

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

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

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

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.

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!

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!

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!

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.