So, I’m taking a break from DMing to hone my ‘player’ chops. Part of the reason was my increasing work and study loads and part of it was burn out. I just needed a break from all the work involved … Continue reading Laidback DM: Anatomy of a (not quite) break up
Have you ever spent far too much time drawing a map of your world, developing and designing societies, cultures and religions to fill it, creating reasons for its existence, only to find you didn’t need all that for your campaign … Continue reading Laidback DM: World Building
I was sooooooo looking forward to getting this adventure. But like so many things in life, the experience didn’t quite live up to the expectation. I’m not going to explain the storyline—by now you would have read the advertising blurb. … Continue reading Laidback DM – Descent into Avernus review
I know what you’re going to say—in D&D it’s so much easier not to have to worry about weapons getting damaged. But what happens when they do? And how do you have a simple (or laidback, as I prefer to … Continue reading Laidback DM: Weapon and Armor Durability
Hi all I was one of the winners of the 2019 One Page Dungeon competition at https://www.dungeoncontest.com. I used one of my old adventures from Shotglass Adventures volume 1, which is available in print and PDF from DrivethruRPG (see the … Continue reading Laidback DM – One-Page Dungeon Competition 2019 Winner
All too often, treasure seems to be the major incentive for PCs to complete missions and quests in fantasy role playing games. So what about something else just as beneficial? Here’s some ideas for things that are just as useful … Continue reading Laidback DM: Treasure Alternatives
Are you one of those DMs who finds it hard keeping secrets from your players? This may be the case if you see your players regularly, through work, school or at the pub, and enjoy talking about your game. You … Continue reading Laidback DM: Keeping Secrets
So what exactly is a sandbox? And how does it relate to RPGs? ‘Sandboxing’ is where you let your players loose in the world to do whatever they want. Give them a map and they decide where they go and … Continue reading Laidback DM: Playing in the Sandbox
Flanking is an optional rule in D&D 5e, generally used with miniatures (although you can also use it in theater-of-the-mind combat if you want—I do). Flanking is where two or more miniatures ‘surround’ another (which we’ll call the 3rd), on … Continue reading Flanking: Good Team Work or Unbalancing the Game?
Hi All! SHOTGLASS ADVENTURES, my first D&D 5e/Old School Revolution (OSR) role playing game book, is now available at DrivethruRPG, the world’s largest online role playing game store. SHOTGLASS ADVENTURES is published under the OGL and compatible with 5e and … Continue reading Shotglass Adventures available now in Print and PDF!
During long campaigns, some players might not turn up for sessions, some might retire, new players will join. There are good reasons for changes in your ongoing cast—work and family commitments, sports, meetings and significant events in peoples’ lives. And … Continue reading Laidback DM: Trading Places
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for D&D adventures. I have far too many, though, so I give them away any chance I get. This week: A Simple Trader The text on the map contains encounter information, … Continue reading Laidback DM: Free Map/Encounter – A Simple Trader
Time for a free map! I love drawing maps for D&D adventures. I have far too many, though, so I give them away any chance I get. This week: The Living Tower of Moka-Shul! So, who is this Moka-Shul guy … Continue reading Free Map! The Living Tower of Moka-Shul
Time for another of my (currently) irregular Laidback DM posts, and a new free map! Map drawing for D&D adventures is my thang. I have far too many maps, so I’m giving them away every chance I get. This week: … Continue reading It’s about time for a free Dungeon Map!
Time for another of my irregular Laidback DM posts, and a new free map! Map drawing for D&D adventures is my thang. I now have far too many maps, so I’m giving them away free each week. This week: Village … Continue reading The Laidback DM #12 – Free Village Map!
Laidback DM: SteveStillStanding.com 