Essential Dungeon Master Tools for Your Next Game

Dungeon master tools make games easier to run, and more fun for you and your players. If you want a top-tier tabletop RPG experience, they’re vital. And who doesn’t want that top level gaming experience?


There are experiences in tabletop RPGs that are almost legendary. When people share their best stories, they either get really loud with excitement, or drop their voices to an almost-whisper, as if the thing is sacred.


Those are the kinds of experiences you want to have with your group. Whatever level of gaming you’ve been hitting so far, it’s time to take it to the next level.

A tabletop scene with character sheets, dice, a book, a pen, and a pouch, likely for a role-playing game.
A figure facing a towering structure with a beam of light. Purple and pink mountains and sky, water in the foreground.

Dungeon A Day

I am excited to share with you that the Eternity TTRPG site is now home to: Dungeon A Day.


Need some fresh ideas to use with your Eternity TTRPG game? Dungeon A Day works with any tabletop RPG system.


Check back each day for a brand new dungeon room. Over time, individual rooms add up, creating a massive, mega-dungeon.

Best Dungeon Master Tools

To make things very easy for you I’m including my top dungeon master tool picks right here, at the top of the article. The rest of the article gives more info on each, should you want to learn more.


1. World Anvil Online DM Tools

Add visuals to your game, and let tech do all the required organization and number crunching so you can stay focused on the story.


2. Battlemaps, Minis, and DnD Music

I tend to think of these three as one “category” of dungeon master tools. They add visual elements and ambience to help make the game feel real.


3. Fun but Optional Extra Dungeon Master Tools

If you already have a lot of your basic Dungeon Master Tools setup established, this section provides extra ideas for you to look into.


4. General TTRPG Tools

A Dungeon Master Tools list wouldn’t be complete unless it included general and miscellaneous items you’ll need for your favorite Tabletop RPG game night.


5. Story Beats Everything

No matter how many tools you have for your game, DMs who bring the best story to the table always beat every other DM – no competition. Here’s how.

Eternity TTRPG Top Sellers

World Anvil

See the World Anvil website.


Digital dungeon master tools are not for everyone. If you’re an old school gamer and you just don’t like phones and computers at your gaming table, skip to the next section. However, if you enjoy tech and you see the value in it, read on.


There are some really incredible tools coming out through tech that make story building much easier, and more engaging. These tools take the advantages inherent in video games (auto-tracking numbers, music, visuals, organization) and bring them to tabletop games.

Up until recently, I didn’t see much value in using phones or computers during gaming sessions. However, now that tools like World Anvil are available, I’ve changed my mind.


One of the most challenging parts of DMing a campaign is tracking everything. There is no perfect system for this, and putting everything online does not automatically remove this problem. However, World Anvil does have templates that organizationally make sense for a host of things you need to track in an expansive campaign, such as:


  • Timelines
  • Mythologies
  • Characters
  • Geography
  • Myths and Legends
  • Custom Spells
  • Traditions
  • Societies
  • Settlements
  • Unique Monsters
  • Maps


And so on. If you like to create a lot of custom elements in your RPG campaign, you know how many pages in a notebook it takes to track all these things.


Additionally, it can be difficult to remember where you have placed all your campaign notes. It can be easy to lose specific notes among your binder of notes. For instance, one day you might write about a unique magic item, with the next page being about something completely different. The point is that there are inherent difficulties to accurately tracking all notes unless it’s kept on a computer.


Having an online tracker definitely takes the frustrations out of indexing your various campaign elements, and creates easy reference. The World Anvil platform is also set up so that your players can view any of your notes on any topic to which you give them access.


I’ll also mention that exciting and high-quality visuals add to a campaign. I still think theater of the mind is the best “visual” in any tabletop game. But great artwork often helps me and my players get into that visual mode.


Also, I happen to be freakishly good at simple math (addition, subtraction, multiplication) and can solve basic equations like a calculator. However, many people aren’t like that. As such, our gaming group has benefited from the speed of online dice rolls and number calculations. It keeps us in the game rather than in the rules and adding dice. It keeps the gaming experience story-focused.


Big improvement. I definitely recommend.


Even if you don’t go with World Anvil, there are plenty of other online tools available.

Assorted dice scattered on a white cloth with a crystal ball and a book adorned with a glowing eye.

Epic World Builder

Similar in some ways to World Anvil, Epic World Builder  allows dungeon masters to track their campaign with a wide variety of resources. Though Epic World Builder is a newer platform, the team is hard at work adding new features, innovating the digital campaign planner genre, and otherwise making it easier and more fun than ever to make campaign worlds come to life.


Epic World Builder allows dungeon masters to not only upload maps to the platform, but you can even set "pins" in your maps. These pins are just like what you'd see on Google Maps, and make it very easy for you to track important details by location. When you or your players click on a pin, it'll bring up the info you want for them to see. You can even link that pin to that specific location's individual page, where even more details can be loaded in, along with a custom map for that location.


Imagine your party comes to a new city. They know they have to break into a dungeon buried deep underground, but they don't know where it is. Well, once they do the leg work and find out details, you can reveal the hidden "pin" for them. When they click on that page, they're taken to the underground dungeon's map, along with all of the information you have in store for them.


Bottom line is that Epic World Builder is intuitive for play, and makes tracking complex worlds and notes easier than any system I've ever seen. You can sign up for a free plan, or get their premium features beginning at $5/ mo. Along with all of the other great features the site provides (name generators, random dungeon map generators - which is worth its weight in gold - and more), I think the value for what you pay is absolutely insane.

Battlemaps, Minis, and DnD Music

  • Battlemaps: track movement, spell range, etc. Yarro Studios.
  • Custom Minis: create your own mini. For me, only HeroForge will do.
  • DnD Music: I haven’t yet found a great website for music. My own collection is a mix of many gaming and movie OSTs (original soundtracks).


Music, maps, and minis give people physical (or digital) context upon which to build mental images of the game. Music provides ambience and creates mood, while maps and minis give visual inspiration.


I personally love to use music, maps, and minis in my tabletop games because they increase the sense of realness in the game, and help players get into the flow of the gaming experience.


Player engagement is really everything when it comes to tabletop RPGs. If your players are in a “flow state” during your game, basically everything that you do as a DM at that point achieves gaming perfection. If you want to know how to make a game great, the real secret is verisimilitude and flow state.


So, this brings us back to music, maps, and minis. This category of visual elements and ambience makes games more real and more engaging. Simple.

A large game mat with a detailed fantasy map, a lantern, and white border pieces.

Battlemaps

Especially for tabletop RPGs that are very strategy and tactics focused, battlemaps that combine great artwork with a grid of some kind are priceless.


It doesn’t matter if you choose battlemaps that have square grids or hexagonal grids. Either work great. Most battlemaps on the market have 1-inch squares or the same size of hexagons, which are the same size as minis (more on those in the next large section, below).

Yarro Studios has battlemaps for sale in both a large book of maps, and in their “Infinidungeon” roll-out scrolls.


Their book of battlemaps has many pages of high-quality artwork. What I like best is that most pages are mostly unique from each other. I’ve noticed there are definitely some pages I use more often than others with my gaming group, as not all pages are super interesting, or have the same quality art to them. But, the number of what I would consider in the realm of “filler” pages is very minimal.

I also really like Yarro Studios’ Infinidungeon scrolls. These scrolls roll out across a table to reveal an ongoing dungeon. There are six total scrolls (including one that’s blank) each with their own artwork and dungeon design. I’m actually just about to use an Infinidungeon for the first time, in a mega-dungeon I’m putting together with my gaming group. What I love most is that the scroll provides its own “fog of war” for my group to work through, by nature of the scroll’s unravelling design.


The overall diversity of battlemap options and artwork from Yarro Studios is such that this purchase goes on my list of top buys for tabletop RPGs. It’s also top of my recommendations for overall best dungeon master tools. However, there are many online retailers that have excellent maps you can use.

Dungeon Tiles

If you haven’t heard of them yet, dungeon tiles are a great choice for a battlemap substitute. Dungeon tiles come in relatively smaller sections (compared to a full size battlemap) that you can move around and adjust. Tiles can be placed next to others in ways that allow for you to create unique and custom dungeons, as you see fit. They aren’t typically as dynamic or high quality when it comes to artwork, as battlemaps, but they make up for that in their ability to be moved around.


Dungeon tiles are becoming more popular, but to me, still fit within the strictly “dungeon” category of tabletop gaming. Even though there are dungeon tiles for the wildnerness, etc. I still prefer traditional artwork-based battlemaps for diverse scenarios. They’re a bit easier to setup and use, quickly.


As much as I love dungeons, my gaming group doesn’t go into dungeon delves more than once every 4-5 gaming sessions, I’d say. Which means that dungeon tiles and the Infinidungeon scrolls (mentioned above) don’t get a ton of use.


Items like these are still important dungeon master tools for your occasional dungeon delve needs. But unless you’re running a campaign that’s focused around lots of dungeons, you probably won’t be using dungeon tiles extremely often.


As such, I feel that a book of battlemaps is a more important choice for someone initially building up their list of dungeon master tools. Dungeon tiles can probably wait until a bit later, once you’ve already acquired all the basic items.

A character wearing a horned helmet, holding a staff with a crescent moon and a glowing energy in their hand.

Minis

Minis are admittedly more of a “group gaming tool” than a specifically dungeon master tool, so you may be wondering why I put them on this list. The reason is that specific minis for NPCs, villains, and boss fights are great ways to customize the campaign.


Before starting any new campaign, if I’m playing a character, I take a look at HeroForge.


If you aren’t familiary, HeroForge is a website that allows you to custom-create a mini of your choosing. The entire site is a 3D model of the character you’re building.

HeroForge has all kinds of races to choose from, sizes, weapons, armor, spell effects, familiars, and basically everything you could think of for making your character come to life. HeroForge has been a consistently worthwhile purchase for me because I love to make the most out of my campaigns. Buying a new custom mini is, to me, a special treat to commemorate the beginning of each new campaign.



I won’t lie, HeroForge costs more than any simple mini you’ll find at your local gaming store, or online at places like Amazon. It’s a great option if you’re willing to spend $30+, when you factor in shipping.


My personal favorite option is to get my mini printed in steel, so it’s extremely durable – also great for painting. I’ve never had any of my steel HeroForge minis break or become damaged in any way. That’s after about 3 years since purchasing my first custom mini from them, and probably hundreds of games.


I also use custom minis if I’m the DM for the group (which I often am). As I mentioned above, if I create plans for a major NPC or villain to appear somewhere in the campaign, I get a custom mini created of them. Nothing shows your players that a character is important like a specifically-purchased (or created) mini to represent them.

Text on a dark green background reads

DnD Music

Unfortunately, I have yet to find a website I really like that compiles all the kinds of music I really like for running a tabletop game. There are, however, numerous sites that do have good DnD music.


Since I don’t personally use any particular DnD music website though, I’ll simply give you a list of some of my favorite and most-used OSTs for providing ambience to a gaming session:


  • All Final Fantasy Games (Nobuo Uematsu is a genius)
  • Elder Scrolls – particularly Oblivion and Skyrim
  • Fable
  • Gunslinger Girl
  • Half Life
  • Inception
  • Kingdom Hearts
  • Majesty: the Fantasy Kingdom Sim
  • NieR
  • Princess Mononoke
  • Psycho-Pass
  • Seraph of the End
  • Sword Art Online
  • The Witcher
  • Terror in Resonance
  • World of Warcraft


Categorizing DnD Music

Video game soundtracks make for great DnD music. So do some movies. I also particularly like certain anime soundtracks in my games.

When I create my DnD music playlist, I also group songs into categories. Doing so allows me to quickly play songs that match the game’s mood. This way, I don’t have to pre-plan what songs I’ll use during the game:


  • Adventure
  • Town
  • Dungeon
  • Battle/ Boss Battle
  • The “Extras” Category: Game Intros/ Victory/ Defeat
  • Specific Campaign “Themes”


Adventure songs are for overland travel, or slightly neutral in-game events. Towns typically have a more positive or calming vibe. Dungeons are darker, mysterious, or even sinister. Battle songs are upbeat and intense. Boss battles are really intense, dramatic, and even bombastic.


I usually have a song playing (a game intro song) when everyone shows up to play the game. It’s also a good idea to have victory and defeat songs to emphasize fight and other encounter results.


Creating an OST for Your Game

If the adventuring group comes across an important area in the game, I usually make a note of whatever song I end up playing during that time. Then, that song gets “upgraded” to a campaign “theme.” Whenever the party travels back to that same area or comes across a situation reminiscent of the NPC/ villain/ events that took place with that song, originally – I play that same song again.


Song themes allow players to attach to your DnD music selection, and in effect create an OST specific to your game. When players hear the same campaign themes multiple times, they become drawn into the game more and more.


Sometimes it can also be great to have an entire soundtrack for your game, as opposed to piecing together whatever you can find. For a great all-around soundtrack, take a look at the Insignia: Tactics Soundtrack on Bandcamp.

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Fun but Entirely Optional Dungeon Master Tools

If you already have an established collection of dungeon master tools, you may consider some of the following choices as non-essential “extras.”


If you’re like me, and tabletop RPGs are a major passion of yours, these extras are perfect, and a lot of fun to purchase. Try them out for yourself, and see how they makes your games feel that little extra bit special.

DM Screen

This item is first on this list because the list is alphabetized. It’s not first because I think it’s the most important item. In fact, I’ve never actually seen anyone – any DM – use a DM screen.


Do I think they’re kind of weird? Yes. But they can also be useful. The idea is that DM screens keep some of the game’s most important rules within easy access for the DM.


I suppose they also give an air of mystery and intrigue to the game. Perhaps, even an aura of power to the person whom sits behind the DM screen. After all, who knows what happens behind that screen?


One thing I do like about DM screens is that gaming companies such as DnD have created custom screens for adventures and campaigns they’ve created, such as for the “Curse of Strahd” (vampire campaign).

Dungeon Décor

Not that kind of dungeon décor. Well… maybe it can double for two things.



What I really mean in this category is the general aesthetic upgrades you make to your gaming space. The ambience of lighting, wall art, gaming- and fantasy-related items, and even furniture. This is the “zen” of your gaming space.


For example, I now have two “lanterns” I set up at my gaming table. Once night hits, I put tealight candle into each, and the ambient orange light adds to the game’s fantasy feel.

I also recently bought dungeon décor wall stickers, which I’ll stick on my walls for an upcoming mega dungeon. This was actually my girlfriend’s idea, which is why it’s so good. I’m not personally the best at creating a “space” that feels right – if you’re the same, just trust my girlfriend and buy this.


There are also some dragon statues in my living room where we game, and I also really enjoy gemstones and crystals. They happen to fit well for the gaming room fantasy vibe I’ve created. If you’re into gemstones as well, I recommend a few as side pieces.


Finally, when we have extended gaming sessions (every few months or so), I decorate my living room with a few extra items to fit the occasion. In the past, I’ve done spiderwebs in corners and on walls for Halloween-themed adventures. Crock pots with mulled wine is a good choice for any kind of holiday game night.


Honestly, even providing pizza or snacks adds to the gaming environment. Whatever it takes, really, to make people feel more at home and more relaxed for the game, contributes to the game’s overall experience. 

Table Topper

As you can tell, I’m a big fan of creating the right feel for my gaming space. I think the way people feel when they come in to game makes a difference in the way a game plays out.


People work hard and deal with a lot of stress in the lives, so the game and gaming space needs to feel like something really relaxing and fun, or people won’t want to keep playing over a long campaign.


Table toppers are a neat idea, and fit in very closely with the idea of great world map and battlemap art. It’s basically just a top that you put on your table that turns the surface into a specifically-gaming surface. They come in mats and wooden toppers. Generic colored backgrounds, and art-filled backgrounds.


This extra touch helps put people into a “I’m playing a game now” vibe, and relax away from their day-to-day lives. It’s definitely helpful.

See Table Topper Pricing
Tabletop RPG setup: open books, dice, miniatures, lit carved candle holder. Dim lighting, indoor setting.

General TTRPG Tools

If you are a new DM, or new to the TTRPG genre (Tabletop RPGs), this section is for you.


I went back and forth a bit as to whether or not I should include this section, since it’s so basic. However, just in case there’s anyone new to tabletop gaming who reads the article, this section will help you. The foundation for all dungeon master tools is based in the following general TTRPG tools.

Core Rulebooks

You must have all the core rulebooks for your game in order to play it well. Period. If you're interested in playing a new tabletop game, take a look at the Eternity TTRPG shop page for my own independent game. If you're into DnD, take a look at the link below for the set of three books you'll need to get started, which are the:

  • Player's Handbook
  • Dungeon Master's Guide
  • Monster Manual
Ten colorful icosahedral dice scattered on white fabric next to a black pouch.

DnD Dice

If you’re playing DnD, you must have a full set of dice (d4, d6, d8, d10, d12, and d20 – you probably need multiples of each). Other games require less dice. In any case, any set will do when you’re starting out. There are also options for very amazing, eye-catching sets still within the reasonable price range, that will make you very happy each time it’s your turn to roll. For an in-depth guide, check out my post on Best D&D Dice.


I personally enjoy Dice Envy dice, but there are really a nearly unlimited number of great DnD dice providers.

Dice Envy Dice Pricing

Compartment Case

I have a carrying case like this, and it saves me tons of time when setting up each game. Also, if you’re the DM and you’re carrying around a lot of minis, dice, maps, and notes, you’ll want something like this. If you’re new, skip this and invest instead in all the things you’ll need to fill it. Once you’ve acquired enough cool stuff, a compartment case becomes a must-have for tabletop gaming.

Initiative Tracker

You don’t need this, but once you see it, you’ll want it. A visual initiative tracker display works much better than simply keeping track of initiative on paper. It also helps players know when their turn is coming up. If you play Eternity TTRPG, try out my online initiative tracker instead, as it does all the math for you. Simply have everyone use their phones when you play, and you’re all set.

Spell Cards

If you play DnD, these spell cards save a lot of time. Instead of keeping dozens of pages marked in your core rulebook for spell details, you can keep a handful of spell cards on-hand. No one likes wizards that stop combat for 5 minutes to look up and read specifics of spells – wizards don’t’ even like themselves for what they do. Save yourself and your gaming group a lot of headaches, and invest in these cards. Everyone will love you for it. 

Status Markers

This isn’t really worth me providing a link to, as it’s such a simple concept. Use some really low-quality poker chips, or draw status marks on notecards that you cut up to pieces 1-inch square, or so. When a player character or monster gets hit by a status effect, put these markers underneath their character to remind everyone of the effect and duration. Super helpful for in-depth combat situations.

As an additional resource for you, check out my Ultimate DnD Gifts Guide. The guide has almost 50 ideas for DnD related items to make your game better, or that make great presents for those who love DnD. You may find something that will make your game or gaming environment a step better than it is now. 

Story Beats Everything

This section could be first in the article. It is, ultimately, the only piece that matters when it comes to TTRPGs. At the end of the day, no matter what dungeon master tools you implement into your game, nothing is more important than a great story. If you've never tried a TTRPG with group game mastering (no single GM), you'll be amazed at the quality of stories that come up. For that, check out the Eternity TTRPG tabletop game.


The scope of this article is really about dungeon master tools, and not storytelling tools, so I’ll keep this section short. I just want to really impress upon you that story is what makes tabletop RPGs better. It’s not the dungeon master tools, themselves.

To help you tell better RPG stories, here’s a few links for you.


  • Check out these 20 DnD Quest Ideas that inspire you to be a better DM, and explore more areas of the fantasy genre than you probably ever have before.
  • A TPK in DnD doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Also, don’t be afraid to let player characters die. This TPK DnD article helps you navigate the tricky side of death in tabletop RPGs.
  • Need a random generator for names, places, plotlines, NPCs, and more? Tt helps to have extra ideas for RPGs on hand, for any adventure.


Remind yourself before creating any story or plotline that you and you group get out what you put in.

Also, remember that the story should first and foremost be about having fun. Ask yourself: what’s the most fun thing we could do on our next adventure? Then, do that. It’s that simple.

Man sits on a green railing, smiling. He wears a navy shirt, tan pants, and black shoes, with a dark wall behind him.

Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

Man sits on a green railing, smiling. He wears a navy shirt, tan pants, and black shoes, with a dark wall behind him.

Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

Man sits on a green railing, smiling. He wears a navy shirt, tan pants, and black shoes, with a dark wall behind him.

Jacob Tegtman

Dear reader, I hope you enjoyed my article. Tabletop gaming has been a passion of mine since I was 6 years old. I've played just about every game from Dungeons and Dragons to video games like Final Fantasy. These games have inspired me, made me laugh, made me cry, and brought me endless hours of enjoyment.


I started Eternity TTRPG - and the indie tabletop game that goes along with it (Eternity Shop) - to share my love of gaming with others. I believe that in our technology-driven age, tabletop games help bring a sense of magic and community back into our world.


If you love the site, please share it with others! I have lots of gaming-related material for you to peruse and use in your own gaming sessions. If you have any questions about the site or want to contribute, just send me a message using the "Contact" page, which you can find in the site's footer.

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The New Final Fantasy TTRPG Is Here — And It’s Incredible

By Jacob Tegtman • December 12, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GBbHsUFBR8 Transcription Visit the Final Fantasy Tabletop Roleplaying Legend Edition Website . Final Fantasy fans… it’s finally happening. A brand-new tabletop RPG built specifically to capture the tactical, job-swapping, limit-breaking chaos we love from the Final Fantasy series. But… for those of you who are familiar with Final Fantasy d20, and other predecessors to this Legend Edition, why make a whole new system when Final Fantasy Tabletop RPGs have already existed in the past? And what makes the Final Fantasy Legend Edition so special? Today, we’re diving in to the game that aims to become the definitive way to play in Ivalice—or any Final Fantasy world—at your table. Oh, and did I mention that this is a professionally-designed game book and PDF assets for every conceivable part of your game – and it’s all 100% free? That’s right, free. This is a passion project brought to you by Mildra the Monk and his amazing team that they’ve been working on for years. It’s absolutely incredible what they’ve put together, and you can get it for your table today – at no cost. Hey everyone, welcome back to ETTRPG—your home for tabletop news, deep dives, and world-building inspiration. If you love Final Fantasy, Tactics-style combat, or job systems with way too many builds to ever be able to properly enjoy it all, today’s video is for you. So, Final Fantasy TRPG: Legend Edition is a spiritual successor to the long-running Returners’ Final Fantasy RPG and its offshoots like Final Fantasy 4e and Omega Fantasy. But this isn’t just a rehash—this is a completely modernized, research-driven rebuild of the whole system. The devs, among them Mildra the Monk, who has been a big supporter of us at Eternity TTRPG for years, spent three years dissecting the games, the lore, the combat, and all the unique systems that Final Fantasy fans love. The result? An intermediate-complexity tabletop RPG laser-focused on recreating the true Final Fantasy experience – at the table—without any confusing crunch, or decade-old legacy rules. Ok, as I mentioned, there are other Final Fantasy tabletop systems already. But here’s what it boils down to for why it was worth it for Mildra and his team to create this new system. Number one: Simplicity None of the previous games fully capture the mythos of Final Fantasy while still giving players complete setting freedom . Where earlier systems often tied you to a specific world, tone, or era, Legend Edition was built around a single core design principle, which is: “Mythos over setting.” This means the rules capture the soul of Final Fantasy—Summons, Jobs, elemental affinities, cinematic abilities—but they don’t lock you to Ivalice, Gaia, Spira, or any one timeline. Using this game system, you can: Recreate your favorite Final Fantasy world. Mash up multiple games. Or build your own world entirely from scratch. This is FF energy, but not FF rails , that makes it such a big deal. So, moving on, What Makes Legend Edition Stand Out? The first piece is: Ridiculously Modular Character Building. In the future, I plan to do more videos on Final Fantasy Legend Edition. But let’s content ourselves today by summarizing – at least for this section – that there’s 50+ Jobs drawn from across the franchise. Included are fan favorites and long-time classics such as Dragoon, Black Mage, Thief, Time Mage, Gunbreaker, and dozens more. Using these 50+ Jobs, you do in fact have over 25,000 job combinations available to you, as a player. And these aren't “same-y” class splashes. The track-based advancement system makes each mix feel meaningful, distinct, and highly customizable. Oh—and there are 14 playable races taken from the Final Fantasy universe , each with their own unique ability. This is one of the most flexible JRPG-inspired character engines out there. The second big item that makes the Legend Edition Stand Out is Streamlined, Row-Based Combat, like your favorite Final Fantasy games from back in the day. Legend Edition offers an easy-to-learn row-based combat system that keeps the spirit of classic Final Fantasy battles while speeding everything up. You still get things like: Elemental affinities, Status effects, Skills with cinematic alt uses, And powerful Limit break moments. But, the math is way smoother than you’d expect. You won’t need a calculator, like if you took Final Fantasy I directly to your table. Next up is that the book provide you with Mythos-Driven Campaign Systems. Final Fantasy stories, across all games even back to the originals, are political. Big factions, world tension, and meaningful alliances are core to the franchise. Legend Edition builds this directly into play with: A Reputation & Affiliation system . You also have what’s called “The Holdings system” to build your very own base. The game comes with expanded NPC creation rules, and a robust Skill Game system for non-combat set pieces. This is the stuff that makes your campaign feel like a Final Fantasy game, not just another “game like D&D,” but with a “Final Fantasy” sticker slapped on their for flavor. As if all of the core game’s features are not enough, The Expansion Books Are pretty Wild. The Ultimania Expansion adds: 28 new races , 4 new jobs , 300+ sample items , Airship & Mecha creation systems , plus More Skill Games and Affiliations. Meanwhile, the Enemy Intel Field Guide brings you 200 full NPC stat blocks , a Fully detailed bestiary, and Drop-in encounter prep tools. Basically, everything you need as a Dungeon Master to prep your game with maximum Final Fantasy feel, and minimal effort. Additionally, if you want to run FF Tactics, FFIX, FFX, or even a fully original world—these books give you all the toys for each of those specific settings. Wrapping it all up, Legend Edition emulates the cinematic spirit of Final Fantasy with its Big narrative beats, Cutscene-worthy skill moments, Dramatic faction politics, Summons that feel truly mythic, and Job classes that are meaningful extensions of character identity. If you’ve ever said “I wish Final Fantasy had a premier tabletop version,” this is the game you need to try out at your table, next. So, if you’ve made it this far, I think you and I both know it’s time for you to download your free copy of Final Fantasy Legends Edition. I’ve got that link in the video description below. But I want to hear from you: what do you think? Does Legend Edition finally deliver that top-quality Final Fantasy tabletop experience we’ve all been waiting for? And if so, what will be the first Job class you’ll try out? Let me know in the comments. Hit like, subscribe, and share this video with your party. Let’s get Mildra and his team the recognition on this masterpiece that they truly deserve. Until next time—may your crits be big, and your summons be even bigger.
Undead figures in a city at night, with one playing a stringed instrument under a large, crescent moon.

Relicborn — The Blue-Boned Swashbuckling Undead of Crooked Moon

By Jacob Tegtman • December 6, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwDiy7u-wUo Transcription In Kalero, the canyon walls sing.  Not literally — but if you listen closely, as the desert wind slips through the stone crypts and carved tombs, you’ll hear something. A rhythm. A pulse. A beat. And when the Crooked Moon dips behind the cliffs, figures begin to emerge — their bones glowing with blue light, their skulls crowned with curls or braids, their steps half-dance, half-swagger. These are the Relicborn — the living memories of Kalero. Dressed in vibrant fabrics, lacquered patterns, and sometimes… a flashy swashbuckler’s cape or rapier at their side. Today on Eternity TTRPG, we’re diving into one of the most joyful, most soulful, and most stylish ancestries in all of Druskenvald. Crooked Moon continues to be one of my favorite adventure supplements of all time, and you can pick it up on D&D Beyond. Whether you’re a player wanting a character with flair, you’re a DM craving new cultural flavor for your campaign, or you’re just a lore-nerd who loves stylish undead — this one’s for you. The Relicborn are a species native to Kalero, a province lined with towering canyon walls carved into catacombs and mausoleums. But despite being born from tombs, they are anything but gloomy. These are living skeletons , decorated with any number of colors, hand-painted motifs, and glowing patterns. Their bones are encased in a translucent magical substance that gives them full humanoid shape. And if your Relicborn wants big curly swashbuckler hair? Yes. They can actually grow it from their skulls. Where they come from is unique: they’re formed in the crypts of Kalero, rising from ancestral memory and celebratory magic rather than necromancy. Theirs is not a culture of undeath — it’s a culture of joy , reflection , and honoring the past through celebration. Every Relicborn is essentially a walking festival — a living memory kept alive through music, dance, and stories. Relicborn society is built on a delicate balance: the energy of a vibrant celebration and the quiet reflection of ancestral remembrance. Imagine communities built along canyons, with lantern-lit walkways leading into ancient tomb-shrines. Families gather at night to play music, tell stories, and dance under blue and purple moonlight — while their ancestors' spirits look on. Their festivals can last days. Their moments of silence last just as long. They thrive in community — in the stories of who came before, and who they themselves will become. Relicborn live roughly 250 years , and when their time ends… they simply collapse gracefully into a pile of bones, returning to the crypts that first birthed them. All of the fun roleplaying stuff aside, let’s break down how their mechanics reflect their culture, starting with the most signature ability: Dance of Death As a bonus action, you make a DC 15 Charisma Performance or Instrument check. If you succeed, your next attack roll this turn has advantage . If you succeed by 5 or more? You roll one of your Hit Dice (without spending it!) and gain temporary hit points . This is perfect for swashbucklers, bards, rogues — anyone who wants to flavor combat like a deadly dance. Next, they have: Eternal Party Relicborn don’t sleep. Instead, they complete a long rest in four hours so long as they spend it in revelry — music, storytelling, gentle dancing, or shared celebrations. Imagine your party taking a rest and your Relicborn swashbuckler quietly jamming with a bone flute while keeping watch. This one’s pretty good: Moment of Remembrance When a creature you see within 30 feet fails a d20 test, you can use your reaction to add 1d4 to their roll. Once you turn a failure into a success, you can’t use it again until a rest. Relicborn are bursting with character potential. They have Incredible aesthetics. From glowing bones to swashbuckler outfits — you can lean into a Day-of-the-Dead style undead, a pirate, a festival style, or something Gothic. If you were to play a Relicborn… What would your glowing bones look like when you’re afraid, happy, or angry? And when your long life ends — what do you hope those you care about remember about you? Drop your ideas in the comments. And if you enjoyed this deep dive into the Relicborn, hit like, subscribe, ring the bell, and join me next time as we explore another Crooked Moon ancestry. Until then — Keep the music playing. Keep the celebrations bright. And may every memory lead you to your next dance.
Dark illustration of a crooked, spooky house under a full moon. Title

Fateweaving in The Crooked Moon — Personalizing Story

By Jacob Tegtman • December 2, 2025
Transcribed content from our recent YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kl3c6djcgbo Transcription Imagine your character in a folk-horror saga — not just another adventurer, but someone with a personal fate, a hidden thread that drags them deeper into shadows and tragedy… or redemption. That’s exactly what Fateweaving brings to Druskenvald in The Crooked Moon. The Crooked Moon isn’t just another D&D book. It’s a 600-plus-page folk-horror campaign that plops players into a sun-starved realm of nightmares, rituals, and haunted rails. Welcome back to Eternity TTRPG, your home for deep-dive D&D news breakdowns, world-building insights, and tools to level up your tabletop storytelling. Whether you’re a forever-DM, a lore-monster, or someone who appreciates a well-crafted adventure, we tackle the big ideas behind the games you love. And today, as with many videos I’ve created over the past several months, The Crooked Moon gives us plenty to sink our teeth into. What sets Crooked Moon’s System apart from the standard “roll dice, then fight monsters” is the optional system called Fateweaving — a way to bind each character’s past, motivations, and desires directly into the core of the campaign. Fateweaving gives each character a Thread of Fate — one of 13 possible personal arcs. At character creation (or early on), each player picks a Thread that defines a personal goal: lost memories, cursed lineage, spiritual duty, monstrous ambition — you name it. Then, throughout the campaign’s story, the GM weaves in six Narrative Touchpoints specific to that Thread. These form a full character arc , culminating in a personal climax and catharsis that runs parallel to the main story – they’re something much greater than just “side quests.” The first touchpoint, Incitement , ties a character’s personal quest to the campaign’s opening (often aboard the spectral Ghostlight Express or within the Crooked House). As the story progresses, the character meets allies or NPCs connected to their fate, uncovers secrets, faces a personal trial, then pushes through to their own climax — all while the main horror unfolds. In the end, during the epilogue, each character receives Catharsis — the emotional and narrative payoff for their arc. This means every player is actively living their own horror-tale inside the larger one of your full campaign. You might ask: why bother with all this Fate Weaving stuff? It does add potential complexity to your campaign, after all. So why not just run a normal campaign? It’s because Fateweaving transforms The Crooked Moon – or, any campaign you’re running –into a deeply personal story, for the players. It gives each character agency and meaning — their choices and their backstories matter. It increases emotional engagement for players : horror, hope, tragedy — when stakes are personal, every failure and every success resonates. It helps GMs balance player spotlight : with distinct Threads, you can weave in scenes tailored to each player without derailing the main plot. For players who love roleplay and character development — this is the sweet spot. Let’s pick an example Fateweaving Thread — say the Thread of Deliverance – and run through it really quick, just to give you an idea for how this works. The character begins lost, ejected from the spectral train, given only a broken compass. (this is the “Incitement” step) Later, at a trading post, a shady merchant hints he knows of strange artifacts. (this then, is the “Connection” step) On a creepy riverboat, the character recovers the first piece of a broken family heirloom. (with the “Discovery” step) In a haunted cemetery sanctuary, they wrestle the second piece from a statue’s grasp. (the “Confrontation” step) After the final boss — the Crooked Queen — they reclaim the last piece, reforge the heirloom, and choose either to become a ferryman of souls… or walk away free. (culminating in the “Climax + Catharsis” step) Suddenly, your campaign isn’t just “we stopped the big bad.” It’s the players’ story. Their redemption. Their choices. And in this case – even their soul. If you want to try out Crooked Moon’s Fateweaving system, here’s some very easy ways to get started: L et your players pick Threads early in the campaign – or, if you’re already running one, let them pick at your next session – then collaborate to weave their backstories into the world you’re running. Keep the Touchpoints flexible: treat them as narrative prompts — adapt to what your players do rather than forcing them. Be generous with spotlight time: Fateweaving only works if each character actually plays their arc, and gets to express their character through each important moment. Use Touchpoint rewards to drive engagement: use boons, stat bonuses, and narrative closure — they reinforce the importance of the arc. Don’t be afraid to deviate: mix endings, merge threads, or create custom ones — Crooked Moon’s Fateweaving system is meant as building blocks for you, not a cage you have to live in. If you run your next horror campaign in Druskenvald — or any other world where Crooked Moon’s spooky setting fits — consider using Fateweaving. It’s not just good for story… it’s the kind of DM fuel that turns players into protagonists, and campaigns into personal sagas . That’s it for today! If you enjoyed this breakdown, don’t forget to hit like, subscribe, and ring the bell for more RPG-craft content. And hey — maybe share in the comments which Threads of Fate you’d gravitate toward first. Thanks for watching.
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