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

mike@slyflourish.com
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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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Sep 22, 2025 • 59min

Is WOTC Being a Good Steward of D&D? Fall 2025 Update! – Lazy RPG Talk Show

D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00 Show Start 00:59 Sly Flourish News: Published Adventures, Use Agnostic Tools, Vathrix Unchained 04:28 Sly Flourish News: Lazy DM's Workbook in NY Magazine 05:42 D&D & RPG News: Justice Arman on Mastering Dungeons 07:35 D&D & RPG News: D&D Starter Set Ad and Liveplay 11:25 Commentary: Is WOTC Being a Good Steward of the RPG Hobby? 38:59 Commentary: Dragonbane Feedback 52:08 Patreon Question: Running Paper Character Sheets 55:44 Patreon Question: Magic Item Attunement Criteria Links Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Lazy DM's Workbook in New York Magazine Justice Arman on Mastering Dungeons D&D Starter Set Ad D&D Starter Set Liveplay with Stinky Dragon Podcast folks New URL for D&D School Program pages Sly Flourish Sponsorship page D&D Beyond Isn't a Fair Platform for Customers or Publishers
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Sep 18, 2025 • 38min

D&D Starter Set – Heroes of the Borderlands – First Look

Mike dives into the new D&D Starter Set, Heroes of the Borderlands, providing a thorough first look. He discusses its quality, price, and intriguing contents like character and map components. Concerns around first-level character fragility arise, along with suggestions for enhancing player survivability. The exploration of adventure books and quest hooks reveals opportunities for player-driven storytelling, while his closing thoughts inspire listeners to embrace RPGs and explore deeper into the game.
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Sep 15, 2025 • 1h 6min

Dragonbane Boxed Set Spotlight – Lazy RPG Talk Show

Dive into exciting discussions around customizing your D&D experience through retail partnerships and unique player dynamics. Explore the innovative mechanics of the Dragonbane box set, emphasizing skill-focused gameplay. Delve into the ethics of treasure hunting in RPGs and strategies for navigating morally complex scenarios. Plus, get practical tips for running engaging 90-minute sessions and discover the joys of solo play with thrilling narrative adventures. Uncover the beautiful mess of D&D and the nostalgia surrounding new starter sets!
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9 snips
Sep 11, 2025 • 51min

What is the Best 5e? – Lazy RPG Talk Show Special

Dive deep into the world of 5e as Mike explores four different systems, including D&D 2014 and D&D 2024. Discover which core books stand out, from the best Player's Handbook to the ultimate Game Master Guide. He highlights the essential features that make each system unique and emphasizes the importance of tailoring RPG experiences to fit your group's dynamics. Plus, get insights on monster books and how a mix-and-match approach can elevate your gameplay!
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11 snips
Sep 8, 2025 • 1h 14min

More on Daggerheart Initiative – Lazy RPG Talk Show

Dive into the latest buzz in tabletop RPGs, featuring exciting Kickstarter projects like Northlands and Scorched Basin. Explore innovative crafting mechanics and the intricacies of utilizing rare components for unique magic items. Get insights on upcoming conventions and the Daggerheart Initiative feedback. There's also a spotlight on balancing narrative with player engagement, emphasizing improvisation techniques for game masters. Finally, discover tips for campaign building and how to make the most of your RPG experience!
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9 snips
Sep 5, 2025 • 28min

Sunspear – Dragon Empire Prep Session 37

Dive into an epic quest to assassinate a dragon half basilisk in a thrilling campaign set in the Midgard world. Discover players’ strategic discussions to confront a powerful green dragon and their daring attempts at stealthy heists. Unearth the complexities of character dynamics as they balance unique NPC designs and player motivations. Get a glimpse into future challenges targeted at levels 15 to 16, along with essential tips and resources for Dungeon Masters looking to elevate their gameplay.

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