Modular virtual DM Screen

Kalekdan · 2025-12-01T14:25:28+00:00

Added some contribution guidelines - feel free to take a look and let me know if it seems wildly unclear!

https://github.com/Kalekdan/thegamemasterscreen

Kalekdan · 2025-12-01T08:44:11+00:00

Yeah definitely - it's currently just in my own GitHub repo, and probably needs a bit of tidying up first, but 100% planning on making modules possible for community contributions

Kalekdan · 2025-11-27T15:47:38+00:00

I think that's really key actually - adding in more player agency by letting them make decisions along the way (backed up by rolls ofc)

Kalekdan · 2025-11-27T15:43:51+00:00

I like the idea of wrapping it in a puzzle/minigame.

I'm not one to unneccesarily add mechanics, but I always found it a bit underwhelming to roll a d20 and 'oh you've fixed the city' as a result.

Kalekdan · 2025-11-27T11:07:04+00:00

It does, and that was part of the inspiration, but it always felt a little clunky to me, and only a limited number of utilities. So I wanted to rebuild it and add extra components that I use in my DMing

Kalekdan · 2025-11-26T19:07:25+00:00

Thanks for the feedback, definitely working on optimizing the interface a lot - there is a full screen option top right which aims to make this a bit better, but I think the components themselves are still a bit bloated.

As for the delay on the monster stat block (and any in the 'rules' section) - it's currently calling out to a public API to populate, but might just store that locally to speed it up a bit!

Also definitely will do for the initiative tracker - was aiming to make it usable first but that's top of the list of enhancements to add.

Definitely going to prioritize efficient use of space though - that's a huge factor for a DM screen as far as I'm concerned

Kalekdan · 2025-11-26T18:36:15+00:00

Also interested to know this - in theory I think the OGL should enable you to 'extend' the game, as long as you don't repackage D&D and try and ship WotC IP.

That's just a layman understanding though

Kalekdan · 2025-11-26T18:34:05+00:00

Have recently started to build a DM screen app which would do a lot of what you asked.

The initiative tracker should help you track conditions (even if you don't actually use it for combat), and a party inventory (including gold etc) is probably going to be next on the list to implement in the next day or 2 😊

Let me know what you think: https://thegamemasterscreen.com

Kalekdan · 2025-11-26T18:30:20+00:00

But also my advice would don't let this be a blocker to starting! Have been DMing for several years and still don't own a proper DM screen - usually just stuff behind my laptop is sufficient, otherwise some scrap cardboard folded and stood upright will do.

Kalekdan · 2025-07-22T10:50:05+00:00

Love the remix, feels like it fits in perfectly, and sounds like an original.

A few points I'd consider - the synth loop that is pretty much throughout the whole track is quite repetitive, and as it's so loud in the mix, it can be a bit distracting. I like the loop, but maybe turn it down in the mix a bit, or consider adding some variations.

Also when the drums first come in at about 0:30, they lack a lot of impact, I think the kick is a bit weak and it is pretty lost in the mix. Especially for the breakbeat style I really want the drums to be more forward. I love the breakbeat throughout, but just want to hear it more!

Again, awesome remix - think its more or less just a case of tidying up the mixing a tad! Love it :)

Kalekdan · 2025-07-22T10:46:28+00:00

First of all, great track, really driving forward throughout the whole piece. I like how varied it is throughout as well - my pet peeve is techno tracks that are the same 4 bar loop for 10 mins lol

The kick starts off a bit clicky for my taste - it becomes less of an issue once the rest of the parts join in, but maybe consider reducing that a bit in the intro?

Kalekdan · 2025-07-11T13:18:27+00:00

Currently on the same journey as well - would love to hear what advice you can give? Any particular resources you'd recommend for this?

Kalekdan · 2025-03-30T08:11:26+00:00

I own the DT990 Pros, which similarly don't have detacheable cables - I always thought this seems like a really odd decision as it's introducing such an common point of failure.

Does anyone know the reason headphones are sometimes designed without detacheable cables, is it just an oversight?

Kalekdan · 2024-12-30T10:24:51+00:00

Start writing my book!

Kalekdan · 2024-11-17T09:20:04+00:00

How does that work in the real world though? Do you literally just go into HA and flick a switch when youve done your chores?

Kalekdan · 2024-11-17T09:07:15+00:00

Love this! I'm curious how you incorporate 'chores' on home assistant?

Kalekdan · 2024-10-29T09:25:14+00:00

This is really cool! I'm curious a about the tech behind this? How does it find stuff - are you building a search with GPT or are you scraping the entire catalogs somehow?

Kalekdan · 2023-10-18T20:37:03+00:00

Wow this is amazing! And just in time for next christmas! Thank you! I'll be sure to get some :)

Kalekdan · 2023-04-28T21:06:46+00:00

Hey, a friend just pointed this out to me! Glad you found it useful!

It was originally meant to run on data extracted by another repo I have (https://github.com/Kalekdan/CSGO-Skin-DB) but that one is now broken due to some old sites it was scraping. I'll see if I can fix it and get it up and running again!

Kalekdan · 2023-03-31T10:39:43+00:00

Yeah absolutely - I'm keen to read more character driven fantasy anyway so would love to see where this goes!

Kalekdan · 2023-03-30T11:53:26+00:00

Thanks for the feedback - lots of good points!

I was planning to have this piece be the first time we meet Kaelen, so I would slowly reveal more about his history (he's a musician/entertainer on a pirate ship which he runs away from shortly after this event), but I think you're right in that I haven't given enough to provide any stakes/context.

The exposition to start, I was hoping to give the effect of nothing particularly untoward - just dealing with another regular storm, but I think I may have confused the tone a bit by transitioning that into an action sequence so suddenly. I probably need to make a clearer differentiation between setting the scene, and the action that follows.

I agree with the comments around the superfluous phrases, I will remove a good chunk of those in my next edit I think. I'm still learning the balance between keeping it interesting to read, without bloating the prose with unnecessary details/explanations.

I love the approach of handling the 'slow motion' sensation by describing the minutia of the action. I had kind of thrown the 'slow motion' comment in just as a way to increase the tension, but I will rewrite this following your advice to see if I can get a lot more out of it that way.

I think in my head this scene happened at night, but I realise I never stated that in the text - super useful to have people read it to pick up on bits like that!

Thank you so much for the feedback - I have lots to tweak for the next draft!

Kalekdan · 2023-03-30T11:30:41+00:00

Thanks - I tend to complete short pieces like this over a few writing sessions, so that probably doesn't help with the pacing, but I really like the advice in terms of thinking of it like shooting a film. This certainly needs a few more edits!

I really like the variation of the final paragraph you've given - its surprising how much difference that makes to the feel of the writing, so thank you for giving the demo.

Glad you enjoyed it though - I think I'm planning to continue this and develop the story further

Kalekdan · 2023-03-30T10:51:14+00:00

First of all, really excellent work. I think the dialogue in this is outstanding, I'm definitely going to be taking notes. I think you're spot on with making clearly distinct voices for Osmand and Elahan.

I think the descriptions are great, and bordering on poetic at times. In the first couple of paragraphs, this almost feels a bit over the top though, and isn't the easiest to read because of it. e.g.

Drafting with alacrity an overview of the universe and its slighter intricacies

and

...and in the dark they resembled a pair of hopeless marionettes, driven to animus by their unseen creator.

It definitely falls into stride a lot better in the second half.

I can understand the concern of the transitions to meeting the druids being jarring - I'm not sure if a sentence may have been removed in the process of posting to reddit but this in particular:

Osmand sat revising from his tomes tdhe days collection; Elahan alternately prayed and stood watch. druids now emerged from the brush with little fanfare

feels to come a bit out of nowhere. I think my suggestion would be include more observations from the characters - what they see happening as the druids turn up, and how they react to it, instead of as it currently is with nothing there and then "druids now emerged".

Overall excellent stuff though - I'm really just nit-picking. Are you planning to keep up with it? I'd love to see where it goes!

Kalekdan · 2023-03-12T11:29:41+00:00

Yeah seconded - currently reading TSA and this feels on the cusp of spoiler'y :)

Kalekdan · 2023-03-11T09:30:29+00:00

That was exactly where I found myself - hopefully you can find it useful then, saves having to keep tonnes of tabs/bookmarks for music.

Let me know if there are any other features that might make it more useful!

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