D&D Newbie Sessions
> [name=G$$]

Table of Contents
[TOC]

# Foundry Virtual TableTop #

## Preface

This document outlines how to use Foundry as both a player and as a DM. To avoid repeating the work of others, many things are not fully explained in writing here because they are better explained in videos or on the official documentation. Like Photoshop/GIMP, Foundry is one of those softwares that you will spend a LOT of time figuring out how to get it to do what you want, but once you do, it's such a powerful, extendible program for (virtual) tabletop gaming.

## Should I be using FoundryVTT?
However, before you drop 2-6 hours in setting up FoundryVTT and another 10+ looking at modules and figuring those out, **make sure FoundryVTT is actually the best solution for you.**

- Here is a massive VTT comparison chart/document -- [Cyanomys' Guide to Playing RPGs Online v.2.1.0](https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Cyanomys-Guide-To-Playing-RPGs-Online-v2.0--AyCzhfF1A6uMrcwL6APODsBnAQ-Ef83ststlhPqW0LELrgye)
- very well organized with lots of comments
- pros/cons of each available option
- pricing and intuitive-ness ratings
- **GO LOOK AT IT ALREADY!**

Some highlights from the document:
- [Astral](https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Cyanomys-Guide-To-Playing-RPGs-Online-v2.1.0-Ef83ststlhPqW0LELrgye#:h2=Astral-Tabletop) — intuitive UI, easy-to-understand character sheets, fancy map features, supports only importing or building maps from assets, RTS-style Fog of War only, well-supported long-term by developer
> All of it’s core features — including Dynamic Lighting! — are available at the Free tier, with 1GB of free storage. It supports numerous games right out of the box, but adding any new RPG actually requires no coding knowledge because character sheets are just PDFs with changeable text and die rolling buttons plopped on top of them.
- [Foundry](https://paper.dropbox.com/doc/Cyanomys-Guide-To-Playing-RPGs-Online-v2.0-Ef83ststlhPqW0LELrgye#:h2=Foundry-VTT) — absolutely the VTT for power users, tinkerers, developers, etc. The head developer is active and communicative, and the community puts really good modules out at a surprisingly rapid rate.
- from me: scaling/aligning the grid in images is ***so*** much better than roll20's terrible interface

---

# What is Foundry?
- fully-featured Virtual TableTop (VTT) software handles:
- maps
- combat tracker
- character sheets
- dice rolling
- journal + compendia entries
- audio chat
- animated dynamic lighting
- with extension modules:
- video chat via jitsi module
- soundboard
- location-dependent background sounds
- 3D animated dice rolling
- animated background
- weather effects
- animated spells
- worldbuilding integrations
- combat automation
- DnDBeyond character integration
- adventure import from:
- PDF (PF2e)
- DnDBeyond (DnD5e)
- and MORE!

# Foundry Walkthrough #
You chose a great time to get into FoundryVTT, there is a giveaway happening in the community subreddit and a sale on the main site.
- community giveaway ending 12/2/20 https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/comments/k16uor/10000_members_celebration_contest_prizes/
- 25% off FoundryVTT Black Friday sale ending 12/1/20 https://foundryvtt.com/purchase/

## User Interface
- see the UI image with labels https://foundryvtt.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/website-media-dev/user_1/screen/fvtt-ui-map-2020-05-24.jpg
- as a player you will not have access to all options
- Sidebar tabs
- Canvas controls

## As a Player ##
- no application download/install needed, FoundryVTT runs in a browser window
- **use Chrome**
- Safari WILL NOT WORK
- Firefox and others will act weird
- **Absolute best way to learn about using FoundryVTT:**
- follow along with the Encounter Library - [FoundryVTT as a Player](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ja88yRVQmck&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLEDWXefZ139C9KtI4dFU6Ln&index=10&t=140s) video
- player **public demo** world https://demo.foundryvtt.com/join
- password: `foundry`
- you will login to your DMs world in a browser window using a link that they will send

### Interacting with the map
- right click + drag == move the map
- left click a token to select
- left click + drag an empty selection to deselect
- you and your DM may change this in configure settings > "Left-click to release objects"

### Your character/actor
- from [Actor sidebar tab](#User-Interface), you can see actors and open those you have permission to view/edit
- permission levels set by the DM
- DMs: see [player setup](#Player-Setup) links for permissions explanation

---

## As a GM
Congratulations on choosing Foundry! Prepare to learn a lot!
- FoundryVTT is definitely a power-user tool, the learning curve is steep, so make LIBERAL use of the resources here + the [official discord server](#Community-foundry-links) + [community subreddit](#Community-foundry-links)
- expect to take more time than you expect to get it running the way you like
- **DO NOT** immediately jump to using modules, get to know the core functionality first
- the [community](#Community-foundry-links) is INCREDIBLY helpful
- **Absolute best way to learn about using FoundryVTT** - [Foundry Basics (for a DM) 10-part video series](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kEQlhdF1568&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLFWxyrCkUYwHY4vvA_yME7m) - Encounter Library on YT
- watch their videos and follow along in your setup
- FoundryVTT GM demo worlds
- Savage Worlds system https://sws.doomnaught.com/
- DnD5e system https://dnd5e.doomnaught.com/
- DM password `foundry`

### Installation
- official foundry doc https://foundryvtt.com/article/installation/
- installation troubleshooting walkthrough https://prezi.com/view/FeiO42h6cxdmoIsZvUlt/

- purchase from https://foundryvtt.com/

- Encounter Library Installing/Updating/Creating your world - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-aHlApa1nUA
- install FoundryVTT
- default install option is in Program Files -- this will make updating difficult
- make sure you have disk space to grow (you will likely be self-hosting, at least to start)
- my Foundry install folder is at 4 GB after 2 months of use

### Setting up FoundryVTT application

- pick your system(s) to install
- probably DnD5e
- Getting Started with FoundryVTT [offical tutorial page](https://foundryvtt.com/article/tutorial/), this a basic tutorial but does include lots of helpful official links
- naming explanations
- link to hosting guide
- basics of world setup + player configuration
- including player levels
- in-world menu names + tools
- creating scenes
- VERY basics of running a game

### Setting up hosting
- https://foundryvtt.com/article/hosting/
- this is where the majority of new users get stuck
- don't forget you can ask in the community subreddit and the official Discord if you're having trouble
- community links are found in the [community section](#Community) of this doc

### Application Admin Setup
#### create a world
- name
- path (same as name)
- assign game system
- must be a pre-installed system
- background image
- this is what your players will see when they load your gameworld
- refer to documentation in Player Configuration in FoundryVTT [offical tutorial page](https://foundryvtt.com/article/tutorial/)

### In-world setup
#### Players Setup
- in settings, "Configure Players"
- refer to documentation in Player Configuration section in the FoundryVTT [offical tutorial page](https://foundryvtt.com/article/tutorial/)
- will want to have a password on the gamemaster account so players don't accidentally login as the gamemaster
- can create actors after players are configured

#### Characters/Actors
- by selecting a token, you will be restricted to the map view of that token (with grey instead of black fog of war bc GM)
- these are the character sheets + tokens for NPCs and PCs in your game
- Encounter Library [Character Sheets, Equipment, Class Levels, and Enemies](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MEt2AWucK9k&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLFWxyrCkUYwHY4vvA_yME7m&index=6)
- there are a many UI modules that change the look of char sheets from default core experience

### Setting up a session
#### Maps/Scenes
- Foundry [Scenes documentation](https://foundryvtt.com/article/scenes/)
- Encounter Library [Setting Up a Map and Grid](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QK-48YAUvK4&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLFWxyrCkUYwHY4vvA_yME7m&index=2) video

##### Typical Scene Settings (refer to scenes documentation \^above\^)
- scene name (required)
- journal entry
- this is where you can store information for yourself and/or your players relevant to this scene
- notes
- images
- NPCs
- locations
- etc
- Background Image (required)
- put the image file you want to use as a map within your scenes folder inside Data ( default `C:\Program Files\FoundryVTT\Data\worlds\<world-name>\scenes` )
- can also use a .webm video file
###### Scale background (fix the grid)
- ease of this is what made me LEAP off of Roll20.
- granular shift + scale using mouse + keyboard
- change grid scale

##### Dynamic Lighting
- dynamic lighting is a great feature, but walls and light sources must be prepped in the scene ahead of gameday if DL is desired
- two aspects to this, Walls + Lights
###### Walls
- block Line of Sight (LoS) to prevent players from seeing everything with light on your map
- Encounter Library [Adding Walls, Doors, and Windows for Dynamic Line of Sight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXytTcZrGNo&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLFWxyrCkUYwHY4vvA_yME7m&index=4) video

###### Lighting
- this is where you put lights on the map to allow PCs to see things on the map (subject to restrictions on LoS from Walls you already placed)
- Encounter Library [Lighting Your Maps for Dynamic Line of Sight](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvv0GJINMoE&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLFWxyrCkUYwHY4vvA_yME7m&index=5) video

#### Combat
- combat tracker
- Encounter Library [Running the Combat tracker, Movement, and Attacking](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVlj5KbQQQM&list=PLGgCMB0gYnLFWxyrCkUYwHY4vvA_yME7m&index=7)

#### Roll Tables
- can create random encounter/effect/result tables ahead of time
- stored in compendia
- Foundry VTT Community Tables module includes several dozen pre-made tables, mostly from DnDSpeak
- https://github.com/foundry-vtt-community/tables

### Modules
- modules are community-built extensions for FoundryVTT
- This is the power of Foundry and why power-users (including myself) love it so much
- can add or change just about anything you could think of
- again, I do not recommend installing modules until you understand the core software
- add modules **one at a time** afterwards
- can install from native FoundryVTT app setup screen
- "Add-on Modules"
- a large collection of modules will typically impact performance, especially on older/slower machines
- follow through to the git link from this reddit post for recommended options tuning for performance without sacrificing too much glitz
- https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/comments/ioadiq/cultivated_list_of_foundryvtt_modules_for/
- you can get quick help, sometimes from the actual module authors by using the [community links](#Community-foundry-links)

#### Module Categories (not exhaustive list)
- analytics
- audio improvements
- automation
- chat log
- combat enhancements
- content packs
- maps
- music
- dice rolling
- content importers
- free importing of ANY legally obtained Paizo PF2e pdf
- import characters, adventures, items, etc. from DnDBeyond
- character/actor sheets
- visual effects
- audio chat
- video chat via Jitsi server

#### Module Lists
- official module listings https://foundryvtt.com/packages/modules
- subreddit modules FAQ + mod-curated module list https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/wiki/index/modules
- user-curated module list (excellent to start with)
https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/comments/ioadiq/cultivated_list_of_foundryvtt_modules_for/
- filterable module list
https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/comments/iyxmyh/module_list_a_filtrable_list/
##### My favs not in other lists (I think)
[//]: # (put links for modules)

- Beyond20 companion module
- allows rolling from character sheets in DnDBeyond and outputs into chat in foundry
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/beyond20/
- Community Lighting
- custom light profiles beyond what's offered in core
- demo https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/comments/jjz90a/communitylighting_030_major_update/
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/CommunityLighting/
- Compact DnDBeyond 5e Character Sheet
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/compact-beyond-5e-sheet/
- LegendKeeper integration
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/legendkeeper-integration/
- Not Enough NPCs: a 5e NPC Generator
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/npcgen/
- Not Your Turn!
- blocks movement
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/NotYourTurn/
- Polyglot
- Talk to others using a language your selected character can understand and scrambles in-character text you can't understand.
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/polyglot/
- Soundboard by Blitz
- Simple custom soundboard for the Gamemaster, broadcasted to all connected clients
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/SoundBoard/
- Tidy UI
- condenses + cleans up the in-world module settings
- essential for anyone running more than 5 modules
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/tidy-ui_game-settings/
- Token Action HUD
- clickable rolling buttons that open up on mouse-over
- (mostly) eliminates need to keep character sheets open
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/token-action-hud/
- Token Info Icons
- Simple module that displays Speed, AC, and Passive Perception on Tokens for the GM.
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/token-info-icons/
- Torch
- Adds a HUD button to toggle light of a specific radius. For the dnd5e system, will also deduct torches from inventory when turned on if the Actor does not know the Light or Dancing Lights cantrips.
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/torch/
- 3 VTT Assets modules
- Dnd Beyond Integration
- import characters from DnDBeyond
- import whole modules + adventures automatically
- maps
- journal entries
- automatically organized
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/vtta-dndbeyond/
- Iconizer
- look up icon art automatically from foundry default or custom user-defined list on item creation
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/vtta-iconizer/
- Tokenizer (use the forked version until dev updates for compatibility wiht 0.7.x)
- quick + easy token creator/editor within foundry
- forked version: https://foundryvtt.com/packages/vtta-tokenizer/

## Shortcuts + Keybinds
- https://foundryvtt.com/article/controls/

---

# Resources not otherwise listed
## Foundry resources
- foundry website https://foundryvtt.com/
- foundry knowledge base (official wiki) - https://foundryvtt.com/kb/
- foundry community wiki https://foundryvtt.wiki/en/home

## Community foundry links
- unofficial subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/
- more visibility for your question
- great to just browse through
- top posts of all time https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/top/?sort=top&t=all
- showcases + mod possibilities
- official Discord server https://discordapp.com/invite/DDBZUDf
- typically faster responses
## Other resources
- Discord
- A/V chat client, users can create their own servers or join many other communities
- https://discord.com/app
- DnDBeyond
- fantastic tool for managing DnD5e character sheets
- extensions enable rolling into VTTs
- https://www.dndbeyond.com/
- Legend Keeper
- independent worldbuilding software based on dropping pins on maps
- Braden is responsive to his community and has been building LK for over 2 years now
- extension allows importing into Foundry journal entries
- https://www.legendkeeper.com/
- Syrinscape
- stream custom mixed music music and sound effects to your players
- can upload your own audio files to use as well for a custom library
- https://www.syrinscape.com/about-syrinscape/
- video chat via Jitsi module for FoundryVTT
- I have not used this module, I stick to Discord for A/V chat
- https://foundryvtt.com/packages/jitsirtc/
- how to: https://www.vttassets.com/articles/installing-a-self-hosted-jitsi-server-to-use-with-foundry-vtt
- community giveaway ending 12/2/20 https://www.reddit.com/r/FoundryVTT/comments/k16uor/10000_members_celebration_contest_prizes/
- 25% off FoundryVTT Black Friday sale https://foundryvtt.com/purchase/

###### tags: `VTT` `documentation` `tutorials` `features` `FoundryVTT` `DnD` `D&D`