D&D Basics (Getting started)

The Absolute Basics

First you will want to grab either the Basic rules (Free), the Starter Set (Cheap), or the Players handbook, Dungeon Masters Guide, and Probably Monster Manual

Then you need to have at least a few items

• Dice (Phone apps will work if absolutely necessary, or these)
  
• Paper & Pencil (for notes)
  
• Character Sheet (In the free PDF or an app)
  
  The starter set is nice because it does a bunch of the work for you, it has an easy to follow adventure, pre-made characters, Dice, and rules for the DM and players. And at half the cost of just the players handbook AND including an adventure, it is an incredible value.
  
  Once you finish that then looking at at least a players handbook for the extra races, classes, backgrounds, and other things is a good deal. That should let you run free adventures people have put online.
  
  The DM's guide will let you get deeper into rules and the right way to call them, break them, and make them.
  
  The monster manual can be a great tool to make better encounters.
  
  If you want to run a commercial adventure after the one's included in the starter set, "Tales from the Yawning Portal" includes the Sunless Citidel, considered by many to be an excellent adventure for those new to the game and just recently brought up from 3.5e into 5e
  
  

  Common Tools of the Trade
  

  
  As you start running more complex adventures you are going to want to have a few tools to keep things moving, either as a player or as a DM.
  
  

  As a Player
  

  
  The bare essentials every players should have are listed above, but most players agree having a few extras can make the game run really quick.
  
  

  Spell Cards
  

  
  These cards have all the spells available for specific classes or from specific books on really well organized cards that make it easy to set aside your prepared spells and quickly reference all the core details.
  
  Cleric, Arcane, Ranger, Druid, Bard, Paladin, Martial Powers and Races, Xanathars Guide to Everything
  
  

  Binders & Sheet Protectors
  

  
  Keeping everything neat and organized can be a huge time saver and make it much easier for you to find what you need. Binders can be a great way to keep your notes and other materials organized. In addition many sheet protectors easily erase dry erase markers making it easy to keep track of spells and other changes without ruining character sheets with constant erasing.
  
  

  As a DM
  

  
  DMs have their work cut out for them. But a few simple tools can make the game run smooth and leave everyone having that much more fun.
  
  

  Index Cards
  

  
  A set of index cards can go a long way to speeding up the game. Players can put details on spells or magic items on them. You can prepare loot for the game ahead of time and hand it out allowing players to look over the gear as the game continues. You can also use them to hide portions of a battle map or commerical map to give the effect of fog of war.
  
  

  Game Mats
  

  
  A game mat let's you make single maps by drawing on them with dry erase or wet erase markers. Many are made of vinyl and can last a long time. Normally they will have either 1" squares or hex shapes.
  
  

  Minitures
  

  
  These things can be expensive, but giving your game that 3D upgrade and helping players better manage space in a game can be well worth it. You can use actual miniatures (Like those from Reaper), Create custom ones on Hero's Forge, or even just buy some cheap stand in tokens from Game Mash.
  
  If you just need a cheap way to keep track of positions army men, bottle caps, colored game pieces, and even legos can all play the role.
  
  No matter what you use, you can pick up colored rubber bands to mark status conditions or other information.
  
  

  Where Can I Play?
  

  
  You can find tons of places to play D&D.
  
  

• Get together a gaming group.
  
• Find a Guild or club in your area. Meetup.com,
  
• Most hobby shops and especially comic book and gaming shops offer games, usually Adventure League. WotC offers a tool to find stores here.
  
• /r/lfg can be a great way to find others to play online with.
  
• Play by Mail sites like RPoL allow you to play by forum post.
  
  

  Also:
  

  
  Critical Role - Voice actors playing DnD, Matt Mercer (The DM) is an amazing Dungeon Master and shows how the game should be played.
  
  Matthew Colville - Amazing videos on being a DM, must watch material for every DM. Even when your opinions differ he gives good reasons and great advice.
  
  

  Compendiums
  

  
  These let you ciew all the free open rules (SRD & Basic Rules) for D&D 5e at no cost.
  
  Roll20 Compendium - Has all the open rules for the game, so a good source for monsters, items, spells, etc.
  
  DnDBeyond - A more official source for the content, plus you can buy all the materials released by WotC to use, and has a great character builder.
  
  

  Adventures & Maps
  

  
  DMsGuild - Tons of free and paid adventures and other materials. The quality can be varying, but many are free and that can be great.
  
  /r/dndmaps/ - What more can they say, D&D Maps.
  
  Mike Schley Makes many of the maps for the D&D Adventures.

Actually, I have an idea, not sure if this is the one you're thinking, but I really like the Kokuyo Systemic Notebook! https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=kokuyo+systemic

I have it in the A5, and if you have a Cousin Avec, I believe you can have it in there along with Kokuyo's Smart Ring notebook (https://www.amazon.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Smart-Ring-Binder/dp/B00BLYJ8LQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1536011201&sr=8-1&keywords=kokuyo+smart+ring+a5) I'm not sure if it can fit the non avec version though. My current system has an A5 sized Rhodia dot pad on one side, a Smart Ring notebook on the other, AND, there's still room for one more notebook in the back (which is where I plan on putting my Cousin Avec when I get my paws on one!!).

The Smart Ring notebook is really cool. It's a binder system that's really easy to open and close and you can buy the refills and print on them if you like. I think that hit all the points you were asking for? I know I sound like a Kokuyo salesperson, but I just really love the system is all XD Oh, and guess what? They even have an A6 size ;) (for the cover, but I don't think for the Smart Ring notebook though).

If you have any questions, feel free to ask!

Thanks dude! And, yeah that's an awesome design, I think it'd make a cool deck too.

I'll let you in on a secret that took me forever to figure out: the best way to make masking / stencils is to get yourself some transparency sheets, like the kind used for overhead projectors in school, and then take a marker and draw what you want to spray through (best way to make stencils). Then take a 'wood burning kit' (which is just a low-heat soldering gun pretty much) and use it to "trace" your lines on the transparancy sheet, do it light and quick and it'll cut the parts out that you want - afterwards you'll be left with a mask or stencil that's much stronger than paper, easy to clean, and the wood engraver allows you to make more detailed and smoother cuts than if you were masking with tape, or cutting out of cardboard or card stock.

When you finish your painting, you'll want to give it a light coat of clear spray finish, and when that dries hit it with a coact of actual clear coat - I use minwax - that''s 'satin' (which is their way of saying 'matte') listed there but I prefer mine to be gloss. It's important that you hit it with the spray finish first, because it'll seal the paint, and the minwax may cause it to run if you don't. I use a lot of markers in my paintings and minwax will absolutely make them bleed and run if I don't seal them first.

You also want to seal it because the acrylic will easily chip off the deck

Like I said, also be aware that painting on a deck is A LOT different than painting on canvas, the deck will cause the acrylic to paint much faster than canvas so you lose that 'wet period' you normally have to blend paint.

Good luck, post a picture when you finish it! And feel free to drop me a line if you have any other questions.

I've got a cheap sheffield and a cheap Winchester multitool, and a nice but very old Leatherman that doesn't open properly because I tried to cut wire that was WAY too thick with it and warped the cutters.

Now that I've got a new flashlight on my belt, I'm considering adding another multi tool. Not much room left in my pockets. Most days I could add a small multitool with the Burts Bees and leave the lighter home, but some days my phone has to join that pocket depending on the pants, or maybe a disc golf mini marker if I'm out playing.

So I'm pretty sure I want a leatherman, but 1) I don't know what my best value tool is (I wanted the Wave about 5 or 6 years ago and never bought it) and 2) I'm a little disappointed they don't come with a leather pouch any more. Wal-Mart has them locked up and in a clamshell so I can't really get them out to play with them.

What do you recommend, /r/EDC?


Here's the rest of my EDC:

Wallet - Dyno Mighty - Mighty Wallet - Wealth of Knowledge

Knife - Byrd Cara Cara 2

Flashlight (On Belt) - Nitecore P12 - 2015 Version

Pistol - Kahr CW9

IWB Holster (not pictured) - Comp-Tac Infidel

Spare Mag Pouch for Pocket - Desantis Mag-Packer

Phone / Camera - HTC One M8

The most important thing you can do is to set yourself up an environment conducive to working, where the chance of becoming distracted is as low as possible. Make it comfortable and enjoyable so that entering that environment doesn't feel punishing. Bring yourself some drinks and snacks so that you don't end up with excuses to get up and wander around, and good headphones for listening to motivating music (and drowning out environmental distractions). Wear comfortable clothes. Make sure to have plenty of pens or pencils (with plenty of lead and erasers) and a good notebook for scratchwork (even we professionals tend to work a lot of stuff out on paper). Finally, and probably most importantly, go in with some kind of plan so you don't just end up dicking around on reddit.

Sidenote: As a software engineer, I highly recommend:

• the Five Star Flex binder
  
  • the covers are durable, somewhat flexible plastic
    
  • the edge is bound with some tough synthetic cloth like nylon
    
  • the rings are durable, flexible rubber that won't eat your hand
    
  • it's the best goddamn binder I've ever had
    
  • I recommend adding a stiff cardboard insert to allow you to write when you don't have a suitable writing surface, since this thing is not especially rigid.
    
• decent-quality reinforced notebook paper
  
  • holes are reinforced for tear-resistance
    
• and (optionally, but very useful) an engineer's computation pad
  
  • front writing/drawing area is blank
    
  • back side is graph-ruled and is faintly visible on the front when writing
    
  • this lets you draw or write on the front of the page, using the faint ruled lines as visual guides, while keeping your notes and drawings nice and legible. Very very handy for drawing legible algorithm and data structure visualizations
    
  • also great for math classes
    
  • if you get the computation pad, I'd also recommend a thin, durable straight edge and a shape-drawing tool (has drawing guides for various-sized circles, rectangles, squares, and triangles) to keep your lines and shapes nice and neat. Not especially necessary, but shitty hand-drawn shapes are one of my personal pet peeves in my notes.

Hmm. These flexible Five-Star brand ones have been kinda popular. I've used them once I think; thought they were pretty nice. They don't stand up on a shelf for archival like other binders though.

The flexibility may actually help with durability. They won't crack on impact or anything like that, and that Poly cover will do a good job of protecting your notes. We use a similar material on the covers of our pocket notebooks and we don't get complaints.

These things claim to be heavy-duty and have some good reviews:

If you need the paper itself to be durable, I'd definitely recommend our loose leaf. Our paper is water-resistant, so if you spill or something you'll be in the clear.

For my class I have to buy a specific piano book, but yes, I agree on a separate binder for music. I’m going to get this for my other classes (music fundamentals, rock styles, English & math. I’ll also keep the syllabi in here as well and extra stuff I may need). I actually play three instruments, piano, guitar, and bass clarinet. However, I only need to focus on piano now, since I’m taking that class this semester. Next semester I’m taking guitar (I’d rather get real teacher instruction instead of teaching myself at this point), and outside of school, I’m getting clarinet lessons. My ex boyfriend was helping me learn the clarinet but things are kinda weird with us now, and I don’t know where to go from here. There’s things he couldn’t help with since he played the bassoon but he has clarinet experience. Im required to join concert band next year. I would’ve this year but I stopped playing band in high school, and the instructor advised me to take at least a year of lessons before joining the band, which I’m fine with. Thank you for the suggestions though. I’m also going to buy some staff paper, just in case.

The closest I am finding is the following:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0792L8R4T/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_0TPrDbPQZEDNR

Personally I use the TUL discbound planners and I enjoy them because of the ability to easily change out pages as you have mentioned. The discs that come with them are relatively small and more like a small binder but I have upgraded to larger discs as to increase the amount of pages I can store.

What is nice about discbound planners is that you can easily take out a page and work on it then place it back into the notebook. This helps me a lot as I am left handed and many binder rings get in the way of my writing. I also like them because I am a perfectionist and if I mess up on a page I can easily replace it.

Our friend officiated our wedding wearing a suit that coordinated but didn't match with the men in the wedding party. I ordered this 3-ring binder that looks like a book from Amazon. It's not a full-size binder so he could easily hold it in his hands while performing the ceremony. Worked perfectly!

In my opinion honestly, a big actual bound book is one of the worse designs for a BOS, and that's not on you it's just a culture thing. I have been given no less than 5 nice leather bound journals and they're honestly really impractical.

What a friend of mine did after years of practice was got a 5" post bound binder. They are like accounting ledger books, they have big metal posts instead of more flimsy rings like the 3" or less binders. He then took the big binder and completely surrounded it in leather and decorated it. He then put sheets in page protectors and added them this huge book. It's looks amazing and the key is that he was able to write things in any order or pull from stuff that he had already written.

Something like this would suit you well I think.

Get him a few of those write in the rain notebooks. you can probably get them cheaper from somewhere. They may give these out for free now, but I had to buy them when I was in. I have like 5 filled with all sorts of notes and useful shit. Also a decent watch that allows multiple time zones and has a decent count-down timer.

EDIT: One of these would also be useful too.

Another EDIT: This is all stuff I found useful. I was in the Marines back in 04-07, so we had to buy a lot of stuff ourselves. He may get these issued, but it's always good to have extra gear. Saw pouch For saw ammo, but also a good general purpose pouch that can be attached to a pack for extra storage.

Waterproofing bags Was issued one, but bought a few extras. Good for organizing stuff in a ruck.

Other small shit I always found myself buying (Stocking stuffers) AA batteries, 550 cord, duct tape, electric tape, zip ties, map pens, regular pens, new socks, tobacco products.

Hardware

I'm seeing a lot of software solutions which is great but if you take math/physics they are paper heavy so for those I really needed a binder full of paper

• Binder -- https://www.amazon.com/AmazonBasics-3-Ring-Binder-Inch-4-Pack/dp/B01BRGTWOA/
  
• Binder dividers -- https://www.amazon.com/Smead-Three-Ring-Binder-Dividers-89415/dp/B003Y3N44O/
  
• Filler paper -- https://www.amazon.com/Five-Star-College-Reinforced-17010/dp/B01BLVANG2/
  
  Now how do i divide them?
  
  
• I have 3 classes so I use 3 binders.
  
• A binder goes like this
  
• Syllabus + Past Exams
  
• divider
  
• Notes (I put the date on top)
  
• divider
  
• Homework (Chronologically)
  
  Save those exams, you will need the midterm to study for the final
  
  

  Software
  

  In the beginning of the quarter, I also put in all the important dates (Midterms, Finals, Big projects, all the due dates if you feel like it) to my google calendar. I set it up on my phone so I get reminders.
  
  The reminders goes like this
  
  

• Midterm -- 2 week prior
  
• Finals -- 2 ~ 4 week
  
• Projects -- 1 ~ 2 week
  
• Homework -- a few days
  
• Class meetings -- 30 min prior

How about a cute mirror!

How about some cute binders for storing paperwork like this or this or this.

A cute little notepad for jotting things down.

Fun file folders.

These push pins are sooooo cute!

Sorry if there are any repeats. This took forever to type one-handed! (Feeding my baby.)

Oh yeah, Pimp my cube

I have a bookshelf next to my desk dedicated just to embroidery stuff. For floss I just use 6 of those plastic thread organizer boxes. I keep a long pencil tray, like this, where I keep random odds and ends that I want within easy reach (like needles, scissors, Fray Check, etc.). Fabric (whether flat or in a long tube) get stacked neatly on another shelf. I also keep a small bucket of scrap fabric there, which comes in handy when I want to test a new stitch or see how colors look together or something. Another shelf near the bottom holds rarely used supplies. And I have a magazine holder like this for patterns.

As for WIP and finished pieces, they go in this large binder. WIP go in the rainbow accordion file in the front (the fabric & pattern) - one per divider. I put finished projects in a clear plastic sheet protector on the rings. It's fun flipping through seeing everything I've done, and it's nice having most of them in one place to show other people. Large projects that don't fit in the binder when finished are usually gifts or one of the few things I put on display.

I use this organizer to store the thread colors of current WIPs so I don't have to put them back in the main storage every single time I stitch (plus small scissors and needles), and it is also quite convenient to slip in a bag or purse if I want to bring a project with me.

I'd get:

One of these:
https://www.amazon.com/Dragons-Play-Multipocket-Dice-Green/dp/B07DJ18RRB/

Or this which is less fancy but comes with dice:
https://www.amazon.com/Smartdealspro-Colors-Dungeons-Dragons-Pouches/dp/B01ABST9S4/

Maybe this:
https://www.amazon.com/Embossed-Leather-Stone-Unlined-Journal/dp/B006T92BTO/

Or this:
https://www.amazon.com/Leather-Refillable-Notebook-Handmade-Journals-Sketchbook/dp/B077B7KDY7/

This kinda cool:
https://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Hardback-Binder-Organizer-Planner/dp/B06XGQZY2D/

A copy of the Player's Handbook would be nice too but she may already have that.

Spell Cards are also super cool, but class dependent so find out what she's playing first:
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=D%26D+spell+cards&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

The best thing you can do is memorizing your most common spells, abilities, saves, and DCs. No paperwork needed!

Notecards can be a solution in tandem with this: I often jot down standard buffs/spell slots/modifiers on a 3x5 notecard in pen, and write on it in pencil at the table so I can add and erase stuff.

You can also make flash-card style 3x5 cards with basic stats or notes on them if you're summoning monsters, want reminders, have a weird spell you always get wrong, etc.

----

You can also go digital and use a tablet or spreadsheet.

----

For situations where more is needed (for example, organized play where you have to lug around tons of paperwork), I use Five star flex binders with sheet protectors around the character sheet, and wet erase markers to write on the character sheet.

Something like this might help you organize and save space if you're more comfortable printing out every little ability or spell.

This is the binder we use. It fits three "Dominion"s comfortably. As such you'll need a few of these to encompass it all. I only have 6 of the collections, so I have two binders. These binders also have a handy filing pouch on the inside cover for rules and player mats and a zipper pouch for all the tokens. Works like a dream. Definitely recommend.
Five Star 2" Zipper Binder with Handle, Includes 3 Removable File Folders, Black (73289) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00X7NRQ0O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_5PGBzbEX0R710

As for the card sheets, I picked some up on a whim at Target and don't remember the brand name. Rest assured that good ones do exist.

Greetings everyone! My user ID on Youtube is 'jgtully', the creator of that original video (yes Kernos is my oldest brother).

I wanted to pipe in and let everyone know that I did have certain difficulties with the creation of my own version of this GM's Screen specifically because the ring-bound mechanism was located in the wrong place on the binders I kept seeing, which is one of the most important details of this entire contraption that usually gets overlooked.

Visually divide your average ring binder into three sections: front panel, spine, and back panel. In order to get this build to work you need binders that have the ring-bound-mechanism mounted on the SPINE, not the edge of the BACK PANEL. If the ring-bound-mechanism is mounted along the left edge of the BACK PANEL, everything lines up wrong and it won't fold up properly. Another important detail is the thickness of the binders. You want 3 ring binders with a fairly narrow SPINE (i.e. 1 inch or less if possible). This slims down the over all bulk of the design for you.

Solid choice: http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-3-Hole-Binder-1-Inch-W362-14W/dp/B0001J3R3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377874254&sr=8-1&keywords=3+ring+binder+1+inch

Those binders have a spine mounted ring mechanism with a 0.5 inch spine thickness. Nice and slim over all, should make for a solid choice for GM screen construction. I hope this helps, but if you have more questions please feel free to message me!

I thought I'd reply to you with my brother's updated info about binders:

> Greetings everyone! My user ID on Youtube is 'jgtully', the creator of that original video (yes Kernos is my oldest brother).
> I wanted to pipe in and let everyone know that I did have certain difficulties with the creation of my own version of this GM's Screen specifically because the ring-bound mechanism was located in the wrong place on the binders I kept seeing, which is one of the most important details of this entire contraption that usually gets overlooked.
> Visually divide your average ring binder into three sections: front panel, spine, and back panel. In order to get this build to work you need binders that have the ring-bound-mechanism mounted on the SPINE, not the edge of the BACK PANEL. If the ring-bound-mechanism is mounted along the left edge of the BACK PANEL, everything lines up wrong and it won't fold up properly. Another important detail is the thickness of the binders. You want 3 ring binders with a fairly narrow SPINE (i.e. 1 inch or less if possible). This slims down the over all bulk of the design for you.
> Solid choice: http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-3-Hole-Binder-1-Inch-W362-14W/dp/B0001J3R3C/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1377874254&sr=8-1&keywords=3+ring+binder+1+inch
> Those binders have a spine mounted ring mechanism with a 0.5 inch spine thickness. Nice and slim over all, should make for a solid choice for GM screen construction. I hope this helps, but if you have more questions please feel free to message me!

Amazon has plenty of A5 6 ring binders, but they're all over $10! The cheapest one I could find was this one: https://www.amazon.com/AUCH-Plastic-Protectors-Notebook-6-Holes/dp/B01AJ2CLY6/ref=sr_1_2?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1493828152&sr=1-2&keywords=A5%2B6%2Bring%2Bbinder&th=1

It's kind of see through but I think if you had a really colorful first page, it would be nice!


https://www.amazon.com/Kraft-6-Hole-Binder-Folder-Journal/dp/B01NH36Z2L/ref=sr_1_12?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1493828219&sr=1-12&keywords=A5+6+ring+binder

I also really like this one, too! It's a nice neutral color.

I like your case. It's a nice presentation. When you have to scale:

I like these (not sure if it's the same brand I have):
https://www.lighthouse.us/encapq-clear-pages-for-square-coin-capsules-quadrum-6-pages.html

In one of these:
https://www.lighthouse.us/vario-g-padded-binder-including-slipcase-extra-large-capacity-3-d-ring-mechanism.html

Because you have the protection of the folder and then the slip case on top of that.

FYI: Amazon has those 3" Vario G 3 rings for $36 @ https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005LWFEWG/ref=cm_sw_r_em_apa_i_awLtDbKH2G8H9

If you decide against getting the HORI Card Folio, I recommend picking up these:

• High quality Ultra Pro sleeves that are more durable than the regular kind. They are side loading which prevents the cards from easily sliding out: http://www.amazon.com/Ultra-Pro-3-Hole-Side-Load-Pocket/dp/B009WU5EG4/
  
  
• Hard durability binders that should survive pretty much anything. They are easily customizable by adding in your own art-inserts: http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Jones-Durable-Customizable-W363-14WA/dp/B00CPXFYMY
  
  
• You can also get a D Ring binder if you like that style: http://www.amazon.com/Wilson-Jones-Durable-Customizable-W86610/dp/B00CPXEDLM/

These are wonderful! They're the perfect size for a playbill, and much cheaper than the binders you can get at playbill.com.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006HV8V2/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000XKW45Q/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o07_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I use this Avery binder and these inserts! The inserts are nice because they are bigger than the standard so they cover the entire playbill. The binder is just the right size to cover all the playbills, and it holds about 20, give or take a few. SO much cheaper than the playbill brand and it works great.

Get plastic sheets, like overhead transparency plastic. link

Then use spray-on glue to attach it to the shirt. link

Spray the back side of the plastic, wait for it to get tacky, then apply it to the shirt. This is actually how I learned to make stencils, so I can 100% confirm that it works. You just need to be a little careful pulling the plastic up to ensure nothing in the stencil breaks. Goo-gone the back of the stencil after you're done to remove any glue residue, and you're ready to go for next time.

Kokuyo also makes these smart ring binders that are refillable! The paper is pretty much the same (plus holes) and as an added bonus, you get to rearrange the pages!

My first solution for just playing D&D was this storage clipboard from Office Depot. The storage is just the right size for a PHB plus a few sheets of paper, a couple of pencils on the bottom, and one set of dice in the corner storage.

When I started playing other games and wanted to carry things to run games myself in one package I got a combination file-folder and binder. I can't find the specific model or brand I got, but something like this to be an RPG kit. It ended up being overkill as I don't need the binder rings when all my sheets go into the file folder, but my dice and extra pencils go in the pocket in front of the file folder (the one I have has several small mesh pockets instead of one big one). If you frequently take notes on scratch paper, or have your character sheets in plastic binder inserts so you can write over them in dry-erase, the binder part will be more useful.

Alternatively, if you don't need the file-folder to hold a lot of loose sheets, you could get a regular binder with pockets for your character sheets and some mesh pockets to hold components (this was my plan before I saw the combination binders).

Good ideas. Consider getting something with a non-rigid cover and beefier document protectors. I use something like this, but with the rings replaced with Flex-O-Locks. Functionality is the same but with better fasteners and no chance to bend the cover in a way that it won't bend back.

It’s the Kokuyo Campus Smart Ring Binder :)

Link: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0066LZLEC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_vtaIDbV2S7H47

So... serious question - I'm looking for a geeky wallet and tried amazon, but this was the best I could find:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0093JFWGQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3GERB2Q0PK2F7

Then I remembered that I saw this thread yesterday, and visited the subreddit and used "wallet" with a focus on relevance. Unfortunately, I don't see what wallets you guys are referring to... the majority are from years ago and many don't even exist on amazon or on the page linked.

Of course! I live in Canada, but I’m sure you can find this on the US’ Amazon site too!

https://www.amazon.ca/gp/aw/d/B0006HV8V2?psc=1&ref=ppx_pop_mob_b_asin_title

For the poor college student:

There are kukuyo campus notebook knockoffs at Daiso for 1.50. the Quality isn't bad and for most notes: pencil, pen, etc it's fine. I don't rec if you're going to use fountain pen for your notes.

pencils: rOtring goes on sale on Massdrop quite often. You should be able to pick up 2 for $30ish.

pens: Uniball signo all the way if you are ok with caps. If not the standard G2 are great all around pens.

Since I don't like actual bound notebooks and prefer looseleaf, I bought this thing called a "notebook binder" and just buy refills for it.

I tried these ["spiral notebook binders"](https://www.amazon.com/Kokuyo-Campus-Smart-Ring-Binder/dp/B0066LZLEC/ref=pd_sim_229_1?ie=UTF8&dpID=41zklYlfOiL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=ZRDHP6SVGYA3R9J207G8) and I honestly hate them because it's twist to open and they kept opening >(

After looking at those expensive Playbill binders for a long time, I ended up getting these, along with the sheet protectors Amazon suggests with them.

It's the same thing as far as I can tell, it just doesn't say "Playbill" on the spine. For that, I cut off the tops of Playbills people don't want and tape the logo neatly on the spine.

You might be interested in this for taking notes because this binder is like a notebook where you can flip it to the back.

I use this binder/notebook. It's small and light, like a notebook, but I can move pages around and reuse it, like a binder.

I personally have a Hybrid NoteBinder I got on sale as my choice DM Notebook. I enjoy the removeable pages for old notes, it has only ever torn the first page I used in it, it holds enough for 3 active campaigns, and I can bring it anywhere with my laptop.

I got one of the Five Star Flex Binders and it is wonderful for organization:

http://www.amazon.com/Five-Star-NoteBinder-Capacity-72011/dp/B003O3H2G0

I use that for papers/handouts and syllabi and then I use a five subject notebook for notes/lectures,etc. I also bring my tablet with me for anything else I may need.

I use plain printer paper + a three hole punch, and a few of these notebook/binder hybrids (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003O3F2R6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_IMGfAbF89FQ0T). I usually print out slides too, so the notebook/binder allows me to organize and move notes around. This has been working fine for me, but I think I may invest in an iPad and pencil because I don’t like using so much paper. There’s just too much clutter with this much paper.

Get these. More expensive but last forever and you can fold them back like a notebook.

The smart ring binder is like a thin notebook and the pages can be rearranged.

I got one of these and i like it a lot.

Five Star Flex NoteBinder, 1 Inch Binder, Notebook and Binder All-in-One, Black (72009) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003O3F2R6/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_OmzYAbY9PZ7HB

You can get them on Amazon UK if you don't come across any in the shops. Those are kind of pricy though so you could just get some binder rings and a plastic pouch to keep them in.

I bought one of these when I was in high school. Its been three years since I graduated and I still use it , It's highly durable, and I can vouch for it. Plus, Its only $15 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Five-Star-Hybrid-NoteBinder-72011/dp/B003O3H2G0/ref=cm_rdp_product

Try notebooks instead of loose-leaf.

There's also these that are somewhat more low-profile than a metal 3-ring binder

The term you're looking for is transparencies.

I use this binder:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0006HV8V2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_F8TCDbJYMCVXS

And these sheet protectors:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000XKW45Q/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_I.TCDbBS43725

by the way:

http://smile.amazon.com/School-Smart-Transparency-without-Sensing/dp/B003U6KYO8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1419275430&sr=8-1&keywords=overhead+projector+sheets

Campus sells notebook binders type things that have lined paper that also has dots. That's the closest I have found to what you're describing.

https://www.amazon.com/Hybrid-NoteBinder-Binder-Notebook-72011/dp/B003O3H2G0 - this is what im talking about.

you need some of these

how about?
I got these, used double sided tape instead of the adhesive because I'm paranoid. Alternatively, I have a shitload of these from when the office was going to toss them. I use them as stencils, but they'd work too.

I actually have an Addon for a change! Whoo!

Pesky AddOns

The hoodie https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N9JNQHM/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_YwBRAbS5HFMGK

The bottle in Dunder mifflin Blue https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ACAXJ50/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_OxBRAbKQZTJEE

The Dunder Mifflin Decal on the bottle (tough as hell won't peel)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/270699638/dunder-mifflin-the-office-vinyl-decal

To hold your Dunder Mifflin brand paper https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003O3H2G0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_cABRAb38NHKRN

Cheaper Decal (last guy had it at $3 now its $5) just tell this guy what you want and he'll make it for like $3.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/553725612/dunder-mifflin-sticker-the-office-tv

Buy a Five Star Flex. I am horrible on my notebooks and I hate binders. This thing is amazing!

Hi! I found the same problem and I switched to plastics.

You can see the process here:
http://imgur.com/a/BgQNT

What I use is here:
http://www.amazon.com/universal-laser-printer-transparency-65125/dp/B007X8HS9S

But alternatives could be found easily:
http://www.amazon.com/School-Smart-Transparency-without-Sensing/dp/B003U6KYO8/ref=sr_1_1?s=office-products&ie=UTF8&qid=1405623900&sr=1-1&keywords=transparency+film


You can also buy plastic folders or, my personal favorite, plastic folder dividers (that's what Gengar is made out of) for a more "solid" stencil but they are REALLY hard to cut. I made Gengar with scissors and a box cutter!