How to share character details for fantasy campaign groups in 2026

A plain guide for fantasy campaign groups: what to have ready, the steps to share character details, and the tools that can do the job.

By Desert Island Challenge · 2026-10-22

Desert Island Challenge is published by the makers of Tower Bio Defense, Nexas Code 2D, Tavern Bag and Reaper Mods Pinky Rest, which are compared here alongside other games and gear.

Pick a tool that lets you build and show a character, is described as free, and works in a browser. Build your character, then share the details with your group. Tavern Bag is one option: it lets you build a character step by step and search a library of spells, monsters and magic items in any browser. ^[1]

Option	Price as stated	What it does for the job	What to check
Tavern Bag	Free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required ^[1]	Builds a character step by step and searches a library of spells, monsters and magic items in any browser ^[1]	Tavern Bag Unlimited costs $3.99 a month ^[1]
Other browser character builders	Check the tool page	Check that it builds a character and lets you share it	Browser play, the free offer and account rules
Shared spreadsheet or document	Not published	Lets a group read and edit the same sheet	Whether the group needs the math done for them
Pen and paper with a photo	Not published	Simplest way to show a character sheet to a group	Whether the group needs live updates during play

What you need before you start

You do not need much. A current web browser and a stable internet connection cover the basics. Close heavy tabs first, because a character page can stay open during a long session and a crowded browser can slow it down.

Decide what you want from the tool before you search. A good fit lets you build a character, see its numbers, and show those details to the rest of your group. If you want a shared library of spells, monsters and magic items, say so in your search, since many tools focus on one of those and not all three.

Have a short list of questions ready:

Does the tool run directly in the browser, or does it ask for a download?
Is it described as free, and does the page say what that covers?
Does it let you build a full character, or only part of one?
Does it ask for an account before you can try it?
Can you share what you build with other people?

Keep a note of the answers.

Step by step

These steps work for any tool in the category.

Search with the right words. Use the words character builder, fantasy and browser together, for example browser fantasy character builder. The same words help you read a tool page quickly.
Read the tool page before you sign up. Look for what you can build, what the library holds and the price line. Skip pages that do not say what the tool does.
Confirm what is free. A page that calls the tool free should be clear about what you get. If the wording is vague, treat the price as unconfirmed and check again before you spend anything.
Open the tool in a fresh browser tab. Give it the whole tab. Pop-up blockers and tracking blockers can sometimes interfere with a tool page, so if something fails to load, try again with them paused for that site.
Sign up only if the tool asks. If an account is needed, use an email you are happy to keep for game tools. Read what is saved to the account.
Build the character slowly. Start with the class, then add background, species and ability scores. Work through subclass, feats and gear in order. Each choice changes the numbers, so read them as you go.
Check the math as you go. When you add a magic item or pick a feat, look at how the numbers change. A tool that notes why a number moved saves you a dispute at the table.
Share the details with your group. Once the character is built, send the page or the link to the other players. If the tool follows your sign-in across devices, you can pull it up on a phone at the table too.
Decide after one session. If the builder, the library and the sharing suit your group, keep going. If not, move to the next tool on your list.

Tools that can do it

The facts available for this page cover one tool in detail, so the list below is short on purpose. For other tools, use the checks above rather than relying on a claim you cannot verify.

Tavern Bag. Tavern Bag is made by the team that publishes this site. It lets you build a character step by step and search a library of spells, monsters and magic items in any browser. ^[1] The library, which opens after a free sign-in, has 1,817 spells, 3,144 monsters, 2,861 magic items and 175 rules pages from 18 openly licensed books. ^[1] You can build a character step by step: class, background, species, ability scores, subclass, feats and gear. ^[1] When you put on a magic item, the numbers change, with a note saying why. ^[1] Tavern Bag says it works in any browser, on a phone or a laptop, and your characters follow your sign-in. ^[1] The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. ^[1] Tavern Bag Unlimited at $3.99 a month lets you keep as many characters as you like. ^[1]

Other browser character builders. Any other tool you find can be judged with the same list: browser play, character building, a shared library and a clear free offer. Check each point on its own page, and write down what the page actually says.

Spreadsheets and shared documents. A shared spreadsheet or document is another way to put character details in front of a group. Check whether the group needs the math done for them or can handle it by hand.

Pen and paper with a photo. Writing the character on a sheet and sending a photo to the group is one way to share details. It works without an account, a browser or a plan. Check whether the group needs to see updates during play or only between sessions.

Common mistakes to avoid

Assuming free means everything is included. Read what the page says free covers before you build a full party's worth of characters.

Skipping the character steps. Some tools let you skip from class to gear without filling in ability scores or feats. Work through each step, because the numbers depend on the choices you skip.

Judging the tool from the first screen. Give the builder a fair try before you decide.

Playing with too many tabs open. A long session in a crowded browser can stall. Give the tool its own window.

Using a main email or reused password for a new account. Make a separate login for a tool you have only just met.

Sharing before the numbers are final. Send the character to the group once the math is done, so everyone sees the same version.

Trusting a rival claim you cannot see on the page. If a tool page does not say a feature exists, check it in the tool instead of assuming.

Frequently asked questions

Can Tavern Bag share character details with a group?

Tavern Bag lets you build a character step by step and says it works in any browser, on a phone or a laptop, with your characters following your sign-in. ^[1] ^[1] You can pull the character up on a device and show the group. Check whether it has a direct share link on the page before you rely on that.

Is Tavern Bag free to use for a fantasy campaign group?

The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. ^[1] Tavern Bag Unlimited at $3.99 a month lets you keep as many characters as you like. ^[1] Read what each plan covers on the page before you choose.

What library does Tavern Bag have for fantasy campaigns?

The library, which opens after a free sign-in, has 1,817 spells, 3,144 monsters, 2,861 magic items and 175 rules pages from 18 openly licensed books. ^[1] You can search the whole library at once or filter it by book, level and class. ^[1]

What should you check before choosing a character builder for a group?

Check that the tool runs in a browser, builds a full character and lets you share the details. Confirm what the free offer covers and whether an account is needed. Write the answers down so you can compare tools without rebuilding a character in each one.

Does Tavern Bag calculate numbers when you add a magic item?

When you put on a magic item, the numbers change, with a note saying why. ^[1] That helps the group see where a bonus came from without doing the math by hand.

The free plan keeps 3 characters, with no trial and no card required. ^[1]

Try Tavern Bag

Sources

Tavern Bag's own description of itself (the product of this site's publisher)