Randomized content is an amazing way to make your articles more engaging! Use to display random quotes, “read more” lists, or even to create randomized interactive stories. This is a guest post by Morgan Biscup, author of In Spite of the Inevitable and expert Anvilite, who has used this technique in her own articles! Keep reading to learn the ins and outs of random content on World Anvil.

One of my favorite parts about worldbuilding with World Anvil is finding fun ways to present that worldbuilding to the readers. And today, I’m going to share with you one of my favorites: Randomizer Statblocks.

Statblocks are powerful tools, if you’ve the programming knowledge to use them. And randomizers can add a fun new layer to your articles, providing a different experience to your readers every time they load – and reload – the page.

My original attempt at a randomizer, with help from ShyRedFox, allowed me to provide a fun random motivational generator (you can still see it here), but it required programming in the outputs on the backend code. I wanted something easier to share with others, where anyone could input their own outputs, using only BBCode. So I reached out to Tillerz.

And today, I’m sharing the final results.

The Randomizer

First, you’ll need to copy the Randomizer Statblock into your world from this link: https://www.worldanvil.com/sheet/837833/view. (You will also need to enable “Homebrew” as a TTRPG system in your world. Under “Features” in the profile drop-down make sure “RPG Features” is enabled, then on your “World Settings” on the left sidebar add “Homebrew / In Development” to your “Role Playing Gaming Systems” list).

Once you’ve copied the statblock into your world, go to “Statblocks” under “Advanced Tools” and find “Simple BBCode Compliant Generic Generator”. Click the “Edit” icon and you’re all set to start.

The statblock is set up to accept all statblock-compatible World Anvil commands. (Currently, this is most of them, aside from Manuscript embeds). It even works with containers, if you’re Grandmaster+ and have access to that feature.

Each new randomizer option will require a double space between them. Single hard returns will register as a new line, double hard returns will register as the next input in the randomizer. (If you want the output to be double-spaced, simply use the [br] command to obtain the spacing you desire). The copied statblock will come with some samples inside of what can be done, including lists, to give you an idea of how it works. When you’re ready, simply delete these and overwrite them with your own code. Don’t forget to save when you’re done!

To use the randomizer in your articles, pick the “Copy Block” item and paste it where you want it to go. You can also use CSS and other BBCode within your article to further tweak the results.

As an added bonus, here’s a statblock for a Refresh Button, where you can change the displayed text. This uses your world’s standard button format, and clicking it will force a page refresh.

Potential Uses

I thought I’d also share some examples of how I’ve used the randomizer in my own articles. Feel free to adapt these to your own worlds, or post in the comments with other thoughts and applications you’ve made with the randomizer!

Each block chooses its output separately from the others, so it’s possible to include duplicates on the same page and still retain the randomizer effect. Just keep in mind that while the results will likely be different, duplicates are still possible if you’re using the same blocks multiple times.

  • In-World Flavoring: This randomizer was originally programmed for use in the Tavern challenge. My entry, Ekkil Turikk, includes a rotating menu of the daily specials.
  • Meet the Characters: Allow readers to get to know the characters of your world with rotating profiles or other fun motivational generator, in each character’s own words.
  • Character Generator: Dani made great use of multiple randomizing statblocks for her Indulgent Detective Agency adventure, allowing for a new experience each time.
  • World Facts: Fun facts are fun! Add rotating fun facts about your world to your homepage or articles.
  • Rotating Global Content: Global content is a great way to make sure your readers are aware of important things about your world, but readers also tend to glaze over information they’ve seen repeatedly. Add a little variety with a randomizer, such as I use in my sidebars to link to my book releases, mailing list signup, and other reader opportunities.
  • Customer Testimonials: Stormbril uses the randomizer for customer testimonials, both fictional ones such as at the end of the book in this article, and the real ones on the Support Cathedris page.
  • Random Articles: Toss a list of article blocks into the randomizer, and let the discursive journey fun begin!

What other uses can you think of? Leave a comment below with your ideas!

Thank you, Morgan, for providing your knowledge to the community! Check out her new book, as well as her world of Vazdimet—and make sure to give her a follow!