Pathbuilder 2e

Overview Obsidian is a free, locally-stored Markdown note-taking application that the TTRPG community has widely adopted as a campaign wiki, session planner, and lore database. Originally designed as a personal knowledge management tool, it stores everything as plain text files on your own machine with no subscription required. Description Unlike purpose-built platforms such as World Anvil, Obsidian was not designed with TTRPGs in mind, which means it arrives without templates, stat block support, or any TTRPG-specific structure out of the box. GMs who want those features need to install and configure community plugins themselves, which carries a steeper setup cost than dedicated alternatives. For those comfortable with that process, however, the result is a highly customizable system with no ongoing fees and no vendor lock-in. A thriving plugin ecosystem has filled most of the gaps, and the tool has become a genuine alternative to subscription-based worldbuilding platforms for technically comfortable Game Masters. System Overview & Key Features The Vault System Obsidian organizes everything into a "vault", a folder of plain Markdown files stored locally on your machine. Your campaign notes are portable, readable in any text editor, and not tied to any server or subscription. There is no proprietary format and no account required to access your own files. Bidirectional Linking Obsidian's core feature is its wiki-style linking. Typing [[The Silver Throne Tavern]] in a session note creates a connection to that location's article, tracked in both directions. You can click any note and immediately see every other note that references it, from quest hooks to NPC backstories. Graph View Every link in your vault is visualized as an interactive network graph. Game Masters use it to see which NPCs are the most connected, which locations have no written articles yet, and where campaign threads intersect. It is a useful overview tool for large, complex vaults. Canvas Canvas is Obsidian's built-in infinite whiteboard. Game Masters use it to map out plot arcs, organize faction relationships, or plan dungeon layouts using a drag-and-drop interface that links back to notes in the vault. TTRPG Plugin Ecosystem Obsidian has no native TTRPG features, but community plugins cover most needs. Fantasy Statblocks renders monster and NPC stat blocks from multiple game systems inside your notes. Initiative Tracker handles combat order. Dice Roller allows rolls directly from the vault. The Leaflet plugin embeds interactive, pinnable maps into location articles. Each plugin is maintained independently, so quality and update frequency varies. Templater The Templater plugin allows you to define reusable document templates. For example NPC sheet with fields for Motivation, Secrets, and Stat Block, or a session template with sections for Recap, Key Beats, and Cliffhanger. New documents can be generated from any template in a single command, which significantly reduces repetitive formatting work. The plugin ecosystem extends well beyond what is listed here, with community tools covering everything from database-style note querying and cross-device sync to interactive maps and combat automation. A full directory is available at community plugins. Additional Links obsidian.md - Official website and download obsidian.md/plugins - Community plugin directory forum.obsidian.md - Official community forum

DM with a Day Job is a veteran TTRPG player with over 25 years of gaming experience. The channel covers topics about planning, plotting, worldbulding and everything else in-between and adjacent to these topics, to help guide Dungeon Masters manage their games and tables. Links youtube.com - Youtube channel

Frugal GM is a long-running tabletop RPG blog focused on helping Game Masters run better games while spending less money. Its core idea is summed up pretty directly: it’s about “resource-saving options for running a better role-playing game.” At its heart, the site is built around three main types of content: 1. Reviews of RPG Products Modules, maps, supplements, tools, and even occasional games Strong emphasis on value for money Honest, practical evaluations (what works at the table vs. what doesn’t) 2. Free & Low-Cost Resources Links to free maps, generators, tools, and downloads Highlights of “hidden gems” you might otherwise miss Frequent “Free GM Resource” posts 3. Practical GM Advice & Tools Tips for running games more efficiently Ideas you can plug directly into a session Focus on usable content over theory