DM Timothy

Power Word Spill is a popular content creator and platform dedicated to leveling up Tabletop Role-Playing Games, specifically Dungeons & Dragons. The creator, Kelly, provides a variety of resources including YouTube tutorials, physical props, digital tools, and merchandise designed to make DMing and playing more immersive Links youtube.com  - Youtube channel patreon.com  - Patreon page We Like D&D - Podcast

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

D&D 5.5E (officially the 2024 core rules revision) is the modernized, updated evolution of the immensely popular Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (2014). The new and updated version of the system was released to coincide with the game’s 50th anniversary. Rather than replacing 5th Edition with a completely new "6th Edition," 5.5E refines and expands upon the existing 5E framework and most of the already existing mechanics. It is maintaining backwards compatibility with the  adventure and source books from 5th Edition. Description D&D 5.5E is the continuation of the iconic d20-based heroic fantasy roleplaying game. Players take on the roles of daring adventurers and the Dungeon Master (DM) describes the world, the events, controls the monsters and non-player characters, and referees the rules. The 5.5E revision was driven heavily by years of player feedback and data on how tables actually run the game. As a result, the new core rulebooks, the Player’s Handbook (September 2024), Dungeon Master’s Guide (November 2024), and Monster Manual (February 2025) are better organized, have clarified language and wording, and try to bring a stronger balance between spellcasting and martial classes. It plays exactly like the 5th Edition, but with tighter mechanics, fewer confusing edge-cases, and more tactical options for the players to have a more unique approach and feel to their characters. System Overview & Key Features Weapon Masteries This is a massive change to how martial classes are played in combat. Weapons now have specific "Mastery" properties, such as Cleave, Graze, or Push. This allows the characters to apply tactical, battlefield-controlling effects on their strikes rather than only rolling for standard damage on their turns. Subclass Standardization All character classes now choose their defining subclass at Level 3. This standardizes character progression and prevents the narrative weirdness of a Level 1 character instantly unlocking ultimate magical bloodlines before they've even adventured. Streamlined Conditions & Mechanics Historically clunky rules have been completely overhauled. For example: Surprise Instead of enemies randomly losing their first turn, surprised combatants simply roll their Initiative with Disadvantage. Exhaustion Replaced with a much simpler, cumulative 1-to-10 scale where each level of exhaustion simply subtracts from your d20 rolls and reduces your movement speed. Hiding Normalized so that successfully hiding essentially grants the "Invisible" condition, removing ambiguity for the DM. The Bastion System Introduced in the new Dungeon Master's Guide, this is an official customizable base-building system. It allows players to construct and manage their own strongholds. From arcane observatories to gambling dens. Apex Monsters & Upgraded Threats The 2025 Monster Manual expanded the roster to over 500 creatures, redesigning legacy stat blocks to be more dynamic in combat. It also introduced "Apex Monsters". These are a higher Challenge Rating versions of classic monsters (like an Apex Hag) designed to serve as more challenging bosses or enemies adding more danger and flavor to the basic version of the creature. Backwards Compatibility The core promise of 5.5E has been that you can still run older 5E adventure modules or campaign settings, even while adapting and using the newer ruleset and systems. If a table wants to bring a 2014 character class into a 5.5E game, the rules are there to accommodate, though it is highly encouraged to transition older characters to the updated 2024 mechanics, as the new systems bring  horizontal expansions to various classes and abilities. Additional links D&D Beyond Basic Rules - Free basic ruleset for the 5.5E D&D