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Scrollbook Web App Guide

Complete guide to using the Scrollbook web application for campaign management, character sheets, and homebrew content

Last updated: January 15, 2025

Scrollbook is the web companion to Cipher, providing advanced campaign management, character sheets, homebrew creation, and analytics. This guide covers everything you need to know to master the web app.

Getting Started

Accessing Scrollbook

Visit scrollbook.app and sign in with Discord.

First Time Setup:

  1. Click "Sign in with Discord"
  2. Authorize Scrollbook to access your Discord account
  3. You'll be redirected to your dashboard
  4. Link your Discord server(s) from the dashboard

Dashboard Overview

The dashboard is your command center:

Quick Stats:

  • Active campaigns
  • Characters created
  • AI hours remaining
  • Recent sessions

Quick Actions:

  • Create new campaign
  • Create new character
  • View recent activity
  • Access library

Navigation:

  • Dashboard (home)
  • Campaigns (manage campaigns)
  • Characters (character sheets)
  • Library (browse content)
  • Templates (homebrew)
  • Sessions (session history)
  • Settings (account & billing)

Campaign Management

Creating a Campaign

From Dashboard:

  1. Click "New Campaign" button
  2. Fill out the creation form

Required Fields:

  • Name: Your campaign title
  • Setting/Era: Forgotten Realms, Eberron, Greyhawk, or Custom
  • Starting Level: 1-20

Optional Fields:

  • Description: Campaign overview and premise
  • Tone: Serious, lighthearted, gritty, comedic, etc.
  • Max Players: Recommended 3-6
  • House Rules: Custom rules or modifications
  • Content Rating: PG, PG-13, R (affects AI content generation)

Advanced Settings:

  • XP System: Milestone or traditional XP
  • Encumbrance: Strict, variant, or none
  • Homebrew Allowed: Enable/disable custom content
  • AI Voice: Choose AI personality for narration
  1. Click "Create Campaign"

Campaign Dashboard

Each campaign has its own dashboard:

Tabs:

  • Overview - Summary and quick actions
  • Players - Manage party members
  • Sessions - Session history and planning
  • Locations - World map and points of interest
  • NPCs - Non-player character tracker
  • Quests - Active and completed quests
  • Factions - Organizations and relationships
  • Timeline - Campaign chronology
  • Notes - DM and shared notes
  • Settings - Campaign configuration

Managing Players

Invite Players:

  1. Go to campaign → Players tab
  2. Click "Invite Player"
  3. Enter their Discord username
  4. Select role (Player or Co-DM)
  5. Send invitation

Players receive a Discord notification and can accept/decline.

Player Roles:

  • Dungeon Master: Full control over campaign
  • Co-DM: Can edit content but not delete campaign
  • Player: Can create characters and view campaign info
  • Observer: Read-only access

Removing Players:

  1. Click the ⋮ menu next to player name
  2. Select "Remove from Campaign"
  3. Confirm removal

Note: Removing a player doesn't delete their characters - they're archived.

Locations & World Building

Adding Locations:

  1. Campaign → Locations tab
  2. Click "New Location"
  3. Fill out details:
    • Name
    • Type (city, dungeon, wilderness, etc.)
    • Description
    • Map image (optional)
    • Parent location (for nested areas)
    • NPCs present
    • Active quests

Location Types:

  • City/Town
  • Dungeon
  • Wilderness
  • Building/Structure
  • Plane of Existence
  • Custom

Map Integration: Upload images and pin locations for visual reference.

NPC Tracker

Creating NPCs:

  1. Campaign → NPCs tab
  2. Click "New NPC"
  3. Fill out details:
    • Name and title
    • Species and occupation
    • Personality traits
    • Appearance
    • Voice/mannerisms
    • Motivation and goals
    • Relationship to party
    • Location
    • Stat block (if combat-relevant)

NPC Features:

  • Tags: Friendly, hostile, quest-giver, merchant, etc.
  • Relationships: Track connections to other NPCs
  • Notes: DM-only private notes
  • Appearance History: Automatically logs which sessions they appeared in

Quick NPC Generation: Click "Generate Random NPC" to use AI for instant creation.

Quest Management

Creating Quests:

  1. Campaign → Quests tab
  2. Click "New Quest"
  3. Fill out:
    • Quest name
    • Type (main, side, personal)
    • Description
    • Objectives (checklist)
    • Rewards (XP, gold, items)
    • Quest giver NPC
    • Related locations
    • Status (active, completed, failed, abandoned)

Quest Tracking:

  • Check off completed objectives
  • Update quest status
  • Add session notes
  • Track rewards distributed

Quest Types:

  • Main Quest - Critical to campaign story
  • Side Quest - Optional content
  • Personal Quest - Character-specific
  • Faction Quest - Organization-related

Character Sheets

Creating Characters

From Dashboard:

  1. Click "New Character"
  2. Select creation method:
    • Quick Build: Pre-configured by class
    • Step-by-Step: Full customization
    • Import: Upload from D&D Beyond or Roll20

Step-by-Step Creation:

Step 1: Basic Info

  • Character name
  • Player (yourself or another player)
  • Campaign to join
  • Portrait image (optional)

Step 2: Species Selection

  • Choose from SRD species
  • Or select homebrew (if available)
  • Review species traits

Step 3: Class Selection

  • Choose primary class
  • Select subclass (if applicable)
  • Review class features
  • Option for multiclassing

Step 4: Background

  • Choose background
  • Select proficiencies
  • Define personality traits
  • Write backstory

Step 5: Ability Scores

  • Standard Array (15, 14, 13, 12, 10, 8)
  • Point Buy (27 points)
  • Roll 4d6 drop lowest
  • Manual entry

Step 6: Equipment

  • Class starting equipment
  • Or starting gold to purchase
  • Add custom items

Step 7: Finishing Touches

  • Alignment
  • Deity (optional)
  • Physical description
  • Age, height, weight
  • Languages
  1. Click "Create Character"

Character Sheet Interface

Sheet Tabs:

  • Main - Core stats, attacks, spells
  • Inventory - Equipment and items
  • Features - Class features and traits
  • Biography - Backstory and notes
  • Spells - Spell list and tracking
  • Companions - Familiars, pets, mounts

Main Tab Sections:

Ability Scores:

  • View scores and modifiers
  • Click to roll ability checks
  • Proficiency bonus calculated automatically

Skills:

  • Proficiency indicators
  • Click skill name to roll
  • Expertise support (double proficiency)

Combat Stats:

  • AC (armor class)
  • Initiative modifier
  • Speed
  • Hit Points (current/max/temp)
  • Hit Dice
  • Death Saves

Attacks & Spells:

  • Attack rolls with modifiers
  • Damage dice
  • Spell slots (if applicable)
  • Cantrips and spells known

Features & Traits:

  • Species traits
  • Class features
  • Feats
  • Background features

Updating Your Character

During Play: Changes sync in real-time between Scrollbook and Discord.

Quick Updates:

  • HP: Click current HP to adjust
  • Spell Slots: Click to mark used/recovered
  • Inventory: Add/remove items inline
  • Conditions: Toggle status effects

Level Up:

  1. Go to character sheet
  2. Click "Level Up" button
  3. Select new class level
  4. Roll/assign HP increase
  5. Choose new features (if applicable)
  6. Update spells known
  7. Confirm level up

Rest Tracking:

  • Short Rest: Recover HP and some features
  • Long Rest: Full recovery

Inventory Management

Adding Items:

  1. Character sheet → Inventory tab
  2. Click "Add Item"
  3. Search SRD or homebrew items
  4. Or create custom item
  5. Set quantity and equipped status

Item Properties:

  • Name and type
  • Weight (encumbrance calculated automatically)
  • Cost
  • Properties (magical, attunement, etc.)
  • Description
  • Equipped/attuned status

Automatic Features:

  • Equipped items affect AC calculation
  • Attuned items tracked (max 3)
  • Total weight calculated
  • Currency conversion

Spell Management

Spell List:

  • All known spells organized by level
  • Prepared spells highlighted
  • Spell slot tracking
  • Ritual spells indicated

Preparing Spells:

  1. Character sheet → Spells tab
  2. Click "Prepare Spells"
  3. Select spells (up to your limit)
  4. Save prepared spell list

Casting Spells:

  • Mark spell slots as used
  • Track concentration
  • Upcasting supported

Homebrew Content

Creating Homebrew

Available Homebrew Types:

  • Classes
  • Subclasses
  • Species (races)
  • Backgrounds
  • Spells
  • Items (weapons, armor, magic items)
  • Monsters
  • Feats

Creating a Homebrew Class

  1. Dashboard → Templates
  2. Click "Classes" → "New Class"
  3. Fill out form:

Basic Info:

  • Class name
  • Description
  • Hit die (d6, d8, d10, d12)
  • Primary ability
  • Saving throw proficiencies
  • Armor proficiencies
  • Weapon proficiencies
  • Tool proficiencies
  • Skill proficiencies (choose X from list)

Features by Level: Add features for each level 1-20:

  • Feature name
  • Level requirement
  • Description
  • Mechanical effects

Subclasses:

  • Define subclass options
  • Specify when subclass is chosen (usually level 3)
  • Add subclass features

Spellcasting (if applicable):

  • Spell list
  • Spellcasting ability
  • Spell slots by level
  • Cantrips known
  • Spells known/prepared
  1. Save as Draft or Publish

Publishing Options:

  • Private: Only you can use it
  • Campaign: Anyone in your campaigns
  • Server: Anyone on your Discord server
  • Public: Submit for community approval

Creating Homebrew Species

  1. Templates → Species → "New Species"
  2. Define traits:

Basic Info:

  • Species name
  • Size
  • Speed
  • Languages

Ability Score Increases:

  • Standard (+2, +1)
  • Or flexible (choose any +2, +1)

Traits: Add species traits:

  • Darkvision
  • Resistances
  • Special abilities
  • Natural weapons
  • Etc.

Subraces (optional): Add subrace variants with additional traits.

  1. Save and publish

Creating Homebrew Spells

  1. Templates → Spells → "New Spell"
  2. Define spell:

Basic Properties:

  • Spell name
  • Level (0-9)
  • School (Evocation, Transmutation, etc.)
  • Casting time
  • Range
  • Components (V, S, M)
  • Duration
  • Concentration required?

Description:

  • Full spell description
  • At higher levels (if applicable)
  • Damage dice or effects

Class Lists: Select which classes can learn this spell.

  1. Save and publish

Creating Homebrew Items

  1. Templates → Items → "New Item"
  2. Select type:
    • Weapon
    • Armor
    • Wondrous Item
    • Potion
    • Scroll
    • Rod/Staff/Wand

For Weapons:

  • Damage dice
  • Damage type
  • Properties (finesse, reach, etc.)
  • Magical bonus (+1, +2, +3)
  • Special abilities

For Armor:

  • AC bonus
  • Type (light, medium, heavy)
  • Stealth disadvantage?
  • Strength requirement
  • Special properties

For Magic Items:

  • Rarity (common, uncommon, rare, very rare, legendary)
  • Attunement required?
  • Charges/uses per day
  • Effects and abilities
  1. Save and publish

Using Homebrew

In Character Creation:

  • Homebrew species/classes appear in selection lists
  • Clearly labeled as "Homebrew"
  • Shows creator name

In Campaign: DMs can enable/disable homebrew per campaign:

  1. Campaign → Settings
  2. Toggle "Allow Homebrew Content"
  3. Choose which sources:
    • Your personal homebrew
    • Campaign-specific homebrew
    • Server homebrew
    • Community approved homebrew

Sessions & Analytics

Session History

Viewing Sessions:

  1. Dashboard → Sessions
  2. Or Campaign → Sessions tab

Each session shows:

  • Session number and date
  • Duration
  • Participants
  • AI hours used
  • Summary and highlights
  • Transcript (if recorded)

Session Details Page:

  • Full AI-generated summary
  • Character actions and quotes
  • NPCs encountered
  • Loot distributed
  • XP awarded
  • Quests updated
  • Next session hook

Downloading:

  • Export session as PDF
  • Download full transcript
  • Share link with players

Campaign Analytics

Available Metrics:

Player Engagement:

  • Attendance rates by player
  • Actions taken per session
  • Dialogue vs combat ratio
  • Character spotlight balance

Session Statistics:

  • Average session length
  • Sessions per month
  • AI hours usage trends
  • Most active times/days

Campaign Progression:

  • Character levels over time
  • XP gain rate
  • Loot acquired
  • Quests completed

AI Usage:

  • AI hours by session
  • Most AI-intensive sessions
  • Overage events
  • Cost projections

Combat Analysis:

  • Encounters per session
  • Average encounter difficulty
  • Damage dealt/taken
  • Character deaths

Exporting Data

Export Options:

  1. Settings → Data Export

  2. Choose what to export:

    • Full campaign data
    • Character sheets
    • Session transcripts
    • Homebrew content
    • Analytics reports

  3. Format: JSON or PDF

  4. Download ZIP file

Use cases:

  • Backup your data
  • Move to another platform
  • Share with players
  • Archive completed campaigns

Settings & Account

Profile Settings

Personal Info:

  • Discord username (read-only)
  • Display name
  • Email (for receipts)
  • Timezone

Preferences:

  • Theme (light, dark, auto)
  • Language (future feature)
  • Notifications (email, Discord DMs)

Notification Settings

Configure notifications for:

  • Session invitations
  • Character level ups
  • Campaign invitations
  • AI hour warnings (80%, 95%, 100%)
  • Billing reminders
  • New features/updates

Delivery methods:

  • Email
  • Discord DMs
  • Both
  • None

Billing & Subscription

Current Plan:

  • View tier and features
  • AI hours remaining
  • Next billing date
  • Payment method

Actions:

  • Upgrade/downgrade tier
  • Purchase hour packs
  • Update payment method
  • View billing history
  • Download invoices

Hour Pack Management:

  • View hour pack balance
  • See expiration dates (never expire!)
  • Purchase more packs

Privacy & Security

Data Management:

  • Download your data (GDPR compliance)
  • Delete account (permanent!)
  • Request data correction
  • Privacy settings

Connected Accounts:

  • Discord account (required)
  • GitHub (for contributing homebrew)

Security:

  • Two-factor authentication (future)
  • Active sessions
  • Login history

Tips & Best Practices

Campaign Organization

Use Tags: Tag NPCs, locations, and quests for easy filtering:

  • Important, minor, deceased
  • Friendly, neutral, hostile
  • Quest-relevant, background

Regular Updates: Update campaign info after each session:

  • Mark quest progress
  • Update NPC relationships
  • Add new locations discovered

Shared Notes: Use campaign notes for:

  • Session recaps (from player perspective)
  • Character theories
  • Calendar/timeline
  • Party inventory

Character Sheet Tips

Custom Macros: Create macros for common actions:

  • Attacks with advantage
  • Spell save DCs
  • Skill checks with bonuses

Condition Tracking: Always mark conditions:

  • Affects ability checks
  • Reminds DM of effects
  • Tracks duration

Inventory Organization:

  • Mark favorite items for quick access
  • Group similar items (potions, scrolls)
  • Note item locations (backpack, belt, etc.)

Homebrew Best Practices

Balance Considerations:

  • Compare to official content
  • Use CR calculator for monsters
  • Test in actual play
  • Gather feedback

Clear Writing:

  • Use official terminology
  • Be specific about mechanics
  • Include examples
  • State limitations

Version Control:

  • Mark beta/draft content
  • Update as you playtest
  • Document changes
  • Keep old versions

Mobile Usage

Mobile Web App

Scrollbook is mobile-responsive:

What works well:

  • Viewing character sheets
  • Rolling dice
  • Checking stats
  • Reading session summaries
  • Looking up spells/items

Limited on mobile:

  • Complex character creation
  • Homebrew editing
  • Map editing
  • Bulk data entry

Best Practice: Use desktop for creation/editing, mobile for reference during play.

Progressive Web App (Future)

Install Scrollbook as a PWA:

  1. Visit on mobile browser
  2. Tap "Add to Home Screen"
  3. Access like native app
  4. Offline mode (coming soon)

Troubleshooting

Character Sheet Not Updating

Problem: Changes in Discord not showing in Scrollbook

Solutions:

  1. Refresh the page (Cmd/Ctrl + R)
  2. Check internet connection
  3. Use "Sync Character" button
  4. Log out and back in
  5. Clear browser cache

Can't Create Campaign

Problem: "Create Campaign" button disabled

Solutions:

  • Check your tier allows more campaigns
  • Verify Discord server is linked
  • Ensure you have DM permissions
  • Contact support if tier limits unclear

Homebrew Not Appearing

Problem: Created homebrew not showing in lists

Solutions:

  • Check publish status (Draft vs Published)
  • Verify privacy settings
  • Ensure campaign allows homebrew
  • Refresh homebrew library

Slow Page Load

Problem: Scrollbook loading slowly

Solutions:

  • Check internet connection
  • Clear browser cache
  • Disable browser extensions
  • Try different browser
  • Check status page for outages

Keyboard Shortcuts

Speed up your workflow with shortcuts:

Global:

  • ? - Show keyboard shortcuts
  • / - Focus search bar
  • Ctrl/Cmd + K - Quick command palette
  • Esc - Close modals/dialogs

Navigation:

  • G then D - Go to Dashboard
  • G then C - Go to Campaigns
  • G then H - Go to Characters
  • G then L - Go to Library

Character Sheet:

  • R - Roll d20
  • H - Adjust HP
  • S - View spells
  • I - Open inventory
  • N - Add note

Need Help?

Guide Version: 2.0.1 Last Updated: January 15, 2025 Feedback: Help us improve this guide by reporting issues or suggesting additions.

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