{"product":{"product_id":"B00ADV2H8O","title":"The Lazy Dungeon Master","price":"5.99","image_url":"https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/519-sfzyG2L._SL500_.jpg","url":"https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADV2H8O"},"comments":[{"body":"Just an FYI to everyone downvoting, The Lazy Dungeon Master is actually a [real book](https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O) outlining a novel approach to planning a D\u0026amp;D campaign based on preparing a platform for improv rather than planning out every encounter and the whole story in advance, rather than just being a sarky comment.","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"ePluribusBacon"},{"body":"All very good advice!\r\n\r\nAs I DM more and become more comfortable in the role with an ongoing campaign, I find that I use my \"detailed\" notes less and less. In the beginning, I did kind of a brain dump to build up the framework of the story but I found that I haven't open up my Google Docs link in a couple of sessions. I have been predominantly sticking with 1-2 pages of handwritten maps, plot points, and names and using those to guide the session. It's a whole lot less stressful than trying to refer back to my notes over and over again.\r\n\r\nI highly recommend the book [The Lazy Dungeon Master](https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O) by Mike Shea (written for 4e but very little is edition specific...I know there is a new version out but I haven't gotten around to reading it yet). Following the advice in that book greatly helped me mellow out and cut down on my overprep.","subreddit_name":"DMAcademy","author":"MrAnderson7"},{"body":"If you are interested, check out the preview pages, for example on [amazon](https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O)\r\n\r\nThe main advice I got from it is spending preparation time on the most important/immediate parts of your adventure while staying flexible (consider 3 possible paths the adventure could continue on). There's some more advice on how to improve your game or make your life as a DM easier, often giving simple tools for it (at least simple steps you could follow to achieve it). The table of contents (shown in the preview on amazon) should give you a good idea on what's included.","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"Cerow"},{"body":"Yes and Sly Flourish spends a great deal of time talking about this in his excellent book, [The Lazy Dungeon Master](http://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1452653913\u0026amp;sr=1-1\u0026amp;keywords=the+lazy+dungeon+master).  \r\n\r\nThe problem is if I spend 5 hours designing something that I love dearly and want to spring on my players, by the gods, they are going to go through it and ... that is railroading.  Sly talks about how to spend those 5 hours smartly and prep for adventures that are flexible for you and the players and comfortable **and** enjoyable for you.","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"SkybreakSpatterlight"},{"body":"It doesn't have to be.  Purchase Sly Flourish's book [The Lazy Dungeon Master](http://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1443023820\u0026amp;sr=1-1\u0026amp;keywords=the+lazy+dungeon+master) and you will see the benefits of being able to have a better game with less prep.  Which is also the principles behind /r/DungeonWorld GMing as well.\r\n\r\nDon't take my word for it.  About 1/3 of the answers here to DM questions recommend this book.","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"SkybreakSpatterlight"},{"body":"Good advice here in this thread. Earlier this year I combined two separate campaigns / groups into one. I'll skip my experiences / philosophy and jump straight into what's working.\r\n\r\n**What's Working**\r\n\r\n* Low expectations. The only thing I expect from players is participating in scheduling polls if they want to play.\r\n* Clear, direct communication. I use email subjects that start with *[D\u0026amp;D To-Do]* or *[D\u0026amp;D Session Recap]* to help separate what a player needs to respond to, and what can safely be ignored. I also use the Respondable plugin for Gmail to help me write these communications.\r\n* Using [Doodle](http://www.doodle.com) for scheduling. I set up a poll with days I'm available to DM in a given month. I send it out on the 15th of the month prior, and typically text players individually that it's coming.\r\n* Limit the number of players in a session. My ideal session size is four players, but I'll take five no questions asked. I'll go to 6 or 7 once in a while if necessary.\r\n* Focus on the PCs and prep using Mike Shea's [The Lazy Dungeon Master](https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1536152333\u0026amp;sr=8-2\u0026amp;keywords=lazy+dungeon+master)\r\n* At the end of a session, ask the players what they're thinking. What questions do they have about what just happened? Who they just met? What do they want to do next? It helps them clarify their version of events in their heads, and gives me a head start on things to include in the future.\r\n* Use Downtime Activities between each session to set up hooks for the future. PCs meet NPCs before the rest of the party and have their own interactions/opinions, or learn information that becomes important in the not-too-distant future.","subreddit_name":"mattcolville","author":"BullitLeMans"},{"body":"For Starters\r\n----\r\n\r\n* Read the \"New DM Guide\" over there on the right hand side.\r\n* Listen to [Dungeons Masters Block](http://dungeonmasterblock.podbean.com/) Episode 44: DMing for Dummies - the listen to then rest of all their episodes.\r\n* Read the PHB and DMG *(not every spell or magic item but do cover some level 1 spells and common magic items)*\r\n* Pick up and read Sly Flourish's book, [The Lazy Dungeon Master](http://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text\u0026amp;ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1441214462\u0026amp;sr=1-1\u0026amp;keywords=the+lazy+dungeon+master\u0026amp;pebp=1441214464258\u0026amp;perid=02NEYH40WBFWHXKP6D2B)\r\n* Even if you are not going to play the LMoP - read through it as a model of what a written adventure looks like.  However you can, and I recommend it, letting your players play their own characters through LMoP.  It will make it easier on you and give you some experience.\r\n\r\nSpecific Answers\r\n----\r\n\r\n\u0026gt;... we also wanted to craft our own completely unique story and make up characters rather than use premade ones.\r\n\r\nYea, that is fine and start working on them but you might find it less stressful and more helpful to at least play through the LMoP.  That way you can learn the ins and outs of being a DM and they can make mistakes that will get A character killed, not THEIR character...yet\r\n\r\n\u0026gt; My main disconnects with the rules and mechanics is all of the numbers and stats and when to roll dice and what dice to roll.\r\n\r\nYou need to do two things to learn this cold.  \r\n\r\n1. Read the PHB - you don't have to read every single spell yet but the rest of it you should have sat down and read.\r\n1. Watch some live play games.  [WotC did a 4 part live play where employees are playing LMoP and they are a good example](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgNRe76o4_8).\r\n\r\n\u0026gt;How do I determine what weapons my adventurers will find and make sure they makes sense and the players know how to use them?\r\n\r\nYou have to have some notes on your PCs, passive check numbers primary weapons, etc.  Basically all my players make sure I have a copy of their character sheet before we play and while I'm writing adventures.\r\n\r\n\u0026gt;How do I populate my world with NPCs and enemies and determine their stats and weapons while keeping things balanced?\r\n\r\nThe DMG will help you with building balanced encounters and what level of magic items are appropriate but you won't advance in DM level until you screw this up some...we all have.\r\n\r\n\u0026gt;What do you do when a PC says he wants to stab a random bartender and you weren't prepared for them to fight?\r\n\r\nHave a statblock written down nearby for a Commoner - or just give them an hp:5, ac:12 or something like that.  Most people in the \"world\" aren't anything special.  The ones that are special, you will have found or written StatBlocks for and will be prepared.\r\n\r\n\u0026gt;Also, In our story their may be more human enemies than monsters, but lots of resources only list monster stats.\r\n\r\nIn the MM and DM Basic Rules, there are more than just the Commoner, there is guard, soldier, mage, etc.  You can start with those and then change them as necessary when you get a little more experience under your belt.  \r\n\r\nYou can also use the great stuff by /u/beedrill330 on [DriveThruRPG](http://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/154751/NPC-Codex)\r\n","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"SkybreakSpatterlight"},{"body":"The best help I've had are from Matthew Colville's [Running the Game](https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlUk42GiU2guNzWBzxn7hs8MaV7ELLCP_) playlist, which has been incredibly helpful, and also Sly Flourish's [Lazy Dungeon Master](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4CoxCbSD5JK4D)\r\n\r\nBut don't feel like you have to listen to all the videos or read/listen to the whole book. Just make sure you prepare enough for the first session which is usually 3 encounters or so and some RP scenes like introducing the player characters. Also, remember the phrase \"What do you do?\", it's a good prompt to show that you want player input. I like to print all of the monster stat blocks that I could need for that session into one or two convenient pages and have the notes or pages of the adventure I'm running in a binder. Once you have one session you'll have experience to build and reflect on. As long as you keep trying to get better, it's hard to be terrible.","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"bobphorous"},{"body":"Check out [\"The Lazy Dungeon Master\"](https://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O).  It's a quick read, but has a lot of good tips for DM'ing on the quick, with minimal prep.  Also, if you haven't already, watch Chris Perkins [do some Aquisitions Inc. DM'ing](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_fGKY44DaI\u0026amp;list=PLjZRIC6PMEFku-_jr2Pe4db4DCuyjVKSl).  He's awesome at a very free-flowing DM style, and essentially became my role-model for my games.\r\n\r\nYes, rules are important, but don't let that get in the way of everyone having fun (fun is the primary consideration for both the players and the DM).  On the other hand, you need to know the rules of the game in order to break free from them, while still maintaining structure and consistency in the gaming world.","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"_Amabio_"},{"body":"Railroading results from planning one outcome for your session. You can reduce railroading by planning multiple storylines for your adventurers to wander into. Another method is to plan less, since the time you invest into a plan makes you want to use that plan even if your players have other ideas. Or you could just be more willing to abandon plans for improvisation. Improvisation lets the story unfold in response to your player's choices, which is the opposite of railroading. You may be concerned that your improvised story won't be as fun as a prepared one. You just just need to build confidence in your ability to improvise by learning and practicing improv principles at D\u0026amp;D games. D\u0026amp;D is in large part improv theatre but the performers sit around a table with dice. \r\n\r\nThree short but great books on this topic: \r\n\r\n[The Lazy Dungeon Master](http://smile.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1445365080\u0026amp;sr=8-1\u0026amp;keywords=the+lazy+dungeon+master)\r\n\r\n[Unframed: The Art of Improvisation for Game Masters](http://smile.amazon.com/Unframed-Improvisation-Game-Masters-EGP42005/dp/0983613346/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1445365010\u0026amp;sr=8-1\u0026amp;keywords=improvisation+game+masters)\r\n\r\n[Play Unsafe: How Improvisation Can Change the Way You Roleplay](http://smile.amazon.com/Play-Unsafe-Improvisation-Change-Roleplay/dp/1434824594/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8\u0026amp;qid=1445365106\u0026amp;sr=8-1\u0026amp;keywords=play+unsafe)","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"grokaholic"},{"body":"I recommend you read the book [The Lazy DM](http://www.amazon.com/Lazy-Dungeon-Master-Michael-Shea-ebook/dp/B00ADV2H8O). It's relatively short, should only take you a couple hours to read but it'll cut your prep time so much","subreddit_name":"DnD","author":"Not-Jim-Belushi"},{"body":"I'm working on my own campaign now and found this book to be helpful: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ADV2H8O/ref=pe_385040_118058080_TE_M1T1DP","subreddit_name":"rpg","author":"smellytongues"}]}