I also use index cards for NPCs, but I do it a little differently than how the article mentioned. Each major organization or group gets a color. Members of that group go on that color. One side is the stat block, the other side is the character’s description. I try to include quirks on the description to help me roleplay (since I’m not very good at toggling between characters). They’re also supposed to keep NPCs feelings towards each other and the PCs, but I’ve been lazy about that. Cards also get plot markers, which are little colored circle stickers. Each active plot in my notebook gets a color for a sticker. Characters in that plot get that sticker folded along the edge of the card. Any time I need to look up the red plot I can very easily pull out all associated characters.

Master Maze
Battlemat
Campaign Cartographer program
Tablesmith Program
printing on transparencies can create all kinds of neat spell templates, gates or other cool visual props.

I have to second MS Excel. I use Ubuntu linux, and installed XP to run at the same time JUST for MS Excel. I can track every aspect of my PC’s and use complex custom tables. The PCs walk into an antimagic field and its time to recalculate all the numbers? No problem! Automatically start initiative & track battle order. Weather, moon phase, crazy custom items, status effects, treasure generation, what ever you need can be made on excel!

My number two tool would have to be ZIM desktop wiki, not sure if you can get it for windows but I love having a wiki to track all of my DM ramblings. You all know what is like being a DM, getting inspiration at strange times, a nice wiki helps me keep all the things in the PC’s world organized.

I have to agree with several of you that music is really important. I play soft piano jazz in towns, and hard hitting guitar riffs for battles. Video game music is a great source too!

Fourth would have to be all the PDF versions of the books I have, I find it tremendously helpful to have all the books I need open, without the PC’s getting uptight from seeing the Monster Manual come out.

Lastly it is the faithful 3×5 index card, savior of the pen & paper rpg. Everyone knows how much they love these!

Thanks for the cool thread!!!

Index cards with monster pictures on one half, and their stats on the other half, so that when they’re folded and hung over the screen the players can see what they’re fighting, and I can see what it does.

Clear plastic dice boxes for flying/elevated characters on the battle-map.

As my PCs progress, I gradually reveal the dungeon. This has made encounter a brease and removed the need for mapping. If there is one tool I would recommend it is this one.

Not only is it easy and fun to use but the community support is incredible, with lot’s of texture being added on a regular basis.

I strongly recommend this product.
http://www.dundjinni.com/

1. XAMPP (Personal Web Server Package), and then
2. Wiki software (for GM secrets, background material, etc).

I had used this in previous games, especially those with loads of background material necessary (Blue Planet, Vampire and some of my Star Wars games in the past).

I’ve used those with varying degrees of success. They are certainly helpful, and if you have a “public” wiki for the game, it makes it even faster to publish information for general consumption.

Mywebspiration is from the same people that created the Inspiration software which allows you to graphically plan papers and create flowcharts and it will help you create an outline. You can then add notes to the outline. Mywebspiration takes it to the internet, much like adobe buzzword, so that if you have the net, you will always have access to your stuff.

I was able to use mywebspiration to plot out all the scenes of the Ctech scenario that I ran with lines connecting the scenes to show how they may possibly be reached. The outline format allowed me to detail the general gist of each scene and note any important stuff that was going on there.

Currently, mywebspiration is in open beta so anyone can use it for free. If you have a copy of Inspiration (which is likely available in an academic setting) you can do the same thing.

I ordered mine at Gen Con last year, and it was scratched in shipping. They’re such an awesome company that they refinished it for free (although I did drop a few greenbacks in the box for their troubles). Mine is a beautiful oil-rubbed walnut with a leather floor. It’s about nine by six inches, and is simply beautiful.

I have a bag of pawns that I got from a teacher supply store for use as enemies. If they’re fighting 6 orcs, I’ll throw out 5 pawns, and a regular mini for the big tough one. I like it better than throwing out a bunch of random minis and saying they’re all orcs. The ones I have came from teachersparadise.com and were under 5 bucks for 48 pawns of varying colors.

I also use notecards for initiative. I have one card for each PC, one that says end of turn, and one that says “Them”. I always just have all the mobs run on the same initiative, cause it’s easier for me.

I’m also using monster maker for quick and dirty NPCs.

We tried a LINUX network that everyone could plug into for private messages (send to:elf languages) or (send to:thieves), but it ended up being more of a distraction than a help.

We use M&M’s for individual members of hordes of enemies. “Dead? Eat him!”

A cheap home design program can be great for designing places to go. I cut out the individual rooms and place them within the outline I draw on the table (see above) so they know where’s where and there are fewer arguments. These also allow you to do a perspective shot of designed rooms, so a shot from the door, properly furnished and photoshopped can end the immediate “what do I see?” questions. And while they’re passing it around it gives you time (and cover) to be preparing for the encounter to come.

3×5 cards, prepared ahead of time to describe items to be found are useful. Whoever has the card, paper-clipped to his character sheet, has the item. Ends a lot of arguments.

Dominoes are wonderful. Set them on edge and you have a wall. Set them on face and you have a higher level.

Poker chips likewise. If someone’s invisible, set his miniature on a poker chip so the DM and player know where he he (which lessens cheating as to movement) and such. red chips go under characters who are down and maybe alive, maybe not.

I’ve also used Terragen for making basic topo maps. It is a nice tool that helps plot logical river locations, lakes, etc. Gives a really good idea of how different cultures and societies might evolve in a homebrew world.

Other than software, any supplies (post-it tabs, post-its, battle mats) that see recurring use by the folks here?