FTF: How to have DM control 1 map screen and 1 "informational" screen

Hello Everyone, I just became a Supporter. So far, so good. I am not quite for sure how to do what I want to do so I thought I would ask around if it was even possible. Our 1 PC at our kitchen table will be connected to 3 monitors. (1) DM screen that only I can see (for control) (1) 42" laying flat for the "map" (always a map) (1) 40" sitting normal to display info (pictures of monsters and web searched rules mostly) I don't think I can do this with just 1 account. Matter of fact, I think I need 4 accounts. Map DM to control the Map monitor (needs to be Supporter to have dynamic lighting) Map Player to only see what the players see on the map (all token movement controlled by DM) Info DM to control the info monitor Info Player to view only what players see on the info monitor. If this is right, I need 4 accounts, 4 email addresses, and 1 of the accounts needs to be a supporter to have dynamic lighting. I will need to have the Map DM make a Map Campain while the sister Info DM will need to make a Info Campain with all other assets? Thoughts or ideas? Braxon

I don't think you need four accounts... let me see if I've got this right: - DM Screen: Logged in as DM - "Map" Screen: You can log in as a "Player" from your DM account and open that up on a second screen (use an incognito window) - "DM Info" Screen: Not sure why this would have to be an account at all, if you're just using images and searching rules, BUT it should be able to have another incognito "player" window open either way - "Players Info: Screen: Same as DM Info, I believe. One caveat: I have a Mentor account so I might be assuming some feature that Supporter tier can't access. Hope this helps.

Michael C, Nice! I have removed at least one account. My main account, DM, is logged in as the DM in Chrome and then again as a Player in Chrome Incognito. My DM|Player Incognito browser will be the always displayed map. The reason that DM Info Screen needs to be another account is that if it is just logged into my Campaign they will only see the map. Well, that is unless I am able to split up what players see. If I could have "DM|Player|1" see the map always, and "DM|Player|2" be at another location and see pictures of skeletons, that would work. Do all players see the same screen or can you split it up? Thanks! Braxon

Michael's suggested setup would do it, remember you can have as many tabs open logged into the same account as you want. The only thing to be sure of is that you don't unintentionally reveal any DM level info on the 'info' screen... You can drag a player icon to another page to have them see that page while the rest of the party will still be on the ribbon page.

Ziechael, Thanks for your reply! With this link , I see what you are talking about except every time I log into a 2nd Incognito tab, it changes my 1st Incognito tab account. I then logged in as DM|Player on Firefox but I only have 1 player picture in the game even thought I have Chrome DM, Chrome Incognito Player, and Firefox Player in the campaign. Because I only have 1 player picture (bottom left of DM screen) I am unable to put Chrome Incognito Player and Firefox Player in different locations (see different pictures). It works great if I use, Chrome DM, Chrome Incognito DM|Player, and Firefox Player Tonya. Chrome DM controls the show. Chrome Incognito DM|Player is stuck on the active map always. Firefox Tonya moves from pictures of skeletons, slimes, and other nasty mobs. I am so happy that it works, but from what you guys are saying, I think I am making things more complicated that they need to be or I am just missing something. Thanks Again! Braxon

I have to admit i've never taken it to the extent you are... but... if there are problems with having 2x DM accounts open at once you could always add your second account (a practice a lot of people use for testing that in-game stuff in their tester campaigns) and then co-DM them in the campaign details page. They could then access all of the DM stuff that you, as owner, have without the issue of being bound to the one map, another alternative solution would be to have a second campaign called 'Info' or 'The Library' etc which you log into with your main account too, that one could be displayed on the 40" screen and wouldn't be in danger of revealing too much to the players as you could put into it only what you needed. Whatever you go for please let us know how it goes as these sorts of setups are always interesting from a hypothetical point of view :)

Ziechael, I got everything to work and this is how I did it. Accounts I used: DM Eric: Subscriber Player Tonya: Free Displays: DM Control Monitor: DM Eric | as DM | Chrome --> main control on DM only computer monitor Battle Map TV: DM Eric | as Player | Chrome Incognito --> Battle map on flat TV on kitchen table DM Info TV: Tonya | as Player | Firefox --> on DM Info TV to show pictures of monsters, handouts, and also displayed rules found on internet when we had questions (as we are all new) We tried our first Roll20 with two different FTF setups. First Setup: DM Control Monitor: It is hard to see but by it is by the DM keyboard in back corner. I bought acrylic to protect the TV so we could use my Pathfinder pawns (3 sets). We ended up not using pawns as the digital ones worked so well. When the got his with 9 skeletons it was so easy to keep track of individual initiative and individual hit points. It sped up play SO much. DM Info TV: It is the one sitting up like a normal TV. I would display a premade picture of the monsters they were fighting on it along with overland maps. If we had to look up a rule I would look it up on the screen so we could all read it (those of us that can read that is). =) Battle Map TV: It is the one laying flat. As this was our trial run it was sitting on two 2"x4"s to keep it level but that caused it to be a bit too tall. It was not as easy to see as we thought it would be. The kids on the other side were also looking at if upside-down. We had 5 players (played one) and it was a blast (Preschool, 2nd, 3rd, Mom, and Dad/DM) Things went MUCH faster with Roll20. As we play Pathfinder I was easily able to teach everyone about threat range and Attacks of Opportunity by just displaying a black and red square aura. As it stands right now the DM moves all pawns. That may change, and may not. I am not quite sure. I don't know if I could go back to "pen and paper". If this lasts, I may be able to get rid of my 1,000 paper pawns. They are so cool but a pain to find and hard to store especially when compared to digital pawns. We don't do any dice rolls or macros nor do we want too. The best way for us all to learn the game system is to get our hands dirty. Second Setup: The only difference on our second setup was to sit the Battle Map TV up normally. As we didn't use pawns we didn't need it flat and it was easier to see this way. It also gave us much more table room. While the setup was much better, we added two self aware Chaos Vortexes (CR23 each). As it stands that takes some of the fun out of it. =) This will be a Friday night after little one's bedtime me thinks. We liked this setup better and I think it will be the base of Setup Three. I need to prefind all monster stat blocks and become familiar with their attack style. I need to get all of the players spells and special abilities printed for their easy reference. Roll20 is good suff! Hints, Tricks, Tips, Questions are all welcome, Braxon

That is SUPER AWESOME! Thanks for sharing it! Hurray for the next generation!

Trying to teach a pre-schooler how to play Pathfinder? You have more patience than I, Gunga-din. *shudder* Let us know how the evolving setup works for you, and if you have any issues you have need of resolving.

That is awesome, i'm glad you found a set up that works :) Really appreciate you taking the time to report back, hopefully it will inspire other TT players to consider the advantages of a VTT. I'm hoping to get my kids interested once the youngest gets a bit older (14 months seem too early for the complexity of D&D 3.5... might try him with 5e?) but my wife is a non-gamer so its hard trying to persuade her that they won't turn out to be psychopaths by playing RPG's lol. Super jealous that you get to spend your free time doing something so fun and interactive with your family, but also extremely pleased for you and society in general!

Looks like a cool set up. Fun for the whole family!

GenKitty said: Trying to teach a pre-schooler how to play Pathfinder? You have more patience than I, Gunga-din. *shudder* Beginner box rules are fast play rules, he might be using a subset system for ease. PF/3.5/2nd-e tend to get a bunch of flack due to complexity. Eric C. said: I need to prefind all monster stat blocks and become familiar with their attack style. There's scripts to pre-load marcos for you such as CGen . Lets you focus more on the battle tactics, and prevents tab-explosion on your browser window as it also stores the stat block in the journal.

GenKitty said: Trying to teach a pre-schooler how to play Pathfinder? You have more patience than I, Gunga-din. *shudder* She has tons of fun. We made her class to fit both her play style and understanding. As a Rock Hound made out of stone that is based off of a Fighter, Magical Beast Template, with Blink Dog teleporting 30' and for flavor stone phase walk 40' she is quite hard to kill. On top of that she has a Stone Form (think Titan Quest skill of the same name) ability where she turns even more like stone and heals 1/2 of all damage taken. She doesn't have to worry about running though baddies threat ranges. As a magical beast, if she has to go to bed before the others, she just *POOFS* and has wandered off (kinda like real life). So far it has worked well. =) Braxon

GenKitty said: Let us know how the evolving setup works for you, and if you have any issues you have need of resolving. Will do. I think Roll20 should work very well for our FTF setup. I will keep an eye out for areas of easy enhancement. =) Braxon

Ziechael said: but my wife is a non-gamer so its hard trying to persuade her that they won't turn out to be psychopaths by playing RPG's lol. Yet she married you! That has to be good for something? =) We don't let Roll20 do any of the rolls. Each of us has to do the math ourselves. We also use props like poker chips so the kids can visualize 8HP (but I only have 2HP left). Oh look, the bad guy still has 10HP! /EEEK And there is so much more than just math mechanics. As an electrical engineer I make my living thinking about things differently so I believe very strongly in teaching and fostering imagination. Sometimes when we drive into town (40 minutes away) we start the trip in our Suburban but end up converting it to a lava submarine to get away from the Myst Dragon. Luckily I have the world's cutest Weapon's Officer riding shotgun (to be completely honest she relies heavily on the Cannon Commander and his skilled use of Ice Shot(TM)). =) We have a blast and I hope to create loving, fun, and lasting memories for our entire family. Regards, Braxon

Ziechael said: Super jealous that you get to spend your free time doing something so fun and interactive with your family, but also extremely pleased for you and society in general! That is the thing I don't have much "free time". Well, maybe a better way to put it is that I have many, many things I wish to do in my life. I can't do a 1/10th of them so when I found Roll20 and played with it I was immediately sold on how much faster it made everything (along with it enabling me to tell a deeper richer story). Anything that lets me fit more "fun" things in my life is a "Good Thing" in my book. =) Braxon PS. You may want to hold off on the "society in general" comment as it may end up that we take over the world when our plan for world domination comes to fruition.

Eric C. said: PS. You may want to hold off on the "society in general" comment as it may end up that we take over the world when our plan for world domination comes to fruition. As long as your regime enforces family gaming then you'll get my support and society will benefit :)