The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish Journey to Nurduran – Dragon Empire Prep Session 52
Jan 16, 2026
Mike dives into the thrilling world of the Dragon Empire, discussing a daring mission to smuggle a Morza's son. The horror of a Behir attack and the complicated choices of Calisler, caught between worlds, heighten the tension. Players use ingenuity to save her through a world-tree ritual, unleashing cosmic creatures along the way. The unfolding political intrigue promises chaos in Nurderan as spies and dragons complicate the journey. With character connections and magical boons at stake, the preparation is as engaging as the adventure itself!
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Smuggling The Morza's Son Into The Shadow Realm
- Mike Shea recounts the party smuggling the Morza's son into the Shadow Realm where he gets killed by a Behir but survives via dreadful blessings.
- The group then hands him to the Ghoul Imperium and later reunites with him after more chaotic events involving fae and void entities.
World Tree Ritual And The Star-Spawn Fight
- Mike Shea tells how the party used a branch of the world tree to attempt to save Calisler and accidentally ripped open a void rift releasing star spawn.
- The encounter split Calisler into mortal and void halves, produced disintegration-style effects, and culminated in her becoming a true fey queen after victory.
Prep As Modular Components
- Mike Shea argues that prepping modular components (monsters, locations, scenes) avoids the 'quantum ogre' criticism and preserves player choice.
- He treats monsters and scenes as components to dynamically assemble based on player decisions rather than fixed outcomes.
