What can I say? I’ve loved this site for years–it’s been one of my favorites since I started reading RPG blogs and one of the ones I still check regularly, even with my limited computer time. Their mix of articles is wonderful, the writing is always top-notch and I always come away from it with ideas I want to apply to my game immediately. They’ve received ENnie awards in 2010 & 2011 and there’s a damn good reason why.
Whatever gaming topic you’re interested in, they’ve probably got a post dealing with it. Their archives are extensive — 1,193 articles last count. If you’re overwhelmed by the available information, start with their Top 30 Game Mastering Articles. I get their posts sent directly to my email and, inevitably will end up printing out several articles a week to stuff into my game bag.
Most of their articles are system generic and the ones aren’t cover a wide range of game systems. And not just the big names either. They run the gamut from D&D to Dresden Files to Fudge to Alpha Omega and just about everything else in-between, on the side, over the top and upside down. To find a listing of all their system-specific posts, check out their Specific RPGs page.
The site’s design is clean, professional and easy to navigate. I’ve never had a problem with the site and they use Google Custom Search, meaning it’s easy to find articles on specific topics. They have over ten writers (not counting authors of guest posts).
Here’s some posts I’ve found particularly useful
- Deep as a Puddle: Questionnaires and Tarot (NPC creation)
- Errata This! (Game publishing)
- Recapturing the Excitement (Running games)
- A “Realistic Enough for Fantasy Calendar (Worldbuilding)
- The Clue Map: Building a Web of Clues (Campaign building)
- When It’s Going Down in Flames, Tuck and Roll With It (Running games)
- Signs of Campaign Greatness (Campaign building)
The Gnome Stew crowd have also published two books:
- Eureka: 501 Adventure Plots to Inspire Game Masters
- Masks: 1000 Memorable NPCs for Any Roleplaying Game
Both are available in PDF and actual physical book format. I have PDF versions of both and they’re quality works with tons of useful ideas. They also have a new book coming out this summer
You can bet I’ll be adding it to my bookshelves.
Now if they would just offer the blog on Kindle 😉
Check out my other favorite gaming blogs:
- Need Ideas? Check Out Sea of Stars
- Campaign Mastery is Exactly What It Says
- Need RPG News? Check Out Game Knight Reviews
Related articles
- Happy Fourth Birthday, Gnome Stew! The State of the Stew, Year Four (2011-2012) (gnomestew.com)
- Coming this Summer from the Stew: Never Unprepared: The Complete Game Master’s Guide to Session Prep (gnomestew.com)
- Gnome Stew is Nominated for a 2012 Site of the Year Award! (gnomestew.com)
- Your Thoughts? (gnomestew.com)
- Your Time Is Now (gnomestew.com)
- Throwing Some New Ingredients In The Stew: Technical Upgrades (gnomestew.com)
