Gnome Stew
Latest News
Gnomecast 224 – Tabletop Safety Toolkit Interview
Posted: Wed, 05 Nov 12:00:05
Category: Gnomecast
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/gnomecast-224-tabletop-safety-toolkit-interview/#respond
Posted: Wed, 05 Nov 12:00:05
Category: Gnomecast
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_224_Safety-toolkit-list-Final.mp3 Join Jared as he interviews Kienna Shaw and Lauren Bryant-Monk, the folks behind the Tabletop Safety Toolkit, a resource providing gamers with access to a variety of safety tools. There’s a ton of options out there and their site provides options for every table. TTRPG Safety Toolkit Links: Legend in the Mist – 5e […]
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/gnomecast-224-tabletop-safety-toolkit-interview/#respond
Preludes
Posted: Wed, 29 Oct 10:00:18
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice, engagement
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/preludes/#respond
Posted: Wed, 29 Oct 10:00:18
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice, engagement
In my current Blades in the Dark game, I started to post preludes in our Slack channel a few days before the game. These preludes are short narrative pieces, centered on one of the characters, and convey some information to the players about the upcoming session. It is not the first time I have employed […]
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/preludes/#respond
Small Groups vs. Large Groups
Posted: Fri, 24 Oct 10:00:09
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice, group size
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/small-groups-vs-large-groups/#respond
Posted: Fri, 24 Oct 10:00:09
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice, group size
How large is your RPG group? Small? Large? Average? What are the ramifications of each size of group? Do you have too few players? Too many? It all depends on what you’re looking for in your games and sessions. Back in early high school, the largest group I was part of had 15 players and […]
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/small-groups-vs-large-groups/#respond
Gnomecast 223 – Getting Spooky with Bridgett Jeffries
Posted: Wed, 22 Oct 11:00:23
Category: Gnomecast
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/gnomecast-223-getting-spooky-with-bridgett-jeffries/#respond
Posted: Wed, 22 Oct 11:00:23
Category: Gnomecast
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_223_Getting-spooky-with-Bridget-Jefferies_final.mp3 Join Ang as she chats with guest Bridgett Jeffries about all things spooky and scary games. Need some insight into how to bring the best of horror to your table during this spooky season? Listen to Bridgett! Links: Contact Bridgett at Chaosium Symphony Entertainment
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/gnomecast-223-getting-spooky-with-bridgett-jeffries/#respond
Making Second Chances Cinematic: Introducing the Invocation Reroll
Posted: Fri, 17 Oct 11:00:35
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Call of Cthulhu
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/making-second-chances-cinematic-introducing-the-invocation-reroll/#respond
Posted: Fri, 17 Oct 11:00:35
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice, Call of Cthulhu
The problem isn’t the mechanic. It’s the framing. Rerolls are inherently dramatic — a refusal to accept failure, a desperate second chance — but most games treat them as paperwork.
The solution is simple: give rerolls a ritual.
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/making-second-chances-cinematic-introducing-the-invocation-reroll/#respond
A Look at The Art of Kobold Press
Posted: Mon, 13 Oct 10:00:04
Category: Reviews
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/a-look-at-the-art-of-kobold-press/#respond
Posted: Mon, 13 Oct 10:00:04
Category: Reviews
Kobold Press sent me a review copy of The Art of Kobold Press, a book showcasing the artwork used by the company over the course of its lifespan. That gives me the perfect opportunity to recall my connection to RPG art over the years. I was really fortunate to play RPGs in an era when […]
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/a-look-at-the-art-of-kobold-press/#respond
How to Steal a Story (to Use in Your Campaign)
Posted: Fri, 10 Oct 14:05:55
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/how-to-steal-a-story-to-use-in-your-campaign/#respond
Posted: Fri, 10 Oct 14:05:55
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice
“Everything’s a reboot. There’s nothing original anymore.” Boring statements. Defeatist. Ironically, not even original complaints. “Everything’s a remix.” Punk as hell. Creates opportunities. Empowering. Whether we’re talking about Marvel movies, the latest Disney live-action reboot, or an American remake of a popular foreign film, the idea that we’ve “run out of ideas” runs rampant amongst […]
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/how-to-steal-a-story-to-use-in-your-campaign/#respond
Gnomecast 222 – Combating Analysis Paralysis
Posted: Wed, 08 Oct 11:00:25
Category: Gnomecast
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/gnomecast-222-combating-analysis-paralysis/#respond
Posted: Wed, 08 Oct 11:00:25
Category: Gnomecast
https://polygamero.us/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/GC_222_Combating-Analaysis-Paralaysis-final.mp3 Join Ang along with Jared and JT as they talk about how to combat analysis paralysis! What do you do when your players get stuck overthinking and overanalyzing things and start dragging the game down! Links: Cyberpunk Legends Kickstarter DM Andy’s Maps Invincible RPG by Free League
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/gnomecast-222-combating-analysis-paralysis/#respond
Making Weapons More Interesting
Posted: Fri, 03 Oct 11:00:15
Category: Game Mastering, General, GMing Advice
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/making-weapons-more-interesting/#respond
Posted: Fri, 03 Oct 11:00:15
Category: Game Mastering, General, GMing Advice
Your weapons are more than just damage dice.
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/making-weapons-more-interesting/#respond
Basic Elements of NPCs
Posted: Mon, 29 Sep 10:00:41
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/basic-elements-of-npcs/#comments
Posted: Mon, 29 Sep 10:00:41
Category: Game Mastering, GMing Advice
NPCs in your RPGs come in all shapes, sizes, purposes, abilities, and reasons. It’s near impossible to enumerate all of the facets of an NPC or why they are in the storyline. Despite the Herculean task before me, I’ve done my best to outline what I think are the basic elements of NPCs in your […]
Comments: https://gnomestew.com/basic-elements-of-npcs/#comments



