Dungeons and Dragons is having a moment. Spurred on by hit YouTube channels like Critical Role and the global smash-hit success of Baldur’s Gate 3, many people who’d never previously dreamed of tossing a 20-sided die are getting to grips with a character sheet and setting out for adventure with their friends.
With this popularity comes opportunity, and in London, England, that meant the creation of Arcadia, a “third place” for enthusiasts: cozy workspaces, curated D&D sessions, a tavern serving craft ales and food, memberships of up to £300 monthly, and with a policy of being welcoming to new players who want to dip their toes into ongoing campaigns.
Co-founded by Raonaid Adrianna Ryn, Alexander Forsyth, and his wife Madeleine Wilson, Arcadia’s goal was to create a safe, inclusive space for diverse gamers, including women and LGBTQ+ players.
All was going well… until it wasn’t. Someone must have rolled a one because allegations of misconduct have shattered the harmony, sparking a courtroom saga of betrayal, lockouts, and financial finger-pointing.
The spark ignited on May 14, when a bar staff member reported discomfort during a conversation with Forsyth. He allegedly complimented her outfit, probed her career, and casually revealed his and his ex-partner Wilson’s involvement in kink clubs – remarks the staff member found intrusive.
Tensions escalated on May 23 during a session. A female dungeon master accused Forsyth of invading her space: sitting on the arm of her chair, partially in her lap, and initiating a “cuddle” in full view of customers. This, she claimed, was a clear breach of Arcadia’s code of conduct, which prohibits nonconsensual touching or sexual behavior, emphasizing consent as paramount in its “safe space” ethos.
Chaotic neutral?
Forsyth and Wilson vehemently deny the claims, branding them a fabrication orchestrated by Ryn and her new partner, Keiran Farr, in a bid for a “hostile takeover.” They portray themselves as the true guardians of the club, owning 46% equity.
On May 28, a board meeting descended into chaos, prompting police intervention. Farr allegedly enlisted a locksmith to bar Forsyth and Wilson from the premises, while Forsyth retaliated by locking Ryn out of business accounts – actions Ryn says caused £100,000 in losses, including a £32,000 withdrawal she labels theft. Forsyth counters that the funds were protective loans to safeguard the fledgling business.
Now they’ve headed to court, with the £150,000 ($200,000) dispute going straight to the Royal Courts of Justice (which, in a bizarre twist, is just meters away from Arcadia’s headquarters).
Not even the most drama-hungry DM could engineer this chaos, with these tales of boundary-crossing, backstabbing, and skulduggery mirroring the very adventures it hosts. Ryn laments the betrayal of their shared vision; Forsyth decries a “witch hunt”, and they’re frantically trying to find common ground.
And so, the fate of Arcadia hangs in the balance, a cautionary tale of how even in realms of imagination, trust can crumble like the HP of a wizard who’s out of spell slots. Time to make a few death saving throws…
