Let's make a D&D character journal!

Make gorgeous maps with today’s sponsor, DGN FOG! dungeonfog.com/ginnydi
Use code GINNYDI to take 10% off your premium membership.
► ARTISTS
Abs Bailey - / abs.comics
Frida Bergholtz - / fridabergholtz
Miss Wendi Gogh - / miss_wendi_gogh
Kelsey Michele - / toughtink
Hailiiz - / hailiiz
KareeArt - / artkaree / / kareeart13
Trystan Millet - / zetrystan
► MATERIALS
I’m an Amazon Associate, which means I get commission if you purchase from these links! Your cost doesn’t change.
Binder (comes in lots of colors!): www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Clear sleeves: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
Lined paper: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09...
Mushroom stickers: www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08...
Music from Epidemic Sound
Need music for your videos or streams? Here's my referral link: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...
► FIND ME ONLINE:
ginnydi.com
/ ginnydi
/ itsginnydi
/ itsginnydi
/ itsginnydi

[@GinnyDi]

Make gorgeous maps with today’s sponsor, DGN FOG! dungeonfog.com/ginnydi Use code GINNYDI to take 10% off your premium membership.

[@itzru._]

is there like an online game for D&D? that doesnt involve me having to talk atleast lol

[@peachedpocky]

@@itzru._idk if you ever got a response to this, but dungeons and dragons online does Infact exist. Or baulders gate 3 is an easier option

[@kooolainebulger8117]

i put my spellbook into a composition notebook

[@notoriouswhitemoth]

You turned a character sheet into a scrapbook. That's amazing.

[@saiynoq6745]

Yes !!! I thought I was a weirdo for doing this my self I grow up with my sisters scrap booking an then one day I saw all my stuff laid out next to my sisters school and friends pictures haha part of the fun of playing dnd is making the book for my characters an if they are casters I enjoy makings magic books as well

[@theactorsdungeon3898]

​@@saiynoq6745 great idea! All of mine are still sitting in a binder. But I like looking back on them now & then.

[@forgesoulfire1320]

Totally agree, I'm setting out now to do the same for like at least five different now ancient characters, just for the memory lane reference in nostalgic recollection later on.

[@RainbowAra]

"He'd cry more about Penelope dying then I would" I feel that! I recently accidentally killed one of my player's character that she been playing for almost 2 years and the whole table was devastated except her 😂 She was just like "okay, can I look behind your DM screen now that I'm dead? :D"

[@Kalani_Saiko]

lmao girl has priorities

[@just_kos99]

I do junk journaling and I'm a DM, and yet it never occurred to me to make a D&D junk journal. Thanks so much for this!

[@jennac.3173]

Oh, I never thought about that, too! Thanks for mentioning it xD

[@KnightsRealm98]

Mentioning the Dragonology Handbook unlocked a core memory. Good times, good times.

[@historicalaccuracy15]

Same here, I also had Wizardology, Piratology, and Egyptology, as well as a similar book themed around wand makers. Perfect books for the little nerdy kiddos out there, I think they're even still in print too

[@sarahb.7175]

Dude, my cousin had that book and I loved it! I still remember the riddle section most, and even though I wasn't super into dragons as a kid, I read it so much.

[@PurpleSidewalk1]

Same!

[@carolinelabbott2451]

I was not able to get the Pirateology or Egptology book. 😭 Plus I don't think my poor bent bookcase can hold anymore large books. 😢 I do have Dragonology and the Wizard one. I also have a mini dragon book journal by the same folks.

[@TheShapeshifter100]

bloody hell, I think I still have the field guide version

[@sarahb.7175]

Ginny, I hope it makes you and Francis happy to know I created a character based on Francis because the irony of a map maker afraid to leave the house was too funny! Her name is Waywocket Coalpalm Doublelock Quillsharpener and she's a druid (ironic, yes), and she has a full backstory now!

[@Victoriomantic]

My gnome druid Fauna Brightburrow has a pony called Waywocket!

[@Ranyaella_]

Ginny: Did anyone else have the Dragonology book as a kid? Me: Yes... as a kid...

[@pendragongameart]

I HAD THE DRAGONOLOGY BOOK I LOVED IT SO MUCH

[@Matti2ooo8]

I had it too. I wonder if it's another case of a generational nostalgia, but I've seen it pop up in several videos made by people around my age recently

[@tabbybatgaming]

I’m so glad you did another character journal video cuz I’ve rewatched the other one so many times! Absolute journal goals.

[@artistryiscomingback]

I met you at PAX Unplugged a couple months ago, and had you sign my journal (which uses the same lavender binder). You mentioned this video being in the works and I've been looking out for it since then!! Penelope deserves the world and I'm so excited to see the end result 🎉

[@GinnyDi]

Oh my gosh, I remember that!! This video took a crazy long time to finish 😂 I was looking at the time stamps on the first few video clips with astonishment haha

[@fabidbastos]

I have zero knowledge about D&D but your video was recommended by the algorithm and I gave it a try - long story short, I'm AMAZED. The journal is absolutely beautiful and it actually gave me ideas on how to work my own. Thank you for sharing it, it looks super cute and organized ✨✨

[@AMoniqueOcampo]

Small Rage Noises is a perpetual mood! I love the work you're putting into your D&D characters!

[@rickhenderson631]

❤ I wish I had the patience to do this. Now, this is something my oldest daughter would love to do. 😊

[@nordicson2835]

Thank you for this , l took my daughters to Staples ,they bough a ton of stuff they wanted, and as it is supposed to rain the next 4 days l know they will be creatively productive. Your abilities are loved and adored.

[@johnmobley9369]

Personally I’ve always imagined if I ever got to play that id have to keep fun reminders like cards and add visuals just to encapsulate my charcters. Make it fun. It’s like a scrapbook/journal. You can gamify taking notes, having important facts and stats as well as constantly remind yourself about your character and even add things as you go on. You did exactly this and more. Essentially a mood board and character mental & physical map.

[@00blaat00]

You really inspired me to get creative with my character sheets, too. For instance, I have my Druid written up in a binder on a piece of A4 paper, with their stats lined up such that you can overlay A5 paper: The A5 is for their wild-shapes (Dire Wolf, Giant Spider, ...) with AC, HP and the Strength, Dex and Constitution stats, and on what remains visible of the A4 are Int/Wis/Cha and other immutable stats. Also the entire black binder's cover is completely rendered invisible by all the cute animal stickers I put on there.

[@barswa]

That Journal looks so good!

[@GinnyDi]

Thank you! 🥰

[@toast_69sus]

Yass 😭. I'm defo doing this for my dragon born Inferno lol ❤

[@ghostiegangart]

omg the first journal video is one of my favorites of yours! it was such a big inspiration in starting my own journal, and now that i’m starting to run out of room in that one i’m excited to watch this one as i work on volume 2 :D

[@CrispysTavern]

Love the aesthetic of this! At this point I’ve commissioned so much art that I might as well start a comic book Though a fancy character journal is probably a tad more realistic…

[@jetvulcan2020]

may be another cross over or inspiration video.

[@3nertia]

Not only are you an amazing storyteller, cosplayer, *and* roleplayer, but you're also a fantastic designer!

[@emilypossom]

As a DM, I'm watching this and wishing I wasn't the DM for my group so I can have a character journal 😭

[@megasquidd]

I. Love. This. So creative. It just goes to show how fun and beautiful the creativity aspect of playing and GMing TTRPGs can be. We only play a few hours a month, but the creation process gives me joy for dozens of extra hours in that month.

[@Vinemaple]

Such a wonderful companion to the Alsling video! Even if they don't look this awesome, character journals can be a big help in playing your character efficiently, and being ready for your turn. Here are a few notes for the less aesthetically-talented or -oriented: 2:02 An alternative for a more functional journal would be a navigation diagram, visually clarifying what each section contains. It can still look great, if you come up with some good design... Color-coding might be useful. 2:11 Notice the layout draft in the lower right. Very important if you want to plan your own, personalized layout. Especially for a different TTRPG system! 3:37 Visual cues are important. Using the graphic design style from a familiar character sheet helps you to orient yourself and to quickly find the information you want, in a unique setting like a personalized journal. 8:57 This doesn't have to be letters or diary entries. Any character-design details, in whatever form you'd like them, can be used here. It's important (at most modern tables, at least) to be able to find your way back into your character's mind, even if you don't actively roleplay them!

[@DrakeHardy]

As someone from Saskatchewan, i am first SUPER impressed she pronounced it right and second agreeing withthe thought of hiding such an annoying word! Lol

[@MandibleBones]

The amount of awesome in this journal inspired me to update both my way-over-the-top character journal for Hal Stormsong and also finally update my BuJo/Scrapbook which I have ignored for a month. This is so damn cool. Kudos, Ginny!

[@johnnylouro]

Ginny, you're simply amazing. I've never thought of putting that much effort on something like this before, but you make it in a simple yet so aesthetically pleasing way that you emanate bardic inspiration for everyone that watches you. Thank you so much, I really mean it. ❤

[@phobiawitch835]

Actually waiting on most of my supplies to arrive in the mail. Sadly, unless I get an update otherwise, it wont be arriving today like I had hoped when I placed the order, so I wont be able to have the start of a Character Journal for tonight’s dnd session. But when the supplies DOES arrive, I plan to begin putting together one like yours! It’s for a Drow Cleric of Eilistraee I’ve been playing in Icewind Dale (session 3 is tonight, and unless it changes dates, I’ll have to miss session 4, meaning I wont play again till next month, as the game is Bi-Weekly). Been basically watching and rewatching this to see how you (and others) make these beautiful journals, since I’ve never made one before. It’s a beautiful project and I hope to bring my own to life.

[@clairesmith5127]

I’m starting a DND club at the middle school I work at and I think my students would LOVE doing this for their characters!

[@artzpops]

I really admire the amount of effort you put into your costumes. Iv dabbled in it myself..and it's fun..but your levels are up there!

[@_aster_oid]

Ahhhh I do this do! I actually started journaling after you posted your Aisling journal video, and i felt like that would, as you say, be such a lovely tribute to my characters. I actually use bullet journals for them and this has become my absolute comfort hobby, I can spend hours on a single page. Thank you for reminding me where this all started for me, and inspiring me ❤❤

[@herosam93]

Ginny: "did anyone else have that Dragonology book as a kid?" Me: glancing up from the video at my bookshelf that still holds my copy of Dragonology ... amoung other childhood favourites

[@joiehouse7228]

hell yeah girl this is what dnd is all about. CUTE ANALOG CHARACTER SHEETS. also what a dope ass idea for a character i wish them a long and happy life ✌

[@kivipaperisakset3999]

Beautiful work. After DMing for stints here and there over the years, I finally now have a group that not only takes notes at all (that's a first already!), but draw beautiful art of things they encounter, jot down funny quotes, all while being the most engaging caring, wonderful people. This video reminded me of them, and I just had to gush.

[@waffleman368]

OMG that Dragonology book reference made me audibly gasp with recognition. I'm so glad that im not the only one.

[@LookMyMoonEyes]

I loooove character journals so much!!! The utility and aesthetics in a single journal, gives me life!

[@Earendilgrey]

This is just the video I needed! I was just getting ready to start making my character journal. This is giving me so many ideas.

[@ZSieber]

I've rewatched your other video like a thousand times, so I'm so happy you came out with another! Amazing.

[@therubyminecart5291]

Wow this was so cool to watch, I feel inspired right now to give my dnd character a diary she keeps secret from her party members

[@tsifirakiehl4250]

I love Penelope so much! I’d love to see her respond to some of your POV roleplay videos. (Also, I love how Francis has embraced her role as a sponsor segment.)

[@huntressmma1822]

I've never played D&D before but I am a huge fan of RPG's like FF and Skyrim. I love the character creation and the binder to house it all. This was very inspirational maybe I'll give D&D a go!

[@Whosthathufflepuff]

I super loved how you put the artist names on screen when their art was there! It made it so much easier to follow up on the ones I liked, thank you for that

[@dandmadeeasy]

Crafting is such a rewarding pastime, it really makes the soul come alive. Your journal rocks!

[@leaf7286]

Thank you for making videos that show how to be more involved with your character! You have motivated me to do so for the character I just started playing. Your videos have been a great tool!

[@MagnaFae]

I saw your previous D&D Journal video, and ever since I’ve been maintaining journals chronicling the events of each campaign I’m in. I’ve always been a note-taker, but I used to write my notes by hand in a journal. Now my notes are typed, thorough, AND organized. Thank you Ginny D for inspiring me to go the extra mile with my D&D notes.

[@Jforbino]

I've really been enjoying building my character journal for my current campaign. It even encouraged me to commission my first character art.

[@JKevinCarrier]

I've never gone quite this far, but I do like to pull apart and reorganize my character sheets so important things are easier to find. And I've found that just the act of copying things over helps me learn/remember the character's features.

[@calamityrosexo]

I love seeing a update journal for your chararters. I started doing this with my Paladain and Rouge and it's so much fun.

[@christophershoemaker7189]

I fucking love you! I can’t believe you braught up the dragonology book 😂

[@firebird8600]

Oooooooooh! I've been looking forward to this!

[@firebird8600]

I still have my copy of Pirateology! My younger brother destroyed Dragonology, and bought me a copy of Pirateology to replace it because he couldn't find Dragonology

[@dbressler2]

The Dragonology book is one of my favorites. But, as a kid? Oh my age is showing!

[@dahobdahob]

Man, I love this. I'm old school and always play off paper. I tend to use form fillable PDFs, and I have a habit of keeping a copy of the character at every level so I can go back and see how they grew over time. When I get to play again, I'm totally doing something like this. A /do/ buy stickers to give to my players. They are all teachers so they find it amusing.

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

Always worth keeping copies at each level, or even each session - stuff changes, sometimes rapidly, and occasionally you may want to for plot or meta reasons undo that multi class dip into cleric from 4 levels ago as not fitting the current character.

[@gwendolynrobinson3900]

I didn't have Dragonology, but I had the How To Train Your Dragon original novel series that taught "how to speak dragonese" because Hiccup learned Toothless and other dragons could actually speak their own language in the books, at one point I went to the library and copied down a condensed version of the translation guides in the books

[@shawnholbrook7278]

We totally bought the dragonology book for my eldest, we all enjoyed it immensely. 💖

[@isimpforanimegirls4918]

I LOVED that Dragonology book, it was my D&D spark.

[@juvia1118]

I LOVE this kind of content 😭🥰 it's so nice seeing all the effort and love you put into your characters!

[@Madebysg]

LOVE dnd journal videos aaaaa

[@jeanvalero1597]

You are a dream player

[@TaniaH-bz4wh]

This is awesome! I am new to DnD and making my 1st character. While I don't have ADHD, I do get anxious and easily overwhelmed in this process but I love organizing things and it is part of my self-care process so I use journaling alot...so I combining two fun things in one!!! Thank you so much for making this video!

[@Cheskaz]

I feel like my life diverged at the point that I got that Dragonology book

[@swagamemnon22]

Your original journal video has been my main inspiration for each of my character journal! I vibe with the way you organize stuff

[@mmabe4000]

I love your crafty videos!! so satisfying and fun to watch

[@iibwenbwenii2088]

Absolutely adored the first one of these, have been planning on making one for myself so im certainly not complaining to see another in my feed!

[@davidparkes7741]

I wish I had even an ounce of your creativity Ginny. This is awesome.

[@wylde_hunter]

I have been playing & DMing RPGs since they first came out and your love of the characters & NPCs give me hope for the future.

[@NyctophileXIII]

Truly heartfelt and wondrous!

[@LadyKjell]

Straight up inspiring. Thank you for making this video! I will definitely be taking some of this cool aesthetic stuff into consideration for my character binders ❤

[@estefizamora]

I absolutely love your character journals, first with Aisling, and now with Penelope 💜💜💜💜

[@ceres090]

I build my binders that same way! I never thought of adding an envelope though. That was a nice touch!

[@Silviecka]

I finished my character's journal today, I am still fighting the spell book, because the cards I made myself dont really fit, but thank you a ton for inspiration and sort of a guide! This video is very helpful and full of ideas

[@strwbrygrllilyable]

Love this so much!!! I did something similar for one of my DnD characters, only it was in a little notebook rather than a binder. I can see how the modular nature of the binder really helps, so I think I’ll try that for my next one! Honestly my favorite part is just amassing inspo images from the internet and little stickers and scrapbooking bits to basically just make physical Pinterest boards related to my character and the campaign in the journal 😂

[@gabrielhersey5546]

Yay journals!

[@krisz5501]

not me crying about making a character journal. I really want to do this for all my campaigns now! What a great video!

[@philurbaniak1811]

👍👍 it's awesome! I did something similar a while back, the prompts and profiles for combat stuff and writing a letter in character, it was so fun 😊!

[@KnicKnac]

That is so cool. I have an old binder with retired character sheets in it. It isn’t fancy just holds the memories of my four long form characters. Spanning 3.5 to Pathfinder. I kept them because they are memorable times with my old gaming group that disbanded due to life.

[@PsychoSonicFreak]

I was inspired by the first video to make a character binder for my dhampir monk and now, as I'm getting ready for a new campaign as a kobold ranger, I'm working on another. These videos are great inspiration and I love them! I also really like the more scrapbook vibe of this one, and since I'm making a ranger, I might do something very similar!

[@bleepgloop]

Just started a new campaign after a 7 year break from DnD so it's start to give my new character some love by making a binder too! 💖

[@tntori5079]

Coming back to this. Sssoooo glad you posted. I had forgotten but this just saved my my DM journal conundrum.

[@Enn-]

Great journal video. Stay safe with the weather out there!

[@LavenderDusk7]

I'm always obsessed with your journal videos, they're so aesthetically pleasing

[@SegaraRylex]

I've always loved all your videos and especially enjoyed seeing your character journal. For many years, I've always made and tailored my character sheets both hand drawn and digital. I also have sperate blinders that are semi decorated for the different campaigns I GM and some of my players have drawn or written Diaries about their characters and events. So thanks for sharing and just being you :3

[@aschyronunkwor673]

Even the sponsorship was tailored to the specific kind of weird that I love ahhhh, Im glad I discovered this side of scrapbooking

[@thomasgrable1746]

That looks like a delightful project, well done!

[@rascalscoot]

this is the cutest idea ever omg 😭😭 i have to try this out

[@aurodc3564]

I saw this and inmediately fell in love with the idea. I've started (currently almost finishing it) my own Character journal for my rogue/warlock wood-elf and this has been a huge inspiration to do it❤

[@lmack2009]

Thank you so much for sharing this process!! I adore your journal and Penelope. I was so unhappy with my information and stats storage method for my character, Rosa, and this gives me ideas for what I can do to change that!

[@Berks11]

Watching this has made extra upset that I’m a forever DM 😢. Maybe I’ll make abridged versions for the primary antagonists of my campaign!

[@foldionepapyrus3441]

That could be fun, and the players could from time to time find that WIP or torn out page detailing the horrors they themselves have done. Making it a real part of being the DM, weaving it into the plot. While giving the PC lots of ways to get confused, wondering if there are other bad guys (even though it is them), or if there are other victims (so they want to help this BBEG, for a while anyway).

[@issiemerry]

I totally get what you said about it being a tribute to a character you care a lot about - it's been over a year since one campaign I played in finished but I still go back to the huge in character diary document I have just for the joy of reconnecting to a character that meant a lot to me; it's nice to have things to remember them by

[@shapingshan]

Your journal has me so inspired to use more physical letters, props, etc in my own journal! Including the letter in the envelope is such a cute idea and I'm absolutely taking notes- your journal looks incredible and your hand lettering on the titles is so tidy and whimsical as well! ✨

[@luna_rose7604]

Wow I watched that past video several times over trying to get ideas for my own character’s journal, I’m happy to see one getting created from scratch this time!

[@socialreveluv5428]

This is one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen a DnD player do. I just came here after watching other videos about creating a character and watching this really contributed to what I've looked for! It's great to see Dnd players be so highly invested in the character it's almost a shame if it has to end someday. In my case I play DnD with 4 friends and all of them live in the same town so we're able to play once a week. Really getting to know the own character to that extent has always been a challenge because most campaigns only last for about 6 months. I do enjoy writing and thinking about new characters tho! Still it's just amazing watching you care about this character so much, it's really inspiring! - and thank you c:

[@dmute520]

This is so cute! Might do this style even for my dailey bullet journal. Also loved Dragonology and Wizardology

[@Hellvector]

This is so wonderfully wholesome and inspiring!

[@archimedesfort1650]

Very inspiring, great job!

[@okidokidraws]

I love your sponsors section i think they are the most creative.

[@annalachelt7441]

Obsessed with this journal! I may have to make one for my next campaign! Also, I think there's no such thing as "too invested" in something that brings you joy.

[@sino3318]

your work is so cool, the journal looks just as beautiful as the previous one! inspires me

[@tomwillett2005]

Omg recently discovered your channel and in the first full (not a short) vid I watch you referenced the dragonology book 🤪🤪 loving the content! Wishing Penelope the most fortunate of rolls

[@leahwilton785]

I do this for my PC, and I really love it! I just work on it during sessions (we play online so I have all my craft supplies at home w me) and I find its a nice thing to do with my hands in the down time.

[@SummonWolf]

I have watched the first journal video so many times and got super inspired to make my own. So it's really cool to get another one and actually see you assemble it this time

[@mentalrebllion1270]

I think I would enjoy this for my astral elf character I’m using for my radiant citadel campaign.