Hi all, I previously posted some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. It was the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Here’s the follow up campaign – 2018’s Tomb of Annihilation. We used experienceContinue reading “Tomb of Annihilation: Weeks 6-7”
Category Archives: The Laid Back Dungeon Master
MAPS YOUR PARTY WILL DIE FOR 2: MEGA-DUNGEON live on Kickstarter!
MAPS YOUR PARTY WILL DIE FOR 2: MEGA-DUNGEON (MYPWDF2) launches today on Kickstarter! MYPWDF2 is (are): 30 hand drawn, full color interconnectable dungeon geomorphs that you can print out for live play or drop into your favorite online virtual tabletop (Roll20, Fantasy Grounds, Foundry, etc.). Every map is sized 1750 x 1750 and comes in both grid andContinue reading “MAPS YOUR PARTY WILL DIE FOR 2: MEGA-DUNGEON live on Kickstarter!”
Free Map: Behir Caves
Time for a free, hand drawn map! This one has no grid, perfect for Roll20 / Fantasy Grounds! Behir Caves I originally made this map quickly for a side-mission for my Phandelver’s Pact ongoing D&D 5e campaign (if you want, you can follow that group’s adventures on Twitter). At one point they lost their treasureContinue reading “Free Map: Behir Caves”
NEW Shotglass Rounds Adventures available on DrivethruRPG!
Need a One-shot Adventure for your next D&D 5e session? SHOTGLASS ROUNDS are one-and-done, no fuss, no prep adventures for the busy DM. Lights, camera, maps, ACTION! From Laidback DM, winner of the 2019 and 2020 One Page Dungeon Contests. And for more Laidback DM products, visit Drivethrurpg by clicking the link: https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/13989
Tomb of Annihilation: Weeks 4-5
Hi all, I previously posted some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. It was the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Here’s the follow up campaign – 2018’s Tomb of Annihilation. We used experienceContinue reading “Tomb of Annihilation: Weeks 4-5”
Tomb of Annihilation: Weeks 2-3
Hi all, I previously posted some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. It was the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Here’s the follow up campaign – 2018’s Tomb of Annihilation. We used experienceContinue reading “Tomb of Annihilation: Weeks 2-3”
Free Stretch Goal Map – Mesa Bridges
Stretch Goal down! Stretch Goal down! And here’s another map to celebrate. This comes in grid and grid-less versions ideal for tabletop or Roll20/Fantasy Grounds! Mesa Bridges A valley between mountains and within: a number of high mesas connected by rope bridges. Someone lives on one of the mesas at the center, high above aContinue reading “Free Stretch Goal Map – Mesa Bridges”
Free Stretch Goal Map – Field Hospital
And another stretch goal down on my current Kickstarter means another free map! You can use this cool map for your tabletop or Roll20/Fantasy Grounds. Field Hospital War is hell! But you need to patch your troops up somewhere and this ramshackle M.A.S.H-style Field Hospital includes trenches, tents and an underground bunker. Maybe the bunkerContinue reading “Free Stretch Goal Map – Field Hospital”
Tomb of Annihilation: Week 1
Hi all, I previously posted some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. It was the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Here’s the follow up campaign – 2018’s Tomb of Annihilation. We used experienceContinue reading “Tomb of Annihilation: Week 1”
Free Stretch Goal Map – Multi-Level Caves
Stretch Goal fallen – time for a free hand-drawn map! There’s two versions of this one – one with a grid and the other without (perfect for online platforms like Roll20/Fantasy Grounds). Multi-Level Caves This cave has four levels, with connecting chimneys accessing each level (I’ve included labels as it might get a bit confusingContinue reading “Free Stretch Goal Map – Multi-Level Caves”
Free Stretch Goal Map: Fettered Tomb
Yeah! Another stretch goal reached on my Shotglass Rounds Kickstarter and another free map! This one is grid-less for use with Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds, but the tiles are conveniently 5 ft. squares, so you can use it for face-to-face games as well. Fettered Tomb The Fettered Tomb is bound by ancient magics, trapped andContinue reading “Free Stretch Goal Map: Fettered Tomb”
Curse of Strahd: Weeks 30-31
Hi all, Over the last few months I’ve been posting some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. This is the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Some of the summaries may be dull, someContinue reading “Curse of Strahd: Weeks 30-31”
Free Stretch Goal Map: Overgrown Castle Ruins
Well, the Shotglass Rounds Kickstarter just cracked 200%, so here’s a free map to celebrate! (See below for more about the campaign.) This map is grid-less, perfect for Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds! Overgrown Ruined Castle The party stumbles across an overgrown ruin in a forest clearing: the remains of a castle, crumbling and dilapidated. OfContinue reading “Free Stretch Goal Map: Overgrown Castle Ruins”
Free Stretch Goal Map: Cult Temple
I woke up this morning and my Kickstarter achieved a stretch goal, so here’s a free map! As you may or may not know, I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures, and it just so happens this map is 1750 x 1750 (24 squares), perfect for Roll20 / Fantasy Grounds! AND the temple’sContinue reading “Free Stretch Goal Map: Cult Temple”
Free Map: Dragon Cave
My latest Kickstarter (see below) achieved its funding goal, so in celebration of that, here’s a free map! This hand-drawn map comes in grid or grid-less versions, perfect for face-to-face games or Roll20 / Fantasy Grounds! Who doesn’t love a big old cave for a big old dragon? And what’s more, if you’re using theContinue reading “Free Map: Dragon Cave”
Curse of Strahd: Weeks 28-29
Hi all, Over the last few months I’ve been posting some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. This is the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Some of the summaries may be dull, someContinue reading “Curse of Strahd: Weeks 28-29”
Free Map: Super-Fortress
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This is one I made for a friend a while ago. Super-Fortress! The PCs are at war, invading a towering super-fortress to unseatContinue reading “Free Map: Super-Fortress”
Curse of Strahd: Week 26-27
Hi all, Over the last few months I’ve been posting some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. This is the first campaign I sent summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Some of the summaries may be dull, someContinue reading “Curse of Strahd: Week 26-27”
Curse of Strahd: Week 25
Hi all, Over the last few months I’ve been posting some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. This is the first campaign I started sending summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Some of the summaries may be dull,Continue reading “Curse of Strahd: Week 25”
Free Map – Forest Cliff
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This map is 1750×1750 (25×25 squares), in grid and non-grid versions, perfect for Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds! Forest Cliff The party makes itsContinue reading “Free Map – Forest Cliff”
2020 One Page Dungeon Contest Winner!
Hi all, I tied for first place in the 2020 One Page Dungeon Contest! Aside from winning some money and some nice RPG swag, I get to bask humbly in my own appreciation for a few days lol! This is the second time I’ve won – my 2019 entry was a joint winner. Here’s myContinue reading “2020 One Page Dungeon Contest Winner!”
Laidback DM: Dragon Warriors Review
I don’t have a lot of free time nowadays, but I ordered this game from DrivethruRPG and thought I’d (finally) post a review of it. Dragon Warriors is an English TTRPG first published as a series of paperbacks back in the mid-80s. Serpent King Games has reprinted the 2006 revival of that original game, whichContinue reading “Laidback DM: Dragon Warriors Review”
Free Map – Dwarven Mine Camp!
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This Week: Dwarven Mine Camp You know how it is, the party sees that interesting cave entrance just off to the side ofContinue reading “Free Map – Dwarven Mine Camp!”
Shotglass Adventures: Mined Games Now in Print!
Shotglass Adventures – Kal-Zar’s Bane 2: Mined Games is now available in print, PDF and as a Digital Maps Package from DrivethruRPG. Gravis Town is locked down as the Kal-Zar’s Bane virus runs rampant. A journal found in a lost shipyard provides the location of the long-hidden library of Kal-Zar Ro. The party must travelContinue reading “Shotglass Adventures: Mined Games Now in Print!”
Shotglass Rounds – PDF Adventures for D&D 5e now available on DrivethruRPG!
Shotglass Rounds are flexible PDF-only One-Shots for D&D 5e for the DM who doesn’t want to sit up hours doing prep for their next game session! Each adventure is presented in the proven Shotglass Adventures format, designed for a 3-5 hour session. Each PDF includes a two-page spread of the adventure with DM’s map andContinue reading “Shotglass Rounds – PDF Adventures for D&D 5e now available on DrivethruRPG!”
Murder on the Dance Floor – Dealing with Dissent in TRPG Games
What do you do when players cause dissent in your game? (And believe me, even if it hasn’t happened in one of your games yet, it WILL happen.) Here’s a few suggestions: Establishing Ground Rules Make sure you set ground rules about behaviour in your session zero, such as being respectful of others, allowing everyoneContinue reading “Murder on the Dance Floor – Dealing with Dissent in TRPG Games”
Brutal Damage in DnD 5e
Some people (oldies and grognards, like me) remember when D&D was a lot more lethal for player characters (PCs). 5e changed all that. Now players have a suitably comfortable time with only a few chances of actually dying in a campaign (players don’t really like their characters dying unless its part of a game-changing eventContinue reading “Brutal Damage in DnD 5e”
Free Map – Desert Outpost Ruin
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. Select you preferred version below: with a grid for home games, or grid-less for Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds! Desert Outpost Ruin This desertContinue reading “Free Map – Desert Outpost Ruin”
Free Map – Wasteland Ruins
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This map is grid-less, perfect for Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds! Wasteland Ruins I created this map for the final showdown between Demogorgon andContinue reading “Free Map – Wasteland Ruins”
Curse of Strahd: Weeks 21-24
Hi all, Over the last few weeks I’ve been posting some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. This is the first campaign I started sending summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Some of the summaries may be dull,Continue reading “Curse of Strahd: Weeks 21-24”
Free Map: Wizard’s Manor
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This map is grid-less, perfect for Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds! Wizard’s Manor This single-story manor was built on a clifftop overlooking the seaContinue reading “Free Map: Wizard’s Manor”
Free Map: Lava Rift!
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for D&D adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This week: Lava Rift! Gotta love lava! I made this map for an Out of the Abyss campaign I finished not long ago, but youContinue reading “Free Map: Lava Rift!”
Review – Pathfinder 2e Gamemastery Guide & Advanced Players Guide
I’ve really fallen behind in reviews of the excellent Pathfinder 2e (P2e) products I’ve been buying. Here’s two brief reviews to make up for it: Anyone who has bought the P2e Core Rulebook will know it’s a hefty tome, both in size and price. I know Paizo (the company that makes the game) was tryingContinue reading “Review – Pathfinder 2e Gamemastery Guide & Advanced Players Guide”
Free Map – Old Becomes New…
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This map is grid-less, perfect for Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds! This week: New Thundertree My regular Phandelver’s Pact campaign saw the destruction ofContinue reading “Free Map – Old Becomes New…”
Free Old School Map!
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This week: Old School Walled Town! I drew this map many years ago and I think it still holds up. This frontier walledContinue reading “Free Old School Map!”
Curse of Strahd 2017 – Week 20
Hi all, Over the last few weeks I’ve been posting some warts-and-all email summaries of the Curse of Strahd campaign I ran in 2017. This is the first campaign I started sending summaries to players by email after each game (I was a bit lazy prior to that). Some of the summaries may be dull,Continue reading “Curse of Strahd 2017 – Week 20”
Laidback DM: Free Map – Road to an Underdark Library
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This week: The Only Way is Up The only way is up in this week’s gridless map (ideal for virtual tabletops like Roll20Continue reading “Laidback DM: Free Map – Road to an Underdark Library”
Laidback DM: OP Characters and the Players Who Love Them
Every DM knows one. Some know many. What am I talking about? Players who spend their lives working out the best options to make themselves the most powerful (or “optimised”) characters in the game. But is there anything wrong with that? Here’s some pros and cons you might want to think about, followed by someContinue reading “Laidback DM: OP Characters and the Players Who Love Them”
Laidback DM: Free Map!
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This one is grid-less, ideal for virtual tabletop platforms like Roll20 or Fantasy Grounds. This week: Not-so-General Store Ever needed a map forContinue reading “Laidback DM: Free Map!”
Laidback DM: Free Map – Labyrinth Tunnels
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for Dungeons & Dragons adventures. I have far too many, though, so I like to give away my hand-drawn maps when I can. This week: Labyrinth Tunnels I drew this map for a recent Out of the Abyss campaign I ran. It’s a section of theContinue reading “Laidback DM: Free Map – Labyrinth Tunnels”
