Like the dungeon running sheet we showcased a couple weeks ago, the hexcrawl running sheet is another tool presented in So You Want To Be a Game Master. I’ve been using some variation of this sheet for the past decade or so while running hexcrawls, and it greatly streamlines your essential bookkeeping for a hexcrawl campaign.

If you’re not familiar with using hexcrawls for running wilderness exploration scenarios, I have a series of articles here on the Alexandrian that provide a modular system for building a customized hexcrawl system for 5th Edition D&D. If you’d rather have something that’s ready to pick-up-and-play, So You Want To Be a Game Master presents a streamlined version of the hexcrawl structure. It’s also quite easy to adapt the hexcrawl campaign structure to other game systems like Eclipse Phase or Numenera.

For more details on how to use the hexcrawl running sheet to best effect, see p. 396 of So You Want to Be a Game Master.

This version of the sheet has been expanded to enhance its utility and for easy printing. It’s also form-fillable so you can also easily use it on a tablet or computer.

DOWNLOAD NOW

OTHER VERSIONS

This version was created by Erichs, who very kindly granted me permission to share it here. You can find cheat sheets, DM screens, and other resources they’ve created here.

Erichs’ Hexcrawl Running Sheet

It’s audio book day!

So You Want To Be a Game Master has been adapted into an audio book by Tantor Media. The audio book is unabridged, read by the amazing Shawn Compton, and comes out today!

LISTEN NOW!

In So You Want To Be a Game Master, I present a complete structure for prepping and running dungeon adventures. It’s a complete framework for running your first dungeon adventure, while providing a foundation you can build on as you start experimenting with advanced and dynamic dungeons, too. If you’ve never run a dungeon before, the goal is to give you a mental model that will help bring your dungeon to life without overwhelming you. And even if you’re a wily veteran, there may be a few new tricks for you to discover here.

One specific tool you’ll find in the book, on page 71, is the Dungeon Running Sheet. This is a tool I developed for tracking the essential information for any dungeon expedition, and it also includes a small cheat sheet for common dungeon procedures and actions.

I think the sheet’s utility is fairly intuitive, but the full instructions for using it can be found in the book. This version has been expanded in size to enhance its utility and for easy printing. It’s also form-fillable so you can also easily use it on a tablet or computer.

DOWNLOAD NOW

OTHER VERSIONS

This version was created by Erichs, who very kindly granted me permission to share it here. You can find cheat sheets, DM screens, and other resources they’ve created here.

Erichs’ Dungeon Running Sheet

ShadowXP has designed a Google Sheet version of the dungeon running sheet. After clicking the link, select File -> Make a Copy and then use it and customize it however you’d like!

ShadowyXP’s Dungeon Running Sheet

It’s here!

For those braving their first dungeon, it’s a step-by-step guide. As one delves deeper into mysteries, raids, heists, wilderness exploration, and urbancrawls, So You Want to Be a Game Master transforms into the ultimate GM’s survival guide.

If you still need to snag your copy, it’s available in both physical and e-book formats from these fine purveyors of the written word, plus other bookstores and game stores worldwide:

Hard to believe this is really happening!

If you’re a fan of the Alexandrian and would like to support the book, the next couple of weeks are a really critical juncture. Some things you can do:

Buy the book. See above!

Buy the book for other people. I know it’s crass commercialism, but this book is the perfect gift for your GM. Or, if you’re already a GM, for players you think would be interested in running a game for the first time.

After direct support, the biggest thing is letting people know about the book. This could include:

• Taking a picture of the book when you get it and posting it to social media.
• Retweeting/reposting my social media posts when you see them (on BlueSky, Mastodon, or Twitter).
• Link to the reviews, interviews, and other media appearances I’ve done for the book. You can find links here.
• Link to my Youtube videos talking about the book.
• Mention the book on reddit, social media, Discord, etc. when it’s legitimately relevant to a conversation. (Don’t spam, please!)

Make a library request and ask your local library to carry a copy of the book!

It also makes a big difference if, after reading the book, you write a review. This only needs to be a few sentences, but it can be posted sites like:

• Amazon
• Barnes & Noble
• Goodreads
• Indigo
• BAM!
• Blackwell’s

And did you know that you could post the same review on multiple sites? Cool fact.

It’s your first chance to see what SO YOU WANT TO BE A GAME MASTER will look like on your shelf this fall! It’s the book that every GM, whether they’re taking their first step or just looking to take their game to the next level, will want to own.

Preorder Now! – Subscribe Now!