Published by 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.
Listen on Apple PodcastsMike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Back Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster on Kickstarter Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:27 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter Continues 00:03:15 Sly Flourish News: Adventure Types and the Lazy GM Toolkit 00:05:00 Sly Flourish News: Signed SF Books at Inkwell Ideas at Gencon Booth 150 and Rock and Roar samples 00:06:36 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy GM Interview and Mentions 00:08:24 D&D & RPG News: Ship of the Dead with Bob, Grace, and Ginny Di 00:10:09 D&D & RPG News: Free Core20 Adventure and Playtest Rules 00:11:16 Kickstarter Spotlight: Doom—Dust of the Disintegrator 00:14:04 Commentary: Gencon next week and D&D World of Warcraft 00:20:48 D&D & RPG News: Archives of Nethys Deal with Paizo 00:25:25 Commentary: Lazy GM Toolkit in Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster 00:31:55 DM Tip: The Variables in Combat Complexity 00:50:37 Patreon Question: D&D Monster Manual Versus A5E Monsterous Menagerie 00:54:31 Patreon Question: Handling Big Battles Off Screen 00:56:59 Patreon Question: Why PDFs when they Suck? Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter! Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Adventure Types in Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster The Lazy GM's Toolbox in Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Rock and Roar in print with free samples TTRPG Insider Interview JP Coovert video Ship of the Dead with Bob, Grace, and Ginny Tormented Temple by Scott Fitzgerald Gray World of Warcraft for D&D Doom-Dust of the Disintegrator: Deluxe Edition Paizo and Archives of Nethys figure things out
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:32 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Game Master Articles 00:03:22 Patreon Spotlight: Reading Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Chapters Aloud 00:04:48 Sly Flourish News: Mike on Lots of Podcasts and Videos 00:14:48 D&D & RPG News: Throne and Bones Bundle of Holding 00:15:37 Product Spotlight: Nimble Action Tracker 00:16:36 Kickstarter Spotlight: Limithron's Pirate Map Collection for Pirate Borg 00:19:04 Kickstarter Spotlight: Fingertip Isles by Jeff Stevens 00:19:59 Kickstarter Spotlight: Attack the Light — Avenge the White Mare 00:21:59 D&D & RPG News: Perkins, Stephens, Thompson on Star Wars Saga Edition History 00:25:57 Commentary: Adventure Types in Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster 00:44:07 DM Tip: The Value of Relics 00:53:29 Patreon Question: Components of a Campaign Frame Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Prepping and Running Lazy Campaigns Adventure Types in Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Mike on Morrus's Unofficial Tabletop Talk Mike on Kobold Press's YouTube Talk Show Mike on Tabletop Journeys (YouTube) Mike on Tabletop Journeys (Podcast) Mike on PAGE's Friday Night Talk Show Nimble action tracker Thrones and Bones Bundle of Holding Limithron’s Pirate Map Collection Fingertip Isles by Jeff Stevens Attack the Light — Avenge the White Mare Reading D&D Aloud Podcast on Star Wars Saga Editon
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:15 Sly Flourish News: Rise Kickstarter, Expanding Eight Steps, Lazy Campaigns 00:04:07 Sly Flourish News: Reddit AMA for Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster 00:06:35 Sly Flourish News: Mike on Mastering Dungeons, Tome Show, and Polygon 00:09:13 D&D & RPG News: ENNIE Voting Underway 00:10:08 Kickstarter Spotlight: Exalted Funeral ENNIE Award Titles Backerkit Campaign 00:11:58 Kickstarter Spotlight: En5der Magazine Annual Hardcover from EN World Publishing 00:14:05 D&D & RPG News: Massive D&D Convention Building at Gencon 00:20:15 D&D & RPG News: Arcana Unleashed Deadfall for 11th to 20th level 00:26:48 D&D & RPG News: D&D Death Saves Black Label Campaign Setting 00:30:20 Commentary: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Campaign Prep and Play 00:40:47 DM Tip: Lazy Dungeon Prep 00:52:34 Patreon Question: What Is the Mourning? 00:57:51 Patreon Question: Spiral Development in Big Cities Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter! Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Expanding Each of the Eight Steps Prepping and Running Lazy Campaigns Reddit AMA Mike on Mastering Dungeons Video Mike on Mastering Dungeons Podcast The Tome Show Spotlight on Mike Shea Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Article on Polygon Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Article on Techraptor Burn After Reading — The Lazy Loremaster ENNIE Voting Now Open Exalted Funeral ENNIE Nomination Backerkit Campaign EN5ider Magazine Annual by EN World Publishing Kickstarter Huge D&D Presence at Gencon Arcana Unleashed: Deadfall 11-20th campaign Death Saves — Dungeons & Dragons “Black Label” setting
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:03 Sly Flourish News: Five Scenes, Expanding the Eight Steps 00:03:17 Sly Flourish News: Mike on What Would the Smart Party Do Podcast 00:05:09 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter Is Live 00:07:19 D&D & RPG News: 2026 ENNIES Nominations 00:12:45 Kickstarter Spotlight: Ereb Altor 00:15:12 Commentary: Expanding Each of the Eight Steps 00:41:15 DM Tip: Timing Your Sessions 00:51:51 Patreon Question: Building Worlds for Spelljammer 00:56:14 Patreon Question: Adding Cool Effects to Monuments Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Kickstarter Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Five Scenes Expanding Each of the Eight Steps What Would the Smart Party Do 2026 ENNIE Nominations Ereb Altor Kickstarter
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:02 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster in One Week 00:02:22 Sly Flourish News: Make Monsters Unique, Five Scenes 00:04:12 Patreon Spotlight: Blood of the Primordials 00:07:15 D&D & RPG News: New Dyson Maps Available 00:12:38 Commentary: D&D Has Been Incomplete for 52 Years and That's Good Actually 00:33:12 DM Tip: Clocks Versus Skill Challenges 00:44:23 Sly Flourish News: Adventure Types in Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster 00:53:52 Patreon Question: Running Short Games 00:58:16 Patreon Question: Feeling Nervous Before a Game Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Make Monsters Unique Five Scenes Dyson Maps Updated Dyson Commercial Maps Support Dyson's Patreon EN World Thread on Tools We Love
Mike Reviews Daggerheart! Contents 00:00:00 Introduction 00:02:30 My Experience Running Daggerheart 00:03:13 Disclaimer 00:03:53 My Goal for This Review 00:04:56 30-second Review 00:09:01 A Kitchen Sink RPG 00:22:20 Things I Love 00:27:15 Things I Didn't Love 00:35:00 Encounter Building 00:45:15 Solutions and House Rules 00:53:10 Final Thoughts Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster 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 Daggerheart Daggerheart System Reference Document
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:58 Sly Flourish News: Rise Kickstarter, Single Target Number, Make Monsters Unique, Blood of the Primordials 00:06:56 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Sample Walkthrough 00:17:29 Commentary: Nimble RPG First Thoughts 00:36:29 DM Tip: What Is a Lazy Gamemaster? 00:48:03 Patreon Question: Handling Persuasion Checks 00:53:53 Patreon Question: Light-weight OSR versus Crunchier new RPGs for Campaigns 00:59:29 Patreon Question: Running City of Arches After Heroes of the Borderlands Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster! Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) A Single Target Number Make Monsters Unique Nimblenomicon
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:01 Sly Flourish News: Single Target Number, Top Tips Chapter Read Aloud, Trying Lots of New Systems 00:08:46 D&D & RPG News: Dungeonomicon Bundle of Holding 00:10:03 Kickstarter Spotlight: Machine of Bone and Blood Kickstarter 00:13:24 D&D & RPG News: Layoffs at Paizo 00:19:26 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Game Master FAQ 00:33:51 Commentary: RPG Publishers Who Are Killing It 00:44:33 DM Tip: Go Around the Table 00:49:02 Patreon Question: Prepping for Daggerheart 00:53:35 Patreon Question: Static Damage for Shadowdark Links Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) A Single Target Number *Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster* Coming Soon! Dungeonomicon Bundle of Holding Machines of Bone and Blood Paizo Layoffs
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:58 Sly Flourish News: Defending Out of the Fun, Rolling for Targets, 1d4 Con, Finished Dragonbane, Started Nimble 00:07:10 Sly Flourish News: Order now Before New EU Taxes 00:08:55 D&D & RPG News: Dyson Logos Bundle of Holding 00:11:06 D&D & RPG News: Free League Humble Bundle 00:12:21 D&D & RPG News: Dyson Logos Bundle of Holding 00:13:19 Kickstarter Spotlight: Book of Unnumbered Worlds by Kevin Crawford 00:15:32 D&D & RPG News: Merry Mushman Knock Sale with US Shipping 00:17:18 Sly Flourish News: Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Coming Soon to Kickstarter! 00:24:23 D&D & RPG News: D&D Community Advisory Group 00:32:20 Commentary: Ravenloft Horrors Within Quick Thoughts 00:44:38 Patreon Question: How Fast for a Level 1 to 20 Campaign 00:49:00 Patreon Question: Improv With VTTs 00:53:03 Patreon Question: Hard Drive Crashed, Using Analog Tools for Prep Links Rise of the Lazy Gamemaster Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Defending Out of the Fun Roll to Target Big RPG Humble Bundle Free League Humble Bundle Dyson Presents 2026 Bundle of Holding Book of Unnumbered Worlds Merry Mushman Sale D&D Community Advisory Group Announcement EN World Ravenloft Horrors Within Spotlight Alphastream's Ravenloft Horrors Within – The Good Alphastream's Ravenloft Horrors Within – The Bad
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:00:40 Sly Flourish News: Draw Small Maps, Defending Out of the Fun 00:04:24 Sly Flourish News: Grand Lift of Depths Forgotten 00:06:42 Sly Flourish News: Secret Project Preview Done 00:10:22 D&D & RPG News: EZD6 Bundle of Holding 00:12:14 Commentary: Why Are Popular Games Complicated and Slow? 00:16:48 Kickstarter Spotlight: Dwarven Forge Caverns Reforged 00:23:11 D&D & RPG News: Green Ronin Physical Books On Sale 00:27:45 Commentary: The Wish Thief for Daggerheart and Chases 00:48:30 DM Tip: Write For Yourself 00:56:56 Patreon Question: Run OSR Style Games with 5e 01:03:23 Patreon Question: Games to Play at Conventions Links Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Draw Small Maps Defending Out of the Fun EZD6 Bundle of Holding Dwarven Forge Caverns Crowdfunding Campaign Green Ronin Warehouse Sale Daggerheart The Wish Thief Troublesome Quest Models Avoid Removing Player Agency YouTube Video on Chases
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign. Visit the Sly Flourish Blogs Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books Midgard Worldbook Tales of the Valiant Obsidian for TTRPGs PDF Search
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com Contents 00:00:00 Show Start 00:01:00 Sly Flourish News: RPG Tags, Draw Small Maps 00:03:14 Commentary: Pronouncing Melnibone 00:04:12 Kickstarter Spotlight: Spawns of the Mind Renderer 00:09:40 Commentary: Why Dungeon Crawler Carl and Neon Odyssey are So Popular 00:19:50 D&D & RPG News: Patchwork Paladin on Dolmenwood Experiences 00:23:13 D&D & RPG News: Bob World Builder Survey on Favorite RPG 00:27:00 Commentary: My Favorite RPG 00:39:18 Patreon Spotlight: Grand Lift of Depths Forgotten 00:44:11 DM Tip: Greed, Heroism, and Wonder 00:51:57 Patreon Question: Monster Vulnerabilities as Puzzles 00:57:17 Patreon Question: 13th Age and Daggerheart as Narrative Games 01:03:25 Patreon Question: Brutal Shakeoff, Break Status Effects with Psychic Damage Links Visit Sly Flourish Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Subscribe to the Sly Flourish RSS Feed Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast (Ad Free!) Defining RPGs with Tags Draw Small Maps Spawns of the Mind Renderer Neon Odyssey Dungeon Crawler Carl Patchwork Paladin in Dolmenwood Bob World Builder's RPG Survey Greed, Heroism, Wonder Lazy GM's Resource Document