Gate City Shadows - Core GM Panel (Gold Edition)

Versions [1.6.1 SILVER] [1.6.3 GOLD] [1.8.5 PLATINUM] | © 2025 Gate City Shadows, LLC. All rights reserved.

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📖 Module Overview

Why is it Special?

The Gate City Shadows Core GM Panel is unlike any other Foundry VTT module. Instead of offering one or two tools, it brings together everything a Game Master needs in one beautifully designed interface. Think of it as your command center for running incredible tabletop sessions.

What makes it special:

• All-in-One Solution: Every essential GM tool in a single, unified panel
• Works with Everything: Automatically adapts to your game system—whether you're running D&D 5e, Pathfinder, Shadowrun, or dozens of others
• Always in Sync: All your tools communicate with each other automatically, so you never have to manually refresh or update information
• Remember Your Preferences: The panel remembers how you like things arranged, which cards you use most, and your personal settings
• Built for Performance: Optimized for smooth operation even during the most intense gaming sessions

Key Features

The Core GM Panel includes powerful tools organized into three zones:

Left Zone - Status & Monitoring:

• Core Status: Real-time monitoring of your Foundry VTT system, performance, and connection health
• Roster: Track all your players and their characters at a glance
• Combat Tracker: Enhanced initiative tracking that works with any game system
• Session Timer: Track your session time with pause, resume, and export capabilities

Middle Zone - Media & Communication:

• Broadcaster: Share images and videos with players instantly—perfect for maps, handouts, and dramatic reveals
• DJ Booth: Professional dual-deck music system with sound effects for immersive atmosphere
• Storyteller: Automatic session logging that captures all the important events and decisions

Right Zone - Campaign Management:

• Mission Brief: Create and track missions with brief and debrief tabs
• Banker: Multi-currency financial management that automatically detects your game system's currency
• NPC Generator (Beta): System-aware NPC generation with archetypes and automatic stat calculation

Bonus Features:

• Beta Features (Platinum Edition): Early access to experimental features like the NPC Generator and Theme Switcher
• Theme Switcher (Beta): Choose from 6 distinct visual themes to match your game's mood
• Drag-and-Drop Organization: Arrange cards exactly how you want them
• Card Visibility Controls: Hide cards you don't use to keep your interface clean
• Persistent Memory: Your layout and preferences are saved automatically

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🎯 Differences Between Editions

The Core GM Panel is available in three subscription tiers, each designed to meet different needs:

Silver Edition (FREE)

Perfect for GMs who want the essentials

• Core Status card for system monitoring
• Roster card for player tracking
• Combat Tracker for initiative management
• Session Timer for time tracking
• Everything you need to run professional sessions

Gold Edition ($10/month)

Ideal for GMs who want the complete toolkit

• All Silver Edition features
• Media Broadcaster for sharing images and videos
• DJ Booth for music and sound effects
• Mission Brief for mission management
• Banker for multi-currency financial tracking
• Storyteller for automatic session logging
• Priority support and advanced documentation

Platinum Edition ($15/month)

For GMs who want cutting-edge features

• All Gold Edition features
• Early access to beta features (enabled by default, can opt-out)
• NPC Generator beta card for system-aware NPC creation
• Theme Switcher beta card for visual customization
• Custom feature requests prioritized
• Access to experimental features as they're developed

Note: All editions automatically assign access based on your subscription tier. GMs receive their edition automatically, and players receive a Player view for receiving broadcasts and media.

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📦 Installation

Installing the Core GM Panel is simple once your subscription is active and your Patreon account is linked to your Foundry account.

Prerequisites

Before installing, make sure:

1. You have an active subscription to Gate City Shadows on Patreon
2. Your Patreon account is linked to your Foundry account
3. You're logged into Foundry VTT with the account that has access

Installation Steps

Method 1: Via Foundry Module Library (Recommended)

1. Open Foundry VTT and log into your server
2. Click the "Add-on Modules" tab in the Foundry interface
3. Click "Install Module" in the top navigation
4. Search for "Gate City Shadows - Core GM Panel" under "Subscribed Content"
5. Click "Install" next to the module listing
6. Wait for installation to complete (usually takes just a few seconds)
7. Return to your world and go to Module Settings
8. Enable "GCSGate City Shadows: Core GM Panel" in your module list
9. Reload your world if prompted

That's it! The module is now installed and ready to use.

Method 2: Manual Installation via Manifest

If the module doesn't appear in the Foundry Module Library, you can install it manually:

1. Open Foundry VTT and log into your world
2. Click the "Add-on Modules" tab
3. Click "Install Module" in the top navigation
4. Click "Install Module" at the bottom of the dialog
5. Enter the Manifest URL (provided with your subscription)
6. Click "Install"
7. Wait for installation to complete
8. Enable the module in Module Settings
9. Reload your world if prompted

Troubleshooting Installation

If you can't find the module in the library:

• Make sure your Patreon subscription is active
• Verify that your Patreon account is properly linked to your Foundry account
• Try refreshing the module library
• Check your Foundry account's subscription status

If manual installation fails:

• Double-check that you entered the manifest URL correctly
• Ensure you have an active subscription
• Try logging out and back into Foundry VTT
• Contact support if the issue persists

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🚀 Quick Start Guide

Getting started with the Core GM Panel is incredibly easy. Follow these simple steps:

Step 1: Open the Panel

The easiest way: Type /gcs core in Foundry's chat and press Enter.

That's it! The panel will open instantly, showing your three-zone interface with all your cards ready to use.

Alternative methods:

• Use your assigned hotkey (if configured in Foundry settings)
• Access through Foundry's module settings menu
• Use the Foundry applications menu if available

Step 2: Explore Your Cards

When the panel opens, you'll see cards organized in three zones:

• Left Zone: Status and monitoring cards (Core Status, Roster, Combat Tracker, Session Timer)
• Middle Zone: Media and communication cards (Broadcaster, DJ Booth, Storyteller)
• Right Zone: Campaign management cards (Mission Brief, Banker, NPC Generator)

Try this first: Click on the Core Status card to see your system health in real-time. Green indicators mean everything is running smoothly!

Step 3: Customize Your Layout

Drag and drop cards to arrange them however you like. Your layout is automatically saved, so it will be exactly how you left it next time you open the panel.

Hide cards you don't use: Click the eye icon on any card to hide it. Use "Show All Cards" from the header to bring them back.

Reset to default: Click "Reset Layout" in the panel header if you want to start fresh.

Step 4: Start Your First Session

Use the Session Timer:

1. Click the play button in the Session Timer card
2. Watch it track your session time automatically
3. Pause when you take breaks
4. Export to chat when you're done

Try the Combat Tracker:

1. Start a combat in Foundry VTT
2. Watch the Combat Tracker automatically detect and display initiative
3. See health bars update in real-time
4. Use the combat controls to manage turns

Broadcast Your First Image:

1. Open the Broadcaster card
2. Click "Browse" to select an image
3. Choose your audience (all players or specific players)
4. Adjust scale and dimming if desired
5. Click "Broadcast" to share instantly

Step 5: Explore Advanced Features

Once you're comfortable with the basics, try:

• Storyteller: Start a session timer and watch events log automatically
• DJ Booth: Load some music and create atmosphere for your game
• Banker: Manage currency transactions with automatic system detection
• Mission Brief: Create your first mission with brief and debrief tabs
• NPC Generator (Platinum - Beta): Generate your first system-aware NPC

Pro Tips for Success

• Start Simple: Begin with Core Status, Roster, and Session Timer to get comfortable
• Explore Gradually: Try one new card each session instead of overwhelming yourself
• Customize Freely: Don't be afraid to hide cards you don't use—they're easy to bring back
• Use the Timer: The Session Timer helps Storyteller track events automatically
• Check System Health: Keep an eye on Core Status to ensure smooth performance

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🔧 Troubleshooting

Most issues with the Core GM Panel are easy to resolve. Here are common problems and their solutions:

Panel Won't Open

Problem: Typing /gcs core doesn't open the panel.

Solutions:

• Make sure the module is enabled in Module Settings
• Try refreshing the page (F5 or Ctrl+R)
• Check that you're logged in as a GM (not a player)
• Verify the module is installed correctly
• Try closing and reopening Foundry VTT

Cards Not Loading

Problem: Cards appear blank or don't show information.

Solutions:

• Refresh the panel (close and reopen)
• Check your internet connection
• Verify module permissions in Foundry settings
• Try disabling and re-enabling the module
• Check the browser console for error messages (F12 → Console tab)

Audio Not Playing (DJ Booth)

Problem: Music or sound effects don't play.

Solutions:

• Check browser autoplay policies (user interaction may be required)
• Click the play button after selecting a track
• Verify audio file formats are supported (mp3, ogg, wav, m4a)
• Check that audio files are accessible from Foundry VTT
• Try refreshing the page and clicking play again
• Check browser audio permissions

Banker Not Reading Currency

Problem: The Banker card doesn't detect your game system's currency.

Solutions:

• Verify your game system is supported (check the supported systems list)
• Check that actors have currency data in the expected format
• Use the "Refresh" button to force data reload
• Try selecting a different actor
• Check browser console for currency detection logs

Combat Tracker Issues

Problem: Initiative or health bars aren't showing correctly.

Solutions:

• Ensure combat is active in Foundry VTT
• Check that actors are added to the combat tracker
• Verify actors have health attributes
• Try refreshing the panel
• Check that your game system is supported

Storyteller Not Recording Events

Problem: Events aren't being logged automatically.

Solutions:

• Ensure the Session Timer is running (Storyteller only records when the timer is active)
• Check that recording is enabled
• Verify Session Timer integration is working
• Try refreshing the panel
• Check browser console for errors

Performance Issues

Problem: The panel runs slowly or causes lag.

Solutions:

• Hide unused cards to improve performance
• Close other unnecessary Foundry applications
• Reduce the number of active audio tracks
• Check Core Status card for system health information
• Try refreshing the page
• Restart Foundry VTT if the issue persists

Still Having Issues?

If you've tried these solutions and still need help:

1. Check the Browser Console: Press F12, go to the Console tab, and look for error messages
2. Check Core Status Card: Monitor FPS, ping, and connection status
3. Document Your Issue: Note what you were doing when the problem occurred
4. Contact Support: Reach out with specific error details

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📞 Support & Contact

We're here to help! Gate City Shadows provides comprehensive support for all subscribers.

Getting Help

Technical Support:

• Email: support@gatecityshadows.freshdesk.com
• Response Time: Typically within 24 hours
• What to Include: Description of the issue, steps to reproduce, error messages (if any)

Community Support:

• Discord: Join our community server for real-time help and discussions
• Website: Visit our website for updates, news, and additional resources

Reporting Issues

When reporting an issue, please include:

• Your subscription tier (Silver/Gold/Platinum)
• Your Foundry VTT version
• Your game system
• Steps to reproduce the problem
• Any error messages from the browser console (F12 → Console)
• Screenshots if helpful

Feature Requests

We love hearing from our community! To suggest a feature:

• Email: support@gatecityshadows.net (subject: "Feature Request")
• Discord: Post in the feature requests channel
• Priority: Platinum and Developer subscribers receive priority consideration

Subscription Support

For billing or subscription questions:

• Email: support@gatecityshadows.net
• Patreon: Contact through your Patreon account
• Foundry: Issues with Foundry account linking should be directed to Foundry support

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🙏 Acknowledgments

This module wouldn't exist without the incredible support and contributions of many wonderful people.

Family

First and foremost, I want to thank my family for their unwavering support, patience, and understanding during the countless hours spent developing, testing, and refining this module. Your encouragement made this possible, and your feedback as users made it better.

Team

To John, Brad, and Shana, who contributed to the development, testing, and refinement of the Core GM Panel—thank you. Your dedication to quality, attention to detail, and commitment to creating something special shines through in every feature.

Community

To the incredible Gate City Shadows community—thank you for your enthusiasm, feedback, bug reports, feature suggestions, and constant support. This module was built for you, and you've helped shape it into something truly special. Your passion for tabletop gaming and your dedication to running amazing sessions inspires everything we do.

Foundry Gaming LLC

Thank you to the Foundry VTT team for creating such an incredible platform. Foundry's flexible architecture and commitment to quality made it possible to build a module of this scope and sophistication. The Foundry community is one of the most welcoming and supportive in gaming, and we're proud to be part of it.

Subscribers

To all our subscribers—from Silver to Platinum tier—thank you for believing in this project and supporting our work. Your subscriptions don't just fund development; they validate the vision of creating professional-grade GM tools that make running games easier and more enjoyable. Every feature request, every bug report, every word of encouragement makes this module better.

Special Thanks

Thank you to the beta testers who put early versions through their paces, the translators working to make the module accessible worldwide, the content creators showcasing the module, and everyone who has recommended it to fellow GMs. Your support means the world to us.

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📝 Final Notes

The Gate City Shadows Core GM Panel is a labor of love, built by a GM for GMs. Our goal has always been simple: make running amazing tabletop sessions easier, so you can focus on what matters most—creating unforgettable stories with your players.

We're constantly working to improve the module, add new features, and respond to your feedback. This isn't just a product; it's an ongoing conversation with the community we're proud to serve.

Thank you for being part of this journey. We can't wait to see the incredible stories you'll tell with the tools we've built together.

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Gate City Shadows, LLC
© 2025 Gate City Shadows, LLC. All rights reserved.

For the latest updates, visit gatecityshadows.net

Enhance the Immersion. Enhance the Game.