The Dm's Deep Dive With Mike Shea

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 Subscr

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

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 Mont

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

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 Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Prep Three Quests Ten Easy Heist Encounters Eddie Munson Stranger Things D&D Starter Set Cthulhu by Torchlight

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

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

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

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 Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Dungeons & Dragons Shifts to Franchise Model, Dan Ayoub Named as Head City of Arches (with link to free preview)

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

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

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

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 Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Avoid Removing Player Agency Chessex Battle Mat Review Numenera Humble Bundle

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

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 Pr

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

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 Subscribe to the Sly Flourish Newsletter Support Sly Flourish on Patreon Buy Sly Flourish Books: Hang On Loosely How to Get Your Group to Play Other RPGs Dragonbane Kickstarter Pride Games Bundle of Holding Daggerheart Tallying Damage – Patchwork Paladin

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

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 F

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