Author: John Arcadian

About The Author

John Arcadian (he/him/they) is a freelance author, blogger, and art director in the tabletop gaming industry with many awards under his belt. He has given TEDx talks and academic presentations on the social aspects of gaming and writes gaming advice at the multiple ENnie award winning site https://gnomestew.com and rant the site from 2014 to 2019. He also creates books, interactive gaming content, websites, and provides art direction for various companies like Encoded Designs, Cubicle 7, Kobold Press, Darker Hue Studios, Engine Publishing, Third Eye Games, Monte Cook Games, and many others. You can find a nearly complete list of publications at https://www.johnarcadian.com

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Island Design Theory

Posted by | Jan 20, 2009 | ,

I can’t remember the last adventure I ran that actually moved in a linear fashion. Often, I find that if I am running a pre-gen, or have built an adventure with a definite plan of execution, it ends up one of two ways. The players swing the story around like a rat flail, mangling the world until the story fits their play style (while I weep in despair over my beautiful creation), or I reign them in and keep them straight on the planned course only to find them not enjoying the game as much.

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It Came From The Stew Pot

Written by a team of veteran Gamers and Gamemasters, Gnome Stew is a widely read gaming blog with multiple awards, ennies, and thousands of articles. We’re dedicated to helping gamers have more fun at the gaming table.

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