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

Path to Blackspire – Dragon Empire Prep Session 18

8 snips
Apr 4, 2025
Mike dives into preparations for his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. The group faces ghost walker ettins and humorous game mechanics mishaps, leading to mysterious discoveries. Political intrigue unfolds with characters entangled in smuggler schemes and rivalries. They explore the obsidian fortress of Black Spire and its enigmatic guardians. Encounter balancing becomes crucial as players strategize against winter wolves, all while crafting immersive adventures filled with colorful NPCs and rich lore.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

Stat Block Mishap

  • Mike Shea accidentally used the wrong stat block for orcs during a combat encounter, making them overpowered.
  • He improvised by explaining their high damage with special arrows and later gave the players similar arrows.
ADVICE

Prep with Obsidian

  • Use Obsidian for game prep; it's helpful for organizing notes and using templates.
  • Consider player character backstories and motivations when planning.
INSIGHT

The Smuggling Scheme

  • Smuggling operations might involve Ibalin framing Parsis by moving goods through Ashadar.
  • Parsis, despite appearing unaware, likely knows due to his extensive spy network.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app