lower-spec computers might experience performance issues or be unable to run it smoothly.
No Outdoor Terrain Editor (Yet, Primarily Focused on Interiors/Contained Exteriors): While it can create some outdoor scenes like courtyards or forest clearings using specific themes, its primary strength and toolset are focused on building interiors and contained structures. It is not (yet) a dedicated landscape or wilderness terrain editor for vast open areas.
Still in Early Access: While very functional, it's important to remember the software is still in Early Access. This means some features may be incomplete, bugs might be present, and changes to functionality can occur as it moves towards its full 1.0 release (targeted for early 2025).
Cost: As a dedicated piece of software with a one-time purchase price (around $44.99 USD or regional equivalent), it represents a more significant financial investment than many free or cheaper browser-based mapping tools.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic use is intuitive, mastering all its customisation options, lighting controls, and object manipulation tools can still take some time and practice to get the exact results desired.
Limited by Available Themes and Assets (though expanding): While the asset library is large and growing, the specific look and feel of your maps will be influenced by the available themes and object packs. If you need a very niche aesthetic not yet covered, you might be limited until new content is added or if robust custom asset import isn't a primary feature.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No. Dungeon Alchemist is a premium application available for purchase on Steam. The current price is approximately $44.99 USD (or regional equivalent). There is often a demo version available on Steam, allowing users to try out its basic functionality before purchasing.

Best for
Game Masters, particularly those running D&D or other fantasy RPGs on Virtual Tabletops, who are looking for a powerful tool to create visually stunning, highly detailed, and atmospheric 2D/3D maps for interiors and contained exterior scenes without needing extensive artistic skill or enormous amounts of time. It is especially good for those who appreciate AI assistance to get started but still want the ability to fine-tune and personalise their maps. It is a fantastic investment for GMs who want to elevate the visual experience of their online games significantly.

CharGen tie-in
Dungeon Alchemist excels at creating the visual environment. CharGen can then populate that environment. For example, after designing a series of rooms in Dungeon Alchemist (e.g., a wizard's laboratory, a guard barracks, a treasure chamber), a GM could use CharGen to: a) generate unique NPC portraits and backstories for the characters inhabiting those rooms (the eccentric wizard, the grumpy guard captain); b) generate specific loot descriptions and even item art for treasure chests placed in the Dungeon Alchemist map; or c) create monster art and tokens for creatures that players might encounter in these visually rich locations. This creates a powerful synergy where Dungeon Alchemist provides the 'where,' and CharGen provides the 'who' and the 'what.' An encounter handout could feature a render from Dungeon Alchemist alongside CharGen-created monster/NPC art.

Dungeon Scrawl — Hand-drawn battlemaps, Roll20 ready

URL https://dungeonscrawl.com | Latest update: Feb 2025 (Roll20 connection live)

What it does
Dungeon Scrawl is a popular and remarkably user-friendly browser-based sketch tool, specifically designed for creating old-school, black-and-white (or monochrome) dungeon maps and battlemaps. Its core philosophy is to provide an intuitive, digital equivalent of drawing maps on graph paper, but with the added conveniences of digital editing. Users can quickly lay down rooms, corridors, doors, and stairs with snap-to-grid functionality. It offers various fill textures and patterns (like hatching, stippling, or solid fills) to differentiate areas and add that classic hand-drawn aesthetic. While its primary style is monochrome, which many GMs adore for its clarity and nostalgia, users can import their own assets and apply different styling to achieve varied looks. Crucially, it is built with Virtual Tabletop (VTT) use in mind, offering export options that include not just the map image (typically PNG or PDF for printing) but also dynamic lighting data compatible with platforms like Roll20. The recent "Roll20 connection live" update further streamlines this VTT integration, making it even easier to take a map from Dungeon Scrawl directly into a Roll20 game scene with walls and lighting pre-configured.

It aims to be an easy-to-grasp tool with a high skill ceiling, allowing for quick map creation for unprepared DMs while also offering enough features for more detailed and artistic map-making. It can import data from other dungeon generators like Donjon or Watabou's One Page Dungeon, allowing users to take a procedurally generated layout and then refine and style it in Dungeon Scrawl. The tool is praised for its simplicity, speed, and the charming, clear aesthetic of the maps it produces, making it a favourite for GMs who prefer a more traditional, hand-scrawled map style, even in a digital format. It also features isometric map creation capabilities for those wanting to add a sense of depth.

Why you'd use it

Need Bespoke Combat Maps, Fast: When you need a specific room layout or small dungeon for an upcoming encounter and do not want to spend hours in a more complex mapping program, Dungeon Scrawl allows you to sketch it out very quickly. Its intuitive tools mean you can go from a blank canvas to a usable battlemap in minutes.
Prefer a Hand-Drawn, Old-School Look: If you are a fan of the classic black-and-white, hand-drawn map style found in many older D&D modules, or simply prefer a cleaner, less asset-heavy aesthetic for your VTT maps, Dungeon Scrawl excels at producing this look. It focuses on clear lines and simple fills, which can be very effective for conveying information.
Seamless VTT Integration (especially Roll20): The tool is specifically designed to work well with VTTs. The ability to export maps with pre-calculated wall data for dynamic lighting saves a significant amount of time when setting up scenes in platforms like Roll20, and the direct connection feature makes this even smoother.
Quickly Iterate on Dungeon Layouts: Because it is so fast and easy to use, Dungeon Scrawl is great for quickly sketching out and iterating on different dungeon layouts during your adventure design process, before committing to a final version.

Key features

Snap-to Grid Walls/Doors/Stairs: Core drawing tools for walls, doors, and stairs automatically snap to the underlying grid (square or hex), making it easy to create neat and aligned dungeon layouts. This is fundamental to its ease of use.
Fill Textures & Patterns: A selection of fill patterns (dots, lines, crosshatching, solid black, etc.) and textures allows users to differentiate between rooms, indicate difficult terrain, or add visual interest to their maps in the classic monochrome style.
One-Click Roll20 Scene Export (or similar VTT export): This is a major selling point. The ability to export not just the map image but also the wall data directly compatible with Roll20's dynamic lighting system (and often adaptable for other VTTs) is a huge time-saver.
Layers System: Like image editing software, Dungeon Scrawl supports layers, allowing users to separate elements like walls, floors, text, and imported images, making complex map construction and editing more manageable.
Image Import and Custom Assets: Users can import their own images (like custom monster tokens, treasure chests, or even full-colour art assets if they wish to deviate from the monochrome style) to place on their maps.
Isometric View/Editing: For those wanting to add a sense of three-dimensionality to their maps, Dungeon Scrawl includes an isometric editing mode, allowing for the creation of maps with a perspective view.
Style Presets and Customisation: While it defaults to a black-and-white style, users can customise colours, line widths, and other style elements, or use pre-made style presets to quickly change the map's appearance.

Pros

Free, No Login for Core Features: The basic version of Dungeon Scrawl is typically free to use directly in the browser without requiring an account. This makes it incredibly accessible for anyone to try out and use for their games. (Pro features may require a subscription).
Exports Include Fog Walls/Dynamic Lighting Data: This is a massive advantage for VTT users. Not having to manually draw all the light-blocking walls in your VTT saves a tremendous amount of setup time.
Low-Resource Browser App: Being a browser-based tool that focuses on relatively simple vector graphics, it generally runs well even on less powerful computers and doesn't require a high-end GPU. It's lightweight and responsive.
Extremely Intuitive and Easy to Learn: Most users can pick up the basics of Dungeon Scrawl and start making usable maps within minutes. Its interface is clean and focused on core map-making tasks.
Active Development and Community: The creator (ProbableTrain) is active in the community, and the tool sees regular updates and improvements based on user feedback. There's a helpful Discord community too.
Great for Quick, On-the-Fly Maps: If players go off-piste and you suddenly need a map for an unplanned encounter, you can often sketch something out in Dungeon Scrawl in just a few minutes during a session break.

Cons

No Colour Tileset (Primarily Monochrome Focus): While you can import colour assets, the core drawing tools and built-in styles are heavily geared towards black-and-white or monochrome map creation. If you want rich, full-colour maps with detailed textures directly within the tool, it might not be the first choice unless you are prepared to do a lot of asset importation and styling.
Can Lag on Extremely Huge or Complex Maps: While generally performant, if you try to create exceptionally large maps with thousands of individual lines or many complex imported assets, browser performance can sometimes degrade, especially on older machines.
Limited Built-in Asset Library for Furnishings: While it has basic symbols and fill patterns, it doesn't come with a vast library of pre-made, detailed graphical assets for furniture or clutter in the same way some other mapping tools do. The focus is more on drawing the structure.
Web-Based Means Internet Dependent (for initial load): Like most browser tools, you need an internet connection to initially load Dungeon Scrawl, though once loaded, some functionality might persist offline depending on browser caching.
Some Advanced Features Behind Pro Subscription: While the core tool is free, some newer or more advanced features (like cloud storage for maps or enhanced lighting options) may be part of a "Pro" subscription offering.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the core functionality of Dungeon Scrawl is free to use. There is a Dungeon Scrawl Pro subscription available (around $5-$10/month or with annual discount options) that unlocks additional features like cloud storage, advanced lighting, and potentially more style options or early access to new tools.

Best for
Dungeon Masters who need a fast, intuitive tool for creating clean, old-school style (often black-and-white) battlemaps, especially for use in Virtual Tabletops like Roll20. It excels at on-the-fly map creation or for GMs who prefer a more minimalist, hand-drawn aesthetic over highly detailed, full-colour graphical maps. Its VTT export features, particularly for dynamic lighting, are a major time-saver. It's an excellent choice for quickly visualising dungeon layouts and encounter areas.

CharGen tie-in
Dungeon Scrawl is excellent for creating the structural layout of a dungeon or building. Once you have your black-and-white map from Dungeon Scrawl, CharGen could be used to add thematic colour overlays to give it a specific mood (e.g., a fiery red overlay for a volcanic cave, a sickly green for a sewer). For Foundry VTT users, after importing the Dungeon Scrawl map and its walls, CharGen could then be used to populate the rooms with monster tokens (art from CharGen) and even place treasure art (also from CharGen) in specific locations noted on the map. The clean lines of Dungeon Scrawl provide a great base for CharGen's artistic and content-generation capabilities to build upon.

DungeonFog — Vector map editor with AI descriptions

URL https://www.dungeonfog.com | Latest update: Jun 2024 (AI Map Description)

What it does
DungeonFog is a powerful and feature-rich online vector-based map editor, primarily designed for creating highly detailed battlemaps and tactical encounter spaces for tabletop role-playing games. Unlike raster-based tools that work with pixels, DungeonFog uses vector graphics, which means maps can be scaled to any size without loss of quality, making them ideal for both high-resolution digital displays and print. It offers a vast library of assets, textures, and tools for drawing rooms, placing objects, and managing lighting. A standout feature, particularly with its recent updates, is the integration of AI to assist with map creation, most notably an "AI Map Description" feature. This allows the AI to generate descriptive text (or "box text") for rooms based on the GM's design and the assets placed within them, which can be a significant time-saver for preparing room descriptions for players.

The platform is geared towards users who want a high degree of control and precision in their map-making, allowing for intricate designs, multi-level structures, and complex lighting effects. It supports layers, custom asset uploads, and various export options tailored for Virtual Tabletops (VTTs), including wall and lighting data. DungeonFog positions itself as a premium tool for GMs who want to create professional-quality maps and aims to provide a comprehensive suite of features to support detailed cartography and even campaign management to some extent. It also fosters a strong community aspect, allowing users to share and clone maps.

Why you'd use it

Publish-Quality Maps for Print/PDF: Due to its vector-based nature and extensive asset library, DungeonFog is excellent for creating maps that are intended for high-resolution printing, perhaps for inclusion in published adventure modules, Patreon rewards, or simply for stunning physical handouts at the gaming table. The crisp lines and scalable graphics ensure professional-looking results.
Need Narrative Box Text Auto-Generated: The AI Map Description feature is a significant draw. If you spend a lot of time writing descriptive text for each room in your dungeons, having the AI generate a first draft based on your visual design can streamline your preparation process considerably, leaving you more time to focus on plot and encounters.
Desire for Advanced Customisation and Asset Management: For GMs who like to have fine-grained control over every aspect of their map, from wall thickness and texture rotation to precise object placement and lighting colours, DungeonFog offers a deep and robust set of tools. The large asset library, with continuous additions, also means a wide variety of styles can be achieved.
Multi-Level Map Design: The platform robustly supports the creation of multi-level dungeons and buildings, allowing for complex verticality in your encounter designs. This is essential for many types of adventure locations, from wizard towers to sprawling underground complexes.

Key features

Extensive Asset Library (10,000+ Brushes/Assets): DungeonFog boasts a very large and continuously growing library of high-quality assets, including furniture, props, textures, and environmental details, covering various genres but with a strong fantasy focus. These are often referred to as "brushes."
Multi-Level Support: A core feature is the ability to create maps with multiple floors or levels that can be easily navigated and viewed, essential for creating complex dungeons, buildings, or even ships.
Export Walls & Lighting for Major VTTs: Like many modern digital mapping tools, DungeonFog offers robust export options for popular VTTs (like Foundry VTT, Roll20), including the crucial wall data for dynamic line of sight and sometimes even pre-configured lighting information.
AI-Powered Room/Map Descriptions: This innovative feature uses AI to analyse the contents and layout of a room you have designed and then generates descriptive text that a GM could read aloud to their players. This can be a significant time-saver or a source of inspiration.
Vector-Based Editor: This ensures that maps are scalable to any resolution without pixelation, providing crisp lines and details whether viewed on a screen or printed at large sizes.
Community Platform for Sharing Maps: DungeonFog has a strong community aspect, allowing users to share their created maps, clone maps made by others (if permissions allow), and browse a library of user-generated content.
GM Notes and Campaign Management Tools: Beyond just map-making, DungeonFog often includes features for adding GM notes directly to the map, organising maps into campaigns, and other tools to aid in adventure preparation and management.

Pros

Commercial Licence Available on Pro Tiers: For creators looking to sell their adventure modules or map packs, DungeonFog offers commercial licences with its higher-tier subscriptions, which is a crucial feature for professional GMs and publishers.
Continuous Asset Drops and Updates: The platform is actively developed, with new asset packs and software features being released on a regular basis, ensuring the tool stays fresh and its capabilities expand over time.
AI Flavour Text Saves Prep Time: The AI-generated room descriptions can genuinely reduce the amount of time a GM needs to spend writing evocative box text, or at least provide a solid first draft to work from.
High Level of Detail and Customisation Possible: The vector tools and extensive asset library allow for the creation of extremely detailed and visually rich maps, giving GMs a lot of creative freedom.
Strong VTT Integration: The focus on VTT compatibility, including walls and lighting data, makes it a very practical choice for online play.
Support for Multiple Genres (though fantasy is strongest): While fantasy is its core, the asset library often includes elements suitable for sci-fi, modern, or other genres, offering some versatility.

Cons

Subscription for High-Res Exports & Full Features: While a free tier exists, it typically comes with limitations (like watermarks on premium assets or lower resolution exports). To unlock the full potential, high-resolution exports, all assets, and advanced features, a paid subscription is generally required, which can be an ongoing cost.
Learning Curve Steeper than Simpler Tools: Due to its power and the sheer number of features and tools available, DungeonFog can have a steeper learning curve compared to more minimalist or intuitive sketch-based tools like Dungeon Scrawl. New users may need to invest some time in tutorials to get the most out of it.
Performance Can Vary with Complex Maps: As with any powerful graphics application, creating very large or extremely complex maps with many levels, assets, and light sources can sometimes lead to performance slowdowns within the browser-based editor, depending on the user's computer.
AI Descriptions May Need Editing: While the AI-generated text is a great starting point, it may sometimes require tweaking or editing by the GM to perfectly match their intended tone, specific plot details, or to avoid repetition if used for many rooms.
Asset Style Might Not Suit Everyone: While the asset library is large, the overall art style of the core assets might not perfectly align with every GM's personal aesthetic preferences for their campaign world.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, a free version is available, but it usually includes watermarks on premium assets and may have limitations on map saves, export resolution, or feature access. Paid subscriptions, which unlock full functionality, start from approximately €4.90 per month (or regional equivalent). Different tiers (Premium, Professional for commercial use) offer varying levels of features and asset access, so checking their website for current pricing and package details is recommended.

Best for
Map-makers and Dungeon Masters who are serious about creating high-quality, detailed battlemaps for print, PDF publication, or advanced VTT play, especially those who might be creating content professionally or for a discerning audience. The AI description feature is a unique boon for GMs looking to streamline their descriptive text preparation. It is a robust tool for those willing to invest some time in learning its features and potentially a subscription for full access. It is particularly good for creating maps that need to look polished and are intended for repeated use or sharing.

CharGen tie-in
The AI-generated room descriptions from DungeonFog can serve as excellent, detailed seeds for CharGen's NPC and Loot generators. For instance, if DungeonFog describes a wizard's laboratory with "bubbling concoctions on a cluttered workbench and ancient tomes piled high," you could feed these details into CharGen to generate: 1) The wizard NPC who inhabits this lab, perhaps with traits reflecting the described environment (e.g., 'disorganised,' 'scholarly'). 2) Specific named potions (the 'bubbling concoctions') or unique books (the 'ancient tomes') using the loot/item generator, complete with their own flavour text or even potential minor magical properties. This way, the visual map from DungeonFog and its AI-written flavour directly inform the creation of interactive game elements within CharGen.

Worldographer Settlements — Hex & town module

URL https://worldographer.com | Latest update: Apr 2024 (rotate presets)

What it does
Worldographer, from Inkwell Ideas, is a comprehensive desktop mapping application designed for creating a wide array of maps for tabletop role-playing games. While it can produce world, kingdom, and even dungeon/battlemat scale maps, its "Settlements" module or functionality specifically focuses on generating town and city layouts. This is not a browser-based tool but a downloadable software package (available for Windows, macOS, and Linux, often Java-based). A key aspect of Worldographer is its strong support for hex-grid mapping and a visual style that often evokes classic, old-school RPG maps. The settlement module can auto-lay streets, divide areas into lots, and place building icons, often allowing for a degree of procedural generation mixed with manual placement and editing.

It is built with a focus on utility for GMs who appreciate detailed control and the ability to link different map scales together – for instance, a hex on a world map might drill down to a more detailed regional map, which in turn might have a city map linked to a specific hex. Worldographer aims to be an all-in-one solution for GMs who prefer a dedicated desktop application and value features like offline use, extensive icon libraries (both built-in and purchasable/importable), and the ability to manage detailed notes and information directly on the map. The software often includes generators for names, cultures, and other world details, further aiding the GM in fleshing out their campaign setting. The recent update regarding "rotate presets" suggests ongoing development in its feature set for object placement and map design.

Why you'd use it

Hex-Crawl World Plus Town Drill-Down: Worldographer excels if you are designing a hex-crawl campaign. You can create your large-scale hex map and then, for specific hexes containing towns or cities, use the settlement module to create a detailed map of that location, maintaining a link between the different map scales. This hierarchical mapping is a significant strength.
Need Printable Old-School Icons and Map Style: If you favour the classic D&D map aesthetic, often featuring symbolic icons on a hex grid, Worldographer is well-suited to producing this style. It comes with a variety of icon sets that fit this look, and you can print your maps for table use.
Prefer a Dedicated Desktop Application with Offline Use: Unlike many newer browser-based tools, Worldographer is a standalone application you install on your computer. This means you can use it offline without needing an internet connection, and you are not reliant on a third-party website being available.
Extensive Customisation and Note-Taking: The software generally offers a high degree of customisation for map features, icons, and labels. It also allows GMs to attach detailed notes to map locations, essentially turning the map into a campaign database.

Key features

Settlement Auto-Placement and Generation: The settlement module can automatically generate street layouts, divide land into city blocks or lots, and place building icons based on selected parameters, providing a quick start for city or town design.
Calendar & Timeline Integration (Often in wider suite): Worldographer, as part of Inkwell Ideas' suite of tools, sometimes integrates with or has companion tools for calendar and timeline tracking, allowing for deeper worldbuilding and campaign organisation, though this might be a broader feature of the ecosystem rather than just the settlement part.
Export PNG, SVG, and Other Formats: Allows maps to be exported in common image formats like PNG for VTT use or sharing, and often SVG for vector editing, providing flexibility for different use cases.
Support for Custom Icons and Icon Sets: While it comes with built-in icons, Worldographer (especially the Pro version) typically allows users to import their own custom icons or purchase additional themed icon sets, enabling a wider range of map styles and genres (e.g., sci-fi, modern).
Child-Map Nesting (Hierarchical Maps): A powerful feature is the ability to create "child maps" linked from a parent map. For example, clicking on a city icon on a kingdom map could open the detailed city map for that location. This is excellent for organising large, complex worlds.
Detailed Configuration Options: Users usually have access to a wide range of configuration settings for terrain types, feature placement, label styles, and generation parameters, allowing for significant control over the final map appearance.

Pros

One-Time Licence, Offline Use: Typically, Worldographer is sold with a one-time purchase for a Pro licence, rather than a recurring subscription. Being a desktop application, it can be used entirely offline once installed, which is a big plus for those with unreliable internet or who prefer to work disconnected.
Child-Map Nesting for Organised Worlds: The ability to drill down from world maps to regional maps to city maps, all within the same framework, is a very powerful organisational tool for complex campaign settings. This hierarchical structure is a key differentiator.
Supports Custom Icons and Extensive Icon Libraries: The flexibility to add your own icons or use various official and third-party icon sets means you can tailor the map's visual style to your specific needs and genre.
Good for Hex-Based Campaigns: Its strong support for hex grids at all scales makes it an excellent choice for GMs planning or running hexcrawl campaigns.
Generates More Than Just Maps: Often includes tools to generate names for places, rulers, kingdoms, and other textual details that help flesh out the world represented on the map.
Robust Feature Set for Detailed Mapping: Once you learn its ins and outs, it offers a very deep and capable set of tools for creating detailed maps with a high degree of precision.

Cons

Java UI Can Feel Dated: Being a Java-based application, its user interface can sometimes feel less modern or less intuitive compared to newer, web-native applications or those built with more contemporary UI frameworks. Some users find Java UIs a bit clunky.
Limited Modern Aesthetic (Default Icons): While customisable, the default icon sets and map style often lean heavily towards a classic, old-school RPG aesthetic. Achieving a very sleek, modern, or photorealistic map style might require significant custom icon work and style adjustments.
Learning Curve: Like many powerful, feature-rich desktop applications, Worldographer can have a notable learning curve. It may take some time and manual-reading to become proficient with all its tools and options.
Performance with Very Large/Complex Maps: While designed for large maps, extremely complex maps with many layers, thousands of hexes, and numerous child maps could potentially strain system resources on less powerful computers.
Settlement Generation Can Be Icon-Heavy: The auto-generated settlements often rely heavily on placing individual building icons, which creates a specific visual style that may not appeal to everyone, especially those who prefer more abstracted or hand-drawn city representations.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, there is usually a free version of Worldographer available which allows for basic map creation but with limitations (e.g., on save functionality, population limits for generated cities, or access to pro features like custom icons or child maps). A Pro licence is available as a one-time purchase, typically around $30-$40 USD, which unlocks the full feature set. Additional icon sets are often sold separately.

Best for
Sandbox GMs who love hex-crawl style campaigns and need a robust tool for creating and managing interconnected world, region, and settlement maps. It is particularly good for those who appreciate the classic RPG map aesthetic, value offline use, and want the ability to drill down into detailed settlement layouts from a larger world view. Its one-time purchase model is also attractive to many GMs. It is a solid workhorse for GMs who are building large, detailed worlds meant for long-term campaigns.

CharGen tie-in
Worldographer excels at creating the broad strokes of a settlement and placing it within a larger geographical and political context. Once you have a town map from Worldographer, perhaps with key building icons placed (e.g., inn, temple, blacksmith), you could then use CharGen to bring those locations to life. For each significant building icon on your Worldographer town map, you could generate a detailed NPC (shopkeeper, priest, mayor) with CharGen, complete with a portrait, personality, and even rumours they might share. If Worldographer generates a note like "Ancient ruins nearby," CharGen could be used to generate specific loot tables for those ruins or even an NPC who knows their secrets. This makes Worldographer the macro-planner and CharGen the micro-detailer.

DunGen Procedural Dungeons — Instant Foundry scenes

URL https://dungen.app | Latest update: 2024 (Foundry module v3)

What it does
DunGen.app is a slick and highly focused web-based tool, with a strong emphasis on its Foundry Virtual Tabletop (VTT) integration, designed to procedurally generate dungeon and cave layouts. Its primary goal is to create ready-to-use maps quickly, complete with wall data for dynamic lighting and, in some cases, basic furnishing suggestions. While the main web app can generate downloadable map images (often with different visual themes like "Ice," "Temple," or "Classic Blue") and dynamic lighting information for various VTTs (Roll20, Fantasy Grounds Unity, and Foundry VTT), its most seamless and powerful application is often via its dedicated Foundry VTT module. This module allows GMs to generate and import dungeons directly within Foundry itself, creating new scenes with walls and lighting already configured, which is a massive time-saver.

The generator typically allows users to specify parameters like the desired size (Tiny to Huge), theme, tile set resolution, and whether to include features like multi-level connections or basic furnishing. For Foundry users, the v3 module (as of 2024) likely enhances this direct integration, making the process of creating a new, playable dungeon level almost instantaneous. It is not about deep customisation of individual rooms like some other mappers; it is about speed and convenience in generating functional, varied layouts for exploration and combat, especially when you need a new area quickly or want an endless supply of randomly generated underlevels.

Why you'd use it

Need Endless Dungeons or Caves During Prep (or Mid-Session!): If you are designing a megadungeon, need a quick side cave for an encounter, or your players have unexpectedly delved deeper than you prepared for, DunGen can provide a new, unique layout in seconds. This is brilliant for both extensive preparation and on-the-fly improvisation.
Want Automatic Foundry-Ready Scenes: For Foundry VTT users, this is the killer feature. The ability to generate a dungeon and have it appear as a new scene, complete with walls and basic lighting ready for player tokens, is incredibly efficient. It cuts out almost all the usual map import and setup busywork within Foundry.
Quick Visualisation of Random Layouts: Even if you intend to rebuild or heavily customise the map elsewhere, DunGen is a great tool for quickly visualising different procedural dungeon or cave structures. You can rapidly cycle through seeds and settings to find a layout that sparks your imagination.
Varying Themes for Different Environments: The availability of different visual themes (both on the website and potentially influencing tile choices in Foundry) means you can generate a fiery lava cave or an icy tomb with a somewhat appropriate aesthetic, rather than just generic stone corridors every time.

Key features

Density & Theme Sliders/Selectors: Users can typically influence the complexity of the generated dungeon (e.g., corridor density, room frequency) and select from various visual themes that affect the appearance of the walls, floors, and sometimes background elements.
Multi-Level Support: The generator often includes options to create stairs or connections that imply multiple dungeon levels, allowing GMs to stack generated maps to create deeper, more complex underground areas.
Preview Before Commit (in Foundry): When using the Foundry VTT module, GMs can often preview the generated layout before it creates the actual scene, allowing them to quickly re-roll if the first result isn't to their liking.
Direct VTT Export/Integration: While the website offers image and lighting data downloads for multiple VTTs, its tightest integration is with Foundry VTT via its dedicated module, which automates scene creation.
Seed-Based Generation: Users can input a specific seed to recreate a previously generated dungeon or share seeds with others. Leaving the seed blank results in a random layout.
Basic Furnishing Options: Some versions or settings allow for the inclusion of basic, procedurally placed furnishings or room type suggestions (e.g., "Goblinoid Den," "Bandit Hideout") to give a starting point for dressing the dungeon.

Pros

Free, Open-Source Module (for Foundry): The core DunGen tool and its Foundry VTT module are often free and open-source, making them highly accessible to the Foundry community. The web version is also free to use for basic generation.
Instantly Playable Maps in Foundry: The primary benefit for Foundry users is the speed with which a new, fully walled and lit map can be generated and made ready for play. This is almost unparalleled for quick dungeon creation within a VTT.
Minimal Setup Required: Beyond installing the Foundry module or visiting the website, there's very little setup needed to start generating maps. It's designed for ease of use and rapid results.
Good for Inspiration or Quick Encounters: Even if you don't use the maps as-is for a major dungeon, they are great for sparking ideas for room layouts or quickly creating a small, self-contained encounter area.
Reduces Repetitive Map Drawing: For GMs who find drawing endless dungeon corridors tedious, DunGen automates this process, freeing them up to focus on encounter design and narrative.
Variety of Themes: The different visual themes help to prevent all generated dungeons from looking identical, adding some welcome aesthetic variety.

Cons

Foundry-Exclusive (for best experience/module): While the website offers downloads for other VTTs, its most powerful and seamless features are realised through its dedicated Foundry VTT module. Users of other VTTs might find the process less integrated.
Visual Style Depends on Installed Tiles (in Foundry): When used within Foundry, the final visual appearance of the dungeon (beyond layout) will heavily depend on the quality and style of the tile sets the GM has installed in their Foundry setup. The generator provides the structure; the GM's assets provide the detailed look.
Layouts Can Be Generic or Repetitive at Times: As with any procedural generator, while each map is technically unique, the underlying algorithms can sometimes produce layouts that feel similar in style or flow if used extensively without tweaking parameters or seeds. The rooms are often simple geometric shapes.
Limited Fine-Tuning of Layout: DunGen is about quick generation. It doesn't typically offer the granular, room-by-room editing capabilities of a full map-making program. You get the layout it generates, and major structural changes would need to be done manually in the VTT or another editor.
Furnishing is Basic or Random: While some furnishing options exist, they are often quite basic or randomly placed. Significant custom room dressing will still be required from the GM to make the dungeon feel truly lived-in or unique.
Multi-Level is Functional but May Require Manual Stitching: While it can generate stairs implying multiple levels, seamlessly connecting these into a cohesive multi-level structure within a VTT might still require some manual adjustment by the GM.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the DunGen.app website and its core Foundry VTT module are typically free to use. The creator offers a Patreon which may provide perks like access to higher-resolution map tiles from the web generator or other supporter benefits, but the fundamental generation capabilities are free.

Best for
Foundry VTT Game Masters who need to rapidly generate new dungeon or cave layouts, either during preparation or even mid-session when players take an unexpected turn. It is ideal for creating an endless supply of procedurally generated underlevels, quick lairs for monsters, or a basic structural template that the GM can then detail further with their own assets and narrative. Its strength lies in speed and direct VTT integration for instantly playable scenes.

CharGen tie-in
After DunGen.app (especially via its Foundry module) has procedurally built a dungeon layout with rooms and corridors, CharGen can be used to populate this new space. For example, as the GM explores the generated dungeon, they could decide that a particular series of rooms would make a good goblin lair. They could then use CharGen to generate a handful of unique goblin NPCs (perhaps a chief, a shaman, and some distinctive warriors) with portraits and basic motivations. If DunGen places generic chest icons, the GM could click on one (in Foundry) and then trigger a CharGen loot generation for that specific chest, tailoring the contents to the dungeon's theme or the party's level. This allows for a workflow where the dungeon's structure is rapidly created by DunGen, and its inhabitants and treasures are then uniquely detailed by CharGen, making each procedurally generated space feel more bespoke.

AI Art / Image Generators

CharGen AI Image Generator — Fantasy-focused visuals & lore

URL https://char-gen.com | Latest update: Oct 2024

What it does
CharGen positions itself as the go to solution for tabletop role playing game enthusiasts, particularly for Dungeons & Dragons. It is engineered to swiftly generate a wide array of visual assets, including character portraits, formidable monsters, unique items, and detailed battlemaps. Beyond mere images, it also has the rather handy capability to produce short, fitting lore snippets, making it a comprehensive tool for game masters and players alike. The platform prides itself on an intuitive interface, designed so that users require no prior expertise in the often fiddly art of prompt engineering to achieve high quality results. It's built from the ground up with the fantasy genre firmly in mind, aiming to deliver consistent and thematically appropriate visuals across all generated assets. They've recently expanded into AI driven audio and video generation too, which is quite an interesting development for enriching campaigns.

Why you'd use it

One Stop Shop for RPGs: It's a real boon for busy Game Masters. Instead of juggling multiple tools, you can get both your character art and a bit of descriptive text or lore in one fell swoop. This integration is a significant time saver.
Artistic Cohesion: A common headache with using various AI tools is maintaining a consistent art style. CharGen is designed to keep your visuals looking like they belong in the same world, whether it's a hero, a villain, or a mystical trinket.
Ease of Entry: Many AI art tools have a steep learning curve, demanding users to master complex prompting. CharGen aims to flatten that curve, offering preset options and a more guided experience, which is brilliant for those who want great art without becoming AI wizards.
Beyond Images: The addition of lore generation, D&D Beyond PDF import for character creation, and even statblock generation for monsters makes it more than just an image tool; it's becoming a broader campaign assistant.

Key features

Genre Specific Models: Trained specifically for fantasy settings, reducing the chance of anachronistic or out of place elements appearing in your D&D game.
Prompt Presets: Offers a selection of predefined options for races, classes, and even biomes, which simplifies the creation process immensely. This is splendid for getting started quickly.
Batch Export Options: You can export your creations in various useful formats, including standard PNG and JPG, as well as VTT (Virtual Table Top) ready tokens.
API & Third Party Connectors: For the more technically inclined, an API and a Zapier connector are available, allowing for integration into custom workflows or automated content pipelines.
Integrated Editing Suite: Features like face swapping, background adjustments, and upscaling are built in, allowing for refinement of generated images directly within the platform.
Community and Organisation: Provides tools for managing assets in campaign folders and a hub for sharing creations with other users, fostering a sense of community.

Pros

Deeply Fantasy Tuned: The models are heavily focused on traditional fantasy aesthetics, which means you're far less likely to see a knight with a laser gun, unless you're actively trying for it. This focus is a real strength.
Portrait and Biography Combined: The ability to generate a character's visual representation alongside a textual description or backstory element is a fantastic feature for fleshing out NPCs or player characters quickly.
Generous Free Tier: A free tier is available, allowing users to test the waters with low resolution images and a daily allowance of "gold" (their credit system) before committing to a subscription. This is a very fair approach.
No Prompt Engineering Needed: This is a massive plus for many people. The system is designed to be intuitive, using selections and simpler inputs rather than complex text prompts.
UK Based and Priced: For those in the UK, pricing in pounds sterling is a nice touch, removing any currency conversion guesswork.

Cons

Niche Focus Limitations: While its specialisation in fantasy is a strength, it inherently means support for modern, science fiction, or other genres is quite limited. If your game is set in space, this might not be the droid you're looking for.
Credit Pack System for High Res: High resolution images and some advanced features rely on a credit system, with credits often sold in packs. This can sometimes feel a bit restrictive compared to unlimited generation tiers on other platforms, though they do offer unlimited options on higher plans for certain models.
Newer Features Still Maturing: While the addition of audio and video is ambitious, these features are newer and may not yet have the same level of polish or extensive options as the core image generation.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (10 free "gold" daily) | Paid from £9.99 /mo (Plus plan)

Best for
Game Masters and players who require a steady stream of cohesive, RPG specific artwork and lore without wanting to wrestle with complex AI prompting. It's particularly good for those running D&D or similar fantasy campaigns who value speed and thematic consistency.

CharGen tie-in
Native integration is its core strength. The art it generates is designed to feed directly into its other planned or existing generators, such as those for NPCs, Loot, and Taverns, creating a unified ecosystem for campaign creation.

Midjourney — Discord-driven concept artist

URL https://midjourney.com | Latest update: Apr 2025 (V7)

What it does
Midjourney has firmly established itself as a titan in the AI image generation sphere, renowned for producing images of exceptionally high fidelity and artistic flair. Its primary interface is, somewhat unusually, a Discord bot. Users interact with the AI by typing slash commands into a chat server. The platform is in a constant state of evolution, with version updates frequently pushing the boundaries of image quality, coherence, and feature sets. The mentioned Version 7, with its hypothetical "Draft" mode for rapid iteration and "Omni Reference" for enhanced style consistency across multiple images, paints a picture of a tool continually striving for greater artistic control and speed. It excels at creating complex scenes and detailed textures that can often pass for professional digital paintings or concept art.

Why you'd use it

Unmatched Image Quality: For many users, Midjourney is the gold standard when it comes to the sheer aesthetic appeal and detail of its generated images. It often produces breathtaking results that require minimal, if any, post processing.
Vibrant Community & Inspiration: The Discord based approach has fostered a massive, active community. Users share prompts, results, and techniques, creating a dynamic environment for learning and inspiration. Simply observing the work of others can spark countless ideas.
Artistic Exploration: Midjourney is particularly adept at interpreting more abstract or painterly prompts, allowing for a high degree of artistic exploration. It can generate a wide array of styles, from photorealistic to surreal and fantastical.

Key features

/imagine Command: The core command for generating images based on a text prompt.
Parameter Controls: Users can append various parameters to their prompts to control aspect ratios, stylisation levels, chaos (randomness), and specific model versions, offering a good degree of fine tuning.
Upscaling and Variations: Once an initial grid of four images is generated, users can choose to upscale their preferred option to a higher resolution or create further variations on it, allowing for an iterative refinement process.
/describe Tool: A fascinating feature where you can upload an image and Midjourney will attempt to generate several text prompts that could have created that image. It's a brilliant way to learn about prompt construction or to get inspiration from existing artwork.
Image Remixing and Blending: Midjourney allows users to blend multiple images or use an image as part of a prompt, opening up powerful ways to combine concepts and styles.
Niji Journey Model: A separate, anime focused model available to Midjourney subscribers, catering specifically to fans of that aesthetic.

Pros

Astonishing Output Quality: The images often possess a level of detail, lighting, and composition that other generators struggle to match consistently. It truly feels like having a concept artist at your beck and call.
Rapid Development Cycle: Midjourney is known for its frequent updates, with each new version typically bringing noticeable improvements in image quality, prompt understanding, and new features.
Rich Community Ecosystem: The Discord server is not just a place to generate images; it's a hub for discussion, showcases, and support. This community aspect is a significant, if informal, part of the Midjourney experience.
Excellent for Ideation: The speed at which you can generate multiple high quality concepts makes it an invaluable tool for brainstorming and visual development.

Cons

Discord-Only Workflow: The reliance on Discord is a significant hurdle for some. It's not a traditional web or desktop application, and the chat based interface can feel clunky or unintuitive, especially for those unfamiliar with Discord. This is perhaps its most polarising aspect.
Steep Learning Curve for Mastery: While getting started is easy, mastering the art of prompting to achieve specific, consistent results can be challenging and time consuming. There's a definite craft to writing effective Midjourney prompts.
No Official API: The lack of an official API makes it difficult to integrate Midjourney into automated workflows or third party applications, which is a drawback for developers or businesses looking for programmatic access.
Strict Terms of Service on Commercial Use: While policies can evolve, Midjourney has historically had relatively strict terms regarding the commercial use of generated images, particularly for users on lower subscription tiers. It's crucial to check the current terms if commercial application is intended.
Subscription Cost: There is no free tier beyond occasional trial periods, so continuous access requires a paid subscription, which might be a barrier for casual users.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No (occasional limited trials) | Paid from $10 /mo (Basic plan typically offers around 200 generations)

Best for
Artists, designers, and creatives who prioritise cutting edge image quality and are comfortable with (or willing to learn) the Discord based workflow. It's superb for generating high end concept art, illustrations, and inspirational pieces where artistic flair is paramount.

CharGen tie-in
Midjourney excels at creating stunning, portfolio worthy art. You can export these high quality images and then use CharGen's Token Transformer tool to quickly crop and frame them into VTT ready circular tokens, bridging Midjourney's artistic power with practical tabletop utility.

Leonardo AI — Asset generator with "Phoenix" model

URL https://leonardo.ai | Latest update: Jul 2024 (Phoenix)

What it does
Leonardo AI is a comprehensive AI-powered creative platform specifically designed for artists, game developers, and content creators who need consistent, high-quality visual assets at scale. The platform distinguishes itself through its ability to train custom AI models on user-provided datasets, creating personalised "style generators" that maintain visual consistency across entire asset collections. Their flagship Phoenix model represents a significant leap in image generation quality, particularly excelling at rendering readable text within images and understanding complex compositional requests. Beyond basic generation, Leonardo offers a full creative suite including a Realtime Canvas editor that allows for intuitive, layer-based image manipulation similar to traditional design software. The platform seamlessly blends AI generation with practical editing tools, making it a one-stop shop for creating everything from character portraits and item icons to environmental backgrounds and marketing materials.

Why you'd use it

Unmatched Style Consistency Across Asset Collections: Leonardo's custom model training capability allows you to upload 30-50 images of your existing artwork and create a bespoke AI that generates new assets perfectly matching your established style. This is invaluable for maintaining visual cohesion across large projects like games or campaigns.
Real-time Creative Control with Canvas Editor: Unlike many AI platforms that offer only generation, Leonardo's Realtime Canvas provides Photoshop-like control with layers, masking, and live AI assistance. You can sketch rough concepts and watch the AI refine them in real-time, or composite multiple generated elements seamlessly.
Professional-Grade Output Quality: The Phoenix model specifically addresses common AI art limitations, producing images with crisp details, accurate hands and faces, and most notably, legible text rendering – crucial for creating game cards, UI elements, or branded content.
Streamlined Asset Production Pipeline: From initial concept to final export, Leonardo keeps everything in one platform. Generate, edit, upscale, remove backgrounds, and batch process – all without juggling multiple tools or subscriptions.

Key features

Custom AI Model Training (LoRA): Upload 30+ images to train personalised style models that capture your unique artistic vision, ensuring all generated content matches your aesthetic requirements.
Realtime Canvas with AI Integration: Layer-based editor featuring AI-powered tools for inpainting, outpainting, sketch-to-image conversion, and real-time style transfer as you draw.
Phoenix Foundational Model: Advanced generation model optimised for photorealism, accurate anatomy, readable text rendering, and superior prompt adherence.
Comprehensive Editing Suite: Built-in tools for background removal, image upscaling (up to 4x), colour grading, cropping, and batch processing operations.
Elements System: Pre-trained style modifiers and effects that can be mixed and matched to achieve specific looks without full model training.
3D Texture Generation: Specialised mode for creating seamless, tileable textures suitable for 3D modelling and game development.
API Access: Developer-friendly API for integrating Leonardo's capabilities into custom workflows and applications.
Motion Generation (Beta): Emerging feature for creating short animated sequences from static images, useful for bringing character portraits to life.

Pros

Exceptional Value Proposition: The free tier offers 150 daily tokens (enough for ~30-75 images depending on settings), making it one of the most generous free offerings in the AI art space.
Intuitive Interface Design: Despite its powerful features, Leonardo maintains a clean, approachable UI that doesn't overwhelm newcomers while still providing depth for power users.
Rapid Generation Speed: Optimised infrastructure ensures most images generate in 10-30 seconds, even during peak usage, with minimal queue times.
Strong Community Features: Public model sharing, prompt libraries, and an active Discord community create a collaborative environment for learning and inspiration.
Transparent Commercial Licensing: All generated content, even on free tier, comes with clear commercial usage rights, removing legal ambiguity for professional projects.

Cons

Token System Can Feel Restrictive: While generous, the daily token limit on free tier means heavy users will quickly need to upgrade. Premium features like high-resolution exports consume tokens rapidly.
Custom Model Training Requires Patience: Training LoRAs can take 30-60 minutes and requires careful dataset curation for optimal results. Failed trainings still consume credits.
Occasional Style Drift in Phoenix Model: While generally consistent, the Phoenix model can sometimes interpret prompts in unexpected ways, particularly with abstract or highly stylised requests.
Limited Video/Animation Features: Motion generation is still in beta and quite basic compared to dedicated AI video platforms, producing only short loops rather than full animations.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (150 tokens daily) | Paid from $12 /mo (Artisan plan with 8,500 tokens/month)

Best for
Game developers, digital artists, and content creators who need to produce cohesive visual asset collections while maintaining creative control throughout the process. Particularly valuable for indie developers working on games requiring numerous consistent sprites, items, or character variations.

CharGen tie-in
After training a custom Leonardo AI model on your campaign's art style, generate entire character rosters or item catalogues with perfect stylistic consistency. Export the collection as PNGs and use CharGen's batch processing to instantly convert them all into properly formatted tokens, complete with borders and VTT-ready sizing.

Artbreeder — Collaborative "gene-splicing" portraits

URL https://www.artbreeder.com | Latest update: Sep 2024 (Paint Mode)

What it does
Artbreeder is a unique AI-powered creative platform that revolutionises image creation through an innovative "genetic" approach to visual manipulation. Rather than relying on traditional text prompts, Artbreeder allows users to blend multiple images together as if they were genetic material, creating offspring that inherit visual traits from their "parent" images. The platform specialises in portraits, landscapes, anime characters, and abstract art, offering an intuitive slider-based interface where users can adjust specific attributes like age, gender, emotion, colour palette, or artistic style in real-time. The recent addition of Paint Mode takes this further, allowing users to directly paint masks over specific regions of an image and modify only those areas, providing unprecedented fine-grained control. This collaborative platform has built a massive community where every creation can be remixed by others, creating vast family trees of interconnected artwork.

Why you'd use it

Unparalleled Iterative Control Without Prompting: Artbreeder's slider-based system offers immediate, visual feedback as you adjust parameters. There's no guessing about prompt wording – you simply move sliders and watch your image transform in real-time, making it perfect for users who struggle with text-based AI art tools.
Perfect for Character Design Consistency: The ability to create variations of a base character while maintaining core features is invaluable for tabletop campaigns. You can easily generate family members, aged versions, or emotional variations of the same character, maintaining visual continuity across your campaign.
Community-Driven Inspiration and Assets: With millions of public creations available as starting points, you rarely need to begin from scratch. Find an image close to your vision, then remix it to perfection. This collaborative approach dramatically speeds up the creative process.
Non-Destructive Experimentation: Every adjustment creates a new image version rather than overwriting the original, allowing for endless experimentation without fear of losing good results. You can branch off in multiple directions from any point in your creative journey.

Key features

Gene Mixing System: Blend 2-5 "parent" images with adjustable influence weights to create new combinations, inheriting visual characteristics from each source in controllable proportions.
Category-Specific Sliders: Different image types offer relevant adjustment parameters – portraits include age, gender, ethnicity, emotion; landscapes feature time of day, season, architectural style; anime has specific style attributes.
Paint Mode with Regional Control: Draw masks directly on images to isolate areas for modification, allowing changes to specific features without affecting the rest of the image.
Collager Tool: Arrange and blend multiple images or shapes on a canvas with individual scaling, positioning, and transparency controls for complex compositions.
Pattern and Album Creation: Generate tileable patterns for textures or organise related images into themed collections for easy project management.
Animation Capabilities: Create simple morph animations between different image states, useful for transformation sequences or emotional transitions.
High-Resolution Downloads: Export images up to 2048x2048 pixels on paid tiers, suitable for printing or detailed digital use.
Public/Private Galleries: Choose whether your creations join the public pool for others to remix or keep them private for personal projects.

Pros

Intuitive Visual Interface: The slider-based approach eliminates the learning curve associated with prompt engineering, making professional-quality results accessible to non-technical users.
Exceptional for Facial Consistency: No other platform makes it as easy to maintain character identity while exploring variations in age, expression, or style.
Vibrant Remix Culture: The ability to build upon millions of existing creations fosters a unique collaborative environment where good ideas spread and evolve organically.
Free Tier Generosity: The free tier provides substantial functionality with no time limits, making it accessible for casual users or those testing the platform.
Browser-Based Convenience: No software installation required; works on any device with a modern web browser, including tablets for on-the-go creation.

Cons

Limited Commercial Rights on Free Tier: Free users can only use images for personal projects; commercial use requires a paid subscription, which may limit professional adoption.
Style Constraints: While diverse, Artbreeder's output tends toward certain aesthetic ranges (semi-realistic, anime-influenced) and may struggle with highly stylised or abstract requests.
Less Control Over Specific Details: Unlike prompt-based systems where you can request specific clothing, poses, or backgrounds, Artbreeder's genetic approach makes precise detail control challenging.
Public by Default: New users often don't realise their creations are public unless explicitly set to private, which has privacy implications for personal projects.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (10 credits monthly) | Paid from $8.99 /mo (Starter plan with 80 credits)

Best for
Players and Game Masters focused on character portrait creation who value consistency and iterative refinement over one-shot generation. Particularly excellent for creating NPC families, character development arcs showing aging, or exploring "what if" scenarios for character appearance.

CharGen tie-in
After perfecting a character portrait in Artbreeder through careful gene mixing and slider adjustments, export the high-resolution image and upload it to CharGen. CharGen can then generate matching full-body artwork in various poses or automatically create properly-formatted VTT tokens, extending your carefully crafted portrait into a complete character asset package.

NightCafe Studio — Multi-model playground

URL https://nightcafe.studio | Latest update: Aug 2024 (Selfie → Character)

What it does
NightCafe Studio stands out as a versatile AI art generation platform that aggregates multiple cutting-edge AI models under one unified interface. Rather than limiting users to a single generation engine, NightCafe provides access to Stable Diffusion XL, DALL·E 3, CLIP-Guided Diffusion, VQGAN+CLIP, and their own proprietary models, allowing creators to choose the best tool for each specific task. The platform has evolved from a simple generator into a comprehensive creative ecosystem, featuring social elements like daily challenges, community voting, and collaborative creation events. Their latest "Selfie to Character" feature exemplifies their innovation, allowing users to upload personal photos and transform them into stylised character art across various genres from fantasy warriors to cyberpunk avatars. The credit-based system gamifies the experience, with users earning free credits through community participation, making high-quality AI art accessible even without payment.

Why you'd use it

Unmatched Model Variety in One Place: Having access to multiple AI engines means you can leverage each model's strengths – use DALL·E 3 for natural language understanding, Stable Diffusion XL for detailed control, or VQGAN+CLIP for artistic styles. This flexibility eliminates the need for multiple subscriptions.
Gamified Credit System Rewards Engagement: Unlike platforms that strictly paywall features, NightCafe's daily challenges, community voting, and achievement system allow dedicated users to earn substantial credits without spending money. Active participants can generate dozens of images daily through earned credits alone.
Thriving Creative Community: The platform's social features create a supportive environment where artists share techniques, participate in themed challenges, and provide feedback. This community aspect transforms solitary creation into a collaborative experience.
Ideal Testing Ground for AI Art Newcomers: The variety of models and styles available makes NightCafe perfect for exploring different AI art approaches without committing to a specific platform or style. The earned credit system allows extensive experimentation without financial risk.

Key features

Multi-Model Access: Choose between Stable Diffusion XL, DALL·E 3, CLIP-Guided Diffusion, VQGAN+CLIP, and proprietary coherent models for different artistic needs and styles.
Advanced Creation Tools: Bulk generation queues, seed control for reproducibility, prompt weighting, negative prompts, and aspect ratio selection across all supported models.
Selfie to Character Transformer: Upload personal photos and convert them into genre-specific character art, maintaining facial features while applying dramatic stylistic transformations.
Style Transfer Engine: Apply the artistic style of one image to the content of another, creating unique blends of photography and artistic techniques.
Public Prompt Library: Access thousands of successful prompts shared by the community, complete with settings and seeds for exact reproduction or inspiration.
Daily Challenges and Contests: Participate in themed challenges to earn credits and recognition, with winners featured prominently and receiving substantial credit bonuses.
Collection and Album System: Organise creations into themed collections, follow other artists, and create collaborative albums for group projects.
Print-on-Demand Integration: Seamlessly order physical prints, canvases, or merchandise featuring your AI-generated artwork directly through the platform.

Pros

Credit Earning Opportunities: Daily login bonuses, challenge participation, community voting, and achievement unlocks provide steady credit income for active users.
Model Comparison Made Easy: Generate the same prompt across different models to understand their strengths and choose the best option for your specific needs.
Strong Mobile Experience: Full-featured mobile apps for iOS and Android allow creation on-the-go with the same capabilities as desktop.
Transparent Pricing: Clear credit costs for each operation with no hidden fees; unused credits don't expire on paid plans.
Educational Resources: Comprehensive guides, video tutorials, and community-created resources help newcomers quickly improve their AI art skills.

Cons

Credits Deplete Quickly with High-Quality Settings: Generating at maximum quality with SDXL or DALL·E 3 can consume credits rapidly, potentially requiring frequent top-ups for power users.
Output Consistency Varies Between Models: While model variety is a strength, it also means learning different prompting strategies for each engine to achieve optimal results.
Queue Times During Peak Hours: Popular challenges or new feature launches can create generation queues, especially for free tier users who have lower priority.
Social Features Can Be Distracting: The gamification and social elements, while engaging, can sometimes overshadow the core creation process for users seeking a focused workflow.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (5 daily credits + earnable) | Paid from $5.99 /mo (AI Beginner plan with 100 credits)

Best for
Casual creators and AI art experimenters who want to explore multiple generation styles without committing to a single platform. Perfect for hobbyists who enjoy community interaction and can leverage the credit-earning system to fuel their creativity.

CharGen tie-in
After experimenting with different models in NightCafe to find the perfect aesthetic for your campaign, export your favourite character portraits or item illustrations. Import these into CharGen to apply consistent colour grading overlays that match your campaign's tone, then use the token creation tools to prepare them for virtual tabletop use with appropriate borders and sizing.

Adobe Firefly — Commercial-safe image generator

URL https://firefly.adobe.com | Latest update: Oct 2023 (Image 2)

What it does
Adobe Firefly represents Adobe's strategic entry into the AI-generated content space, built with a laser focus on commercial viability and ethical AI practices. Unlike many competitors trained on scraped internet data, Firefly is exclusively trained on Adobe Stock images, openly licensed content, and public domain material where copyright has expired. This unique approach ensures every generated image is safe for commercial use without legal concerns. The platform exists both as a standalone web application and is deeply integrated into Adobe's Creative Cloud ecosystem, appearing in Photoshop, Illustrator, and Adobe Express. The Image 2 model marked a significant quality leap, particularly in understanding complex prompts, rendering accurate text within images, and producing more photorealistic results. Firefly goes beyond simple image generation, offering specialised models for different creative needs including vector graphics, design templates, and text effects, making it a comprehensive generative AI toolkit for professional creators.

Why you'd use it

Unparalleled Legal Safety for Commercial Projects: Firefly's training exclusively on licensed content eliminates the copyright concerns that plague other AI generators. This makes it the go-to choice for businesses, agencies, and creators who need absolute certainty their AI-generated content won't result in legal challenges.
Seamless Creative Cloud Integration: For existing Adobe users, Firefly's integration into familiar tools like Photoshop and Illustrator creates a frictionless workflow. Generate concepts in Firefly, then immediately refine them with professional tools without switching applications or dealing with import/export hassles.
Enterprise-Grade Reliability and Support: Adobe's reputation and infrastructure mean consistent uptime, regular updates, and professional support. For businesses requiring dependable tools for client work, this stability is invaluable compared to startup AI platforms.
Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) Compliance: Every Firefly-generated image includes Content Credentials metadata, providing transparency about AI involvement in creation. This forward-thinking approach prepares creators for emerging regulations around AI disclosure.

Key features

Generative Fill in Photoshop: Select any area of an image and describe what should appear there; Firefly generates contextually appropriate content that blends seamlessly with existing pixels.
Generative Expand: Extend images beyond their original borders with AI-generated content that matches the style, lighting, and perspective of the original.
Text to Image with Style Reference: Generate images from text descriptions while optionally providing reference images to guide style, composition, or colour palette.
Text Effects Generator: Create elaborate text treatments by describing the desired effect, generating everything from chocolate-dripped letters to text made of flowers.
Vector Generation (Beta): Produce scalable vector graphics suitable for logos and illustrations, editable in Illustrator with full path control.
Generative Recolor: Upload vector artwork and instantly generate colour variations while maintaining the original design structure.
Structure and Style References: Use existing images to guide composition (structure) or artistic style independently, allowing precise creative control.
Adobe Express Templates: Generate complete design templates for social media posts, flyers, and marketing materials with coordinated layouts and styling.

Pros

Legally Safe Training Data: The exclusive use of licensed and public domain content provides unmatched legal protection for commercial use, essential for professional work.
Native 4K Resolution Support: Generate and download images up to 4096x4096 pixels without additional upscaling, suitable for print and high-resolution digital use.
Integrated Editing Workflow: Unlike standalone generators, Firefly-created content flows directly into professional editing tools, maintaining layers and editability.
Regular Model Updates: Adobe's resources ensure continuous improvements, with new models released regularly based on user feedback and technological advances.
Multi-Language Support: Prompts accepted in over 100 languages, making it globally accessible for diverse creative teams.

Cons

Creative Constraints from Safe Training Data: The curated training dataset, while legally safe, can result in less diverse or edgy outputs compared to models trained on broader internet data.
Adobe ID Requirement: No anonymous usage; requires creating and signing into an Adobe account, which may concern privacy-focused users.
Generation Limits Even on Paid Plans: Unlike some competitors offering unlimited generation, even Creative Cloud subscribers face monthly generation caps, though these are generally generous.
Beta Status Limitations: Several features remain in beta with potential bugs, limited functionality, or unexpected changes as Adobe refines the platform.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (25 monthly generative credits) | Paid via Creative Cloud plans (from $9.99/mo for Firefly Premium standalone, included with various CC subscriptions)

Best for
Professional designers, agencies, and content creators who prioritise legal safety and seamless integration with existing Adobe workflows. Ideal for commercial projects, client work, and any situation where copyright compliance is non-negotiable.

CharGen tie-in
Generate unique magic item cards or spell scrolls in CharGen, then import them into Adobe Firefly to add professionally-rendered text effects for titles and descriptions. The combination ensures your game assets are both visually striking and legally safe for commercial publication, perfect for creators planning to sell their campaign materials.

OpenAI DALL·E 3 — Natural-language wizard

URL https://labs.openai.com (API/platform access) & integrated into https://chat.openai.com | Latest update: Oct 2023 (Model Launch), Apr 2024 (In-Chat Editing)

What it does
OpenAI's DALL·E 3 is a highly sophisticated text-to-image generation model renowned for its exceptional ability to understand and translate natural language prompts into remarkably coherent and contextually accurate images. It is widely accessible, being deeply embedded within ChatGPT for Plus subscribers, available through Microsoft's Bing Image Creator, and also offered via an API for developers. DALL·E 3 excels at interpreting complex, detailed prompts and can handle nuanced requests involving multiple subjects, specific actions, and varied artistic styles. A significant recent enhancement (around April 2024) is the introduction of an editor interface directly within ChatGPT, allowing users to select areas of a DALL·E 3-generated image and describe desired modifications conversationally, offering a more intuitive in-painting and editing experience.

Why you'd use it

Best-in-Class Natural Language Understanding: DALL·E 3's standout capability is its superior comprehension of plain English (and other languages). It can often grasp the intent behind long, descriptive, and even somewhat conversational prompts with a precision that many other models struggle to achieve, leading to images that more faithfully represent the user's vision.
Iterative Creation via Conversational Feedback (in ChatGPT): When used within the ChatGPT interface, DALL·E 3 allows for a uniquely iterative creative process. You can generate an image and then refine it by providing further textual instructions or using the new selection-based editing tools, making adjustments in a more fluid, back-and-forth manner.
High Coherence and Prompt Adherence: Compared to many predecessors and contemporaries, DALL·E 3 demonstrates a stronger ability to maintain coherence in complex scenes and more accurately adhere to specific elements requested in the prompt, such as object relationships, attributes, and even, to an improved degree, text rendering within images.

Key features

Deep ChatGPT Integration: Seamlessly integrated into ChatGPT (for Plus users), allowing image generation as part of a broader conversation, with the AI often helping to refine or expand upon initial prompts.
In-Chat Image Editing (via ChatGPT): Users can select a DALL·E 3 generated image within ChatGPT and use a selection tool to highlight areas for modification, then describe the desired changes in natural language. Edits can also be prompted without selection for broader changes.
Advanced Prompt Understanding with GPT-4 Rewriting: The DALL·E 3 API leverages GPT-4 to automatically enhance and detail user prompts before generation, aiming for optimal results. While not directly disable-able, users can guide this rewriting through specific instructions in their prompt.
Multiple Aspect Ratios: Supports various image dimensions including square (1024x1024 pixels), wide (1792x1024 pixels), and tall (1024x1792 pixels), providing flexibility for different use cases.
Style and Quality Controls (API): The API offers parameters like style (vivid for hyper-real, dramatic images or natural for a more subdued look) and quality (standard or hd for finer detail).
Built-in Content Policy Safety Layer: Incorporates safety measures to prevent the generation of harmful or inappropriate content, aligning with OpenAI's responsible AI practices.
API Accessibility: Available for developers to integrate into their own applications and workflows, offering programmatic access to its powerful generation capabilities.

Pros

Handles Detailed, Multi-Object Prompts Exceptionally Well: DALL·E 3 truly shines when given complex, descriptive prompts that involve several interacting elements or specific narrative scenes. Its ability to parse and render these is a significant strength.
Free Access via Bing Image Creator: A major advantage is its availability at no cost through Bing Image Creator (powered by DALL·E 3), making high-quality AI image generation accessible to a very broad audience, typically requiring only a Microsoft account.
Strong Text-Rendering Capabilities (Relatively Speaking): While AI text-in-image generation is still an evolving area, DALL·E 3 is among the better models at rendering legible and contextually appropriate text when specifically prompted, though it may still mask or alter specific brand names due to safety protocols.
Intuitive Editing within ChatGPT: The new conversational editing features provide a user-friendly way to make targeted changes to generated images without needing external software, which is excellent for quick iterations.

Cons

Resolution Cap Currently at 1024px on the Longest Side (Effectively): While it offers different aspect ratios, the native generation resolution typically peaks around 1024x1024, 1792x1024, or 1024x1792. It does not natively output at ultra-high resolutions like 4K, which might require upscaling for some professional uses.
No Fine-Tuning Options for Custom Styles: Unlike some platforms (e.g., Leonardo AI, Stable Diffusion), users cannot currently fine-tune DALL·E 3 on their own datasets to create highly specific, replicable artistic styles or character likenesses.
API for Editing/Inpainting DALL·E 3 Images is Still Evolving: While in-chat editing is available in ChatGPT, the API support for more advanced DALL·E 3 specific editing (like the DALL·E 2 edit endpoint) is not yet as mature or fully featured, though developments are anticipated.
Prompt Rewriting Can Sometimes Be Unexpected: While generally helpful, the automatic prompt rewriting by GPT-4 can occasionally lead to results that deviate from a user's very specific, tersely worded intention if not carefully managed with meta-prompting.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (via Bing Image Creator) | Paid via ChatGPT Plus subscription / API credits (pay-as-you-go)

Best for
Game Masters, writers, and creators who excel at writing long, specific, and descriptive prompts for scenes, characters, or items. Its natural language prowess makes it ideal for translating detailed textual visions into compelling images. The ChatGPT integration is particularly good for iterative development and refinement.

CharGen tie-in
After generating a highly detailed scene or a unique monster with DALL·E 3 using a rich, narrative prompt, you can simply copy the resulting image URL (if using the Labs or a similar interface) or download the image from ChatGPT. Then, paste or upload it into CharGen's Token Transformer tool for instant, hassle-free formatting into a VTT-ready circular token or other useful RPG asset formats.

Bing Image Creator — Free DALL·E 3 for everyone

URL https://www.bing.com/images/create | Latest update: Oct 2023 (Utilising DALL·E 3)

What it does
Bing Image Creator serves as Microsoft's user-friendly front-end to the powerful DALL·E 3 text-to-image model from OpenAI. It offers a completely free way for individuals to experience the advanced capabilities of DALL·E 3, typically requiring only a Microsoft account for access. Users can generate a wide variety of images simply by typing descriptive text prompts. The service is integrated into the Bing search engine itself, the Microsoft Edge browser sidebar, and is also available as a standalone webpage at bing.com/create. While generations are generally unlimited, Microsoft employs a system of "boosts" (daily replenishing tokens, with new users getting an initial set) that accelerate the image creation process; once boosts are used up, generation might be slower until they refresh, though users can often redeem Microsoft Rewards points for additional boosts.

Why you'd use it

Access DALL·E 3 Quality Without Direct Cost: The most compelling reason to use Bing Image Creator is that it provides access to the high-quality image generation capabilities of OpenAI's DALL·E 3 model completely free of charge. This democratises access to cutting-edge AI art generation for a very wide audience.
Quick and Convenient Browser Access: Being accessible directly through the Bing website and integrated into the Edge browser means there are no complex installs or separate applications to manage. It is very straightforward to start creating images with minimal fuss, right from your web browser.
User-Friendly Interface for All Skill Levels: Microsoft has designed the interface to be approachable, even for those entirely new to AI image generation. The focus is on simple text prompting, with clear guidance on how to achieve better results through descriptive language.

Key features

Powered by DALL·E 3: Leverages an advanced version of OpenAI's DALL·E 3 model, ensuring high-quality image output with good prompt understanding and coherence.
"Booster" Tokens for Priority Renders: Users receive a daily allocation of "boosts" (or an initial grant for new users) which allow for faster image generation. While generation can often continue after boosts are depleted, it may be at a slower pace. More boosts can sometimes be acquired via Microsoft Rewards.
Gallery History of Your Creations: Images you generate are typically saved to your Microsoft account (for up to 90 days), allowing you to revisit, review, and download your past creations easily.
Integration with Bing Search and Edge Browser: Provides convenient access points directly within Microsoft's search engine and web browser, making it a seamless part of the browsing experience for many users.
Responsible AI Safeguards: Incorporates Microsoft's and OpenAI's safety measures to prevent the generation of harmful or inappropriate images, and includes watermarks and content credentials to identify images as AI-generated.
Support for Over 100 Languages: Prompts can be entered in a vast number of languages, leveraging Microsoft Translator capabilities.

Pros

Completely Free Usage Tier: This is its standout advantage. The ability to generate a theoretically unlimited number of images (albeit with speed considerations after boosts are used) using a state-of-the-art model like DALL·E 3 without any subscription fee is exceptional.
Utilises the Same Powerful Model as Premium DALL·E 3 Access: Users are not getting a watered-down version; the core generation technology is the same DALL·E 3 that powers paid OpenAI services, ensuring excellent output quality and prompt understanding.
Creations Automatically Saved to Your Microsoft Account: The convenience of having your generated images stored and accessible via your Microsoft account history is a user-friendly touch, preventing loss of creations.
Good for Quick Ideation and Experimentation: The ease of access and free nature make it perfect for rapidly trying out different visual ideas, experimenting with prompts, and generating imagery for personal projects or social media without financial commitment.

Cons

Generation Can Slow Significantly at Peak Times or Without Boosts: Once daily boosts are exhausted, or during periods of high server load, the time taken to generate images can increase noticeably. This is the trade-off for the free access.
Limited Aspect Ratio Options (Potentially): While based on DALL·E 3 (which supports multiple aspect ratios), the Bing Image Creator interface itself has sometimes been noted to offer a more restricted set of aspect ratio choices (e.g., primarily square 1:1 images, though this can evolve). Users needing very specific non-square formats might find this limiting compared to direct API access to DALL·E 3.
Requires a Microsoft Account: While broadly accessible, the mandatory Microsoft account sign-in might be a minor hurdle for individuals who do not use Microsoft services or prefer not to create an account.
Interface and Feature Set More Basic Than Some Paid Alternatives: Compared to dedicated AI art platforms or direct API usage, Bing Image Creator offers a more streamlined, less feature-rich experience, with fewer granular controls over the generation process beyond the prompt itself.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (unlimited generations, with daily "boosts" for speed)

Best for
Budget-minded Game Masters, casual creators, students, or anyone needing occasional high-quality illustrations without wanting to invest in paid AI art services. Its simplicity and DALL·E 3 power make it excellent for quick visualisations and personal projects.

CharGen tie-in
After whipping up a fantastic character portrait or a striking magical item illustration using Bing Image Creator's free DALL·E 3 access, you can download the image. Then, simply upload it to CharGen, which can offer features like automated background removal or instantly frame it into a perfectly sized, bordered token for your virtual tabletop games, adding that extra layer of polish.

Stable Diffusion XL — Open-source powerhouse

URL https://stability.ai (Originator) & https://huggingface.co/stabilityai (Models) | Latest update: Jul 2023 (v1.0 base), ongoing for variants like Turbo & extensions

What it does
Stable Diffusion XL (SDXL) is a powerful, open-source text-to-image model developed by Stability AI, representing a significant leap in quality and capability over previous Stable Diffusion versions. It is designed to generate high-resolution images (typically 1024x1024 native) with enhanced photorealism, better prompt adherence, and improved composition. SDXL uniquely employs a two-text-encoder system (often combining OpenCLIP ViT-G/14 and CLIP ViT-L) to achieve a more nuanced understanding of prompts. Being open-source, SDXL can be run locally by users with sufficient GPU hardware, offering maximum control and privacy. It also forms the foundation for a vast ecosystem of community-driven fine-tunes, extensions, and tools. Numerous services also provide API access to SDXL and its derivatives.

Why you'd use it

Full Control, Ownership, and Customisation: As an open-source model, users can download the model weights, modify the code, and run it on their own hardware. This offers unparalleled control over the generation process, the ability to fine-tune it with custom datasets (e.g., using LoRA or DreamBooth), and complete ownership of the generation pipeline without reliance on third-party services or content filters (beyond those one might choose to implement).
Vibrant Ecosystem and Extensive Community Support: The open nature of Stable Diffusion has fostered a massive and incredibly active global community. This results in a constant stream of new tools, user interfaces (like ComfyUI and Automatic1111 WebUI), pre-trained LoRAs for specific styles or characters, ControlNet models for precise guidance, and shared knowledge that greatly expands SDXL's capabilities far beyond its base form.
High-Quality Image Generation at High Resolutions: SDXL is specifically designed to produce detailed and aesthetically pleasing images at higher native resolutions (1024x1024 and various aspect ratios based on that), which often require less upscaling for many use cases compared to older models.
Cost-Effective for High-Volume Generation (Locally): Once the initial hardware investment is made, running SDXL locally means there are no per-image costs or subscription fees, making it highly economical for users who need to generate a large volume of images.

Key features

SDXL Base Model: The foundational model, capable of generating high-quality 1024x1024 images from text prompts, often used with a refiner model for enhanced detail.
SDXL Turbo: An accelerated version of SDXL, distilled for much faster inference, capable of generating images (often 512x512) in very few steps, sometimes even a single step, making it suitable for real-time applications.
ControlNet & T2I-Adapters for SDXL: Powerful extensions that allow users to condition image generation based on an input image, such as edge maps (Canny), depth maps, human poses (OpenPose), scribbles, or line art. T2I-Adapters are often smaller and more efficient than full ControlNets for SDXL.
LoRA (Low-Rank Adaptation) Fine-Tuning: A highly popular and efficient method for fine-tuning SDXL (and other models) on small datasets to teach it new styles, characters, or objects. LoRA files are small and can be easily shared and combined.
DreamBooth: Another technique for deeper model fine-tuning on specific subjects or styles, often requiring more VRAM but capable of producing very strong likenesses or stylistic adherence. Can be used in conjunction with LoRA.
IP-Adapter (Image Prompt Adapter): Allows an image to be used as a prompt alongside text, guiding the generation process based on the visual content of the reference image. This is excellent for style transfer or generating variations.
Multiple User Interfaces: A wide variety of open-source user interfaces are available for running SDXL locally or through cloud services, including the popular Automatic1111 Stable Diffusion WebUI and the node-based ComfyUI, offering different levels of control and features.
API Access via Various Platforms: Many services like Replicate, Amazon Bedrock, Fireworks AI, and Stability AI's own offerings provide API access to SDXL and its fine-tuned versions, allowing developers to integrate it into their applications.

Pros

Complete Openness and Unrestricted Access (with local setup): The ability to download and run the model weights locally, free from external restrictions or censorship (beyond self-imposed ones), is a primary draw for many users and developers. This fosters innovation and allows for a vast range of applications.
Massive and Highly Active Community: The community around Stable Diffusion is arguably its greatest asset, constantly producing new tools, fine-tuned models (LoRAs, checkpoints), workflows, and educational resources. This collective effort pushes the boundaries of what's possible.
Exceptional Flexibility and Extensibility: Through techniques like LoRA, ControlNet, and IP-Adapter, SDXL can be adapted, controlled, and guided in ways that closed-source models often cannot. The modularity of the ecosystem is a huge strength.
Potential for Highly Personalised Results: Fine-tuning with personal datasets allows for the creation of truly unique and stylistically consistent imagery that reflects a specific artistic vision or subject matter with high fidelity.
No Ongoing Per-Image Costs (for local use): After the initial hardware setup, generating images locally with SDXL incurs no direct costs, which is highly advantageous for users with significant generation needs.

Cons

Significant Technical Setup and Hardware Requirements for Local Use: Running SDXL effectively locally requires a reasonably powerful GPU (typically an NVIDIA GPU with substantial VRAM, e.g., 8GB at a minimum, 12-24GB recommended for comfortable use and training) and a degree of technical aptitude to install and configure the necessary software (Python, Git, various UIs and dependencies).
Baseline Outputs Can Be Less Polished Without Specific Prompting/LoRAs: Compared to some highly curated commercial models (like Midjourney V7, as per your document), achieving a specific aesthetic with base SDXL often requires more detailed prompting, negative prompting, and often the use of specific LoRAs or embeddings to steer the output. It is less of an "out-of-the-box" art director.
Steeper Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic text-to-image is straightforward in many UIs, mastering advanced techniques like multi-LoRA blending, complex ControlNet setups, or fine-tuning your own models involves a steeper learning curve.
Ethical Concerns and Potential for Misuse: The open nature of Stable Diffusion means it can also be used to generate problematic content more easily than heavily moderated commercial services. Responsible use is reliant on the individual user.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (if run locally on your own hardware, after initial software download) | API access from various providers typically $0.0002 - $0.005 /image (varies widely by provider, resolution, and speed)

Best for
Technically-savvy creators, developers, researchers, and artists who desire maximum control, customisation, and ownership over their image generation pipeline. It is ideal for those willing to invest time in learning its intricacies and potentially in hardware to build custom workflows, fine-tune models for specific styles (e.g., creating bespoke art styles for a game using LoRAs), or integrate generation into their own applications.

CharGen tie-in
One of the most powerful tie-ins is to leverage CharGen's potential wrapper capabilities. If CharGen allows calling your own custom-trained SDXL LoRA (a fine-tuned style model you created), you can ensure that all character tokens, item cards, or other assets generated via CharGen perfectly adhere to your unique, bespoke art style developed with Stable Diffusion XL, leading to unparalleled campaign consistency.

Scenario — Train-your-own game-asset model

URL https://scenario.com | Latest update: Jan 2023 (Seed launch) - Actively Updated 2024/2025

What it does
Scenario is a generative AI platform meticulously engineered for game developers, positioning itself as a powerful tool for creating consistent 2D art assets at scale. Its core proposition revolves around enabling users to train their own custom AI models, often referred to as "generators". By uploading a collection of existing 2D art assets (typically characters, props, environments, sprites, or items – starting with as few as 10-20 images, though more are better for strong style adherence), developers can create bespoke models that generate new visuals perfectly aligned with their project's unique art direction. Scenario is designed to streamline the asset creation pipeline, offering features for generation, iteration, and editing, with a strong emphasis on maintaining stylistic consistency and providing artists with significant control over the AI's output. It also offers advanced features like ControlNet, image-to-image, texture generation, and even skybox creation.

Why you'd use it

Achieve IP-Consistent Asset Packs: For game development, maintaining a consistent visual style across all assets is paramount. Scenario excels here by allowing studios to train models exclusively on their own artwork. This ensures that generated sprites, character portraits, item icons, or environmental elements all share the same stylistic DNA, crucial for brand identity and immersive game worlds.
Non-Coder Friendly Fine-Tuning and Generation: While built on sophisticated AI, Scenario aims to provide a user experience that is accessible to artists and designers without requiring deep expertise in coding or AI model architecture. The process of uploading data, training a model, and generating assets is managed through a web interface with clear controls.
Accelerate Concepting and Iteration: Game development often involves rapid iteration on visual ideas. Scenario can significantly speed up this process by quickly generating multiple variations of characters, items, or environmental concepts based on a trained style, allowing teams to explore more creative avenues in less time.
Scalable Content Production: For games requiring a large volume of assets (e.g., collectible card games, mobile games with extensive item catalogues, or RPGs with numerous characters), Scenario offers a way to scale production more efficiently than relying solely on manual creation for every single asset.

Key features

Custom AI Model Training ("Generators"): Users upload their own 2D artwork (sprites, portraits, items, backgrounds) to train private, style-locked AI models. These models then generate new assets consistent with the training data.
Dataset Curation UI with Tagging: The platform provides tools for managing and tagging uploaded training images, which helps in organising datasets and potentially in guiding the training process for more specific results.
Comprehensive Generation and Editing Suite: Includes features for text-to-image generation using custom models, image-to-image transformations, prompt assistance (e.g., "Prompt Spark"), ControlNet integration for guided generation, in-painting, out-painting (expand), image enhancement, background removal, and upscaling (up to 16x).
Support for Various Asset Types: Caters to the generation of diverse game assets including character sprites, portraits, items, environmental elements, textures, and 360-degree skyboxes. Vector generation is also listed.
PNG Sequence Output (Implied for Sprites/Animation): While not explicitly detailed as "PNG sequence output" in the latest overview, the focus on game sprites and assets implies capabilities conducive to creating frames for 2D animation or sprite sheets, a common need in game development.
Commercial Licence Included: All paid plans on Scenario explicitly include commercial usage rights for the assets generated, which is critical for professional game development.
API Access: An API is available for integrating Scenario's capabilities into custom game development pipelines and workflows.
Team and Enterprise Features: Higher-tier plans offer collaborative workspaces, increased storage, more concurrent generations/trainings, priority support, and advanced security options like SOC2/SAML for larger teams and studios.

Pros

Exceptional Style-Lock and Consistency: The ability to train models on your own specific art style is Scenario's core strength. This leads to generated assets that truly match your game's aesthetic, avoiding the generic look of some general-purpose AI tools.
Tailored for Game Development Workflows: Scenario is not a general AI art tool; its features and interface are specifically designed with the needs of game developers in mind, from asset management to the types of visuals it helps create.
Empowers Artists with Control: The platform aims to give artists control over the AI, allowing them to guide generation, edit results, and ensure outputs align with their creative vision, rather than being entirely at the mercy of a black-box AI.
Clear Commercial Usage Rights: The explicit inclusion of commercial use rights in their paid plans provides necessary clarity and legal security for developers looking to use AI-generated assets in marketable game products.
Scalable Pay-As-You-Go and Subscription Options: The use of "Creative Units" and tiered subscription plans allows studios to choose a level that matches their usage needs, from solo developers to large enterprise teams.

Cons

Training Queues and Processing Times: Training custom models, especially with larger datasets or during peak usage times on the platform, can involve queue waits and processing time. This is a common factor with most custom AI model training services.
No Free Tier Beyond Initial Credits/Potential Cooldowns: While the original blog post mentioned a small image trial, current pricing focuses on paid tiers using "Creative Units". The "Pro" plan mentions "Uncapped Low Priority Generations" with cooldowns, which might offer some minimal ongoing generation after initial credits, but sustained use for production generally requires a paid plan.
Dependent on Quality and Quantity of Uploaded Training Data: The success of a custom model heavily relies on the quality, consistency, and quantity of the artwork uploaded for training. Insufficient or inconsistent data will likely lead to suboptimal results.
Focus Primarily on 2D Assets: While extremely capable for 2D, its current explicit strengths lie in 2D asset generation (sprites, illustrations, textures). Those seeking direct 3D model generation would need other tools, though Scenario-generated concept art can certainly inform 3D modelling.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Limited (Pro plan has "uncapped low priority generations" with cooldowns after initial Creative Units; historical mentions of small image trials may vary) | Paid from ~$36-45 /mo (Pro plan, price can vary with annual/monthly options and offers) using a "Creative Units" system.

Best for
Independent game developers and studio art teams who need to produce a significant volume of 2D game assets (like character sprites, item icons, backgrounds, or concept art) while maintaining strict adherence to a unique and consistent art style. It is particularly valuable for projects where stylistic cohesion is critical and where artists want to leverage AI as a production assistant rather than a replacement.

CharGen tie-in
Imagine you've used Scenario to train a custom AI model based on your game's unique character art style, generating a whole roster of consistent character portraits or sprites. You could then upload these perfectly styled assets into CharGen's Batch Token builder. CharGen would then automatically process these images, adding appropriate borders and sizing them perfectly for VTT use, ensuring your custom-styled characters are table-ready in moments.

Sound & Music

CharGen Music Generator — AI-crafted ambient loops & Comprehensive Audio Suite

URL https://char-gen.com/generate?contentType=audio | Latest update: Nov 2024

What it does
The CharGen Music Generator has evolved into a rather comprehensive audio suite, moving beyond its initial offering of AI-crafted ambient loops. While it still excels at creating 1- to 5-minute seamless ambiences (perfect for setting scenes like forests, taverns, or arcane laboratories) and short musical stings that match CharGen's art themes, its capabilities now extend significantly further. Users can leverage this tool for sophisticated music generation, employing a variety of AI models which may include cutting-edge options like Lyria 2 or Cassette for diverse musical styles. Furthermore, it incorporates robust Text-to-Speech (TTS) functionalities, potentially utilising renowned engines such as ElevenLabs, allowing for the creation of voiceovers, character dialogue, or narration directly within the platform. It also facilitates the generation of rich background audio and provides tools to integrate these creations, or existing audio files, with video projects, making it a versatile solution for multimedia content creation alongside traditional TTRPG audio needs.

Why you'd use it

You would find the CharGen Music Generator exceptionally useful if you require bespoke audio that's deeply integrated with your campaign's visual and thematic elements, especially if you're already using the CharGen ecosystem. The "zero copyright headache" aspect remains a strong pull, ensuring all generated content is royalty-free for your projects. Its expanded features make it a one-stop shop if you need not only ambient music but also custom soundscapes, AI-generated music tracks in specific styles, or high-quality text-to-speech for narrations or character voices. If you're looking to add custom soundtracks to video content, such as session recaps or promotional material, the tools to integrate audio with video are a significant boon. It's ideal for the creator who values customisation and a streamlined workflow for diverse audio requirements.

Key features

AI Music Generation: Creates original music tracks using various AI models (potentially including Lyria 2, Cassette, and others) catering to different styles and moods.
Ambient Loop Creation: Still produces 1- to 5-minute seamless ambient loops for background atmosphere.
Text-to-Speech (TTS): Integrated TTS capabilities, possibly leveraging engines like ElevenLabs, for generating voiceovers and character dialogue.
Background Audio Generation: Tools to craft complex background soundscapes beyond simple loops.
Video Audio Integration: Features for adding generated or existing music and audio to video projects.
Genre & Mood Sliders: Intuitive controls to guide the AI in generating audio that matches the desired feel.
Loop-Point Preview: Essential for ensuring seamless looping of ambient tracks.
Download Options: Typically offers downloads in common formats like MP3 or Ogg.
Integration with CharGen Art: Designed to create audio that complements the visual themes produced by other CharGen tools.

Pros

Versatile Audio Toolkit: Offers a wide range of audio creation tools, from music and ambience to TTS and video sound integration, all in one place.
Instant, Royalty-Free Tracks: All AI-generated content is free from copyright restrictions, which is invaluable for public-facing projects or streams.
Deep Integration with CharGen Ecosystem: Seamlessly works with other CharGen tools, especially the art and scene generators, for a cohesive creative experience.
Access to Multiple AI Models: The potential to use different AI models (like Lyria 2, Cassette, ElevenLabs) means a broader palette of sonic possibilities and quality levels.
Customisation Controls: Features like genre and mood sliders provide good control over the AI's output.
Streamlined Workflow: Reduces the need to jump between multiple applications for different audio tasks.
Free Tier Availability: Often provides a free tier that allows users to sample the capabilities, perhaps with outputs at a standard resolution like 128 kbps.

Cons

Potential Model Variability: The quality and specific characteristics of audio will depend on the underlying AI models being used, which can vary. Access to premium models might be tied to higher credit usage or subscription tiers.
Credit-Based System for High Quality: Higher quality exports or use of advanced features/models often rely on a credit-based system or a monthly subscription, which can become costly for heavy users.
AI Quirks and Learning Curve: As with any AI generation tool, there might be occasional quirks in the output, and learning to effectively prompt or guide the AI for optimal results can take some experimentation.
Complexity with Added Features: While powerful, the addition of numerous features might increase the learning curve for new users compared to a simpler, single-purpose tool.
Dependency on Platform Updates: The range and quality of available AI models and features are dependent on the platform's ongoing development and licensing agreements.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (likely with limitations on output quality or model access) | Paid from $5 /mo credits (or tiered subscriptions based on feature access and usage).

Best for
Creative GMs, writers, and multimedia content creators who desire a powerful, integrated suite for generating a wide array of custom, royalty-free audio – from ambient loops and bespoke music to TTS and video soundtracks – especially those already invested in the CharGen ecosystem.

CharGen tie-in
Direct export of generated music, ambiences, and even TTS character lines to CharGen slideshow scenes or character profiles, enabling a truly multimedia approach to your campaign materials without needing to upload or manage files separately.

Syrinscape — Blockbuster soundsets with dynamic layering

URL https://syrinscape.com | Latest update: May 2024 (Web Player Enhancements)

What it does
Syrinscape is a comprehensive sound design application, available on desktop and mobile, as well as directly in your browser. It provides an extensive library of sound effects, ambient tracks, and music scores, meticulously designed for tabletop roleplaying games. Its particular strength lies in dynamically layered soundboards, allowing for real-time mixing and adaptation to specific in-game scenarios, such as a "Goblin Ambush at Night" or the bustling atmosphere of a "Fantasy Market." The system uses sophisticated algorithms to ensure that soundscapes are non-repetitive and spatially aware, creating a truly immersive auditory experience.

Why you'd use it
Game Masters turn to Syrinscape when they require a truly cinematic audio backdrop for their campaigns. If you are running officially published adventures for popular systems like Dungeons & Dragons or Pathfinder, Syrinscape offers an unparalleled advantage with its vast catalogue of pre-made soundsets that correspond directly to locations, encounters, and even specific pages in adventure books. This significantly reduces preparation time. Furthermore, its ability to allow real-time mixing of different sound elements – such as layering weather effects over background music and then triggering specific sound effects – provides a level of dynamic control that is hard to match. For those broadcasting their games, Syrinscape offers clear guidelines and licensing for use in streams and actual plays, a considerable boon in the age of online TTRPGs.

Key features

Extensive Official Soundset Library: Offers pre-built soundscapes for numerous D&D, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and other TTRPG adventures.
Online Web Player: Enables GMs to control sounds via a master interface and broadcast to players who can listen through their own browsers without needing to install software or even create an account. This is a significant improvement for online play.
SoundSet Creator (SuperSyrin subscription): Allows users to upload their own audio samples and create entirely custom soundboards, or modify existing ones.
Dynamic Audio Engine: Samples are randomised and positioned in a surround sound environment, preventing noticeable looping and creating a more naturalistic soundscape.
Global One-Shots: Quick access to commonly needed sound effects like sword clashes, spell sounds, or creature roars, usable across any soundset.
Integration with VTTs: Offers API support and has seen community-driven integrations with platforms like Foundry VTT and Fantasy Grounds, with hopes for more official support in the future.
Offline Player: Desktop versions allow for caching of soundsets for use without a constant internet connection, ideal for in-person games in locations with spotty Wi-Fi.

Pros

Unmatched Audio Quality and Depth: The sheer volume and professional polish of the sound library are exceptional, offering a rich, immersive experience.
Time-Saving for Published Adventures: The alignment with official campaign books is a massive time saver for GMs running those modules.
Highly Customisable (with top tier): The SuperSyrin subscription unlocks powerful tools to tailor soundscapes precisely to a homebrew world or unique encounter.
Stream-Friendly: Clear policies and tools for using audio in live streams and recorded content, including attribution generation.
Cross-Platform Availability: Accessible via web browser, dedicated desktop apps (Windows, macOS), and mobile apps (iOS, Android).
Continuous Development: The platform is regularly updated with new content and features, such as the continually improving Web Player.

Cons

Subscription Cost: To unlock the full library, online play capabilities, and customisation tools, the SuperSyrin subscription is necessary, which can be a significant recurring expense. While there are cheaper, more focused subscriptions (e.g., D&D only), the most powerful features are gated behind the top tier.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features: While basic playback is straightforward, mastering the SoundSet Creator and the more intricate aspects of the master interface can take time and effort.
Resource Intensive at Times: The desktop and web applications can occasionally be demanding on system resources, particularly older machines.
Content Organisation: While search functionality has improved, navigating the immense library to find the perfect obscure sound can sometimes still be a bit of a treasure hunt.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Sampler available (limited soundsets) | Paid from ~$7.15 /mo (D&D or Pathfinder specific) to $10.99 /mo (SuperSyrin full access). Prices may vary and are often billed bi-annually.

Best for
Game Masters who prioritise a high-fidelity, deeply immersive audio experience, especially those running official D&D, Pathfinder, or Call of Cthulhu campaigns. It is also excellent for GMs who stream their games or want fine-grained control over their soundscapes and are willing to invest in the subscription for those features.

CharGen tie-in
Embed Syrinscape links in CharGen scene notes so ambience triggers with your art reveal. For advanced users, investigate community tools that might allow for more direct integration via Syrinscape's API if you are technically inclined.

BattleBards — Streaming library & soundboard [Potentially Defunct/Redirects]

URL https://battlebards.com (now redirects to Ambient-Mixer.com) | Latest update: June 2024 (Service status unclear)

What it was intended to do
BattleBards was conceived as a web-based player and desktop soundboard application, aiming to provide a library of over 1,800 tracks. This collection was designed to include not just music and ambient soundscapes, but also a significant number of NPC voice lines, covering various fantasy archetypes like the "Dwarf merchant gruff greeting" or monstrous roars. The platform was intended for GMs who valued having a diverse range of spoken phrases and characterful interjections readily available, alongside more traditional musical and environmental audio.

Why you might have used it
Historically, the key appeal of BattleBards was its focus on NPC vocalizations, a niche not as extensively covered by all other audio platforms. If a Game Master wanted to quickly inject personality into an encounter with a specific voice line without needing to perform it themselves, BattleBards aimed to be the solution. Its streaming nature also appealed to those who preferred not to download and manage large local audio libraries. The promise of a WebRTC player share feature also suggested an easy way to broadcast audio to players in online games.

Former key features (based on previous information)

NPC Voice Lines: A significant library of spoken dialogue and character sounds.
Music and Ambience Tracks: A substantial collection of general background audio.
Playlist and Hotkey Functionality: For organising and quickly triggering desired sounds.
Private Track Upload (Prime Tier): Intended for users to add their own audio to the system.
WebRTC Player Share: Designed to stream audio directly to players' browsers.

Pros (based on original premise)

Emphasis on Vocalizations: Offered a unique selling point with its extensive collection of NPC and monster voice lines, providing a quick way to add character to encounters.
Browser-Based Access: Convenient for GMs who prefer not to install dedicated software, allowing access from any device with a web browser.
Potential for Lifetime Licenses: Some audio packs were reportedly available for individual purchase with a lifetime license, which could be cost-effective for specific needs.

Cons (and Current Status)

Current Status Highly Uncertain: As of mid-2024, the original battlebards.com URL redirects to Ambient-Mixer.com, a different (though also useful) audio service. This strongly suggests BattleBards as a standalone service may no longer be operational, or has been merged or discontinued. Their associated podcast, "Battle Bards," also announced it was sunsetting around June 2024.
Interface (Historical): Some users historically found its interface less polished when compared to competitors like Syrinscape.
Audio Quality (Historical): Reports suggested that some older audio packs might have been in lower fidelity formats (e.g., 44 kHz mono).
Reliance on Streaming: For those with unstable internet connections, a streaming-focused service could be problematic.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Previously Yes (approx. 30 tracks) | Paid Formerly $9.99 /mo Prime or à la carte. Current pricing and availability are unknown due to the service's unclear status.

Best for (Historically)
DMs who placed a high value on pre-recorded character voice clips and a modular approach to sound effects, and who preferred a browser-based, streaming solution. However, its current viability is questionable.

CharGen tie-in
Previously, one might have attached BattleBards voice IDs to CharGen NPC bios for quick role-play. Given the current situation, it would be prudent to verify if any assets or functionalities have been incorporated into Ambient Mixer, or to seek alternative solutions for NPC vocalizations.

Tabletop Audio — Free 10-minute ambient loops

URL https://tabletopaudio.com | Latest update: Continuous (new tracks regularly, 400+ as of late 2024)

What it does
Tabletop Audio is a wonderfully straightforward and highly acclaimed free resource, providing a vast library of 10-minute ambient audio tracks designed for tabletop roleplaying games, writers, and indeed anyone seeking immersive soundscapes. These tracks cover a wide array of genres, from classic fantasy (deep forests, bustling taverns, dragon lairs) and science fiction (starship bridges, alien refineries) to historical settings and modern-day environments. Beyond the individual ambient tracks, Tabletop Audio also offers innovative "SoundPads." These are interactive soundboards that allow users to mix and layer various sound effects (SFX), short musical cues, and ambiences in real-time, offering a more dynamic and customisable audio experience. The site is entirely ad-free and supported by its users, primarily through Patreon.

Why you'd use it
The primary attraction of Tabletop Audio is its unbeatable combination of high quality and zero cost for its core offerings. If you need a quick, effective, and entirely free way to add atmospheric sound to your game without any fuss or required logins, this is an outstanding choice. It is particularly brilliant for GMs who are new to using audio, or those who prefer a minimalist setup, perhaps running their game from a single laptop tab. The 10-minute loops are long enough to set a scene without becoming overly repetitive too quickly, and the sheer variety ensures there is something for almost any conceivable scenario. The SoundPads offer a step up in interactivity for those wanting to trigger specific effects or blend sounds on the fly.

Key features

Extensive Free Library: Over 400 (and growing) distinct 10-minute ambient tracks available for free streaming.
Diverse Genres: Covers fantasy, sci-fi, historical, modern, nature, horror, and pure music tracks.
SoundPads: Interactive soundboards with dozens of themed sounds (e.g., "Dungeon I," "Tavern," "Cyberpunk Bar," "Starship Bridge") that can be mixed and layered. Custom SoundPads can also be created by users, mixing elements from different pre-made SoundPads.
No Account Required: Access the vast majority of content without needing to sign up or log in.
Patreon Benefits: Supporters gain access to alternative versions of tracks (e.g., ambience-only, music-only), higher bitrate downloads, and early access to new content.
Playlist Functionality: Users can create and save playlists of their favourite tracks directly on the site (device-specific) and share playlist links.
Stream-Safe (with attribution): The creator allows use of the 10-minute ambiences in non-profit podcasts/videos with attribution, and has clear guidelines for monetised content (often covered by a Patreon subscription).

Pros

Completely Free Core Service: An incredible amount of high-quality audio is available at no cost.
Extremely Easy to Use: Simple, intuitive web interface. Just click and play.
No Software Installation: Runs directly in your browser, making it very lightweight and accessible.
High-Quality, Original Audio: All tracks are composed and produced by the site's creator, ensuring a consistent level of quality.
Regular Updates: New ambiences and SoundPad features are added frequently.
Versatile SoundPads: Offer excellent customisation for more dynamic soundscaping without significant complexity.
Supportive Community and Creator: Actively maintained and user-supported via Patreon.

Cons

Limited Automation (Free Tier): The free tracks are primarily looping ambiences; there is no built-in system for complex per-scene automation triggers without manual intervention or third-party tools.
Primarily Ambience and Mood Music: While SoundPads offer SFX, the core strength lies in background ambiences rather than an exhaustive library of every conceivable spot effect (though the SoundPad SFX library is extensive and growing).
Patreon for Full Flexibility: Access to music-only/ambience-only versions and downloads is typically a Patreon perk, which is understandable but means the free versions are fixed mixes.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, extensive and fully functional. | Patreon $1+ /mo for extras like alternate track versions and high-quality downloads. Higher tiers offer more benefits.

Best for
Game Masters seeking a high-quality, incredibly easy-to-use, and free (or very budget-friendly) solution for ambient audio. It's perfect for those who want to enhance their games without a steep learning curve or significant financial investment. The SoundPads also make it a great option for those wanting a bit more real-time control over SFX and layered ambiences.

CharGen tie-in
Link Tabletop Audio track URLs directly inside CharGen location handouts or scene descriptions. For SoundPads, you could note down your preferred sound combinations for specific CharGen scenes for quick recall during play.

Monument Studios Fantasy+ — Orchestral score and ambience subscription

URL https://www.monumentstudios.net/fantasy-plus (main page for Fantasy+) | Latest update: May 2024 (Discord integration, upcoming Desktop Client May 2025)

What it does
Monument Studios Fantasy+ is a subscription service offering a substantial and growing library of professional, Hollywood-grade orchestral music, ambient soundscapes, and sound effects tailored for tabletop roleplaying games and other creative projects. It provides users with unlimited access to its audio assets through a web player, with a desktop client anticipated for launch in May 2025. A key differentiator is its focus on high production values, aiming to deliver a cinematic audio experience. The platform allows for significant user customisation, including the ability to upload personal audio files and mix multiple tracks simultaneously.

Why you'd use it
This service is particularly appealing if you are seeking high-quality, emotionally resonant background scores and immersive ambiences that can elevate your game to a near-cinematic level. If the idea of layering multiple professionally produced tracks – perhaps combining an orchestral piece with subtle environmental sounds and a specific magical effect – appeals to you, Fantasy+ provides the tools for such detailed soundscaping. Its flat monthly fee for unlimited access is attractive for GMs who use audio extensively. The upcoming native Discord integration is a significant plus for those running games online, simplifying the process of sharing audio with players.

Key features

Extensive Audio Library: Access to a large and expanding collection of music, ambience, and sound effects.
Hollywood-Grade Production: Focus on high-quality, professional-sounding audio assets.
User Uploads: Ability to augment the existing library by uploading your own audio files.
Multi-Track Mixing: Users can mix up to 8 audio files at once for granular control over the soundscape.
Native Discord Integration: Allows for seamless audio sharing with players on Discord, a standout feature.
Web Player & Upcoming Desktop Client: Accessible via browser, with a dedicated desktop application planned for May 2025 for potentially enhanced functionality and offline access.
Phase Tagging (mentioned previously): While not prominent on the current site, earlier information suggested tracks could be tagged by game phase (e.g., exploration, combat) for easier selection, which may still be a feature or planned.
BPM and Key Filters (mentioned previously): Similarly, filters for beats per minute and musical key were previously noted as features for refined searching.

Pros

Exceptional Sound Quality: Delivers a premium, cinema-level audio experience that can significantly enhance immersion.
Affordable Flat-Rate Subscription: A very reasonable monthly cost ($4.99) for unlimited access to a vast and growing library is excellent value.
Powerful Customisation: The ability to upload own tracks and mix multiple files offers considerable creative freedom.
Discord Integration: A major convenience for online GMs, streamlining audio sharing.
Continuous Development: Regular addition of new audio and platform features, including the forthcoming desktop client.
Simple Licensing: Generally straightforward for use in personal games and potentially streams (though always best to verify terms for commercial use).

Cons

Primarily Music and Ambience Focused (Historically): While SFX are now mentioned, its historical strength and branding leant heavily towards orchestral scores and rich ambiences. The breadth of its SFX library compared to dedicated SFX platforms might vary.
Web Player Dependent (Currently): Until the desktop client is released, a stable internet connection is necessary for access and use.
Newer Platform Compared to Some: While growing rapidly, it may not yet have the sheer volume of niche tracks or the years of community content found on some older platforms (though user uploads mitigate this).
Feature Discoverability: Some previously highlighted features like phase tagging or specific filters aren't as prominent on the current landing page, so their current implementation status might require deeper exploration within the app itself.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No (samples available on site) | Paid $4.99 /mo (cancel anytime)

Best for
Game Masters who desire epic, high-fidelity orchestral scores and rich ambient environments to create a truly cinematic feel for their campaigns. It's excellent value for those who frequently use audio and appreciate the ability to customise and layer sound. The Discord integration makes it particularly strong for online play.

CharGen tie-in
With its focus on high-quality scores, you could assign specific Fantasy+ tracks or custom mixes to key CharGen characters, locations, or plot arcs. Use scene notes in CharGen to list the track/mix for dramatic reveals or consistent thematic audio.

Pocketbard — Mobile DJ for tabletop

URL https://pocketbard.app | Latest update: May 2024 (Phase mixer v2)

What it does
Pocketbard is a rather nifty application for both iOS and Android mobile telephones, designed to bring a rich audio experience to your tabletop role-playing game sessions. At its core, it organises musical tracks and soundscapes according to the phase of your story, allowing a game master to shift the auditory mood with a simple tap. Imagine seamlessly transitioning from the gentle, lilting tunes of peaceful exploration to the heart-pounding drums of a sudden combat encounter, all with a single button press. It's built for those moments when the narrative takes a sharp turn and you need the atmosphere to follow suit, instantly. Beyond simple track switching, an intensity slider allows for nuanced adjustments to the music and sound effects, ensuring the audio perfectly complements the on-table action.

Why you'd use it

You might find Pocketbard particularly useful if you often run your game sessions directly from your phone, or if you're after a straightforward way to automate those crucial scene changes without fiddling with complex software. It's for the GM who values speed and simplicity at the table, ensuring the flow of the game isn't interrupted by technical fumbling. If you're looking for an accessible tool that doesn't require hours of learning, this could be just the ticket.

Key features

Phase stacks: This is the central idea, allowing you to categorise your audio into distinct phases like 'calm', 'tension', and 'battle'. This makes for very swift changes in mood.
Offline caching: A brilliant feature for games in locations with dodgy internet, or none at all. Once downloaded, your sounds are available entirely offline.
Custom playlist import: While it has its own library, the ability to bring in your own curated playlists gives you much greater flexibility.
Intensity Slider: This allows for dynamic shifts within a scene, altering the arrangement and impact of the current audio.
Cross-platform: Available on both iOS and Android, with a Windows version also in open beta for those who prefer a desktop interface or need to integrate with other desktop applications.
Original Music: The developers make a point that all their music is originally composed by their in-house team, ensuring a unique sound and avoiding concerns about using copyrighted material.

Pros

Exceptionally quick to learn: The user interface is designed for ease of use, meaning you can get up and running with it in next to no time. This is a real boon when you have limited prep time.
Truly runs offline: The caching system is robust, providing peace of mind that your game's soundtrack won't be cut short by a lost connection.
Affordable entry: The free tier, "Fantasy Essentials," offers a decent selection of 17 scenes to get you started, and the full unlock, while previously a one-time purchase, has moved towards a subscription model ("Open Worlds") for an expanding library, but still aims to be reasonably priced.
Responsive development: The team seems active, with updates and a commitment to expanding content, including different genres like Sci-Fi and Horror.
Desktop option developing: The Windows open beta is a welcome addition for those who want to integrate with online play more easily or simply prefer a larger screen.

Cons

Subscription for full library: To access the complete and ever-growing "Open Worlds" library, a subscription is now the primary model. While this supports ongoing development, some users may prefer a one-time purchase for all content.
Android version historically less polished: While continuously improving, the Android version has sometimes lagged slightly behind its iOS counterpart in terms of polish, though this gap is closing.
Sound effect subtlety: Some users have noted that certain one-shot sound effects can be a little understated and may get lost beneath the main music tracks, even with volume adjustments.
Limited built-in library in free tier: While the free "Fantasy Essentials" is a good start, those wanting a vast array of sounds immediately without paying will find it somewhat restricted compared to the subscription offering.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, "Fantasy Essentials" with 17 scenes. | Paid Subscription for "Open Worlds" (check app for current pricing)

Best for
Game Masters who primarily use their mobile phone at the gaming table and require a very fast, intuitive system for changing musical moods on the fly. It's also excellent for those who need reliable offline access to their soundscapes.

CharGen tie-in
A clever idea is to add CharGen QR codes to your physical handouts. Players could then scan these codes to trigger the matching Pocketbard scene directly on their own device, further deepening immersion.

TableTone — Adaptive ambience engine

URL https://tabletone.app | Latest update: Nov 2023 (Note: App store listings show more recent content updates, e.g., May 2024/2025 for new Sci-Fi content)

What it does
TableTone is a sophisticated soundboard application, available on app stores and accessible via the web, designed to provide an adaptive audio backdrop for tabletop role-playing games. Its main selling point is its ability to intelligently cross-fade between ambient soundscapes as you, the Game Master, signal changes in the game's location or mood. For instance, you could smoothly transition the audio environment from a bustling forest into the cosy hubbub of a village tavern with minimal effort. It's built around the concept of "adaptive audio," meaning the system itself handles the blending of sounds to create seamless and natural-sounding shifts, rather than abrupt cuts. It aims to offer studio-quality audio across various genres including Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Cyberpunk, and Horror.

Why you'd use it

You would turn to TableTone if you desire truly smooth and almost cinematic transitions between your game's auditory scenes. If you find the idea of an engine that automatically handles the complexities of cross-fading appealing, and prefer a dedicated application rather than piecing together playlists, this is certainly one to consider. It's for the GM who wants a high-quality, immersive sound that reacts dynamically to the unfolding narrative.

Key features

Adaptive Audio Engine: This is the star of the show. TableTone's technology focuses on seamless transitions between locations, situations (e.g., Relaxed, Suspense, Action), moods (Dark, Neutral, Bright), and intensity levels.
Scene Library & Presets: Comes with pre-designed scenes and allows users to save their own custom presets, organising locations, soundboards, ambiences, and intensities for quick access during a game.
Soundboard Functionality: Includes a soundboard with slots for various one-off sound effects, like a dragon's roar or a magical spell.
Global Ambiences: Allows for overarching ambient sounds like rain or a crackling campfire that can be layered over location-specific audio.
Multi-Genre Support: The library is not limited to fantasy, with content available for Sci-Fi, Horror, and Cyberpunk settings, and it's regularly updated.
User-Centric Design: The developers state it's built "by gamers, for gamers" and they actively solicit feedback for improvements and new content.
Machine Learning for Music Selection: The app uses machine learning to help select music that matches the chosen scene, aiming to simplify setup.

Pros

Superb audio transitions: The adaptive engine genuinely excels at creating smooth, natural-sounding cross-fades between different audio states. This is a significant step up from manually managing multiple audio tracks.
High-quality sound: Users consistently praise the "studio-grade" quality of the music and ambient sounds provided.
Intuitive user interface: Despite its sophisticated engine, the app is generally considered easy to use, which is vital when a GM is already juggling many other tasks.
Regular content updates: Subscribers can expect a continuous flow of new locations, sounds, and music, keeping the library fresh.
Good for dynamic storytelling: The ease with which moods and intensities can be shifted makes it very responsive to the unpredictable nature of TTRPGs.

Cons

Subscription model and price: The primary way to access the full library is via a monthly or annual subscription, which some users find quite pricey, especially if they only GM occasionally.
No custom audio uploads: You are reliant on TableTone's own audio library; you cannot import your own music or sound effects. This is likely due to the complexities of their adaptive audio engine.
Primarily for in-person play (historically): While it's an app, easy integration with online VTTs or streaming to remote players hasn't always been its strongest suit, though this may evolve.
Sound library navigation: Some reviews have mentioned that finding specific sounds within the extensive library could be improved with better search or tagging functionality, though presets help mitigate this.
Internet required for initial access/updates: While playback might be stable once loaded, initial access to the library and updates will naturally require an internet connection.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, a limited version to try. | Paid Monthly or Annual Subscription (e.g., approx $9.99/month or $99.99/year, check app for current regional pricing) for full library access. Creator subscriptions with additional rights are also available.

Best for
Storytellers and Game Masters who place a high value on seamless, high-quality ambient sound transitions and are comfortable with a subscription model for a continuously expanding library. It's particularly good for those who want an "it just works" solution for dynamic audio.

CharGen tie-in
One could imagine tagging CharGen scene IDs or location keywords to quickly recall or even automate the switching of TableTone ambiences, perhaps via webhooks if such an API becomes available, making for a deeply integrated experience.

RPG Sounds Desktop — Local soundboard with big library

URL https://store.steampowered.com/app/1480140/RPG_Sounds/ | Latest update: Jan 2021 (on Steam page, though community patches and DLC exist)

What it does
RPG Sounds Desktop is a software application available on the Steam platform, tailored for both Windows and macOS users. It functions as a comprehensive audio tool for Dungeon Masters and tabletop RPG players, allowing them to manage and deploy music, ambient soundscapes, and sound effects. A key characteristic is its emphasis on local control; it's designed as a tool that lets you import your existing audio library (supporting common file types) and organise it efficiently. You can then prepare specific "sessions" by pulling in the sounds you need, ready to be triggered with ease. While it offers its own sound packs as optional downloadable content (DLC), its strength lies in empowering users with their own audio collections.

Why you'd use it

This is the choice for GMs who have already curated a substantial personal library of music and sound effects and need a robust system to organise and deploy them without relying on an internet connection during sessions. If you prefer a one-time purchase for the core software and the ability to expand with optional sound packs as you see fit, rather than a subscription, RPG Sounds Desktop will appeal. It's particularly good for those running games at conventions or in locations with unreliable internet.

Key features

Local audio import: Bring your own MP3s, WAVs, and (with community patches) potentially M4A and WMA files. This is a huge plus for those with established sound libraries.
Session and preset organisation: Structure your sounds into libraries and then into game-specific sessions, so everything you need is at your fingertips.
SFX Pad: A dedicated interface for triggering sound effects quickly, enhancing moments like combat or spellcasting.
Key Mapping for SFX: Assign sound effects to keyboard shortcuts for even faster deployment.
Offline operation: Once your sounds are imported and the software installed, it runs entirely offline.
Online Play feature (use with caution): It includes a feature to stream audio to remote players, though recent community discussions on Steam indicate this functionality has been unreliable for some users.
Optional DLC Sound Packs: Purchase themed sound packs (e.g., combat, forest, horror) if you want to expand your library with professionally designed audio that's optimised for the software.
Cross-platform: Available for both Windows and macOS.

Pros

One-time purchase for core software: No ongoing subscription is required for the main application, which many users appreciate.
Full control over your own audio: The ability to import and manage your personal sound library is its biggest strength. You're not locked into a specific ecosystem.
Excellent for offline use: Perfect for gaming in internet-dead zones or if you simply prefer not to rely on a connection.
Good organisational tools: The library and session system helps keep even large sound collections manageable.
Active community: Despite the official development pace, the community has stepped in with patches to fix bugs and add minor features, showing user dedication.
Potentially very cost-effective: If you already own a lot of audio, the initial software cost is minimal compared to subscription services.

Cons

"Online Play" feature unreliability: This is a significant drawback for those specifically needing to stream to remote players, as its current performance is questionable according to user reports.
Core software updates infrequent: Official updates from the developer (Cast n Play) seem to have slowed, with the last noted on the Steam page being quite some time ago. Reliance is shifting to community efforts for fixes.
User interface can feel a bit dated: Compared to some newer, sleeker app designs, the UI might not feel as modern, though it is generally functional.
DLC costs can add up: While the base software is a one-time buy, acquiring a large number of the official sound packs can become a notable expense.
Initial setup can be time-consuming: Importing and tagging a large existing library will naturally take some effort to get organised within the software.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No, but the base software is a one-time purchase (check Steam for current price, often around $10-$15). | Paid Optional DLC Sound Packs (typically $4.99 each).

Best for
Offline-focused GMs with a significant existing audio library who want a dedicated desktop tool for organisation and playback. It's a solid choice for those who prefer a buy-once software model and value local control.

CharGen tie-in
You could meticulously name your imported CharGen ambience loops and sound effects within RPG Sounds Desktop, perhaps using a consistent prefix or tagging system. Then, when a CharGen scene is active, you'd know exactly which custom folder or session preset to call up in RPG Sounds for perfectly matched audio.

Ambient Mixer RPG — Community-made looping ambiences

URL https://rpg.ambient-mixer.com | Latest update: Community-driven (daily)

What it does
Ambient Mixer, specifically its RPG-focused section, is a fascinating website dedicated to user-generated ambient soundscapes. Think of it as a vast, ever-expanding library of atmospheric audio, crafted by a global community of GMs and sound enthusiasts. Users create "mixes" – layered combinations of different sound loops – designed to evoke specific environments or moods, such as a "rainy tavern at night," a "creepy dungeon," or an "elvish forest." Each mix typically features multiple channels (often up to eight) of distinct sounds (e.g., chatter, crackling fire, distant music, wind), and listeners can adjust the individual volume of each channel to customise the overall soundscape to their liking in real-time.

Why you'd use it

You'd gravitate towards Ambient Mixer RPG if you're hunting for highly specific or niche ambiences that might not be readily available in pre-packaged sound apps. If you delight in the idea of tweaking each individual sound layer within an atmosphere to get it just right, this platform is ideal. It's also a fantastic resource if you're on a tight budget, as the vast majority of content is free to stream.

Key features

Massive user-generated library: The sheer volume and variety of ambient mixes is its greatest asset, covering a huge range of RPG settings and scenarios.
8-channel mixer per ambience: Most mixes allow you to control the volume of up to eight distinct sound loops, offering a good degree of customisation.
Create and save personal mixes: If you register, you can create your own unique ambient soundscapes from the available sound pool or by uploading your own sounds (though upload functionality details might vary).
Free streaming: Access to listen to and customise mixes is generally free.
Community ratings and popularity: Mixes are often rated and sorted by popularity, helping you find high-quality or well-regarded soundscapes.
Download Ogg (premium): For those who want to use mixes offline, a premium subscription typically allows for downloading them in the Ogg Vorbis audio format.

Pros

Unparalleled variety: The community-driven nature means you can find ambiences for almost any conceivable situation, from the common to the truly obscure. If you need "the sound of a goblin marketplace during a hailstorm," someone has probably made it.
Highly customisable: Being able to adjust individual sound channels in real-time is brilliant for tailoring an atmosphere perfectly to your scene's needs.
Mostly free to use: The ability to stream and use these complex soundscapes without any upfront cost is a massive advantage, especially for GMs on a budget.
Constant stream of new content: Because it's community-driven, new mixes are added very regularly.
Inspiration source: Even if you don't use the mixes directly, browsing the site can provide excellent inspiration for your game's atmosphere.

Cons

Variable quality: As with any user-generated content platform, the quality of mixes can vary significantly from one creator to another. Some are masterfully done, others less so.
Website interface can be busy: The website, while functional, can sometimes feel a little cluttered, and navigating to find the perfect sound can occasionally take some digging.
Ads for non-logged-in users: Like many free services, you may encounter advertisements if you're not logged in or don't have a premium account.
Requires internet for streaming (mostly): Unless you have a premium account and download mixes, a stable internet connection is necessary for playback.
Learning curve for creation: While listening is easy, creating your own truly effective and well-balanced mixes can take some practice and understanding of sound layering.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, extensive free streaming and customisation of mixes. | Paid Premium subscription (e.g., around €20 per year) typically for ad-free experience and Ogg downloads. (Check site for current details).

Best for
GMs looking for highly specific or unusual ambient environments, those who enjoy fine-tuning individual sound elements, and anyone operating on a limited budget who still wants a rich audio tapestry for their games.

CharGen tie-in
For a truly immersive experience, you could embed direct links to specific Ambient Mixer RPG soundscapes within your CharGen location handouts or digital character sheets. When players explore a new area described in CharGen, a single click could launch the perfectly corresponding ambient mix.

YouTube RPG Playlists — Infinite free tracks

URL https://www.youtube.com | Latest update: Constant

What it does
YouTube, the ubiquitous video-sharing platform, also serves as an unimaginably vast repository of music and ambient soundscapes suitable for tabletop role-playing games. Countless creators and fellow GMs curate and upload playlists specifically designed for RPGs, covering every conceivable genre, mood, and situation. You can find hours-long mixes of "epic battle music," "medieval tavern ambience," "creepy forest sounds," "sci-fi spaceship hum," and even niche "bardcore" covers of popular songs. The platform's familiar interface and powerful search function make it relatively easy to find something that fits your needs, often with multiple variations to choose from.

Why you'd use it

The primary reasons to use YouTube for your RPG audio are its zero cost of entry (for ad-supported content) and the sheer, unparalleled volume of available tracks and playlists. If you're on a strict budget, or if you need an incredibly diverse range of audio that you can access from virtually any internet-connected device, YouTube is an obvious first port of call. Its ubiquity means most players will already be familiar with how to use it.

Key features

Vast content library: Millions of hours of music and ambient tracks, with dedicated RPG playlists constantly being created and updated by the community.
Curated playlists: Many users compile extensive playlists themed for specific scenarios (e.g., "D&D Combat," "Pathfinder Exploration," "Call of Cthulhu Tension").
Standard YouTube playback controls: Includes options for adjusting playback speed, and some level of pitch control, which can be useful for subtly altering tracks.
YouTube Music integration (Premium): Subscribers to YouTube Premium or YouTube Music Premium can often enjoy ad-free listening and background playback on mobile devices, which is a significant quality-of-life improvement.
Cross-device compatibility: Accessible on desktops, laptops, tablets, smartphones, smart TVs – virtually anything with a web browser or the YouTube app.

Pros

Absolutely enormous selection: You are almost guaranteed to find music or ambience for any situation you can imagine, often with many different stylistic interpretations.
Completely free (with ads): The barrier to entry is non-existent, making it the most accessible option for many.
Familiar interface: Most people already know how to search for and play content on YouTube, requiring no learning curve.
Easy sharing: Sharing a playlist link with your players is incredibly simple.
Community-driven curation: Many playlists are thoughtfully put together by fellow GMs who understand the needs of tabletop gaming.
Long mixes available: Many creators upload multi-hour compilations, reducing the need to frequently switch tracks.

Cons

Advertisements: For non-Premium users, advertisements can be frequent and highly disruptive to game immersion. This is the single biggest drawback.
DMCA / Copyright uncertainties: The provenance of some music on YouTube can be questionable. Tracks can sometimes be removed due to copyright claims, potentially breaking your carefully curated playlists without warning.
Variable audio quality: While much content is high quality, you can also find tracks with poor audio fidelity.
Internet connection absolutely required: Unlike apps with offline modes, YouTube necessitates a stable internet connection for playback.
Can be distracting: The visual element of YouTube, even if you're just using it for audio, can sometimes be a distraction at the game table.
Playlist management can be basic: While you can create playlists, managing very large numbers of them or performing complex audio manipulations isn't YouTube's core strength compared to dedicated audio software.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, with advertisements. | Paid YouTube Premium (check current regional pricing, typically around $12-14/month) for ad-free listening, background play, and downloads.

Best for
GMs on a very tight budget, those who need an incredibly wide variety of musical styles and ambiences instantly, or for quick, impromptu sound needs. It's a fantastic starting point, though often enhanced by a Premium subscription to remove ads.

CharGen tie-in
A simple yet effective integration is to drop YouTube playlist links directly into your CharGen campaign notes or digital handouts. Players can then easily access and cue up session-specific music or ambient tracks themselves, taking some of the load off the GM.

Lore & Worldbuilding Tools

World Anvil — The all-in-one world wiki & campaign suite

URL https://worldanvil.com | Latest update: May 2025 (Per blog)

What it does
World Anvil positions itself, quite rightly, as the ultimate digital workshop for creators. It's a web-based platform designed for meticulous construction of fictional universes. Think of it as a powerful content management system specifically for your lore, allowing you to build an encyclopaedia of your world. This isn't just about slapping text onto a page; it's about creating interconnected articles, detailed maps, sprawling timelines, and intricate family trees. A key strength is its ability to manage information visibility, offering distinct layers of lore for the players versus the Game Master. This means you can keep your grand reveals and secret histories tucked away, safe from prying player eyes, while still presenting them with a rich, explorable world. It truly caters to those who envision their worlds as living, breathing entities that require robust organisation.

Why you'd use it

You're crafting a world for a long-haul campaign and need a structured, deeply interlinked wiki that can grow with your story. No more scattered notes or lost plot threads!
You desire a centralised hub where your interactive maps, historical timelines, character relationship webs, and cultural details all reside and connect seamlessly.
Managing what your players know versus what remains behind the GM's screen is crucial for your storytelling style.

Key features

A vast array of specialised article templates (think settlements, deities, advanced technologies, new species, and magical items) provide prompts and structure to inspire focused creativity.
Interactive map functionality allows you to upload your custom cartography, add clickable pins linked to specific locations or articles, and even create map layers to show geographical changes, political boundaries, or hidden areas.
Sophisticated timeline tools enable the charting of historical events, character backstories, or even the party's own adventures, complete with eras and event categorisation.
Robust family tree and diplomacy web features help visualise complex relationships between characters and factions.
Parallel GM-only sections within articles and on maps ensure that secrets remain secret, offering different views of the same information.
A Chronicles feature allows for session reports and tracking campaign progress over time.
For those running games, it offers campaign management tools, including digital character sheets and statblock designers for virtually any RPG system.

Pros

Unquestionably one of the most feature-rich worldbuilding platforms available, covering almost every conceivable aspect of world creation and organisation.
The granular control over player permissions and the ability to create hidden 'GM secrets' is invaluable for maintaining narrative suspense and surprise.
The development team is notably active, frequently releasing new features and updates based on community feedback, ensuring the platform continues to evolve.
A strong community aHopund the tool means plenty of support, shared resources, and inspiration from fellow worldbuilders.
The ability to export your world data provides a sense of security and ownership over your creations.
The free tier, while limited in some respects like upload capacity, is surprisingly generous and allows for a thorough evaluation of its core capabilities.

Cons

The sheer depth and breadth of its feature set can, understandably, feel quite daunting for newcomers. There's a definite learning curve to mastering all its intricacies.
While the free tier is good, some of the most desirable features, such as larger map uploads and advanced customisation options, are locked behind the various paid subscription tiers.
The interface, while powerful, can sometimes feel a little cluttered due to the density of options available.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (Freeman tier with limited uploads and features) | Paid from Approximately £4-£5 /mo (Master tier, subject to currency conversion and current pricing)

Best for
Dedicated worldbuilders and Game Masters who are developing extensive, long-lasting campaign settings or intricate fictional universes that demand a high degree of organisation and detailed, interconnected lore. It's particularly well-suited for those who appreciate a structured approach and need fine-grained control over information access.

CharGen tie-in
You can readily embed character portraits and item artwork generated by CharGen. Simply use the image URL provided by CharGen and insert it directly into your World Anvil articles, bringing your descriptions to life with custom visuals.

LegendKeeper — Real-time maps + linked wiki

URL https://legendkeeper.com (also see https://legendapp.com for potentially related product) | Latest update: Jan 2024 (v0.16 "Aliases")

What it does
LegendKeeper presents itself as a visually driven worldbuilding tool, where the map takes centre stage. It's engineered for those who think spatially, offering a sleek platform where you drag pins onto a zoomable, high-resolution map. Each of these pins can then unfurl into a dedicated wiki page, written in clean Markdown, allowing for a deeply geographical organisation of your lore. What sets it apart is its emphasis on real-time collaborative editing, making it a rather nifty choice for co-GMs or writing teams working simultaneously on the same world. The user experience feels modern and prioritises ease of use, aiming to get you building your world with minimal fuss.

Why you'd use it

Your worldbuilding process is fundamentally tied to its geography; you prefer to visualise spaces first and then attach lore and details to specific map locations.
Real-time collaboration is a must-have, perhaps for co-GMs designing a campaign together or for a group of writers building a shared universe.
You appreciate a clean, aesthetically pleasing interface that doesn't overwhelm you with too many options at once, allowing you to focus on creative flow.

Key features

A prominent whiteboard-style canvas that sits alongside your main map, perfect for jotting down quick notes, brainstorming ideas, or sketching out rough connections before committing them to formal wiki pages.
An Atlas system that supports uploading massive maps and then linking them together, allowing for continental views that can drill down into regional maps, and then further into city or even dungeon layouts.
Wiki pages utilise Markdown for formatting, offering a straightforward and widely adopted syntax for text styling, linking, and embedding images.
A powerful backlinks and aliasing system, reminiscent of tools like Obsidian, which helps you see connections between articles and refer to entities by multiple names.
A simple toggle for making your world publicly viewable, allowing you to share your creation with players or readers with ease when you're ready.
Real-time multiplayer editing means you can see changes made by collaborators instantly, fostering a dynamic and interactive worldbuilding environment.

Pros

The user interface is genuinely gorgeous and remarkably intuitive, focusing on a clutter-free experience that many users will find refreshing.
The map-first approach is executed brilliantly, making the geographical context of your lore immediately accessible and central to navigation.
Its search functionality is quick and effective, and the visual graph of backlinks provides an insightful way to understand the relationships within your world.
Real-time collaborative editing is a significant boon for team-based projects, working smoothly and efficiently.
The Markdown editor is clean, responsive, and a joy to use for anyone familiar with the syntax.

Cons

At the time of the last noted update, it lacked a dedicated timeline module, which is a feature many worldbuilders find essential for tracking history and plot progression.
While it offers a trial period, the service is fundamentally a paid one, which might be a barrier for those on a tight budget or just starting out.
Some users might find the feature set slightly more focused (leaning heavily on maps and wiki) compared to broader platforms like World Anvil, which could be a pro or a con depending on specific needs.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? 14-day Trial | Paid from $9 /mo (USD, based on last available info for LegendKeeper, potentially different for legendapp.com)

Best for
Visual thinkers, cartography enthusiasts, and collaborative teams who want a sleek, map-centric platform for building and exploring their worlds. Its real-time editing makes it a strong contender for co-GMs and group writing projects.

CharGen tie-in
Imagine pinning NPC portraits generated by CharGen directly onto your LegendKeeper map, serving as instant visual tokens or reminders of key characters in specific locations. This provides a quick visual reference during gameplay or while browsing your world.

Kanka — Community-driven campaign manager

URL https://kanka.io | Latest update: April 2025 (v3.1 Plugin Library)

What it does
Kanka operates as a highly flexible, community-influenced online tool for worldbuilding and campaign management. At its heart, it's an entity-based database system. This means you create distinct entries for all the elements of your world – characters, far-flung locations, forgotten items, epic quests, entire organisations, and more – and then intricately link them together. It's built with a strong emphasis on modularity, allowing you to enable or disable specific feature sets (like calendars, timelines, or family trees) on a per-campaign basis. This focus on customisation extends to permissions, offering GMs remarkably granular control over what information each player or user group can see and edit. It also sports a public API and encourages community contributions to its feature roadmap.

Why you'd use it

You need to manage a campaign with a large or diverse group of players, requiring sophisticated and fine-grained permission settings to control who sees what lore or game information.
You enjoy the idea of a tool that is actively shaped by its user community, with features often prioritised and developed based on user votes and feedback.
Your world features custom calendars with unique month names, specific day counts, and perhaps even multiple moons with their own phases, and you need a tool that can model this accurately.
You're looking for a robust free offering to get started, with the option to scale up to paid features if and when your needs expand.

Key features

An entity system allowing creation and cross-linking of characters, locations, items, quests, organisations, families, notes, and many other categories.
Advanced permission controls that let GMs define roles and specify exactly what actions users in those roles can perform on different types of entities or even individual entries.
Highly customisable calendars, supporting unique year lengths, month structures, weekdays, seasons, and multiple moons with configurable phases and cycles.
Interactive map modules with support for layers, custom markers (including circles and polygons for areas of influence), and the ability to link map pins to specific entities.
A plugin library (formerly marketplace) where users can share and install community-created themes, character sheet templates, and other enhancements.
A bulk entity importer supporting CSV and JSON formats, which is a godsend for migrating data from other sources or quickly populating a new campaign.
An open API that allows for programmatic interaction with your Kanka data, opening possibilities for custom tools or integration with other services.
A voting system for subscribers to influence the development roadmap for new features.

Pros

The free tier ("Kobold") is exceptionally generous, offering unlimited campaigns, unlimited core entities, and access to all core features, making it one of the most accessible comprehensive tools on the market.
The permission system is genuinely powerful, offering a level of control that is hard to beat, which is ideal for complex game setups or shared worldbuilding projects with varying access needs.
The active community and transparent development process, including a public roadmap and feature voting, foster a sense of user investment and ensure the tool evolves in ways its users value.
The availability of an API and a plugin system provides excellent extensibility for those with a bit of technical know-how or a desire to deeply customise their experience.
Cross-platform accessibility via web browser, with a UI that, while perhaps not as slick as some competitors, is functional and information-dense.
Regular updates and new features are consistently rolled out.

Cons

While functional, the user interface can sometimes feel a little less polished or immediately intuitive compared to some of the more design-focused platforms like LegendKeeper, particularly when dealing with very long lists of entities which can become scroll-heavy.
Some advanced features, like the campaign importer or access to their worldbuilding AI (Bragi), are reserved for higher-tier subscribers.
The sheer number of options and settings, especially around permissions and entity customisation, can present a learning curve for new users, though the documentation is quite thorough.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (Kobold tier is very comprehensive) | Paid from ~$5 /mo (Owlbear tier, for premium campaign features)

Best for
Game Masters and worldbuilders running large, complex campaigns or managing extensive lore databases who require precise control over information access for different users or player groups. Its community-driven nature and strong free tier also make it appealing for those who want a powerful tool without an immediate financial commitment.

CharGen tie-in
Kanka's API opens up exciting possibilities. You could, for instance, write a script to take JSON output from CharGen (perhaps for a batch of generated NPCs) and use it to automatically create corresponding character entities within your Kanka campaign, complete with their names, details, and even links to their CharGen-created portraits.

Campfire Write — Modular novelist toolkit turned RPG ally

URL https://www.campfirewriting.com | Latest update: April 2025 (Mobile app update, bugfixes & stability)

What it does
Campfire Write, often just called Campfire, offers a rather unique approach to writing and worldbuilding software. It's built around a system of individual, purchasable modules, allowing users to pick and choose the specific tools they need. Originating as a toolkit aimed primarily at novelists, it has steadily gained favour within the RPG community due to the versatility of these modules. You can find tools for detailed character development, constructing intricate timelines, designing interactive maps, outlining complex relationship webs, and even dedicated modules for fleshing out unique magic systems or species within your world. It's available as both a desktop application (with offline capabilities) and a web app, with projects syncing between them.

Why you'd use it

You appreciate a novelist's level of organisational depth for elements like character arcs, plot points, and thematic development, even when planning an RPG campaign.
The à-la-carte pricing model appeals to you; you only want to pay for the specific features and modules you'll actually use, rather than a larger, all-inclusive subscription.
Offline access is important, and the desktop application provides the ability to work on your projects even without an internet connection.
You might be developing a world or story that you intend to express across multiple media (a book and an RPG, for example) and want a tool that can comfortably support that breadth.

Key features

A suite of distinct modules: Character, Timeline, Maps, Relationships, Encyclopaedia (for general lore), Magic Systems, Species, Cultures, Items, Locations, and more. Each is tailored to a specific aspect of worldbuilding or storytelling.
The Character module allows for detailed profiles, tracking traits, backstories, motivations, and development arcs.
Timeline module supports the creation of complex event sequences, allowing for parallel plotlines and tracking of different story threads across time.
Relationship Webs provide a visual way to map out connections, allegiances, and conflicts between characters or factions.
Manuscript editor module for actual prose writing, with outlining tools and the ability to drag and drop scenes or chapters.
Interactive Maps module lets you upload images and add pins linked to your lore.
A growing Marketplace where users can share and sell templates or even pre-made content for various modules.
Collaboration features allow you to share your projects with others for feedback or co-creation.

Pros

The modular, one-time purchase model for most of its core writing tools is a significant draw for users who dislike subscriptions or only need a subset of features. You buy what you need.
The desktop application's offline functionality is a major plus for productivity, allowing you to work from anywhere.
The tools, particularly for character development and timeline management, are quite robust and offer a good degree of depth, reflecting its novelist origins.
The ability to monetise your own created worlds or templates via the Campfire Marketplace is an interesting avenue for entrepreneurial creators.
The visual presentation of information, like relationship webs or character arcs, is generally clear and helpful for understanding complex narratives.
Active development with new modules and features being added over time.

Cons

While versatile, some modules feel less specifically tailored to RPG mechanics (like detailed stat block management or integrated dice rollers) compared to more dedicated TTRPG platforms.
The cost can add up if you decide you need a large number of the premium modules; while individual purchases are reasonable, a full suite can become a notable investment.
The user interface, while generally good, can occasionally feel a bit compartmentalised due to the module-based structure, requiring some clicking around to find specific pieces of linked information if they reside in different modules.
The web version requires an internet connection, and while the mobile app exists, the desktop experience is generally considered more comprehensive for heavy-duty work.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (limited elements/cards per module) | Modules from ~$4.99 one-time (USD, prices vary per module; some subscription elements for online services/collaboration may apply)

Best for
Authors, author-GMs, and worldbuilders who appreciate deep organisational tools, particularly for narrative structure and character development, and who prefer an à-la-carte purchasing model over subscriptions. Its offline capability makes it great for those who write on the go.

CharGen tie-in
You can easily insert character portraits or item art generated by CharGen directly into Campfire's "Encyclopaedia" or Character module cards. This adds immediate visual flair and helps to keep your visual concepts tied closely to your written descriptions and lore.

Chronica — Session planner with living world events

URL https://chronica.ventures | Latest update: Feb 2025 (v2.6.0.1 Moon Phase fix)

What it does
Chronica is a web-based campaign management tool that thoughtfully blends lore organisation with practical session planning features. It provides a central dashboard where Game Masters can track a multitude of campaign elements: ongoing quests, party and individual loot, an NPC gallery, and importantly, a "Developments" system. This Developments feature acts as a dynamic timeline, allowing GMs to log significant world events, character milestones, or plot advancements as they happen, session by session. It aims to be an all-in-one solution for keeping both the world's evolving story and the party's immediate circumstances clearly organised and accessible to the GM and, selectively, to the players.

Why you'd use it

You want a single platform to manage both the overarching lore of your world and the nitty-gritty details of session preparation and tracking, like NPC rosters and party inventory.
Recording how the world changes over time due to player actions or other events is important to you, and the "Developments" feature offers a structured way to do this.
You need to provide players with controlled access to certain campaign information, such as their own character sheets, shared loot, or a summary of past sessions.
You are looking for a tool with a user interface that is designed to be clear and functional, particularly on mobile devices, for quick reference during a game.

Key features

A comprehensive Quest Log for tracking adventure hooks, progress, and resolutions.
Detailed Loot Tracker for both party-wide treasures and individual character possessions.
NPC Codex and Player Codex for managing character profiles, including image galleries for each entry.
The "Developments" feature: a chronological log of world events, character progression, and plot points, which can be tagged and filtered.
Custom Calendars with support for unique month names, day counts, and even moon phases to add flavour to your world's timekeeping.
Limited player log-in functionality, allowing players to view specific information shared by the GM (like their character's inventory or public adventure notes).
Image galleries can be associated with various entities, such as NPCs, items, or locations.
Tools for Kingdom Building, Campaign Shops, and Encounter Planning are also available, catering to specific playstyles.

Pros

Its design philosophy clearly prioritises the Game Master's session preparation workflow, integrating lore management with practical tools for running the game.
The "Developments" system is a standout feature for creating a sense of a living world that reacts and changes over the course of a campaign.
The user interface is generally clean and responsive, with a notable effort made to ensure good usability on phones and tablets – very handy for at-the-table use.
The ability to export certain information to PDF for players is a nice touch for sharing handouts or summaries.
Offers a free tier that allows for managing a single campaign, which is great for trying out the platform.
Actively developed with a visible changelog and responsiveness to user feedback.

Cons

Compared to dedicated worldbuilding giants like World Anvil or the map-centric LegendKeeper, Chronica's tools for deep lore article writing or advanced cartography are less powerful and more focused on direct campaign utility.
To manage more than one campaign, or to access higher storage limits and some premium features (like the full image library or file hub), a subscription is necessary.
While it supports custom calendars, the depth of customisation might not match highly specialised calendar tools if you have extremely complex temporal systems.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (Peasant tier, for a single campaign with limited storage) | Paid from ~$3-$5 /mo (Squire/Knight tiers, per campaign, offering more seats & storage)

Best for
Game Masters who want a streamlined, integrated dashboard for managing both the evolving lore of their world and the practical logistics of their ongoing campaigns, especially those who value tracking world events session-by-session. Its mobile-friendly design is a plus for GMs who use tablets or phones at the gaming table.

CharGen tie-in
A straightforward integration is to upload NPC headshots or character portraits generated by CharGen directly to Chronica's NPC or Player Codex galleries. These images then automatically appear in the player view if those characters are shared, providing instant visual identification for the party.

Obsidian Portal — Veteran campaign wiki host

URL https://www.obsidianportal.com | Latest update: Community support ongoing 2025 (Based on general understanding; specific recent updates unconfirmed)

What it does
Obsidian Portal is one of the long-standing veterans in the realm of online campaign management and wiki hosting. It provides a platform for Game Masters to create dedicated websites for their campaigns, featuring a straightforward wiki for organising lore, characters, locations, and items, alongside an adventure log (blog-style) for session recaps. It has a strong focus on public-facing campaign journals, allowing GMs to share their worlds and stories with a wider audience if they choose. While it may not boast the cutting-edge features of some newer platforms, its longevity speaks to a core of reliable functionality that many groups have depended on for years.

Why you'd use it

You're looking for a stable, no-frills solution to create a public-facing website or journal for your long-running campaign.
You want your game handouts, lore articles, and adventure logs to be easily accessible and potentially indexed by search engines for wider visibility.
The idea of a platform with a long history and an established community, including features like "Campaign of the Month" spotlights, appeals to you.
You prefer a simpler, more traditional wiki and blog approach without the potential complexity of more database-driven or map-centric tools.

Key features

A built-in wiki system for creating and linking pages for characters, locations, items, house rules, and other campaign-specific information.
An Adventure Log feature, which functions like a campaign blog, allowing for chronological session reports and updates.
Character and item pages often include sections for GM-only secrets, allowing for hidden information alongside player-visible details.
The platform highlights notable campaigns through its "Campaign of the Month" and "Campaign of the Year" awards, fostering a sense of community.
Custom CSS capabilities are available on paid tiers, allowing for some visual personalisation of campaign sites.
Options for making campaigns public, private, or open only to registered players.

Pros

Remarkable reliability and a proven track record, having been a go-to resource for TTRPG campaign hosting for over a decade.
The WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) editor for wiki pages is generally easy to use, making content creation accessible even for less tech-savvy users.
The free tier offers a good amount of functionality for running a basic campaign site, including unlimited players and a decent number of wiki pages.
The public nature of many campaigns hosted on the site means there's a wealth of inspiration and examples to browse.
Strong community engagement, historically, with forums and the aforementioned campaign spotlights.

Cons

The platform's map functionalities are quite limited compared to more modern, map-focused tools. It typically involves embedding static images rather than interactive map features.
The overall site design and user interface, while functional, can feel dated when compared to newer, sleeker competitors. A long-discussed site redesign has stalled or progressed very slowly.
While custom CSS on paid tiers offers some flexibility, the base visual themes might not appeal to everyone seeking a modern aesthetic.
Feature development has been noticeably slower in recent years compared to many other platforms in this space, with the core offering remaining largely unchanged.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (with limitations on private content and features like custom CSS) | Paid from ~$4.99 /mo (Ascendant Member, for enhanced features)

Best for
Game Masters who prioritise a straightforward, reliable, and often public-facing platform for their campaign journals and basic wiki needs. It's particularly good for those who value a long-established service and want to share their game's story widely. Less so for those needing cutting-edge mapping or highly granular database features.

CharGen tie-in
Obsidian Portal is quite accommodating for image embedding. You can easily link to character portraits or item art generated by CharGen. These images will typically auto-resize to fit within the content areas of your Obsidian Portal wiki pages or adventure log entries, making for a simple way to add visuals.

Notion (TTRPG Templates) — DIY productivity powerhouse

URL https://www.notion.so | Latest update: May 2025 (Pricing changes, Notion AI integrated into Business/Enterprise plans, new AI Meeting Notes feature)

What it does
Notion is an incredibly versatile, all-in-one workspace application that has found a significant following among TTRPG enthusiasts, not because it's a dedicated RPG tool, but because of its sheer adaptability. At its core, Notion allows users to create customised pages composed of various "blocks" – text, databases, calendars, Kanban boards, embeds, and much more. This flexibility means you can essentially design and build your very own bespoke campaign management system from the ground up. The Notion community has leaned into this, producing a wealth of TTRPG-specific templates that users can duplicate and tailor to their own needs, covering everything from campaign wikis and session planners to character trackers and monster manuals.

Why you'd use it

You crave ultimate freedom and control to design a worldbuilding or campaign management system that perfectly matches your unique workflow and preferences. No off-the-shelf tool quite fits? Notion lets you build it.
You want the ability to create complex, interlinked databases for managing NPCs, locations, items, spells, or any other lore component, complete with custom properties, views, and filters.
You're already using Notion for other aspects of your life or work and appreciate the idea of consolidating your TTRPG planning into the same familiar environment.
You are keen to leverage Notion's emerging AI capabilities (now integrated into paid plans) for tasks like summarising session notes, brainstorming ideas, or even drafting descriptive text.

Key features

Highly flexible page and block system: construct pages using text, headings, lists, images, videos, embeds, and powerful database blocks.
Robust database functionality: create tables, lists, calendars, Kanban boards, and galleries with custom properties (text, numbers, dates, tags, relations, formulas, etc.) to track anything you can imagine.
Relational databases: link different databases together (e.g., link characters to locations they've visited, or quests to the NPCs who gave them).
Extensive template library: Access to a vast range of community-created templates, including many specifically designed for TTRPG campaign management, worldbuilding, and session notes.
Notion AI: Features like AI-powered writing assistance, content summarisation, autofill in databases, and the new AI Meeting Notes (for transcribing and summarising audio) are increasingly integrated, particularly in paid plans.
Public page sharing: Easily share parts of your Notion workspace with players or the public by publishing pages to the web.
Cross-platform availability: Access your Notion workspace via web browser, desktop apps (Windows, Mac), and mobile apps (iOS, Android).

Pros

Unmatched flexibility and customisation: If you can envision it, you can probably build it in Notion. This makes it ideal for GMs with very specific organisational needs.
The database system is exceptionally powerful, allowing for sophisticated data management and interlinking of information that rivals many dedicated tools.
The free Personal plan is remarkably generous, offering unlimited pages and blocks, making it fully viable for many solo GMs or small groups, though some advanced features and AI are paywalled.
A massive and active community continuously produces new templates and shares tips, so you're rarely starting from a completely blank slate unless you want to.
The integration of Notion AI features (especially in Business and Enterprise plans) offers powerful new ways to streamline creative and administrative tasks.
Its clean, minimalist interface is generally pleasant to work with and highly customisable in terms of page layout.

Cons

The "build-it-yourself" nature means there's a significant time investment required to set up a comprehensive TTRPG system from scratch, even when starting with a template. It's not an out-of-the-box solution.
While powerful, Notion's offline support on desktop and mobile apps relies on caching and can sometimes be limited or inconsistent compared to dedicated offline-first applications.
For full Notion AI capabilities and more advanced team/collaboration features (like granular permissions beyond basic sharing), a paid subscription (Business or Enterprise) is now necessary.
It's not inherently a visual or map-centric tool. While you can embed maps or use gallery views, it doesn't offer the specialised interactive mapping features of platforms like LegendKeeper or World Anvil.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (Personal plan is very generous; Notion AI trial available, full AI features now part of paid plans) | Paid from ~$8-10 /user/mo (Plus/Business plans, USD, billed annually; AI included in Business/Enterprise)

Best for
Tech-savvy Game Masters and worldbuilders who love to tinker, customise, and build their own perfect digital dashboards and information systems. If you enjoy the process of designing your own tools and have specific organisational ideas that other platforms don't quite meet, Notion offers a powerful canvas. Also great for those already embedded in the Notion ecosystem.

CharGen tie-in
Notion's flexibility shines here. You can easily embed CharGen-created image URLs directly into Notion pages or database entries for instant visual references for characters, items, or locations. For a more advanced setup, you could even use Notion's database relations to link a CharGen portrait in one database to a character sheet in another. If CharGen provides iframe embeds for certain outputs, those can also be seamlessly integrated into Notion pages.

Itch.io Worldbuilding Tools — Indie treasure trove

URL https://itch.io | Latest update: Constant (new assets, tools & game jams)

What it does
Itch.io is a vast and sprawling open marketplace primarily for independent digital creators to host, sell, and share their work. While widely known for indie video games, it's also an absolute goldmine for TTRPG resources, including a diverse array of small, often experimental, worldbuilding tools, solo journaling RPGs, random generators, asset packs, and prompt decks. Think of it less as a single, unified tool and more as an enormous digital bazaar where you can discover unique, niche, and often very affordable (or free) aids for sparking creativity and adding flavour to your worlds. It's particularly strong for finding tools created during game jams, which often push creative boundaries.

Why you'd use it

You're looking to explore unusual, quirky, or highly specialised micro-tools, generators (e.g., for creating unique monster concepts, village names, or magical mishaps), or solo RPGs that can inspire worldbuilding ideas.
You want to support independent creators directly and are happy to browse through a wide variety of offerings, often with very accessible price points (including many pay-what-you-want options).
You enjoy the serendipity of discovery and are looking for creative sparks rather than a comprehensive, structured world bible solution.
You are interested in participating in or exploring the results of numerous game jams, many of which focus on TTRPGs, worldbuilding, or specific creative constraints.

Key features

A massive repository of digital products, searchable and filterable by tags such as "worldbuilding," "ttrpg," "generator," "solo rpg," "zine," and "tool."
Hosts countless game jams, often with themes relevant to worldbuilding (e.g., specific genre jams, map-making jams, system-agnostic setting jams), which are a great source of innovative tools and content.
Direct purchasing from creators, with many items offered on a pay-what-you-want (PWYW) basis, allowing you to try things for free or support creators at a level you're comfortable with.
Many products are DRM-free, meaning you download them directly and can use them across your devices without restrictive software.
Community features like ratings, comments, and collections help to surface popular and well-regarded tools and games.

Pros

An unparalleled variety of niche and experimental tools; if you can imagine a tiny generator for a very specific worldbuilding need, someone has probably made it and put it on Itch.io.
Extremely budget-friendly, with a vast amount of free and PWYW content available. It's a fantastic resource for GMs on a tight budget.
Directly supports indie creators, fostering a vibrant and diverse ecosystem of small-scale game design and tool development.
The constant stream of new content from game jams means there's always something fresh and innovative to discover.
Often, you'll find very creative and unconventional approaches to worldbuilding that you won't see in more mainstream, commercial software.

Cons

The quality and polish of tools and resources can vary wildly, from highly professional offerings to very rough-around-the-edges experimental projects. Caveat emptor is the watchword.
Discoverability can sometimes be a challenge due to the sheer volume of content. While tags and search help, finding exactly what you need can take some digging.
Long-term support and updates for individual tools are not guaranteed, as many are passion projects or jam entries that the creator may move on from.
It's a marketplace of individual products, not an integrated suite. You'll be collecting disparate tools rather than working within a unified system.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, a huge number of free and Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) offerings. | Prices for paid assets/tools vary greatly, often from $1-$15 USD for smaller items.

Best for
Creative Game Masters and worldbuilders looking for inspiration, unique small-scale tools, solo RPGs to spark ideas, or affordable assets. It's ideal for those who enjoy exploring, supporting indie creators, and aren't afraid to sift through a lot of content to find hidden gems. Perfect for one-shot inspiration or adding specific flavour to an existing world.

CharGen tie-in
Itch.io is full of prompt-based zines, random tables, and idea generators. You could easily pair a descriptive prompt or a randomly generated NPC concept from an Itch.io zine with CharGen's visual generators to instantly bring that concept to life with a portrait or item illustration, bridging the textual idea with a concrete visual.

LoreKeeper — AI-powered campaign co-author

URL https://lorekeeper.ai (also lorekeeper.com) | Latest update: July 2024 (LoreKeeper Chat & Enhanced Decipher Notes)

What it does
LoreKeeper positions itself as an "Arcane Intelligence" powered TTRPG campaign manager, designed to assist Game Masters (and players) with collaborative worldbuilding and note-taking. It leverages AI to automate and enhance several aspects of campaign creation and management. Core functionalities include storing campaign information (characters, locations, maps, groups, sessions), generating content like character backstories or location descriptions, and even creating images for characters and maps. A key feature is its ability to transcribe uploaded audio recordings of game sessions and then generate summaries, helping to capture key moments and decisions. It aims to save GMs time on preparation and documentation, allowing more focus on the creative aspects of storytelling.

Why you'd use it

You're intrigued by the potential of AI to help brainstorm, generate, or summarise campaign content, reducing your prep time.
You want a tool that can take audio recordings of your game sessions and turn them into transcribed notes and summaries automatically.
Collaborative worldbuilding is important, and you want a platform where both GMs and players can contribute to a shared understanding of the campaign world.
You're looking for AI assistance in generating visual elements like character portraits or maps based on your descriptions.

Key features

AI Content Generation: Tools to help generate text for characters, locations, plot ideas, and more, powered by AI.
Audio Transcription & Summarization (LK Assistant): Upload audio recordings of sessions, and LoreKeeper can transcribe them and create automated summaries.
Image Generation: AI-powered image creation for characters and maps based on textual descriptions or existing notes.
LoreKeeper Chat: A ChatGPT-like interface within your campaign that can answer questions about your lore, help generate content, and search your existing campaign data.
Notes Decipher: Import existing campaign notes (even unstructured ones), and the AI attempts to identify and create entities (characters, locations) from them.
Entity Storage: Centralised storage for all campaign entities: characters, locations, maps, groups, sessions, and entire campaigns, with unlimited storage on the free tier for core entities.
System Agnostic: Designed to be usable with any TTRPG system (D&D, Pathfinder, Daggerheart, homebrew, etc.).
Collaboration Tools: Features enabling GMs and players to share notes and contribute to the campaign world.
Privacy Controls: GMs can keep certain notes and entities private ("GM Only") and reveal them to players when ready.

Pros

The AI-driven features, particularly session summarization from audio and content generation prompts, can be significant time-savers and inspiration boosters.
The image generation capability, while dependent on AI quality, offers a quick way to get visuals for your campaign without needing artistic skills.
LoreKeeper Chat provides an innovative way to interact with and expand upon your own campaign data using natural language.
The free tier ("Brave") is quite generous, offering unlimited entity storage and a decent number of monthly "spell points" to try out the premium AI features.
Being system-agnostic makes it versatile for GMs running various games.
Active development with a clear blog showing recent feature additions and improvements.

Cons

As with any AI tool, the quality and consistency of generated content (text and images) can vary. It often serves best as a starting point or inspiration rather than a final product.
Heavy reliance on "spell points" (a credit system) for premium AI features means that extensive use of transcription, summarization, or image generation on paid tiers will have associated costs or limits based on your subscription level.
While it offers entity storage, it may not have the same depth of structured wiki-linking or the manual customisation of dedicated worldbuilding platforms like World Anvil or the database power of Notion for users who prefer manual control.
The AI's understanding and interpretation of nuanced lore or very specific homebrew rules might require careful prompting and review.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (Brave tier with unlimited entity storage & 50 monthly "spell points" for AI features) | Paid from ~$5-7 /mo (Mighty tier, for more spell points & features)

Best for
Game Masters who are excited by the prospect of AI assistance to streamline campaign prep, document sessions, and generate creative content. It's particularly appealing for those who record their sessions and would benefit from automated transcription and summaries, or those who want a quick way to visualise characters and locations.

CharGen tie-in
While LoreKeeper has its own AI image generation, you could use CharGen to create highly specific character art or item visuals if you prefer its style or control. These images can then be uploaded to the relevant character or item entries in LoreKeeper. Furthermore, if CharGen provides detailed JSON exports of character descriptions or backstories, you could potentially feed this text into LoreKeeper's AI content generation prompts to flesh out NPCs or into the Notes Decipher feature.

Campaign Management Platforms

Obsidian Portal — Veteran public campaign wiki

URL https://www.obsidianportal.com | Latest update: Feb 2025 (community CSS fixes)

What it does
Obsidian Portal is a well-established platform dedicated to hosting campaign websites. Think of it as a digital home for your tabletop adventures, offering a suite of tools to create comprehensive wikis, detailed adventure logs, and organised character vaults. These can be kept private for the Gamemaster's eyes only, shared with players, or made entirely public for the world to see and admire. It's designed to be the central repository for all your campaign's lore, session notes, and character development.

Why you'd use it

You're looking to publish a campaign blog that not only your players can engage with but also has the potential to be discovered by a wider audience through search engines. This is splendid for showcasing your world-building skills or attracting new players.
You require a straightforward method for maintaining lore, session summaries, and character backstories. The platform provides a simple, What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) wiki editor, making content creation accessible even for those less technically inclined.
It's particularly useful for long-running campaigns where keeping track of an ever-expanding world and a growing cast of characters becomes paramount.

Key features

Adventure Log Timeline: This feature allows for a chronological record of your campaign's events, providing an easy way for players (and the GM) to recap previous sessions and see the story unfold over time. It's a brilliant way to maintain continuity and remind everyone of key plot points.
GM-only Secrets: A critical tool for any Gamemaster, this allows you to embed hidden information directly within wiki pages. These sections are invisible to players, perfect for storing plot twists, monster stats, or notes about future events, keeping your surprises secure.
Custom CSS (Ascendant Plan): For those with a flair for design and a desire for a unique look, the premium Ascendant plan unlocks the ability to apply custom Cascading Style Sheets. This means you can tailor the appearance of your campaign site to perfectly match the tone and aesthetic of your game world, moving beyond standard templates.

Pros

Long-term Stability: Having been online since 2008, Obsidian Portal boasts a significant track record of reliability. This longevity offers peace of mind that your carefully crafted campaign information is unlikely to suddenly vanish.
Public Page Indexing: A standout feature is that public campaign pages are indexed by search engines. This can be a fantastic way to share your creative work with a broader audience, attract new players, or simply showcase your world-building prowess.
Affordable Entry: The entry-level paid plan, Ascendant, is quite reasonably priced at $4.99 per month. This makes its advanced features accessible without a hefty financial commitment, offering good value for dedicated GMs.
Community Support: Being an older platform, it has a well-established community, meaning help, advice, and shared resources are often readily available from other users.

Cons

Dated User Interface: While functional, the user interface can feel somewhat old-fashioned compared to more modern web applications. It hasn't seen a major visual overhaul in some time, which might be a slight drawback for users accustomed to sleeker designs.
Slow Feature Rollout: The pace of new feature implementation and significant updates can be slower than some users might prefer. The core functionality is solid, but cutting-edge tools might take longer to appear.
Limited Free Tier Storage: The free tier is a good way to try out the platform, but it comes with limitations on file storage. For campaigns that involve a lot of images or other uploaded assets, this can become restrictive fairly quickly, potentially nudging you towards a paid plan.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Ascendant $4.99 /mo

CharGen tie-in
Embedding CharGen image links into your Obsidian Portal wiki pages is a straightforward affair. This allows you to instantly illustrate Non-Player Characters, important items, or even specific locations, adding a rich visual layer to your campaign notes and lore articles. It's a simple yet effective way to bring your descriptions to life.

Scabard — The "campaign codex" binder replacement

URL https://www.scabard.com | Latest update: Oct 2024 (Timeline 2.0)

What it does
Scabard positions itself as a digital successor to the traditional Gamemaster's binder, functioning as a comprehensive "campaign codex". At its core, it is a powerful entity database. This means you can meticulously catalogue Non-Player Characters (NPCs), significant locations, items of interest, and sprawling pieces of lore. Crucially, Scabard allows you to define and visualise the relationships between these entities. Beyond this, it boasts an interactive timeline feature, enabling GMs to track past occurrences and strategically plan future plot developments and events within their campaign world.

Why you'd use it

Your campaign thrives on intricate webs of connections, such as tracking who knows whom, which faction is allied with another, or the lineage of a noble family. Scabard excels at mapping these relationships and can even incorporate date tracking for evolving dynamics.
You desire a clean, accessible interface for your players to explore the known world, its history, and its inhabitants, but with the vital ability to keep certain information hidden. Scabard allows for granular control over what is visible to players versus what remains concealed for the GM's eyes only, preventing accidental spoilers.
You need a tool that helps manage the flow of information and the progression of time within your game, ensuring consistency and providing a clear overview of your world's chronology.

Key features

Cross-Link Graph View: This is arguably Scabard's most lauded feature. It visually represents the connections between your campaign entities (NPCs, places, items, etc.) as an interactive graph. This "red string board" effect makes it incredibly easy to see at a glance how different elements of your world are interconnected, often revealing unexpected links and plot opportunities.
Toggle Player vs GM Secrets Per Field: Unlike some systems that offer an all-or-nothing approach to secrets, Scabard allows for fine-grained control. You can mark individual fields within an entity's profile as GM-only. For instance, an NPC's public biography might be visible to players, but their secret allegiances or hidden motives remain concealed, offering robust spoiler protection.
Adventure Seed Randomiser: A handy tool for when inspiration wanes or you need a quick side quest. Scabard includes a random generator that can provide prompts and ideas for new adventures, helping to keep your campaign fresh and dynamic.
Timeline 2.0: The updated timeline feature provides a more robust way to manage campaign events, track their dates, and understand their sequence. This is invaluable for complex plots or campaigns spanning significant in-game time.

Pros

Extremely Fast Page Creation: Users consistently praise Scabard for its speed and ease of use when it comes to creating new entities and pages. This rapid content generation allows GMs to quickly populate their campaign world without getting bogged down in cumbersome interfaces.
Automatic Relationship Visualisation: The aforementioned "red string" relationship board is a significant boon, automatically generating a visual map of connections as you link entities. This saves a tremendous amount of manual effort.
Generous Free Plan: Scabard offers a notably generous free plan, which includes the ability to create an unlimited number of entities. This allows GMs to thoroughly test the platform and even run substantial campaigns without an immediate financial outlay.
Intuitive Interface: The platform is generally regarded as having a clean and intuitive user interface, making it relatively easy for new users to get started and navigate its features.

Cons

Minimal Image Handling: While you can associate images with entities, Scabard's image handling capabilities are somewhat basic, primarily focusing on thumbnails. It may not be the best choice if you rely heavily on large, high-resolution images or extensive galleries directly within your campaign manager.
No Built-in Maps: The platform does not include integrated mapping tools. If you require interactive maps with pins and layers as a core part of your campaign management, you would need to use Scabard in conjunction with a separate mapping application.
Focus on Connections over Documents: While excellent for relationships and timelines, it's less geared towards long-form document creation or wiki-style articles compared to some other platforms. Its strength lies in structured data and the links between it.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Patron $3.99 /mo

CharGen tie-in
A very practical application is to upload CharGen-created portraits to each character card within Scabard. This simple step populates your intricate relationship webs and NPC databases with distinct faces, making it much easier for both the GM and players to visualise the cast of characters and their connections to one another.

Chronica — Session planner with living world logs

URL https://chronica.ventures | Latest update: Oct 2024 (Custom Calendars & Developments Feature)

What it does
Chronica presents itself as a sophisticated cloud-based application tailored for tabletop roleplaying game campaign management. It provides a central dashboard designed to meticulously track a wide array of campaign elements. This includes ongoing quests, discovered loot and treasure, comprehensive NPC galleries, and a feature called "Developments" which are essentially dated entries for significant world events or plot advancements. A key aspect is its ability to offer individual log-ins for players, allowing them to access shared information and manage their own character-specific details. The platform emphasises a clean, modern interface and is built to be accessible on both desktop and mobile devices.

Why you'd use it

You are seeking a single, consolidated platform to manage the crucial administrative aspects of your campaign, such as loot distribution lists, experience point (XP) tracking, and detailed session summaries. Chronica aims to keep all this information organised and readily accessible.
Your campaign features a dynamic world where events unfold and the environment changes even between game sessions. The "Developments" feature is specifically designed to record and track these ongoing world events, ensuring continuity and a sense of a living narrative.
You value a mobile-first design approach, allowing you and your players to access campaign information on the go, not just when at a computer. This is particularly handy for quick reference during sessions or for players catching up on notes remotely.

Key features

Custom Calendars & Moon Phases: A standout offering is the ability to create bespoke fantasy calendars for your campaign world. This allows for tracking in-game dates, seasons, holidays, and even celestial events like moon phases, adding a significant layer of immersion and temporal organisation to your game. This integrates closely with the Developments system.
Image Galleries and NPC Cards: Chronica provides tools for creating visual galleries, ideal for showcasing locations or important items. Furthermore, it supports detailed NPC cards where GMs can store character information, portraits, and notes, making it easier to manage a diverse cast of non-player characters.
Exportable PDF Handouts: The ability to generate and export information as PDF handouts is a practical feature. This can be used for creating player-facing documents, summaries, or even custom-designed props for your game table.
Developments v1.4 & Timelines: This core system allows GMs to log events, character arcs, or world changes with specific dates. These can be linked to characters, places, and quests, and viewed on a timeline, providing a clear overview of how the campaign story is progressing and how different elements interact over time.
Party & Player Dashboards: Separate dashboards for the overall party and individual players allow for tailored information access. Players can track their own inventory, notes, and wealth, while the party view can show shared resources or objectives.
Quest Log & Adventure Notes: Robust tools for tracking quests (including nested sub-quests) and writing detailed adventure notes or session recaps, with options for private GM notes or shared party logs.

Pros

Mobile-First Design: Chronica is specifically designed with mobile accessibility in mind, ensuring a good user experience on smartphones and tablets. This is a significant advantage for GMs and players who prefer to use portable devices.
Player Task Board: A dedicated feature that keeps active side-quests and tasks visible to players. This helps ensure that ongoing objectives are not forgotten and allows players to easily see what avenues are open for exploration or resolution.
One Free Campaign to Test: Chronica offers the ability to run one campaign for free. This provides a generous opportunity to thoroughly test all its features and determine if it suits your specific needs before committing to a subscription.
Comprehensive Feature Set: From inventory and world-building tools (like Kinships for factions and Places for locations) to encounter planning and custom stat tracking, Chronica offers a wide array of functionalities aimed at covering most aspects of campaign management.
Growing Image Library: Access to a curated library of images for use within your campaign, which don't count against your storage, is a nice touch for visual customisation.

Cons

No Integrated Map Pinning (Previously Noted): While the platform offers map features, the specific functionality of detailed map pinning or advanced cartography tools might be less robust compared to dedicated mapping software. Users should verify if current map capabilities meet their specific needs for interactive map annotations.
Subscription Model After First Campaign: While the first campaign is free, managing multiple campaigns or accessing certain premium features will require a paid subscription. This is a standard model but worth noting for GMs who run many games concurrently.
Learning Curve: With a rich feature set, new users might need some time to familiarise themselves with all the tools and how they best interconnect. However, the platform provides guides and a help/FAQ section.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (1 campaign) | Plus $5 /mo (Note: Pricing tiers may have evolved; refer to Chronica's site for current details like Knight, Monarch, Deity plans).

CharGen tie-in
Chronica's NPC gallery and codex features are ideal for leveraging CharGen. You can efficiently populate your campaign's cast by bulk-importing character portraits and biographical details generated via CharGen. This creates an instant visual and informational database of your NPCs, readily accessible within Chronica's organisational structure, saving considerable time and effort in manual data entry.

D&D Beyond Campaigns — Official digital binder

URL https://www.dndbeyond.com/my-campaigns | Latest update: Oct 2024 (Encounter/Combat beta)

What it does
D&D Beyond, widely recognised as the official digital toolset for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, extends its functionality to comprehensive campaign management. Within its "My Campaigns" section, it allows Dungeon Masters to create and oversee specific campaigns. This involves bringing together player character sheets, sharing official D&D sourcebook content, managing campaign-specific notes, and, more recently, integrating tools for running encounters and tracking combat. It is designed to be the central digital hub for groups already invested in the D&D Beyond ecosystem for their characters and rulebook access.

Why you'd use it

Your gaming group is already heavily utilising D&D Beyond for character creation, digital character sheets, and accessing purchased D&D sourcebooks. Integrating campaign management into the same platform offers a seamless and familiar experience.
You desire the convenience of having player character sheets automatically sync with your Dungeon Master view, particularly for things like hit point tracking during combat, which can be updated in real-time via integrated encounter tools.
You want a straightforward way to share access to your purchased digital D&D library (sourcebooks, adventures) with the players in your specific campaign, without them needing to purchase the content individually.

Key features

Content Sharing Toggle: A pivotal feature for DMs with a collection of D&D Beyond sourcebooks. With an active Master Tier subscription, a DM can enable content sharing for a campaign, granting all participating players access to the character options, monsters, items, and spells from the DM's purchased library. This is immensely valuable for expanding player choices and providing a common ruleset.
Private or Public Campaign Notes: DMs can create and organise notes specific to their campaign. These notes can be kept entirely private, for the DM's eyes only (e.g., plot secrets, encounter plans), or made public to be visible to all players in the campaign (e.g., session summaries, house rules, shared lore).
One-Click Launch to Encounter Builder/Tracker (Beta): D&D Beyond has been progressively rolling out and refining its integrated Encounter Builder and combat tracking tools. This allows DMs to plan encounters using the D&D Beyond monster database, and then run those encounters with initiative tracking and monster/character status effects managed digitally. The aim is to streamline the often complex process of combat management.
Integrated Character Sheets: Player character sheets created within D&D Beyond are directly linked to the campaign. This allows the DM to easily view player stats, abilities, and inventory. Changes made by players to their sheets are typically reflected in the DM's view.

Pros

Seamless with Official Digital Rules: Being the official toolset, its integration with D&D 5E rules, character options, and monster stat blocks is unparalleled. Updates to rules or errata are generally implemented swiftly.
Mobile App Support: D&D Beyond offers a robust mobile application for both iOS and Android. This allows DMs and players to access character sheets, rulebooks, and campaign information conveniently on tablets or smartphones, which is excellent for at-the-table play or remote access.
Free to Start with SRD: You can create campaigns and characters using the free System Reference Document (SRD) content, allowing groups to try out the basic functionality without any initial financial commitment. This provides a good taste of the platform's capabilities.
Familiarity for Existing Users: For the many players and DMs already using D&D Beyond for its character builder and compendium, adding campaign management is a natural and easy extension, requiring little to no learning of a new system.

Cons

Primarily 5E-Only: The platform is intrinsically tied to Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (and the evolving new version of D&D). It is not designed for, nor does it support, other game systems or even significantly different editions of D&D. This is its greatest strength but also its most significant limitation.
Limited Custom/Homebrew Note Structure: While it allows for notes, the organisational structure for extensive custom world-building, intricate lore wikis, or highly detailed homebrew content might feel less flexible or powerful compared to dedicated wiki platforms or note-taking apps. It's more geared towards direct game support than freeform world-building databases.
Content Sharing Requires Subscription: The highly valued content sharing feature, which allows players to access the DM's purchased books, requires the Dungeon Master to have an active Master Tier subscription, which is a recurring cost.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Hero $2.99 /mo (for individual benefits) | Master $5.99 /mo (typically for content sharing for a campaign).

CharGen tie-in
A particularly effective use of CharGen with D&D Beyond Campaigns is to create striking artwork for your major villains or unique monsters. You can then upload this CharGen boss art to serve as monster avatars directly within D&D Beyond's Encounter Builder. When you run the combat, this provides an immediate and impactful visual representation of the threat your players are facing, enhancing the drama and engagement of the encounter.

Notion Dashboards — Build-it-yourself campaign OS

URL https://www.notion.so | Latest update: Mar 2025 (AI Autofill)

What it does
Notion is an extraordinarily versatile all-in-one workspace application that has found significant favour within the TTRPG community as a build-it-yourself campaign operating system. While not exclusively designed for roleplaying games, its powerful combination of databases, Kanban boards, calendars, wikis, and rich text editing allows users to construct highly customised and deeply interconnected campaign hubs. The platform thrives on a vast ecosystem of community-created templates, many of which are specifically tailored for D&D and other TTRPGs, providing ready-made structures for session notes, NPC tracking, lore databases, and much more.

Why you'd use it

You crave maximum flexibility and the ability to design a campaign management system perfectly tailored to your specific needs and workflow. If you enjoy setting up your own systems, databases with custom properties (including formulas and roll tables), and dashboards, Notion offers unparalleled control.
You are a fan of visual organisation tools like drag-and-drop dashboards and Kanban boards for managing preparation tasks, plot threads, or even encounter design. Notion's interface makes such visual management intuitive and effective.
You want a tool that can serve not just as a campaign manager, but potentially as a complete personal or team organisation system, allowing you to keep your TTRPG planning alongside other projects if desired.
You appreciate a clean, minimalist aesthetic and a block-based editor that allows for easy embedding of various content types, from images and web bookmarks to linked database views.

Key features

Linked Relational Databases: This is a cornerstone of Notion's power for campaign management. You can create separate databases for NPCs, locations, quests, items, and lore, and then create relationships between them. For example, an NPC entry can be linked to multiple quests they are involved in and the locations they frequent, creating a dynamic web of information.
AI Autofill & Summarisation: Recent integrations of AI capabilities (often marketed as Notion AI) can assist with tasks like summarising lengthy session notes, generating plot ideas, or even drafting descriptive text, potentially speeding up the preparation process.
Public Sharing and Embed Support: Notion pages can be easily shared publicly with a unique URL, allowing GMs to create player-facing wikis or information hubs. It also supports embedding content from various other web services, further centralising information.
Multiple Views for Databases: Information within a database can be displayed in various formats, such as tables, lists, galleries (card views, often with images), calendars, and Kanban boards, all drawing from the same underlying data. This allows you to look at your campaign information from different perspectives without re-entering anything.
Extensive Template Ecosystem: A vast number of free and paid templates created by the Notion community are available, covering a wide range of TTRPG systems and organisational styles. This can provide a fantastic starting point for new users.

Pros

Unmatched Customisation: The core strength of Notion is its adaptability. You are not locked into a predefined structure; you build the exact system you need, field by field, link by link. This is ideal for GMs with very specific organisational preferences.
Huge Template Ecosystem (Free & Paid): The sheer volume and variety of available TTRPG templates mean you can often find something very close to your ideal setup, or at least an excellent foundation to build upon, saving considerable initial setup time.
Works Offline (Desktop App Cache): The desktop applications for Notion (Windows and Mac) maintain a cache of your data, allowing for offline access and editing. Changes then sync when you reconnect to the internet.
Generous Free Personal Plan: For individual use, Notion's free personal plan is remarkably generous, offering unlimited pages and blocks. While there are some limitations (like file upload size and version history), it is often more than sufficient for managing multiple complex campaigns without cost.
Cross-Platform Availability: Notion is available on web, desktop (Windows, Mac), and mobile (iOS, Android), ensuring access to your campaign information across all your devices.

Cons

Requires Time to Design Layout: The flip side of its flexibility is that creating a truly bespoke and efficient campaign dashboard from scratch can be a time-consuming endeavour. While templates help, customisation still requires effort and a degree of system-design thinking.
Image Storage Limits on Free Tier (Historically): While the free plan is generous, there have historically been limitations on individual file upload sizes (e.g., 5MB per block). For campaigns with a very large number of high-resolution images, this could necessitate a paid plan or alternative image hosting solutions if not managed carefully.
Can Feel Less Game-Specific: Because it is a general productivity tool, it may lack some of the TTRPG-specific streamlined features found in dedicated campaign managers (e.g., built-in dice rollers directly integrated with stat blocks, or very specific encounter-running UIs). You often build these yourself or use it alongside other tools.
Performance with Extremely Large Databases: While generally performant, extremely large and complex Notion workspaces with many thousands of entries and relations can sometimes experience slower load times, though this is continually being improved.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (Personal Plan) | Plus $8 /user/mo (billed annually) for more features, larger file uploads, and team collaboration.

CharGen tie-in
Notion's gallery views for databases are a perfect match for CharGen. You can create a database for your NPCs, factions, or even significant items, and then simply paste CharGen-generated image URLs into an image property. This instantly populates your Notion gallery with visual references, making your campaign dashboards more engaging and informative at a glance. The AI features might also be leveraged to summarise bios created in CharGen.

Game Master 5e (iOS) — Offline campaign companion

URL https://apps.apple.com/app/id1286983620 | Latest update: Sep 2020 (iOS Version 3.9)

What it does
Game Master 5th Edition by Lion's Den is a dedicated iOS application designed as a Dungeon Master's digital toolkit, with a strong emphasis on offline functionality. It allows DMs to store and manage core campaign elements such as Non-Player Characters (NPCs), plan and track encounters, log treasure and loot, and keep session notes. Its main appeal is for DMs who need a reliable, self-contained solution on their iPad or iPhone, particularly in environments where internet access might be unreliable or unavailable. It aims to replace physical notebooks and quick-reference sheets with a digital, searchable alternative.

Why you'd use it

You primarily run your D&D 5e games in person and often find yourself in locations with sketchy or non-existent Wi-Fi. The app's offline nature ensures your notes and tools are always accessible.
You prefer to keep all your essential campaign information consolidated on an iPad, perhaps running it in airplane mode to minimise distractions during sessions. This app is built for that kind of focused, local use.
You want a straightforward, no-fuss digital companion that handles the nuts and bolts of encounter tracking, NPC stats, and basic note-keeping without requiring cloud sync or complex setups.

Key features

Encounter & Initiative Tracker: This allows for rolling and tracking initiative, managing monster and player hit points, applying conditions, viewing monster stat blocks (from the SRD or imported), and even rolling attacks directly within the app. It streamlines combat management considerably.
Treasure & XP Parcel Calculator: While not explicitly detailed in the store description, the general theme of managing loot and campaign progress implies tools for handling rewards and experience, a common feature in such DM aids.
Campaign/Session Notebook & Manager: DMs can structure their campaign into adventures, each with its own set of characters and planned encounters. It also provides sections for general notes and tracking treasure items to be distributed to players.
Creature Builder/Scaler: A useful tool for homebrewing or modifying existing monsters. By inputting key stats like challenge rating and ability scores, the app can help auto-generate other relevant numbers and descriptive text for the creature.
Customisable Compendium & DM Screen: It includes SRD 5.1 content by default but, crucially, allows users to import custom content for races, classes, spells, monsters, etc. This is vital for using non-SRD material. The DM screen section offers a customisable quick reference for rules and tables.
Fight Club 5th Edition Integration: Player characters from the companion player app, Fight Club 5th Edition, can be imported, which simplifies adding PCs to a campaign.

Pros

Works Fully Offline: This is its primary selling point. All data is stored locally on the device, making it independent of internet connectivity once set up and content is loaded.
One-Time Purchase (for Premium): The app is free to try with limitations. Unlocking the full feature set (unlimited campaigns, adventures, encounters) requires a single, relatively inexpensive in-app purchase, avoiding ongoing subscription costs.
Quick Search Across All Data: The ability to quickly search through your NPCs, notes, and other campaign data is a significant advantage over paper-based systems.
SRD Content Included: Comes with the basic 5.1 SRD, allowing for immediate use with core D&D rules and monsters.

Cons

Apple-Only: As the name suggests, this specific app is exclusive to the iOS ecosystem (iPhone, iPad, and compatible Macs with Apple Silicon). Android users would need to look for alternative solutions from the same developer (who does have Android apps) or other DM tools.
No Cloud Sync (Unless Via iCloud Export/Import): Direct cloud synchronisation between devices isn't a built-in feature. Backing up or transferring data typically relies on manual file export and import, potentially via iCloud Drive or other file transfer methods. This can be less seamless than cloud-native solutions.
Dated iOS Updates: The last listed update for the iOS version was in September 2020. While it may be compatible with current iOS versions, the lack of more recent feature updates or bug fixes on iOS might be a concern for some, especially compared to its Android counterpart which appears more recently maintained.
Manual Content Input for Non-SRD: While it supports importing, adding extensive non-SRD content (e.g., from official D&D books you own) requires manual data entry or finding community-created import files, which can be time-consuming.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (limited) | Premium $2.99 one-time (US App Store)

CharGen tie-in
For GMs using Game Master 5e, a practical CharGen integration involves generating character art and portraits. These images can be saved to your iPad or iPhone's camera roll. From there, you can easily attach these visuals to your NPC entries within the app. This provides a quick and handy visual reference for your NPCs directly at the gaming table, enhancing descriptions and player recall during offline play.

Roll20 — VTT plus campaign journal

URL https://roll20.net | Latest update: Feb 2025 (Mobile App Enhancements & Ongoing Platform Evolution)

What it does
Roll20 is one of the most widely recognised browser-based virtual tabletops (VTTs), offering a comprehensive suite of tools for playing tabletop roleplaying games online. Beyond its core VTT functionalities (maps, tokens, dice rolling, chat), Roll20 includes a robust "Journal" system. This system serves as a repository for creating and storing handouts, Non-Player Character (NPC) sheets, player character information, and general campaign notes, all accessible to GMs and selectively shareable with players between and during game sessions. It aims to be an all-in-one solution for groups playing remotely.

Why you'd use it

Your group is already running, or plans to run, its game sessions using Roll20's virtual tabletop. Having the campaign notes and handouts integrated directly into the same platform streamlines preparation and in-game referencing.
You want a single platform where your players can access their dynamic character sheets (for supported systems), view shared handouts (like maps, letters, or lore documents), and refer to campaign notes without needing to switch between multiple applications.
You utilise pre-made adventure modules from the Roll20 Marketplace, as these often come with their journal entries (NPCs, handouts, adventure text) pre-populated, saving significant setup time.

Key features

Journal Entries with GM/Player Permissions: The core of its campaign management. GMs can create detailed entries for characters (with links to character sheets for many systems) and handouts (for images, text, etc.). Crucially, each entry has granular permission settings, allowing GMs to control which players can view or edit specific items. GM-only notes can also be added to any entry.
Character Vault for Cross-Game Storage: This feature allows players (and GMs) to store characters independently of a specific game. This is useful for players who participate in multiple campaigns or for GMs who want to reuse NPCs across different games.
Mobile Companion App: Roll20 offers a mobile app for iOS and Android. While not a full VTT replacement, it allows players to view their character sheets, make rolls, and access some journal content on their mobile devices, which is handy as a companion during play or for quick reference.
Rich Text Editing & Organisation: Journal entries support rich text formatting, image embedding, and linking between entries, allowing for the creation of fairly detailed and interconnected information hubs. Folders can be used to organise journal content.
Marketplace Integration: Many official and community-created adventure modules available on the Roll20 Marketplace automatically populate the Journal tab with relevant NPCs, handouts, maps, and adventure text.

Pros

Seamless Tie-in with Live Game Maps & VTT: The biggest advantage is the direct integration. Handouts can be shown to players with a click, NPC tokens on the map can be linked to their journal entries, and everything is within the same browser window as the game itself.
Marketplace Modules Auto-Populate Journals: For GMs running published adventures, purchasing them on Roll20 often means a huge amount of campaign information is instantly ready to use in the journal, saving hours of manual input.
Free Tier Sufficient for One Campaign (Basic Use): The free tier of Roll20 provides enough functionality, including journal use, to run a single campaign effectively, especially if storage needs are modest. Many core features are available without a subscription.
Wide System Support (Character Sheets): Roll20 supports a vast number of TTRPG systems with community and officially created character sheets that integrate with the journal.

Cons

Journal Sorting and Organisation Can Get Messy: For very large campaigns with hundreds of journal entries, the folder system and sorting options can sometimes feel a bit clunky or overwhelming. Managing a very extensive wiki-like structure might become cumbersome for some.
Limited Wiki-Style Linking Compared to Dedicated Wikis: While you can link between journal entries, the hyperlinking and transclusion capabilities are not as advanced as those found in dedicated wiki software like Obsidian or TiddlyWiki. It's more a collection of documents than a deeply interconnected knowledge base.
Mobile App is a Companion, Not Full VTT: Players expecting the full VTT experience on mobile will be disappointed; it's primarily for character sheets and rolls. Full campaign management and map interaction typically require a desktop browser.
Interface Can Feel Dated to Some: While continuously updated (with initiatives like the new "Jumpgate" tabletop experience), parts of the Roll20 interface can still feel less modern than some newer, more specialised tools.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | Plus $6 /mo (or $60/year) for expanded storage, no ads, and Dynamic Lighting. Pro $11/mo (or $110/year) for API access and more features.

CharGen tie-in
A straightforward and effective way to use CharGen with Roll20 is to generate NPC or monster tokens as PNG files. These can then be quickly uploaded to your Roll20 Art Library and dropped into journal handouts. This is excellent for creating quick visual references for your players, such as a rogue's gallery of villains or a visual guide to local fauna, accessible directly within the VTT interface during play.

Quest Portal — AI-assisted campaign library

URL https://www.questportal.com | Latest update: Apr 2025 (Global Library 2.0 & Marketplace Expansion)

What it does
Quest Portal is a modern, cloud-based application designed for managing tabletop roleplaying campaigns, with a significant emphasis on AI assistance and a streamlined user experience across both desktop and mobile platforms. It provides a central hub for organising campaign notes, character information, and digital assets like art and maps within nested folders. A core component is its integrated AI assistant, which can be trained on user-uploaded documents and specific books within a campaign's library to help fetch rules, lore, or generate ideas. The platform is actively developing a marketplace for TTRPG content and has recently overhauled its content management with "Global Library 2.0".

Why you'd use it

You are intrigued by the potential of AI to assist in GMing, such as having a "rules concierge" that can quickly look up information from your chosen sourcebooks or campaign notes during a session.
You need an efficient way to organise and share information (notes, lore, images) with your players, accessible via simple links and with a consistent experience on both desktop and mobile devices.
You appreciate a sleek, contemporary user interface and a platform that is rapidly evolving with new features and content partnerships.

Key features

AI Chat Trained on Your Uploaded Docs & Campaign Library: This is a standout feature. GMs can upload their own documents or select specific books from their Quest Portal library to form the knowledge base for an AI assistant. This assistant can then answer questions, provide summaries, or help with brainstorming based on that curated content.
Rich-Text Notes with Image Embeds & Folders: Quest Portal offers a robust note-taking system with support for rich text, image embedding, and, crucially, nested folders for deep organisation of campaign materials. Recent updates include features like collapsible sections within notes.
Mobile Offline Cache & Full Mobile Parity: The mobile applications (iOS and Android) are designed to offer a comparable experience to the desktop version, including access to notes, character sheets, and even map tools. An offline cache helps maintain access to some data even without an internet connection.
Global Library 2.0 & Marketplace: Quest Portal is building out a marketplace for SRDs, rulebooks, and adventures from various publishers and indie creators. The "Global Library 2.0" update (April 2025) refines how users manage their owned and claimed content, integrating it with the marketplace for discoverability.
Customisable Character Sheets & Widgets: Users can create and customise character sheets. The system includes various widgets like "Points," "Slots," "Roll Buttons," and "Collections" that can be used within notes and character sheets for dynamic tracking and interaction.
Integrated Map & Token Tools: Features include map uploading, token management (including labels, vision, and light sources), and drawing tools, all accessible on both desktop and mobile.

Pros

Fast Search Across Rulebooks & Notes: The AI-powered search and information retrieval capabilities are designed to be quick and efficient, helping GMs find what they need during a live session without lengthy manual lookups.
Sleek Modern UI: The platform is consistently praised for its clean, intuitive, and visually appealing user interface, which contributes to a pleasant user experience.
Generous Free Tier (Historically 5 Campaigns): Quest Portal has traditionally offered a generous free tier, allowing users to manage multiple campaigns (e.g., up to 5 historically) before needing to subscribe, making it very accessible to try out.
Active Development & Regular Updates: The changelog shows frequent updates with new features, content additions (especially to their marketplace and library), and bug fixes, indicating an actively maintained and evolving platform.
Strong Mobile Experience: Unlike many VTTs where mobile is an afterthought, Quest Portal prioritises a full-featured mobile experience, including character sheets, notes, and map interaction.

Cons

Early Roadmap—Some Export Options Missing (Historically): As a newer platform, some features, particularly around data export or advanced customisation, might still be in development or less mature than older, more established tools. Users should verify current export capabilities if this is a critical need.
Heavy AI Queries May Count Against Usage Tokens (Pro Tier): For users on paid tiers leveraging the AI extensively, there might be usage limits or token systems to be aware of, which could impact very heavy users.
Marketplace Still Growing: While expanding, the range of content available in their marketplace will naturally be less extensive than platforms with a multi-year head start in content aggregation.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes | GM Pro $7 /mo (pricing for Pro features like advanced AI access; subject to change).

Best for
Story-first groups who value a modern interface, strong mobile support, and are keen to leverage AI assistance for information retrieval and campaign management mid-session.

CharGen tie-in
Quest Portal's rich-text notes and image embedding capabilities make it easy to incorporate CharGen assets. You can include CharGen-created scenes as illustrative backdrops in your notes, or embed character portraits directly. Furthermore, with the AI assistant's ability to process content from your notes, these embedded images and associated descriptions from CharGen could potentially be referenced by the AI when answering player questions about lore or specific characters, adding another layer of dynamic interaction.

Dice & Probability Tools

AnyDice — The gold-standard math engine

URL https://anydice.com | Latest update: 2023 (performance patch)

What it does
AnyDice is the undisputed champion for anyone needing to dissect the peculiar probabilities that arise from rolling dice, especially in the context of tabletop roleplaying games. At its core, it's a sophisticated calculator that takes dice expressions, no matter how convoluted, and churns out detailed probability distributions. It doesn't just stop at numbers; AnyDice is brilliant at visualising this data, plotting graphs that clearly illustrate the likelihood of various outcomes. Whether you're designing a new game mechanic from scratch or simply curious about the odds of that critical hit, AnyDice provides the mathematical bedrock. It's a tool built by a game designer, for game designers, and that focus is apparent in its every feature.

Why you'd use it
The applications for AnyDice are wonderfully varied. Game Masters (GMs) and designers frequently turn to it when they're tinkering with house rules. Perhaps you're considering a new way to handle advantage, or you've dreamt up a unique dice pool system for a homebrew campaign. AnyDice allows you to rigorously test these ideas, showing you precisely how your proposed changes will affect the probability curve. This is invaluable for maintaining game balance. It's also a fantastic educational tool. Instead of just telling your players that a particular homebrewed spell is "fairly likely to succeed," you can actually show them the graph, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of the game's mechanics. It's the kind of tool that empowers informed design choices, moving beyond gut feelings to data-driven decisions. Many a heated debate about the fairness of a particular dice combination has been settled by its impartial calculations.

Key features

DSL Scripting: This is where AnyDice truly flexes its muscles. Its Domain Specific Language allows for the creation of incredibly complex dice mechanics. You can model almost anything, from dice that explode on certain results, to systems where you drop the lowest or highest rolls, or even dice with entirely custom faces. If you can define it, AnyDice can probably calculate it.
Graph and CSV Export: Understanding data is often easier visually. AnyDice excels at generating clear, concise graphs that illustrate probability distributions. For those who want to crunch the numbers further or import them into other tools, the ability to export data as a CSV file is a godsend.
"At Least / Exactly / At Most" Queries: The engine isn't limited to simple "what's the chance of rolling a 7?" questions. You can delve deeper, asking for the probability of rolling at least a certain number, exactly a specific value, or at most a target. This granularity is vital for fine-tuning game mechanics where specific thresholds matter.
Extensive Function Library: Beyond basic dice notation, AnyDice offers a rich library of built-in functions that cover common (and uncommon) scenarios in dice mechanics, such as keeping a certain number of highest or lowest dice, rerolling dice, and more. This saves users from having to reinvent the wheel for many standard operations.
Shared Calculations: AnyDice allows you to save and share your calculations via a unique URL. This is brilliant for collaborating with other designers or for sharing your findings with a wider community. Many forums and design discussions are peppered with AnyDice links.

Pros

Unmatched Power and Flexibility: It can handle an astonishing array of dice mechanics, including those with exploding dice, dropping dice, re-rolls, and custom-sided dice. If you're working on a system that deviates from simple d20 rolls, AnyDice is practically indispensable.
Completely Free and No Login Required: This is a huge plus. You can jump right in and start experimenting without any barriers to entry. For a tool this powerful, being free is a remarkable offering to the community.
Vibrant Community and Abundant Examples: If you're stuck or looking for inspiration, there's a wealth of examples and discussions available online. The AnyDice website itself hosts a library of functions and articles, and a quick search will reveal countless forum posts where users share their scripts and solutions.
Educational Value: For those interested in the mathematics of game design, AnyDice is an excellent learning tool. Experimenting with different formulas and seeing the resulting distributions can provide deep insights into probability.
Constantly Maintained: While the core has been stable for years, the creator does implement patches and improvements, like the 2023 performance update, ensuring it remains a reliable tool.

Cons

Steep Learning Curve for the DSL: While simple queries are straightforward, unlocking AnyDice's full potential requires getting to grips with its scripting language. This can be initially daunting for those without a programming background, though the documentation and community examples do help.
Occasional Uptime Issues: Being a free, popular service, it can sometimes struggle under very heavy traffic, leading to slower response times or temporary unavailability. This is usually infrequent but can be frustrating if you're on a tight deadline.
Interface is Utilitarian: The web interface is functional but not particularly flashy. It prioritises power over aesthetics, which is fine for its target audience, but new users might find it a bit stark.
Limited Graphical Customisation: While the graphs are clear, options for customising their appearance are limited. If you need highly polished, presentation-ready graphics, you might need to export the data and use another tool.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes (entirely free)

Best for
Game designers, GMs who love to tinker with mechanics, and anyone with a mathematical curiosity about dice probabilities. It's the go-to tool for serious analysis and a valuable resource for understanding the nuts and bolts of TTRPG systems. If you're designing your own game, or even just a significant homebrew subsystem, proficiency with AnyDice is a massive advantage.

CharGen tie-in
For CharGen, imagine the power of linking directly to an AnyDice graph from an item or ability description. Players could click and instantly see the mathematical justification for why their new enchanted sword has a certain damage profile, or why a particular feat offers a tangible statistical benefit. This transparency can significantly enhance player buy-in and appreciation for the game's design.

Awesome Dice Probability Calculator — Click-once odds checker

URL https://www.awesomedice.com/dnd-probability-calculator | Latest update: Jan 2024

What it does
The Awesome Dice Probability Calculator is a wonderfully straightforward tool, laser-focused on one of the most common needs in D&D and similar d20-based games: quickly determining the chance of success for a single d20 roll. It presents as a simple web form. You input the target number (the Difficulty Class or DC), your total bonus to the roll, and a few common modifiers, and it instantly tells you your percentage chance of success. It's designed for speed and ease of use, stripping away the complexity of more advanced probability engines to deliver just the information you need, when you need it. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a quick mental calculation, but with perfect accuracy every time, especially handy when juggling multiple modifiers.

Why you'd use it This calculator shines in its simplicity and immediate utility. It's perfect for those moments during game preparation, or even at the table, when you need a quick sanity check on the odds. For instance, as a GM, you might be setting the DC for a particularly tricky trap and want to ensure it's challenging but not impossible for the party. Or perhaps you're a player wondering if it's worth using a limited-resource ability to gain a small bonus on a crucial attack roll. It's also an excellent tool for teaching new players the fundamental impact of bonuses, advantage, and disadvantage on their chances. Instead of abstract explanations, you can show them concrete percentages. Its focused nature means there's no learning curve; you just plug in the numbers and get your answer. It's particularly useful for those who find mental arithmetic with probabilities a bit fuzzy, or just want to save a few seconds of brainpower.

Key features

Target DC Slider/Input: Allows you to easily set the Difficulty Class your roll needs to meet or beat, typically covering the common range from 1 to 30 found in most d20 systems.
Roll Bonus Input: A straightforward field to enter your total modifier for the roll, encompassing ability scores, proficiency, and any other situational bonuses or penalties.
Advantage/Disadvantage Toggle: A simple, clickable option to instantly see how rolling two dice and taking the higher (advantage) or lower (disadvantage) result impacts your probability of success. This is a core mechanic in D&D 5th Edition, and seeing the numbers change can be very insightful.
Bless/Bane Checkbox: Accounts for common spell effects like Bless (which adds a d4 to rolls) or Bane (which subtracts a d4). The calculator factors in the average benefit or detriment of these dice, providing a more accurate success chance when these effects are in play.
Clear Percentage Readout: The result is presented as an unambiguous percentage, making it easy to understand your odds at a glance.

Pros

Extremely Fast and Intuitive: No complex inputs or understanding of statistical jargon required. You can get your answer in seconds, making it ideal for quick checks during a game session or prep.
Mobile-Friendly Design: The interface is typically well-optimised for use on smartphones and tablets, which is great for GMs and players who use digital tools at the table.
Completely Free to Use: Like many great community tools, this calculator is offered free of charge, often supported by the main Awesome Dice retail site.
Good for Quick D&D 5e Scenarios: Its feature set is well-tailored to the most common probability questions that arise in Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition, particularly around single d20 checks.
Educational for Newcomers: It provides a very clear, visual way for players new to d20 systems to understand how various mechanics like advantage or a +1 bonus actually affect their chances of success.

Cons

Strictly d20 Focused: This tool is specifically for single d20 rolls. It cannot handle dice pools (like those in World of Darkness or Yahtzee), other dice types (d6, d10, etc.), or more complex probability questions like a series of rolls.
No Graphing or Data Export: It provides a single percentage. There are no visualisations of the probability distribution, nor can you export the data for further analysis.
Limited Modifier Options: While it covers advantage/disadvantage and often Bless/Bane, it might not accommodate every conceivable modifier or dice manipulation found in all homebrew rules or other d20-variant systems.
Assumes Standard D&D Rules: Calculations for things like Bless/Bane are based on their typical implementation in D&D. If your game uses them differently, the calculator might not be perfectly accurate for those specific cases.
Can Be Ad-Supported: Being a free tool on a commercial site, you might encounter advertisements, though these are generally unobtrusive.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
DMs and players of D&D 5th Edition (or very similar d20 systems) who need a quick, no-fuss way to check the probability of success for a standard roll. It's the digital equivalent of a well-used cheat sheet for odds, perfect for rapid rule-of-thumb assessments at the gaming table or during preparation when deep statistical analysis isn't required. It's particularly handy for quickly illustrating the potent effect of advantage or disadvantage to players.

CharGen tie-in
Within CharGen, imagine a player is looking at a new magic item that grants a +1 bonus to attack rolls. By embedding a link or even a simplified version of this calculator directly into the item's description, they could instantly see how that +1 translates into a tangible 5% increase in their chance to hit various Armor Classes. This immediate feedback makes the benefits of items and abilities much clearer and more impactful.

Omni Dice Probability — Versatile stats calculator

URL https://www.omnicalculator.com/statistics/dice-probability | Latest update: Aug 2024

What it does
The Omni Dice Probability calculator, part of the larger Omni Calculator project, is a highly versatile and user-friendly web tool designed to compute probabilities for a wide range of dice-rolling scenarios. Unlike tools focused solely on d20s, this calculator capably handles all standard polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, and even custom-sided dice). Users can specify the number of dice, the type of dice, and the desired outcome – such as the probability of rolling a specific sum, a sum greater than or equal to a target number, or achieving a certain number of identical results. It stands out for its clean presentation and its commitment to explaining the underlying mathematics, making it more than just a number-cruncher; it's an educational resource as well.

Why you'd use it This calculator is your go-to when your probability questions extend beyond simple d20 success checks or when you're dealing with game systems that utilise different dice types or mechanics. It's invaluable for GMs and players of games like Warhammer, Shadowrun, or any system that employs dice pools or less common polyhedrals. If you need to know the odds of rolling at least three 6s on ten d6, or the chance of the sum of 5d8 being 20 or higher, Omni Calculator can provide the answer. Its clear interface makes it accessible even if you're not a maths whizz, and the explanations it provides can help you understand why the odds are what they are. This is particularly useful for game designers looking to balance mechanics in systems that don't rely on the d20, or for players who simply want to understand the statistical basis of their favourite non-D&D games. The ability to calculate odds for a significant number of dice (often up to 15 or more depending on the specific calculation) also sets it apart for analysing larger dice pools.

Key features

Support for All Polyhedral Dice: Easily select d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, or even specify custom-sided dice for more esoteric systems.
Multiple Dice Calculations: Configure scenarios with a considerable number of dice (e.g., up to 15 or more), allowing for analysis of substantial dice pools.
Varied Probability Queries: Can calculate the probability of an exact sum, a sum greater/less than a value, getting a specific number of identical results (e.g., 'exactly three 5s'), or at least a certain number of identical results.
Step-by-Step Explanations: For many calculations, Omni Calculator provides a brief rundown of how the probability is derived, offering valuable insight into the maths involved. This educational component is a significant strength.
User-Friendly Interface: The calculator is generally well-designed, with clear input fields and results presented in an easy-to-understand format. It avoids overwhelming the user with too many options at once.
Shareable Results: Often, you can get a permalink to your specific calculation, making it easy to share your findings or save them for later reference.
Part of a Larger Suite: Being one of many calculators on the Omni Calculator website, it benefits from a consistent design philosophy and a generally high level of polish.

Pros

Highly Versatile: Its ability to handle various dice types and a larger number of dice makes it suitable for a wide array of game systems beyond just D&D.
Excellent Educational Component: The explanations of the mathematical principles are a standout feature, helping users learn rather than just get an answer.
Clean and Polished User Interface: The site is generally well-designed and intuitive, making it a pleasant tool to use, especially on mobile devices where it maintains good usability.
Free to Use: Access to this powerful calculation tool is free, which is a great boon for the gaming community.
Handles Complex Scenarios: It can tackle more nuanced probability questions than simpler calculators, such as the probability of obtaining a certain number of successes in a dice pool.
Regularly Updated: As part of the Omni Calculator suite, it tends to be well-maintained and updated with improvements and new features or explanations over time.

Cons

No Advanced Graph Visualisation: While it provides numerical results and sometimes textual explanations, it typically doesn't offer graphical representations of probability distributions in the way a dedicated tool like AnyDice does. For visual analysis of distributions, you might need to look elsewhere.
Presence of Ads: As a free website, Omni Calculator is supported by advertising, which can sometimes be a minor distraction, though generally not overly intrusive.
Can Feel General Purpose: Because it's part of a site with hundreds of calculators, it might lack some of the hyper-specific niche features a dedicated TTRPG-only tool might develop for, say, specific game systems' exploding dice mechanics without some manual setup.
Loading Times: On occasion, particularly with more complex calculations involving many dice, the page might take a moment to compute and display the results.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
Game Masters, players, and designers who work with a variety of game systems, especially those using dice pools or polyhedral dice other than the d20. It's also an excellent resource for anyone who wants to not only get probability figures but also understand the underlying mathematics. Its educational value makes it a great tool for students of statistics or game design, or for GMs who want to explain odds to their players in a clear, accessible way. If you need quick, reliable odds for rolling, say, 4d10 and getting a sum above 25, this is an excellent choice.

CharGen tie-in
For CharGen, when dealing with house rules or alternative game systems that CharGen might support, linking to an Omni Calculator result could be invaluable. For instance, if a GM has introduced a homebrew rule that uses 3d10 for a particular skill check, they could include a link in the CharGen notes for that rule, pointing to an Omni Calculator page showing the probability distribution for 3d10. This adds a layer of transparency and helps players understand the statistical impact of such custom rules.

DnD Dice Roller — Simple web roller

URL https://dnddiceroller.com | Latest update: 2024 redesign

What it does
Dnddiceroller.com offers a remarkably clean and intuitive interface for rolling dice, catering to a wide array of tabletop role-playing games, with a particular nod to Dungeons & Dragons. Users can swiftly select the number of dice, the type of dice (from a d4 right up to a d100), and apply modifiers to either individual dice or the total sum. The results are clearly displayed, showing both the individual outcomes of each die and the grand total. It's designed for ease of use, ensuring that even players new to online rollers can get started without a moment's hesitation. The site also maintains a helpful dice roll log, allowing players to review recent results, which can be particularly handy during complex combat encounters or when tracking ability score generation. The recent 2024 redesign has kept the focus on simplicity whilst modernising its presentation slightly.

Why you'd use it
This particular online dice roller is an excellent choice when you require a dependable and uncomplicated tool, perhaps for players who are joining a game remotely and don't have their physical dice to hand. Its cross-device compatibility is a significant boon, functioning smoothly on desktops, tablets, and mobile phones without the need for any pesky logins or software installations. If you're a Dungeon Master needing to make a flurry of rolls for a horde of goblins, or a player who simply prefers the convenience of digital dice, this tool serves its purpose admirably. It's the sort of digital companion that gets out of your way and lets you focus on the game.

Key features

Comprehensive dice selection: Standard polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, d100) readily available.
Flexible modifiers: Add or subtract values to individual dice or the total roll.
Multiple roll lines: Configure several distinct dice rolls on the same page, each with its own label – perfect for character creation or complex turns.
Clear results display: Shows individual die results and the overall total.
History log: Keeps a running tally of your recent rolls for easy reference during the session.
Sound effects: Optional dice rolling sounds for a little bit of extra immersion.
Save settings: The ability to save your dice configurations locally using browser cookies is a nice touch for recurring setups.

Pros

Exceptionally fast and responsive: No unnecessary animations or delays, the rolls are practically instantaneous.
Utterly straightforward: The learning curve is non-existent; it's immediately obvious how to use it.
No registration required: Jump straight in and start rolling without any barriers.
Privacy-focused: The site proudly states it uses zero cookies or tracking for its core rolling functions, which is a refreshing change in the modern web landscape.
Accessible on any device: Works well across various screen sizes and operating systems thanks to its web-based nature.
Dark mode available: A thoughtful inclusion for those long, late-night gaming sessions, reducing eye strain.
Completely free: No hidden costs or premium versions to worry about.

Cons

Lacks advanced statistical analysis: If you're looking for probability breakdowns or charts, you'll need a more specialised tool.
No shared rolling functionality: It's a single-user experience, so you can't directly share your rolls with a group in real-time within the tool itself. You'd have to announce your results verbally or via another platform.
History is session-based: The roll log doesn't persist if you close your browser or refresh, unless you've used the save settings feature which relies on local cookies.
Interface is purely functional: While clean, it doesn't offer much in the way of visual flair or customisation beyond a dark mode.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, entirely free.

Best for
This roller is absolutely champion for those moments when you just need to roll some digital dice without any fuss. It's ideal for quick look-ups, online play where participants might not have physical dice, or for Dungeon Masters who need to make a lot of rolls efficiently. Its speed and simplicity are its greatest assets.

CharGen tie-in
A rather clever idea would be to frame this dice roller directly within a CharGen player handout. This could provide an integrated rolling solution for players using digital character sheets during remote sessions, keeping everything conveniently in one place.

Die Roll Stats (Rumkin) — Old-school distribution tables

URL http://rumkin.com/reference/dnd/diestats.php | Latest update: 2024 site build, tool is older

What it does
The Die Roll Stats tool on Rumkin.com is a venerable utility for those delving into the mathematics of dice probabilities. It primarily focuses on calculating and visually representing the distribution of outcomes for common dice rolling conventions, such as those used for generating character ability scores in games like Dungeons & Dragons. Users can input various dice combinations (e.g., 3d6, 4d6 drop lowest, 2d8+4) and the tool will generate a simple text-based table showing each possible total and the frequency or probability of rolling that total. Crucially, it also produces a basic bar graph image that offers a quick visual understanding of the probability curve. It's a no-nonsense calculator for understanding the likelihood of different results.

Why you'd use it
This tool is particularly handy for Game Masters and game designers who want to understand the statistical impact of different dice mechanics. If you're considering various methods for character attribute generation (for instance, the classic 3d6 versus the more generous 4d6, drop the lowest die, or even more esoteric combinations), Rumkin's tool provides a clear, if somewhat unadorned, comparison. It's also a fine resource for teaching basic probability concepts in a visual way, perhaps to younger players or those new to the statistical side of tabletop gaming. Its simplicity means it loads quickly and works even on very old web browsers or devices with limited processing power, making it surprisingly accessible despite its age.

Key features

Supports common dice notations: Understands standard dice inputs like 3d6, 4d6D1 (4d6 drop 1 lowest), 2d10+5.
Text-based probability table: Clearly lists each possible sum and its frequency.
Generates a PNG bar graph: Provides an immediate visual representation of the outcome distribution.
Handles multiple dice groups: Can process more complex roll structures, although very complex queries might time out.
Focus on attribute rolling: Especially geared towards comparing different methods of generating character statistics.
Fast calculations for simple inputs: Delivers results quickly for standard queries.

Pros

Extremely lightweight and fast-loading: The page has minimal overhead and performs its calculations server-side, returning results swiftly.
No reliance on modern browser features: Its old-school HTML and basic image output mean it's compatible with virtually any web browser, however ancient.
Clear, unambiguous output: Both the table and the graph are easy to understand at a glance, despite their lack of polish.
Excellent for comparing dice mechanics: Directly shows the statistical differences between various rolling methods (e.g., average roll, spread of results).
Free to use: No cost, no ads, no registration. Just pure, unadulterated dice statistics.
Printable results: The simple layout makes it easy to print the tables and graphs for offline reference or handouts.

Cons

Very dated aesthetics: The user interface and visual output look like a relic from the early days of the web, which might be off-putting for some.
Limited to pre-defined or simple custom rolls: While it has some flexibility in input, it's not as versatile as more modern, script-based analysers like AnyDice for extremely complex or niche dice mechanics.
No advanced features: Don't expect features like saving configurations, sharing results directly, or detailed statistical measures beyond basic distribution.
Graph is a static image: The bar chart is not interactive and offers no customisation options.
Can be overwhelmed by very complex dice combinations: The tool states it may break with overly intricate inputs due to resource limitations.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, completely free.

Best for
This tool is best suited for Game Masters, game designers, or maths-curious players who need a quick, straightforward way to visualise and compare the probability distributions of common dice rolling methods, especially for character creation. Its enduring utility lies in its simplicity and accessibility.

CharGen tie-in
For a more analytical approach to character creation, one could attach the bar chart images generated by this tool to CharGen handouts. This would allow players to visually compare the statistical outcomes of different attribute rolling systems you might offer, helping them make an informed choice or simply understand the kind of character power level a particular method is likely to produce.

Avrae Discord Bot — Full dice engine in chat

URL https://avrae.io | Latest update: Continuous (Active Development)

(core dice features covered under Encounter tools)

Avrae stands as a titan in the realm of D&D Discord bots, offering an incredibly comprehensive suite of tools for playing Dungeons & Dragons within the Discord environment. While its powerful dice rolling capabilities, character sheet integrations (supporting D&D Beyond, DiceCloud, and Google Sheets), and robust combat tracking are its most lauded features (which we'll delve into more deeply in the Encounter Tools section), its underlying flexibility is key to many creative uses.

The bot is famed for its custom dice parser, handling almost any conceivable roll, and its deep integration with character data, allowing rolls to be made directly from character sheets with all relevant modifiers. Its alias and custom command system (!alias, !snippet) allows for significant personalisation and extension of its core features, enabling server administrators and knowledgeable users to tailor Avrae's behaviour extensively.

Pros specific to this context:

Deep character sheet integration: Can pull data, including potentially item names or types, from linked character sheets.
Highly customisable: The alias and snippet system allows for the creation of bespoke commands that could interact with external systems or display custom information.
Widely adopted: Many D&D players are already familiar with Avrae, reducing the learning curve for its basic use.

Cons specific to this context:

Complexity for advanced customisation: Leveraging its full customisation potential requires some technical understanding of its command language.
Primarily Discord-based: Its utility is locked within the Discord ecosystem.

CharGen tie-in
The true potential here lies in Avrae's customisation. It's conceivable to develop custom Avrae aliases or commands that, when a player uses an item (e.g., !use "potion of healing"), not only roll the dice but also query an external source (like a CharGen database or API, if available) to fetch and display the item's artwork from CharGen within the Discord chat. This would add a fantastic visual flair and reinforce the connection between the character sheet and the gameplay moment.

Dice Maiden Discord — Lightweight roller bot

URL https://github.com/Humblemonk/DiceMaiden | Latest update: Active (recent slash command update)

What it does
Dice Maiden is a dedicated dice rolling bot for Discord, designed to be a straightforward and efficient tool for tabletop role-players. It excels at parsing a wide array of dice roll commands, from simple 2d6+5 to more complex mechanics like exploding dice (e6, ie6), dropping dice (d1), keeping specific dice (k2, kl1), rerolling dice (r2, ir2), and success counting against a target number (t7). It also supports a variety of game-specific syntaxes for systems such as Warhammer (WNG, WH40k), Chronicles of Darkness (CoD), World of Darkness (WoD), FATE/Fudge (df), Earthdawn (edX), Shadowrun (srX), and D&D-style advantage/disadvantage rolls (+dX, -dX). The bot has recently transitioned to using slash commands (e.g., /roll) in line with Discord's evolving API requirements.

Why you'd use it

If your gaming group needs a reliable, free dice roller within Discord that can handle a broad spectrum of dice mechanics without the overhead of full character sheet management, Dice Maiden is an excellent contender. Its strength lies in its powerful dice parsing engine. It's particularly useful for games that have unique or nuanced dice systems beyond simple polyhedrals, given its support for numerous specific game syntaxes and complex roll modifiers. The option to self-host is also a plus for communities who prefer to manage their own bot instances, or for developers looking to understand or fork the Ruby-based codebase.

Key features

Extensive dice notation: Supports addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, exploding dice (single and indefinite), keep highest/lowest, reroll (single and indefinite), target number success counting, failure counting, and botch dice.
Slash command interface: Uses modern Discord slash commands (e.g., /roll, /r).
Game-specific aliases: Pre-configured commands for numerous systems (e.g., Warhammer, Earthdawn, Storypath, D&D stats, advantage/disadvantage).
Multiple rolls: Can handle several distinct roll requests in a single command, separated by semicolons.
Roll sets: Allows rolling multiple sets of the same dice (e.g., /roll 6 4d6).
Output customisation: Options to simplify output (no tally, no results), private rolls, and unsorted results.
Comments: Ability to add a comment to a roll (e.g., /roll 2d6 !Attack roll).

Pros

Robust dice mechanics: Handles a very wide variety of rolling styles and game system requirements.
Free and open-source: No cost to use the public bot, and the source code is available on GitHub for review or self-hosting.
Self-hosting option: Provides flexibility for communities that want to run their own instance.
Actively maintained: The bot is kept up-to-date with Discord API changes, as evidenced by the recent move to slash commands.
No frills, just rolls: Focuses on being a dice parser, making it lightweight for that specific task.
Good documentation: The GitHub page clearly outlines its numerous commands and features.

Cons

No character sheet integration: Unlike bots like Avrae, Dice Maiden does not connect to external character sheet platforms.
Limited customisation for external data: While it has internal aliases, it doesn't appear to offer a scripting or API system to easily integrate displaying images or data from external services like CharGen dynamically.
Text-only output: Results are purely text-based within Discord; no graphical elements or rich embeds beyond standard Discord formatting.
Steeper learning curve for advanced syntax: While basic rolls are simple, mastering all its modifiers and game-specific commands can take a bit of practice.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, entirely free. (Patreon available for support)

Best for
Discord-based gaming groups that primarily need a powerful and versatile dice parser, especially for games with specific or complex dice mechanics, but do not require character sheet integration or extensive bot customisation. Its open-source nature and self-hosting option also appeal to technically-inclined users.

CharGen tie-in
While Dice Maiden itself doesn't directly support embedding external images like item art, a user could manually enhance the experience. For example, a player could make their roll using Dice Maiden, and then, if their character is managed in CharGen, they could manually copy and paste the CharGen portrait link or an item image link into the Discord chat immediately after the roll. This provides a degree of immersion, albeit a manual one, by associating the character's visual identity from CharGen with their actions in Discord.

Dice by PCalc (iOS) — Physics-based 3-D roller

URL https://pcalc.com/dice (App Store Link: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/dice-by-pcalc/id1468680083) | Latest update: Apr 2025 (Version 2.8.1)

What it does
Dice by PCalc, from the developers of the renowned PCalc calculator app, is a beautifully crafted 3-D dice simulation primarily for the Apple ecosystem (iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, tvOS). It focuses on delivering a highly realistic and tactile dice rolling experience, featuring impressive physics, near-photorealistic graphics, and satisfying haptic feedback on supported devices. Users can roll various polyhedral dice, save complex roll presets (like specific weapon attacks with modifiers), and even create custom dice with images or text on their faces. It handles advantage/disadvantage rolls automatically and clearly displays totals. The app is designed to be both a functional tool and a delightful digital object for those who appreciate the aesthetics of dice.

Why you'd use it

If you're an Apple user who misses the physical sensation of rolling dice when playing digitally, or if you simply appreciate high-quality, well-designed applications, Dice by PCalc is a top-tier choice. It's for the player who wants more than just a number generator; they want to see the dice tumble and feel a virtual connection to the roll. Its ability to create custom dice faces opens up possibilities for unique game mechanics or personalised flair. The saved presets feature is excellent for speeding up common rolls during gameplay, and its availability across multiple Apple devices, including Apple Watch for ultra-portability, is a significant advantage for those invested in that ecosystem.

Key features

Realistic 3D physics and graphics: Dice tumble and interact convincingly.
Haptic feedback: Adds a tactile sensation to rolls on compatible iPhones.
Standard and custom dice: Supports common polyhedral dice and allows users to create dice with custom faces (text, emoji, or imported images).
Saved roll presets: Define and save complex rolls with names (e.g., "Greataxe + Strength").
Advantage/disadvantage: Built-in support for these common mechanics.
Multiple dice sets and themes: Offers various visual styles for the dice.
AR (Augmented Reality) mode: Roll dice in your real-world environment.
Speech synthesis: Can announce dice results.
Cross-device compatibility: Works on iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV (Mac version is a separate purchase).
iOS integration: Supports Split View and Slide Over on iPad, and interactive widgets on iOS 17+.

Pros

Stunning visuals and physics: One of the best-looking and most satisfying digital dice experiences available.
Highly polished and user-friendly: The app is clearly made with a great deal of care and attention to detail, typical of PCalc products.
Excellent for immersion: The realistic simulation can feel more engaging than simpler digital rollers.
Powerful customisation: Custom dice faces and saved presets offer significant flexibility.
One-time purchase for iOS suite: Buy it once for iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.
Privacy-focused: The developer states no data is collected from the app.
Regularly updated: The app receives ongoing updates with new features and fixes.

Cons

Apple ecosystem exclusive: Not available for Android or Windows users.
Mac version is a separate purchase: While the iOS family of apps is a single purchase, using it on a Mac requires buying it again.
No native roll sharing to a group: It's designed as a personal dice roller; you can't directly share live roll results into a Discord or VTT chat from within the app (though you can, of course, announce them or stream your screen).
Can be overkill if you just need simple numbers: The 3D rendering might be more than some users need if they prefer ultra-fast, basic roll results.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? No Lite version mentioned for Dice, though PCalc (the calculator) has one. | Paid $1.99 one-time for iOS/iPadOS/watchOS/tvOS versions. (Mac version $1.99 separately. Optional in-app tips.)

Best for
Tabletop RPG players who are invested in the Apple ecosystem and desire a premium, visually rich, and tactile dice rolling experience. It particularly shines for those who appreciate well-crafted apps and want features like saved presets and custom dice.

CharGen tie-in
For a highly immersive solo experience or for players who stream their games, Dice by PCalc offers a unique opportunity. A player could screenshot their glorious (or calamitous) 3D dice rolls from the app and then paste these images into a CharGen session log. This creates a more visually engaging record of key moments than simple text-based roll results would offer, adding a touch of drama to the chronicle of their character's adventures.

Virtual Dice (Android) — Minimal physics roller

URL https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=games.dice (Illustrative generic Play Store link) | Latest update: 2024 (typical for many such apps)

What it does
Android users seeking a straightforward 3D dice rolling experience will find a host of apps under banners like "Virtual Dice". These applications typically provide a simulated environment where dice, ranging from the humble d4 to the mighty d100, can be rolled with a degree of physics-based animation. The core function is to offer a more visually engaging alternative to simple number generators, with dice that tumble and settle on screen. Most will include basic sound effects for the roll and options to choose the number and type of dice. Some may also offer minor customisation features, such as changing dice colours or the rolling surface, and a history log of recent rolls.

Why you'd use it

This kind of app serves as a handy digital equivalent to a physical dice pouch, especially for Android users who want a touch more flair than a purely numerical output. It's ideal for when physical dice are forgotten, impractical (perhaps due to space or noise constraints), or when a player simply prefers a digital solution that still offers a visual representation of the roll. They are generally designed to be lightweight and work offline, making them reliable for gaming on the go without needing an internet connection or granting excessive permissions. The shake-to-roll feature, common in many such apps, adds a little bit of tactile interaction.

Key features

3D dice rendering: Dice are shown as three-dimensional objects.
Basic physics simulation: Dice will tumble and bounce to some extent.
Wide dice selection: Typically supports standard polyhedral dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, d20, d100).
Multiple dice: Allows rolling several dice at once.
Customisable dice colours: Often an option to change the appearance of the dice.
Roll history: A log of previous roll results.
Shake-to-roll: Utilises the device's accelerometer to initiate rolls.
Sound effects: Basic audio feedback for dice rolls.

Pros

Visual appeal: More engaging than basic number generators for those who like to see dice roll.
Generally lightweight: These apps usually don't consume a vast amount of system resources.
Offline functionality: Most work without an internet connection, which is great for portability.
Simple to use: The interface for most is intuitive – select your dice and roll.
Ad-supported free versions common: Many offer a free version with ads, with a paid option to remove them.

Cons

Variable quality: The Play Store has many such apps, and the quality, physics realism, and feature sets can vary significantly between them.
Often basic graphics: Compared to premium offerings on other platforms (like Dice by PCalc on iOS), the visual fidelity might be less impressive in many free or lower-cost Android options.
May lack advanced features: Probability statistics, complex saved presets, or integration with other services are typically not found in the more minimal versions.
Ads in free versions: Can be intrusive in some ad-supported offerings.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Often Ad-supported | Paid Typically $1-3 one-time to remove ads or unlock minor features. (Using $2.49 as a representative example from the original prompt).

Best for
Android users who want a simple, visually-oriented dice roller for casual play or when physical dice aren't available. It's a good entry-level option for those who prefer a 3D representation over plain number outputs but don't need advanced features or hyper-realism.

CharGen tie-in
For Android users, a link to a recommended Virtual Dice app could be included in CharGen session preparation notes. This ensures that players who primarily use their Android phones for gaming have a readily available dice rolling solution if they don't have physical dice or prefer a quick digital alternative. It's about providing convenient options for all players at the table, regardless of their preferred tech.

Newtum Dice Roller — Quick calc & probability

URL https://newtum.com/calculators/statistics/dice-average-calculator (Illustrative, site has multiple dice stat tools) | Latest update: Oct 2024 (as per their calculator pages)

What it does
Newtum offers a collection of web-based dice calculation tools rather than a single, simple "roller". Their utilities, such as the "Dice Average Calculator" and "Dice Probability Calculator", are designed to provide statistical insights into dice rolls. Users can typically specify the number of dice and their type (e.g., number of sides). The tools then calculate and display not just a simulated roll, but also key statistical data like the average expected outcome (mean), and in some contexts, probabilities of certain results or ranges. These calculators are geared towards users who want to understand the underlying mathematics of their dice rolls, making them useful for game design, serious play analysis, or educational purposes.

Why you'd use it

If you're looking for more than just a random number and want to delve into the 'why' behind dice outcomes, Newtum's tools are a good fit. They are particularly useful for game designers testing the balance of mechanics, players trying to make statistically informed decisions, or educators demonstrating probability concepts. Because they are web-based, they are accessible on any device with a browser and require no installation. The emphasis on client-side calculation (as stated on their pages) is a plus for data privacy, as your inputs aren't sent to their servers for processing the statistical results.

Key features

Statistical calculations: Provides data like mean (average) outcomes, and can calculate probabilities for specific scenarios.
Input for number and type of dice: Allows users to define the dice pool for analysis.
Web-based: Accessible via a browser on various devices.
Client-side processing: Calculations are performed in the user's browser, enhancing data privacy.
Educational focus: The tools often include explanations of the formulas and concepts involved.
Free to use: Typically available without charge.

Pros

Provides deeper statistical insights: Goes beyond simple rolling to explain probabilities and averages.
Excellent for game design and analysis: Helps in understanding the balance and likelihood of various game events.
Good for educational purposes: Can be a valuable aid for teaching or learning about probability.
No installation required: Easy to access and use instantly online.
Privacy-conscious: Client-side calculations mean your specific roll data isn't typically stored or processed externally for the statistical output.
Generally lightweight and fast: Being HTML5-based, they tend to load quickly and run efficiently.

Cons

May not be a quick "roll and go" tool: The focus is more on analysis than rapid-fire rolling for gameplay, though basic roll simulation might be present.
Interface can be more functional than flashy: As with many online calculators, the UI is often plain and geared towards utility over aesthetics.
Limited to standard dice mechanics for analysis: Advanced or esoteric dice pool systems with complex interactions might not be fully covered by the simpler calculators.
No roll history for simulated rolls (typically): The focus is on the statistical properties, not necessarily logging a sequence of game rolls.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, generally free.

Best for
Game designers, mathematically-inclined players, or educators who need to quickly calculate and understand the statistical properties (like averages and probabilities) of common dice configurations. It's a handy tool for theory-crafting or making informed decisions based on likelihoods.

CharGen tie-in
When designing custom races, classes, or mechanics for CharGen that involve unique dice rolls or probability-dependent features, Newtum's calculators can be invaluable. Designers could take screenshots of the statistical outputs (e.g., the average damage of a new monster ability, the probability curve of a unique skill check system) and embed these directly into their CharGen design documents. This provides concrete mathematical backing for their design choices and helps ensure game balance.

Asset Marketplaces

DriveThruRPG — Largest digital RPG storefront

URL https://www.drivethrurpg.com | Latest update: Daily releases 2025

DriveThruRPG stands as a titan in the digital role-playing game space, a sprawling marketplace that many gamers and creators consider their first port of call. Its sheer size is its most defining characteristic, offering an almost bewildering array of PDFs, map packs, token sets, and even print-on-demand books. Whether you are after the latest indie darling, a classic game from yesteryear, or official supplements for established systems, the chances are high that you will find it here. The platform caters to thousands of publishers, from one-person operations to industry giants, making it a truly diverse ecosystem.

What it does
At its core, DriveThruRPG is a digital retailer specialising in tabletop role-playing games and related accessories. It provides a platform for creators to sell their products and for customers to purchase and download them. Beyond simple sales, it also offers print-on-demand services, allowing customers to get physical copies of digital books, which is a splendid option for those who prefer the feel of a real book in their hands. It also hosts various community content programmes, enabling fans to create and sell material for their favourite game systems under specific licensing agreements.

Why you'd use it
For players, it is the ultimate one-stop shop. The convenience of having such a vast library at your fingertips is undeniable. Regular site-wide sales and publisher-specific discounts mean you can often pick up fantastic bargains, making it easier to explore new games or expand your collection without breaking the bank. The user review system and bestseller charts (often denoted with metal rankings like Gold, Platinum, etc.) provide valuable insights into product quality and popularity, helping you make informed purchasing decisions.

For creators, DriveThruRPG offers unparalleled reach. Listing your product here exposes it to a massive audience of dedicated RPG enthusiasts. The platform handles payment processing, file delivery, and customer service, freeing you up to focus on creating. The community content programmes, such as those for popular systems like Call of Cthulhu or Traveller, provide a legitimate avenue to engage with established intellectual properties.

Key features

Vast Catalogue: Tens of thousands of titles spanning countless genres and systems. From high fantasy to gritty sci-fi, horror to historical, it is all here.
Community Content Programmes: Specific portals like the Miskatonic Repository (Call of Cthulhu) or the Jonstown Compendium (RuneQuest) allow fans to publish their own creations using official settings and lore.
Ratings and Bestseller Ranks: A robust system of user reviews and tiered bestseller badges (Electrum, Mithral, Adamantine, etc.) helps identify popular and well-regarded products.
Digital Library: All purchases are stored in your personal cloud library, accessible anytime, anywhere. No more worrying about lost files or corrupted hard drives.
Print-on-Demand: Many PDF titles are available as print-on-demand books, offering the best of both digital convenience and physical ownership.
Wishlists and Gifting: Keep track of titles you are interested in or send a digital gift to a fellow gamer.
Publisher Tools: Dashboards for sales tracking, royalty payments, and promotional tools for those selling their wares.

Pros

Unmatched Selection: The sheer volume of products is staggering. If an RPG product exists digitally, it is likely on DriveThruRPG. This includes not just core rulebooks and adventures, but also a wealth of supplemental material like custom character sheets, virtual tabletop assets, and soundscapes.
Regular Deep Discounts: Sales are frequent and often very generous. Events like "Christmas in July" or themed weekly sales can yield savings of up to 40% or more. Bundles, often for charity or specific themes, offer even greater value.
Support for Indie Creators: It provides a vital platform for small publishers and independent creators to reach a global audience, fostering a vibrant and innovative RPG scene.
Robust Digital Locker: Your purchases are securely stored and can be re-downloaded as needed. This is particularly useful for large PDF collections.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: PDFs are by their nature versatile and can be used on a wide range of devices.
Syncs with Fantasy Grounds: For some modules, there is an option to sync your DriveThruRPG purchase with the Fantasy Grounds virtual tabletop, which is a handy feature for users of that platform.

Cons

Dated Interface: The website design, while functional, can feel a bit old-fashioned and clunky compared to more modern e-commerce sites. Navigating the vast catalogue can sometimes be a chore.
Search and Filtering Can Be Temperamental: While there are many filters available, finding exactly what you are looking for can occasionally be frustrating. The tagging system relies on publishers being diligent, which is not always the case.
Quality Varies: With such an open platform, the quality of products can vary significantly, especially among smaller or newer publishers. Diligently reading reviews is a must.
Download Management: For very large orders or entire libraries, managing downloads can become a bit cumbersome, though third-party tools can assist with this.

Pricing snapshot
Free items? Thousands upon thousands – many publishers offer free quickstart rules, introductory adventures, or pay-what-you-want titles. | PDFs from $0.99+, with full core rulebooks typically ranging from $10 to $30, and larger bundles or premium products costing more.

CharGen tie-in
When listing your own creations on DriveThruRPG, be sure to tag products as "CharGen-ready" in your descriptions. This will highlight artwork, tokens, or even stat blocks that are designed to be seamlessly compatible with CharGen, allowing users to easily integrate your content with characters they have generated. Consider offering bundles of character art specifically tailored for use as CharGen tokens.

Dungeon Masters Guild — Official D&D marketplace

URL https://www.dmsguild.com | Latest update: Daily releases 2025

For those who bleed Dungeons & Dragons, the Dungeon Masters Guild (DMsGuild) is less a marketplace and more a hallowed archive, a community hub, and a direct line to the worlds crafted by Wizards of the Coast. It operates as an officially licensed portal, meaning creators can publish content using D&D's fifth edition (and now the 2024 updated Player's Handbook, Dungeon Master's Guide and Monster Manual) rules and, crucially, its beloved intellectual properties like the Forgotten Realms, Ravenloft, Eberron, and Dragonlance. This makes it a unique space where fan creativity can flourish within the official canon, or at least adjacent to it.

What it does
The DMsGuild serves as a specialised storefront focusing almost exclusively on Dungeons & Dragons content. It facilitates the sale of digital products, primarily PDFs, created by a wide spectrum of authors – from aspiring first-time writers to seasoned game designers and even Wizards of the Coast themselves, who often release supplementary materials or older edition content here. You will find adventures, new character classes and subclasses, unique monsters, spell collections, setting expansions, stock art, and even templates to help you design your own professional-looking D&D products. It is the go-to place for Adventurers League modules and a treasure trove for anyone wanting to expand their D&D campaigns with fresh, often very specific, material.

Why you'd use it
If you are a Dungeon Master looking for a short adventure to drop into your ongoing Forgotten Realms campaign, or a player wanting to explore a niche subclass themed around a specific deity from Greyhawk, DMsGuild is your prime destination. The ability to legally use and create for official D&D settings is a massive draw. You can find adventures set in specific cities like Waterdeep or Baldur's Gate, or supplements that delve deep into the lore of a particular faction or monster type. Furthermore, it is a fantastic place to discover new talent; many successful TTRPG creators got their start on DMsGuild, and the platform actively encourages community creation through its guidelines and resources.

For aspiring creators, DMsGuild presents an incredible opportunity. The shared IP policy means you can write that adventure set in the jungles of Chult you have always dreamed of, or design a set of magical items specifically for an Eberron campaign, using established lore and characters without navigating complex licensing agreements. While the revenue split is a factor, the access to a highly targeted, enthusiastic audience of D&D players is invaluable. The platform also offers creator resources, including templates and art packs, to help polish your publications.

Key features

Shared IP Access: The cornerstone of DMsGuild, allowing creators to use iconic D&D settings, characters (within limits), and monsters in their publications. This predominantly covers the Forgotten Realms, but also extends to Ravenloft, Eberron, and others as specified by Wizards of the Coast.
Official and Community Content: A mix of products directly from Wizards of the Coast (including older editions and Adventurers League material) and a vast library of community-created supplements.
Creator Royalty System: A clear dashboard for creators to track sales and royalties. While the split is 50/50, it provides a legitimate framework for selling D&D content.
Roll20 Conversion Programme: Some products are available with Roll20 VTT integration, or creators can participate in programmes to convert their adventures for the platform.
Metal Bestseller Ranks: Similar to its sibling site DriveThruRPG, DMsGuild uses a tiered bestseller system (Copper, Silver, Electrum, Gold, Platinum, Mithral, Adamantine) to highlight popular and well-regarded titles.
Specific Setting Support: You can filter by specific D&D settings, making it easy to find content for your campaign world of choice, be it the classic Forgotten Realms, the gothic horror of Ravenloft, or the magi-tech world of Eberron.
Creator Resources: A dedicated section offers stock art, layout templates, and style guides to help creators produce professional-quality D&D supplements.

Pros

Play in Official Sandboxes: The ability to legally create for and use iconic D&D settings is the biggest advantage. This allows for deep dives into established lore and a shared understanding with a broad player base.
Niche Content Galore: Looking for rules for a specific faction, a new type of goblin, or an adventure set in a tiny, obscure village in the Dalelands? You will likely find it here. The specialisation is a massive strength.
Access to Official Art and Monsters (for creators): Creators can often utilise a pool of official D&D art assets, lending a professional sheen to their products.
Strong Community and Feedback Loop: Reviews and discussion are active, providing valuable feedback for creators and guidance for buyers.
Weekly Bestseller Charts and Sales: Good for discovering popular new content and occasionally snagging a bargain, though sales are generally less frequent or deep than on DriveThruRPG.
Adventurers League Hub: The primary source for official D&D Adventurers League modules, essential for organised play.
Supports New Designers: Provides a clear pathway for new writers and designers to get their work in front of a dedicated D&D audience.

Cons

D&D Exclusivity: As the name implies, this is for Dungeons & Dragons (primarily 5th Edition and the 2024 core rulebook updates, with some older edition support) and no other game systems. If you are looking for Pathfinder or Call of Cthulhu content, you need to look elsewhere.
50% Revenue Split for Creators: While providing the IP access is valuable, the 50% cut of revenue is higher than many other platforms, which can be a sticking point for some creators.
Content Usage Restrictions: Content created for DMsGuild using Wizards of the Coast IP is generally restricted to sale on DMsGuild only. You cannot typically take your Forgotten Realms adventure and sell it elsewhere.
Interface Can Be Clunky: Shares a similar backend and interface style with DriveThruRPG, which, while functional, is not the most modern or intuitive user experience. Search functionality, while improved, can still sometimes be a bit hit-or-miss for very specific needs.
Quality Control Varies: As with any community content platform, the quality of writing, editing, and design can range from exceptionally professional to very amateur. Reading reviews and looking at previews is essential.

Pricing snapshot
Free items? Yes, a good number – including introductory adventures, community-created classes, and 'Pay What You Want' titles. | Adventures from $2.95+, with more substantial supplements and collections costing significantly more. Many popular community adventures sit in the $5-$15 range.

CharGen tie-in
If you are developing D&D specific content, consider creating art packs using CharGen's distinctive style that are fully compatible with character tokens or NPC portraits. List these on DMsGuild, clearly branding them as "CharGen-compatible" and referencing their utility for players and DMs using your generator. This cross-promotion can drive interest to CharGen from the dedicated D&D audience on DMsGuild.

Roll20 Marketplace — VTT-ready asset hub

URL https://marketplace.roll20.net | Latest update: Feb 2025 decor bundle

The Roll20 Marketplace is the dedicated emporium for the popular Roll20 virtual tabletop (VTT) platform. If you are one of the millions playing your games online using Roll20, its marketplace is an invaluable resource, specifically designed to enhance that VTT experience. It is not just a place to buy game books; it is a treasure chest of digital assets that slot directly into your online games, often with features that automate or simplify aspects of play. Think of it as the digital equivalent of a well-stocked hobby shop, but with everything instantly usable on your virtual game board.

What it does
Primarily, the Roll20 Marketplace sells a vast array of digital goods tailored for use within the Roll20 VTT. This includes complete adventure modules from major publishers (like Wizards of the Coast for D&D and Paizo for Pathfinder) that come pre-configured with maps, tokens, NPC character sheets, and handouts, all ready to run. Beyond full modules, it offers standalone map packs (many with dynamic lighting pre-configured for subscribers), token sets for characters and monsters, tile sets for building your own custom maps, card decks for various game mechanics, and even soundscapes or music packs to add atmosphere to your sessions. Independent creators also populate the marketplace with a wealth of artistic and utility-focused assets.

Why you'd use it
For Game Masters using Roll20, the marketplace can be a massive time-saver. Purchasing a pre-made module means hours, if not days, of prep work (like drawing maps, setting up tokens, and inputting stats) is done for you. The "Add to Game" functionality is seamless; a couple of clicks and the content is integrated into your campaign. Even if you are not buying full adventures, the sheer variety of map packs and token sets allows for quick visual upgrades to your homebrew games. Players, too, might browse for unique character tokens or portrait art. The key appeal is the direct integration: assets are built for Roll20, work smoothly within its interface, and often leverage its specific features like dynamic lighting or compendium drag-and-drop.

Key features

Direct VTT Integration: Assets are designed to be used within the Roll20 platform, often with one-click installation into your games.
Pre-configured Modules: Full adventures, especially official ones, come with maps, tokens, NPC sheets, handouts, and sometimes even macros or API scripts ready to go.
Dynamic Lighting Ready Maps: Many map packs, particularly from official sources or established creators, include pre-set dynamic lighting lines, saving GMs considerable setup time (though using dynamic lighting itself requires a Roll20 subscription).
Vast Art Asset Library: Thousands of token sets (static and animated), map tiles, portraits, and other visual elements from both official publishers and independent artists.
Compendium Access: Purchase of certain rulebooks or supplements on the marketplace grants access to the Roll20 Compendium, allowing you to drag-and-drop spells, items, and monsters directly onto character sheets or the VTT.
Publisher and Creator Storefronts: Major publishers and individual artists have their own sections, making it easier to find content from trusted sources.
Wishlists and Gifting: Standard e-commerce features allowing you to save items for later or gift them to others.
Regular Sales and Bundles: Frequent promotional events and bundles offer discounts on various assets.

Pros

Seamless Integration with Roll20 VTT: This is the primary benefit. Assets are designed for the platform, reducing compatibility issues and setup time significantly. The "instant add-to-game" button for modules is a huge boon for busy GMs.
Time-Saving for GMs: Pre-made adventures and dynamically lit maps can save dozens of hours of preparation.
Official Content Availability: Roll20 is a major partner for publishers like Wizards of the Coast and Paizo, meaning new official releases are often available day-and-date, fully integrated.
Wide Variety of Assets: From full campaigns to individual tokens, there is something for almost every need and budget. The range of art styles is also extensive.
Supports Independent Artists: Provides a platform for numerous artists and small creators to sell their VTT-specific assets.
Compendium Functionality: For supported systems (like D&D 5E and Pathfinder), the integrated Compendium significantly speeds up character creation and in-game lookups.
Frequent Sales and Promotions: Good opportunities to pick up assets at a discount if you are patient.

Cons

Assets Tied to the Roll20 Platform: This is the main drawback. Unlike system-agnostic PDFs or image files, most assets purchased on the Roll20 Marketplace are designed for and locked into the Roll20 ecosystem. You generally cannot download the map files or tokens for use in other VTTs or for offline editing easily.
Subscription for Full Features: While many assets can be used by free-tier users, some key features they enhance, like Dynamic Lighting or advanced API script usage, require a paid Roll20 subscription (Plus or Pro).
Preview Thumbnails Sometimes Small or Limited: It can occasionally be difficult to get a truly good look at all the assets in a pack before purchasing, relying on a few showcase images.
Quality Can Vary: While official content is generally polished, the quality of community-created content can range significantly. Reviews and ratings are important to check.
No Physical Product: Unlike DriveThruRPG, this is purely a digital marketplace. There is no print-on-demand option.

Pricing snapshot
Free packs? Yes, some creators offer free sample packs or basic assets. | Individual token sets or small map packs can start from $4.99+. Full adventure modules typically range from $19.99 to $49.99, depending on size and publisher.

CharGen tie-in
Leverage CharGen's art style to create unique, high-quality token packs. Ensure these are correctly sized and formatted for easy import into Roll20. You can then sell these packs on the Roll20 Marketplace, clearly branding them as "CharGen compatible" or "Styled by CharGen." This offers Roll20 users a distinct aesthetic for their games and drives awareness of your generator as a source for more custom art.

Fantasy Grounds Store / Forge — DLC for FG Unity

URL https://www.fantasygrounds.com/store/ (Main Store) & https://forge.fantasygrounds.com/ (Forge) | Latest update: Weekly Releases

Fantasy Grounds (FG) has long been a stalwart in the virtual tabletop (VTT) arena, known for its deep ruleset automation and comprehensive campaign management tools. Its ecosystem for acquiring content is twofold: the official Fantasy Grounds Store and the community-driven Fantasy Grounds Forge. Together, they provide a rich source of official downloadable content (DLC), adventures, rule systems, and a burgeoning library of user-generated material, all designed to integrate seamlessly with the Fantasy Grounds Unity VTT platform.

What it does
The Fantasy Grounds Store is the primary marketplace for officially licensed products. This is where you will find core rulebooks from major publishers (like Dungeons & Dragons, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and many more), full adventure paths, and supplementary materials like bestiaries or setting guides. These products are not just PDFs; they are fully converted modules with pre-placed NPCs, items, story entries, maps (often with line of sight and grid data), and, crucially, leveraging FG's powerful automation for combat, character management, and rules adjudication.

The Fantasy Grounds Forge is the community marketplace. It allows independent creators to develop and sell (or share for free) their own content for Fantasy Grounds Unity. This includes new adventures, character archetypes, custom themes, UI extensions, map packs, token sets, and handy automation tools. The Forge has become an increasingly important part of the FG ecosystem, fostering innovation and providing a platform for smaller creators to share their work directly with the FG user base.

Why you'd use it
If you are a dedicated Fantasy Grounds Unity user, these storefronts are essential. The main store provides access to high-quality, official content that takes full advantage of FG's automation capabilities, significantly reducing GM prep time and streamlining gameplay. Imagine running a complex D&D adventure where monster attacks, spell effects, and skill checks are largely automated – that is the promise of official FG modules. The automation is a key differentiator for Fantasy Grounds.

The Forge, on the other hand, is where you go for unique, fan-made content that might not be available officially. You might find a specific ruleset conversion for an indie game, a clever UI enhancement, or niche adventure modules. It is also a place to find free community resources and to support smaller creators within the FG community. The ability to extend the VTT's functionality through community-developed extensions is a significant draw for power users.

Key features

Deep Ruleset Automation (Store): Official modules often feature extensive coding to automate game mechanics, from combat tracking to NPC actions and spell effects.
Official Publisher Partnerships (Store): Access to licensed content from a wide array of TTRPG publishers, fully integrated into FG Unity.
One-Click Install (Store & Forge): Purchased content is typically downloaded and installed directly via the Fantasy Grounds Unity launcher, making it easy to manage your library.
Community Marketplace (Forge): A platform for users to buy, sell, and share their own FG Unity creations, including modules, extensions, themes, art, and more.
Creator Royalty Programme (Forge): Enables creators to monetise their work for the Fantasy Grounds platform.
Discount Bundles (Store): Often, purchasing bundles of related products (e.g., a core rulebook and its main adventures) comes with a discount. Some purchases on DriveThruRPG can also unlock discounts on their FG Store counterparts if linked.
Auto-Updater within FG Launcher: Keeps your purchased modules and rulesets up to date with the latest fixes and features from SmiteWorks (the developers of Fantasy Grounds).

Pros

Unparalleled Automation (Store): For supported systems, the level of automation in official Fantasy Grounds modules is arguably best-in-class, handling complex calculations and game states, which can vastly speed up play and reduce GM overhead.
High-Quality Official Content (Store): Modules from major publishers are professionally converted and take full advantage of the VTTs features.
Growing Community Content Library (Forge): The Forge is expanding, offering a diverse range of add-ons, from full adventures to useful utility extensions and unique art assets.
Direct Integration with FG Unity: All content is designed specifically for Fantasy Grounds, ensuring smooth operation and leveraging its unique toolset.
Support for a Multitude of Game Systems: Fantasy Grounds supports a vast number of rulesets, both officially and through community efforts on the Forge.
One-Time Purchases for Most Content: Unlike some subscription models, most DLC and Forge items are one-off purchases (though FG itself has subscription options for the software).

Cons

Fantasy Grounds Licence Required: To use any purchased content, you (and often your players, depending on your licence type) need a Fantasy Grounds Unity licence, which is a separate cost from the content itself. This can be a barrier to entry for some.
Steeper Learning Curve for VTT: Fantasy Grounds Unity is a powerful VTT, but it also has a steeper learning curve than some of its competitors. Getting the most out of the automated features requires some investment in learning the software.
Content Locked to FG Ecosystem: Similar to Roll20, assets purchased are for use within Fantasy Grounds only. You cannot easily export maps or tokens for use elsewhere.
Smaller User-Generated Content Pool (Forge) vs. Some Rivals: While growing, the volume of content on the Forge is not yet as vast as, for example, the DMsGuild for D&D or the broad offerings on DriveThruRPG for general PDFs.
Cost Accumulation: Building a large library of official rulebooks and adventures can become quite expensive, as each is a separate purchase on top of the VTT licence.

Pricing snapshot
Free items? Yes, particularly on the Forge, where many community members share useful tools, small adventures, or art packs for free. | Official rulebooks and major adventure modules on the Store typically range from $19.99 to $59.99+. Forge items vary wildly from free to $20+ depending on complexity and size.

CharGen tie-in
Consider creating portrait packs specifically designed for Fantasy Grounds Unity. These could be bundled and sold on the Fantasy Grounds Forge. Highlight how CharGen's art can provide a cohesive look for a campaign's NPCs and player characters within FG. You could also explore creating simple themed token packs from CharGen outputs for use on FG battle maps, again leveraging the Forge for distribution.

Itch.io RPG Assets — Indie art & tools bazaar

URL https://itch.io/game-assets/genre-rpg (specifically for RPG assets, though the main site is https://itch.io) | Latest update: Constant (new assets daily)

Itch.io is a sprawling, wonderfully chaotic digital marketplace that serves as a haven for independent creators of all kinds, and its offerings for tabletop RPGs are as diverse and eclectic as the platform itself. While widely known for indie video games, Itch.io also hosts a significant and ever-growing collection of assets perfect for digital or even print-and-play tabletop role-playing. This is the place you go when you are looking for something unique, perhaps a bit quirky, or when you want to directly support small, often solo, artists and designers. It is less a curated storefront and more a vibrant, sprawling bazaar.

What it does
Itch.io allows creators to upload and sell (or give away) their digital products directly to consumers. For RPG enthusiasts, this translates into a vast selection of map tiles, token sets (both character and monster), full character art, environmental art, item icons, background textures, custom fonts, and even small system-agnostic tools or random generators. While many assets are geared towards video game development (sprites, tilesets for specific engines), a significant portion is perfectly usable for VTTs or for creating physical game aids. You will find a lot of pixel art, hand-drawn styles, and generally more unconventional aesthetics compared to more mainstream marketplaces.

Why you'd use it
If you are hunting for a very specific art style that you cannot find elsewhere, Itch.io is a brilliant place to look. Perhaps you want a set of whimsical, cartoonish goblin tokens, or gritty, hand-drawn maps for a post-apocalyptic game. The sheer variety born from its open nature means you can stumble upon truly unique gems. It is also a fantastic platform for supporting small creators directly, as many operate on a "pay what you want" (PWYW) model, allowing you to grab assets for free or contribute an amount you feel is fair. Game jams and bundles are also common, often providing huge value and a chance to discover many new artists at once.

Key features

Open Platform: Virtually anyone can upload and sell their assets, leading to a massive and diverse catalogue.
Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) Model: Many creators offer their assets for free with an option to pay, or set a very low minimum price. This makes it incredibly accessible.
Direct Creator Support: Your purchases or contributions often go directly to the artists with a smaller platform cut than many other marketplaces.
Game Jams and Bundles: Itch.io is famous for hosting game jams (events where creators make something based on a theme in a limited time) and massive charity bundles, which often include a plethora of RPG assets.
Tag-Based Searching: Users rely heavily on tags (e.g., "pixel art," "tokens," "fantasy," "top-down," "sci-fi maps") to find what they need, which can be both a strength and a weakness.
DRM-Free Downloads: Typically, assets are provided as direct downloads (e.g., ZIP files containing PNGs, JPGs, etc.), free of digital rights management, allowing for easy use across various applications.
Creator Pages and Communities: Artists often have their own pages where you can follow them, see their other work, and sometimes join their communities (e.g., Discord servers).

Pros

Incredible Variety and Unique Styles: The open nature fosters a huge range of artistic styles, from polished professional work to charmingly amateur and experimental assets. You are likely to find visuals here that do not conform to typical fantasy or sci-fi tropes.
Affordability and Accessibility (PWYW): The prevalence of free and pay-what-you-want assets makes it an excellent resource for those on a tight budget or just starting out.
Directly Support Indie Artists: A larger portion of your money goes to the actual creator, which is a big plus for many users.
DRM-Free Nature: Assets are generally easy to download and use in any software you prefer, without being locked into a specific VTT ecosystem.
Frequent Bundles for Good Value: Keep an eye out for site-wide bundles or creator-led bundles, which can offer an astonishing amount of content for a low price, often for charity.
Great for Niche Needs: If you need assets for a very specific or unusual game theme, Itch.io is more likely to have something suitable than more mainstream stores.

Cons

Quality and Licensing Can Vary Wildly: Because it is so open, the quality of assets can be inconsistent. Some are professional-grade, others very basic. Similarly, licensing terms can differ from creator to creator, so always check the terms of use (though many are very permissive, often Creative Commons or similar).
Search Discoverability Can Be a Challenge: While tag-based searching is flexible, it can also be overwhelming. Finding precisely what you need can sometimes feel like digging for treasure without a map, requiring patience and trying various search terms.
Less Focus on Pre-Integrated VTT Content: Unlike the Roll20 Marketplace or Fantasy Grounds Store, assets here are generally raw files (images, sound files). You will usually need to import and set them up in your VTT of choice yourself (e.g., aligning maps to a grid, creating tokens from images).
Inconsistent Presentation: Product page quality, descriptions, and previews vary greatly from one creator to another.

Pricing snapshot
Free assets? Absolutely, a huge number are available for free or PWYW. | Paid asset packs can range from $1 or $2 for small icon sets to $20-$50+ for large, comprehensive bundles from established Itch.io creators. The average price for a decent-sized art pack is often in the $5-$15 range.

CharGen tie-in
Itch.io is an ideal platform to source unique or niche art packs that might otherwise be hard to find. You could acquire diverse character portraits or thematic elements and then feed these into CharGen's token transformer or art style features to create a cohesive set of game-ready assets. Furthermore, you could package and sell CharGen-generated art (like token sets or portrait collections with unique styles) on Itch.io, perhaps using a PWYW model to attract users and build a following, then direct them to the full CharGen application for more customisation.

MyMiniFactory — 3-D printable minis & terrain

URL https://www.myminifactory.com | Latest update: Daily uploads 2025

MyMiniFactory has carved out a significant niche for itself as a premier curated platform for 3-D printable files, with a strong emphasis on high-quality miniatures and terrain suitable for tabletop role-playing games and wargaming. Unlike some other open marketplaces, MyMiniFactory prides itself on a degree of curation, meaning that files uploaded are often test-printed and vetted by the community or staff, leading to a generally higher standard of printability and design. This makes it a go-to destination for hobbyists looking for reliable, impressive models to bring to their gaming tables.

What it does
The core of MyMiniFactory is a marketplace for digital STL files, which are the standard format used by 3-D printers. Users can browse a vast library of sculpts from thousands of talented 3-D artists, purchase individual files, or subscribe to creators through the "Tribes" system – a Patreon-like feature allowing fans to support their favourite sculptors monthly in exchange for exclusive models and content. The platform caters heavily to fantasy, sci-fi, and historical wargaming, with an enormous selection of character miniatures, monsters, scatter terrain, and modular scenery pieces.

Why you'd use it
If you own a resin or FDM 3-D printer (or have access to one) and want to populate your D&D dungeons with unique monsters, equip your characters with bespoke figures, or build immersive battlefield scenery, MyMiniFactory is an excellent resource. The emphasis on pre-supported files is a massive boon for resin printer users, as it significantly reduces print failures and setup time. The Tribes system offers a brilliant way to get a steady stream of new, high-quality miniatures from specific artists whose style you admire, often at a cost-effective rate compared to buying individual models. Many creators also offer welcome packs to new Tribe subscribers, instantly boosting your digital collection.

Key features

Curated Library: A focus on quality control, with many designs being test-printed or community-vetted to ensure printability and good design.
Pre-Supported Files: A large proportion of miniatures, especially those intended for resin printing, come with professionally created supports, saving users a complex and often frustrating step.
Tribes Subscription Model: A Patreon-style system allowing users to subscribe to individual 3-D sculptors or studios for a monthly fee, receiving regular bundles of exclusive STL files in return.
Physical Print Service Option (Historically): While primarily a digital file marketplace, MyMiniFactory has, at times, partnered with or offered services for getting models printed by third parties if you do not own a printer.
Large, Active Community: Features robust user ratings, comments, and a section for users to share photos of their printed and painted models, providing real-world examples of the end results.
Frequent Sales and Promotions: Regular sales events and discounts on specific creators or themes.
Educational Content: The platform also hosts tutorials and articles related to 3-D printing for hobbyists.

Pros

High-Quality, Reliable Sculpts: The curation process generally leads to a better standard of STL files, with a higher chance of successful prints and well-designed models.
Excellent for Pre-Supported Miniatures: This is a major advantage, especially for resin printing, as good supports are crucial and time-consuming to create manually.
Tribes Offer Great Value: Subscribing to a few favourite artists via Tribes can yield a substantial number of high-quality miniatures each month for a reasonable cost.
Vast Fantasy and Sci-Fi Library: An enormous selection of miniatures and terrain pieces specifically for popular tabletop gaming genres.
Supports Independent Sculptors: Provides a strong platform for 3-D artists to showcase and monetise their work, fostering a vibrant creator ecosystem.
Frequent Free Promotional Models: Many creators offer free sample models or run limited-time free downloads, allowing you to test their quality.
Accredited Creators System: Helps identify established and reliable designers on the platform.

Cons

Requires a 3-D Printer (or access to one): The primary offering is digital files, so you need the hardware to bring them to life. If using a printing service, costs can add up.
STL File Storage Can Be Heavy: Digital sculpts, especially highly detailed ones, can be large files. Building a substantial library requires significant storage space.
Cost of Entry for Printing: Resin or FDM printers, plus materials (resin, filament, isopropyl alcohol, etc.) and maintenance, represent an investment.
Learning Curve for 3-D Printing: While pre-supported files help, there is still a learning curve associated with 3-D printing itself – slicing software, printer calibration, post-processing, etc.
Some Designs Can Be Overly Ambitious for Basic Printers: While many are test-printed, some highly intricate designs might still pose challenges for entry-level FDM printers or less experienced users.

Pricing snapshot
Free STLs? Yes, many creators offer promotional free models, and there is a dedicated section for free files. | Individual models typically range from $2 to $15+, with larger, more complex models or bundles costing more. Tribe subscriptions generally fall between $5 to $15 per month per creator.

CharGen tie-in
After your users have designed a unique character in CharGen, they might be inspired to find a physical representation. You can suggest MyMiniFactory as a prime resource for finding high-quality 3-D printable miniatures that could match their character's concept. For a deeper integration, if CharGen can output detailed visual descriptions or even simple 3D model mock-ups, users could use these as a reference when searching MMF. Conversely, generate CharGen NPC stats and backstories to perfectly complement specific miniatures or monster STLs purchased from MyMiniFactory, providing ready-to-use game content for their newly printed figures.

Cults3D — Community STL marketplace

URL https://cults3d.com | Latest update: Constant (new uploads frequently)

Cults3D operates as a vibrant and open marketplace for 3-D model files, primarily STLs, catering to a broad spectrum of interests within the 3-D printing community. While not exclusively focused on tabletop gaming, it boasts a substantial and diverse collection of fantasy miniatures, character sculpts, monster figures, thematic props, and scatter terrain pieces that are highly relevant for RPG players and wargamers. It is a platform where both professional designers and hobbyists share their creations, leading to a wonderfully varied, if sometimes eclectic, selection.

What it does
Cults3D serves as a repository and storefront where 3-D designers can upload their STL files for others to download, either for free or for a set price. The platform supports various categories, but the "Game" section, particularly sub-categories related to miniatures and tabletop scenery, is rich with content suitable for Dungeons & Dragons and other fantasy RPGs. You can find everything from individual hero figures and grotesque monsters to intricate dungeon tiles, tavern furniture, treasure chests, and elaborate dioramas. The site also features tools for users to follow their favourite creators, receive updates on new models, and share pictures of their own 3-D prints (known as "makes").

Why you'd use it
For the 3-D printing hobbyist looking to expand their collection of tabletop assets, Cults3D offers a fantastic browsing experience, especially if you are searching for something specific or a bit out of the ordinary. It is an excellent place to discover new designers or to quickly find STL files for common game props like barrels, crates, doors, or even specific thematic elements like steampunk-inspired goblin contraptions or eldritch horror statues. The mix of free and premium files means there are options for every budget, and the ability to tip creators for free models is a nice touch for showing appreciation.

Key features

Open Marketplace Structure: Allows a wide range of designers, from professionals to hobbyists, to upload and share/sell their 3-D models.
Extensive Search and Tagging: Users can search by keywords, tags (e.g., "dnd," "fantasy," "terrain," "miniature"), and filter by printer type or price.
Creator Following and Updates: Users can follow specific designers to be notified of their new uploads and activity.
Model Remix and Licensing Options: Some models may have licences that permit remixing or modification, fostering further creativity (always check individual model licences).
"Makes" Section: Users can upload photos of their printed and painted versions of models, providing valuable insight into printability and final appearance.
Tip Jar for Free Models: Many free models include an option to leave a tip for the creator, supporting their work.
Collections and Themed Groups: Users and the platform itself often curate collections around specific themes (e.g., "Dungeons and Dragons Miniatures," "Modular Terrain") making discovery easier.
Wide Range of File Types Supported (beyond STL for reference/other making): While STL is king for printing, the platform supports other file types for CNC, laser cutting etc., though this is less relevant for our focus.

Pros

Vast and Diverse Selection: Due to its open nature, you can find an incredibly broad array of models, including many unique and niche items not available on more curated platforms.
Abundance of Free or Low-Cost Files: A significant portion of the content is free or priced very affordably (often pay-what-you-want or just a couple of pounds/dollars), making it highly accessible.
Direct Interaction with Creators: The platform facilitates comments and interaction with designers, and you can easily discover new artists to follow.
Good for Props and Scatter Terrain: Particularly strong for finding all those little bits and pieces that bring a gaming table to life – furniture, treasure, traps, and environmental details.
Weekly Themed Collections and Contests: Cults3D often highlights models through themed collections or design contests, which can be a fun way to discover new STLs.
Clear Indication of Price (Free/Paid): Easy to filter and identify free models.

Cons

Quality Control Can Be Variable: As an open marketplace, the quality, printability, and level of pre-support for models can vary significantly. Some models might require more tweaking or support generation by the user.
Site Advertisements on Free Accounts: The user experience can be somewhat impacted by on-site advertising if you are not a premium member or using an ad-blocker.
Search Can Be Overwhelming: While there are filters, the sheer volume of models can sometimes make finding the perfect piece a bit of a trawl.
Licensing Less Standardised: While many creators are clear, you do need to pay closer attention to the individual licence terms for each model if you plan to sell prints or modify designs.
Fewer Pre-Supported Models Compared to Specialised Sites: While some creators offer pre-supported versions, it is not as consistently a feature as on platforms like MyMiniFactory, meaning more work for resin printer users at times.

Pricing snapshot
Free STLs? Yes, a very large number are available completely free, or on a pay-what-you-want basis. | Paid files typically range from $1 up to $20+ for more complex models or bundles from established designers. Many excellent individual miniatures or small terrain pieces can be found for under $5.

CharGen tie-in
Cults3D is an excellent source for finding 3-D printable files for all sorts of in-game items – from a specific type of sword your CharGen character wields, to the tankard they drink from in the tavern. Encourage users to search Cults3D for these physical prop STLs. Then, they can use CharGen's item generator or notes feature to create detailed in-game stat cards, descriptions, or even custom art for these physical props, bridging the gap between the digital character and the physical table.

CartographyAssets — Map tile clearing-house

URL https://cartographyassets.com | Latest update: Apr 2025 snowy ruins tileset (Note: Updates are frequent from various creators)

CartographyAssets.com has firmly established itself as the premier community hub and marketplace for users of dedicated map-making software, most notably Wonderdraft (for world maps and regional maps) and Dungeondraft (for battlemaps and dungeons). If you are an avid digital cartographer using these popular tools, this website is an indispensable resource, acting as a central clearing-house for a vast array of third-party asset packs, custom brushes, themes, and much more, created by a passionate community of artists and fellow map enthusiasts.

What it does
CartographyAssets primarily serves as a platform for creators to share and sell digital assets specifically designed to be imported into map-making software like Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft. This includes a wide variety of elements: individual symbols (trees, mountains, buildings, monsters), texture packs (for ground, water, etc.), custom colour palettes, path tools, wall types, object packs (furniture, clutter), light sources, and even entire map themes. While some assets might be usable as standalone PNGs for general VTT use, the vast majority are packaged and optimised for seamless integration with the supported mapping programs, often in their native file formats.

Why you'd use it
Anyone who regularly uses Wonderdraft or Dungeondraft to create maps for their tabletop RPGs will find CartographyAssets invaluable. While these programs come with a good base set of assets, the community-created content available here massively expands your creative options, allowing for an incredible diversity of map styles and details. Need a specific type of tree for your elven forest, a unique texture for a volcanic wasteland, or a set of objects to populate a cyberpunk bar in Dungeondraft? CartographyAssets is the first place you should look. It is also a great way to discover talented map asset creators and support their work directly.

Key features

Dedicated Software Focus: Primarily assets for Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft, ensuring compatibility and ease of use within those programs.
Creator Storefronts: Individual artists and asset creators often have their own dedicated storefronts on the site, allowing users to browse their specific catalogues and follow their work.
Rating and Review System: Users can rate and review asset packs, helping others to identify high-quality and popular content.
Search by Software Compatibility: Crucially, you can filter assets by the software they are intended for (Wonderdraft, Dungeondraft, Photoshop, etc.), as well as by tags, categories, and creators.
Clear Licensing Information: Most assets have clear licensing tags (e.g., CAL for commercial use, -NC for non-commercial, -NR for no redistribution), which is vital for users, especially those creating content for publication.
Active Community (Discord & Forums): CartographyAssets is linked to a vibrant community, often found on Discord, where users share tips, showcase their maps, and creators offer support.
Mix of Free and Paid Assets: A healthy selection of both free community contributions and premium paid packs.

Pros

Massively Expands Mapping Software Capabilities: The sheer volume and variety of assets can transform what is possible with Wonderdraft and Dungeondraft, allowing for highly customised and professional-looking maps.
High Relevance for Target Users: If you use the supported software, almost everything on the site is potentially useful to you.
Generally High-Quality Assets: Many creators are passionate map-makers themselves and produce assets of a very good standard, often tailored to specific aesthetic styles.
Many Free or Low-Cost Packs: A large number of excellent assets are available for free or at very reasonable prices, making it accessible for all budgets.
Clear Licensing: The standardised (CAL) licensing system is generally easy to understand, helping users know how they can use the assets they acquire.
Centralised Hub: Saves users from having to hunt across disparate forums or individual websites for custom assets for their mapping tools.
Support for Independent Creators: Provides a focused platform for artists specialising in map assets to reach their target audience.

Cons

Primarily for Specific Software Users: If you do not use Wonderdraft, Dungeondraft, or one of the other supported mapping tools, the utility of this site is significantly diminished. Most assets are not general-purpose image files for any VTT.
Site Navigation Can Occasionally Be Slow or Clunky: While functional, the website interface can sometimes feel a little dated or slow to load, especially when browsing large numbers of assets.
Installation of Assets Requires Software Knowledge: Users need to be familiar with how to install custom assets into Wonderdraft or Dungeondraft, which usually involves placing files in specific folders.
Quality Can Still Vary: While generally good, as with any community marketplace, the quality and polish of assets can differ between creators.
Discoverability of Older Gems: With a constant influx of new assets, sometimes older but still excellent packs can get buried if not actively promoted or searched for.

Pricing snapshot
Free packs? Yes, a very large number of high-quality free asset packs are available. | Paid packs usually range from €2 to €20+, with many excellent symbol and texture packs falling in the €5-€10 bracket. Larger bundles or premium themes might cost more.

CharGen tie-in
While CharGen focuses on characters, its output could inspire map creation. For instance, if a user generates a character from a specific biome (e.g., a desert nomad), you could suggest they visit CartographyAssets to find Wonderdraft themes or Dungeondraft texture packs that match that environment for their game maps. More directly, if CharGen has any capability to output or inspire unique patterns, textures, or even small iconic symbols (perhaps for factions or character abilities), these could potentially be packaged by advanced users (or yourself) as very simple asset packs for upload to CartographyAssets, driving traffic back by showcasing a unique artistic element originating from CharGen.

Shapeways Miniatures — On-demand premium prints

URL https://www.shapeways.com/ (Main site for 3D printing services. Note: The historical marketplace for individual designer shops has undergone significant changes.) | Latest update: Service operational 2025; marketplace status changed post-2024 restructuring.

Shapeways has long been a prominent name in the world of 3-D printing, operating as an extensive on-demand manufacturing service. For tabletop gamers, particularly those without their own 3-D printers, Shapeways historically offered a way to obtain high-quality physical miniatures and accessories printed in a variety of professional-grade materials. Designers could set up shops to sell their 3-D model files, and customers could order these to be printed in materials ranging from detailed resins and robust plastics to premium options like steel, bronze, and even precious metals.

Important Note on Marketplace Status: As of late 2024, Shapeways underwent significant restructuring following bankruptcy. According to company communications, the original marketplace where individual designers hosted shops and sold their models directly is no longer available in its previous form, and historical marketplace data was lost. While Shapeways continues to offer powerful 3-D printing services for customers who can upload their own STL files, the ability to browse and purchase from a wide community of individual miniature designers directly on a dedicated marketplace section has changed. Always check the current Shapeways website for the latest on how they facilitate designer-customer interactions or if new marketplace-like features have been introduced.

What it (Primarily Now) Does
Shapeways provides industrial-scale 3-D printing services. If you have an STL file for a miniature, terrain piece, or game accessory (perhaps one you have designed yourself, or acquired from another marketplace like MyMiniFactory or Cults3D), you can upload it to Shapeways, select from a wide array of materials and finishes, and have it professionally printed and shipped to you. They handle the complex printing processes, using technologies like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA), Multi Jet Fusion (MJF), and various metal printing techniques.

Why you'd use it (Current Context)

Access to High-End Printing Materials and Quality: If you desire miniatures printed in materials beyond standard home-printer resins or PLA/ABS plastic – such as detailed fine plastics, robust nylon, or even metals like steel or bronze – Shapeways offers these capabilities. Their industrial printers can often achieve higher detail and durability than consumer-grade machines.
No Printer, No Problem: For those who do not own a 3-D printer or lack the time/inclination to learn the intricacies of 3-D printing, Shapeways provides a turnkey solution to get physical models from digital files.
Printing Your Own Designs: If you are a 3-D modeller yourself, Shapeways can be your manufacturing partner, bringing your digital sculpts to life in various materials without you needing to invest in and maintain a wide range of printing hardware.
Durable, Premium Figures: For a truly special hero miniature or a centrepiece monster, printing in a material like steel or a high-detail resin can provide a premium feel and longevity.

Key features (of the printing service)

Wide Choice of Materials: Offering over 90 materials and finishes, including various plastics (Nylon PA12, Accura resins), metals (stainless steel, bronze, brass, silver, gold, platinum), and full-colour options like High Definition Full Color material.
Industrial Printing Technologies: Utilises advanced printing methods such as SLS, SLA, MJF, Binder Jetting, and Wax Casting, often leading to higher precision and material quality than typical hobbyist printers.
File Upload and Quoting System: Users can upload their STL, OBJ, or other 3-D model files, get an instant quote based on material, size, and complexity, and then place an order.
Global Shipping: Shapeways ships products worldwide.
Quality Checks: They have processes for checking models for printability and offer support for designers to optimise their files.
Finishing Options: Some materials offer additional finishing options like polishing or dyeing.

Pros

Professional-Grade Print Quality and Materials: Access to printing technologies and materials that are typically beyond the reach of home hobbyists. This can result in highly detailed, durable, and unique miniatures.
Excellent for Premium or Unique Material Minis: If you want a character miniature in actual bronze or a highly detailed, smooth resin print without owning the specialised equipment, Shapeways is a strong option.
Convenience for Non-Printers: A straightforward way to get physical models from digital files without needing to own or operate a 3-D printer.
Good for Printing Your Own Sculpts: If you design your own miniatures, Shapeways can handle the production in various materials.
Historically, a Hub for Unique Designs (though this aspect has changed): The previous marketplace was a source for many independent designers. While that direct channel is altered, many of those designers may still sell STLs elsewhere that you could then have printed via Shapeways.

Cons

Higher Cost Per Mini: Generally, ordering on-demand prints from Shapeways is significantly more expensive than printing at home on your own 3-D printer, especially for standard plastic or resin miniatures. You are paying for the service, industrial machine time, and specialised materials.
Turnaround Time: Printing and shipping can take time, often a week or more, depending on the material, order complexity, and shipping destination. It is not an instant solution.
Loss of the Direct Designer Marketplace: The previous ease of browsing thousands of designers' miniatures directly ready-to-print on Shapeways is no longer the primary model. Users now more typically need to source the STL file themselves first if they are not designing it personally.
Requires a Valid STL File: You need to have a well-formed, manifold STL or other 3D model file. Shapeways offers some file analysis but cannot fix fundamentally flawed models for you (though design services are available through partners).
Can Be Overwhelming Material Choices: For newcomers, the sheer number of material options and their specific properties can be daunting to choose from for the best result.

Pricing snapshot
Price per mini varies massively based on material, size, and model complexity. A standard 28mm human-sized figure in a basic versatile plastic might be $10-$20, while the same figure in a premium resin could be $20-$40, and in a metal like bronze or steel, it could be $30-$100+. Always upload your model and get a specific quote.

CharGen tie-in
For the player who wants the ultimate physical representation of their CharGen-created character, Shapeways offers a path to a truly premium miniature. After designing their character in CharGen, particularly if they have a visual reference or even a basic 3D model concept, they could either commission a 3D sculptor to create a detailed STL based on the CharGen output or find a highly customisable miniature STL from another source. They could then upload this STL to Shapeways to have it printed in a high-quality material like fine detail plastic, or even metal. This allows a player to hold a physical, uniquely crafted figure that perfectly matches their in-game character art and concept generated by CharGen.

DMsGuild Creator Resources — Stock art & templates

URL https://www.dmsguild.com/browse.php?filters=0_0_45476_0_0_0_0_0 (This link filters for "Resources for DMG Creators") | Latest update: Ongoing (new resources added periodically)

For aspiring and established creators looking to publish their own Dungeons & Dragons content on the Dungeon Masters Guild, the DMsGuild Creator Resources section is an absolute goldmine. This dedicated part of the DMsGuild website, often supplemented by Wizards of the Coast itself, provides a wealth of official and community-made assets specifically licensed for use in DMsGuild publications. It is designed to help creators produce more professional-looking and polished D&D supplements, adhering to certain stylistic conventions if desired, and providing legally usable artwork.

What it does
The DMsGuild Creator Resources section hosts a wide array of digital assets. Key among these are official D&D stock art packs released by Wizards of the Coast, featuring illustrations from past D&D editions (and sometimes newer art) categorised by monster type (Beasts, Demons, Undead, etc.), character types, or even specific settings like Eberron. Alongside these, you will find layout templates for various software (Microsoft Word, Adobe InDesign, Affinity Publisher) designed to mimic the look and feel of official D&D books. There are also collections of map elements, page backgrounds, fonts, logos, and style guides to assist creators in producing content that is both visually appealing and consistent with DMsGuild publishing guidelines.

Why you'd use it
If you are planning to write and publish an adventure, a new monster compendium, a set of subclasses, or any other D&D supplement on the DMsGuild, these resources are invaluable. Using the official stock art ensures your publication is legally compliant with the DMsGuild content policy and can add a significant level of professionalism without the cost of commissioning custom art. The layout templates can save an enormous amount of time in formatting your document to a high standard, helping your work look the part. Even if you are a seasoned designer, the curated fonts, logos, and style guides can help maintain consistency and ensure your product meets community expectations for D&D material.

Key features

Official D&D Stock Art: A significant library of Wizards of the Coast artwork from various D&D editions, licensed for use only within DMsGuild publications. This includes monsters, characters, items, and some environmental pieces.
Layout Templates: Professionally designed templates for popular document creation software (Word, InDesign, Affinity Publisher) that mimic official D&D book layouts, including styles for headings, stat blocks, and tables.
Font Packages and Style Guides: Recommendations and sometimes direct downloads for fonts used in official D&D publications, plus style guides to help with consistent formatting and tone.
Map Packs and Cartography Assets: Collections of maps, map tiles, or map-making elements that are cleared for DMsGuild use.
Logos and Badges: Official DMsGuild logos, D&D logos (for appropriate use), and sometimes creator badges or programme-specific branding.
Pay-What-You-Want and Free Options: Many of the core resources, especially official art packs and basic templates provided by Wizards of the Coast, are free. Other community-contributed resources might be PWYW or have a small price.
Categorised and Filterable: Resources are typically categorised (e.g., "RPG Artwork," "Design Template") making it easier to find what you need.

Pros

Legally Cleared Art for DMsGuild: This is a huge advantage. Using the provided stock art means you do not have to worry about copyright infringement for images used within your DMsGuild products.
Professional Appearance on a Budget: The templates and art can help even solo creators with limited budgets produce supplements that look polished and professional.
Saves Significant Time: Layout templates, pre-made stat block styles, and readily available art can drastically cut down on the production time for a DMsGuild title.
Consistency with D&D Branding: For creators who want their work to feel like an extension of official D&D products, these resources are essential for matching the style.
Accessibility: Many core resources are free, lowering the barrier to entry for new creators.
Supports the DMsGuild Ecosystem: By providing these tools, Wizards of the Coast encourages more high-quality content creation for their platform.

Cons

Strictly for DMsGuild Use: The biggest limitation is that the official art and some other resources provided are licensed only for use in products sold on the Dungeon Masters Guild. You cannot use them for products sold on other platforms or for other game systems.
Art Styles Can Vary or Be Dated: While extensive, some of the stock art is from older D&D editions, and the art styles can vary significantly. Finding pieces that perfectly match your vision or a consistent modern aesthetic can sometimes be challenging.
Templates May Require Specific Software: To use the InDesign or Affinity Publisher templates, you need access to that (often paid) software and some familiarity with it.
Can Lead to Homogeneity: If many creators use the same templates and popular art pieces, it can sometimes lead to a degree of visual similarity between DMsGuild products, though this is often mitigated by individual creativity.
Finding Specific Art Can Still Be a Dig: While categorized, sifting through potentially thousands of images in various art packs to find the perfect piece can still be time-consuming. Some community-made directories aim to help with this.

Pricing snapshot
Free items? Yes, a very large portion of the official Wizards of the Coast art packs and basic templates are free. Other community-contributed resources and more advanced templates often operate on a Pay-What-You-Want (PWYW) basis or are priced from $1.99+ for more specialised tools or asset collections.

CharGen tie-in
If you're creating content for the DMsGuild that features characters or NPCs designed with CharGen, you can direct your users to the DMsGuild Creator Resources to find official stock art that might complement the CharGen portraits. More strategically, consider creating and selling your own stock art packs on the DMsGuild Creator Resources section. These packs could feature characters, monsters, or items rendered in CharGen's unique art style(s). This not only provides a valuable resource for other DMsGuild creators but also serves as a fantastic showcase for CharGen's capabilities, potentially driving DMsGuild users to check out your generator for custom art and character creation, and earning you affiliate downloads or sales.

Token & Model Creators

CharGen Token Transformer — One-click VTT-ready portraits

URL https://char-gen.com/token-generator | Latest update: Nov 2024

What it does
The CharGen Token Transformer is a rather nifty tool designed to streamline the creation of virtual tabletop (VTT) tokens. It takes any image, whether it's a full character portrait you've lovingly crafted or a quick render from CharGen's AI, and transforms it into a perfectly prepared token. The process involves cropping the image to focus on the character, applying a circular or hexagonal frame, and resizing it to common VTT dimensions, typically between 128 and 512 pixels. This means you can get your visuals ready for platforms like Foundry VTT or Roll20 without fiddling about in separate image editing software.

Why you'd use it

Many Game Masters and players find the process of manually creating tokens a bit of a chore. If you've ever spent ages in Photoshop, GIMP, or another editor trying to get a consistent look for all your NPC and monster tokens, you'll appreciate what this tool offers. Its main appeal is speed and convenience. For those running games with a large cast of characters or a bestiary's worth of creatures, the batch processing mode is a real time-saver, allowing you to convert an entire folder of images into tokens in one go. It's particularly useful for maintaining a consistent aesthetic across all your game assets.

Key features

The tool isn't just a simple cropper; it comes with a decent set of customisation options. You can select from various border styles and pick precise colours to match your VTT interface or your campaign's theme. A particularly clever feature is the automatic background remover, which can save a lot of painstaking manual selection work. Furthermore, it offers presets for popular VTT platforms, ensuring your tokens are sized correctly without any guesswork. The integration with the main CharGen art generator means you can create your character art and then immediately pass it to the Token Transformer, making for a very smooth workflow.

Pros

Time Efficiency: The most significant advantage is the sheer speed at which you can produce high-quality tokens. What might take minutes per token in traditional software can be done in seconds here.
Ease of Use: It's designed to be intuitive. You don't need to be an image editing wizard to get good results. The interface is straightforward, usually involving a simple upload and a few clicks.
Consistency: Ensures all your tokens have a uniform style, size, and border, which can really enhance the professional look of your game.
VTT Optimisation: Pre-set sizes and common token shapes mean less faffing about with VTT import settings.
CharGen Ecosystem: If you're already using CharGen for AI art, this tool fits perfectly into that pipeline, creating a seamless experience from character concept to playable token.
Free Tier Availability: The option to process a certain number of tokens daily without cost is excellent for casual users or those wanting to try before they commit to a subscription.
API and Automation: For the more technically inclined, the availability of an API and Zapier integration opens up possibilities for automating token creation as part of a larger content pipeline.
Artistic Cohesion: The tool is designed to complement the art styles produced by CharGen, ensuring that borders and effects match the underlying artwork's palette.

Cons

Limited Shapes (Initially): While the information mentions circular tokens primarily, and hex tokens, the lack of square or other custom shapes (if still the case) might be a drawback for some specific VTT setups or personal preferences. The "no square yet" comment suggests this might be a planned feature.
Credit System for High-Resolution: While a free tier is good, the need for credits for high-resolution exports or extensive use means there's an ongoing cost for power users or those wanting the absolute best quality.
Reliance on Input Quality: The final token will only be as good as the image you feed into it. While it crops and frames, it's not a tool for significantly enhancing a poor-quality base image.
Online Only: Being a web-based tool, it requires an internet connection, which might be a limitation for some users in environments with poor connectivity.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, offering a useful number of tokens per day. | Paid from $5 /mo credits (Note: CharGen's general pricing starts from £0 for a free tier with daily "gold" for generations, and paid tiers like "Plus" at £9.99/month, so the token tool's credit cost likely aligns with this structure or is a separate pack).

Best for
This tool is an absolute boon for Game Masters who are short on time or who simply find token preparation tedious. It's also great for players who want a polished token for their character without needing to learn complex software. Anyone running games on VTT platforms will likely find it a valuable asset.

CharGen tie-in
The synergy here is clear: Generate your character or monster art using CharGen's AI capabilities, then with a single click, send it over to the Token Transformer. From there, you can quickly finalise your token and export it, ready for your VTT. This creates an efficient, integrated workflow that takes you from concept to game-ready asset with minimal fuss. The system is designed so that the art generated within CharGen can be seamlessly passed to the Token Transformer, which then prepares it for immediate export to your virtual tabletop environment. This interconnectedness is a major selling point for users already invested in the CharGen ecosystem.

Hero Forge — Custom 3-D mini builder with colour prints

URL https://www.heroforge.com | Latest update: Feb 2025 (Full-colour 2.0 plastic)

What it does
Hero Forge is a widely recognised name in the tabletop role-playing game community, offering an incredibly detailed in-browser WebGL application for creating custom miniature figures. Users can design their characters from the ground up, choosing from an extensive library of species, body types, clothing, armour, weapons, and accessories. Once the digital sculpt is complete, Hero Forge provides options to purchase physical 3D prints of the miniature in various materials, including their notable full-colour plastic. Alternatively, users can buy the STL file to print the miniature themselves on a home 3D printer.

Why you'd use it

The primary allure of Hero Forge is the ability to create a truly unique physical representation of your player character or a key non-player character. If you've ever struggled to find an off-the-shelf miniature that perfectly captures your half-orc barbarian with a specific ancestral greataxe and a penchant for flamboyant hats, Hero Forge is your solution. It offers an unparalleled level of customisation, allowing for fine-grained control over a character's pose, facial expression, and equipment. This makes it ideal for players who want their tabletop mini to be an exact match to their character concept, or for Game Masters looking to create standout figures for important villains or allies.

Key features

Hero Forge boasts an impressive array of features that have solidified its place as a market leader. Its library of parts is vast, covering numerous fantasy races, modern and sci-fi elements, and a plethora of clothing and gear options. The system allows for detailed posing of the model, including individual joint manipulation for very specific stances. One of its standout offerings is the full-colour texture painting tool, which lets users digitally paint their miniature before ordering a colour 3D print, resulting in a table-ready mini straight out of the box. They also offer options for digital downloads (STL files) in basic and premium (colour-textured) formats.

Pros

Unmatched Customisation: The sheer volume of options for species, clothing, equipment, and posing is staggering. You can tweak almost every aspect of your character's appearance.
Full-Colour Prints: The ability to order pre-painted, full-colour plastic miniatures is a huge draw for those who don't have the time or skill to paint minis themselves. The quality of these colour prints has continued to improve.
Regular Content Updates: Hero Forge consistently adds new parts, themes, and features, often announced as "Treasure Tuesday" drops, keeping the platform fresh and expanding creative possibilities.
User-Friendly Interface: Despite the complexity of options, the interface is relatively intuitive and works directly in your web browser, requiring no software installation.
Digital STL Files: For those with 3D printers, the option to purchase STL files provides a more cost-effective way to get your custom mini, with the freedom to print it at different sizes or in different resins.
Community Features: Users can share their creations, and there's a strong community around an "inspire" tab and saving characters to your hero library.

Cons

Cost of Physical Minis: Custom printed miniatures, especially in full colour, represent a premium product and are priced accordingly. Building up a large collection can become quite expensive.
Web App Performance: The WebGL-based designer can be demanding on system resources, potentially running slowly or struggling on older computers or laptops with less capable graphics hardware.
STL File Cost: While cheaper than a physical print, the premium STL files (especially those with colour data, if applicable for home printing setups) can still feel a bit pricey to some, at around $7.99 for a single figure.
Detail Level vs. Material: While their premium plastics and colour plastics are good, the absolute finest details might sometimes be crisper on high-end resin prints from other specialised services, though Hero Forge's offerings are generally excellent for tabletop use.
Creation Time: With so many options, it can sometimes be a delightful time sink to create your perfect miniature. This is a pro for creativity, but a con if you need something very quickly and get lost in the details.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, designing is free. You only pay when you order a physical product or digital file. | Colour mini from approximately $44.99, with other materials and unpainted options at different price points. Premium STLs are typically $7.99.

Best for
Hero Forge is ideal for any tabletop RPG player or GM who places a high value on having a custom miniature that perfectly represents a character. It's particularly good for those who want detailed, full-colour figures without the hassle of painting them. It's also a fantastic tool for those who enjoy the creative process of miniature design itself.

CharGen tie-in
While Hero Forge creates physical or 3D-printable models and CharGen focuses on 2D digital art and tokens, they can complement each other. A common workflow is to design your character in Hero Forge, take a detailed screenshot of the 3D model (perhaps using their portrait mode), and then import this image into the CharGen Token Transformer. This allows you to create a VTT token that is an exact visual match to your physical Hero Forge miniature, ensuring consistency between your digital and tabletop presence. This provides a brilliant way to bridge the gap between the physical and virtual aspects of your game.

Eldritch Foundry — High-detail heroic minis

URL https://eldritch-foundry.com | Latest update: Oct 2024 (Mounts beta)

What it does
Eldritch Foundry is another prominent player in the custom miniature creation market, offering a browser-based design tool that focuses on a "heroic realism" art style. Like its competitors, it allows users to build detailed characters by selecting and customising various body parts, attire, and equipment. Once designed, these miniatures can be ordered as premium physical prints, often in high-quality resin, or purchased as STL files for at-home 3D printing. They aim to provide a slightly more mature and detailed aesthetic compared to some other platforms.

Why you'd use it

Tabletop gamers might gravitate towards Eldritch Foundry if they prefer a more realistic or gritty style for their miniatures, as opposed to a slightly more stylised or cartoonish look. The platform is often praised for the sharpness of its details, particularly in its resin prints. It's a strong choice if you're looking for miniatures that have a certain gravitas or a more traditional fantasy art feel. Their emphasis on finer details and a specific aesthetic means they cater well to users who want their characters to have a pronounced heroic or formidable presence on the tabletop. The inclusion of more exotic or uniquely fantasy-oriented parts, like crystal limbs or eldritch arm mutations, also draws in those looking for less conventional character designs.

Key features

Eldritch Foundry provides a robust set of customisation tools. While perhaps not having quite the sheer volume of assets as the very largest competitor, the quality and thematic consistency of their parts are notable. Key features include toggles for weathering and battle damage on equipment, which adds a layer of narrative depth to the miniature. They also offer a multi-material painting system for those who intend to create colour STLs, though this is a more advanced feature. Their pose library is extensive, with options for fine-tuning joint positions to achieve very specific stances. The user interface is generally quite intuitive, resembling a video game character creator, making it accessible even for those new to 3D design.

Pros

Detail and Realism: Often cited for producing highly detailed miniatures, especially when printed in resin, which can capture very fine textures and features. Their style leans towards a more grounded, heroic fantasy look.
Facial Expression Control: The platform provides good tools for fine-tuning facial expressions, allowing for more nuanced character portrayals beyond simple emotional states.
Quality of STLs: For users with their own 3D printers, Eldritch Foundry STLs are generally well-regarded and optimised for printing, often requiring less clean-up.
Unique Asset Themes: They sometimes offer more niche or specific fantasy elements that might be harder to find elsewhere, such as unique creature parts or thematic armour sets.
Competitive STL Pricing: Their STL files are often mentioned as being more competitively priced than some alternatives, making it a good option for printers.
Newsletter Perks: Subscribers to their newsletter have historically received benefits like free monthly STL files, which is a nice bonus.
Magnetic Base Options: The option for magnetic bases on printed minis is a practical feature for transport and storage.

Cons

Smaller Asset Library (Potentially): Compared to a giant like Hero Forge, their overall catalogue of parts (clothing, hair, etc.) might be somewhat smaller, which could limit options for very specific or unusual concepts, though they are constantly adding more.
UI Performance on Mobile: While the desktop experience is generally smooth, the UI has been reported to be slower or less optimised for mobile devices.
No In-Built Colour Printing Service (Historically): Unlike Hero Forge's direct colour plastic printing, Eldritch Foundry has historically focused more on providing high-quality single-material prints (like resin) and STLs for users to paint themselves or use with multi-material STLs if they have the capability. This may be a deciding factor for users who don't want to paint.
Learning Curve for Advanced Posing: While powerful, getting the absolute perfect pose using the fine joint tweaks can take some time and patience to master.

Pricing snapshot
STL files are competitively priced, often around $5-$7.99. Printed miniatures, particularly in their premium resin, would typically start from $34.99+, varying by size and complexity.

Best for
Eldritch Foundry is an excellent choice for players and GMs who prioritise a high level of detail and a more realistic, heroic aesthetic in their miniatures. It particularly shines for those who intend to paint their miniatures themselves (or have them commissioned) and appreciate the quality of resin prints. It is also a strong contender for users with 3D printers looking for well-crafted and reasonably priced STLs.

CharGen tie-in
Similar to other 3D miniature builders, Eldritch Foundry can work in tandem with CharGen's token creation tools. The recommended approach would be to design your miniature in Eldritch Foundry, then export a well-lit, shaded turnaround or a posed screenshot of your character. This image can then be imported into the CharGen Token Transformer. By doing this, you can create a VTT token that perfectly mirrors the aesthetic and design of your Eldritch Foundry physical miniature, ensuring visual consistency across your gaming aids. This is especially effective given Eldritch Foundry's focus on detailed, realistic characters, which can translate into very striking 2D tokens.

TitanCraft — Mass-battle mini army forge

URL https://titancraft.com | Latest update: Jul 2024 (Warband kit) & Ongoing (Token Color Beta, Mounts)

What it does
TitanCraft positions itself as a versatile and powerful web-based miniature creator with a particular strength in designing not just individual heroes but also entire units, monsters, and large-scale creatures. Its robust editor allows for deep customisation, including the ability to kitbash parts from various creatures and humanoids, and offers an advanced posing system. Users can design models and then either order high-detail resin 3D prints or, more uniquely, purchase asset packs that unlock parts for unlimited STL file downloads for home printing. They have also been developing digital token creation features.

Why you'd use it

TitanCraft is an excellent choice when your needs go beyond a single heroic figure. If you're a Game Master needing to field a whole unit of goblins, a squad of customised city guards, or a truly massive dragon, TitanCraft's tools are designed for this scale. The ability to easily adjust proportions and scale parts up significantly makes it ideal for creating formidable monsters. Their asset purchasing model is also attractive for users who do a lot of 3D printing, as unlocking an asset pack means you can use those parts in countless designs without paying per download each time. The focus on both physical prints and flexible STL access caters to a wide range of users.

Key features

TitanCraft offers a comprehensive suite of features. The character creator allows for mixing and matching parts from different kits (e.g., monster and humanoid parts). An advanced posing system gives users fine control over the stance and dynamism of their models. For 3D printing enthusiasts, their model of unlocking assets through packs for unlimited STL exports is a major draw. They also provide pre-supported STLs, which is a huge time-saver for home printers. The platform includes features for creating multi-character scenes and has a shared library for bases. More recently, they've introduced a beta for token customisation, including colour options and export formats like WebP and PNG, bridging the gap between 3D models and 2D VTT assets. They also offer physical resin prints for those without printers.

Pros

Excellent for Monsters and Units: A key strength is the ease with which users can create large creatures, entire squads of similar but distinct models, and unique monsters by kitbashing parts.
Unlimited STL Downloads (with Asset Packs): Once an asset pack is purchased, those parts can be used to export unlimited STLs, which is highly cost-effective for prolific 3D printers.
Powerful Posing and Customisation: The advanced posing tools and the ability to swap out virtually any part offer immense creative freedom.
Pre-Supported STLs: This is a significant practical benefit for home 3D printing, reducing print failures and preparation time.
Physical Print Option: For those who don't own a 3D printer, the option to order high-detail resin prints is available, with pricing based on volume.
Active Development: TitanCraft regularly adds new features, parts, and improvements, including recent additions like new mounts and token creation tools.
Fast Web Interface: Users generally report a responsive and quick web interface, making the design process smooth.
Commercial License Option: For those looking to sell prints, TitanCraft offers a merchant license.

Cons

Asset Pack Cost: While good value in the long run for heavy users, the initial cost of asset packs to get a wide variety of parts might be a barrier for some.
Learning Curve for Advanced Features: The depth of the posing and kitbashing tools, while powerful, can take some time to fully master.
Fewer Non-Fantasy Parts (Historically): While their fantasy collection is extensive, options for sci-fi or modern settings might have been less numerous historically, though this is always expanding.
Physical Print Service Primarily Resin: While they offer physical prints, the focus is on resin. Users looking for the kind of direct full-colour plastic prints offered by some competitors won't find that here; painting is generally expected for TitanCraft physical products.

Pricing snapshot
STLs are primarily accessed via unlocking asset packs (various prices). Physical resin miniatures start from around $15, with costs increasing with model volume. Packs of STLs (e.g., for a warband) might have specific pricing like the $25 for 10 STLs mentioned previously, though the asset pack model is now more central.

Best for
TitanCraft is particularly well-suited for Game Masters who need to create diverse groups of monsters or customised units for their campaigns, especially if they have a 3D printer. It's also great for players who want deep customisation options for unique hero or monster designs and appreciate the value of the asset pack system for STLs. The addition of token tools also makes it interesting for those looking to integrate their 3D designs with VTT play.

CharGen tie-in
With TitanCraft's developing token export features, the synergy with CharGen becomes even more direct. Users can design their detailed 3D characters or monsters in TitanCraft, potentially even using the beta colour tools for tokens. These can then be exported as PNG or WebP images. For a more VTT-standardised look, these exported images, or screenshots of the 3D models, can be brought into the CharGen Token Transformer to apply consistent framing, sizing, and effects. This is particularly useful for creating matching tokens for entire hordes of creatures designed in TitanCraft, ensuring the VTT presence aligns with any planned physical prints.

DesktopHero — Free web mini sandbox [LEGACY - Service Retiring]

URL https://desktophero3d.com | Latest update: Service being retired in favour of TitanCraft. (Previously 2023 UI rebuild)

What it does
DesktopHero was a web-based 3D miniature creation tool that gained popularity for offering a completely free way to design and export STL files for 3D printing. It provided a drag-and-drop interface with a variety of parts, including humanoid, anime, and chibi styles, allowing users to pose and equip characters. The emphasis was on providing a no-cost entry point for creating custom minis, with an option for users to tip if they appreciated the service.

IMPORTANT NOTE: The creators of DesktopHero have announced that the service is being retired. Users are being directed to their newer, more advanced platform, TitanCraft. Existing DesktopHero users may have options to link or transfer assets to TitanCraft. For new users, TitanCraft is the recommended tool from this development team.

Why you'd use it (Historically)

Historically, the main draw for DesktopHero was its unbeatable price point: free. This made it an incredibly attractive option for gamers on a budget, students, or anyone curious about 3D miniature design who wanted to try it out without financial commitment. It was particularly useful for quickly generating STLs for home resin or FDM printers, especially for less critical NPCs or for trying out different character concepts visually. The inclusion of anime and chibi styles also catered to specific aesthetic preferences not always covered by other platforms.

Key features (Historically)

Free STL Exports: The core feature was the ability to download your creations as STL files without any mandatory cost.
Variety of Styles: Offered assets for standard fantasy, but also included distinct anime and chibi character parts.
Pose Sliders: A system of sliders allowed for relatively easy posing of the character models.
Item Attachment Points: Provided a way to connect weapons, shields, and accessories to the character model.
OBJ Export Option: Besides STL, it sometimes offered OBJ export, which could be useful for other 3D applications.
Browser-Based: Ran directly in a web browser, making it accessible on most computers with decent internet access.

Pros (Historically)

Zero Cost: Completely free STL downloads were its biggest advantage.
Accessible: Easy to use for beginners, with a straightforward interface.
Good for Prototyping: Excellent for quickly mocking up a character idea to see how it might look as a mini.
Low-Poly Options: Sometimes offered simpler, low-poly versions suitable for quick prints or as board game proxies where high detail wasn't crucial.
Community Aspect: Had a user base that shared creations and tips.

Cons (Historically & Current Situation)

Service Retiring: The most significant current con is that the service is being phased out in favour of TitanCraft.
Variable Part Quality: The quality and consistency of available assets could vary; some were excellent, others more basic.
No Colour Prints or Advanced Materials: It was purely focused on providing the digital sculpt for users to print themselves; no physical product was offered directly.
Limited Customisation Compared to Paid Tools: While good for a free tool, the range of assets and depth of customisation was naturally less extensive than premium platforms like Hero Forge or TitanCraft.
Development Halted: As a legacy product, new features or significant updates are no longer expected.

Pricing snapshot
Historically: Free (tips encouraged). Currently: Service retiring, users directed to TitanCraft.

Best for (Historically)
DesktopHero was best for budget-conscious players and GMs with access to a 3D printer who needed a no-cost way to create custom STLs for their games. It served as an excellent entry point into the world of custom miniature design. Currently, new users should explore TitanCraft instead.

CharGen tie-in (Historically)
The previous workflow involved using a silhouette from a DesktopHero STL as a reference image within CharGen to help guide the AI in styling a digital portrait. Given DesktopHero's retirement, users looking for a 3D model to 2D token pipeline would be better served using TitanCraft (which has its own token export features) or another active 3D modeling tool, and then using the CharGen Token Transformer.

VRoid Studio — Anime 3-D avatar creator

URL https://vroid.com/en/studio | Latest update: Feb 2025 (3D Print Service Terminated); Stable version ongoing (Previously Jan 2025 Version 2.0)

What it does
VRoid Studio is a free 3D character creation software developed by Pixiv Inc., specifically designed for crafting anime and manga-style humanoid avatars. Available as a desktop application for Windows and macOS, as well as an iPad app, it allows users to design characters with a high degree of customisation, particularly for features like hair, face, and clothing. The software is geared towards producing models ready for use in virtual reality applications, games, and especially for VTubers (Virtual YouTubers), as it supports the export of models in the VRM format, a standard for 3D avatars.

Why you'd use it

If your goal is to create expressive, anime-style characters, particularly for online content creation, VTubing, or games with a similar aesthetic, VRoid Studio is an excellent choice. Its intuitive interface makes complex processes like hair sculpting surprisingly accessible, even for those without extensive 3D modelling experience. The fact that it's free and offers robust tools for the specific niche of anime character creation makes it highly popular. It's also a good starting point for artists who want to design 3D models that they can then easily share on platforms like VRoid Hub or use in various VRM-compatible applications.

Key features

Intuitive Hair Sculpting: One of its most praised features is the procedural hair creation tool, which allows users to draw hair strands and groups, then adjust parameters for shape, curl, and movement with physics.
Detailed Texture Painting: Users can paint textures directly onto the 3D model or its UV map, offering a great deal of control over clothing designs, skin details, and facial expressions.
Extensive Parameter Customisation: Most aspects of the character, from body proportions to the shape of individual facial features and clothing items, can be adjusted via sliders and numerical inputs.
Preset Items and Templates: Comes with a good library of preset clothing, hair, and accessories to get users started quickly, all of which can be heavily modified.
VRM Export: Native support for exporting to VRM format, which includes avatar-specific metadata and is widely used in VTubing and VR social platforms.
PNG Render Output: Besides 3D models, it can also render out high-quality PNG images of characters, including with transparent backgrounds, useful for creating 2D art assets or promotional materials.
Cross-Platform: Available on Windows, macOS, and iPad, offering flexibility in where you create.

Pros

Completely Free: No cost to download or use, making it incredibly accessible.
Excellent for Anime Style: Specifically tailored and optimised for creating characters in this popular art style.
User-Friendly for Beginners: While powerful, the interface is designed to be more approachable than general-purpose 3D modelling software.
Powerful Hair Tools: The hair creation system is notably flexible and allows for very creative and complex hairstyles.
Active Community & Asset Market: VRoid Hub and other platforms host a large community creating and sharing custom assets (textures, clothing, hair presets) for VRoid Studio, expanding its capabilities.
Good for VTubers: The VRM export and overall design focus make it a go-to tool for aspiring and established Virtual YouTubers.
Offline Use: As a desktop/iPad application, it can be used without a constant internet connection (once downloaded).

Cons

Primarily Anime Style: While incredibly versatile within its niche, it is not designed for creating realistic humanoids or other character styles (e.g., Western fantasy monsters).
Learning Curve for Advanced Texturing/Sculpting: While beginner-friendly, achieving highly polished, professional-level custom textures and intricate clothing designs still requires artistic skill and time to master the tools.
Resource Intensive (Potentially): Like most 3D software, it can be demanding on older or lower-spec computer hardware, especially when working with complex models or high-resolution textures.
3D Print Service Discontinued (as of Feb 2025): The direct service for ordering 3D prints of VRoid models through pixivFACTORY has been terminated, meaning users would need to export models and use third-party printing services if a physical figure is desired.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, the software is entirely free.

Best for
VRoid Studio is ideal for artists, hobbyists, game developers, and content creators who want to design custom anime-style 3D characters. It is particularly indispensable for those involved in or looking to get into VTubing, or for creating avatars for VR chat and similar platforms. Anyone needing high-quality, stylised character models without the steep learning curve or cost of professional 3D suites will find VRoid Studio invaluable.

CharGen tie-in
While VRoid Studio focuses on full 3D avatar creation in an anime style, its output can be very effectively used with CharGen tools. Users can create their unique anime characters in VRoid Studio and then export high-resolution PNG headshots or full-body renders. These images can then be imported into the CharGen Token Transformer. This is especially useful if you have a mixed party aesthetic, allowing you to create anime-style tokens that can be framed and sized consistently with tokens generated from more realistic art styles from CharGen or other sources. This ensures all player and NPC tokens look cohesive on the virtual tabletop, even if their base art styles differ.

Reroll Pixel Maker — 8-bit style character sprites

URL https://reroll.co | Latest update: July 2024 (Android 14 support) (Previously Mar 2024)

What it does
Reroll is a specialised digital character sheet application for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition that distinguishes itself by allowing users to create and customise charming pixel art representations of their characters. Available as both a web application and a mobile app (Android), it combines character sheet management with a visual, retro-style sprite creator. Users can assemble their characters from a wide array of pixel art body parts, clothing, armour, and weapons.

Why you'd use it

For players and Game Masters who appreciate a retro 8-bit or 16-bit aesthetic, Reroll offers a delightful way to visualise characters. It's particularly useful for games that embrace an old-school vibe or for those who want a quick, stylised visual representation without needing artistic skill. The integrated character sheet is a handy feature for managing stats on the go, especially with the mobile app. It's a fun alternative to traditional portraits if you're looking for something distinctive and lightweight, and excellent for games run on lower-bandwidth connections where large image files might be an issue.

Key features

Pixel Art Customisation: A broad selection of pixel art assets, including 14 supported races (Humans, Elves, Tieflings, Dragonborn, Goblins, etc.), over 150 weapons, and more than 400 armour pieces that can be mixed and matched.
Integrated D&D 5e Character Sheet: The app includes functionality to track character stats, inventory, and other essential D&D 5th Edition information.
Web and Mobile Access: Create and access your characters via a web browser or their Android mobile application.
Sprite Export: Allows for the export of the created pixel art character, typically as a PNG, which can then be used as a token on a VTT or as a visual aid.
Regular Updates: The developers seem to update the app with new parts and features, responding to community feedback.
Palette Swapping: Often includes options for changing colour palettes to further customise the look of gear and characters.
Animated Sprite Frames (mentioned in blog.mdx): The original entry mentions sprite animation frames, which would be a cool feature for simple idle animations if present.

Pros

Unique Aesthetic: The pixel art style is distinctive and appealing for fans of retro graphics.
Ease of Use: Designed to be simple to pick up and use, making character art creation quick and enjoyable.
Combined Character Sheet/Art Tool: The integration of a functional character sheet with the visual creator is a strong point.
Lightweight and Fast: Pixel art is inherently small in file size, making it great for online use and quick loading.
Affordable: Offers a free demo to try out the basic features, with a one-time purchase to unlock all content (around $7 USD based on Google Play, the blog mentioned $2.99 which might be outdated or a sale price).
Growing Library of Assets: The number of available races, armour, and weapon options provides good variety.

Cons

Limited to Pixel Art: If you're not a fan of the pixel art style, this tool won't be for you.
Primarily Humanoid Focus: While it supports many fantasy races, it's generally geared towards humanoid character creation and might have fewer options for monstrous or exceptionally unique creature designs.
Gear Variety (mentioned as a con in blog.mdx): While extensive, some users might eventually hit limits for very specific or niche equipment desires compared to full 3D modellers.
Colouring Limitations (User Feedback): Some user reviews mention wishing for more granular control over colour application, like trim selections for armour or separate magical effects colouring.
Potential Minor Bugs (User Feedback): As with any app, occasional bugs (like one mentioned regarding pets not displaying correctly) can occur, though developers generally address these.

Pricing snapshot
Free demo available. | Paid version to unlock all features is a one-time purchase, approximately $7 USD (this seems more current than the $2.99 previously listed).

Best for
Reroll is perfect for D&D players and GMs who love the pixel art aesthetic and want a simple, fun tool to create visual representations of their characters alongside a digital character sheet. It's especially good for games with a retro theme, or for anyone who wants quickly generated, charming character tokens that don't require any artistic skill to produce.

CharGen tie-in
While Reroll creates stylised pixel art, these sprites can still be part of a broader visual toolkit with CharGen. You could use Reroll to create your character's primary token for a pixel-themed game. For other uses, such as creating higher-resolution handouts or perhaps a different style of portrait for a character sheet, the blog.mdx mentions an interesting idea: "Convert Reroll sprites to higher-res via CharGen upscale for print handouts." If CharGen indeed has an effective upscaling feature that can intelligently interpret pixel art, this could be a unique way to bridge the styles. Alternatively, a Reroll sprite could serve as a fun, alternative avatar alongside a more detailed portrait generated by CharGen.

Token Stamp 2 — Instant bordered tokens

URL https://rolladvantage.com/tokenstamp | Latest update: Oct 2024 (Tool remains actively used and stable; Foundry VTT integration available)

What it does
Token Stamp 2, hosted by RollAdvantage, is a simple yet highly effective browser-based tool designed for one primary purpose: to quickly create bordered, circular (or other shaped, if supported) tokens from existing images. Users upload an image, adjust a few settings like border style, colour, and thickness, and can then download the resulting token, typically as a PNG file. It is renowned for its ease of use and speed.

Why you'd use it

The main appeal of Token Stamp 2 is its sheer simplicity and efficiency for a very common task. If you have a piece of character art, a monster image, or any other picture you want to turn into a VTT-ready token with a consistent border, this tool does it in seconds. There's no software to install, no complex menus to navigate, and no cost involved. It's perfect for GMs who need to whip up a batch of tokens quickly before a session or for players who just want a nice, clean token for their character without fuss.

Key features

Image Upload: Supports drag-and-drop or file selection for uploading your base image (usually square or rectangular art).
Border Customisation: Offers sliders and colour pickers to adjust the token border's style, width, colour, and potentially inner background colour or bleed.
Image Manipulation: Basic tools for scaling and positioning the uploaded image within the token frame to get the best crop.
Instant Preview: Shows a live preview of the token as you make adjustments.
PNG Download: Outputs tokens in PNG format, which supports transparency and is ideal for VTT use, typically up to around 512x512 pixels.
No Login Required: Fully accessible without needing to create an account or log in.
Foundry VTT Integration: A separate, community-developed module allows for using Token Stamp 2 functionality directly within the Foundry Virtual Tabletop environment.

Pros

Absolutely Free: No costs, subscriptions, or premium tiers. It's a genuinely free community resource.
Extremely Fast and Easy: You can go from base image to finished token in under a minute with minimal clicks.
No Learning Curve: The interface is self-explanatory.
Good Quality Output: Produces clean, well-defined tokens suitable for most VTT platforms.
Saves Recent Settings: Often remembers your last used border colour and style, speeding up creation of multiple similar tokens.
No Watermarks: Downloads are clean and free of any branding.
Reliable and Stable: Being a long-standing tool, it's generally very reliable.

Cons

Manual Cropping/Positioning Still Key: While it frames the token, you still need to ensure your uploaded image is suitable and position it well within the stamp area. It won't magically fix a poorly composed source image.
Single Token Workflow (Primarily): The web interface is designed for creating one token at a time. It doesn't have a built-in batch processing feature for entire folders of images directly on the website itself.
Limited to Bordering: It's a specialised tool for adding borders. It doesn't offer advanced image editing, background removal, or other sophisticated features found in dedicated image software or more complex token makers.
Dependent on Browser: Being web-based, it requires an internet connection and a compatible browser.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, it is entirely free.

Best for
Token Stamp 2 is an indispensable utility for any GM or player who frequently needs to create VTT tokens from existing artwork and values speed and simplicity. It's the go-to for quickly applying a professional-looking border to an image with zero hassle or cost. Its straightforward nature makes it a universally useful tool in the TTRPG community.

CharGen tie-in
The integration with CharGen could be quite streamlined. If CharGen can generate a portrait, the idea that "CharGen can auto-launch Token Stamp 2 with the portrait pre-loaded for faster output" is a powerful one. This would mean generating your AI art in CharGen, then, with a click, having that art appear directly in the Token Stamp 2 interface, ready for you to select your preferred border and download. This would save the step of manually downloading from CharGen and re-uploading to Token Stamp 2, making a very efficient combined workflow for users who prefer Token Stamp 2's specific bordering style or simplicity.

Token Tool (RPTools) — Offline batch tokenizer

URL https://www.rptools.net/toolbox/token-tool/ | Latest update: March 2024 (Version 2.2.2) (Previously May 2023 v2.1.0)

What it does
TokenTool, part of the popular open-source RPTools suite, is a dedicated desktop application for creating bordered tokens for virtual tabletops. It allows users to drag an image onto its canvas, select an overlay frame (many are included, and custom ones can be added), pan and zoom the image to fit, and then save or drag the finished token. It is particularly well-regarded for its offline capabilities and batch processing features, making it distinct from many browser-based alternatives. It has been rewritten in JavaFX for a modernised UI and supports various image formats.

Why you'd use it

TokenTool shines in situations where you need robust, offline token creation, especially if you're dealing with many images or need features like extracting images from PDFs. Its ability to handle sprite sheets and process entire folders makes it a workhorse for GMs preparing large numbers of monster or NPC tokens. Being a Java application, it's cross-platform, running on Windows, macOS, and Linux. If you prefer desktop software over web tools, or if you often work in environments with limited or no internet access (like convention halls), TokenTool is an excellent choice.

Key features

Offline Desktop Application: Works entirely offline once installed, available for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
Drag-and-Drop Interface: Simple image import by dragging files onto the application.
Extensive Overlay Library: Comes with over 150 overlays (frames) in various styles (hex, round, square) and supports custom user-made overlays, including PSDs for advanced masking.
Batch Processing: Can process entire folders of images, applying the same overlay and settings to all, which is invaluable for large batches.
Sprite Sheet Slicing: Can take a sprite sheet and allow you to select individual sprites to make tokens from.
PDF Image Extraction: A standout feature is its ability to extract images directly from PDF files, page by page or the entire document, and convert them into tokens.
Multiple Export Formats: Saves tokens and portrait images in various formats including WebP, PNG, JPEG, GIF, and TIFF.
Image Customisation: Good control over zooming, panning, and rotating the base image within the token frame.
Hotkey Quick-Save: Facilitates rapid saving of tokens during the creation process.

Pros

Powerful Batch Capabilities: Ideal for creating hundreds of tokens from a folder of images or a PDF in one go.
Fully Offline: No internet connection required for use, making it reliable anywhere.
Open-Source and Free: Completely free to download and use, with an active community.
Cross-Platform Compatibility: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux systems.
Custom Overlay Support: Users can easily add their own border styles and designs, including layered PSD files for more complex effects.
Sprite Sheet and PDF Handling: These are significant time-savers for users working with these specific asset types.
Modernised UI (JavaFX): The newer versions have an updated user interface compared to older Java Swing applications.

Cons

Java Prerequisite (though often bundled): While installers often bundle Java, ensuring the correct Java version can sometimes be a hurdle for less technical users if not bundled.
Dated UI Feel (Historically): Although updated to JavaFX, some users might still find the UI less sleek than modern web-based tools. This is subjective but a common comment for Java desktop apps.
Manual Canvas Size Set-up (mentioned in blog.mdx): The original entry noted this as a con, suggesting some initial configuration might be needed to get desired output sizes.
No Direct Cloud Sync/Storage: Being a desktop tool, it doesn't inherently sync your work across devices or save to the cloud without manual effort.
Learning Curve for Advanced Overlays: Creating truly custom, multi-layered PSD overlays requires some graphic design knowledge.

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes, it is entirely free and open-source.

Best for
TokenTool is exceptionally well-suited for Game Masters who need to prepare a large volume of tokens, especially if working with existing art collections in folders, sprite sheets, or embedded within PDFs. Its offline nature makes it a reliable tool for convention game preparation or for users with inconsistent internet access. It's also a great choice for those who prefer the control and features of a dedicated desktop application and appreciate open-source software.

CharGen tie-in
The workflow here would be to use CharGen to generate individual character or monster portraits as PNG files. Once you have a folder of these CharGen-created images, you can then use TokenTool's batch processing capabilities. Drag the entire folder into TokenTool, select a consistent overlay/border style, and let it process them all. This is particularly efficient if you want to apply a specific, perhaps more elaborate or custom, border from TokenTool's library (or one you've made yourself) to a large set of CharGen artworks, giving them a unified look distinct from what CharGen's own Token Transformer might offer by default.

MakeHuman — Realistic base-mesh modeller

URL http://www.makehumancommunity.org | Latest update: 2022 (1.2.0)

What it does
Open-source program to create realistic human meshes for Blender, GIMP or game engines.

Why you'd use it

Need custom poses for photoreal tokens
Prefer full control over body proportions

Key features

Age, weight, ethnicity sliders
Skeleton and rig export
Clothing & hair asset library

Pros

100 % free, no licence issues
Blender plugin integration
Exports high-poly OBJ/FBX

Cons

Outdated UI, slower dev cycle
Requires external renderer for images

Pricing snapshot
Free tier? Yes

Best for
3-D artists wanting a base mesh for custom render tokens.

CharGen tie-in
Import rendered headshots into CharGen Token Transformer for consistent borders.

Combat & Initiative Trackers

Kobold Plus Fight Club — Modernised 5E encounter & tracker

URL https://koboldplus.club | Latest update: Mar 2025

Kobold Plus Fight Club, often hailed as a successor to the original Kobold Fight Club, has firmly established itself as a go-to online resource for Dungeon Masters crafting 5th Edition encounters. While its primary strength lies in encounter building – a topic we delve into more thoroughly in our dedicated Encounter Builders section – its utility as an initiative and combat tracker is a noteworthy feature that streamlines the often chaotic process of running a D&D fight. It's a browser-based tool, meaning no downloads are necessary, and it's generally quick to load and respond.

The key tracker functionality emerges once you've assembled your encounter. With a simple click, the "Run" mode transforms your carefully selected roster of heroes and villains into an active combat tracker. This view typically displays combatants in initiative order, along with their hit points. You can manually input initiative scores or sometimes have the tool roll them. As the battle progresses, DMs can easily adjust HP for creatures and characters, marking damage or healing as it occurs. Some iterations also allow for the tracking of basic conditions and a round counter, which is jolly useful for knowing how long those "lasts for 1 minute" spells have been active.

Key tracker hook
Built-in "Run" mode flips your pre-built encounter into an initiative tracker with HP, conditions and round counter.

Pros

Seamless Transition from Building: The biggest advantage is moving directly from encounter creation to running the combat within the same interface. No need to copy-paste names or stats into a separate application.
Web-Based Accessibility: Being online, it's accessible from most devices with a web browser, which is handy for DMs who move between different setups.
SRD Monster Data: Usually includes a good database of SRD monsters, making it easy to pull them into encounters and then into the tracker.
Generally Free: Like its predecessor, it's typically a free tool, supported by the community or patrons.
Clear HP Tracking: Visual representation of hit points, often with bars or easy-to-read numbers, simplifies damage management.

Cons

Internet Dependant: As a web tool, a stable internet connection is a must, which isn't always a given at every gaming table.
May Lack Advanced Features: Compared to dedicated VTTs or more complex combat manager apps, its tracker features might be more basic – condition tracking can be rudimentary, and it might not handle complex spell effects or area of effect templates.
User Interface Varies: Different forks or versions of "Kobold Club" style tools can have slightly different UIs, some more intuitive than others.
Player-Facing View Limited: While the DM has a good overview, a dedicated, customisable player-facing screen showing just the initiative order might not always be a primary feature, or as slick as some other options.

Commentary

Kobold Plus Fight Club's tracker is a splendid example of a tool doing a specific job efficiently. It's not trying to be a full-blown virtual tabletop, but rather a quick and easy way to manage the nuts and bolts of initiative and HP for encounters you've likely already built using its excellent encounter generation and balancing features. For DMs who appreciate a straightforward, no-nonsense approach and primarily play in person or in a way that doesn't require a shared map, this can be an absolutely invaluable asset. It takes a lot of the faff out of starting a fight, letting you get to the good bit – the dramatic descriptions and dice rolling – much faster. Its integration with encounter building is its killer feature, making the jump from planning to playing almost instantaneous.

D&D Beyond Combat Tracker — Official live DM screen

URL https://www.dndbeyond.com/encounters | Latest update: Oct 2024

The D&D Beyond Combat Tracker, an official tool from the digital home of Dungeons & Dragons, aims to provide a seamless experience for Dungeon Masters running games, especially those already embedded in the D&D Beyond (DDB) ecosystem. Its biggest draw is the direct integration with characters and monster stat blocks housed within DDB. This means players in your DDB campaign can have their hit points automatically synced, and you, the DM, can quickly pull up monster abilities and make rolls directly from their digital sheets. It's primarily a web-based tool, designed to function as a live DM screen during your sessions.

Setting up an encounter involves pulling player characters from your DDB campaign and adding monsters from the extensive DDB compendium (which includes all your purchased content, not just the SRD). Once initiated, the tracker displays the turn order, allows for HP adjustments (which, for players, can sync back to their character sheets if they've given permission), and facilitates dice rolls for monster attacks and abilities. It also often includes features for noting down conditions affecting combatants and tracking overall round progression. The ambition is clear: to centralise combat management within the platform many players already use for their character sheets and D&D rules lookups.

What it does
Runs encounters with live HP sync from players' DDB sheets, auto applies conditions and shows turn order.

Key features

Drag PCs/monsters from collection
Inline dice roller & notes
Public share view for players (often a simplified view of the initiative order)
Direct access to D&D Beyond monster stat blocks and player character sheets.
Automated rolling for monster attacks and damage.

Pros

Native with DDB ecosystem: Unparalleled integration if your group uses D&D Beyond for character sheets and content. Player HP can sync live, which is a big plus.
Access to Full Monster Manual (with purchases): If you own monster sourcebooks on DDB, you can use any of those creatures, not just SRD content.
Mobile-responsive: Generally works well on tablets and phones, offering flexibility for DMs.
Official Tool: Carries the weight and polish (usually) of an officially supported D&D product.
Reduces Book Flipping: Quick access to monster stats and abilities saves considerable time compared to physical books.

Cons

Still in Beta (historically): While features are added, it has carried a beta label for a long time, meaning some aspects might feel less polished or subject to change. Some desired features might still be in development.
D&D-only: Strictly for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Not adaptable for other game systems.
Limited Customisation: Options for customising the interface or adding truly homebrewed systems (beyond basic homebrew monster stats within DDB) might be restricted compared to more open platforms.
Subscription Model for Full Benefits: To get the most out of it (access to all your purchased books, unlimited character creation for players, etc.), D&D Beyond subscriptions are often necessary for the group.
DM Lacks Full Player Control: While HP can sync, the DM typically cannot directly apply conditions or other effects to player characters through the tracker in a way that modifies the player's actual character sheet beyond HP; players manage their own sheets.

CharGen tie-in
Upload CharGen monster art for each combatant token.

Commentary

The D&D Beyond Combat Tracker is a potent tool for the modern Dungeon Master, particularly if your gaming group is already committed to the D&D Beyond platform. The convenience of having character data and monster statistics just a click away, with live HP syncing for players, is a significant advantage. It genuinely speeds up combat by automating dice rolls and providing instant access to rules and abilities. It feels like a natural extension of the D&D Beyond experience, aiming to be the central hub for your game.

However, its long-standing "beta" status has meant that it sometimes lags behind community expectations or third-party tools in terms of feature depth or flexibility. While it excels at integrating official content, those DMs with extensive homebrew or who prefer more granular control over every aspect of the tracker might find it a bit restrictive. It's a solid, reliable option that leverages the strengths of DDB, making it a very attractive proposition for many, but it's perhaps not the all-singing, all-dancing solution for every single DM out there. The reliance on the broader DDB subscription model for full access to all its potential is also a factor to consider for budget-conscious groups.

Improved Initiative — Browser-based turn tracker

URL https://www.improvedinitiative.app | Latest update: Aug 2024

Improved Initiative has carved out a niche for itself as a robust, browser-based combat tracker designed specifically for Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition. Its primary aim is to simplify the often fiddly aspects of running combat, such as tracking turns, hit points, and conditions, all within a clean and accessible web interface. Many DMs appreciate its focused approach; it doesn't try to be an all-encompassing virtual tabletop, but rather a dedicated assistant for the theatre-of-the-mind style of play, or as a supplementary tool alongside physical maps and miniatures. It's also known for its open-source nature, allowing tech-savvy users the option to self-host and even contribute to its development.

When you fire up Improved Initiative, you're typically presented with a straightforward layout. You can quickly add player characters and monsters, inputting their names, initiative scores (or rolling them within the app), and maximum hit points. The tool then organises these into a clear initiative list. As combat unfolds, the DM can advance turns, apply damage or healing with simple inputs, and add or remove conditions or custom tags to combatants. One of its particularly well-liked features is the player view: a separate, shareable URL that displays a simplified version of the combat tracker, typically showing only the initiative order and whose turn it is, keeping players informed without overwhelming them with the DM's full screen of information.

What it does
Tracks HP, conditions, lair actions; offers player-facing URL showing only turn order.

Key features

Clean, intuitive interface for managing combatants.
Easy HP and condition tracking (including custom conditions/tags).
Automated initiative rolling and sorting, with manual override.
Player view URL for sharing initiative order.
Statblock lookup for SRD monsters and ability to add custom creatures.
Some support for lair actions and legendary actions.
Keyboard shortcuts for faster operation.

Pros

Offline PWA (Progressive Web App): Can be 'installed' to your device and used offline, which is a massive boon for games in locations with dodgy internet.
Open-source self-host option: Offers flexibility and control for those who prefer to manage their own tools or want to peek under the bonnet.
Quick stat import: Often allows for easy import of monster stats from various sources, including compatibility with tools like Kobold Plus Fight Club exports.
Dedicated Player View: The separate, clean player-facing screen is excellent for keeping players engaged and aware of the turn order without needing to hover over the DM's shoulder.
Free and Actively Developed: Generally free to use, with a passionate developer and community contributing to its ongoing improvement.

Cons

Manual monster import for homebrew (sometimes): While SRD content is often built-in, importing extensive homebrew monster collections might require manual input or specific formatting, which can be a bit of a chore initially.
Can Feel a Bit Basic for Complex VTT Users: If you're used to the integrated automation of a full virtual tabletop, Improved Initiative might feel more manual in certain aspects (e.g., no automated attack rolls linked to character sheets).
Primarily D&D 5E Focused: While adaptable, its core design and built-in resources are heavily geared towards D&D 5th Edition.
UI Can Be Cluttered (Older Versions/Some Views): Some reviews have noted that certain screen configurations or older versions could feel a little busy, though recent updates often focus on streamlining the experience.

CharGen tie-in
Generate token art on the fly via CharGen context menu.

Commentary

Improved Initiative is a brilliant tool for Dungeon Masters who want a digital aid for combat without the overhead of a full virtual tabletop. Its strength lies in its focused design: it does combat tracking very well, with a clean interface and thoughtful features like the offline PWA capability and the dedicated player view. The open-source nature is also a significant plus for many in the community, fostering a sense of ownership and allowing for customisation.

It's particularly well-suited for in-person games where you want to replace pen-and-paper tracking, or for online games that are primarily theatre-of-the-mind. While it may not have all the bells and whistles of more complex systems, its simplicity is often its greatest asset. It helps the DM manage the flow of combat efficiently, track crucial information clearly, and keep players informed. For many, it strikes just the right balance between useful digital assistance and maintaining the traditional D&D play experience. The ability to quickly import encounters from tools like Kobold Plus Fight Club further enhances its utility, making it a strong contender for any DM's toolkit.

Shieldmaiden — Mobile-first 5E combat manager

URL https://shieldmaiden.app | Latest update: Dec 2024

Shieldmaiden positions itself as a comprehensive D&D 5th Edition combat and campaign management tool, with a strong emphasis on a mobile-first design, though it's perfectly usable on a desktop browser as well. It aims to be an all-in-one solution, covering not just initiative and HP tracking, but also encounter building, monster creation, and even some elements of campaign organisation. Its real strength lies in the depth of its combat tracking capabilities, designed to automate many of the calculations and information lookups that can slow down a game, particularly for the DM.

The app offers a suite of interconnected tools. You can create or import monsters (SRD is typically available, with options for custom entries), build balanced encounters using these creatures and your player characters, and then seamlessly transition into running that encounter. The combat tracker is quite detailed, allowing for initiative rolls, HP management, condition tracking (with durations), and often includes features for handling resistances, vulnerabilities, and immunities automatically. One of its standout aspects is the ability to pre-configure monster actions and attacks; during combat, the DM can often click an attack, have Shieldmaiden roll to hit and damage, and then apply that damage with further clicks, taking into account things like advantage or critical hits. It also usually provides a live initiative list that can be shared with players, so everyone knows the turn order.

(features previously covered; emphasise mobile tracker)

Key Features

Integrated Encounter Builder: Create and balance encounters, then run them directly.
Detailed Combat Tracker: Manages initiative, HP, AC, conditions (often with automated reminders/expirations), resistances, and vulnerabilities.
Monster & Spell Creation/Import: Allows DMs to build their own content or import SRD data.
Automated Rolls: Can handle attack rolls, damage rolls, and saving throws for monsters, often with modifiers automatically applied.
Live Player View: Shareable link for players to see the initiative order and sometimes other relevant combat info.
Mobile-Optimised Interface: Designed to be user-friendly on smartphones and tablets, as well as desktops.
Campaign Management Tools: Some versions include features for organising notes, NPCs, and loot within specific campaigns.

Pros

All-in-One Solution: Attempts to cover most aspects of D&D combat preparation and execution, reducing the need for multiple separate tools.
Significant Automation: Can save DMs a lot of time by automating dice rolls, damage application (including resistances/vulnerabilities), and condition tracking.
Mobile-First Design: Excellent for DMs who prefer using a tablet or phone at the table, or for managing games on the go.
Robust Feature Set: Often includes more advanced tracking options than simpler initiative trackers (e.g., detailed condition effects, concentration checks).
Good for Complex Encounters: The level of detail and automation can be particularly helpful when running encounters with many creatures or complex monster abilities.

Cons

Learning Curve: With a broader feature set comes a steeper learning curve compared to more minimalist tools. Mastering all its capabilities can take some time.
Can Be Subscription-Based for Full Features: While a free tier is often available, advanced features, more storage for custom content, or campaign slots may require a paid subscription.
Interface Might Feel Dense on Smaller Screens: Despite being mobile-first, fitting a lot of information onto a small phone screen can sometimes lead to a busy interface.
Internet Connection Usually Required: As a web app, a stable internet connection is generally needed, though some PWA-like offline capabilities might exist for certain functions.
Overkill for Simple Needs: If you just need a basic initiative and HP tracker, Shieldmaiden's extensive features might be more than you require.

Commentary

Shieldmaiden is a powerful and ambitious tool that seeks to be a Dungeon Master's digital right hand for D&D 5E, especially for those who appreciate a high degree of automation and a mobile-friendly interface. Its combat tracker is impressively thorough, handling many of the routine calculations and bookkeeping tasks that can bog down combat. This allows the DM to focus more on narrative and tactics rather than arithmetic. The integration of encounter building and monster management into the same platform is a significant workflow advantage.

It's an excellent choice for DMs who run detailed, complex combats and are comfortable with a feature-rich application. The mobile optimisation is a key selling point for those who don't want to be tethered to a laptop. While the potential subscription for full functionality and the initial time investment to learn its intricacies are points to consider, for many DMs, the benefits of its comprehensive features and time-saving automation make Shieldmaiden a very compelling option indeed. It's a tool that really tries to think of everything a DM might need to manage the modern D&D combat experience smoothly.

Game Master 5e App — Offline iOS tracker

URL https://apps.apple.com/app/id1286983620 | Latest update: May 2020 (iOS-17 ready)

For Dungeon Masters who are firmly in the Apple ecosystem and prioritise offline functionality, the "Game Master 5th Edition" app by Lion's Den is a well-regarded and long-standing option. This iOS-specific application is designed to be a comprehensive toolkit for DMs, with a particular strength in its combat tracking and encounter management capabilities, all of which can be accessed without needing an internet connection. This makes it a trusty companion for games held in diverse locations, from a dedicated gaming room to a remote cabin where Wi-Fi is but a distant dream.

The app functions as a digital DM screen and campaign manager. Its combat tracker allows DMs to swiftly set up encounters, add player characters (often with the ability to import from its companion player app, Fight Club 5th Edition), and select monsters from a compendium (SRD by default, with robust import options for other content). During combat, it handles initiative order, tracks hit points and conditions, allows for quick monster stat block viewing, and facilitates dice rolls for attacks. The emphasis is on providing a smooth, offline experience that replaces the need for flipping through physical books or relying on web-based tools during a session. It also includes features for building encounters and even scaling or creating custom creatures.

(see Encounter section; doubles as initiative screen offline)

Key Features

Offline Combat Tracker: Roll initiative, track HP, conditions, and view monster stats without an internet connection.
Encounter Builder: Assemble encounters, with some versions offering difficulty calculation.
Creature Compendium & Builder: Includes SRD content and allows for easy creation or modification of creatures, plus robust import/export for community content.
Campaign Management: Organise campaigns, adventures, notes, and treasure.
Dice Roller: Integrated dice rolling for attacks and other checks.
Fight Club 5th Edition Integration: Seamlessly imports player characters from the popular companion player app.
Customisable Rules Reference: Often includes a customisable DM screen section for quick rule lookups.

Pros

Excellent Offline Functionality: Its biggest strength is its ability to work fully offline, providing reliability anywhere.
Comprehensive DM Toolkit: Goes beyond just combat tracking, offering campaign management and creature creation tools.
Strong Import/Export: Well-regarded for its ability to import XML files, allowing users to add a vast amount of official and homebrew content found online.
Mature and Stable: Being around for a while, it's generally a polished and stable app with a dedicated user base.
Good Integration with Fight Club App: For groups where players use Fight Club 5E, character import is incredibly smooth.
One-Time Purchase (Typically): Historically, it's been a premium app with a one-time purchase to unlock full features, which many prefer over subscriptions.

Cons

iOS Only: Exclusively available for iPhone and iPad, so Android or desktop-only users are out of luck.
Manual Content Input (Beyond SRD): While import is strong, getting non-SRD official content often relies on finding community-created files or manual input, as it doesn't directly sell official WotC content like D&D Beyond.
Learning Curve: With its range of features, there can be an initial learning curve to master all its functionalities.
Interface Can Feel Dated to Some: As a long-standing app, its interface, while functional, might not feel as modern or slick as some newer web-based tools to some users.
Updates Less Frequent Than Web Tools: Native app update cycles can sometimes be slower than continuously updated web services.

Commentary

Game Master 5th Edition for iOS is a stalwart companion for the Dungeon Master who values offline reliability and a comprehensive set of tools within a single, native application. Its combat tracker is robust, and the ability to manage entire campaigns, create custom content, and import vast libraries of existing material makes it incredibly versatile. The integration with the Fight Club 5th Edition player app is a particularly neat touch for groups within the Apple ecosystem.

While it requires an initial investment (both in cost and time to learn and potentially import content), its pay-once model and offline capabilities are major draws for many DMs. It's the kind of app that, once set up to your liking, can become the central nervous system for your D&D campaign. It may not have the live web features of D&D Beyond or the cross-platform reach of browser-based tools, but for dedicated iOS users wanting a powerful, self-contained D&D command centre, it remains an excellent and highly recommended choice. Its longevity and positive reputation in the community speak volumes about its quality and utility.

BattleTrack — Android HP & turn manager

URL https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.dm.battletrack | Latest update: Sep 2022

BattleTrack emerges as a dedicated Android application specifically tailored for Dungeon Masters seeking a straightforward, efficient tool for managing D&D 5th Edition combat encounters. Its core philosophy revolves around simplifying two of the most crucial elements of any skirmish: tracking initiative order and managing hit points. Designed with a clean and intuitive interface, BattleTrack aims to reduce the DM's administrative burden, allowing them to focus more on the narrative and flow of the game. It's a native Android app, meaning it's designed to work well on a variety of Android phones and tablets, often with offline capabilities once your encounter is set up.

The typical workflow involves the DM creating an encounter by adding player characters and monsters. Monsters can often be selected from a pre-loaded SRD compendium, and there are usually options to add custom creatures. Player characters are added with their relevant details. Once all combatants are in, initiative can be rolled (often automatically for monsters) and the turn order is established. As the battle progresses, the DM can easily tap to advance turns, input damage or healing for any character or monster, and see at a glance the current state of the fight. Some versions may also include basic condition tracking and encounter difficulty calculation as you build it.

(fast simple tracker, Android only)

Key Features

Simple Initiative Management: Easily add combatants, roll or input initiative, and see a clear turn order.
HP Tracking: Intuitive interface for deducting damage and applying healing to all participants.
Monster Compendium (SRD): Often includes a searchable list of SRD monsters for quick addition to encounters.
Custom Creature Support: Ability to add your own homebrew monsters with their stats.
Multiple Encounter Management: Some versions allow you to prepare several encounters in advance and switch between them.
Encounter Logs: May keep a log of actions (damage, healing, turns) for review.
Automatic Monster Initiative: A time-saver, with the app rolling initiative for all NPCs/monsters.
Experience Point Calculation: Can automatically calculate and display total XP for defeated monsters at the end of an encounter.

Pros

Android Native: Designed and optimised for the Android platform, offering a smooth experience on those devices.
Streamlined and Focused: Does a good job of initiative and HP tracking without being bogged down by overly complex features.
Quick Encounter Setup: Adding SRD monsters and players is generally a fast process.
Good for Offline Play: Once encounters are set up, it often works well offline, which is crucial for many gaming environments.
Clear Interface: Usually presents information in an easy-to-understand format, reducing confusion during combat.
Often Free or Low Cost: Many such Android trackers are available for free (with ads) or for a small one-time purchase.

Cons

Android Only: Exclusively for Android users, so not an option for those on iOS or other platforms.
Limited Advanced Features: May lack sophisticated condition tracking, spell effect management, or integration with online character sheet platforms like D&D Beyond.
Monster Stat Blocks May Not Be Fully Displayed In-App: While you can add monsters, you might still need to refer to a separate source for their full stat blocks and abilities during play, depending on the app's design.
Custom Content Input Can Be Basic: Adding extensive homebrew might be more manual compared to systems with robust import features.
Variable Polish Across Similar Apps: The Android store has many indie-developed trackers; quality and feature sets can vary significantly between them. The linked BattleTrack is generally well-regarded, but it's a common category.

Commentary

BattleTrack, and similar Android-specific initiative trackers, fill an important niche for DMs who primarily use Android devices and prefer a dedicated, native app experience over browser-based tools. Its strength lies in its simplicity and focus: it makes managing the turn order and hit points of combatants remarkably straightforward. This allows the DM to keep the game moving at a good pace, which is always a boon for player engagement.

For Dungeon Masters who don't need or want the complexity of a full virtual tabletop or a deeply integrated online ecosystem, BattleTrack offers a solid, reliable solution for core combat management. It's particularly useful for in-person games where the DM is using a tablet as their primary digital aid. While it might not have all the bells and whistles of some cross-platform giants, its dedication to doing the fundamentals well on Android makes it a worthy tool for any DM running D&D 5E on that operating system. The inclusion of SRD monsters and automatic initiative for them are welcome time-savers.

DM Tools Initiative Tracker — System-agnostic turn list

URL https://dm.tools/initiative-tracker | Latest update: Apr 2023

The Initiative Tracker from DM Tools (dm.tools) offers a wonderfully straightforward, web-based solution for managing turn order in tabletop roleplaying games. Its key characteristic is its system-agnostic design; while perfectly capable of handling D&D 5E, it's built to be flexible enough for almost any game that uses an initiative system. This tool is all about minimalism and speed, providing a clean, uncluttered interface that focuses on the core task of listing combatants and letting the DM advance through turns. It's a great option for DMs who want a no-fuss digital replacement for pen and paper, without needing to download an app or deal with complex features.

Using the DM Tools Initiative Tracker is typically very simple. You navigate to the webpage, and you can immediately start adding combatants. For each entry, you can usually input a name and an initiative value. The list then sorts automatically. Advancing the turn is a matter of a single click, highlighting the active character or creature. There might be options to add simple notes or HP next to each entry, but the primary focus remains on the initiative order itself. Because it's a webpage, it's accessible on any device with a browser, from a laptop to a tablet or even a smartphone in a pinch.

(webpage list, minimal features)

Key Features

Simple Web Interface: Easy to use, with no installation required.
Add Combatants Quickly: Input names and initiative scores with minimal fuss.
Automatic Sorting: Combatants are ordered by their initiative value.
Clear Turn Advancement: A simple click moves to the next combatant in the order.
Basic HP/Note Tracking: Often allows for adding simple hit point numbers or short notes next to entries.
System-Agnostic: Designed to be usable with a wide variety of TTRPGs, not just D&D.
Free to Use: Generally available at no cost.

Pros

Extremely Simple and Fast: Its minimalist design means there's virtually no learning curve. You can be up and running in seconds.
System Agnostic: A huge plus for DMs who run multiple game systems and want a consistent tool.
Accessible Anywhere: Being a webpage, it works on any device with a modern web browser.
No Downloads or Installation: Just go to the URL and start using it.
Free: No cost involved, making it highly accessible.
Uncluttered Display: Focuses purely on initiative order, which can be less distracting than feature-heavy apps.

Cons

Very Minimal Features: Lacks advanced options like detailed condition tracking, automated dice rolling, monster stat blocks, or character sheet integration.
Internet Connection Required: As a standard webpage, it needs an active internet connection to load and use.
No Data Saving (Typically): Usually, your combat list exists only for the current session in your browser. If you close the tab or clear your cache, the information is gone. There usually isn't a way to save encounters for later use.
No Dedicated Player View: While you could share your screen, there isn't typically a separate, simplified player-facing URL.
Reliant on DM Input for Everything: All information (names, initiative, HP) must be manually typed in each time.

Commentary

The DM Tools Initiative Tracker is the epitome of a "does what it says on the tin" utility. It's for the Dungeon Master or Game Master who wants an incredibly simple, fast, and free way to manage turn order digitally, without any bells, whistles, or complex setup. Its system-agnostic nature is a real boon for those who hop between different RPGs. If you're looking for a quick step up from scribbled notes on a pad of paper, this is an excellent choice.

Its main drawback is its inherent minimalism. DMs who need to track conditions, spell effects, monster abilities, or want integration with character sheets will find it lacking. There's generally no memory from one session to the next. However, for those who manage all that information elsewhere and just need a clear, ordered list of who's next, this tool is refreshingly efficient. It's a perfect example of how a simple digital tool can effectively solve a common tabletop problem without adding unnecessary complexity. Ideal for a quick pick-up game or for the GM who likes to keep their digital footprint light.

Initiative Tracker Android — Free offline tracker

URL https://initiative-tracker-for-dandd.en.uptodown.com/android | Latest update: 2024

For Dungeon Masters utilising Android devices and seeking a no-frills, free, and offline solution for combat management, the "Initiative Tracker for D&D" by Manolo D'antonio (often found via platforms like Uptodown) offers a very straightforward experience. Its primary goal is to simplify two of the most crucial aspects of D&D combat: tracking initiative order and managing hit points, all without requiring an internet connection. This makes it a reliable tool for games played anywhere, anytime.

(bare-bones but works without internet)

The app embraces a minimalist philosophy. When combat begins, the Dungeon Master can quickly add the participating characters and monsters, input their initiative scores, and the app will order them accordingly. As each combatant takes their turn, a simple tap advances to the next in line. This core functionality, while basic, is often all that's needed to prevent the common confusion of turn order, especially in larger encounters.

Beyond just initiative, the app also allows for the tracking of hit points for each character and monster. DMs can easily deduct damage or add healing directly within the app, again, all offline. This eliminates the need for erasing and rewriting on paper character sheets or separate notes, keeping the focus on the game. Once combat concludes, the list can be cleared and ready for the next encounter. It's designed to be a quick, digital replacement for pen-and-paper tracking at the table.

Key features

Offline Functionality: Designed to work entirely without an internet connection, ensuring reliability.
Simple Initiative Input: Quickly add combatants and their initiative scores.
Clear Turn Advancement: Easily move to the next character or monster in the turn order.
Hit Point Tracking: Basic HP management for all participants in the combat.
Free to Use: Typically available at no cost.
Lightweight: Generally a small app that doesn't consume much storage or resources.

Pros

Truly Offline: Its ability to function without internet is a major plus for many DMs.
Extremely Simple to Use: Very little learning curve; it does what it says on the tin with minimal fuss.
Free: No cost barrier to entry, making it accessible to all Android users.
Reduces Table Clutter: Helps replace scraps of paper used for initiative and HP tracking.
Good for Quick Pick-Up Games: Ideal for when you need a tracker fast without complex setup.

Cons

Android Only: Exclusively available for the Android platform.
Very Basic Features: Lacks advanced features like detailed condition tracking, spell effect management, monster stat blocks, or encounter building tools.
No Cloud Sync/Saving (Typically): Encounters are generally managed for the current session; robust saving or syncing across devices is usually not a feature.
Interface Can Be Rudimentary: Reflecting its simplicity, the user interface is often very basic, without much visual flair.
Limited Customisation: Usually offers few options for customising the display or tracking additional information beyond names, initiative, and HP.

Commentary

This particular "Initiative Tracker for D&D" is the epitome of a bare-bones digital tool that effectively serves its specific purpose. It's for the Dungeon Master who doesn't want or need a complex application but simply desires a digital way to list combatants, sort them by initiative, and track their hit points offline. Its greatest strengths are its simplicity, its free price point, and its offline capability. There are no complicated menus to navigate or features to learn; you open it, add your combatants, and start tracking.

While it won't satisfy DMs looking for rich features, integration with online compendiums, or detailed encounter management, it's a perfect fit for those who prefer a minimalist approach or need a quick, reliable tracker in a pinch, especially if internet access is uncertain. It's the digital equivalent of a trusty notepad dedicated solely to combat order and health, and for many, that's exactly enough.

Avrae Discord Bot — Chat-based initiative & combat

URL https://avrae.io | Latest update: Oct 2023

Avrae has become an almost indispensable tool for countless Dungeons & Dragons groups playing online, particularly those who use Discord as their primary platform. It's not just an initiative tracker; Avrae is a comprehensive D&D assistant that lives within your Discord server, capable of managing character sheets, rolling complex dice combinations, looking up spells, and, crucially, running entire combat encounters through text-based commands. Its deep integration with D&D Beyond is a cornerstone of its popularity, allowing players to bring their official digital character sheets directly into the game.

(Discord slash commands: !init, auto-sort)

Running combat with Avrae revolves around a series of intuitive slash commands (though historically it used prefix commands like !init). For instance, starting an encounter typically involves using a command to add combatants (both player characters and monsters) to an initiative order. Avrae can automatically roll and sort initiative, or DMs can set it manually. Once the battle is joined, commands are used to advance turns, track hit points, apply conditions, and even make attack and damage rolls by pulling information directly from linked character sheets or its built-in monster compendium (SRD by default, with options to integrate custom content).

The bot is designed to parse and understand a wide array of D&D-specific language. Want to attack with your longsword with advantage and add your sneak attack damage? Avrae can handle that. Need to make a Wisdom saving throw against a spell? Avrae can resolve it, referencing the character's stats. This level of automation significantly speeds up play in a text-based environment, which can otherwise be quite slow.

Key features

Deep Character Sheet Integration: Works seamlessly with D&D Beyond, DiceCloud, and Google Sheets, allowing players to use their existing characters.
Advanced Dice Roller: Handles complex dice expressions, advantage/disadvantage, critical hits, rerolls, and more.
Robust Initiative Tracking: Manages turn order, HP, AC, resistances, and status effects for all combatants within Discord.
Command-Based Combat: Entire encounters can be run using text commands for actions, spells, and checks.
Spell & Monster Lookup: Quickly access information on spells and SRD monsters.
Customisation: Supports aliases, custom commands, and integration of homebrew content through various means.
Active Community & Support: A large user base means plenty of community support and shared resources.

Pros

Excellent D&D Beyond Synergy: For groups heavily invested in D&D Beyond, Avrae is almost a must-have for Discord play.
Streamlines Online Play: Dramatically speeds up text-based D&D by automating rolls and lookups.
Powerful and Flexible: Its custom dice parser and character sheet integration are top-notch.
Keeps Everything in Discord: No need for players or DMs to switch between multiple windows or apps if Discord is their hub.
Free to Use: Core functionality is free, though some advanced features or integrations might involve D&D Beyond subscriptions for full effect (like sharing all content).

Cons

Learning Curve for Commands: While powerful, mastering Avrae's extensive list of commands and syntax can take time and effort.
Text-Based Only: It's not a visual VTT; combat is managed entirely through text descriptions and bot outputs.
Can Be 'Noisy': In active combat, Avrae can generate a lot of messages in a channel, which some might find overwhelming.
Reliant on External Services (for some features): Full character sheet integration depends on services like D&D Beyond being accessible.
Setup Can Be Involved: Initially configuring Avrae, linking character sheets, and setting up custom content or aliases can require some patience.

Commentary

Avrae is a powerhouse for playing D&D in Discord. It has fundamentally changed how many groups run their games online, making play-by-post or live text-based sessions far more viable and efficient. The convenience of having dice rolls, character abilities, and combat tracking all handled by a bot within the same communication platform is immense. Its ability to directly interpret rolls from character sheets removes a significant amount of manual work for both players and DMs.

While the initial hurdle of learning its command system can seem daunting, the payoff in streamlined gameplay is substantial. It's particularly brilliant for DMs running multiple groups or for games where a full visual VTT is either unnecessary or too cumbersome. Avrae fosters a different style of play, one that leans into the theatre of the mind, ably assisted by a very smart digital familiar. For any D&D group that calls Discord home, Avrae is, at the very least, worth a thorough investigation.

Carousel Combat Tracker (Foundry Module) — Visual round HUD

URL https://foundryvtt.com/packages/combat-tracker-dock | Latest update: Nov 2024 (v3.2)

For Foundry Virtual Tabletop users who crave a more visually dynamic and CRPG-inspired way to view and manage combat, the "Carousel Combat Tracker" module by TheRipper93 is a fantastic enhancement. It serves as a spiritual successor to the original "Combat Carousel" (which is no longer actively maintained), offering a sleek, horizontal carousel interface that overlays or docks onto the main Foundry VTT display. This provides an at-a-glance view of combatant portraits, health bars, and status effect icons, making it much easier to see who's up, who's next, and the general state of the battlefield participants.

What it does

The Carousel Combat Tracker transforms Foundry VTT's standard vertical initiative list into a more engaging and visually informative horizontal display. Each combatant is represented by a card, typically showing their token portrait, name, current/max HP (often as a bar), and any active status effects or conditions. As turns change, the carousel often animates, sliding to highlight the currently active combatant. This makes the flow of combat much clearer, especially for players, and can be a great boon for GMs running games for an audience or stream.

Why you'd use it

You want a more visually appealing and intuitive way for players (and yourself) to understand the initiative order and combatant status at a glance.
You are streaming your Foundry VTT game and want a more professional-looking combat HUD for your viewers.
You find the default Foundry combat tracker a bit too plain or data-dense and prefer a more graphical representation.
It often works well with other popular Foundry automation modules, inheriting data like health and conditions seamlessly.

Key features

Visual Carousel Display: Shows combatants in a horizontal, card-style layout.
Token Portraits & HP Bars: Clearly displays character art/tokens and their current health status.
Status Effect Icons: Visually represents active conditions and effects on each combatant.
Animated Turn Changes: Often includes smooth animations when the turn advances, drawing focus to the active character.
Clickable Portraits: Usually allows clicking on a portrait in the carousel to select/pan to that combatant's token on the map.
Customisation Options: Typically offers settings to adjust appearance, size, position, and information displayed on the cards (e.g., AC, movement speed).
Compatibility: Designed to work with the latest Foundry VTT versions (e.g., v12 and v13 as of late 2024).

Pros

Highly Visual & Engaging: Significantly improves the visual presentation of combat order and status.
Great for Players: Makes it much easier for players to see who is acting and who is on deck.
Excellent for Streaming: Adds a professional touch to live-streamed games.
Good Integration: Generally plays well with core Foundry data and other popular combat-related modules.
Actively Maintained: As a successor module, it receives updates for new Foundry versions and features.
Free and Open Source: Typically available at no cost from the Foundry VTT module repository.

Cons

Foundry VTT Only: This is a module specifically for the Foundry Virtual Tabletop platform.
Screen Real Estate: Depending on its configuration, it can take up a portion of the screen, which might be a concern on smaller displays.
Potential for Module Conflicts (Rare): As with any VTT module, there's always a small chance of conflicts with other addons, though popular modules are usually well-tested.
Can Be Info-Dense (if not configured): Some users might need to tweak settings to get the right balance of information displayed versus visual clarity.

CharGen tie-in

CharGen tokens display crisply in the carousel, matching border colours automatically.

Ready to Level-Up?

That's the toolkit—140 shiny gadgets to make your games smoother, wilder, and a whole lot more fun. If you try only one new thing today, make it CharGen. From instant NPCs to AI-powered art, it's the secret sauce behind half the tools on this list. Go give it a spin, then come back and tell me what epic chaos you unleashed. 🎲