I promised this post yesterday in my rather long session post-mortem.

My DM folder is I think a cross between the Jim Murphy one (video below) and the one used by Dael Kingsmill. But I think every DM’s folder will be unique to them. However they will have some common elements.

I always think it’s of use to get a peak behind the curtains and see what other DM’s are doing to get ideas and inspiration. It’s why I have written so much about D&D recently. The posts are acting as notes for me, and I hope are of use to others.

So what is in my DM folder (currently)?

It starts with some pages printed from The Lazy Dungeon Masters Workbook. The pages I picked out were ‘The Lazy DM Preparation Process” (Page 3), and pages 5 -7 and 10 of the Fifth Edition Reference. I wasn’t interested in the madness pages from that section (at this point in time). There is also a copy of the 5e Campaign Worksheet that I keep handy during sessions.

These are followed by my own created DM cheat sheets that summarise various rules like running the types of ability checks, and how to calculate the various checks.

I then have a print out of the player spreadsheet I have that lists each players stats, passive perception and saving throw target for spells.

Next I start on the current campaign specific stuff, like sailing terms, player handouts.

Those are followed by a print out of Appendix B: Nonplayer Characters from the Monster Manual. Along with stat blocks for creatures like crabs, sharks and seals.

Then I have a print out of a Dragon Magazine about the “Red Rage”. This is campaign background info.

I have a print out of the town I’m using as Mintarn which has the building key on it. Plus the Dragon Magazine article that describes each of those buildings.

I have my session notes printed out, and I make notes on these, and keep these in the folder.

These are followed by dungeon maps used so far in the campaign.

We then hit a final section aimed at new players and character creation. This contains a check list of things to point out to new players about playing the game. Just added are copies of the cheat sheet I did for Jonathan. A character creation cheat sheet and some blank character sheets.

I think after looking at the above it’s fair to say that my folder breaks into three logical sections. The first section is obviously general DM aids, the second section is campaign specific stuff, and the third and final section is new player and character creation.

The inspiration for the contents of my index box comes from this Jim Murphy YouTube video.

As you already know I have the initiative and combat reminder cards from the D&D Essentials kit in there. Along with a handful of dry erase index cards.

The first section I have is a maps section, that like the rest of the sections currently looks very sad (I have only just started this remember).

The second section is for Traps, followed by a section for Plot Hooks.

Section four is for Monsters and contains a selection of D&D Monster stat cards. These are campaign related, but also fairly generic. So there are goblins, orcs, kobolds etc. And they cover being at sea, forests and dungeons.

In the following spell section I have some spell cards that the monsters use. Saves me having to look them up.

After that I have a section for the Essentials Kit side kick cards.

I have a potions section next, that at the moment just has three cards in for potions that came from DnDice when I bought my folding dice tray from them at this years UKGE.

Remember I’m trying to work on improving my descriptions. Well this next section is aimed at helping me with that. It’s a description section that is home to cards with words and descriptions to aid me describing various environments.

Empty at the moment, but that python script will help fill it up, is a pre-generated character section.

And finally for now there is a magic item section.

So that’s my DM folder and Index Card box. The contents of both is fluid. Over time they will shift and change as my experience as a DM grows, and my needs change. But it’s an early snap shot. One that I hope others find interesting.