

The Lazy RPG Podcast - D&D and RPG News and GM Prep from Sly Flourish
mike@slyflourish.com
The Lazy RPG Talk Show and the Lazy GM Prep show. D&D news, commentary, spotlights, Q&A, and lazy GM prep with Mike Shea of Sly Flourish.
Episodes
Mentioned books

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

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.

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

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.

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

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!

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!

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

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

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


