The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish Smuggling Wyvonir Part 1 – Dragon Empire Prep Session 46
Dec 5, 2025
Mike gears up for an exciting Dragon Empire campaign, reviewing intense encounters from the last session. He dives into the challenges of high-level play, offering tips on encounter pacing and tools like Obsidian. Secrets among characters come to the forefront as he unveils shocking identities. Travel routes become a focal point, with thematic monsters like a corpse-like gardener and shadow dragons in the mix. As Mike sets the stage for tense faction conflicts, the adventure promises thrilling twists and rich storytelling!
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Brutal Infernal Machine Showdown
- Mike Shea recounts running a brutal climactic fight against the archmage and infernal machine that drained player resources.
- He felt proud that the encounter challenged ten-level characters and validated his ability to scale threats in 5e.
Make Small Jobs Feel World-Shaping
- Moving tier-three characters into a smuggling arc feels low unless you add world-level stakes.
- Mike solves this by tying the smuggling to major faction politics and a hidden Morza identity.
Start Sessions With A Character Review
- Review player characters and items before the session to spot mechanical and narrative hooks.
- Use those hooks in the strong start to ask players what they're excited about and tie it into the adventure.
