When I run my D&D games in Roll20’s virtual tabletop, I put my room descriptions, trap info, or secret doors in hidden notes on the token layer — not the GM layer. Only I can see them. That way, I can double click on the note token and read my notes when the players get there, and it’s a nice visual reminder for exact trap locations.
Now, Roll20 does offer a GM layer, which is one place to park monster tokens and you could also put your notes there instead. But when running the game, why switch layers if you don’t have to? This approach gives me the options I want right where I want them: the token layer.
One-Time Setup Instructions
First you set up your master note token using these steps. Thankfully you only have to do this part once.
- Make or download a completely clear token .png (You can copy mine from the bottom of this post or from this link.)
- Upload that into your Roll20 image library.
- Zoom in close to a gridded map and drag the clear token out. Because you’re zoomed in close, it should be easy to drag-select and find it again, even though you can’t see it.
- Double-click the token to edit it.
- On the Basic tab: Give it a name like “DM Note.” Set a couple of colored auras. I used cyan at 2 feet and royal blue at 0 feet.
- On the Advanced tab: Set it as a low-radius (2.5 ft) light source that players can’t see. That way it’s easy to spot on a dark map later.
- On the Advanced tab: Under Player Permissions for the token, make sure they can’t see the auras, the name, the light source, or anything else.
- Save and close.
- Right-click on the token and set it to Advanced > Is Drawing. That stops it from snapping to the grid.
- Keep this edited master token copy somewhere handy so you can use it as you prep your maps. I suggest making a fake NPC character sheet and using this as the default token — that way you can just drag it onscreen from your character list whenever you need it!
How to Use: Falling Rocks Trap Example
Now that you have a master DM Note, here’s how to set up a trap:
- Copy it or drag it to the map and park it where you want.
- Rename it “Rocks Trap DC 12.” (I usually use the Perception check DC here.)
- Optionally, double-click to open it and set a description. The description could be “Some rocks are piled on one side of the tunnel and if you step too close, they fall. DC 12 Perception to detect. DC 10 Dex save to dodge getting /roll 2d6 bludgeoning damage. Half damage on save.”
- After the players find it (one way or another, heh heh heh) you could make the auras and name visible to them, so they remember if they pass by here again.
As more examples, you can use this for box text descriptions, or just to save bullet points you want to remember about a place. I used to keep notes in a separate file when I prepped maps… now? I just type my notes straight into the map itself using this approach so they’re handy right where I need them.
Clear .PNG Token to Download
Inside this box is the clear .PNG token you can save to use as a starting point:
Right-click in that box and choose to save the image. If that doesn’t work, right click this link and save target.
Hope this helps you as much as it helps me!
