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Award-Winning GMing Advice

Gnome Stew won the silver ENnie Award for Best Blog in 2011 and 2010 -- thank you for your support! Online since 2008, we've published 1,110 articles packed with GMing tips and advice, as well as two books for GMs. Our top 30 articles make a great starting point for new readers.

"I check Gnome Stew every day." -- Monte Cook
"fantastic blog for game masters, dungeon masters, and rpg fans" -- Wil Wheaton
"If you aren’t reading Gnome Stew, you’re missing out." -- Wolfgang Baur

Oct 28, 2011 by 14

How Do You Learn a New System?

Variety is the spice of life. You may have your favorite game system, but it does not need to be the only game system that you play. One of the joys of this hobby is that by using a different set of rules you can have a completely new experience at the game table even if you are still playing in the same setting. Trying a new set ...
Sep 15, 2011 by 5

The Importance of Failure

Two students train at a martial arts school. One fights only students at or below his level, and has an excellent win-loss record. The other fights only students above his level, and has a terrible win-loss record. Which one is learning faster? - Overheard at a martial arts seminar When was the last time you got ...
Aug 25, 2011 by 6

Learning The Game

Those who know me know that I am a polysystemist; a lover of multiple game systems (turns out poly-gam(e)-ist, means something else entirely). While I can remain faithful to a game system for about 6 months to a year, all games eventually are cast to the side for the “next game”. Those same friends also know that when it comes to game mechanics I am kind of lazy ...
Nov 26, 2008 by 7

Be Conscious and Reflective When You GM: Seven Maxims for Game Masters

In Lessons from the Long Campaign: Prep Only What You Need (part of his excellent Long Campaign series of articles), the Stew's own DNAphil said: Over the past few weeks, I have been writing about the lessons I have learned, from running my three-year long Iron Heroes campaign (here and here). As this campaign charges into the its final sessions, I am starting to realize just how much ...

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Metagaming, Noooo

It's why you always kill the grand vizier.