The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:10 Sly Flourish News: Play Solo RPGs, Experiences Running a 1 to 20 3x5e Game, Secret Project News 00:07:51 Kickstarter Spotlight: Druskara for Shadowdark 00:12:21 Kickstarter Spotlight: Creating Villains and Lairs by Jeff Stevens 00:15:27 Commentary: Onboard Players with Cheap or Free Player Guides 00:37:20 DM Tip: Who Summarizes Your Last Session 00:45:56 Patreon Question: Announcing Non-Betraying NPCs in Session Zero 00:51:39 Patreon Question: Is Procedural Prep and Play Good? 00:59:07 Patreon Question: Building Situations Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Play Solo RPGs Experiences Running a 20th Level Multi-5e Game Druskara: A Brutal Fantasy World Setting for Shadowdark RPG Game Master Tools: Creating Villains & Lairs Daggerheart character playbooks Dragonbane's cheat sheet by Rocketpunch Dragonbane Quick Start Riddermound Dragonbane Quick Start Sinking Tower Dolmenwood's online rules reference character generator Cairn's Kettlewright Index Card Free Quickstart Index Card $5 print Player Book Shadowdark Quickstart Pirate Borg Player's Guide ($25) Daggerheart Quickstart The Delian Tomb for Draw Steel Build Single Encounter Situations

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:16 Sly Flourish News: Eight Steps and Other RPGs, Play Solo RPGs, Secret Project 00:04:42 Sly Flourish News: Mike on Ship of the Dead Podcast 00:06:30 D&D & RPG News: Dolmenwood PDFs On Sale 00:13:39 D&D & RPG News: D&D Ravenloft the Horrors Within 00:19:48 D&D & RPG News: Arcana Unleashed 00:23:58 D&D & RPG News: Arcana Unleashed Deadfall 00:26:37 D&D & RPG News: New D&D Web Site 00:38:16 D&D & RPG News: D&D 5.5? 00:45:30 Commentary: Things I Love About Daggerheart 01:12:38 Patreon Question: 5e Threats of Death Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Do the Eight Steps Work for Other RPGs? Play Solo RPGs Mike on Ship of the Dead Dolmenwood sale Kobold Press Southlands Fanatical Bundle 1d4 Con Ravenloft the Horror Within Arcana Unleashed Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall New Dungeons & Dragons Web Page D&D Seasonal Play and D&D Encounters Mysterious Season of Champions State of the Game on Nerd Immersion D&D Beyond Staff on Mastering Dungeons D&D Beyond Staff on Eldritch Lorecast D&D 5.5

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:54 Sly Flourish News: Greed, Heroism, and Wonder; Do the Eight Steps work for other RPGs?; new secret project packet next week 00:04:12 Patreon Question: Character Creation During Session Zeros for Traveler Online 00:06:51 Kickstarter Spotlight: Stoneshatter Tomb 00:08:38 Commentary: More Dragonbane Thoughts 00:22:15 Commentary: Daggerheart Review Article and Thoughts 00:37:15 Commentary: Discord Enshittification 00:46:41 DM Tip: Move Steps Forward 00:54:07 Patreon Question: What Makes You Play 5e? 01:00:03 Patreon Question: Character Creation During Session Zeros for Traveler Online 01:02:49 Patreon Question: Managing Challenge with Sidekicks Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Greed, Heroism, Wonder Do the Eight Steps Work for Other RPGs? Pathfinder 2 Bundle Stoneshatter Tomb Kickstarter Daggerheart, a Dishonest Review Full of Lies Communities are not fungible

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:01 Sly Flourish News: Slashes and Xs; Greed, Heroism, and Wonder; Secret Project Packet 2 00:04:41 Kickstarter Spotlight: Dragonbane Trudvang 00:08:45 Commentary: A Tale of Two Solos 00:33:30 DM Tip: Survive and Thrive at Gaming Conventions 00:53:14 Patreon Question: When to Choose Three Villains For Your Campaign 00:57:09 Patreon Question: Revealing Villain Quests Through Secrets 00:59:31 Patreon Question: Running Campaigns About Revolution 01:01:49 Patreon Question: Famous NPC Cameos in Adventures and Campaigns Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Use Slashes and Xs to Track Damage Greed, Heroism, Wonder Trudvang Kickstarter Gaming Convention Survival Guide Lazy Campaign Building Checklist

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Bloga Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:02 Sly Flourish News: Many RPG Hobbies, X and Slash to Track Damage, Secret Project Batch 2 00:04:15 Kickstarter Spotlight: Rock and Roar Monsters for OSE and Shadowdark 00:05:40 Kickstarter Spotlight: Under the Shadow of Helfast Spire for Shadowdark 00:07:37 Kickstarter Spotlight: Blades 68 00:08:59 Kickstarter Spotlight: Nimble Reprint 00:11:20 Kickstarter Spotlight: Numenera for Cypher 00:18:04 Commentary: We All Won – Three Years since the OGL Crisis 00:47:51 DM Tip: Because of X, You Know Y 00:54:40 Patreon Question: Running Two Groups Thorugh the Same Campaign 00:58:03 Patreon Question: Pausing Personal Quests 01:01:12 Patreon Question: Adding 5e Rules to D&D 2024 Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: The Many TTRPG Hobbies Use Slashes and Xs to Track Damage Rock & Roar Kickstarter Under the Shadow of Helfast Spire by Bob World Builder Blades '68 Nimble 5e Numenera Cypher BackerKit Campaign History of the OGL

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Bloga Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:11 Sly Flourish News: Lazy Campaign Checklist, Many RPG Hobbies 00:10:00 Patreon Spotlight: Dwarven Forge VTT Backdrops 00:15:57 D&D & RPG News: Baldur's Gate TV Show 00:21:27 DM Tip: Feedback and Ideas for Scene Target Numbers 00:31:31 Product Spotlight: Down Among the Dead for Pirate Borg 00:45:58 DM Tip: Case Study Solution for Betraying Quest NPCs 01:00:36 Patreon Question: Involving Players in Collaborative Worldbuilding 01:05:19 Patreon Question: Planning Final Sessions of Long Campaign and One Year Later Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Lazy Campaign Building Checklist The Many TTRPG Hobbies Dwarven Forge VTT Backdrops Baldur’s Gate TV Show Down Among the Dead Pirate Borg Ending Campaigns

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:16 Sly Flourish News: Your Own Prep Framework, Lazy Campaign Building Checklist, New Project Test Chapters Released 00:09:48 Commentary: More Thoughts on Dragonbane 00:33:09 DM Tip: Single Target Number for a Scene 00:42:22 Commentary: Not Like This 00:52:54 Patreon Question: Dreadful Blessings for Legendary Actions 01:00:05 Patreon Question: Cult of the False Hydra Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Your Own Prep Framework Lazy Campaign Building Checklist Interview on RPG Drop Dreadful Blessings False Hydra

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:03 Sly Flourish News: Location Moves, Simplest Quest Model, Your Own Prep Framework 00:03:47 Patreon Question: Missing Players with Strong Story Connections 00:06:38 Sly Flourish News: Dragonbane, Daggerheart, Tales of the Valiant Games 00:15:00 Kickstarter Spotlight: Nighthunters by Tales of the Valiant 00:19:00 Kickstarter Spotlight: Savage Arctic For Shadowdark by Jeff Stevens 00:21:37 Kickstarter Spotlight: Dungeons Inc by Merry Mushman 00:24:04 D&D & RPG News: Halls of Arden Vul Bundle of Holding 00:26:15 Product Spotlight: Index Card RPG GM's Guide and Player's Guide 00:30:37 D&D & RPG News: Dungeon Masterpiece on Four Indie RPGs 00:47:35 Commentary: Crows Playtest with James Introcaso 00:52:54 Patreon Question: Antagonistic Relationships with Warlock Patrons 00:56:20 Patreon Question: Roles for Players to Help Run the Game 00:58:52 Patreon Question: Missing Players with Current Connections 01:01:00 Patreon Question: Ninth Step for Larger World Ideas Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Location Moves The Simplest Quest Model Your Own Prep Framework Tales of the Valiant Night Hunters Kickstarter Savage Arctic by Jeff Stevens Kickstarter Dungeon Inc Kickstarter Halls of Arden Vul Bundle of Holding New ICRPG Books ICRPG Video Dungeon Masterpiece on Five Indie RPGs

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:44 Sly Flourish News: Single-Encounter Situations, Location Moves, Tower of Kartan, PAGE 3 00:05:57 Sly Flourish News: ToV, Dragonbane, Daggerheart Thoughts 00:16:50 D&D & RPG News: BackerKit Hack 00:18:21 D&D & RPG News: Kansas City Chiefs Play D&D 00:23:13 D&D & RPG News: Stranger Things Boxed Set Sells Out 00:27:09 Product Spotlight: Dolmenwood 00:52:47 DM Tip: High-Value RPG Tricks 01:04:46 Patreon Question: Taking Notes During the Game Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Build Single-Encounter Situations Location Moves D&D with Kansas City Chiefs Dolmenwood Welcome to Dolmenwood Dolmenwood Online Rules Reference Dolmenwood Generators Ending Campaigns Making Great Handouts

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:53 Sly Flourish News: 5e Crafting, Single-Encounter Situations, 5eADB Dark Mode, Tower of Kartan 00:05:42 Sly Flourish News: Top Ten Articles of 2025 00:13:38 D&D & RPG News: Tim Kask Passes Away 00:14:37 D&D & RPG News: James Haeck Joins WOTC 00:15:13 D&D & RPG News: Shannon Appelcline on RPG Business in 2025 00:16:09 Commentary: Stranger Things Series Finale & D&D 00:29:31 DM Tip: On Puzzles 00:50:54 Patreon Question: Prepping Cities the Lazy Way 00:54:37 Patreon Question: Taking Notes During a Game Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: How to Get Your Group to Play Other RPGs The Secret of the Eight Steps of Lazy Game Prep Mashing Up the Eight Steps Build a Campaign-Unique Faction List Shadowdark House Rules Build Characters Quickly in D&D 2024 Lazy Map Annotation Avoid Removing Player Agency Lazy World Building Two Different 5e Games at the Same Table Tim Kask passed away James Haeck joins WOTC as a senior game designer Shannon Appelcline's Year-end Review

Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blog Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs