Let's make a D&D character journal!

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► MATERIALS
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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...
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[@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.

[@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

[@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

[@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...

[@tabbybatgaming]

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

[@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

[@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 ✨✨

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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

[@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!

[@3nertia]

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

[@bune-kwai]

It’s irritating how great your penmanship is! 😂

[@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.

[@_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 ❤❤

[@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 😭

[@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!

[@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

[@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!

[@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 ✌

[@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. ❤

[@waffleman368]

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

[@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!

[@dbressler2]

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

[@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.

[@VermisTerrae]

Oh my lord, the word "dragonology" just blew the dust off of the most ancient neural pathway in my brain. What a blast from the past!

[@Jforbino]

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

[@christophershoemaker7189]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.)

[@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

[@Cheskaz]

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

[@jessperkins4241]

I’m going to do this with all of my characters now, this is so fun and will help me to better present my characters

[@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

[@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.

[@ceres090]

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

[@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!

[@jenniisthewriter]

I do character journals for all of my long-term campaigns. It is such a fun way for me to build out a character's asthetic and keep me zoned into the game.

[@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! 💖

[@shawnholbrook7278]

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

[@aschyronunkwor673]

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

[@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

[@connoraltier7081]

I somehow never noticed Penelope was Path of the Beast! My personal favorite Barbarian subclass, merging combat and exploration into arguably one of the most diverse Barbarian's due to not being locked into your choices permanently like Totem. Plus, works with shields and small races better than any other!

[@leeway3739]

On dndbeyond, to get around the rage bonus not adding (and other things like GWM) I add multiple versions of the same weapon to my character sheet and customize them for the added bonus damage or penalties to hit. (Maul, Raging Maul, Great Master Maul, Raging Master Maul, etc.)That way I can roll the one that is correct for that situation and it will still do the calculations for me! Hope that helps others out there who don't like doing the math each time or forgets to add it after ❤

[@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.

[@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.

[@isimpforanimegirls4918]

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

[@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 😊!

[@mentalrebllion1270]

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

[@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!

[@MaindexOmega]

Imagine having a long enough campaign to make this work worth it

[@Madebysg]

LOVE dnd journal videos aaaaa

[@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

[@Neophoia]

One character I play alot I have a similar book for. Only it also functions as prop for her (pact of the tome warlock). And because her patron sends her literal notes with instructions, my DM gives me small pieces of paper for said instructions, and I keep them in the book. Because it's a fun to have a record of all the quests her patron has sent her on. (also, because they are literal delivery quests it's even more fun of a quest log.)

[@mmabe4000]

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

[@aaronsomerville2124]

That's really cool. I was going to ask "what happens when your character gets disintegrated next session", but you actually covered that one! I really like how it turned out.

[@dandmadeeasy]

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

[@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

[@babybear3551]

I had an absolute blast designing a cutesy analogue book for my very first character. I wish I had seen this video first because using a binder is kinda genius. I just used a regular old planner I had lying around, but I'll definitely remember that for next time!! Thanks for all the awesome ideas

[@name_villain]

Omg the WILLPOWER it’s gonna take for me to finish for my character!! ADHD you will NOT stop me this time!

[@craftkatzyt]

something i learned for this, is that if you choose to draw everything on paper but the paper is too thin, look for a cheap note book with thick paper, it can hold markers really well and you have lines to add small notes. using glue either a stick or the elmers school glue will create a great bond between the papers. this works so well if your original journal you choose to use has too thin of paper where you can see the pen on the other side.

[@alaskankare]

that's inspiring. I may make journals up for my characters. I got hooked back into dnd after 20 years. played weekly for 3, but sadly i am void of dnd and miss my three dwarf ladies terribly. i miss my escape from reality too.

[@ZSieber]

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

[@vodostar9134]

Very nice character book and I enjoy seeing your delight at it. (I'm from the school of take a blank index card and write everything you need on one side of it, though)

[@AzraelThanatos]

I've largely used "Presentation Folders" with the page protectors and a few of the trading card sheets for class/racial ability and spell cards that I can swap out between characters as needed for some of the basic ones. The folders essentially have the fold over prongs rather than the binder rings and there's a transparent front (mine also has a couple pockets in the back for other things). I'd bought a pretty large box of them for rather cheap at an office supply place a long while ago and have a decent stack of characters that last for more than a session or two...they're also rather good for keeping a few pregenerated characters in if you're running the game with something like AL games).

[@LookMyMoonEyes]

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

[@juvia1118]

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

[@rocketterrier]

A while ago I watched a video where you talked quite a bit about taking notes. I introduced one of my groups to using Google Docs and sharing it so we can all sit and write notes together. When someone has to leave, our sweet healer says "I'll make sure to write everything down so you don't miss anything!" She is a sweetheart.

[@krisz5501]

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

[@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!

[@jwillenb]

Ginny's handwriting is so good!

[@hailiiz]

It was so cool to watch you use the Penelope commission for this!! I am so honoured -- ALSO YES!! Dragonology and there were other mythical creature ones too! My parents had them all, too good!

[@annageorge8406]

I hope I will get to do this for a character. I am reusing the binder I made Althaea's character journal, but unfortunately I had to leave.

[@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.

[@NyctophileXIII]

Truly heartfelt and wondrous!

[@sallyk4356]

My brother had the Dragonology book and I had a very similar book called Fairyopolis. We also had and shared Wizardology. I gave mine away to the girls I used to watch when we moved and am looking for a new one now that I've been reminded of them.

[@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 😂

[@TheArcadeCrow]

Ok I know this video is like a year old so nobody is reading the comments but until I watched this video I had no idea how much I needed D&D Stickers in my life lmao

[@Arix_Vaize]

I am :)

[@BriMBaca]

Ginny, i need you to know that the sleeves you linked went from being in stock to sold out in

[@jeanvalero1597]

You are a dream player

[@sino3318]

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

[@swagamemnon22]

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

[@jase7300]

I am running my character through solo gameplay, and I'm keeping track of each session as if it was a journal entry in her Monsters Hunter Manual. Which also has sections for Allies, Rivals, what stat blocks on known Monster's weaknesses, strengths and behaviors. I like the use of the binder, and I'll definitely have to use your paper aging technique for special maps, letters, etc. Thank you.

[@Enn-]

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

[@virgo_vampire]

the sleeves are such a clever idea! will definitely have to implement that :) i'm awful at taking notes and usually just write down the names of important npcs or items, but having a cute journal has definitely been incentive in my spelljammer game to take more detailed notes!! plus my character's a doodler so doodling on my notes is acceptable/in-character lol

[@Morgatronbot]

I like the contrast between the effort put into this and the ranger player in my 3 year campaign that asks if he gets a second attack every combat encounter.

[@Hellvector]

This is so wonderfully wholesome and inspiring!

[@davidparkes7741]

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

[@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!