Homebrew

v1.125.1

Homebrew

This is currently being developed so it will be a bit rough as we develop better content and as we get feedback on what helps, and what doesn't.

FIRST things first.

When we say homebrew in the sense of 5eTools, it's more than what you might be normally be used to, homebrew content effectively means any content that is not WoTC and is also available for use within 5eTools. This will include licensed 3rd party content such as Green Ronin; Kobold Press; Paizo; etc. You can see the list of Offical content [[Template:SourceRAW}}|here]].

When it's used within 5eTools, Homebrew also includes the means to take your ideas and use them as part of the site. (ie Homebrew Manager is how you include non SRD/RAW content)

SECOND().

That requires some additional work from what you may be familiar with RE: Homebrewry, GMBinder, or just drafting up a thought in a word processor. It helps to have a minor understanding of a data structure called JSON. If you've used Homebrewry or GMBinder, CritterDB or the like, it's not that different.

We'll do our best to give you the support to build your own homebrew for 5eTools.

This process is outlined below and will link to the associated documents.

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To Create Homebrew

To convert homebrew into 5eTools you will:

• Find content you wish to migrate into 5eTools
• Decide how to break it down for 5eTools
• Determine Tools
• Review Sample(s) & Related works
• Review Template
• Register/List your homebrew on the Tracking Worksheet
• Open Editor / Tool
• Develop META header
• Begin Conversion
• Test code in JSONlint
• Attempt to upload through Manage Homebrew
• Test each section that was added

Homebrew: Diety Homebrew: How to Homebrew: JSON Overview Homebrew: Overview Homebrew: Psionic Homebrew: Resources Homebrew: Spell Homebrew Repository

How to create a Homebrew JSON for 5eTools

There are some site-specific Tools to make Homebrew for the 5eTools.

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Site Tools

Homebrew Builder

Great for Monsters & Spells

Text Converter

Helpful for converting Tables and statblock from Markdown or simple text

Renderer Demo

A style guide / practical reference of the various tags with side by side comparison of code to render, which means it provides a place to test out snippets of entries. MOST IMPORTANT TOOL FOR COVERTING QUALITY CONTENT.

It will not render a fully developed homebrew from JSON, it works for the embedded content (ie the "meat" or content).

Example Files

Each type has a sample file for reference to see how they are constructed, what is included and how formatting applies for such.

Schema

The specifics and requirements of the various types.

Homebrew Manager

Ultimately, the homebrew is

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External Tools

JSONlint.com

This site validates basic JSON structure (syntax) and points out what you're missing.

5eTools' Community Discord

specifically the #Brew-Coversion channel (its where you can ask directly for support and guidance)

Homebrew Repo

this serves as the offical Repository for Homebrew (the location from which the Manage Homebrew tool pulls.)

Code Editor

• Sublime

you may wish to install Pretty JSON.

• Notepad++

you may wish to install JSTool.

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This wiki will, under the sections or types of homebrew, which tools are best to work with within the 5eTools schema, Which reminds me...

The site utilizes JSON files for its data container(s), and so the homebrew'd additions are also JSON and must be converted from their current format (Markdown, PDF, .Doc etc into JSON formatted content.

If you're not familiar with it here is an overview of JSON -- the type of file/data structure content is stored within for 5eTools. Each main data type will have its own schema, and most will have a sample file associated with it to review and see how the schema is built with a practical example. (see below for that list).

Beyond that, there are some additional tools you will likely want to have in your virtual belt, loaded or bookmarked on your local PC.

entry templates are not linked yet, still testing.

Section Name		Example File(s)	Template	Schema 📑	Tool(s)	Description
Adventure		💾	📑	[📑]		A playable adventure. Should include maps, event descriptions, etc.
Book		💾	📑	[📑]		Books are like Compendiums but include more information, 'fluff' and the like.
Background		💾	📑	[📑]		A custom character background which provides rich content.
Bestiary		💾	📑	[📑]		Bestiary - Monsters, NPCs and the like
Boon		💾	📑	[📑]		Special rewards from Extraordinarily powerful creatures for a character's service.
Class		💾	📑	[📑]		Character class information
Class Features		💾	📑	[📑]		Features such as Invocations, Fightstyles, or the like.
Collection						A Brew with multiple section types defined within it, which doesn't lean more towards any one type.
Conditions		💾	📑	[📑]		Conditions and their effects
Deity		💾	📑	[📑]		The gods of the worlds of D&D through various campaigns.
Creature		💾	📑	[📑]		Bestiary - Monsters, NPCs and the like
Disease		💾	📑	[📑]		Diseases and illnesses.
Feats		💾	📑	[📑]		Custom Feats
Hazard		💾	📑	[📑]		These are most often enviromental hazards and climate issues, not as simple as traps but still worthwhile.
Item		💾	📑	[📑]		Items are the most complicated. Magical and Mundane, Trade goods, Kits, Mounts etc etc etc.
Meta tag		💾	📑	[📑]		This is required for each JSON
Monster		💾	📑	[📑]		Bestiary - Monsters, NPCs and the like
Object		💾	📑	[📑]		Objects are special items, being seige weaponry, explosives etc - usually mundane items that have specific features that exceed simple items but don't really have traditional combat aspects and need special descriptions.
NPC		💾	📑	[📑]		Bestiary - Monsters, NPCs and the like
Optional Features		💾	📑	[📑]		Optional features are things like Eldritch Innvocations, Powers, etc
Psionics		💾	📑	[📑]		Psionics are currently unique to Mystics and are similar to spells.
Races		💾	📑	[📑]		Playable races.
Reward		💾	📑	[📑]		Rewards and Boons, these are extraordinary results.
Ships		💾	📑	[📑]		Ships are part of a UA expansion to better identify how naval (space) combat would work.
Spells		💾	📑	[📑]		Spells are the magical powers for spellcasters, being divided into 10 tiers of power (cantrips + 1..9 level spells)
Table		💾	📑	[📑]		Tables can be random result tables or just a means to store data in a more helpful way.
Trap		💾	📑	[📑]		Traps and Lair like features that threaten characters - most often without combat resolutions.
Variant Rules		💾	📑	[📑]		These are sets of Rules for 5e that are House Rules, or expansions of existing rules - like crafting, mass combat/warfare, Strongholds and Travelling
Vehicles		💾	📑	[📑]		Ships are part of a UA expansion to better identify how naval (space) combat would work.