Gary Gygax's Insidiae (2004)

Subtitle: The Brainstomers Guide to Adventure Writing

Adventure scenarios are an indispensable part of all role playing games. Gary Gygax's Insidiae: The Brainstormers Guide to Adventure Writing covers five vitally important aspects of game adventure design: back story, antagonists, motive, locale and plot. Each chapter builds upon the details of the last, teaching the hallmarks of good game mastering. Working through the guide will aid game masters in creating adventures for any role playing game; provide an array of ideas, character types, backgrounds, places of encounter and danger, and plot devices needed to propel characters deeper into the story.

Just a sampling of the introdution: "Weaving together multiple events leading to gratifying conclusions, while maintaining for the players a sense of actual danger without the threat of certain doom, and the capacity to use or disregard rules when appropriate are the hallmarks of good game mastering. Adventures must not "lead by the nose", dragging characters lock-step through a clunky, linear plot. And resolution should allow for continuance; the promise of greater glory and danger in an ongoing campaign.

Insidiae breaks new ground for game designers, professional or amateur, writers or anyone who has ever wanted to unravel the mysteries good adventure or story writing!