DM Timothy

Stawl is an independent, community-developed web application and digital toolkit designed specifically for Draw Steel, the cinematic fantasy tabletop role-playing game published by MCDM Productions. Developed by an independent creator known as JonStodle, the platform was launched during Draw Steel's early access and playtest period. It functions as a cloud-based companion application intended to assist both Directors and players in managing game mechanics, combat encounters, and character data. Description Stawl serves as a digital command center for preparing and running Draw Steel campaigns. Unlike some alternative community tools that store data locally within a user's web browser, Stawl requires an account and utilizes cloud storage. This architecture allows users to prepare game materials on one device, such as a desktop computer, and seamlessly access them during gameplay on another device, such as a laptop or tablet. While it requires a degree of manual data entry, its comprehensive suite of encounter-tracking tools and its ability to share live information with players have made it a prominent utility within the Draw Steel community. System Overview & Key Features Active Encounter Builder The primary feature of Stawl is its encounter management system. Directors can select monsters and calculate Encounter Values to balance combat difficulty based on the player characters' levels. Once an encounter is initiated, the application provides an active dashboard that tracks initiative groups, monster stamina, villain power, and temporary status conditions. Cross-Device Cloud Syncing Because Stawl utilizes user accounts and cloud servers, all created content—including custom encounters, homebrew data, and digital character sheets—is persistent across devices. This prevents data loss associated with clearing browser caches and allows for remote campaign preparation. Monster Database and Homebrew Creation The application features a fully searchable database of officially published Draw Steel monsters, allowing Directors to filter by type, level, or encounter value. Recent updates have introduced homebrew functionality, enabling users to input and save custom monster stat blocks directly into the tool's ecosystem. Player View and Digital Sheets During an active encounter, Directors can generate a "Player View" link. This shared screen allows players to view the live initiative order and track their Heroic Resources in real time. Additionally, Stawl provides fillable digital character sheets that mimic the layout of the official paper sheets, allowing players to store their character data online. Stawl Supplement Index To support the game's third-party creator community, Stawl hosts a Supplement Index. This is a curated, searchable directory of community-made and third-party content, including custom classes, kits, monsters, and adventures designed for the Draw Steel system. Disdiar Discord Integration In addition to the web application, the developer maintains "Disdiar," a companion bot for the Discord communication platform. The bot is programmed with Draw Steel mechanics, allowing online groups to execute specific power rolls, calculate test results, and quickly query monster statistics or game abilities via chat commands. Additional links stawl.app - Official application portal patreon.com/jonstodle - Developer's official Patreon for patch notes and support

Roll20 is the most widely used browser based virtual tabletop in the world, launched in 2012 following a successful Kickstarter campaign. Developed by Riley Miller, Nolan T. Jones, and Richard Zayas, it was designed to break down the barriers to tabletop gaming by requiring zero installation and offering a robust free to play tier. It remains the industry leader in total user base, hosting millions of games across nearly every imaginable tabletop system. Description Roll20 is the "everyman" of virtual tabletops, prioritizing accessibility and ease of use. Because it runs entirely in the cloud, players and Game Masters can start a session in seconds from any modern web browser. It features an integrated marketplace where users can purchase official rulebooks, adventures, and art packs that integrate directly into their campaigns. While it offers advanced features like dynamic lighting, its primary appeal is its massive community and the simplicity of its "pick up and play" nature. System Overview & Key Features No Installation Required Unlike many of its competitors, Roll20 requires no software downloads or server configuration. The Game Master simply creates a room on the website and shares a link. This makes it the ideal choice for groups with varying levels of technical expertise. Integrated Character Sheets Roll20 features thousands of community and official character sheets that handle the math for you. Clicking an attribute or a weapon on your sheet automatically sends the roll to the chat window, applying modifiers and calculating critical hits instantly. The Roll20 Marketplace The platform boasts the largest digital storefront in the industry. You can buy modules for D&D, Pathfinder, Call of Cthulhu, and more, which come pre loaded with maps, tokens, and journals, drastically reducing a Game Master's preparation time. Dynamic Lighting and Layering Subscribers gain access to a powerful lighting system that restricts what players can see based on their character's line of sight. The Game Master can easily manage different layers for maps, tokens, and hidden notes that only they can see. Built in Video and Voice Roll20 includes its own integrated WebRTC video and voice chat system, allowing groups to see and hear each other without needing to run third party software like Discord alongside their game window. Jumpgate Technology Introduced in 2024 and 2025, the "Jumpgate" update overhauled the core engine to provide a much smoother, high performance experience. It improved frame rates, reduced loading times, and modernized the interface to compete with newer, hardware accelerated platforms. Additional links roll20.net - Official Roll20 website and Virtual Tabletop marketplace.roll20.net - Official Roll20 Marketplace for assets and modules

Monster of the Week (MOTW) is an urban fantasy-horror tabletop role-playing game developed by Michael Sands. It was first published in 2012, and a revised edition was published by Evil Hat Productions in 2015. The entire theme of the game is heavily inspired by TV shows like Buffy, Supernatural, X-Files, Fringe and many others. The system it directly evolved from is Apocalypse World (2010) Description Players in the MOTW system take on the role of monster hunters. Capable of dealing with most creatures that might get in their way. Using skills to solve mysteries, track monsters and eventually defeat them.  System Overview & Key Features Powered by the Apocalypse Engine (2d6) Players roll two six-sided dice (2d6) when performing actions, adding relevant character modifiers to the result. Rolling a 10 or higher is considered a success. 7-9 is a partial success, which will also carry some added consequences. Getting a 6 or lower means failure - you have not succeeded in whatever you attempted and dire consequences are soon to follow. Basic and Playbook Moves Game mechanics are categorized into discrete actions called "Moves." Basic Moves are universally available to all characters and cover common actions such as "Investigate a Mystery," "Kick Some Ass," or "Act Under Pressure." Playbook Moves are exclusive, specialized abilities granted by a character's chosen Playbook, allowing them to manipulate the narrative or game mechanics in unique ways. Finite Luck Points Each character possesses a limited track of Luck points. A player may permanently expend a point of Luck to retroactively alter a dice roll to a 12 (a complete success) or to entirely negate a single instance of sustained damage. Luck is a resource the players have to keep an eye on. Using too much can get you out of trouble, but if you don't have it when you need it most - trouble awaits. Harm and Exploiting Weaknesses Physical trauma is tracked using a short monitor called "Harm." Player characters and adversaries possess low thresholds for sustaining Harm, making direct combat inherently dangerous. To successfully defeat a primary antagonist, players are mechanically required to investigate and utilize the creature's specific weakness, as standard physical attacks are often insufficient to achieve a permanent victory. The Mystery Countdown To structure a gameplay session, the Keeper utilizes a tool called the Countdown. This is a chronological timeline detailing the sequence of events that will occur if the player characters fail to intervene. The Countdown is divided into escalating phases, ending with a catastrophic event. It serves to govern the pacing of the investigation and provide a sense of urgency. Additional links evilhat.com - Official Evil Hat Productions website genericgames.co.nz - Official home of Michael Sands and the original game files