Getting Started with ArcAide

Welcome to ArcAide! This guide will help you get started with managing your D&D campaigns using our arc-based storytelling approach.

Creating Your First Campaign

Sign up or log in to your ArcAide account
Set up your profile by choosing a username (optional now, required for publishing)
Click “Get Started” or navigate to the dashboard
Create a new campaign by clicking the ”+” button
Enter your campaign name (e.g., “Lost Mine of Phandelver”)
Start creating arcs to structure your storylines

Understanding Campaigns

Campaigns are the top-level containers for organizing your D&D adventures. Each campaign can contain:

Multiple story arcs
Campaign entities (NPCs, locations, items)
Custom entity types
Rich text descriptions and notes

The Arc Framework

ArcAide uses a structured six-part framework to help you create compelling storylines:

1. Hook

The opening scene or inciting incident that draws your players into the story.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Hook

“While traveling to Phandalin, the party discovers an abandoned wagon with signs of a struggle and goblin tracks leading into the woods.”

This hook immediately presents a mystery and potential danger, giving players a clear reason to investigate.

2. Protagonist

The main character(s) or heroes of this particular story arc.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Protagonist

“The adventuring party, hired by Gundren Rockseeker to escort supplies to Phandalin.”

Clear identification of who the heroes are and their initial motivation.

3. Antagonist

The opposition, conflict source, or “villain” of the arc.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Antagonist

“Klarg, the bugbear leader of a goblin tribe that has captured Gundren and his escort.”

A specific, named threat that the players can focus on confronting.

4. Problem

The central challenge or conflict that needs to be resolved.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Problem

“Gundren has been captured and his location is unknown. The supplies he was expecting are crucial for the town’s defense.”

A clear problem statement that drives the story forward.

5. Key

The solution, tool, method, or insight needed to resolve the problem.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Key

“Following the goblin tracks to their hideout, gathering information from captured goblins, and staging a rescue mission.”

The path to resolution that players must discover and execute.

6. Outcome

The resolution and consequences of the arc’s events.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Outcome

“Gundren is rescued and reveals the location of Wave Echo Cave. The party learns about the Black Spider’s involvement.”

How the arc concludes and sets up future story developments.

7. Notes

Additional notes and supplementary information that doesn’t fit into the other categories.

Example: Lost Mine of Phandelver Notes

“Player feedback: loved the goblin ambush tactics. Next time, add more environmental hazards to the hideout.”

Meta-information for improving future sessions.

Next Steps

Once you’re comfortable with the basics, explore:

Advanced Features - Arc hierarchies, linking, view modes, and publishing
Content Creation - Creating Things and organizing content
Publishing System - Share content with players (Premium feature)
Search and Discovery - Finding and connecting your content

Publishing Your Content (Premium Feature)

ArcAide’s publishing system allows premium subscribers to share campaign content with players:

Set up your username (required for publishing - prompted automatically)
Toggle Publishing: Use the publish button on any Arc, Thing, or Campaign
Control Visibility: Mark specific paragraphs as “secret” to hide from players
Share Links: Send username-based URLs to players (e.g., /{username}/campaign/{slug}/)
Update Anytime: Changes to published content are reflected immediately

Publishing is perfect for:

Sharing character backstories and world lore
Providing location descriptions and maps
Creating player-accessible campaign wikis
Distributing session summaries and story updates