A sparkling new symbiote!
The DM Screen is a comprehensive tool designed to help Dungeon Masters manage their D&D 5e campaigns within TaleSpire. This guide covers all sections and features available in the DM Screen.
- Initiative Tracker
- DM Tables
- Checklists
- Spell List
- Notes
- Google Docs Integration
- Settings & Customization
The Initiative Tracker is the core combat management tool for DMs.
- Add Monsters: Type monster names in the monster input field to search and add creatures from the Monster Manual
- Add Players: Type player names to add party members to initiative
- Auto Roll Initiative: Automatically rolls initiative for all creatures in the tracker
- Manual Initiative: Click on initiative values to edit them manually or roll the monsters initiative by clicking on their initiative value and watch it be updated in real time.
- Turn Navigation: Use "Previous Turn" and "Next Turn" buttons to manage combat flow
![Initiative Tracker Interface - Image placeholder]
- Round Counter: Click to edit the current round number
- Advantage/Disadvantage Toggle: Set global advantage/disadvantage for rolls
- Condition Management: Add conditions to creatures using the dropdown and "Add Condition" button. Bane and Bless will apply automatically to all d20 rolls that monster does when active.
- Health Tracking: Modify creature HP directly on their cards
- Active Monster: Click on any monster to make that the active monster.
- Monster Stat Block: Click on any monster's Name to open their Stat Block.
Each monster in initiative displays:
- Basic Stats: AC, HP, Speed, and a basic attack are displayed on the front card.
- Ability Scores: All six ability scores with modifiers
- Saves & Skills: Proficient saves and skills
- Damage Resistances/Immunities: Quick reference for damage types
- Actions: All monster actions, reactions, and legendary actions
- Conditions: Applied conditions with removal buttons
![Monster Card Example - Image placeholder]
Player cards show:
- Basic Info: Name, class, level
- Health: Current and maximum HP
- AC & Stats: Armor class and ability scores
- Conditions: Applied conditions
- Custom Fields: DM can add custom information
- Connected Player: If the players have their character sheets opened then these stats will update in real time as the players change their sheet.
- Save Encounter: Save current monster setup for later use
- Load Encounter: Load previously saved encounters
- Auto-Save: Automatically saves encounters as "AutoSaveTemporary"
A collection of reference tables and tools for quick access during gameplay.
- Reference: Complete list of D&D 5e conditions with descriptions
- Search: Filter conditions by name
- Quick Access: Click conditions to copy descriptions
![Conditions Table - Image placeholder]
- Custom Effects: Add your own custom effects and descriptions
- Add Rows: Use "Add Row" button to create new effect entries
- Editable: All entries can be edited directly in the table
- School Reference: All eight schools of magic with descriptions
- Spell Classification: Help classify and understand spell schools
- Pre-built Shops: Adventuring Supplies, Alchemist/Herbalist, Blacksmith/Armory, General Store, Hunter/Leatherworker, Jeweler, Library/Bookstore
- Shop Selection: Dropdown to switch between different shop types
- Custom Shops: Create your own shops using the shop creation form
- Equipment Integration: Links with the equipment database
![Shop Interface - Image placeholder]
- Travel Pace: Different travel speeds and their effects
- Transportation Costs: Various travel services and their costs
- Reference: Quick lookup for travel-related rules
- Random NPCs: Pre-generated NPCs with names, races, descriptions, and quirks
- Editable: Modify existing NPCs or add new ones
- Quick Reference: Perfect for improvised NPCs during sessions
- Jump Calculator: Calculate jump distances based on Strength score
- Height Input: Enter character height in feet and inches
- Multiplier: Apply multipliers for magical effects
- Results: Shows both running and standing jump distances
- Reach Calculation: Calculates maximum reach for grabbing objects
![Jump Calculator - Image placeholder]
- Encounters: Random encounter generator with customizable entries
- Loot: Random loot table for treasure distribution
- Miscellaneous: General random events and discoveries
- Add Rows: Create custom random table entries
- Get Random: Button to randomly select from table entries
![Random Tables - Image placeholder]
A simple task management system for tracking session preparation and in-game tasks.
- Add Tasks: Type task descriptions and click "Add" to create new checklist items
- Check Off: Click checkboxes to mark tasks as complete
- Remove Tasks: Delete completed or unnecessary tasks
- Session Planning: Perfect for tracking session preparation
- In-Game Tasks: Track ongoing quests, investigations, or plot threads
![Checklist Interface - Image placeholder]
A comprehensive spell lookup.
- Spell Search: Type to search through all available spells
- Spell Details: View complete spell information including:
- Description and effects
- Casting time and duration
- Components and materials
- Spell level and school
- Classes that can cast the spell
![Spell List Interface - Image placeholder]
The spell creation form includes:
- Basic Info: Name, description, higher-level effects
- Mechanics: Range, components, casting time, duration
- Classification: Level, school, classes that can cast
- Combat Stats: To-hit bonuses, damage dice, save DCs
- Customization: Damage types, ability modifiers, special effects
A flexible note-taking system for campaign management.
- Group Organization: Organize notes into logical groups
- Add Groups: Create new note categories
- Rich Text: Format notes with basic HTML
- Session Notes: Track what happened in each session
- Campaign Planning: Organize plot threads and NPCs
- World Building: Store lore and setting information
- Limited Storage: The storage is limited and should only be used for shorter notes during session.
![Notes Interface - Image placeholder]
Embed Google Docs directly into the DM Screen for seamless document access.
- Document Embedding: Enter Google Doc URLs to embed documents
- Campaign Documents: Access campaign notes, maps, or reference materials
- ReadOnly: The information displayed is in a readonly format.
![Google Docs Integration - Image placeholder]
- Copy the Google Doc URL
- Paste it into the "Enter Google Doc URL" field
- Click "Load Google Doc"
- The document will appear in an embedded iframe
- This document can only be viewed and not edited.
Access advanced settings and customization options through the settings dropdown.
- Multi-language: Switch between English and Spanish
- Localized Content: All interface elements and content adapt to selected language
- Consistent Experience: Maintains language preference across sessions
- Default Theme: Standard blue color scheme
- Purple Theme: Purple variant
- Red Theme: Red variant
- Custom Theme: Create your own color scheme
- HexCode: Use any set of hexcodes you like.
- Primary Color: Main interface color
- Secondary Color: Accent color
- Live Preview: See changes in real-time
![Theme Customization - Image placeholder]
- 2014 Rules: Standard D&D 5e rules
- 2024 Rules: Updated D&D 5e rules (marked with 🜁) Currently only spells
- Both Versions: Display both rule sets for comparison
- Exhaustion Homebrew: Custom exhaustion rules This will subtract the levels of exahution present from any d20 rolls
- Homebrew Creator: Access to custom content creation tools
The Homebrew Creator allows DMs to create custom content:
- Custom Monsters: Create unique creatures with full stat blocks
- Monster Editor: Edit existing custom monsters
- Monster Deletion: Remove custom monsters from the database
- Custom Spells: Design unique spells with custom mechanics
- Spell Import/Export: Share spells between campaigns
- Spell Management: Edit or delete custom spells
- Custom Equipment: Create weapons, armor, and magical items
- Item Categories: Organize items by type (weapon, armor, wondrous item, etc.)
- Item Import/Export: Share custom items
- Custom Shops: Design unique shops with custom inventory
- Shop Management: Edit or delete custom shops
![Homebrew Creator Interface - Image placeholder]
- Local Storage: Personal custom content (5MB limit)
- Global Storage: Shared custom content (5MB limit)
- Usage Tracking: Monitor storage usage with progress bars
- Content Management: Delete unused content to free space
- Load Encounters: Pre-load planned encounters before the session
- Prepare NPCs: Add important NPCs to the NPC list
- Create Checklists: Set up session preparation checklists
- Organize Notes: Structure campaign notes in logical groups
- Quick Reference: Use DM Tables for quick rule lookups
- Initiative Management: Keep combat flowing with the initiative tracker
- Note Taking: Capture important events in the Notes section
- Random Generation: Use random tables for unexpected situations
- Save Encounters: Build a library of reusable encounters
- Custom Content: Create homebrew content for your campaign
- Document Integration: Use Google Docs for complex campaign documents
- Theme Customization: Set up the interface to match your preferences
- Storage: Monitor storage usage to avoid hitting limits
- Custom Content: Test custom content before using in important sessions
- Updates: Keep the symbiote updated for latest features and fixes. Mismatched versions of the symbiote can cause issues.
- Documentation: Refer to this guide for detailed instructions
- Community: Check TaleSpire community discord for additional help or reach out to me directly.