Pen and Paper DnD + PC

Everything else
1

I run a DnD game once a week with friends, and I recently picked up another computer to serve as the DM’s at-the-table computer. Now I’m trying to figure out the best ways to use it for enhancing a pen and paper DnD game.

My thoughts so far:

  1. Use notepad or something similar to jot quick notes, keep track of monsters and their stats, etc.

  2. Use web browser to quickly access online game supplements.

  3. Play sound effects or music files to add atmosphere, though I’m not sure where I can get decent sfx or music files for this purpose.

I figured the smart folks on this board might have a few additional ideas and suggestions, or possibly even some experience in doing something similar. Any thoughts or suggestions are welcome.

2

When I was a DM, I found that a PC often just got in the way. I did however use a Pocket PC to keep track of monster stats and (most importantly) roll dice. I didn’t always want players to know that I was rolling for monster encounters, saving throws, skill checks etc. and real dice is be pretty difficult to conceal :)

But I did use a PC extensively when I prepareed DnD sessions. The most valuable programs to me were:[ul][li]PCGen http://pcgen.sourceforge.net/ to generate detailed characters.
[/li][li]NPC Generator http://www.aarg.net/~minam/npc.cgi to generate cannon fodder characters.
[/li][li]Treasure Generator http://www.aarg.net/~minam/treasure2.cgi
[/li][li]Dungeon Crafter http://www.dungeoncrafter.com/ to draw maps.
[/li][/ul]

3

I used to like to just roll a lot of dice randomly to mess with the players heads. “So you open the door?” <roll 10 dice > <pause> < scribble some jibberish on a piece of paper > Then start describing the next room. :)

– Xaroc

4

I used to like to just roll a lot of dice randomly to mess with the players heads. “So you open the door?” <roll 10 dice > <pause> < scribble some jibberish on a piece of paper > Then start describing the next room

LoL! Good one! I really enjoy doing similar things. Sometimes players pay more attention to dice rolls than what the DM describes. My personal 2 favorites are, “You Enter The Shop. You see the shopkeeper and his wares. Roll Initiative” and “Spot roll for everyone in the dragons mouth”. The first will sometimes spark a fight with an innocent NPC because the players assume ambush. The second is amusing because my players have a pavlovian response to the phrase “Spot roll” and dice will be rolling before I get as far as saying “dragons mouth”.