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Quick Start

This guide gets a DM from campaign setup to a playable first combat quickly.

Goal​

By the end, you will:

  • add PCs
  • add NPCs/Monsters
  • create a Room
  • load a Battle Map and position assets
  • run initiative
  • understand the core Battle Maps toolbar buttons

Estimated Time​

10 to 15 minutes

3-Minute Setup (Cheat Sheet)​

  1. Start/select an active live session from the hamburger menu.
  2. Add 1 PC in PCs tab.
  3. Add 1 NPC/Monster in NPCs and Monsters tab.
  4. Add 1 Room in Rooms tab, then add NPCs/Monsters to that room.
  5. Open Battle Maps, load a map, and place starting tokens.

60-Second Combat Loop​

  1. Rooms: select the room and start room initiative flow.
  2. Initiative: verify PCs plus room NPCs/Monsters, Sort, Start Combat.
  3. Battle Maps: position tokens, measure distances, and run turns.
  4. Initiative: click Next until encounter ends, then End Combat.

Mid-Combat Add Quick Tip​

If someone joins late or a new enemy appears during active combat:

  1. Open Initiative.
  2. Add the combatant.
  3. If prompted, choose insertion slot 1 for top or N+1 for end.
  4. Confirm turn tracking continues and only new map tokens are added.

1. Open or Create a Campaign Session​

  1. Sign in and open your campaign.
  2. Choose DM role.
  3. Open the hamburger menu and start/select the active live session.
  4. Use Sessions tab to create, edit, and track individual sessions.

2. Add PCs​

  1. Open PCs Tab.
  2. Add at least one PC with name, HP, AC, and initiative bonus.
  3. Save, then confirm the PC appears in the list.

3. Add NPCs/Monsters​

  1. Open NPCs and Monsters Tab.
  2. Add at least one enemy with basic combat stats (HP, AC, initiative bonus).
  3. Save and confirm it appears in your creature list.

4. Add a Room​

  1. Open Rooms Tab.
  2. Create a building/location if needed.
  3. Add a room where the encounter happens.
  4. Keep the room name obvious (for example: Cellar Ambush).
  5. In that room, add the NPCs/Monsters you created in the NPCs and Monsters tab.

5. Add a Battle Map and Position Assets​

  1. Open Battle Maps tab.
  2. Upload or select the encounter map.
  3. Confirm grid mode and grid size alignment.
  4. Start room initiative from Rooms, then confirm those room NPCs/Monsters are in initiative.
  5. Drag tokens into starting positions.
  6. Optional: click Save Encounter Setup to reuse this layout later.

6. Initiative Tracker Basics​

Open Initiative tab (or the Initiative drawer in Battle Maps) and use:

  • Add PC
  • Sort
  • Start Combat
  • Next / Prev
  • Round / Reset
  • End Combat

Quick first-battle sequence:

  1. Start room initiative from Rooms, then confirm PCs and room enemies are present.
  2. Click Sort.
  3. Click Start Combat.
  4. Advance turns with Next.

7. Battle Maps Toolbar Buttons (Quick Explanation)​

Most-used buttons during a first battle:

  • Reset Token Positions: re-seed token placement.
  • Save Encounter Setup: save current token layout as a preset.
  • Load Encounter Setup: restore a saved preset.
  • Grid Toggle: show or hide grid.
  • Grid Controls: adjust grid size, opacity, and color.
  • Grid Mode Cycle: switch square/hex grid mode.
  • Token Controls Drawer: open token lifecycle actions.
  • Spell Overlays Drawer: place AoE templates.
  • Measure Distance: measure paths/ranges on the map.
  • Plan Route: draw a movement path.
  • Share Measurement / Share Route: send DM measurement/route to players (shown contextually).
  • Player View Toggle: preview what players can see.
  • Initiative Drawer Toggle: open initiative controls while staying on map.
  • Zoom Group: fit, 100%, zoom out, zoom in.
  • Fullscreen: maximize map view.
  • Close Map: exit active map view.

8. Core Combat Workflow (Rooms -> Initiative -> Battle Maps)​

Use this order for reliable execution:

  1. Rooms Tab
    • choose the encounter room
    • add the room's NPCs/Monsters
    • use Start Room Initiative (or transition directly to initiative from room context)
  2. Initiative Tab
    • verify PCs and room NPCs/Monsters are present
    • use Add PC only if a PC is missing
    • Sort and Start Combat
    • verify turn order is correct
  3. Battle Maps Tab
    • open the encounter map
    • sync/place tokens and set starting positions
    • run turns while using map tools (measure, route, overlays, visibility)

During combat:

  1. Manage turn order and HP/effects in Initiative.
  2. Manage positioning/visibility and distances in Battle Maps.
  3. Move between both tabs as needed; they represent the same active encounter state.

First Success Checklist​

  • session is active
  • at least 1 PC exists
  • at least 1 NPC/Monster exists
  • encounter room exists
  • battle map is loaded and aligned
  • tokens are placed
  • combat started and at least one full turn advanced