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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
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Thursday Sep 11, 2025
Mike dives into the three core books of four different 5e systems and offers his opinions on the best of the bunch!
- 00:00 - I love 5e
- 01:48 - What is 5e?
- 06:51 - Focusing on Four Versions -- D&D 2014, D&D 2024, Level Up Advanced 5e, and Tales of the Valiant
- 08:51 - Focusing on the Core Books
- 09:26 - What is the Best 5e?
- 11:36 - Best Player's Handbook
- 24:27 - Best Game Master Guide
- 36:57 - Best Monster Book
- 46:06 - Recapping the Ranking
- 47:02 - Mix and Match
Links
- Visit the Sly Flourish Blog
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Podcast
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Black Flag System Reference Document
- D&D 2014 5.1 System Reference Document
- D&D 2024 5.2 System Reference Document
- Level Up Advanced 5e System Reference Document
Monday Sep 08, 2025
Monday Sep 08, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:36 Sly Flourish News: Secret of the Eight Steps and Lazy Map Annotations
- 01:43 Sly Flourish News: New Hat, Coffee Cup, and Calendar on the Store
- 04:29 Sly Flourish News: Key of Worlds 15 Releasing This week!
- 07:32 Sly Flourish News: Upcoming Conventions
- 09:16 Sly Flourish News: 5e, OSR, and Shadowdark on Dungeon Master Diaries
- 09:54 Kickstarter Spotlight: Scorched Basin by Homie and the Dude
- 12:50 Kickstarter Spotlight: Northlands by Kobold Press
- 30:15 Commentary: Daggerheart Initiative Feedback
- 37:36 Commentary: Lots Of You Play Lots of Different RPGs
- 44:59 DM Tip: Lazy 5e Crafting Guidelines
- 59:06 Patreon Question: Create a New or Use an Existing Location for Homebrew Adventures in Published Campaign Worlds
- 01:03:47 Patreon Question: Where to Spend time on Campaign Building
- 01:09:29 Patreon Question: Prepping Dungeons When you Don't Know Their Path
Links
- The Secret of the Eight Steps of Lazy Game Prep
- Lazy Map Annotation
- Gamehole Con
- PAGE 3 Con
- Mike on Dungeon Master Diaries Talking about 5e and OSR and Shadowdark
- Homie and the Dude Scorched Basin
- Northlands Kickstarter
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Friday Sep 05, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Sep 01, 2025
Monday Sep 01, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:44 Sly Flourish News: Track Turns the Shadowdark Way, The Secret of the Eight Steps of Lazy GM Prep
- 02:16 Sly Flourish News: 300 Room Descriptions
- 09:06 D&D & RPG News: DMs Guild Humble Bundle
- 12:26 D&D & RPG News: Dungeon Master Diaries on Playing Games Online
- 14:07 Commentary: Daggerheart Initial Thoughts
- 50:17 DM Tip: Roll for Monster Targets
- 56:57 Patreon Question: Dealing with the Mid-Campaign Blues
- 01:02:12 Patreon Question: Getting Players to Spend Treasure
Links
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Friday Aug 29, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Aug 25, 2025
Monday Aug 25, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 01:11 Sly Flourish News: Lazy 5e Magic Item Prices, Track Turns the Shadowdark Way, 14th Key of Worlds Scenario
- 05:48 Sly Flourish News: 5e Artisanal Database Treasure Generators
- 10:11 D&D & RPG News: Ironsworn Bundle of Holding
- 12:39 Kickstarter Spotlight: Aethereal Expanse Dreams of the Drowned God by Ghostfire Gaming
- 15:09 D&D & RPG News: Critical Role Season 4 Uses D&D 2024
- 33:40 D&D & RPG News: Dark Sun Subclasses in Playtesting
- 37:26 D&D & RPG News: Cypher System 2e Preview from Monte Cook Games
- 41:01 Product Spotlight: Nimble Boxed Set
- 51:39 DM Tip: Fixing Counterspell and Spell-Like Attacks
- 01:02:03 Patreon Question: How to Reveal Character Secrets
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
- Ironsworn Bundle of Holding
- Aethereal Expanse Dreams of the Drowned God Kickstarter
- Critical Role Season 4 Uses D&D 2024
- Dark Sun Subclass Playtest
- Cypher System Preview
- Nimble Boxed Set
- Nimble Quickstart Rules
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Friday Aug 22, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Aug 18, 2025
Monday Aug 18, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 01:12 Sly Flourish News: NPC Betrayal, 5e Magic Item Prices
- 03:03 Sly Flourish News: 20% Sly Flourish Books and Free US Shipping
- 04:04 Patreon Spotlight: Readings and Reflections
- 05:34 Patreon Spotlight: 5eADB Dice Roller and Point Buy Calculator
- 09:56 Product Spotlight: Tales of the Valiant Starter Set
- 21:52 Commentary: D&D Versus Magic the Gathering
- 49:23 DM Tip: Lazy Map Annotation
- 54:47 Patreon Question: Best Tools for Digital D&D?
- 59:18 Patreon Question: Shadowdark Feeling with 5e
Links
- Sly Flourish Sale – 20% off and Free US Shipping until 20 August
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Avoid NPC Betrayal
- Lazy 5e Magic Item Prices
- Tales of the Valiant Starter Set
- Hasbro Earnings Call Transcript
- Ben Rigg's Gencon Panel: Solving the Mysteries of the D&D Business
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Friday Aug 15, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Aug 11, 2025
Monday Aug 11, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 01:29 Sly Flourish News: Lazy World Building, Avoid NPC Betrayal
- 02:31 Sly Flourish News: Summer Sale - 20% off books and free US shipping \> $60
- 03:49 Sly Flourish News: City of Arches on Shard
- 04:57 Sly Flourish News: DM's Guid to Tyranny of Dragons by Beadle and Grimm
- 06:59 Sly Flourish News: Mike Joins Luke Hart on DM's Lair
- 09:19 Sly Flourish News: Sly Flourish Partnering with Let's Quest for After-School RPGs
- 12:34 Sly Flourish News: 5e ADB Monster Database
- 19:32 D&D & RPG News: D&D Starter Set Details
- 23:57 DM Tip: Choose Your Next RPG
- 36:11 DM Tip: Lose Yourself in Fiction
- 48:38 Patreon Question: Overwhelming Players with Villain Quest Progression
- 53:10 Patreon Question: Running Games with One Online Player
- 57:28 Patreon Question: D&D 2024 Slowing Down Combat?
Links
- Twenty Percent Off Sly Flourish Books and free US shipping!
- Let's Quest – Empowering Schools & Libraries
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Lazy World Building
- Avoid NPC Betrayal
- City of Arches on Shard Tabletop
- Beadle and Grimm Tyranny of Dragons Legendary Edition
- Mike on DM's Lair with Luke Hart
- D&D Starter Set – Heroes of the Borderlands Details
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Friday Aug 08, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Aug 04, 2025
Monday Aug 04, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 01:04 Sly Flourish News: Ten Heist Encounters, Lazy World Building
- 02:28 Sly Flourish News: Map Annotator in 5eADB
- 06:06 D&D & RPG News: ENNIE Winners
- 07:46 D&D & RPG News: Cypher System Revised by Monte Cook Games
- 14:59 D&D & RPG News: Daggerheart Class Decks, New Adventures, New Worlds with Keith Baker
- 20:06 D&D & RPG News: Critical Role Season 4 with Brennan Lee Mulligan
- 23:28 D&D & RPG News: Pathfinder Abomination Vaults on D&D Beyond
- 25:20 Commentary: D&D Beyond Isn't a Fair Business Platform
- 32:57 D&D & RPG News: Exclusive Forgotten Realms Products on D&D Beyond
- 39:26 Commentary: "Welcome Back" post by Dan Ayoub
- 01:00:24 DM Tip: Five Scenes
- 01:07:30 Patreon Question: 3-2-1 Quest Model Without a Job Board
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
- ENNIE Winners
- Cypher Evolved by Monte Cook Games
- Daggerheart Gencon 2025 Announcements
- Brennan Lee Mulligan GMs Critical Role Season 4
- Pathfinder Abomination Vaults PDF
- Forgotten Realms Digital Exclusives for D&D Beyond
- Welcome Back to the Table: D&D's New Direction
- D&D Beyond Terms and Conditions
- Jess Lanzillo interview with Christian Hoffer
- 3-2-1 Quest Model
Friday Aug 01, 2025
Friday Aug 01, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jul 28, 2025
Monday Jul 28, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00:00 Show Start
- 00:01:08 Sly Flourish News: Three Quests, Ten Heist Encounters, Endless Warrens Adventure Scenario
- 00:05:58 Sly Flourish News: Token Maker in 5e Artisanal Database
- 00:09:06 D&D & RPG News: Signed Sly Flourish Books and Hexploration Kits at Gencon Inkwell Ideas Booth 150
- 00:13:06 D&D & RPG News: Eddie Munson Stranger Things D&D Starter Set
- 00:24:09 D&D & RPG News: Cthulhu by Torchlight on D&D Beyond
- 00:34:39 DM Tip: Experiences Running the D&D 2024 Lich
- 00:55:03 Patreon Question: Fitting RPGs into a Busy Life
- 01:02:05 Patreon Question: Converting City of Arches and Grendleroot to Daggerheart
Links
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Friday Jul 25, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jul 21, 2025
Monday Jul 21, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:38 Sly Flourish News: Take it Easy, Prep Three Quests, Shadowdark Adventure, Creative Spark Appearance,
- 03:12 Sly Flourish News: Lazy 5e Treasure Generator
- 06:00 D&D & RPG News: Black Flag Released in Creative Commons
- 11:45 Commentary: Eberron Forge of the Artificer is a Weird Product
- 24:16 Commentary: 2025 D&D Starter Set
- 33:20 DM Tip: Experiences Running the D&D 2024 Death Knight
- 42:29 DM Tip: Lazy 5e Magic Item Prices
- 52:20 Patreon Question: Where Do Your RPG Tips Come From?
- 57:15 Patreon Question: Converting D&D 2024 Material Back to 2014
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
- Take It easy
- Prep Three Quests
- Guest on Creative Spark talking about being an RPG YouTuber
- Black Flag released in the CC
- Eberron Forge of the Artificer delayed
- D&D Starter Set Info
- RPG Tips in the Creative Commons
Friday Jul 18, 2025
Friday Jul 18, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jul 14, 2025
Monday Jul 14, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:54 Sly Flourish News: Treasure Parcels, Take it Easy, Shadowdark Adventure
- 05:06 Sly Flourish News: 5e Artisanal Database Encounter calculator
- 09:13 D&D & RPG News: New VP of D&D and a D&D Franchise Model
- 22:37 Product Spotlight: City of Arches Spotlight
- 40:09 DM Tip: What Do You Need To Run Your Next Session?
- 52:58 Patreon Question: Are We Leaving Fun at the Table?
- 58:59 Patreon Question: Revealing Character Secrets
Links
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Friday Jul 11, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jul 07, 2025
Monday Jul 07, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00:00 Show Start
- 00:01:06 Sly Flourish News: Chessex Mat Review, Treasure Parcels, Shadowdark Adventure
- 00:03:06 Sly Flourish News: 5e Artisanal Database Advanced Search Features
- 00:09:43 D&D & RPG News: RPG Mega Bundle on Humble Bundle
- 00:14:31 D&D & RPG News: Free Leage Summer Sales
- 00:16:42 D&D & RPG News: 2025 ENNIE Nominations
- 00:17:36 Commentary: Dungeon Delves Core Book Compatibility and Betrayal Adventures
- 00:34:51 Product Spotlight: Labyrinth by Kobold Press
- 00:53:01 DM Tip: The Two Opposing Truths of RPGs
- 01:00:15 Patreon Question: Maps and Theater of the Mind Breaking Immersion
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
- Chessex Battle Mat Review
- Lazy 5e Treasure Parcels
- Go Big RPG Humble Bundle
- Free League sale
- ENNIE 2025 nominations
- Labyrinth Worldbook
- Running Theater of the Mind Combat
- Abstract Battle Maps
- Zone-based Combat
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Friday Jul 04, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00:00 Show Start
- 00:00:45 Sly Flourish News: New Articles, Weapons of Power, Combat Tracker
- 00:01:53 Sly Flourish News: Weapons of Power Supplement
- 00:09:25 Sly Flourish News: Dread Necropolis Adventure Toolkit
- 00:12:53 Sly Flourish News: Combat Tracker in 5e Artisanal Database
- 00:18:17 D&D & RPG News: Numenera Humble Bundle
- 00:21:59 Product Spotlight: Dragon Delves for D&D
- 00:40:26 DM Tip: Building a Lazy Pantheon
- 00:54:43 Patreon Question: Adventure-Breaking Character Abilities
- 01:01:36 Patreon Question: Climactic Negotiations
Links
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Thursday Jun 26, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jun 23, 2025
Monday Jun 23, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:59 Sly Flourish News: New Articles, Scions of Light, 5eADB Updates
- 09:19 Kickstarter Spotlight: Treasures in the Dark by Jeff Stevens
- 10:43 D&D & RPG News: Perkins and Crawford Join Darrington Press, Ivan van Norman Leaves DP, Todd Kendrick Laid Off, Jess Lanzillo Leaves WOTC
- 16:57 Commentary: The RPG Business Punditry Hobby
- 22:14 Commentary: What Makes an RPG Successful?
- 37:30 DM Tip: Running 200 Ghouls in One Battle
- 49:53 Patreon Question: Campaign Plans and Player Agency
- 55:30 Patreon Question: Best Resources for New GMs
- 58:43 Patreon Question: Managing Large Groups of Monsters
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books
- How to Get Your Group to Play Other RPGs
- Organizing Your RPG Prep Notes
- Avoid Removing Player Agency
- Treasures in the Dark Kickstarter
- Chris Perkins and Jeremy Crawford Join Darrington Press
- Ivan van Norman Leaves Darrington Press
- Todd Kendrick Laid Off
- Jess Lanzillo Departs Wizards of the Coast
- Mastering Dungeons Episode
- What Makes RPGs Successful
- Running Hordes
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Friday Jun 13, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jun 09, 2025
Monday Jun 09, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:48 Sly Flourish News: 5e Artisanal Database Updates, Key of Worlds Scenario 11
- 08:25 Kickstarter Spotlight: Dragonbane Arkand & Book of Magic
- 11:19 D&D & RPG News: LGBTQ\+ TTRPG Bundle on Bundle of Holding
- 11:54 Product Spotlight: Daggerheart
- 36:08 DM Tip: Track Monster Damage with Xs and Slashes
- 47:16 Patreon Question: Telling Players About Quests
- 51:13 Patreon Question: Keeping a Campaign's Tone Consistent
- 54:33 Patreon Question: Tying Character Backgrounds to Published Adventures
Links
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Friday Jun 06, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday Jun 02, 2025
Monday Jun 02, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00:00 Show Start
- 00:01:02 D&D & RPG News: Happy Pride Month
- 00:01:31 Sly Flourish News: Leave Blanks, Hang On Loosely, COA Available Worldwide, Markdown and EPUB Lazy DM's Companion
- 00:08:03 D&D & RPG News: Daggerheart in Markdown
- 00:09:50 D&D & RPG News: Grim Hollow Bundle of Holding
- 00:13:48 D&D & RPG News: RPG Game Master Book Series Humble Bundle
- 00:15:01 Kickstarter Spotlight: Tales of the Valiant Player's Guide 2
- 00:18:40 Product Spotlight: Horizon Issue 3 by Wildmage Press
- 00:21:46 D&D & RPG News: D&D 2014 to D&D 2024 Conversion Guide
- 00:25:51 D&D & RPG News: Ten Cultist Powers by Evan Rash
- 00:26:53 D&D & RPG News: Corridor Themes by Justin Alexander
- 00:29:58 Sly Flourish News: The 5e Artisanal Database
- 00:39:04 DM Tip: The Power of Text Files
- 00:50:41 Patreon Question: Running the Keep Scenario from Lazy DM's Companion
- 00:55:16 Patreon Question: Sly Flourish Tools for Shadowdark
- 01:03:04 Patreon Question: Stocking Dungeons
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
- Leave Blanks
- Hang On Loosely
- City of Arches Shipping Worldwide
- Daggerheart SRD in Markdown
- Grim Hollow Bundle of Holding
- Deadlands Humble Bundle
- The Game Master's Book Of Humble Bundle
- Tales of the Valiant Player's Handbook 2 Kickstarter
- Horizons Issue 3
- New D&D 2014 to D&D 2024 Conversion Guide
- Ten Cult Powers by Evan Rash
- Corridor Themes by Justin Alexander
Friday May 30, 2025
Friday May 30, 2025
Mike prepares the next session of his Tales of the Valiant Dragon Empire campaign.
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
D&D and RPG news and commentary by Mike Shea of https://slyflourish.com
Contents
- 00:00 Show Start
- 00:33 Sly Flourish News: New Articles, Updated Obsidian Notes, COA Shipping in Europe, Lazy DM's Companion in EPUB and Markdown
- 08:04 D&D & RPG News: Old School Essentials Bundle of Holding
- 11:14 Kickstarter Spotlight: Blades in the Dark Deep Cuts
- 13:52 D&D & RPG News: Daggerheart Released
- 27:42 DM Tip: Mashing Up the Eight Steps
- 48:04 Commentary: Too Much Linking In Markdown Notes
- 49:57 Patreon Question: Rolling 3d6 For Ability Scores
- 53:34 Patreon Question: Low Level Characters with Powerful Legacy Magic Items
- 57:11 Patreon Question: Building Rich Tactical Battles in Old School Adventures
Links
- Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter
- Support Sly Flourish on Patreon
- Buy Sly Flourish Books:
- Your Criteria for Selecting Great Published Adventures
- Leave Blanks
- Old School Essentials Bundle of Holding
- Blades in the Dark Deep Cuts Backerkit Campaign
- Dice Exploder Interview with Jonathan Harper on Blades in the Dark Deep Cuts
- Daggerheart on Critical Role Store
- Daggerheart SRD
- Daggerheart Community License
- Daggerheart Quickstart PDF
- Evaluating an adventure — Patchwork Paladin