GM Kit

It's been a few years since I've GMed in person. Actually, it's been just as long since I've GMed at all, although I suspect that an online Zoom or Google Meet or something like that game is more likely than an in person one in the nearish future. That said, hope always springs eternal. My soon-to-be son-in-law is a gaming geek, and is actually running a game for my daughter and some of her co-workers, somewhat to my daughter's bemusement. My son and his wife's brothers are talking about D&D, etc. I've got potential, I just need to get off my butt and do it.

But, assuming that like I'd ideally like to do, I'd run in person, what would I take with me? Actually, in an ideal world, some things that I don't actually have yet. Let's make a list. I love lists.

First, the rulebook. My game doesn't have an actual rulebook, just a pdf, so I'd need to print it and get it bound somehow. Lulu is the original at this, as far as I know, and they still look like they offer one of the better deals for me. I'd love, in theory, to print about half a dozen copies of the rules + appendix, and have at least one with me, plus some spares. The players can deal with pdfs and print them and stuck them in a binder if they want.

Actually, in pinch, it'd be nice to have a printed binder copy myself, so it'll lay open and flat. Although I've got to admit; I'm really surprised at how cheap those kinds of binders aren't. The actual hardcover book through Lulu would be cheaper. Cray-zee.

Along with this are a few blank character sheets for my players to use, including (if possible) up to date spare copies of their character sheets that I can use in case they forget their copy.

Second, a GM screen. These aren't strictly speaking necessary, but I like to engender feelings of mysteriousness in my players by hunching behind one and rolling dice mysteriously from time to time; plus, it's a good way for me to put some campaign specific stuff right where I can see it when I need it, like name generators, a map, etc. I've got several GM screens for several games, but none of them that really do what I want them to. I'd like to get crafty and make my own, and it shouldn't be terribly difficult.

Third, a dice tray. In the past, I wasn't a fan of these, but now that I have several sets of metal dice, I think it's a must to protect the furniture that I'm rolling on. I've made a handmade one that I'm actually quite fond of, but because I had to make-do on a few tools that I don't have, my styrofoam and pleather tray bottom doesn't fit perfect, and looks just a little messy. I've mostly covered that up by putting a couple of extra layers of pleather on it, but it's still not perfect. That said... I doubt I'll remake it any time soon. I like rolling in it because it's quieter, like I said, it protects the furniture, and it also makes it nearly impossible to have stray dice roll off the table and have to get on the ground looking to fetch them.

If I have a wooden dice tray that's about Letter sized, and I make a an even bigger wooden GM screen, I'll need a nice vintage-style canvas or leather rucksack to carry all of this stuff around in (my old college backpacks were used by my kids in school; we either don't have them anymore, or they're too beat to be used. So fourth, I'll need to order one up. I may not be able to fit all of the big stuff in it, but if I can put everything other than the GM screen or in a pinch the GM screen and the dice tray, that'll still be worth it. Plus, I like these old vintage rucksacks.

Fifth, I've got a bunch of dice. Seriously; I've got about thirty sets, and there are more still that I'd like to order. I obviously don't need that many, but I like to have plenty of spares, so I'll bring at least half a dozen from one of my themed dice bags—i.e, I'll bring the bag of metal dice, or the bag of Q-Workshop fancy dice, etc. And I might bring my backup bag of simple Chessex-style dice in case players need to borrow a set for whatever reason. I also have a bag of metal fantasy coins, which I'll bring to use as tokens. Seriously; I just keep them in a spare dice bag anyway. This means that for any given game I've got at least three and maybe a few more dice bags in my rucksack, but there should be plenty of room. 

Sixth, while I do have a pretty nice wooden dice cup to use to hold the dice for tossing in the dice tray, I'd also like to get a set of leather dice cups that I've seen. Either way, a dice cup or two will go in the bag too.

Seventh, any good campaign needs notes, especially if you're the GM. I have a number of rather nice leather-bound journals, including two copies of the official D&D journal which you can still buy online from Spirit Halloween, I believe. If not, there are plenty of good options on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and elsewhere. Ideally, I'd also like to order some smaller A6 or so sized journals for the players so everyone's got a place to keep their notes too; I've picked up two different two-packs from Amazon already, and I think that they're pretty nifty. Obviously, to keep notes in a journal I need a nice pen and pencil and probably a few spares while I'm at it just in case.

Eighth, while I do have a portable bluetooth speaker, it's not really very small. I'd like to get one of those cheaper ones that's about the size of a Coke can that I can throw in my bag. Then I'd load some of my RPG-appropriate music on my phone and play it quietly in the background while we're playing. I could go really crazy and get some battery powered lanterns or candles for more ambiance, but that's really more appropriate if we're at my house where I can set up and not carry a bunch of stuff like that around.

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Note what I don't need or want; my laptop, any apps on my phone other than a music player which I'll probably just set up at the beginning of the session anyway and then let run without messing with it (I think it's too much trouble and too fiddly to try and find mood music specific to each scene your PCs are going through; a more generic mood for the campaign or at least the session overall, and then play it softly so it's not all that distracting anyway—that's the way to go.) No additional books. No battle mat, or minis, or initiative cards, or anything else fancy and distracting. Just old school practical effects GMing with a few luxuries, because by golly, I'm fifty years old, I can afford them, and I like them. See how old I am? I even say by golly sometimes.