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

mike@slyflourish.com
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Oct 27, 2025 • 1h 9min

Project Sigil Ends – Lazy RPG Talk Show

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00 Show Start 01:01 Sly Flourish News: Gamehole Panels, Ravenloft with Shadowdark, Models Fuel Creativity, Prep Versus Improv 05:42 D&D & RPG News: StartPlaying.Games RPG Mental Health Survey 11:23 D&D & RPG News: Rob Weiland Passes Away 13:11 D&D & RPG News: Asmodee Takes Control of Lord of the Rings Tabletop License 16:56 D&D & RPG News: 30% Off Chaosium Products on DTRPG 17:50 Kickstarter Spotlight: Origins 4-Volume D&D Product History by Evil Hat 19:45 D&D & RPG News: Glass Cannon Liveplay using Shadowdark and Return of the Lazy Dungeon Master 20:33 D&D & RPG News: D&D 3D VTT Project Sigil Officially Ends 29:48 Product Spotlight: Phantasy Star RPG 37:23 Commentary: Experiences at Gamehole Con 2025 54:15 Patreon Spotlight: Crypts of Karigulon Updates 59:02 Patreon Question: Friend Doesn't Want My AI / LLM Generated Campaign Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Running Ravenloft with Shadowdark Frameworks Fuel Creativity Improv Versus Prep TTRPG Mental Health Survey on StartPlaying.Games Rob Weiland Passed Away Asmodee takes over LOTR RPG rights Chaosium sale on DTRPG Designers and Dragons crowdfunding campaign Glass Cannon Liveplay mentions Lazy DM Project Sigil D&D 3D VTT is No More Phantasy Star RPG
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Oct 24, 2025 • 58min

Top GM Tips Gamehole Con 2025 Seminar – Lazy RPG Talk Show

David Christ, founder of Baldwin Games and skilled convention GM, shares insights on managing player expectations and improvising in unpredictable scenarios. Allan Patrick, a veteran GM focused on player consent and pacing, emphasizes the importance of safety tools and clear communication for enhancing table dynamics. Together, they explore innovative techniques for designing engaging adventures, like allowing player agency through hidden rails and crafting collaborative sessions. Their practical tips aim to help both new and experienced GMs elevate their gameplay.
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Oct 21, 2025 • 59min

The Beautiful Mess of 5e Gamehole Con Seminar – Lazy RPG Talk Show

A recording of the "Beautiful Mess of 5e" Gamehole Con seminar recorded on 15 October 2025 with Teos Abadia, Shawn Merwin, Mike Mearls, and Mike Shea. Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books  
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Oct 17, 2025 • 36min

The Void Portal – Dragon Empire Prep Session 41

Mike delves into planning for the next session of his Dragon Empire campaign, recounting the grueling battle with a formidable green dragon. He explores the dynamics of dreadful blessings and their impact on gameplay. As loot and new missions unfold, there's excitement in smuggling a noble and rescuing the Children of Mott. Regional lore adds depth, with discussions on the wastelands altered by the Dragon Empire. Finally, he sets the stage for an impactful opening, showing the players' actions affecting the world.
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Oct 13, 2025 • 59min

Back Up your Digital RPG Stuff – Lazy RPG Talk Show

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00 Show Start 00:45 Sly Flourish News: Tab Your Books, Ravenloft with Shadowdark, Gamehole Con 04:01 Patreon Spotlight: 5e Artisanal Database Combat Tracker 10:43 Kickstarter Spotlight: Allies and Enemies for Shadowdark 12:26 Kickstarter Spotlight: Hall of Horrors for Daggerheart, Candela Obscura, and 5e 14:49 Sly Flourish News: Partnering with Let's Quest 16:49 Commentary: Back Up Your Digital RPG Stuff 34:25 DM Tip: The Value of Adventure Types 43:14 Patreon Question: Advanced Traps in 5e 48:18 Patreon Question: Keeping Multiple RPG Rulesets In Our Heads 53:10 Patreon Question: Homebrewing Adventures As Good As Published Adventures Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Tab Your Books Running Ravenloft with Shadowdark Allies and Enemies for Shadowdark Kickstarter Hall of Horrors: Bestiary for Daggerheart, D&D 5E, and CO Let's Quest Adventure Types: Dungeon Crawls
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4 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 38min

Eustasia Stonegaze – Dragon Empire Prep Session 40

Mike dives into planning a gripping D&D campaign as the players confront Eustasia, who transforms from a medusa into a formidable dragon. He details securing the base of Four/40 Fingers and the necessity of a kobold advisor. Insights into encounter budgeting and lair actions for an adult green dragon provide tactical depth. With secrets and lore surrounding blood magic, the stakes rise as sessions intertwine thrilling combat with player choices. Plus, a young void dragon adds an exciting twist to their adventures!
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23 snips
Oct 6, 2025 • 1h 1min

Land of Eem Spotlight – Lazy RPG Talk Show

Dive into the whimsical world of Land of Eem, where bright art and family-friendly fantasy collide! Discover innovative accessibility improvements for RPG PDFs and enjoy insights on crafting engaging game mechanics. Mike shares tips on the simplest quest models, and highlights a new Kickstarter for Hexploration Decks. Explore the nostalgia of Forgotten Realms, with recommendations for invaluable resources from the third edition. Plus, learn how to handle improvisation and offer players meaningful choices in their adventures!
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Oct 3, 2025 • 28min

Heroes of Four of Forty Fingers – Dragon Empire Prep Session 39

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
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Sep 29, 2025 • 1h 8min

Did WOTC Pay Critical Role? (No) – Lazy RPG Talk Show

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:50 Sly Flourish News: Use Agnostic Tools, Go Easy On Yourself, Vathrex Unchained 00:03:16 D&D & RPG News: Shadow of the Weird Wizard Bundle of Holding 00:07:05 Product Spotlight: Mythic Game Master Emulator for Solo RPGs 00:12:49 D&D & RPG News: How Many D&D Products Are There? 00:16:28 D&D & RPG News: Critical Role Interview on Dungeon Craft 00:37:47 DM Tip: What's Your Villain's Backup Plan? 00:52:34 Patreon Question: Share DCs and ACs? 00:57:09 Patreon Question: Worth Running Other RPGs? 01:04:13 Patreon Question: Starter Sets for Experienced Groups? Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Use Agnostic Tools Go Easy On Yourself Shadow of the Weird Wizard How to Find and Read Blogs Mythic Game Master Emulator Free guidelines Mythic Game Master Emulator One Pager Mythic Game Master Emulator Second Edition How Much D&D Stuff Is There? Critical Role interview with Professor Dungeon Master Villainous Backup Plans Makes a pact with a devil Sacrifices themselves Sacrifices their followers Sacrifices something they love Finds another key Conducts a life stealing ritual Makes a deal with a rival Digs everywhere Goes after something the characters love Allies with a more powerful being Creates a fake key Moves at a faster pace Takes a big risk Digs a new entrance Attempts to destroy the thing Seeks an alternative route Goes after an alternative artifact Infiltrates through a parallel world Sends in an army Seeks the Forbidden Way
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Sep 26, 2025 • 31min

Return to the Shrine of the Lower Left Hand – Dragon Empire Prep Session 38

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

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