Quick Handouts Clarification

Just a quick clarification query re: Handouts. Came across this post from The Aaron recently while searching for answers: " So, the simplest example would be to make one handout named Index and one named Page, then put this in each of them: Page This is the Page handout Index Open the [Page] handout. Then archive the Page handout.   You can then open the Index handout and click the Page link to open the Page Handout, despite its having been archived. " I am currently setting up a market catalogue for players to use once they come across the shop. My concern is having to open each handout and allocate to players once their discovery occurs - something I am not looking forward to. If I understand this correctly I can provide the players with an index with links to each page. I can then put all other catalogue handouts into archive and players can access them from the index. Quick question: Do I need to 'Show All Players' on each handout before archiving? Will these remain hidden from the players and only accessible once the index has been revealed? Thanks.

When you build each handout, assign them to all players viewable then archive them as you build your index. I do this with handouts, character sheets (npcs and monsters), and anything else that can be created in the journal tab.

Keep in mind that archiving journals only makes their listing not appear in the journal tab. They still load with the game, so doing this with characters sheets (typically much larger than handouts) can lead to performance issues down the way.

Fantastic. Thanks to both of you. Lets me breathe a bit easier. Was starting to get concerned re: number of handouts in my journal. This allays those concerns.

I built an index handout that listed about 100+handouts that contain information about specific locations in one game. Just make sure your index text has the other handout's names type or spelled correctly with the [brackets] around the names otherwise it will not turn into a link. I usually copy and past the name into the index while both of the handouts are open in the editor. This makes sure I have them spelled correctly.

Heh. I had already started on the catalogue and have set it up with a linked index and such. It's just one of those projects that once you get into it you realise it's probably a bit bigger than you thought it would be and the number of handouts (100+) would clog up the journal, let alone having to go through each handout and show it to the players once the catalogue has been found. Knowing the archive works in this way has ensured I continue with this endeavour :)

The only downside so far that I discovered is that if you want to use it in another game, it is something you would have to transmogrifier each handout individually. That takes work and time but it is still quicker than rewriting them by hand each time.

Pat S. said: The only downside so far that I discovered is that if you want to use it in another game, it is something you would have to transmogrifier each handout individually. That takes work and time but it is still quicker than rewriting them by hand each time. Not quite.  If you make a clean game and do your handouts (and any other things that might be common between your games) there, then you can just copy that base campaign whenever you want to start a new game.  The handouts go with it.  I have just over 1k handouts in mine to provide an entire game ruleset in game instead of making people sort through a pdf.  Making a base game and copying it has worked well for me so far.  Of course, that is for a new game.  Taking them to an existing one would make for a bit of work with the transmogrifier.

Kraynic said: Pat S. said: The only downside so far that I discovered is that if you want to use it in another game, it is something you would have to transmogrifier each handout individually. That takes work and time but it is still quicker than rewriting them by hand each time. Not quite.  If you make a clean game and do your handouts (and any other things that might be common between your games) there, then you can just copy that base campaign whenever you want to start a new game.  The handouts go with it.  I have just over 1k handouts in mine to provide an entire game ruleset in game instead of making people sort through a pdf.  Making a base game and copying it has worked well for me so far.  Of course, that is for a new game.  Taking them to an existing one would make for a bit of work with the transmogrifier. Yup. I was referring to moving them to a pre-existing game and didn't think about referencing the other aspect.

Kraynic said: ...copy that base campaign whenever you want to start a new game.  The handouts go with it. I assume this relates to having a base set of handouts with a blank canvas as opposed to something like a pre-made module? That is handy to know for future homebrews. Happy to transmog the catalogue into modules or ongoing games knowing I have a master copy elsewhere.