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First printing November 2012

“I don’t have to do much prep at all, I just kind of wing it. But they think I spend hours and hours and hours actually planning all this shit out.” —Chris Perkins, Senior Producer of Dungeons and Dragons and Dungeon Master for Acquisitions Incorporated

Dungeons and Dragons is a registered trademark of Wizards of the Coast LLC. The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea V. X XIV. Six Traits About Your GameWorld...... WorldsXIII. Colliding ...... XII. Building From Frameworks...... XI. World Building Through Relationships...... X. Keeping inSight theEnd ...... IX. Tying PCsto theStory ...... VIII. Character-Driven Stories...... VII. TheThree Paths...... YourVI. Beginning Adventure...... • Appendix C:Dungeon Master Preparation Questionnaire ...... AppendixDungeon B:The ...... Master Survey Appendix Dungeon Master A:Lazy Toolkit...... TakeXXIII. What Works...... Immerse YourselfXXII. inFiction...... ImprovingXXI. Improvisation...... Delegation...... XX. XIX. Using PublishedMaterial...... TreasureXVIII. Lazy ...... and Experience EncounterXVII. Lazy ...... Design XVI. Reskinning...... V. V. I isHard Lazy III. Being ...... II. The DungeonMantraLazy Masterof the ...... James Grummell • Jeff Greiner...... • Dave Game” “The Chalker...... • I. Randall Walker...... References • Steve Townshend...... Acknowledgments...... • Davena Oaks...... • Michael Mallen...... • Matt James...... • Tracy Hurley...... • About The Author A Word About...... Piracy Five-Minute Adventure Preparation AboutBook This The Dangers The Over-Preparation of ...... Tools Dungeon Master of theLazy ...... Teos Abadia ...... Contents ......

2 20 18 16 14 13 12 10 37 36 33 32 32 30 28 27 26 24 23 21 40 39 37 53 52 50 49 45 44 43 41 55 53 56 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea greatest joy to you yourgreatest group. and the bring that things on the focus you can that prepare so how whatand to see you’ll Instead, your game. preparing You them. in playing don’tjust have joy to of the lose of that’s instead them why games, we’reD&D running great abit come love We as ideas of ashock. building all You these and game probably your D&D love preparing to: aims book this mind, in ideas these With a more game. in enjoyable may result preparation D&D more profound, potentially less and Second, themselves. more players or enjoyment to their bringing necessarily without games (D&D) Dragons and Dungeons their preparing and planning of time deal agreat spend masters dungeon many First, ideas. upon two builds book This I. dynamic and exciting game exciting and dynamic amore in results Show less you how preparing most enjoyment to you the your group and bring Help that elementsof you your game on the focus game for your D&D preparing Save you time About This About Book

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4 sciously avoiding. sciously you maysubcon- be activities important most the you away from steering be it might but instead useful, feel might your game you preparing spend time the All he feltwhich prepared most blog DM Id of the writer Mallen, to Michael according example, an world for won’t game your group. As abetter in result the in preparation the all Sometimes table. come to the your when players apart to have only itencounter fall area amonster or ascene an designing of time good deal not You productive be. might feels What a spend might not. Maybe better, right? games our webs. We work, of it makes that and enjoypolitical all of story. our and We worlds histories and love building the nuances all out figuring and encounter areas detailed up We setting games. our like We building ideas. like book’s of this criticism biggest single the be likely will This my game!” “But preparing ILIKE Pressfield writes about a concept called “ aboutcalled concept a writes Pressfield self-help War book,The popular of Art his In Resistance the and Creativity faced with such reasonable limitations. reasonable such with faced you when are enterprises creative you into tothese dive No one would expect mortgages? two to and support kids you when tohave paint four you learn your job quit and anovelyou you’re when write can Howcancer? fighting How can rational. and reasonable perfectly something be might Resistance the Resistance; about the things challenging and one interesting most is of the this fact, In or not. justified whether creation, way of true the in gets that anything is The Resistance creative works. finishing and force prevents people that making insidious from an as the Resistance describes book,Pressfield the In one for for one the was worst he session ran ever , the . the Resistance the , Stephen Stephen , ”. ”.

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5 the details of these ideas further in this book. this in further ideas of these details the cover We it unfolds. as of will your game story evolving to the react you and to need improvise techniques and on developing tools focus the you Second, can locations. fantastic and NPCs, for interesting such adventure, as bedrock the build you can First, your focus. merit areas benefit game. your Twomain directly will that areas in activities useful on spend less you would normally You energy before the agame. use can useful you feeling keep will goals right toward the your energy Channeling to create drive the Channel steer that energy to the right place? right to the energy that steer How prepare. you and tomight plan Yet remains drive the to life. a story monster. people bring They’re six when table at created the plot adventure, up an outyou astory, write anew or build Yourbreathe on own. its too, aren’t stories, when created and live story the letting from but instead lot of planning to nothing. do is thing hardest the Sometimes table. at the itself build game to the let simply learning is enterprise creative most the Sometimes another. be (PCs) might player of characters stories the the around your campaign Building book. the later in discuss we’ll one example, such one is improvisation Improving challenging. creatively most the may end up being story to your impact greatest have the that areas Some of the you are avoiding? What you could doing be instead? What The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea players deviate from that course. that from players deviate you to your let are likely less the you make, more stuff Therefore, the you make. stuff your players the to see You results. you those to want use commits emotionally for you your game bitEvery preparing spend of time thehair)? (including seagulls aflock of like over soars it everyone and “fly” casts wizard pain-in-the-ass you a when be will How it? off way to pissed skip creative a you players are find to the let howencounter likely area, three-dimensional up abeautiful hours setting three spend you whatyou If prepared. you your players want to experience more the for youyour game, more preparing spend The time You your material up in too build much stake monsters. of these capabilities true never to get show the off acouple only in of of rounds play. killed Youget might monster might that and edition, on the monster depending a an hour to minutes or build you fifteen It take might a villain. new to custom-build you drive feel that until sense logical makes all ofto do your desire so. This regardless one There’s to more, need levels. build little all across of monsters to thousands hundreds contain discussion) this forEdition 4th D&D and 3.5, D&D to Pathfinder, stick (we’ll Dragons versions and of Dungeons popular B Appendix in (read DM about the survey monsters or more minutes 30 spend designing 38% games, D&D weekly who run dungeon 470 masters Of surveyed game the to You matter little that areas in spend your time of over-preparation. dangers explore some potential of the Let’s time. simply wasting than more things dangerous enjoyment ofthe you your group. other and are There on impact most It’s the where it has time about spending isn’t dungeon time. master about just saving alazy Being players” the with contact “No survives plan IV. The Over-Preparation of Dangers The She DM She The —Davena Oaks, ). The most most The ).

6 You before astory build it should bebuilt at the table, not table, at on the your computer aweek earlier. story their whole group the world tells which the in building and NPCs, of the personalities in wiring PCs, of the desires and backgrounds the in weaving stage, the about building –it’s Itfor your though game. isn’t stories, about building preparing have fun still and of tothese avoid ways are There all plot. boring potentially and rehearsed, into ascripted, fall you’ll morethe likely time, ahead of thestory out to fill more The youhand. try not table, at before- the occurs of games our story The to follow. everyone ofpages prose you expect don’t up six You to erupt? story doby so writing certainly How do you prepare game? for our aspontaneous during supposedto happen is that for astory of time ahead we write How table. at the much should runs game the toldis while story amap, adventure notes or but true out build the their type happen they when stories the think often DMs might than as a fully-filled outstory. afully-filled as than tolater tap ideas as better serve might but they useless, are doesn’t ideas your planned This mean to happen? about idea no whatwas one any had table atbecause the were DM how of memorablethe and them many simply moments How of were those by many pre-scripted games. memorable most to the moments your life, of those in over back games the Think free. run story the letting it’sBut isn’t story; your game about the about controlling we feel. better the of time, we ahead apply game to the we didn’t moresuck to because The prepare. bother control will game our that feeling the is most the dungeon masters frightens of control. What feeling It to the comesdown The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea might be nothing more than a single sentence such as: asingle more than nothing be might game of the beginning for preparation the actual The start. yougame can’t You improvise. where to need things know of the one is part This game. the look to youthey to start when down amoment be your group settles as will There where your adventure begins. you understand must First, adventure the does begin? Where For now, let’s look summary. at aquick of acomplete seed adventure or the campaign. entire an show you out to how build a 3x5 card to use chapters will few next The card. of the boundaries the within remain out to your build worldyou freedom the but forces you to tool. It’scheap, it’s It gives it’s simple, and constrained. adungeon master as advantages many has 3x5 card The adventure design 3x5 card 3x5 card. the let’s questions, aDM’s use three to these tool: best answers order the In on to own. ways capture its interesting and can’t new game head in the that you much so detail giving without game on your next handle have ageneral you you to give feel like enough questions three These simple questions: to three going that to shorten We’re adventure. an to needed build steps twelve of the achecklist Tips Master contained Dungeon Sly Flourish’s game?” interesting and asatisfying have still and prepare I possibly can “How little V. What are your three notable NPCs up to? notable NPCs your three are What lead? your adventure might To areas three what begin? your adventure does Where Five-Minute Adventure Preparation Adventure Five-Minute Dungeon Master’s Guide 2 Master’s Co-Author Dungeon Guide ofand the Author of Robin’s of Mastery Game Author of Good Laws —Robin D.—Robin Laws,

7 What paths lie ahead? lie paths What full of monsters springing from closets. from of springing monsters full adungeon much they’re know in more than they results, your when playersthe see and to game, game directions new in things shift and help move They things game. into the breathe life questions These one another? with Howcollided NPCs have the business? going about their have PCs been the doing while been have they What been? world. have your NPCs Where breathing to aliving, be it needs depth true the your game gives question third The up been to? have NPCs What the game. the before during and more you be If you’ll feelprepared. prepared, comfortable options helps you feel three down writing Most important, choices. three or of acombination of the two afourth choose room enough to potentially is there them shows It also to for take. them directions you have three narrow. your to group If look tends to you for direction, too things tomaking pick which without options from It players choices afew afew ways. help gives in These to your choices three. Keep down become paralyzed. they but choices, players that not some real many so your to give enough Choose options. afew potential just to down your story narrow adventure, multi-threaded world, or campaign, entire out an of building Instead know and understand. and know you your friends that and into a character Grahm building on it work go and Let instead feelings. to these succumb of Grahm’s Don’t depth the angst. room or understand the in the details all overboard. Youout to fill want might your you revolveshead, not in know tocore go mantra your As options. clue youto and some potential in start group, but where to you to know enough it just gives You statement to aloud your read that don’t actually Road.” Flint White the along merchants harass to continue orcs he’s and because pissed of Winterfell, town the oflord Lord of Grahm, chambers “We audience inthe begin The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea the ruins beneath the Blue Twins Blue the beneath mountain.” ruins the at rivals friendly of their deaths of the overhear where they inWhitefall, adventurers’ guild the at begins party “The adventure. on you the have ahandle feel like players. It of the won’t you imaginations the spur make to work of. It off doesn’t That doesn’t you give anything missions.” new while awaiting adventurers’ guild at the begins party “The Here’s apoor example: eyebrow an or two. raise and unique setting the to make You table. at the detail enough want imaginations the doesn’t of and theengines apart up fire doesn’t your adventure set beginning general overused An it probably too generic, is won’t your introduction If help. abar in starting More than table. the at unfold story the let to enough players your give and off things to start required details the only to with be it needs as small as your beginning keeping means This rest. the eliminate and most on whatmatters of rest youryou preparation, the should focus with As where begins. adventure your understanding in lies first your energy, upon to focus the which areas three the Of VI. questions: three same the on focus Instead, track. forcing your players asingle down you out don’t at once risk or it you’ll all to outline want but be, might plot and of theme your campaign overall out. You them plan idea to whatthe have want an might you less the more fun often are they and planning, need don’tCampaigns game. first in your scene your first than you itself, don’t much further campaign tothe need think abar, in but for don’t start they so together heroes all just to our ways get discuss some we’ll In laterreally. chapters, Not You right? this, campaign. alot need more than of abig stages you’reMaybe beginning the in just about campaigns? What larger Beginning Your Adventure Beginning

8 In In pitch elevator adventure’s The tenyears. remember in will of. That’s of adventure everyone have sort dreamed the never it you out ways might in building and mix into the imaginations their unleashing details, the from to draw group start of rest the the Let table. gaming of the middle the in but untamed don’t. raw and land and it go free Let idea, winged fleeting go that catch yourand net to grab you in may want storyteller The free. run can story the more –stop. That’s writing moment the when to start you’reminute you out urge and have aseed the typing You don’t,thestory. The the of rest however,in to fill want through Give following aleadwithout yourself initial start, and you know how things might begin. might you how and know things start, initial bit more,little a but youhave your in details You fill might gang. rival of the background about the or anything is Blue actually the Twins beneath mountain ruins what the might notadventure, youany have idea your first is this If Now you have some flavor. Youhave somewhere start. to chapters. three next the in concepts of these three let’s look a closer at hand, all in take your 3x5 cards With you tominutes need spend. five the only end might being up It this. minutes fiveon first the spending your four-hour try session, preparation you’re time to begin down next The along. moving sitting things to keep required three only the are these checklist, your may fill activities toother a dozen ahalf While you summarize your whole adventure in a single sentence? sentence? your whole asingle adventure in you summarize How adventures. would for well individual as works just description single-sentence focused, concept of ashort, elevator pitch areplacement This for as world building. What are your three notable NPCs up to? notable NPCs your three are What layahead? paths potential three What begin? your game will Where Dungeon Master Tips Master Dungeon , I describe the idea of a campaign idea of acampaign the , Idescribe The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea enough direction to build the game at the table. table. at the game the to build direction enough players. You you to your players give enough and just want or your your story overwhelming without feel comfortable to youdetail give enough just for will or your scenes game locations, paths, three you having choose, method Whatever explore. might they locations have three PCs the a more which creates adventure in sandbox-style or scenes locations loose onthree only Focusing attention. their to warrant enough deep and rich but locations the open for paths your PCs the discover, might leaving PCs the adventure locations You three choose instead might middle. the in find might whatthey then and begin, they where end then up,decides will the PCs where first deciding adventure by his planning things”. He begins “three his as Steve Townshend, idea freelancer Dragons refers to this and Dungeons and actor improvisation Professional to decide where they’re headed next. make group might choices the main three represent the might they times, dungeon. Other linear arelatively navigates party the as occur will that scenes three –the linear be might paths these Sometimes take. might your game paths three it the underneath topon write of the your 3x5 card, down written seed youOnce have game’s our beginning VII. chest.”in his a dagger with street in the leader body of a the resistance leave mercenaries “In of Yellowtop, tyrannical salt-mining the town seed: the with Let’s concepts. begin of each these with use to example Ihave book asingle chosen this Throughout Yellowtop Example: entertaining. and unique, beautiful, evolve into something simple lots of leaves room your game to things Keeping a sentence, it’s you more it than If takes probably too long. heT ahs Path e e r Th e Th

9 you want to reinforce by not building things out too much. things you to by reinforce want not building to follow –something paths potential other come up with aren’t, your playersThey can’t that however, structured so of your players. directions on the based improvise easily can you that out feeling you give too much.the They building without rolling gears to the get have detail enough examples These directions of ahubsequence or events as of different apotential as either adventure seed, to back your main tie to or events locations these want you’ll speaking, Generally table: the at you to guide details enough Here some options are with don’t of options that some examples are have detail: enough your options shouldn’t Here focused, too vague. be Though of your adventure. paths potential move three on to the now Good, let’s on down your 3x5 card? Got your seed you ideas. to of remind the details enough above example but out the it should have as spelled of core your story. seed the It doesn’t well to need as be afew words, just in down, write your 3x5 and note card out for take adventure, your own preparing you begin As revolution. about: adventure is what this idea to have an of astart enough of us all gives seed This enters the thieves’ den below the sewers of Ashton. sewers below den the thieves’ enters the party force, the or direct subtlety either Through slave camp. uphave their set wheregnolls ruins nearby to the travels party The of Nyn. town corrupt nearby to the Ralthor priest evil the chases party The guild. thieves’ local the investigates party The ruins. nearby the into goes party The town. neighboring to the travels party The The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea a criminal’s motive back from the murder scene. murder scene. the motive from back a criminal’s Sherlock Holmestracking like again, piece it together back able players to are the when interesting It really becomes took. they actions original to it the together back tie and actions of their results later. the see sessions might Now they afew angle adifferent from them towards back careening it comes until view of outside events of their a chain begins PC by the taken action an when exciting It really gets to session session. from reactions and paths new creating of NPCs, sorts all with journey, interact they their story. the Throughout fuel will that PCs of motivations the and actions Itover place. the is the all rebounding and colliding and smashing table, on this balls active most the are PCs The way. same the game’s of the collide interactions NPCs and actions The a new direction. veer in and one another of off rub just they times other together; hard smash they another. Sometimes with colliding potentially path, a new takes another it with collides As one ball balls. with filled Considerapool table NPCs. movementsto the of living compared static relatively it is interesting, seem might of aplace history ancient the Although forward. story move of rest the NPCs the of the actions The adventure. of the seed to the locations and scenes the binds that the sinew as and act thestory lifeblood of the flowlike NPCs of these reactions and paths The campaign. your adventure or in NPCs important most of the activities and backgrounds the you to determine want component of third adventure preparation, the During VIII. them: surrounding ideas afew key and locations adventure potential let’s three 3x5 card, that On write adventure. the in used be might that areas let’s three build Yellowtop the adventure seed, with through Following Adventure The of Yellowtop Locations Example: deep within. Leads from Yellowtop to Ashland Fortress. Fortress. Yellowtop from to Leads Ashland within. deep power found buried a dark now when they down closed Saltmines: The headquarters. mercenary now house, noble Former Graystone Manor: Character-Driven Stories Former center town’s for the industry,

1 0 Going back to Yellowtop, let’s identify three key NPCs: to back Yellowtop, NPCs: Going key three let’s identify NPCs Yellowtop Example: idiosyncrasies. of their details and are they helps your group rememberNPCs who primary to three into book four of the directly to no jump one and wants ofa bunch characters, new low. characters It’s of number these the to remember hard to keep try limitation, comes from creativity that mind in Keeping characters. Great come great stories from NPCs ally important Focus on three and get ready for the NPCs. readyfor get and the on it branches three and adventure seed the with 3x5 card you do NPCs on the focus Instead, shouldn’t forward. stories prepare too much their to drive story, you main the drive will your PCs Although game. D&D your lazy in let’s NPCs about using pragmatic get mind, in philosophy character-driven some ofWith this locations to our adventure seed? Non-player to adventure seed? our locations characters. these to do tie we use What yet. it’s together if tied not all there’s to feel like enough some adventure to even had, be We threat. have and we have oflocations, some history ideas We have some adventure details. the over-writing without together, coming but is micro-universe little Now this Currently seeks heroes to displace the local mercenaries. mercenaries. local the to heroes displace seeks Currently now exile. is revolutions in and and previously attacks Lavasque: revolution. for hopes home secretly and his from Displaced by mercenaries. Graystone: Kanzlif Lord destruction of the town. town. the of destruction Two the mercenaries. ogre threaten trebuchets by now hobgoblin and keep inhabited ruined a mountains, the in High Fortress: Ashland Diplomat, alchemist, and “terrorist”. Led “terrorist”. Led and Diplomat, alchemist, Lord of Yellowtop. off Paid Song of IceSong Fire and control. Flip over control. Flip your . Sticking Sticking . The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea following points: following the it with summarize quickly but Iwill villains, great for process creating the discusses TipsMaster already Dungeon Flourish’s Sly good need villains. stories Good Focus on enemy one NPCs to three focus will be diluted. be will focus their one because won’t aboutparticular any care really won’t story the Your and feel focused. three players than alonger in story. More turns and twists lot of interesting to have enough a are villains Three one focus. with story for number a perfect the One is one to three. villains: of number let’s ideal mind, on the in focus this Keeping NPCs their own card to track their actions over time. actions their to track card own their NPCs of each these consider giving of acampaign, course the Over are. to remember who of they abackground enough and names you have that so their NPCs three these describe adventure seed, the containing 3x5 card the On PCs. the with to interact begin they when do will they knowwhatso we first NPCs of the motivations and Let’s on backgrounds PCs. focus of the progress to addition the in NPCs of these actions the track let’s go adventures forward, the As hasn’t story the begun. because yet doing anything are None characters of these Great villains actually are actually Great villains right. is doing are they what think villains Good smart. are villains Good have plans. plots and aren’t they static, villains Good are. they way the for have areason being villains Good the resistance leader. leader. resistance the murder at of the Appalled mercenaries. the overthrow Davins: Former businessman and salt miner. Seeks to to miner. Seeks salt and Former businessman right.

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1 3 story hooks. story out game’s the interesting worldbuilding generating and simultaneously while groups together bring and detail more characters to give relationships character-focused away of building discuss on, Later we’ll relationships. or themes, choices of backgrounds, their from details out bring afew you can kicks, or emotional details character with your not players forthcoming If are as elevator pitch we talked about earlier. Focus on a single on about a single earlier. Focus elevator pitch we talked campaign single that along your campaign focus Instead, seed campaign single-line The knot. mutated of horrific some up sort in have them to tie end, you by the that, seeds many so have your group chasing Don’t exist. doesn’t that plot thread actually intricate detailed you can’t ending deliver. an Don’tsell pretend to have some is story do for you acharacter-driven can worst thing The it. show, end of by the the knew and, we all started they when story end to that no real clearly was –there syndicate the and man smoking the and aliens eye ink-in-the- crazy the ones with the episodes, mythology to go. The X-Files show of the didn’t going where writers it know The was have aplan”. “They didn’t They tagline, its of Battlestar recent remake Consider the Galactica Don’t you ending can’t deliver an sell had the same problem. All of the X-Files of the problem. same All the had have a plan. plan. a have and and The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea rolls for the relationship between his or her PC and the PC of PC of or the her PC and his between relationship for the rolls who now player roll left to The on goes the the or her left. his player’s rolling PC on the the PC and between relationship the is result to that appropriate tied relationship the The die. player That rolls roll. the a player Pick of to PCs. begin pair each together to tie relationships of to twenty twelve alist use mini-campaign, or campaign session of your first the During relationships workHow Fiasco-style technique. storytelling at meet abar” old “you the all than better works far a way that in together characters to help playerstheir tie technique version ofYou this astripped-down use can round. every growwith story the letting rolls, of dice series a through stories and relationships, backgrounds, players build Fiasco, In fun. out for group storytelling Fiasco games, roleplaying recentOf story-focused XI. simply reacting. without seek they direction the in story pushthe to gently have time you will and enough often and Do it early forward. things these bring you can right, is time the story. of the When fuel the to Asmodeus”. add them and Take note things of those “kill or ruins” ancient in a dragon” or “findartifacts old “fight like things come with back tomight do.want They they of things whatsorts them ask into your campaign, afew sessions After want. they direction the in heading are you things your players have if story. to ask do is All the if toyou’reout find with survey themark hit going to for you,Lucky you don’t group or to need do a afocus your playersAsk want what they focus. in remains always goal Yet primary the directions. new pushit in situations and characters weave the and as twist leaves lots of seed to room for story A simple the single-line you’re ensure it direction. and that in heading Vale, to Nentir the stick destroying from Xythar arch-lich on the preventing don’t your campaign you If sell deviate. Don’t to and be it has it more make complicated than event or outcome your players helps forward. drive that World Building ThroughWorld Building Relationships stands stands

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1 5 Appendix A Appendix You them. in more find you PC relationships run can time every out differently turn will shot that adventures for one- handy is This stories. completelyin different result From will relationships group to group, different relationships: following on the roll of town Yellowtop, might example the In characters relationships The of YellowtopExample: 12. Survivors ofambush ahobgoblin Survivors 12. 11. Graystone noble of the family Ancestors kingdom neighboring of the agents 10. Secret 9. Orc hunters Greatmother the of Chauntea Acolites 8. sent north 7. villagers Displaced ruins mine salt of the Explorers 6. Graystone of Kanzlif Lord 5. Guards to Lavasque Apprentices 4. of or3. Davins nephews Nieces Former2. soldiers mercenary miners 1. Former salt .

The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea or even other games. Here are some example story ideas: Here story some example are games. or other even shows, books, TV movies, including aboutjust anywhere from stories for ideas these grow. the might We steal can stories potential which idea from an and seed starting agood we is need to All end. out beginning from spelled earlier, we don’t we’veAs discussed acomplete need story frameworks seed Story Let’s oflook your at time. minutes some examples. but afew took only textured and rich feels that your game It’s element way to addyour game. an to easy and aquick amodel for as acomponent use you in can area physical or story, acharacter, is Simply put, setting, aframework originals. the as rich new, brand and deep appears as yet that something into frameworks these turn you can some tweaks subtle With aframework. as built ones already use scratch; from or encounters stories, monsters, out worlds, characters, of building Instead we choose. to pick need do is and all models, many so built have already writers great other Luckily, considerable time. takes air thin from characters however,scratch, meaningful and deep or creating from worldsentire out. Building ofyour bag fills tools much gets simpler as dungeon master of alazy life The XII. Kill Graz’zt. (Kill Graz’zt. Bill) Kill (Deadwood) forces. powerful of many focus the becomes and beyond imagination riches on sitting itself finds town frontier A small Samurai) (Seven raiders. of marauding bands from protected mustbe village isolated A small civilization. Twoof ruins the among forpower fight groups Ark) Lost of the (Raiders artifact. ancient apowerful to uncover attempts army evil An 3) (Diablo wake. its in of destruction a path leaving to earth heavens plummets of the A creature Building from Frameworks Building (The Stand) (The

1 6 your campaign to go. your campaign on how depending long or four or years you ayear want months you three last might Aseed think. you might than necessary fewer are models adventure or mini-campaign, an out planning first when necessary only is aseed Because DM. by the controlled character to amain part secondary the no group enjoys playing NPC, an around a story to it build is as tempting As stories. don’t these in exist yet PCs, the characters, Main of NPCs. growth on the based avoid seeds story choosing seeds, story considering When frameworks for NPCs or for villains: NPCs frameworks Here character some to example are your game. unique completely appear them make will sex, their or changing genres changing such character, as their in shifts Slight your game. in for models NPCs mental and physical both as them use and some of your favorite characters of novels alist entire of backstory. Build to write having without you NPCs give deep frameworks Character Character frameworks No Country for Old Men for Old No from Country Chigurh Anton Galactica Battlestar from Tigh Colonel Saul True Merlotte from Sam Blood Wayne of Anarchy Sons Unser from Angel from Wesley Wyndam-Pryce Deadwood from Swereangen Al Bad Breaking from White Walter The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea the history, and built it into your own world it into your own needed. built as history, and the move around cities, rename to ignore freedom canon, full You region. of that have also details about the worry only and region on one focus particular setting, apublished use you world. game When your own building more work than to be appear might setting apublished using Sometimes your campaign. in Athas the as same the necessarily isn’t know might they Athas to the your players that clear it Just make of Eberron? apocalypse post thousand-year fifty the was Sun Dark in Athas if What mix. into the variable unique your own in stopping you throwing from there’s said, That nothing framework. your campaign as world game apublished choose and time Save yourself of your world. new geographies and ecologies, politics, sociologies, histories, the all now learn work for you,of extra but who must well your players as it’s that youfor not alot have your game, only to recognize world unique your own enjoymuch you as might building world. the As in place helps your players their know also It your own. to it build is than settings D&D published before, it’s one we much to discussed of use As the easier frameworksSetting seconds. ready to go in character you and have arich frameworks character one of these Wrap with your game NPC. anotable in a quick NPC help considerably you when need can favorites on hand of your of twenty a list Keeping your game. in use you can frameworks character of potential thousands are There of time. ahead preparation no almost with the game outhim weduring to need flesh everything us give mannerisms and voice, background, appearance, His town. struggling of defense the in days many seen who has guard a town or as to a king advisor as encounter might PCs the veteran war grizzled it into the turn easily and character his We asleep. take half can looks to move he appears always if slowly even and cunning and He’s distributor. for amajor drug head of deadly security the as We acts example. have a70-year-old-guy who still an as Breaking Bad from Let’s Ehrmantraut look at Mike War Vet Grizzled the as Ehrmantraut Mike Example:

1 7 wonder time. of your players same at the the draws and real feels it, that you environment have an within set variable fantasy the and place in framework your for you’ve With a location a framework. from built feel the elements change fantasy small bar. These the runs adventurer who now retired of the axe out, or a glowing that never goes in a hearth fire purple add amassive might Potter You for example. Harry in stairwells shifting and paintings talking Considerthe afantasy. they’re inhabiting to show youin players our throw that to something be has element, fantastic the third, The frameworks. our from come functional, and Fs, familiar three of these three the Two of functional. and familiar, fantastic, of locations: Fs three the Thompson Rodney describes designer D&D inn. aperfect make might bar Atwo-story location. dungeon for tower aperfect of make the of London can texture The well. workAppropriate locations very real-life table. at the appear it will more the realistic your framework, more The explore. detailed might PCs the area physical the in details help the you paint frameworks Location frameworks Location can even mash up entire worlds. up entire mash even can There’s You create. of noscope mashups end you to the can use. you can frameworks example many book contains this A in dungeon master. Appendix tool lazy for the perfect the them making built, been already whathas to rebuild trying save of you hours hundreds can models These to run. want you forgame it unique the to make variations enough with feel real something to make depth and texture enough You’ll for new brand your game. have just something into together them mashing and elements potential or three two taking comfortable get you’ll time, Over down. out them of them world our plucking jotting and at better and better get you’ll open and your eyes Keep time. at any come anywhere from can frameworks These mashups and Theft The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea new and wonderful. and new something it to build use and everywhere from Steal no apologies. you and make need no limits are There of Mars. surface on the wrecks ship space amongderelict scattered artifacts hunt divine must down round table of the knights where the acampaign Build of Greyhawk. Vale city Nentir the under or Undermountain TowerDark Waterdeep of the Stick middle the books. in Stephen King’s with World mixed for aGamma campaign setting background completely the new. as Sun Dark Run something come up worlds and with together Collide (and you didn’t), permission needed consider it granted. you your players have and vision you If for ever your game. the worlds, however game fits published best all including materials, your game to use license You hereby full are given worlds own your Colliding rules. own their break law. as canon Yetworlds authors often of these very the who hold by those heretics as accosted be worlds might set these from DMs Eberron. who stray and Realms Forgotten the worlds game like honestin to canon staying community, a lotto paid of gets attention gaming the In world the to build. he and wanted to tell he wanted story played out the it how he todidn’t so rewrote fit history like Basterds Inglourious In movies. his in of styles mix the mashups shouldn’tThese work. He doesn’t to hide try even genres. transcends that it into something turns and anime evenand Japanese westerns, spaghetti flicks, kung-fu movies, 1970s from best grindhouse the takes for example, Kill Bill parts. of their sum the more becomethan far that into upmovies genres for mashing aknack has Tarantino Quentin days, these director popular other any More than XIII. Colliding Worlds Colliding , he he , ,

1 8 maybe jot a few points down that tie it to tie D&D. that jot down afew points maybe core and concept to the about stick it, just ofpages history Don’t good. fifty pretty be to write bother will of them show you you can that will exercise away, them or simply throw you them if never use the Even game. for agood D&D make might mashups that outmashup. tenworld Take write and out ten3x5 cards your worldly describes Write sentence that asingle it up.you, tear to you’re dry and giggle, boring it If feels onto something. your elevator pitch. it’s If with you good it so begin makes before, As to your onworld get points a3x5 card started. good world. afew bullet You and line asingle need just a to build timeline atenthousand-year with your wall You well. as on King don’t chart Project aMicrosoft need abit in more Stephen drag and exercise adventure design five-minute easy. Let’s initial go to back this the Let’s make A new world on a3x5 card avoiding. be whatyou might note yourself of ask it and worlds, take up these of concept mashing avoiding the you If yourself find boring. likely most and comfortable, easier, workyou hard something to away that find from to steer going is to try Resistance it The probably hard. is Here’s a bit of Pressfield’s Resistance avoid don’t order need. amonster they in to build really DMs It’s might of business. thing creative sort the tricky is up to mash settings of and stories balance right the Finding whatup well mashes Deciding do this, and I bet one Ibet and do this, again. If it feels hard, it hard, If feels again. The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea does your mind take you? take your mind does Here’s Where of tenworld examples. alist mashups as Ten worldExample: mashups Vampire World in hunting War One. universe. the in substance valuable most found just the town wild-west A dead-end setting. aCyberpunk in Barbarian the Conan Serenity. meets Godfather The Japan. in medieval emperorsas flayers Mind by anova. about to enveloped on be aplanet Murder mysteries city. elf Undercover workadark police in ships. space alien derelict nomadsStone-age and vampires. with politics hall City technology. incredible with filled ship space world, a stone-age derelict huntersfind adesert In

1 9 group itching forgroup itching more. leave your will hook that clear asingle around focused flavor feel and of a world full to the get enough just is mini-campaign The sessions. for togaming eight twelve for time agreat make might but for they fourto years, last not cohesive be might enough you ideas comeThe up with for upmini-campaigns. worlds great mashed make These for amini-campaign A setting The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea the following four traits: four following the Yellowtop, adventure in example Using the let’s work with about Four Yellowtop traits Example: spot. agood sweet likely is to eight Six ten. as many four or as few as as work you with can traits, eight chose publications Coast of the recent Wizards While forward. move you as world. the Useyour campaign roles in it to guide their and characters their of theboundaries Use it to define remember. and grasp world your players will that this of traits of number to afixed stick demographics, and on geography, reams history, culture, of writing Instead about …” idea. “eight characteristics the settings, campaign Dragons and Dungeons latest the in used Consideratechnique anyway. level of detail that to absorb your unlikely players are and spent elsewhere Tolstoy Your best be process. novel might the in time a out to worldswriting build ways are without There destroy.”and/or ignore will players your that ofa lot work for yourself way create to agreat is setting “A campaign homebrew XIV. its way to the streets of Yellowtop. streets way toits the before finds open ofbloodshed time amatter only is It stomach few have to investigate. the though trace, a without to disappear have begun tyranny of this loudest The protestors starvation. and of poverty edge on the villagers richest grow, the even putting continueto taxes mercenary The taxes. their and loyalty their soldiers the to give know villagers the commander, and mercenary to the knee the bends town’s The over town. have the slowly taken lord now of Yellowtop, village to protect the claiming cenaries, mer- years, two Forpast Tyranny: the Mercenary tables. their on put food salt found and what they is but salt mithril; of hoped gold, for mines silver, settlers or even for original so The been generations. has and miners Miners: Salt Six Traits Your About World Game the Angry Dungeon Master Dungeon Angry the Rehm, —Scott At its core, Yellowtop is a village of salt of salt At core, its Yellowtop avillage is

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2 8 lazy dungeon masters might best avoid. best might dungeon masters lazy acommitment requires written as adventures published it for your group. preparing it and Running understanding words of Teos time wise the spend the and Abadia follow adventures, published you onIf running do plan adventure. your own you if built had than more time take can don’t They cases, many same. in the and, save you time however, of core adventures, published The issue remains than your own home-brewed your own adventure. than more adventure a published work take to run often it can Vecchione of Phil over-preparing. trap As into the described, however, hard, be It not for works will well to them. fall that into material them tear, rebuild and works should twist, these who uses dungeon readermaster and the that authors agree published Many table. at the to your game helpthem you run found within mechanics well-designed the using itneed and you when for inspiration them using grip, aloose with books Hold onto sourcebooks. these these from value to getting key the is your own them making works and published Taking it your own Make elements of the overall story. overall elements of the them of considering instead monsters represents those DM the that perception the past helps break and of time alot savesdungeon masters monster damage Delegating to. cared they if it already tracking your playersbe could you’re that of too any muchno worry away because giving on There’s monsters. one of damage your players to track it to give and agood hand-held board Buy white yourself damage monster Tracking dedicated initiative caller. initiative dedicated a with even it to on keep track, ability the has everyone order, initiative the see whole group the can When wholeover help group the informed. 3x5 keep note cards or some wall on the A whiteboard to everyone. order visible your initiative whole you group if make much for becomes easier the Delegation of initiative folded- The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea smart, imaginative people. Be sure to let them know what what know to people. them sure let Be imaginative smart, among agroup of astory to be build it can how rewarding You’d to them. story of the surprised be portions delegating work story-focused, on particularly your groupIf is Delegating storytelling it fairly. much to use is more likely lawyer rules the he or she has, responsibility and authority the he or she realizes When become. will lawyer rules the group, more to the the enjoyment objective game of the however, find, Youthe morethat you the delegate will group. or the favor or the her of character his in rules the to bend isn’t and simply trying rules of the view objective and a fair has lawyer the that of course, requires, This it’s judgment if the accept fair. always but youyou should almost have veto privileges, DM, the as course, Of judge and disputes. rules interpret to the andauthority lawyer rules of title official or her the room lawyer, employ or her. him barracks Givethe him of spirits the to crush of trying Instead others. correcting joy great in takes but also forwards and backwards rules the not knowing pride in only great your who table takes one lawyer, at person the rules the with We’re familiar all you.” upon book rule the from force to quotations room lawyer barracks some allow nor written, letter the to hold “Never moderation rules Delegating oforder, or monsters forgotten villains. names often the and initiative defenses, these including visible of things sorts these agood tool is to help you keep onA big awall board white disadvantage. to your groupthis tend tobrings outweigh inclusiveness it the and combatto but benefits speed the game, of the away some mystery of the take might technique This screen. the behind rules you the aren’tthat changing added benefit the to of your players proving has defenses monster Revealing or failed. succeeded they if determine to board have only avisible to or check not,succeeded they they you whether asking of constantly Instead game. up the speed dramatically can visible checks difficulty and defenses your monster It’s delegation, but making not exactly defenses monster Revealing Dungeon Master’s Dungeon Guide Edition 1st —E. Gary Gygax, Gygax, Gary —E. , 1979 ,

9 should be having a great time at your game, including you. including at your game, time agreat having should be players. DMsEveryone and between walls the down breaks abond creates that agroup and as you together closer ties everyone’s is game of the notIt responsibility, yours. just enjoyment shows the your group that this Delegation like a plus. certainly is that easier, your life though it makes of forms delegation isn’t of these advantage key that The It’s not game, yours our or her distracted. be to simply him let it’s maybe enjoyment table, at the overall best the hurting up it job ends and this in however, fails he or she that still you If find, monster damage. table’s orthe track initiative or her to upon manage him call computers; or personal phones, iPads, by cell distracted you have aplayer easily you If your players’to find keep game. on attention the however, delegated jobs these Sometimes, use you can job. the able to delegatehandle best person tomight the you you intend to delegate. general In function the as important To as is whom functions you delegate these most distracted Delegate to the worth your time to read. your time worth Master’s topic awhole well chapter Guide2has on this Dungeon Edition 4th Dragons and Dungeons The workit might before you it on simply them. spring idea how an your players them beforehandto give it with Discuss you, amongthemselves. of each your players, and of between trust most the requires and trickiest the is story elements of of delegation delegation, the of the the all Of erased. easily and pencil in drawn there book’s already, you ideas know of rest this the following you’re If you your mind. go had in outside lines they of the it shut not when doorto slam on to only open them the sure Be or taverns. of inns insides the describe have them You possession. their might in items of magic histories and names the such as things, with small You start can headlights. at of abunch in deer looking be you’ll else they’re about to intoget before it you or on spring them, aren’t really any lines – and those you do have those are –and lines any really The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea right way. Fill your toolkit with aids for improvisation for improvisation aids with way. your toolkit right Fill you for steers the improvisation Preparing feel. you might you’ve less The more relaxed. the prepared, nervous feeling and prepared feeling between balance There’s a careful improvisation for Preparing PAX, worrying. quit so at game a D&D you people run watching thousand three away, you don’t Perkins, it away. throw Chris have Unlike stuff throwing means that If topeople have want just fun. encounters, your well-tuned above and your epicthat, story Remember go where game it will. the let and it easy take it comesto your game, When table. you get at the down that but more yourdon’t game, from demanding with let wrong There’s your players nothing expect. than higher standard adungeon master. as You to hold a standard yourself likely to hold ahigh book,youyourself likely youIf for paid this You abit, needto too. relax for abit. to relax want just They Rodriguez. of Robert action choreographed the Kubrick with movie of aStanley depth the world don’t real for They the afew hours. escape and demand food, to together, get eatsomewant junk have afew laughs, group our They doesn’t time, Most demands. of the have high not group: to of too bad be rest for the the out turned went how he thought terribly agame describes Mediocrity in ALesson article his In you Alower think Enjoyment than table: atbar the of by onenumbers. painted instead breathes and lives that helps agame youthat build trait key the is Improvisation moreyour game exciting. makes and saves you but end result time the improvising, at to alot better get and of alot guts of practice It takes you less to need prepare. the improvise, you can better The game. agreat run dungeon master help alazy techniques proper and tools improvisation else, anything More than XXI. with silent surprise.” silent with to I which responded game, terrific for me the thanked my players ended, session the When time. a great had players the performance, stellar than my less “Despite Improving Improvisation Improving , Chris Perkins Perkins , Chris

3 0 Act as if as Act imaginations. cohabited to be explore your you will safer have. The all you will thefun the moreroom,around flows morethe trust more you. The in open you to them, are trust their build show. the in You and but them partners as have to trust at audience, your players of not an looking as importance improvisation on article apodcast In groups. D&D our in trust of importance the Steve Townshend discusses often Trust them back again by building off of the idea. of the off by building again back them steer ways to find enjoyment rest, of the collective the away from game the to steer opportunities as ideas these players. DMsShould aplayer and use between walls the down breaks and to group storytelling critical is inclusive story. of the theme Being central ideainto the back their notcomponent have might considered or they away to tie a adding of them, off build and story into the ideas these include ways to find up your players ideas, bring As return. in back something them giving of them, off build Your and ideas direction. to job include is their certain a in game the to take ability the has to and contribute, something has table at person the Each of improvisation. cornerstone the and…”. and “yes, aid apowerful is This how with and when know to interact improvisors Good Yes, … and sayand flow. yes. the laugh, Listen, with Go Don’t are. Don’t stuff. they apologize. over small fret more you the relaxed more are, The relaxed them. to guide look to you your behavior and still but ’Nam, they in hill at yourlook table to youYou’re to lead them. a not taking folks The if. as act everywhere: alcoholics recovering and leaders great of both common trick Useto go the well. them we want We and games put into these alot of energy your game. you when run You relaxed may never feel fully Appendix A in Appendix tools these You of many find track. can one force down of particular that tools your game instead , Townshend talks about the about the , Townshend talks follow-up follow-up and . The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea powerful tool. powerful memorable and to come. for Humorunique a years is end, it’s quotes, but the agame in whatmakes Python bad Monty of the fun make Wemight create. games all memoriesour forshared the catalysts the voices as wacky of our value the creator Greenwood Ed describes Realms Table the Across Acting Ham article his In dumb. something say they if villains and NPCs of the Useit. fun it to make with have and fun down stupid, double- you If you something say as improvise. happen that help things youHumor enjoy can wacky the game. your own in co-exist can drama comedy and Both other. Jones on the quests humor Harrison of the the and on one side of Deathwing threat the and King Lich of the World game the humor You in of Warcraft. tragedy have the of tension and mix Considerthe to moments of drama. you can’t that can’t and return your game serious be mean moment have of their them comedy. of Let it. off It doesn’t tension Don’t of –build agame. shut down them totally serious humor the to use break Players might storylines. we loveWe serious our sometimes and love games, our humor with Go for you your game. built 3x5 cards NPC ondown those afew notes drop ideas, these you build As NPCs. these with interact they players of as the actions to the react easily point of more view, the you their from will things more The you doing? see they are What thinking? they are What or villain. NPC an is cases, many in character, the of mind the in yourself you putting has tip acting Another into yourself your character Putting , Forgotten Forgotten ,

3 1 forcing your game down a single pre-determined direction. pre-determined asingle down forcing your game help you that tools on feelwithout prepared the Focus don’t. that those removing help and that those adding tools, your refine beforeminutes it’s Continually about to start. Volunteer improvisation. ten require agame which to run situations in Putyourself else. blossom into something out slip of watch control them and things let youwhen can moments to attention the paying and lots of them, games, running means This again. and again improvise actually You’ll to is have way to tobetter get only work The at them. for come overnight. improvisation None techniques of these Practice players. the and…” around evolving stories the to keep “yes says continually and voices often, changes videos, these in situations and scenes of the many improvises games Inc. Acquisitions, the in crew Penny Arcade for the games D&D run Perkins Chris watch techniques, of these all using dungeon master To expert an see Follow masters the . Chris . Chris The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea the same time. same the enjoyment at of the your game increase and preparation to more get is book out of of your this goal ultimate The in activities. your some efficiency gain you potentially it’s of levers to aset help and of ideas to aset do things, isn’t dungeon master way” a“right lazy way ofThe the not. does that omit anything and goal you to this gets closer that Consider anything your players. enjoyable and for an game yourself running is Your goal didn’t ultimate too directive. as come across book this that to ensure It tookgame. afew quite rewrites our about ideas how havetoWe run own our best all XXIII. Master’s Dungeon original Nof the Appendix authors in and of books list recommend the dungeon masters Many upon draw you when to. need you can characters you’re more The table. more to, characters the exposed it more able at be the to the you’ll come up with dialog, to more great The you principles. listen read and same the using ideas and seeds, stories, create will your mind the more fiction, excellent in more yourself you immerse The ideas. to showsdraw which from TV and movies alot and alot ofbut excellent are of books there crappy he’s and on to reading, do so, right heavily focuses King environments. and scenes, portraits, character ideas, with it fills and mind your rebuilds fiction in yourself Immersing players. your front of it in happens as game to the to react your brain you ofmaps, poster have agood stack to train or buying tools, gathering of pages text, Beyond simply writing task. no easy is table for at the improvisation yourself Preparing life.” of awriter’s center creative the is “Reading XXII. Immerse Yourself Fiction in Immerse Take What Works On Writing On King, —Stephen

3 2 It’s fiction not all game. Good ideas come everywhere. from ideas Good game. for your inspiration for fantastic make all can situations and world people, Real come fiction. places, from not all need seeds story Your and games. own characters his in lovehis of non-fictionandshows NPCs howinfluences it article his In Now get out there, relax, and build a great game. agreat build Now and out get relax, there, yourself. and players your for game agreat running end goal: on your eye the keep always youwhatever tools use, you take, paths Whatever one before. the than more fun game each to make style improve to growand wants this of us Each games. D&D running and comes to preparing it when style own our go for has of ideas, us Each it. the don’t they work,out. youways to If modify them find toss book and this in out some techniques of youIf the try commute. daily the layer of hell: seventh the in you’re while way to absorb such agreat be material stuck you’reIf word, can audiobooks written not of the abig fan genre. any in character agreat makes champion alcoholic the Galactica; Battlestar from Tigh or Deadwood, Saul from Jane Blue, Calamity NYPD from it’s easily. Whether Sipowicz genres cross They genre. any you genre only should follow. come from Great characters the is fantasy that of assuming Don’t mistake the make games. to helpyour own influence list Nfiction Appendix your own Build since. written been Guide . Of course, many other great fantasy novels have fantasy great other many course, . Of I Got Your Back , Chris Perkins describes describes Perkins , Chris The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea 1. 20 Adventure Seeds you as need. lists your own Add right. is time yourto DM help the in when kit you tucked improvise them out keep and them Print lists. your own to build examples as or directly themeither Use game. D&D to lazy help your youlists of build series a find Below you will Toolkit Master Appendix Lazy A: Dungeon 3. 2. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 11. 10. 15. 14. 13. 12. 17. 16. 20. 19. 18.

evil artifact. evil an protecting old monastery an Undead attack vault. uncover explorers wizard’s amad Dwarven band of rogues. of band ahired with apoor village warlord harries A corrupt army. afiendish building a demon apprenticewho begins releases A fledgling ruin. elf dark ancient into an to dig dwarves enslaved Orc raiders son. criminal for vengeance aslain seeks noble family A powerful farmsteads. local terrorize dragon demon-blooded a with allied slavers Hobgoblin attackers. monstrous to heroes defend it from seeks village isolated An a nearby wild forest. wild a nearby into alternate worldcrashes an from keep A floating into ghouls. villagers local turns aforgotten from elven ruin plague A supernatural lord’s city. onto walled goblinoid army anearby lord’s the giant down son brings of ahill death The mountain. anearby within embedded appears devils with old of god infested an corpse The town. the out in to everyone wipe who plan justicars powerful old brings book an Forbidden in revealed knowledge into acity’s water supply. ahallucinogen to release threatens guild A thieves that sways inhuman armies to his service. to his armies inhuman sways that artifact apowerful discovers witch-doctor A kobald multi-leveled labyrinth. to avast that leads keep his within hidden a door finds A king full of lizard-men and their black dragon god-king. dragon black their and of lizard-men full swamp anearby upset expansions Recent foresting terror. to increase tribes wilderness with allying while adventurers, hero’s local A fallen frames father land. the across cultists charismatic unleashes powerand terrible with filled becomes priest evil An cities. feuding two between awar starts of mercenaries A band

3 3 11. 1. Quests Movie-Inspired 20 20. 17. 16. 15. 14. 12. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 13. 19. 18.

in the city ( city the in bank powerful most the from artifact an Steal demon prince ( prince demon of a soul the containing artifact ancient an Destroy ( keep a within demon trapped or apowerful Imprison slay ( it find parties before other two alosttreasure Find ( father girl’s murderedTake ayoung that revenge orc on the tribe ( of awar middle the brother ofin five surviving last the Find ( goblinoids of army agod by now an as seen general Hunt arogue down village ( out awhole wiped that revenge Seek cult upon the ( her mind in fate whoof holds akingdom the ayoung girl Protect ( human are they believe that Hunt constructs down ( does army evil before an artifact buried ancient an Find ( before area this in never seen beast Hunt apowerful down ( tribes bandit warring two from Save avillage ( brigands of monstrous aband from avillage Protect ( abridge to destroy enemy lines Drop behind ( heir unborn an or rescue Kidnap ( you for who left dead of assassins gang the Kill ( vessel buried ancient an from released monster ashapeshifting destroy Hunt and down wench ( wench abar who accosted revengeSeek on bandits rogue ( to rescue negotiate ahostage alosttreasure Find The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly the and Bad, the Good, The The WayThe Gun of the Yojimbo Blade Runner Blade Bridge over the River Kwai River the over Bridge Kill Bill Romancing the Stone the Romancing Seven Samurai / Magnificent Seven Samurai /Magnificent Seven Raiders of the Lost Ark Lost of the Raiders The Keep The Jaws Unforgiven Conan the Barbarian the Conan ) ) Saving Private Ryan Heat ) True Grit True Firefly ) ) The Prince of Darkness Prince The ) ) ) ) Apocalypse Now Apocalypse ) ) ) ) ) ) )

) ) ) The Thing The

) The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea 1. Names Fantasy 20 1. Adventure 20 Locations 3. 2. 3. 2. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 11. 10. 11. 10. 15. 14. 13. 12. 15. 14. 13. 12. 17. 16. 17. 16. 20. 19. 18. 20. 19. 18.

ran Ironfist Brianne Whitemane Axbury inn an A long-forgotten beneath cellar tree hollowed-out ancient an beneath caves of A network natural vn Blackstone Ovena Graystone Tristan Rockwell Randis Whitecloak Peters Windstone Oroth Willowswift Janis battle in fallen of akeep ruins The ahauntedwood in maze A twisted dungeon trapped wizard’s A mad dragon massive of a thecorpse in A fieldruin of temple forgotten god to adark A ruined A forgotten acastle dungeon beneath amn Freestar Palman Bluecloak Anerhost astone from mountain carved A fortress town the beneath sewers Festering hr Evenstar Chorn Rothchild Duberos Graymoon Florena Alwind Krisset ahuge in mansion ofA network passages of achurch chambers the hiddenin cult A temple evil of an of king amad A forgotten crypt skull a giant like amound carved in A hauntedcatacombs an Leafblade Janna Moonbane Envil rock volcanic under buried of acity remains The of black-mirrored glass a portal beyond nightmare swirling of passages Dark rvl Wintersbane Travell Dawnbubble Patsi Seawinter Liona Ironcutter Kogas ahuge waterfall behind caves Natural towerearthmote on afloating A wizard’s old library an lostbeneath Hidden passages lighthouse aseaside beneath A hiddenvault

3 4 1. Encounter20 Terrain Effects 1. Frameworks Character NPC 20 3. 2. 3. 2. 7. 6. 5. 4. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 9. 8. 11. 10. 11. 10. 12. 17. 16. 15. 14. 13. 12. 20. 17. 16. 15. 14. 13. 20. 19. 18. 19. 18.

with battle rage battle with creatures fills blood that in painted glyph A skull energy life of powersteals circle that unholy An Han Solo, Star Wars from Han from Belloq, A gargoyle statue that spitspoison darts that statue A gargoyle fireballs thatspurts cauldron A flaming power arcane radiates that obelisk A mystical minions spawns that circle A summoning A dragon statue that breathes fire breathes that statue A dragon trap axe aswinging with of awarrior A statue Lawrence of Arabia Lawrence from Ali, Sherif Tom Godfather The Hagen, from Dolores Claiborne from Claiborne, Dolores Yu Shu Crouching Lien, from Tiger, Dragon Hidden The Departed The from Dignam, Sgt. Shining The from Hallorann, Dick Invisible exploding runes on the floor on the runes exploding Invisible arrows fire enemies which from holes Murder Little Bill Daggett, from Unforgiven from Daggett, Bill Little Apone, Aliens from Sgt. A skull on a pike that whispers dark words dark whispers onthat apike A skull creatures mad creatures living drive that maidens of screaming Portraits of entrapment A mirror of anti-gravity area An poisonsticks with filled A pit trap light of burning beam a fires that A crystal Jean Lundegaard, from Fargo from Lundegaard, Jean Sir Francis Walsingham, from Elizabeth from Walsingham, Francis Sir Breaking Bad from Ehrmantraut, Mike Deadwood from Jane, Calamity Battlestar Tyrol, Galactica from Chief Anarchy of Sons Munson, from “Bobby Robert Elvis” Hunting Will Good from Sullivan, Chuckie people closer people pulls and grabs of that tentacles black A pillar lightning fire that Steel rods spit acid that statues Serpent of poison gas urns Delicate Lorne, from from Lorne, Rome from Pullo, Titus Vampire the Buffy Slayer from Giles, Rupert Angel Raiders of the Lost Ark Lost of the Raiders

The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea 1. Encounter-Wide20 Effects Environmental 1. Relationships PC 20 3. 2. 3. 2. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 11. 10. 11. 10. 15. 14. 13. 12. 15. 14. 13. 12. 17. 16. 17. 16. 20. 19. 18. 20. 19. 18.

Whispers of the insane dead cause psychic damage psychic cause dead insane of the Whispers clouds of Growing poisonous gas siblings Adopted party of former adventuring Survivors Lightning bolts damage or incapacitate creatures or incapacitate damage bolts Lightning more round each severely creatures burns Hot steam allies people attack makes gas Hallucinogenic people prone to knock threatens ground Quaking range see at to it difficult fog makes Thick creatures burns ceiling the from Acid dripping war alosing Former solders in militia Former hunters Bounty prisoners Former hand hired and Boss apprentice and Master Ghosts of vengeance fill creatures with bloodlust with creatures fill of vengeance Ghosts hordes vomit of forth minions Portals serf Lord and guild Former of members athieves Arcane lodestones limit magic use magic limit lodestones Arcane creatures to close other are that those hurts electricity Arcing healing presencelimits unholy An defenses but decreases accuracy increases time Shifting now that workFormer enemies together Mercenaries Former grifters protector Ward and Freezing mist damages and slows those within slows those and damages mist Freezing around,Mario-style people slide floorsmake Icy ofFormer beloved students teacher partners Business Flammable oil threatens to ignite threatens oil Flammable creatures drown to threatens water A flood of foul casting Clouds of interrupt bats in close walls Crushing protectors ofFailed alostartifact partners Dueling privateers Former slaves Former

3 5 1. Outs Combat 20 1. Never That Should Have Things 20 Found Been 3. 2. 3. 2. 7. 6. 5. 4. 7. 6. 5. 4. 9. 8. 9. 8. 11. 10. 11. 10. 12. 12. 17. 16. 15. 14. 13. 16. 15. 14. 13. 17. 20. 19. 18. 20. 19. 18.

Summoned creatures unsummoned disabled Constructs of god adead breath last the containing copper cylinder Sealed of mortals beforetime from book the Ancient Aberrant monsters Aberrant explode flee Monsters givers become quest and surrender Villains damage for health sacrifice Brutes A ancient tablet describing the death of a current king of acurrent death the describing tablet A ancient empire to afallen heir of achild heart pierced the that dagger The truth dark the speaks always that A jeweled demon skull queen lich of Crown the solved Puzzle negotiated Truce and her dark priest lover priest her dark and adulterous queen of an ashes the containing urn An entombedan the vampire of dust containing coffin A steel Followers sacrifice themselves while leader escapes leader while themselves Followers sacrifice unleashed weapon Powerful Scrolls of a dark spell that cannot be destroyed be cannot that spell of adark Scrolls child immortal An aen collapses Cavern An ancient well leading to a dark world to adark leading well ancient An intervene Gods force an fromoverwhelming flee PCs stolen Item rescued NPC explosively teleports Villain previous owner previous brought gem murder that to A priceless every jealousy and lies, A jeweled box of secrets, dead of the souls A sphere the holding world eaterof the the awakens horn that A twisted monolith adamantine form of an the in prison ethereal An The true purpose reveals the battle as aruse as battle the reveals purpose true The shows up villain true The it up break Guards villain betray Minions The skull of a man dated a million years older than mortals older than years amillion dated of a man skull The heart astill-beating containing chest A treasure unknown seed an box containing mechanical intricate An ground burial primordial ancient An

The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea survey results in Excel in results survey copy of the You afull download can timeperiods. pre-defined specific had questions of these Each following: the included questions survey The Dragons. and of Dungeons edition any across games of preparation relatedD&D to the questions multiple-choice up into several Ibroke survey of D&D. the 817 editions from included results all across dungeon masters survey The techniques. preparation of dungeon master From 2012 17 22 April June until 2012, Iconducted asurvey Survey The Master Appendix B: Dungeon Treasure and •Experience handouts •Props and map preparation •Battle •Non-combat design encounter development •NPC •Monster design design •Combat encounter •World building for game? each following the How do you much preparing spend time take? encounter how combat long youreach game, does In sessions? game How long your D&D are primarily run? do you version&Dragons of Dungeons Which yougame run? for each How do you much preparing spend time games? &Dragons Dungeons to youHow run often D&D weekly or more weekly D&D 470 respondents who includes results from from results includes Tabulated Results Tabulated The following chart chart following The by specific activity: by specific play all versions of of versions all play often broken out out broken often Detailed

Props and Handouts and Props NPC DevelopmentNPC Preparation Map Battle Design Combat Encounter Experience and Loot and Experience World Building Monster Design Non-Combat Encounter Design Non-Combat Encounter .

3 6 68 (8%) primarily ran 3rd D&D. ran or 3.5 Edition (8%)68 primarily and Pathfinder; ran 278 (34%) edition; primarily 4th ran 766 (51%) respondents, 420 remaining the Of primarily or AD&D. 2nd edition AD&D, 1st Edition D&D, Original 817 the Of respondents, 51 ran (6%) of mostly them Versions ran of D&D game. for preparation their in time their spend however,results, abroad us look give DMs at where many These spent. of time curve doesn’t bell for aclean allow survey of multiple-choicethe nature The results. the in together mixed get sometimes systems game Different flawed. inherently always almost are these like Surveys flaws Survey for their games. for their 106-10 spent 7% more and hours preparing than hours; 15% spent hours; spent 1-339% spent 3-6 29% hours; for11% game; one each hour preparing than spent less or more, weekly games who ran 470 the Of participants time Total preparation sessions. spent between time 470 817. total of the weekly; the helped normalize This or more than weekly games who ran to those down the results Ifiltered time, preparation at overall looking weekly. While more than run 23% and weekly; 35% run amonth; twice 18% run monthly; 14% run monthly; than less games 10% run 817 the Of participants, total games? their run How participants did often none 40% 19% 27% 37% 16% 14% 17% 31% < 30 min < 30 50% 46% 42% 26% 35% 52% 47% 41% 30 min-130 hr 20% 20% 24% 19% 12% 13% 14% 9% 1-2 hrs 1-2 12% 12% 14% 14% 11% 4% 5% 7% > 2hrs 31% 0% 2% 3% 2% 4% 5% 1% The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea encounters stimulating and fun. making critically, and, story the element telling in third the to me as important all are etc. rewards, selecting powers, terrain selecting challenges, story/skill crafting puzzles, writing monsters, fine-tuning like Things part. third important an elements are mechanical actual The elements. mechanical actual to leading directly like, the and choice such terrain, as of foes, design isn’t it includesencounter players. This high-level; just their for and more PCs story of the revealing and progressing episode, an as about how functions session each carefully think for me to important is it Ifind of that Because may weave at which times. together broad arcs, 2–3 story way. campaign’s arich to have the plot in Ilike forward pushes session next the on Ispend ensuring time is This story-arcing’.‘Episodic to call 2) A I broadlike category of 1-2 PCs. backstory/personality/allegiances goals/ to the link will that session coming of the aspects one on at hour working of least prep game for 4-hr each spend 1) Iusually PCs. Tying to developing the the story : kinds Two on your game? effect positive most have the activities preparation game D&D What event. play organized Sun Dark of Athas Ashes for the administrator lead the became he In 2010, events. play organized Dragons and Dungeons for organizer twelve-year and veteran, master dungeon WOTC 28-year Teos designer, afreelance is Abadia Abadia Teos the questionnaire. to responses their find will you pages, following the In community. Dragons and Dungeons of supporters strong the are and games D&D many run who have to tendungeon masters book,Isent out aquestionnaire for preparation this in and DM to addition the survey In C: Appendix Preparation Questionnaire Master Dungeon

3 7 very important. very For session. is me, preparation engaging it agreat make to detail sufficient had then and of PCs narratives/goals the and arcs to story integration close with outline a great ones where are Iprepared sessions my best time, same At the up everything. making whereI’ve Iwas games great had spontaneous? they were often How pre-planned? were they how moments table, often at the D&D on back yourmost memorable enjoyable and Thinking up.what Imake on session the notes during Itake and outline light very Just a etc. non-combat work locations, on organizations, of descriptions of negotiations, details with do.PCs Same on what based Iimprovise and outline of an barest the just to fight or surrender. Now begin is foes when it conditions toas work suchencounters, I used alot flow onbetween the table. at the a voice mannerisms and up make to just well not as bad,voice: but it works almost a distinctive such as details ForNPC table. at example, the for spontaneity left best details the with best is outline an but now detail great in Ionce did activities many are There end up a big solocan experience. prep That beyond 9months. seldom last campaigns Also, that from level of depth. benefit few players really because I’m mainly not world big extensive on building, custom game? on the effect positive least have the activities preparation game D&D What

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The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea Master’s Guide. Dungeon Dragons and Dungeons Advanced Gary. Gygax, http://thetome.podbean.com 2012. 8September accessed Last Greiner, Tome “The Jeff. Show.” http://temporaryhitpoints.com 2012. 8September accessed Last Greiner, “Temporary Points.” Jeff. Hit with-robin-laws-from-gencon-tome-201 http://thetome.podbean.com/2012/09/23/story-advice- 2012.23 September (Tome GenCon from Robin Laws with Advice “Story 201).” Greiner, Tracy Jeff, Hurley, Robin D. Laws. entertainer-and-i-know-just-where-i-stand http://theiddm.wordpress.com/2011/12/15/i-am-the- IStand.” 15Just Where 2011. December I Know And Entertainer, The “I Am Michael. Mallen, learned-to-stop-worrying-and-love-the-improv http://theiddm.wordpress.com/2012/01/03/how-i- Improv.”Love The 2012. 3January To “How Michael. ILearned And Mallen, Stop Worrying enters-the-dungeon encounter-analysis-penny-arcadepvp-podcast-series- http://theiddm.wordpress.com/2011/06/02/combat- 2 June 2012. Dungeon’.” Enters ‘The Series Podcast Penny Arcade/PvP “Combat Michael. Encounter Analysis: Mallen, of-defeat http://theiddm.wordpress.com/2012/05/04/the-agony- Agony “The of Defeat.” Michael. 4MayMallen, 2012. http://www.sjgames.com/robinslaws 2002. Games. Steve Jackson Robin D.Laws, Robin’s Mastering. Game of Good Laws http://sarahdarkmagic.com Darkmagic.” Hurley, Tracy. “Sarah http://www.digital-eel.com/blog/ADnD_reading_list.htm 2012. 2September Reading.” Accessed Educational and “Appendix Gary. Inspirational Gygax, N: slyflourish–20 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/0935696024/

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4 http://slyflourish.com/easier_initiative_cards.html Cards.” 2012. 9July Initiative “Easier Michael. Shea, http://slyflourish.com/book Tips. 2012. July Master Dungeon Michael. Shea, survey_results.xls http://s3.amazonaws.com/slyflourish_content/dm_ 14 May 2012. Results.” Survey “Dungeon Master Michael. Shea, http://slyflourish.com/master_dm_sheet.pdf 13 2012. October Accessed Cheat Sheet.” Master Dungeon “D&D Michael. Shea, B007A4SDCG/slyflourish–20 http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/asin/ Pressfield, Steven. War 11 The of Art. November 2011. aspx?x=dnd/4dmxp/20120830 http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article. “I GotYour Chris. 2012. Back.”Perkins, August 30 aspx?x=dnd/4dmxp/20120315 http://wizards.com/dnd/Article. “A Mediocrity.” Chris. in 15 Lesson Perkins, 2012. March aspx?x=dnd/4dmxp/20120517 http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article. Stack.” 17 “Schley May 2012. Chris. Perkins, aspx?x=dnd/4dmxp/20120719 http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article. “What’s My Motivation.” Chris. Perkins, 19 2012. July http://theshedm.com She DM.” Davena. “The 2012. on 2September Accessed Oaks, http://www.bullypulpitgames.com/games/fiasco “Fiasco.” Jason. Morningstar, 2009. December like-a-rockstar-2 http://theiddm.wordpress.com/2011/03/16/ride-the-rails- 16 2011. March aRockstar.” Like Rails the “Ride Michael. Mallen, http://theiddm.wordpress.com Id “The DM.” Michael. Mallen,

The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea adventure-design-podcast http://critical-hits.com/2012/03/19/steve-townshend-on- Podcast.”on Adventure Design 19 2012. March Townshend, and Michael Shea, Steve. “Steve Townshend 30-chris-sims-and-mike-shea-on-encounter-design http://critical-hits.com/2011/07/07/critical-hits-podcast– 2011.7 July Sheaon EncounterDesign.” Mike and Sims Chris #30: Podcast Hits “Critical Sims. Chris and Michael Shea, http://slyflourish.com/dnd_improv.html Improvisation.”Dragons 21 May 2012. “Steve Townshend Michael. Shea, and on Dungeons http://slyflourish.com/epic 2011.February Games. D&D Tier Running Epic Michael. Shea, http://slyflourish.com/map_index.html Index.” 2011. “Poster 3October Michael. Shea, Map Visual http://slyflourish.com/random_loot_tables.html Tables.” Loot Random 2011. 24 October “Mordenkainen’s Emporium Michael. Shea, Magnificent it however use. you for personal want your own it out,You print use and copy it of to your devices, any can book. on the management rights There’swant. no digital for possible as you it however to use easy ityou as to make book the distributed creator. and the designed, and Ibuilt, your money between of lawyers army or an corporation There’s designers. faceless and no giant artists, editors, group of work asmall author the of and is book an This PiracyA Word About

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The Lazy Dungeon Master | Michael E. Shea Mike Shea lives with his wife, Michelle, and their dire-warg Jebu Virginia. in dire-warg their and Michelle, wife, his with Shealives Mike D&D Games D&D Epic Tier Running Sly Flourish’s Tips author Master and of the Dungeon Sly Flourish’s the is dungeon Dragons master. Mike and creator ofand awriter, gamer, Shea is technologist E. and Michael TheAbout Author freelance author for Wizards of the Coast of the author for Wizards afreelance is and

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